Car doors are something most of us expect to just work – they should open and close
without concern whether your vehicle is brand new or has a quarter million miles on it. Unfortunately, that flawless
execution we anticipate is not always the case, and there is a huge list of possible reasons your door isn’t
shutting or latching properly.

The McCarthy Collision Centers team is serious about our work, but we also like to have a
little fun, so we’ve compiled a list of reasonable causes for your vehicle door refusing to shut and added a couple
of fun scenarios at the end.

If you have any questions about what might be keeping your door from shutting, or any other body
repair questions, reach out to the team at our multiple body repair shops
near Olathe Kansas and Kansas City. The McCarthy Collision Centers team is here to help!

Why Won’t My Car Door Close or Latch?

There are many common reasons that a vehicle door will refuse to latch or close fully. We’ll talk
briefly about accidents a bit further along in this article, but we will start this article with a breakdown of
common causes.

• The weather – if your doors freeze in these frigid Kansas City winters, you may find
  yourself with a door that won’t fully close. There could be ice keeping the moving parts from functioning or, in
  extreme cases, the rubber seals and gaskets may freeze which could keep the door from sealing properly. Extremely
  hot weather can also affect those seals and gaskets which could keep the doors from sealing properly, but we
  recommend staying near Olathe and away from Death Valley to avoid this problem.
• Internal component failure – your vehicle’s door is far more complex than you imagine
  and there’s the possibility of one of its many moving parts failing. If the wrong piece, or the wrong combination
  of pieces, break you may find yourself with a malfunctioning door that looks perfectly fine.
• Alignment – this type of issue is more likely to happen after an accident, but issues
  of alignment can be caused by normal wear on your door or a failure in a hinge. You may be able to spot this
  problem by looking for slightly misaligned body panels.
• Unexpected objects – it’s common for items to find themselves lodged in the door way or
  door latch and cause issues closing the door. Your blog author has occasionally had their seatbelt end up in the
  door, but we’ve also had our coats get stuck over the door latch and leave us momentarily frustrated. We will have
  a little fun with this possibility further down.
• Latch or striker concerns – these external parts ensure your doors securely close, and they’re also subject to
  damage or other failure. These are easier to spot than the internal failures, but you may still want to seek
  professional guidance in repairing them.

If your car door hinge is stuck, your car door won’t latch, or there’s some other problem with any
of your vehicle’s doors, then it’s time to call the team at McCarthy Collision Centers. We’re experts in fixing
truck and SUV doors that won’t latch, and we’ll get you in as quickly as possible at our body repair shops around
Olathe, KS and Kansas City.

What if My Car Door Won’t Close After an Accident?

Accidents are frightening and frustrating intrusions into our lives, and we hope you’ve
come away from yours unharmed. There are plenty of accidents that seem minor at first but that can leave your
vehicle unsafe to drive. It’s possible for the frame of your vehicle to be thrown badly enough out of alignment that
your doors won’t close, and you must not drive that vehicle if all doors don’t fully latch.

Check all your vehicle’s doors (including the trunk or hatchback) before you leave the scene of an
accident. If any of them won’t close fully, or don’t stay shut, the safest thing to do is call a tow truck and have
your vehicle taken to a body repair shop. The McCarthy Collision Centers are a good choice, and we have collision
repair centers around Olathe Kansas and Kansas City.

Why Won’t Your Honda Odyssey or Other Minivan Door Close?

Every 2024 Honda Odyssey minivan is equipped with power doors, but both power and manual sliding
doors in any minivan can become jammed or unable to properly close for a variety of reasons. We know hauling a
family can introduce weird items to your van’s interior so we have compiled a list of serious (and light-hearted)
reasons your minivan sliding doors won’t close.

• It’s possible the motor which powers the door has failed.
• There’s a seatbelt lodged in the tracks.
• There’s a backpack or bag strap looped or otherwise stuck somewhere in the mechanism.
• If you’re trying to operate the door with your key fob and it’s not working, the
  battery might be dead, or the fob may be malfunctioning.
• Most of an order of fast food fries have fallen into the track and hardened into an
  unmovable mass.
• It’s possible the motor which powers the door has failed.
• There may be a fault in the safety sensor that prevents the door from closing.
• The locking mechanism could be stuck in the closed or locked position.

There are many reasons, aside from a collision, that might keep your minivans sliding doors from
closing. The McCarthy Collision Centers teams are happy to take a look and help you figure out what’s wrong so you
can go back to worrying about what’s important: getting your kids to their next activity!

Why Won’t Your Jeep Door Close?

Jeep owners know that life is interesting, and the McCarthy Collision Centers team knows there are
similarly interesting reasons behind a Jeep door that refuses to fully close. We’re sticking with just fun
possibilities for this list of things could cause your Jeep door to not fully latch and swing wildly during your
off-roading and overlanding adventures.

• Is there a log in the door? What about a good-sized tree branch? A big rock?
• Did your recovery shovel fall and get stuck in the door?
• Have 2 or 3 rubber ducks found their way from your dashboard into the doorway? You may
  notice a squeaking if this is a problem for you.
• What about mud? Jeep drivers are always flinging mud all over the place, and it’s
  certainly feasible that a big chunk has worked its way into your door latch mechanism.
• Did you slide or roll the Jeep into a large tree or boulder and bend one of your doors
  badly out of shape?
• Is there a hungry grizzly bear or moose keeping the door open while it tries to locate the food you forgot to
  take out of your vehicle?

There’s a good chance your Jeep’s doors are easily removed and replaced if they get damaged, but
you’ll want to take care of any of the possible problems above before you install your replacement door. We want you
to safely enjoy your escapades in the mud.

Finding Quality Car Body Repair Near Olathe Kansas

Are you having trouble with your vehicle’s doors not closing, or any of the many other problems
with a vehicle that will require professional repair? The McCarthy Collision Centers are here to help whether you
were involved in a low-speed fender bender of a more serious collision, and we’re just a phone call away.

Our repair specialties include:

• Paintless Dent Repair (PDR)
• Airbag replacement
• Suspension repair
• Auto glass repair / replacement
• Rust repair
• Frame repair
• Scratch repair and repainting

The McCarthy Collision Centers body shops are available in several locations around
Kansas City and Olathe and our team at each vehicle repair shop is ready to help.

When you’re in an accident – call 911 and then (800) NEW-AGAIN. We look forward to being your body
shop of choice near Olathe.

Posted in Car Tips, McCarthy Collision Center News | Comments Off on Reasons Your Car Door Won’t Close

The holiday seasons can be incredibly frantic in Blue Springs and Lee’s Summit, and we
imagine you’re going to find yourself in some absolutely packed parking lots as you gather your gifts and prepare
for those big family gatherings.

There’s a chance the combination of Kansas City’s slick roads, frantic gift shopping runs, and packed roadways end
up causing a few fender benders in the Kansas City area and the McCarthy Collision Centers team wants to make sure
everyone is prepared for the worst.

We hope any parking lot incidents are happily handled the moment they occur, but
experience tells us there are going to be some hit-and-run incidents around Kansas City. After all, some people may
not even notice they hit your vehicle. (We’re not making excuses, but accepting a reality.)

We’ve prepared a quick guide for Kansas City drivers on how to deal with three variations of a
hit-and-run accident. If you find yourself needing a new bumper for Christmas, or some other work a Blue Springs or
Lee’s Summit area body shop can do, reach out to our Kansas City body shops to get your repairs professionally
addressed.

