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How Do Eggs Damage Car Paint? (and TIPS to fix it!)

egged-car

Eggs are the arsenal of choice for vandalism due to the almost irreversible damage they cause to painted surfaces if not dealt with immediately. House paint, car paint, painted signs, mailboxes and any other painted surfaces of value are all susceptible to damage caused by eggs.

 

Egg White

The egg white (also referred to as the albumen) is made up of 15 percent of proteins. Its main purpose is to protect the yolk while providing nutrients to the embryo. Because of its protective composition, egg whites are used for several purposes, including waterproof glue, so it’s easy to understand how this part of the egg can dry and then stick to the surface of car paint. If it is not dealt with quickly, it can become extremely difficult to remove from the surface of the car without wet sanding and repainting the damaged area.

Egg Yolk

The egg yolk is suspended inside the egg by the egg white. The yolk contains fatty acids and is responsible for the fat, cholesterol and most of the calories found in an egg. Egg yolk was once used to make paint because of its natural ability to harden and stick to almost any surface. The chemical composition of the egg yolk will eat through clear coat on the surface of car paint–in addition to staining the paint–if not removed from the surface of the paint immediately.

get_egg_off_car_xxxlargeEgg Shell

Egg shells break relatively easily, and when thrown at high velocity, the shells will shatter into sharp shards. The shards of the shells can cause superficial scratches to the surface of the protective clear coat on a car and, in some cases, penetrate the clear coat, scratching the paint.

Egging and the Law

Anyone who has ever had their car egged knows how difficult it can be to remove. Most vandals attack under the veil of night to prevent being seen or caught. Since most victims sleep at night, they find the unpleasant surprise in the morning, long after the egg has had the time to cause permanent damage. Laws against the crime have been stiffened in the past few years, and the punishment to those caught in the act of egging cars and houses is much more severe than it used to be.

TIPS — How to Get Egg Off of Car Paint

Though car paint damaged by eggs is a hassle to deal with, there are ways to minimize the damage caused by acting fast!

Vinegar Method

  1. Gently pick away any egg shell that you can. Do not try to pry egg shell off, as you may take off some paint. If the shell is in small pieces, leave them for step two and three.
  2. Fill a spray bottle with distilled white vinegar. Alternatively, you may soak a towel in a bowl filled with white distilled vinegar.
  3. Spray the vinegar onto the egg or place the vinegar-soaked towel on the egg.
  4. Gently wipe away the egg from the car paint. Rinse the egg off the towel often and repeat steps two and three.

Clay Magic Car Detailing Kit

  1. Spray egg spot with Clay Magic Clay Lube. This bottle of liquid comes with the car detailing kit.
  2. Form Clay Magic into pancake shape that will fit easily into your hand.
  3. Press the clay onto the surface of the car. Repeat the steps of spraying and pressing clay onto egg spot until all the egg is removed.
  4. Dry the area with a micro-fiber cloth.

Goo Gone Automotive

  1. Spray egged area with Goo Gone Automotive spray.
  2. Let the Goo Gone Automotive sit for a few minutes to loosen the egg.
  3. Gently rub the egg with soft cloth. Be gentle as you may need to do this process a few times to get all the egg off and you do not want to pull away paint as you pull off egg.
  4. Repeat this process until the egg is gone.

Important Warnings

Get to the egg as soon as possible. Egg that is left to sit on car paint causes more damage. The sooner you remove the egg from your car paint, the better.

We hope that these tips assist you!! Want more car tips and content?  Then please connect with us on Facebook or Twitter and stay connected!

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Child Heatstroke in Unattended Vehicle is a Real Danger

Child safety in the car is often a huge concern for parents, and the summer months are no exception. With the hot weather comes an increase in children getting dehydrated or overheating, which is why they should never be left alone unattended in a vehicle. Here are some scary statistics that show why even just minutes alone in a car can be dangerous:

  • Screen shot 2014-07-24 at 9.11.59 PMA child’s body temperature can rise up to five times more quickly than an adults.
  • Heatstroke in small children can happen when the outside temperature is as cool as 57 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Outside temperature in the 60’s can still cause your car’s interior to heat up to a whopping 110 degrees Fahrenheit!
  • In only 10 minutes time, the interior of a car can see an increase in temperature of up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Cracking the windows does little to keep the car cool.

The statistics are enough to scare anyone. With over 600 child deaths related to overheating in a car since 1990, heatstroke is a problem that should not go ignored.

So, what should you do? Always employ a “no exceptions” policy when it comes to leaving your children unattended in the car, no matter how cool it may seem outside. If you seen a small child unattended in a locked car on a hot day, wait no more than 5 minutes before calling 911. If they appear unresponsive, call for help immediately.

Screen shot 2014-07-24 at 9.14.11 PMSummertime is a great time for road trips and family vacations. However, it’s important to understand the risks that come with the hot weather, and be proactive in keeping your children safe in the hot summer months.

All statistics in this article courtesy of safercar.gov.

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10 Questions To Ask When Buying a Used Car

10-questions-ask-before-buying-a-carWhen you’re looking at buying a used car, the last thing you want is to get ripped off. You want a vehicle that is reliable, reasonably priced and can get you from point A to point B without problem. Before you go online for a great deal, you might want to consider how you intend to use the vehicle. Will it be driven around town for short trips to the market, a second car to transport you to and from work, or is it a family car, maybe one you intend to keep for a few years? Asking yourself these questions at the onset will give you the power to resist an impulse buy later.

