Repair Process
Fast and Affordable Auto Body Repair Service in Waterbury, CT
Returning Your Vehicle to its Pre-collision Condition
Serving Waterbury, Naugatuck, Prospect, Cheshire, Middlebury CT
At Ray’s Automotive, you can expect us to handle all the headaches of having your vehicle returned to its pre-collision condition. We work with your insurance company to ensure all accident related damage is corrected and paid for. If you need a vehicle during the repair period, we can help setup a rental, have the rental here at our shop when you drop off your vehicle, and then when your vehicle is completed we handle returning the rental vehicle.
STEP 1
Vehicle Disassembly & Inspection
Once you decide to have us repair the vehicle, we will schedule the vehicle for a meticulous disassembly. This is the disassembly of damaged areas to find damage that is not visible. This damage is commonly referred to as "hidden damage". With the vehicle disassembled, the appraiser can properly inspect the vehicle to develop a list of necessary repairs and replacement parts. We have one of the top-rated, state licensed Motor Vehicle Physical Damage Appraisers (MVPD) on staff to perform this step for you. He has been in the industry for over 30 years and has the sharpest eye for detail so that no damage goes overlooked on your repair estimate.
STEP 2
Frame Work
The impact sustained by the vehicle during the accident may affect the underlying support structure of the vehicle, which is the frame. We have specialized, computer-driven, 3-D laser imaging equipment to measure the vehicle frame to determine if the frame is no longer within factory specifications. For the frame to be out of specification, tremendous forces must be absorbed during the accident. Only special equipment designed to secure the vehicle while the frame is adjusted back within factory specifications can be used. Frame repair is a specialized field utilizing cutting-edge technology to measure and adjust the frame.
STEP 3
Body Repair
The body of your vehicle is typically the portion of the vehicle that is visible to the eye: bumpers, hood, fenders, doors, etc. Depending on the damage, the part may need to be replaced with a new one. For example, a cracked headlight will be replaced, but a slightly dented door may be repaired. Our appraiser will determine the best way of performing the repairs on your vehicles to maximize quality, safety, and cost effectiveness.
STEP 4
Refinishing Preparation
Once body work is complete, the next crucial step is prepping the vehicle for paint. Many shops skip or rush this step because it's time-consuming and not immediately noticeable once the job is done. However, improper prep leads to paint failure months or a year later. This is common with heavily advertised, low-cost shops that cut corners to keep prices down. Prep is usually the step that gets skipped. At our shop, we do it right. For customers in our insurance direct repair programs, we guarantee the paint job for as long as you own the vehicle.
STEP 5
Refinishing
Once the vehicle has been prepped, Ray's Automotive can now take the necessary steps to paint the vehicle to bring it back to life. This is the step that is most apparent to the outside world. The repairs can be performed perfectly, but without a precise paint job the repair is not complete. At Ray's Automotive, we prime, paint, and seal your vehicle thoroughly, so you can always expect a top quality job.