My Car Was Hit While Parked

Imagine a frustrating scenario that develops as you finish your day of shopping at
SummitWoods Crossing in Lee’s Summit: your family is happily walking back to the car loaded down with hot drinks and
holiday gifts and you notice something a little off. Your heart sinks as you realize that “Something off” is a new
body line in the wrong paint color on the driver’s side of your vehicle – and it’s a doozy that runs from the front
wheel all the way to the rear quarter panel. There aren’t any strangers standing around waiting for you, and no note
on the windshield to guide you. You’ve become the victim of a hit-and-run collision, and your day unfortunately just
became a lot longer.

We know you’re going to eventually trust McCarthy Collions Centers in the Kansas City area to
repair your vehicle, but there are plenty of things you must address while you’re still in that parking lot.

• Call The Police on their non-emergency line. You’ll want to file a report with them and
  let them do the heavy lifting when it comes to finding the vehicle that hit your family’s transportation.
• Assess Your Damage: take plenty of pictures of your vehicle as well as anything that
  might be left on the ground around it. You might find evidence that helps track down the hit-and-run offender.
• Contact Your Insurance – let them know about the hit-and-run collision as soon as possible. They’ll provide you
  with your next steps in dealing with this problem.

If the damage to your vehicle is cosmetic, and you’ve taken care of the appropriate
initial steps, then load your family up and get back to enjoying the holiday season around Kansas City.

If your vehicle is severely damaged and appears unsafe to drive you can contact the McCarthy
Collision Centers towing partners to ensure your vehicle ends up at a trustworthy body repair shop near Kansas City.

My Vehicle Was Hit While Driving

We’ve focused so far on a parking lot or other type of hit-and-run accident where your vehicle
isn’t moving and you may never encounter the other driver, but there are plenty of situations where drivers around
Kansas City experience hit-and-runs while cruising the area’s roadways. Our guidance does not change much, but we’re
adding more tips to consider if you’re hit while driving:

• Call 911 if you or someone in the car is injured.
• Get as much information regarding the other driver and vehicle as possible. Make notes
  (or take pictures) of the vehicle’s make, model, and color. Get the license plate if you’re able. Notice the
  direction they’re traveling as they leave the scene.
• Seek information from witnesses and secure their contact information.
• DO NOT follow the other vehicle. You have no idea of the driver’s condition and may put yourself in a dangerous
  scenario. We want you safe and not possibly escalating the situation

A hit-and-run while driving is particularly terrifying and dangerous, so get off the road as soon
as possible, park your car somewhere well lit, take a few moments to collect yourself, and then tackle the
situation.

What if I Hit a Parked Car?

Mistakes happen all the time on the roads and parking lots near Kansas City, Blue Springs, and
Lee’s Summit, and you may eventually find yourself in the unenviable and frustrating situation of hitting a parked
vehicle. This is not the end of the world, but there are steps you must take to properly handle this situation.

• DO NOT drive away. You’re responsible for the damage you’ve caused, there are likely
  cameras and witnesses to the accident, and leaving could quite easily result in you being brought up on
  hit-and-run charges.
• Find the owner. If you’re in a retail center you can likely have the vehicle make,
  model, and color paged over the intercom. The staff at a restaurant will likely be able to help, a small local
  business will be happy to assist you, but you may have trouble finding the owner at a Chief’s game.
• If you’re striking out when it comes to finding the owner you may choose to leave a
  note with your complete contact information and insurance details.
• Document everything – take advantage of cloud storage and take pictures of your
  vehicle, the other vehicle, the surrounding area, and their license plate.
• You can call the police if necessary. This will likely be determined by the severity of the damage to the
  vehicles involved. They’ll begin a report and add another layer of documentation.

Accidents happen, and we hope this brief guide helps you determine your approach if you find
yourself having hit a parked vehicle somewhere on the roads around Kansas City.

Auto Body Work in Kansas City

The McCarthy Collision Centers teams are here to help drivers around Kansas City and Lee’s
Summit whether they’ve been involved in a hit and run, had a more “standard” accident, picked up a door ding or
three during the holiday shopping season, had something fall on their vehicle in the garage, or need something else
repaired on their vehicles.

We have locations in Lee’s Summit, MO, Blue Springs, MO, Overland Park, KS, and Olathe, KS
and our collision repair teams are ready to ensure you receive prompt and professional service. If you need your
vehicle towed in the Kansas City area keep our McCarthy Collisions Centers Towing Service in mind to ensure your
vehicle is brought to the best collision repair center near you.

If you’re involved in a hit and run, remember our slogan: “When you’re in an accident… Call 911 &
then 800-NEW-AGAIN.”

Posted in Car Tips, McCarthy Collision Center News | Comments Off on What To Do After A Hit And Run

There aren’t many things in life that beat the feeling of finishing a big project after weeks or months of hard work—ask anyone who’s ever remodeled their home, run a marathon, or finished a 10,000-piece Lego set.

Restoring an old car or truck is another such project that can scratch that itch. Lots of folks dream of bringing a classic vehicle back to life, but few actually take the leap. It seems like such a massive undertaking, but we’re here to tell you that you don’t have to be a master mechanic to get it done. You just have to have passion, grit, and determination. Also, money doesn’t hurt either.

We’d be here all day if we got into all the nitty-gritty of how to restore a vintage car, and the process is different for each one, so we won’t go too deep into it here. Instead, let’s focus on some basic classic car restoration guidelines and general pointers for all of you dreamers out there. Without further ado, here’s our list of car restoration how-to tips.

Pick the Right Car for You

Bringing an old beater back to life is always going to be a lot of work, but no two restorations are going to go the same, and some vehicles will take a lot more work than others.

If this is your first restoration, consider picking something that isn’t too old—restoring a ’72 Chevy Nova sounds killer in theory, but restoring ’94 Chevy S-10 is going to be a heck of a lot easier, and it can be just as rewarding. The longer a car has been around, the more likely it is that it’ll have extensive rust, which is incredibly difficult and expensive to repair.

Certain cars are also exceedingly hard to source parts for, especially if they weren’t very popular to begin with. Best-selling models with high production numbers are more likely to have support from quality aftermarket part manufacturers, and it’ll also be easier to source OEM parts from resellers.

Other cars might not even be all that old or uncommon by classic car standards, but they may still be an enormous headache to restore due to engineering quirks that require specialized tools or niche technical know-how. One such car, for instance, is the Toyota MR2. For more examples, check out this list from HotCars.

Set Your Budget—Then Double It

Start digging around the internet, and you’ll find endless posts and comments asking some variation of the question, “How can I restore a classic car on a budget?” Every time someone asks this question, a credit card gets its wings.

We’re kidding. Mostly, sort of.

We aren’t saying budget car restoration can’t be done, because it absolutely can, especially if you or someone you know can work on the mechanical aspects of cars or do professional body work. What we’re really saying is, don’t underestimate the potential for replacement parts and service bills to eat a hole in your wallet rather quickly. Nobody ever called car restoration a cheap hobby, so it’s best to have a realistic expectation about what you might be in for, and at least a few grand of disposable income to start out with.

The Internet Is Your Friend

We live in a remarkable age where almost any question you can think of has already been asked and answered on some forum or message board. Sometimes, finding an answer is as easy as Googling, “How to restore an old truck,” followed by the make and model, and boom, you’ve got your answer.

Many popular vintage cars and trucks also have diehard car collector communities for them, and some like the famed Chevy Corvette even have entire websites dedicated to their restoration. These types of sites should be one of your main resources for knowledge. Find a community online and start asking away. Building relationships with people who are restoring a similar make and model will be invaluable, and if you get lucky, you may even find people in your own local community who can help you in person. As an added bonus, you might even make a few new friends.

