THE TRUTH ABOUT BUMPERS THESE DAYS

The focus of auto manufacturing and design over the years has shifted tremendously. It used to be that bumpers were designed to absorb a significant amount of impact in collisions and accidents, as they were made of sturdy materials like solid metal. However, due to recent shifts in priorities of auto manufacturers, bumpers are now more for show – as before they weighed cars down contributing to muddled fuel efficiency and lower performance standards – even if they were safer. Most vehicle bumpers are made out of flimsy, cheap materials that damage rather easily with even the slightest bump or tap. Repairing bumpers today is often expensive, time-consuming, and difficult to achieve without substantial labor – of course, depending on the nature of the problem.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO ADDRESS BUMPER DAMAGE

There are a number of reasons why bumper damage should be addressed in your own vehicle. Here are a few of them:

SAFETY REASONS

Despite their flimsy nature, car bumpers are often the first point of impact in road collisions. They’re designed this way so that they can deter damage away from vital components under the hood. Therefore, reinstating the integrity of your car’s bumper is an important thing to follow up on.

OVERALL AESTHETIC

Especially when you own a luxury car, bumper damage takes away from the overall special look of your vehicle.

CAR VALUE

Any exterior damage that your car encounters significantly diminishes the value it holds. Furthermore, over time, as the bumper remains unfixed, it can begin to rust or become even more problematic to fix, which only further lowers your car’s value.

PROFESSIONALISM AND IMAGE

Whether we like it or not, our car says something about us. We may not need to drive a Maserati or a Bentley to show that we’re established individuals, but it is important to keep in mind that the outward care you put into your vehicle is a direct reflection of your ability to care for other important aspects of your life.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN DECIDING TO REPAIR OR REPLACE YOUR BUMPER

So, the big question is: can your bumper be repaired easily and affordably, or would it be better to replace it all together? Replacing a bumper isn’t the ideal solution for most, as it’s rather expensive to do; however, it might be a better option depending on the issue at hand. Here are some things that might affect your choice to repair or replace the bumper:

• Bumper material and its ability to be fixed
• Nature and severity of the damage – dents are usually easy to fix, whereas scratches require a lot more detail work
• The expertise and opinion of the detail shop – they know what is doable and what is not
• Cost-effectiveness – which option makes more sense financially speaking?

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO ADEQUATELY ADDRESS BUMPER DAMAGE

Quick fixes are never the right answer when it comes to automotive repair, whether it’s internal or external. Here are a few things you can do to address your bumper damage properly and effectively:

• Hire an auto detailing specialist you trust
• Weigh your options carefully before deciding on one specific course of action
• Enlist the help of your insurance company when appropriate or necessary

At Conejo Auto Window Tinting & Detail, we have tackled some complex bumper repair scenarios for clients from the areas of Thousand Oaks, Westlake, Agoura Hills, Camarillo, Simi Valley, and Newbury Park, CA, making us one of the most well-respected and experienced detailing shops in the area. If you would like to know more about our bumper repair services, please call one of our helpful professionals today.

The post Should You Repair or Replace Your Damaged Car Bumper? appeared first on Conejo Auto Detail & Window Tinting | Thousand Oaks.

Whether it’s clothing, music, movies, or food, we all have our own unique taste and preferences. When it comes to cars, we’re no different. Cars give us an opportunity to express our own individuality, and customizing them is a creative process. You might like your cars bright and flashy, which certainly has a place in the auto industry; but one unique exterior aesthetic has kept the attention of auto enthusiasts, becoming more popular in recent years—the blacked out look.

You might have heard of it as “blacking out” or “murdering out” a car, which only matches the dark and sinister vibe these cars put off. Blacking out a car takes skill and fine attention to detail, but if you’re able to achieve the full look, you’ll be overjoyed with the results. In this article we’ll go over the basic steps involved in blacking out a car and where you can go to have this process done in stages or all at once.

What Does it Mean to “Black Out” a Car?

Normally, cars come with chrome accents, trim, and accessories to help certain pieces stand out, giving the car a polished, finished look. Those who like a blacked out aesthetic take all this chrome work and change it to a dull, matte black color, giving the entire car an overall sinister, dark look. This popular auto trend is not particularly strenuous to achieve, but it does time, a keen eye for detail, and an all-out top to bottom “makeover” of the car.

Steps toward A Full Blackout

As we said before, when going for a full blackout look it’s important to start from the top and work your way to the bottom, making sure not to leave any chrome accents anywhere visible on the exterior. Here are a few steps to keep in mind if you’re trying to achieve the blacked out look:

1. Tinted Windows

Tinted windows are a critical component of a blacked out look, as it streamlines the otherwise obvious breakup between the car exterior and the glass windows. Tinted windows are also helpful for preserving the interior of your car and blocking out harmful UV rays.

2. Black Rims

The rims on a car are usually the most obvious chrome portion on the exterior. To sufficiently black out your car, you can either choose to purchase rims that are already painted black, or you can paint your existing rims if you want to keep them. A professional detailing shop will be able to help you customize your wheels.

3. A Matte Finish

The paint job on your blacked out car might be the most costly of all the tasks toward a full blackout, but it’s the most noticeable and important aspect of this detail job. A black, matte finish all over your car will give it that dark, mean look you’re going for.

4. All Chrome Must Go

When blacking out your car, all chrome absolutely must go. That means window trim, headlight and brake light rings, the beltline around the car, any brands or badges, and of course, grills all need to be painted black.

Why Hiring a Detailing Expert is Essential

As you can see, achieving the look of a murdered out car is not a simple task; it involves a lot of detail work and automotive knowledge. While it’s possible to achieve a blacked out look on your own, it’s best to hire a detailing expert to make the finished product look polished and totally streamlined black.

How We Can Help You Achieve the Blacked Out Look

The detailing experts here at Conejo Auto Detail and Tinting are known for exceptional quality of work and meticulous attention to specifics, which makes our shop perfect for executing a total blackout look on your car. Serving clients all over the areas of Thousand Oaks, Westlake, Agoura Hills, Camarillo, Simi Valley, and Newbury Park, CA, we have tackled some of the most intricate and lavish auto customizations in Southern California. We take pride in every project we take on, and blacked out looks are some of our favorites. To schedule a consultation or to learn more about our shop, please call one of our helpful professionals today.

The post How to Achieve a Blacked Out Look in Your Car appeared first on Conejo Auto Detail & Window Tinting | Thousand Oaks.