Auto Body Shops Going Mobile and Going Green

Today’s vehicles are made with many different types of fuel-saving materials like lightweight alloys and plastics. Unfortunately, many auto body repair shops prefer to replace rather than repair plastic bumpers. It is easier for them than keeping up to date on the different materials and techniques used for repairing them.

Auto body shops and collision repair services must refer to manuals for instructions repairing bumpers. The different material types require various removal procedures, installation and finish techniques.

Plastic Bumpers: Repair vs Replacement

When a plastic bumper is cracked or has a small hole it can be repaired to look as good as new. Replacing the bumper is wasteful and it creates unnecessary debris for our landfills. A good, eco-friendly auto body shop will only recommend replacing the bumper if the damage is severe enough that repair time would be considered unreasonable and quality of results would be unsatisfactory.

The cost of repairing small abrasions, cracks and holes in plastic bumpers is often much cheaper than replacing the part. Of course, many collision repair technicians would rather replace the part and charge a fee for their labor plus mark-up on the price of the part because they lack in cosmetic repair skills and it is easier to warranty the work.

Technology allows us to repair many items that are often replaced. As resources become scarce and landfills become over-full, we really should consider repairing rather than replacing when possible.

Going Mobile and Going Green

Mobile auto body shops offer consumers a convenient way to have dents repaired, scratches removed, and minor auto collision repairs done in one day or less, without having to take their car to the body shop.

Mobile auto body shops leave a much smaller carbon footprint than the traditional body shop garage with power equipment, lights, motors, compressors, running water, etc…They have everything they need in their van. The good mobile auto body shops work with a special tent to avoid damage to nearby property.

Mike Tompkins owns Collision on Wheels, a mobile auto body shop with many “green” business practices including being mobile and repairing rather than replacing parts when possible. Collision on Wheels specializes in same day, on-site service: dent repair, scratch repair, collision repair, auto paint repair, bumper repair, fenders and doors for consumers and business in the Greater Eastside and Seattle area, Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Kent, Renton, Woodinville, Lynnwood, Kirkland, Bothell and neighboring cities and communities.

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