Make Sure You Have the Right Tools and Facilities

If you’re planning on wrenching an old car, you’re going to need a lot more than just an actual wrench. The tools you’ll need will depend on just how much work you plan to do yourself, as opposed to outsourcing to a professional shop. Some basic tools you’ll want to have on hand include:

• Socket set and wrench (metric and imperial)
• Pliers
• Screwdrivers (Philips and flat)
• Rubber mallet
• Vice grips
• Dent puller
• Air compressor
• Voltage meter
• Floor jack
• WD-40 Penetrant, or some other spray to loosen rusted bolts

Of course, power tools like an impact wrench will make life easier in some instances as well. Certain jobs will require much larger equipment as well, like a hydraulic lift or transmission stand, which will require either a hefty monetary investment on your part or a professional shop.

Speaking of shops: you’ll want plenty of space to spread out so that you can keep any large parts that you remove organized. The more space you have, the better. If you don’t at least have a two-car garage with a high roof, you’ll probably end up having to take it to a larger shop for major projects like paint restoration. Working outside is possible, but not advisable, because it exposes the car to the elements.

Make a Checklist and Tackle One Project at a Time

It’s easy to look up how to rebuild an old car; it’s quite another thing once the old car in question is sitting in your garage. This is where the gravity of the task at hand can become paralyzing, as you look at this thing you bought and realize just how much work there is to do.

The best way around this is to take a deep breath, break out the pencil and paper, and start making a list of tasks you want to accomplish, big or small. Once you have everything organized and written out in front of you, you’ll be able to better visualize the best way to proceed, and things won’t seem so daunting.

After you’ve made your list, pick a problem, and fix it. It’s just that simple. Keep doing that, and in no time at all, you’ll start to see some great progress.

Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Help from a Pro

Unless you’re already a mechanic yourself, chances are, you’re going to run up against some problems that are beyond your expertise—especially when you start to deal with issues like frame rust and body repair. In these instances, it’s usually best to consult a professional service center.

While paying for service will cost more cash in the moment, going to a professional body shop can actually save you money in the long run. Having a certified technician assess and fix the issue will ensure that the job is done right, which will greatly reduce the chance that you have to re-fix the problem down the line. Plus, it’ll save you tons of time, and as they say, time is money.

Think of It as an Investment

After a while, you may start to break into a sweat when you tally up the dough you’ve spent on your project. In these moments, it helps to think of your car restoration as an asset.

Generally speaking, classic cars are pretty much done depreciating, meaning they can only go up in value. Every repair that you make will increase the car’s resale value, so assuming you didn’t overpay when you first bought it, your car will be worth more as you put more work into it.

Restoring a car isn’t just an investment of money either—it’s an investment of knowledge. As you tinker with it, you’ll gain more and more insight into the restoration process, so if you do decide to sell it, you should be able to get back close to the amount you put into it. Then, if you want to try again with another car, you’ll still have all the experience to draw on for the next project.

Keep All Service Records and Receipts

We can’t overstate this: maintaining records of all the work done and money spent is an essential part of the car restoration process.

Keeping detailed records will help you keep everything straight in your head and allow you to form a clear vision of what still needs to be done. Remember the checklist we mentioned a minute ago? That’s just the beginning. Make it a habit to keep meticulous notes on every little thing, from restoring the paint on your old car, to fixing the exhaust, to squeegeeing the windshield. All loose parts should be bagged and labeled. Over time, you’ll figure out a system of organization that works best for you.

Having organized records will also come in handy if you decide to sell your project car because you’ll be able to present these records to potential buyers, which will increase your negotiating power when the time comes to talk price.

Most Importantly: Don’t Forget to Have Fun

After all, if you’re not having a good time, what’s the point?

Whether you’re looking for car restoration in Kansas City, or just need to fix a few dents on your late-model Chevy SUV, McCarthy Collision Centers are happy to help. We have locations all across Greater Kansas City, including ones in Olathe, Lee’s Summit, and Overland Park. We also offer free estimates on body work, windshield repair, painting, rust repair, and more.

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Wouldn’t it be grand if Santa Claus made an extra trip around Thanksgiving and managed to get a Douglas Fir into your living room without being seen or heard? What if you woke up on the fourth Friday of November with a tree ready for your family to decorate? It would be amazing, but the reality is that most of us who want a home filled with the smell of a pine tree will have to find a way to transport it ourselves. Santa’s just too darned busy.

That’s a simple task if you’re already driving a truck around the streets of Lee’s Summit – just drop the tailgate and throw your perfect tree in the bed. But how can those of us in sedans, coupes, SUVs, minivans, and crossovers get our trees home?

The obvious answer is to throw it on the roof, toss some twine over it, hope your knot-tying skills are up to par, and make the trip home at 10 to 15 MPH under the speed limit. But that approach is practically guaranteed to cover the roof of your car in sap and scratches.

The team at McCarthy Collision Centers will be happy to fix any of those scratches, but we have put together a few tips to make sure your tree gets home, and your vehicle goes undamaged in the process.

How to Wrap a Christmas Tree for Safe Transport

Wrap a tree? That’s going to take a lot of paper!

Don’t spend 30 minutes walking around the Christmas tree lot, pick your tree, and immediately secure it to your vehicle with limbs going everywhere. Say “Yes” when the cashier offers to have someone put a fresh cut on the trunk and wrap it up for you.

They’ll likely run your tree through a simple device that wraps it in a thin plastic or fabric net and secures the limbs for transport. (That net won’t stop needles from going everywhere though, so beware and have a vacuum ready)!

They’ll probably even carry it to your vehicle – the best Christmas tree stores around Lee’s Summit will, at least. That wrapped tree’s still a scratch threat to your clear coat though, so what can you do to protect the roof of your vehicle?

How to Haul a Christmas Tree? Put a Tarp Under It

We’re willing to bet there’s a tarp sitting unused somewhere in your house – maybe tucked away down in the basement or in the attic like Clark Griswold’s forgotten presents. If you don’t have one, we recommend picking up an inexpensive 5’x7′ to begin your collection. (Be the tarp person in your neighborhood if you dare)! Tarps are surprisingly flexible in their applications, and they work great at protecting your vehicle’s paint job from scratches while transporting a tree.

You’re going to want to tie your tarp down to the vehicle to keep it from flapping about, and that will involve more twine being threaded through the metal grommets on your tarp. If the edges of your tarp aren’t secured and flap violently enough, those metal grommets could do more damage to your roof (or sides of the car if your tarp is quite large) than even the most determined Christmas tree.

A tarp is a good solution, but is there a gentler approach we could use?

How to Bring a Christmas Tree Home? Pack a Blanket

A nice thick blanket is an upgrade from a tarp in your tree-hauling endeavor, as it would be a strange blanket indeed that had metal grommets, and we know you’ve got one or two extra lying around your house. (My household has at least 14 blankets available at any point in time).

The right blanket will keep even the pointiest limbs from getting through to your paint job – we recommend bringing a thick flannel or fleece blanket on your tree-shopping excursion.

You’ll still want to tie your blanket down to prevent it from flapping wildly, as too big a blanket could possibly obscure visibility, but a clean blanket poses no scratch threat to your vehicle’s paint.

You can always check out our blog on DIY Scratch Removers if your Christmas tree adventure mars your vehicle.

Avoid the roof entirely

Another way to eliminate the chances of scratching the roof of your car is to avoid your roof entirely. This will only apply to folks driving larger SUVs, crossovers, and vans as it requires putting your tree inside your vehicle.

Sedan drivers may, of course, shove a small tree in their trunk if they’re feeling particularly self-destructive.

