How to choose the best auto body paint shop.

Choosing the best auto body painting shop can have a huge impact to the overall quality of your finished auto body repair. Although the overall quality of work provided by the auto body repair trade has improved significantly in recent years, there are still many different ways of selecting an auto collision repair and paint shop. Here are some tips on finding the best auto body paint shop.

1 – Auto Body Painting by Referral
Talk to family and friends about their experiences with auto body paint shops. Have they found a company in the past that delivers premium quality paint finishes, excellent customer service and will guarantee their work?
Industry and trade magazines are a also a great way to find reputable auto body repair painting shops in your area. Companies found in the trade magazines are more likely to operate at the higher end of the automotive repair industry and usually have a strong reputation for producing quality auto refinishing and repairs.

2 – Industry Recognition?
Make sure that your auto body paint shop of choice is recognized by a reputable trade organization or a guild of master craftsmen.

» Read more: Auto Body Repair Painting and collision center

The companies are donating refurbished automobiles through the National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) Recycled Rides Program. The vehicles have been restored to “like new” condition by technicians at Sterling shops around the country.

“Our participation in the Recycled Rides Program is an extension of Allstate’s commitment to serve the communities in which we do business,” said Randy Hanson, Allstate Auto director. “It is an honor to provide reliable transportation and help get families across the country to their jobs, doctor’s appointments or other places they couldn’t go without a ride.”

Recycled Rides donation events are scheduled to happen simultaneously in multiple cities during the week of Thanksgiving on Monday, November 21 and Tuesday, November 22. The list of events, times and locations is below.

“Sterling Autobody Centers has adopted the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides project as a corporate initiative,” said Nick Notte, president of Sterling Autobody Centers and the National Auto Body Council’s 2011 Recycled Rides co-chair. “It makes perfect sense – using the resources of insurers and suppliers to provide the canvas on which repairers can showcase their craft as an art, and to benefit deserving charities and families around the country! Who wouldn’t want to participate?”

» Read more: Allstate and Sterling Autobody Give the Gift of Transportation During the Thanksgiving Holiday

Price is Only One Factor

Your car is a big investment. Whether you use it strictly as dependable transportation or love cars and love to show yours off, you want the highest quality for the lowest price when buying replacement auto body parts, consumables, or aftermarket upgrades. Price is important, and you should compare prices to make sure an auto parts retailer is giving you your money’s worth. But price shouldn’t be the only thing you look at when you need auto parts. After all, a bargain price doesn’t mean much when you have to replace a part in short order.

OE or Aftermarket?

There are advantages and disadvantages to buying original equipment manufacturer parts for your car or buying aftermarket parts. In general, OE parts are more expensive, but you do get the peace of mind of knowing they were made by the same manufacturer that made your car to begin with. Aftermarket parts often beat OE parts on price, but quality varies. Some aftermarket parts are not as good as OE parts, but others are actually better than OE parts. Fortunately, with the internet it’s easier than it used to be to find reviews and discussions about OE versus aftermarket parts. Information is power when it comes to buying parts for your car.

» Read more: Choose Wisely when Buying Replacement Auto Body Parts