If your vehicle has seats that can be folded down, folded flat, stowed away, or completely removed, you may be driving the ultimate Christmas tree-hauling machine.

You can fit a pretty sizeable tree into most of the vehicles mentioned earlier, and your storage space is even greater if you leave the hatch or tailgate open and tie it shut with more twine. (Have you bought your Christmas tree twine yet)?

It’s also arguably less awkward to get a heavy tree from inside a full-size SUV than it is to safely pull that same tree down from the roof.

We’ve covered a few great options, but what can a Christmas tree shopper near Lee’s Summit do if they don’t want to mess with putting a tree on their roof at all, or end up with pine needles all over their interior?

Looking to Add Utili-Tree? Pick Up a Utility Trailer

If you drive a sedan or pickup truck, or don’t want to find pine needles in your vehicle over the next 6 months, you might consider having a Class II trailer receiver added to your vehicle. That might seem like overkill when it comes to getting a Christmas tree home, but a utility trailer will come in useful at plenty of other times in the year.

Need some topsoil for your garden? Picking up a used table saw on Facebook marketplace? Helping your friends move across town? Even a small 4×8 utility trailer will let you do all those things, and more, even if you’re pulling it behind a 4-cylinder sedan like your friendly blog author.

Just make sure you’re not exceeding your vehicle’s payload capacity. You’re not going to haul 500 Christmas trees behind your vehicle, but one tree on a small utility trailer will be no problem.

Christmas Tree Stores and Farms Near Me

Not sure where to find your family’s ideal Christmas tree around Lee’s Summit? We’ve got a few ideas for that as well:

• Head to Pleasant Hill, MO and check out Pumpkins and Pines to select and cut down your tree
• Big Box/home improvement stores are guaranteed to have trees available
• Many churches sell Christmas trees around Lee’s Summit
• Kennedy’s Country Farm in Greenwood, MO will open tree sales the day after Thanksgiving

Christmas Tree Car Scratch Repair Around Kansas City

The team at McCarthy Collision Centers hopes this list helps you pick out and transport your family’s perfect Christmas tree without making a mess of your vehicle or causing any scratches in your paint job.

We’re here to help repair those scratches or to professionally repair any other damage your vehicle has experienced.

If you’re in an accident or need other work done, give us a call at (800) NEW-AGAIN. We look forward to working with you!

Drive safely this winter!

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Everybody agrees that nothing’s worse than waking up to an unexpected mess on your car. And the only thing worse than a bird pooping on your shiny, new car is having a bunch of eggs smashed onto it by some neighborhood kids. So, if you’re looking for how to remove egg from a car, you’re in the right place.

If you’ve ever been in this situation, you know just how literally sticky it can become. Eggs contain enzymes that help baked goods and other foods bind ingredients together when combined. Because of this binding effect, eggs are particularly difficult to clean off, especially if they’ve been left to sit overnight or if they baked in the hot sun while smashed all over your car. Without taking the proper precautions, broken eggs on a car can quickly begin to destroy your car’s paint. So… Here are some steps we developed to minimize damage and maximize results:

If the egg is on your car’s paint, we recommend trying one of the following:

1. Shell Pick-up: Start by simply picking as many eggshells out of the eggy mess as possible. This is done to minimize scratching your car’s paint. Once you remove as many shells as possible, use an old, wet washcloth, and carefully blot at the egg on your car. By blotting at the mess instead of wiping, you can, again, minimize damage to your car’s finish.
2. Dish Soap Method: Using a spray bottle, combine a tablespoon of dish soap with a cup of warm water. Liberally spray the solution on the egg mess. After letting the solution soak for five to ten minutes, wipe or scrub the egg away with a rag or sponge. Finally, rinse away any soap residue with plain water to prevent the dish soap from damaging your car’s paint.
3. Alcohol Wipe Down: As a last resort, consider using rubbing alcohol to get off any stubborn pieces of egg. But be careful! Be gentle and make sure to rinse the excess rubbing alcohol off extremely well. We wouldn’t recommend using anything harsher than rubbing alcohol to remove some dried-up egg goo on your car’s beautiful paint job.

Getting egg off a car without damaging the paint is no easy task! But what if you have eggs on your windshield? Select one of these expert methods instead…

1. DIY Sponge Solution: Using a spray bottle, combine vinegar, water, dish soap, and baking soda to make your cleaning solution. This DIY cleaning solution should be sprayed onto your egg-covered windshield and left to soak for about ten minutes. After the solution has had some time to set, carefully use a sponge to wipe the mess away.
2. Yet Another Use for WD-40: Spray WD-40 directly onto and around the egg on your car’s windshield and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then, wipe away the eggy mess with a damp rag or sponge (Note: Check to make sure that all the egg is off your windshield before turning on your wipers for the first time!)
3. Baking Soda Sprinkles: Sprinkle baking soda over the egg until it’s completely covered and let the baking soda sit for fifteen minutes. The baking soda should soak up any remaining egg liquid (and it helps to remove that dreaded egg stench). Finally, wipe away the egg with a damp cloth. Be careful to not scrape your windshield in the process!

We hope that these tips gave you a good starting point for cleaning up your eggy mess. If it makes you feel better, many people around Kansas City have found themselves in this same exact situation. It’s an oddly common dilemma! Fortunately, most cosmetic problems caused by eggs can be fixed with a thorough car cleaning, a trip to the autobody shop, or a fresh coat of paint. If your car’s paint or windows did happen to get damaged or nicked, head over to the McCarthy Collision Center for a courteous, quick, and comfortable autobody repair experience.

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As average car repair costs continue to rise—from 2021 to 2023, prices for services like dent repair and general auto maintenance have increased by 18%—lots of vehicle owners have taken a DIY route for auto repairs. You’ve probably seen the effects of this on the road, too. Duct-taped headlights. Cracked windshields secured by duct tape. Car bumpers held together with duct tape. (Lots of duct tape, basically.)

Of course, repairing a vehicle dent with duct tape isn’t going to do much. But many people will fork over $20 for a cheap dent removal kit or DIY car scratch remover, in hopes that it’ll prevent them from visiting a . While small dents can be fixed in a driveway, not all door dings and bumper bumps can be remedied with a dent plunger. In many instances, that retail car dent removal kit or suction cup plunger isn’t going to be your Superman. Before you perform your own minor cars-metic surgery, here’s everything you should know about vehicle dent pullers.

Dent Pulling: Fact vs. Fiction

Did you know that auto body shops have a term for car dents that aren’t repaired properly? Many technicians call these “friendly dents,” as they appear to have a little wave on the surface. After a dent occurs, these waves become part of the vehicle’s now-stretched sheet metal, and the only way to fix them is to use special paintless dent repair tools. Every other method is essentially just lipstick on a pig.

Plunger: 50/50

The plunger you find in your bathroom is meant for toilets, not cars. Although it’s possible for a plunger to fix a small vehicle dent, it’s not a great idea to try. The pressure that is created when you “plunge” can actually do more damage to small dents. In fact, if the dent already shows , that plunger could worsen the problem and hasten oxidation and rust.

Never use a plunger to pull out a car dent unless you really don’t care about making the dent worse—and if that’s the case, why bother at all? You could end up cracking your car’s bumper, even.

Dry Ice Dent Repair: Fiction

Trying to save a buck on automotive dent repair? You may have heard of using dry ice to pull out dents and other imperfections from your car’s surface. However, dry ice dent repair is largely a myth that’s been overblown.

Vehicle panels are stamped and rolled into shape. Once this occurs, those panels are difficult to disfigure without impacts. That is to say, if dry ice and excessive heat aren’t able to dent or disfigure sheet metal, dry ice and excessive heat won’t be able to revert panels back to their original form or condition. Force begets force, in this instance.

Do not try to use dry ice to remove a dent. Handling dry ice is very dangerous—you can instantly lose your fingers or hand if exposed to the gas!—and it won’t pop out a dent. If it comes in contact with nonmetal components, such as your seats or dashboard, it could even damage those components permanently.

Heat: Fiction

The same logic of dry ice applies to heat. Hairdryers or heat guns aren’t going to make metal hot enough to pop out dents or reshape panels. You’d need a commercial heating element to make any headway here, and that would be far from cost effective.

No, hairdryers aren’t likely to help you pull out a car dent on metal. You would require a massive amount of heat to make any metal pliable enough to remold. On plastic, precise heat can make it more pliable and easier to reshape, though applying a large amount of heat can ruin its chemical composition and make it even more prone to damage like cracking.

Boiling Water: Fiction

Like hairdryers, hot water isn’t likely to heat up metal enough for it to be pulled back in place. This may have a minor impact on plastic bumpers, though that will depend on the dent’s location, size and thickness. In any case, this has been proven to not be a very reliable car dent removal hack.

Compressed Air: Fiction

Canned air has many excellent uses—pulling out car dents is not one of them. Keep them around the house to clean your computer cases, fans, HEPA filters and other dusty items; just don’t rely on them to fix a car dent.

Glue Gun: 50/50

You can technically apply hot glue to a dent, insert a heavy pin and yank it with a dent puller. Once it’s been repaired, you can dissolve the hot glue with a heat gun and remove the pin.

There is certainly a downside to this dent removal tactic, however. Using this process, you may pull off paint and create “high spots,” which are raised areas that almost look like they’ve been dented from the inside-out. When this occurs, you’ll need a dent hammer and other specialized tools to tap it back into place. At this point, you might as well call the professional automotive dent repairers, as this can certainly result in an even worse dent.

Paintless Dent Repair: Fact

The only verified and safe way to pull a dent out is paintless dent repair (PDR). A dent requires gentle force—not chaotic plunger suctions—and precision in order to be fixed. And while PDR will cost more than any of these so-called DIY dent repairs above, it’s certainly not as expensive as you may believe!

What Determines the Cost of Car Dent Repairs?

Whether your vehicle has a zillion little dents due to hail or one large ding on its bumper after a fender-bender, you may be surprised to know that paintless dent repair is quite affordable, especially considering how quickly it can be performed. The cost of PDR is based on a variety of factors, including:

• Dent size – PDR works best on smaller dents, though fixing a large dent doesn’t necessarily equate to higher costs than several smaller dings
• Dent location – If the dent is somewhere difficult to reach or that requires removal, prices will increase
• Vehicle – Paintless dent repair is an affordable way to remove dents, though that will largely depend on the vehicle (make and model)
• Expertise – It’s always recommended to visit a collision center near you that’s licensed and certified to perform PDR, even if that means a higher invoice

Need a quote on PDR in Kansas City? Contact one of our McCarthy Collision Centers in Olathe, Overland Park, Blue Springs or Lee’s Summit to get a free estimate or request an appointment.

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Even the smallest pebble or rock can do a number on your windshield. Kicked up from a tire or flung from the back of a trailer, this debris cracks, chips and even penetrates auto glass as if it were rice paper. Once that happens, you’re either looking at professional or DIY windshield chip repair, or complete windshield replacement.

What if there were a better way to prevent windshield cracks and pitting from ever happening altogether? Is there a world in which such magic is possible? Allow us to introduce you to windshield glass protectors, the number one way to safeguard your car window from damage.

What is Windshield Protection Coating?

Like screen protectors built for your tablet or phone, car windshield films coat your glass with an extra layer of insurance from “oopsies.” These products—there are many, including popular ones like Xpel, 3M, ClearPlex, DYNOflex and ExoShield, to name a few—are made up of virtually translucent, ultra-durable coats of film that adhere to your vehicle’s windscreen. Each manufacturer utilizes its own proprietary blend of materials to produce their windshield films, but they all serve the same purpose: Cushion the impact of and reduce the damage caused by hail, rocks and debris.

The big question is: Do they do their job?

Car Windshield Protectors: Pros & Cons

Advantages

For all intents and purposes, auto glass protection film does a remarkable job of reducing or even eliminating windshield cracks due to hail and various types of impact (just watch the video above). In some instances, it can even prevent a windshield from shattering after a collision. Additional benefits of installing a vehicle windshield protector include:

Reduces Odds of Needing Replacement

As a car owner, your goal is to keep everything as authentic and OEM as possible. Once you start removing and replacing parts, that’s when issues arise. A poorly installed windshield, for instance, may result in ruined sealant that will produce excess road and wind noise, as well as the increased risk of shattering.

This is what makes windshield protectant film such a great investment. Some manufacturers claim that their products make it 6x less likely for users to experience broken car windows, after proper application. Who wouldn’t take 600% better results?

Ideal for Expensive Vehicles & Sports Cars

Vehicle glass films are excellent options if you own a luxury vehicle with a windshield that has built-in defrosters or other unique features that would otherwise cost thousands to repair or replace.

Windshield UV Protection

Like standard windshield tint, many films provide a layer of UV filtration. This helps reduce incidences of sun damage on dashboards and upholstery, as well as your own skin. Yay for self-care! Additionally, some products may even make the cabin cooler by reflecting UV.

Resistant to Staining

Due to their chemistry, these films repel water and moisture very well. That means it is more resistant to things like bird poop, bugs, tree sap and just water staining or etching.

Windshield Hail Protection

Although films won’t save your car’s body from hail, it can prevent auto glass damage caused by large hailstones.

Disadvantages

Of course, as with all good things, there are a few drawbacks to installing these products.

Costly

Expect to spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand for quality windshield clear film installation. And before you ask if you can do it cheaper at home, we highly recommend skipping DIY products (see below) due to the nature of the installation process. One small mistake will have you wishing to turn back the sands of time…

If you have comprehensive auto insurance, it may not even be worth it to install a windshield film—car insurance companies usually pay to replace a cracked windshield. Always check with your insurance agent before paying for any sort of windshield film, repair or replacement.

Not a DIY Project!

To reiterate, if you need a car windshield protector from rocks and other debris, don’t try to buy a kit and apply film in your driveway. The installation process for windshield safety film is simple yet nuanced. Everything must be done perfectly. Measuring and cutting. Cleaning. Squeegeeing. Smoothing. Removing air bubbles. Any number of small errors related to these repair processes could spell disaster.

Requires Some Minor Care

To ensure its longevity, window protector coatings should be maintained well. You should always:

• Keep your wiper blades clean and free from debris
• Only use windshield wipers when it’s raining of with washer fluid
• After any impact, smooth over hard edges of impact zones to reduce peeling
• Hand wash only and never use a power washer
• Never apply any harsh chemicals directly on the film coating

It’s not the end of the world, but if you aren’t the type to even keep up on your oil changes, it might be prudent to reconsider installing an expensive windshield tint and protector.

Doesn’t Last Forever

With proper care and maintenance, the best windshield protection coatings will last a few years, while the cheaper products may only work a few months before delamination occurs. Always choose a quality product and make sure to have a certified, experienced installer apply the film.

Slight Cloudiness

Any time you install auto glass film, whether it’s window tint or a front windshield protector, you’ll notice a little bit of distortion or experience grainy visibility, even after cleaning the inside of your window. Professional installation is the best way to reduce that distorted effect and prevent other defects like edge peeling, bubbling and interior moisture.

Visibility Concerns at Night

In addition to distorted appearance, some windscreen film products will produce halo effects around headlights and streetlamps at night, similar to what people with astigmatisms experience. That effect may even be exasperated in wet conditions, as light rays refract through raindrops.

Need Windshield Repair or Replacement in Kansas City?

Even an ounce of prevention might not keep you safe from a pound of gravel launched from the back of a landscape truck. If your windshield gets cracked or chipped, bring it to the experts at McCarthy Collision Centers. We offer full-service auto glass repair in Kansas City, including complete windshield replacement and hail damage restoration. (Yes, we can also install a good windshield protector film on your car, too!)

Contact and get a free quote from a McCarthy auto body shop near you by dialing 1-800-NEW-AGAIN.

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If you’ve driven your fair share of miles, chances are you’ve probably experienced some sort of bumper damage on your car. Really, it’s pretty much a rite of passage as a vehicle owner.

Maybe you got rear-ended in a fender bender, accidentally clipped the garage door, or just curbed it in the gas station parking lot—and now your bumper is trashed.

It can range from a minor cosmetic annoyance that buffs right out, to a full-blown insurance claim, and knowing the difference is crucial. So, here’s a handy guide to find out whether you need your car bumper repaired or replaced.

Car Bumper Basics

First, let’s look at what a bumper is, and what it does.

As the majority of you know already, automotive bumpers are located at the front and rear of the vehicle. In this day and age, most OEM factory bumpers are made of a plastic outer shell, which covers a cushion made of some form of polystyrene, or other similar durable Styrofoam-type material. This cushion is known as a “crumple zone,” which is designed to collapse in order to take the brunt of the impact force up to a certain point. The bumper is also generally reinforced with aluminum, fiberglass, or plastic, depending on the vehicle.

Not all bumpers are created equal—for instance, a larger vehicle’s bumper, like a Chevy Silverado bumper, will be sturdier than a car’s.

The purpose of the bumper is:

• To protect drivers and passengers in low-speed accidents
• To reduce injury to pedestrians in the event of a collision
• To mitigate potential damage to mechanical components
• To reduce the height discrepancy between vehicles, like cars and trucks
• To balance and minimize vehicle weight

Why aren’t bumpers made of something stronger, like steel, which would protect the car better?

While it’s true that a rigid metal bumper might save you money on car part replacements, studies have shown that built-in crumple zones reduce the impact force on the people inside the car if a wreck occurs. So, while you may be paying to get a plastic, cracked bumper repaired or replaced after a relatively minor accident, at least you won’t be paying any doctor bills—or worse.

Now that we understand the vital role bumpers play in a fender bender, we can see why it’s important that they’re kept in good condition.

Bumper Repair

In many instances, a plastic bumper can be quickly and easily fixed. Repairing any cosmetic damage will help you retain your car’s resale or trade-in value, and plastic bumper repairs can be done cheaply enough that you may not even have to report it to insurance, so you can avoid a potential hike in monthly rates.

Here are some instances where you’d probably have your bumper repaired:

Dings and Dents

The plastic used to make bumpers is a lot stronger and thicker than you might think, but it is still plastic, so it’s susceptible to denting.

The good news is that even sizeable bumper dents can be fixed, as long as the underlying structure isn’t badly damaged. Techs at professional bumper repair shops use a combination of heat and suction to warm the plastic or metal and make it more pliable, then reshape it back to its original shape. Just like that, your bumper and the surrounding paneling can be good as new, without even needing a fresh coat of paint.

Paintless dent repair, or “PDR” as the cool cats in the industry call it, has numerous benefits compared to old-school methods—it’s cheaper, faster, and more environmentally-friendly.

Scratches and Scuffs

There are plenty of would-be experts online who claim to have the secret home recipe to remove scratches, but in our personal experience, they just don’t work well for bumper scratch repair.

Scrapes in the paint are among the most common cosmetic issues. You don’t even need to bump into anything—they can happen any time, and you may not even notice it until weeks later. Road debris like gravel and asphalt chunks, errant shopping carts at the store, and harsh weather like hail are all major culprits, too.

A scratch in the paint isn’t just a visual issue. Automotive paint is specially formulated to be much stronger than other kinds. The primer, paint, and clear coat combo provides a protective layer on the body that prevents rust, as even the tiniest speck of rust can become a major headache if left unattended.

Having small body and bumper scratches buffed out and repainted is essential to keeping your car healthy.

Cracked Bumpers

Some people assume that the second a small crack forms on a bumper, it’s done for. That’s not necessarily the case, though.

Plastic bumper crack repair can easily be done at a body shop near you, as long as it’s caught early and there’s no underlying damage. The process involves professionally sanding the affected area, applying automotive-grade epoxy, and repainting to match the rest of the bumper. This process involves more steps than other forms of bumper repair, so it’s a bit more expensive. Still, if you get hit from behind and notice a bumper or fender crack afterward, it’s a heck of a lot cheaper than a whole rear bumper replacement job.

Fixing cracks and fissures ASAP is absolutely pivotal, because once a hole starts to form, it’s only going to get bigger. Left unfixed, a small crack can eventually compromise your bumper’s structural integrity, making it unsafe to drive and leading to more expensive solutions.

Bumper Replacement

In the event of a dust-up with another object, even if it’s a minor one, it’s possible that your bumper may be damaged beyond repair. Front bumper replacement can be more expensive, but it’s necessary in many cases, and it may actually save you money in the long run.

Here are a few cases where bumper replacement is likely the way to go.

Large Dents and Cracks

A sizeable enough crack or crater in your bumper could indicate that the structure has failed. The polymer padding beneath the bumper’s plastic outer shell is likely damaged, which means that one of your vehicle’s key crumple zones is no longer doing its job.

Your wheels, tires, suspension, headlights, and even the engine itself are at a greater risk once bumper damage gets past a certain level. In fact, if the bumper is dashed badly enough, it’s usually a good idea to have the entire area inspected, because unseen damage is common.

If your auto body specialist confirms that a crack or dent is bad enough, unfortunately, no amount of PDR or epoxy is gonna bring it back—time for a bumper replacement.

Big Bumper Paint Damage

Touching up a few kerfuffles in the clear coat is one thing, but if the paint is scraped badly enough, you may want to think about replacing the bumper altogether. While it may seem counterintuitive to replace the bumper if the structure is still sound, it’s really a case-by-case situation.

On one hand, if the paint is ruined across a significant portion of the bumper, you may decide to have the whole thing buffed and painted to avoid the hassle of a bumper transplant. Doing it this way makes sense in some cases; for instance, if you have an older vehicle that’s harder to find replacement parts for.

A good basic rule of thumb is this: have the paint fixed, as long as the cost of the paint job itself isn’t more than the cost of a new bumper.

On the other hand, buying a new bumper and having it installed may not be as expensive as you think. It depends on the vehicle and underlying damage, but most sources quote the price of a bumper between $800 to $2,000. So, when factoring in bumper replacement cost, you may find that it’s actually cheaper than having the whole thing repainted.

When in doubt, stop by your local body shop and ask about a free estimate.

Broken Supports

Your bumper is held in place on your car by a series of hooks, screws, and fasteners, all of which can become severely weakened from seemingly inconsequential hits. If one or two of them are damaged, it can be hard to see, or even totally hidden unless the bumper is taken apart completely.

Once enough of these support structures are broken, they’re nearly impossible to fix on their own because of how small they are. So, in rare cases, even if the bumper looks like it’s in relatively good shape from the outside, a body technician may still recommend a complete replacement, because there’s no point in painting or doing PDR on a bumper that’s just gonna fall off every time the wind blows.

Car Bumper Repair or Replacement in Kansas City

If your ride gets goofed up, there’s a fair-to-decent chance you’ll be able to assess the damage yourself, but it’s always a good idea to bring it to a trusted body shop to get an expert second opinion. From there, you can decide to either get your plastic bumper repaired or start looking into bumper replacement.

No matter what the case may be, McCarthy Collision Centers are at your service. Our Kansas City body shops have multiple convenient locations across KC Metro, and our repair process ensures that our customers are kept in-the-know every step of the way.

Live in KC and looking for a place near you to fix a bumper? Find your closest location and give us a call at 1-800-NEW-AGAIN

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In the wild world of used car buying, a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) can be the ultimate truth-teller. It’s the moment when you find out if that sweet ride is a diamond in the rough or a soon-to-be driveway ornament. In this guide to PPIs, we’ll show you how to ace the car inspection process, find a trustworthy mechanic, and make the best decision possible.

What is a pre-purchase inspection (PPI)?

TL;DR – A pre-purchase inspection is a critical step in the used car buying process. It provides valuable information about the condition of the vehicle, helps you avoid costly repairs, and gives you the confidence to make an informed purchase decision.

A PPI is a comprehensive evaluation of a used car by a qualified mechanic or technician before you make the final decision to purchase it. The purpose of this inspection is to identify any hidden problems or potential safety issues that could impact the car’s reliability or safety—which save you money.

The benefits of a pre-purchase inspection are numerous. First and foremost, it can give you peace of mind knowing that you’re buying a car that’s safe and reliable. It can also help you avoid costly repairs down the road by identifying potential issues before they become major problems. As a bonus, the inspection results can be used to negotiate a better deal with the seller, especially if any issues are discovered during the inspection.

It’s important to note that not all pre-purchase inspections are created equal. Some mechanics will cut corners and won’t be as comprehensive or objective as others, so it’s a good idea to bring your vehicle into a certified service center—preferably one that specializes in the make and model of the car you’re interested in.

What does a pre-purchase inspection entail?

TL;DR – PPIs vary by technician and mechanic, but usually they involve visual exams of the vehicle’s major components, a test drive and diagnostics.

A vehicle pre-purchase inspection is typically performed by a qualified tech or mechanic. It includes a visual examination of the car’s exterior and interior, a test drive, and a more detailed inspection of the car’s mechanical systems. The mechanic may use specialized equipment to check for problems with the engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, and other important components.

Again, not every technician will follow the same PPI checklist—there’s no industry standard set—but the list of items usually includes the following:

Exterior:

• Inspect the car’s body and paint for signs of damage, rust, or other issues.
• Look for large paint scratches that may eventually lead to rust or corrosion.
• Check the tires and wheels for wear and tear.

Interior:

• Examine the car’s seats, dashboard, and other interior components for signs of damage or wear.
• Test the car’s electrical systems, including the air conditioning, radio, and other features.

Engine:

• Perform a detailed inspection of the car’s engine, checking for signs of premature wear.
• Examine the oil, coolant, and other fluids to ensure they’re at the correct levels.

Transmission:

• Inspect the car’s transmission, checking for any issues with shifting, noise, or fluid levels.

Brakes:

• Test the car’s brakes to ensure they’re working properly and don’t need replacement.
• Look for signs of brake rotor damage, which could be indicative of poor vehicle maintenance.

Suspension:

• Inspect the car’s suspension system, checking for signs of wear or damage that could affect the car’s handling or ride comfort.

Exhaust system:

• Examine the car’s exhaust system, checking for leaks or other issues that could affect emissions or performance.
• Look for signs of catalytic converter theft.

Electronics:

• Assess the car’s electronic systems, including battery, alternator, and starter.

Undercarriage:

• Inspect the car’s undercarriage, looking for signs of rust, corrosion, or other issues that could affect the car’s structural integrity.

Odometer:

• Check for signs of mileage rollback fraud, comparing odometer readings to vehicle history reports.

Vehicle history:

• Identify any past problems from its vehicle history report, including any flood damage or salvage titles

When should you get a used car inspection?

TL;DR – Try to have the inspection done before you agree to purchase the car, but if that’s not possible, make sure your offer is contingent on the results of the inspection. Getting a PPI is recommended for any used car purchase, even if the car appears to be in good condition.

Getting a mechanic inspection is a wise decision in most situations when you’re considering buying a used car. However, there are certain circumstances where it’s particularly important to pay for a PPI. For example, if you’re considering buying a car from a private seller, it’s an excellent idea; private sellers may not be as forthcoming about the car’s history or issues as a dealer would be. In this instance, an inspection can help you avoid buying a lemon.

Similarly, if you’re considering buying a car that’s out of warranty or has high mileage, an PPI car inspection can give you a better idea of the vehicle’s condition and potential repair costs.

In terms of timing, it’s best to have a car inspection before buying. This way, if any issues are discovered during the inspection, you can either negotiate with the seller to have the issues fixed or decide not to buy the car altogether.

In some cases, it may not be possible to have the inspection done before making an offer on the car. If you’re buying a car that’s located away in another state, for example, you may need to make an offer before you can have the car inspected. In this case, make sure that your offer is contingent on the results of the inspection.

How much does a PPI cost?

TL:DR – The cost of a pre-purchase inspection can vary by location, the type of car, and the mechanic or shop. Always request a quote and schedule a time before bringing the vehicle in for your PPI.

On average, however, expect a used car vehicle inspection to cost anywhere from $100 to $500.

While the cost of paying a mechanic to look at a used car may seem high, it can save you money in the long run by identifying potential issues with the car before you buy it.

Keep in mind that the cost of the inspection may be negotiable. If you’re buying from a private seller, you may be able to negotiate the cost of the inspection into the final sale price. Additionally, most sellers should accept a lower price if issues are found during the inspection.

How to find a pre-purchase inspection near you

TL;DR – Look for a professional who has a good reputation in the industry, with a proven track record of performing high-quality inspections. When in doubt, go to a dealership near you.

The cost of the inspection should not be the primary factor in choosing a mechanic or shop. Look for a reputable mechanic with experience working on the type of car you’re considering buying. A qualified mechanic can provide you with a detailed report of the car’s condition, allowing you to make an informed decision about whether or not to buy the car.

Don’t just pick the first place upon searching “pre purchase inspection near me.” Here are some tips to ensure you’re picking the best used car inspection service:

• Certifications: Look for mechanics who are certified by organizations such as the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Mechanics who are certified have passed rigorous testing and have demonstrated their knowledge and experience in the field.
• Recommendations: Ask friends, family, and colleagues for recommendations on a reputable mechanic. Personal recommendations can be valuable in finding a mechanic who is trustworthy and reliable.
• Online reviews: Look for reviews of local mechanics online. Websites such as Yelp and Google reviews can provide insight into the quality of service provided by local mechanics.
• Local car clubs: Local car clubs are a great resource for finding a mechanic who specializes in the type of car you’re interested in. They can provide recommendations for a mechanic who is knowledgeable and experienced with the specific make and model of the car you’re considering.
• Better Business Bureau: The Better Business Bureau (BBB) can provide information on local mechanics and their reputation. You can also check for complaints or issues filed against a mechanic with the BBB.
• Dealerships: It can sometimes be difficult to trust an independent mechanic to inspect used cars. If this sounds like your situation, you might want to consider getting a PPI performed by a car dealer near you. They may charge a little more, but they’ll likely be more thorough.

What about mobile used car inspections from businesses like Lemon Squad? While they may be more convenient for both buyer and seller, these PPI services are pretty hit-or-miss in terms of quality, as you can read about here.

Buying a used car can be an exciting and budget-friendly way to get behind the wheel of a reliable vehicle. But it can also be a daunting task full of hidden pitfalls and potential headaches. A pre-purchase inspection can be your secret weapon to help you separate the dream cars from the lemons.

Godspeed!

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There you are, cruising down I-70. Sun’s shining. Tunes blaring. Ah! Life is pretty good. Then you see it: A hideous matte blotch on your hood. That chipped paint spot is such an eyesore, in fact, that you consider faking your own death, changing your name to “Sven” and living out the rest of your days in Fiji. That would spare you the embarrassment of friends and family being disgusted by your car.

Of course, things aren’t that dire, though the state of your vehicle could be better. As fellow auto enthusiasts, we realize how frustrating and disheartening it can be to see peeling, bubbling or flaking car paint. But did you also know that peeling car paint can also lead to more serious problems down the road?

Consequences of Ignoring Peeling Car Paint

Ignoring peeling or flaking automotive paint can lead to issues like rust and corrosion, which is ultimately structural damage that is not easy (or cheap) to fix. The longer you leave that flaked paint untreated, the more extensive the damage becomes. That’s why it’s better to bite the bullet and fix chipped paint on your car before the Rust Monster comes knocking.

So, what causes paint and clear coat peeling and how can you prevent it before it leads you to play out your own Lifetime movie storyline? Let’s go over some of the reasons why your car’s paint might peel and what you should do about it.

Common Reasons Why Paint Chips Off Cars

First things first, let’s talk about the basics. Your car’s paint serves several important purposes, including protecting the metal body from rust and corrosion, enhancing its appearance, and increasing its resale value. But over time, your car’s paint can start to deteriorate for several reasons, including these:

Exposure to the Sun

While the sun may feel nice on your skin, it’s not so kind to your car’s paint job. UV rays can cause paint to fade, crack, and peel, especially if your car is regularly exposed to direct sunlight. Over time, the sun’s rays can break down the chemical bonds that hold automotive paint together, leading to that unsightly peeling, flaking or bubbling car paint.

Prevention Tips:

• Try to park your car in a garage or under a carport whenever possible.
• If that’s not an option, invest in a good car cover to protect your vehicle’s paint from the sun’s harmful rays.
• You can also use a UV protectant spray to help shield your car’s paint from the damaging effects of the sun.

Read more about how to protect your car from the sun.

Ice and Snow

While snow and ice might not seem like a significant threat to your car’s paint, they can actually cause some serious damage. As snow and ice accumulate on your car, it can cause the paint to expand and contract as it freezes and thaws, leading to cracking and peeling. Additionally, as you remove snow and ice from your car, you may inadvertently scratch or chip the paint, making it more susceptible to peeling.

Prevention Tips:

• Be sure to clear it off your car as soon as possible.
• Use a soft brush or scraper to avoid damaging the paint.
• Park in a garage to avoid ice accumulation.

Hail

Hail can be an absolute nightmare for car owners, not just because of the potential for dents and cracked windshields, but also because it can cause massive paint damage. The impact of hailstones can cause the paint to chip, crack, or even peel. Even small hailstones can be problematic, as they can cause tiny dents or dings that may not be visible at first, but can still lead to paint damage over time.

Prevention Tips:

• Try to park your car in a covered area during hailstorms.
• Consider investing in a hail cover for your car if you must park outside.
• Blankets can work to protect from hail, in a pinch.
• If your car does sustain hail damage, be sure to have it repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the paint.

Read our 12 tips to protect your car from hail damage.

Bird Droppings

Believe it or not, bird droppings can also contribute to paint peeling. Because they are acidic, they can eat away at your car’s paint if left untreated.

Prevention Tips:

• Be sure to clean bird poop off your car as soon as possible.
• Use a microfiber towel and a gentle, pH-neutral cleaner to avoid scratching the paint.
• Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials, as these can do more harm than good.

Find out other, more in-depth ways to clean bird poop off your vehicle before it leads to peeling or chipped paint.

Tree Sap

Similarly, tree sap can contribute to automotive paint flaking and peeling. When that tree sap hardens—that happens quickly when exposed to the sun—it becomes almost like an epoxy that strips away your clear coat. To make matters worse, once that sap gets hard, removing it may require sharp, metal tools, which can also scrape your paint off.

Prevention Tips:

• Many of the same tactics used to remove bird poo can also be used to clean tree sap off your car.
• We have a detailed article about removing dry sap off a vehicle’s paint here, as well.

Road Salt

If you live in an area that experiences harsh winters—we’re talking to everyone here, in Kansas City—you’re probably familiar with road salt. While road salt can help melt ice and snow on the roads, it can also wreak havoc on your car’s paint. Similarly, pollution from factories and power plants can also cause damage to your car’s paint.

Prevention Tips:

• Wash your car regularly, especially during the winter months.
• Use a high-quality car shampoo and a soft sponge or microfiber towel to avoid scratching the paint.
• You may also want to consider getting your car’s paint professionally detailed to remove any buildup that may have occurred.

Improper/Infrequent Washing

Did you know that washing your car incorrectly can also cause damage to the paint? Using a high-pressure sprayer or an abrasive sponge can scratch the paint, making it more susceptible to peeling. Similarly, using a low-quality car shampoo can strip the protective wax and clear coat from your car’s paint, leaving it vulnerable to damage. And those automatic car washes? They’re paint-peeling devils—always try to hand-wash your vehicle instead of running through these automatic stations.

Prevention Tips:

To wash your car properly, start by rinsing it off with a gentle stream of water to remove any loose dirt and debris. Then, use a high-quality car shampoo and a soft sponge or microfiber towel to clean the paint, working in small sections at a time. Rinse off the soap with a gentle stream of water and dry the car with a clean microfiber towel or chamois.

Poor-Quality Automotive Paint or Clear Coat

Finally, low-quality paint or clear coat can also contribute to paint peeling. If your car was painted with low-quality materials or if the clear coat was not applied properly, the paint may start to peel off sooner than it should.

If you suspect that your car’s paint is peeling due to low-quality materials, your best bet is to have the paint professionally redone using high-quality materials. This can be an expensive process, but it will ensure that your car looks great and is protected from the elements for years to come.

Learn more about other things that can damage your car’s paint, such as eggs, pressure washers and Silly String.

What to Do if Your Car’s Paint is Already Peeling

If you notice that your car’s paint is already peeling, you may be tempted to tackle the repairs yourself. However, attempting to fix the problem on your own can actually make the issue worse and end up costing you more in the long run. That’s why it’s important to bring your vehicle to an experienced auto body shop for professional chipped paint repair.

Auto body shops have the expertise and tools necessary to properly address paint chipping and fix peeling clear coat damage. They can thoroughly clean the affected area, sand it down to remove any remaining loose paint, and apply a primer and high-quality automotive paint to match the original color of your car. Additionally, auto body shops can apply a clear coat to protect the new paint and ensure a long-lasting finish.

To top it off, good auto body shops have access to a wide range of high-quality materials that may not be available to DIY repairers. They can guarantee the use of the best products and techniques for a high-quality and long-lasting repair.

Need a quote for automotive paint or car scratch repair in Kansas City? Contact your nearest McCarthy Collision Centers at 800-NEW-AGAIN for assistance.

So, there you have it, folks. Clear coat failure and car paint that peels off can be a real pain in the rear bumper, but don’t let it get you down. With the right knowledge and approach, you can repair cracking paint and even prevent the problem from creeping up at all.

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