Now, you’re ready to roll with a search that fits your needs and your lifestyle, but keep in mind that in order to avoid the pitfalls of buying someone else’s problem, you’ll need to ask some questions about the vehicle you intend to buy, so here’s a handy checklist to get you started:

  1. Mileage: Ask how many miles the vehicle has on the odometer. 12,000 miles per year is standard.
  2. Ownership: Is the seller the original owner? If so, they’ll be your complete source of information.
  3. Service Records: Does the seller have records of repairs and maintenance?  Can they present service receipts?
  4. Reason for The Sale: Is the owner relocating out of the area, buying something new or something else entirely? Buyer Beware: note the seller’s response and check your intuition meter. If the answer doesn’t feel right to you, it probably isn’t. Remember, the seller is in the business of selling and so may not reveal that it leaks oil like Niagara Falls or that it shakes like a wooden roller coaster when it reaches 35 mph.
  5. Accidents: Has the vehicle ever been involved in an accident? Hopefully, you’ll get an honest answer. If you’re in doubt, Davis Body Shop can check the car for signs of accident repair or you can research this information on-line or via CarFax and AutoCheck car history services.
  6. Check It Out: Ask to take the vehicle for a test drive and possibly to a local service garage for a once over.
  7. MPG: These days, it wouldn’t hurt to ask about fuel economy and miles per gallon. Also ask about E85 fuel. Some vehicles with smaller engines use this flex fuel, which is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.
  8. Price: How much is the asking price? If it doesn’t fit your budget, is the seller willing to haggle a bit?
  9. Happiness Factor: Was the owner happy with the car? This is the question you should never fail to ask and the one that’s met with the most surprise. If the owner has been happy with the vehicle, you can see it in their eyes; there’s just no getting around pride of ownership.We certainly hope that these tips are helpful in conserving fuel and saving you some dough!
  10. Athumbt Davis Body Shop, we are ready to discuss any car-related topic with you! Drop by or simply ring us…. Our numbers are: Atascadero (805) 466-2446 or Paso Robles (805) 239-8752.  Also, please stay in touch with us on Facebook!
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Hit the Road this Summer – Three Awesome Local Road Trip Ideas

Summer is here! School is out, the weather is hot, and it is the perfect time to get away. Living on the central coast, we’re lucky enough to be surrounded by a wide variety of road trip destinations. Whether you’re looking for a quick weekend getaway or a longer  adventure, you won’t be a loss of places to go or things to see. Here are three of our favorite central coast road trip destinations.

For the Wine-o’s – Paso Robles Wine Country

Screen Shot 2015-06-13 at 5.18.26 PMMany joke it’s the “new Napa” – we’re so fortunate to be so close to so much delicious wine in Paso Robles. Perfect for a romantic day trip or a fun getaway with friends, you won’t be at a loss of delicious wines to try and gorgeous views of sweeping hills and green vines. Just remember to always plan ahead and have a designated driver for the day. You can learn more about Paso Robles Wine Region HERE.

For the Beach Bums- Pismo and Avila Beach

Looking for a family-friendly getaway? Pismo Beach and Avila Beach are both excellent options with fun the whole family can enjoy.

Screen Shot 2015-06-13 at 5.20.37 PMEnjoy the sandy beaches and watching surfers and marine life from the pier. Kids and adults alike will delight in the tide pools at both Pismo and Avila. If you plan to bring your four-legged family members along, Avila has a great dog-friendly beaches and hotels. The oceanfront bars and restaurants in Avila are ideal for taking in the coastal sunset while enjoying delicious food and drink.

For the Adventurers – Big Sur

Screen Shot 2015-06-13 at 5.23.09 PMThe coastal views along the stretch of highway 1 between Morro Bay and Monterey alone is worth a trip north to Big Sur. The winding road along the steep hills offers gorgeous, unbeatable views of the central coast. If you’re the adventurous type, Big Sur is an ideal road trip destination for you! There’s an endless number of hiking trails and excellent camping spots suitable for all levels. The McWay waterfall trail is a must-see while you’re in the area. If you’re looking to camp or book lodging for your trip, be sure to plan ahead. Campgrounds fill up fast, especially in the summer months.

 

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing trip to local wineries in Paso Robles or hiking above the clouds in Big Sur, be sure to get out this summer and enjoy all the amazing road trip options we have available to us here on the central coast.

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“Talking Cars” Could Mean Insurance Discounts

With vehicles programmed to communicate and stop before hitting an object, collisions 1_GM_AutonomousDriving could virtually disappear and mean insurance discounts. As more automobile manufacturers include wireless technology in their vehicles letting them communicate with each other and warn drivers of potential danger, more accidents could be prevented in the future. Vehicle liability insurance could become the responsibility of the product manufacturer and their vendors with the cost  being included into the price of a driverless vehicle.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that this technology could help avoid 70% to 80% of automobile crashes involving unimpaired drivers. “This new technology could benefit consumers because insurance companies would likely give substantial discounts for driving a car with Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) communications capabilities,” said insuranceQuotes.com senior analyst Laura Adams.

“Customers would potentially have a lot to gain if they are choosing to drive a car with these features and insurance companies may offer substantial discounts to consumers who drive these cars,” she said.

Some consumers are already expressing concerns that it would pose privacy issues and could result in authorities tracking your speed, whether you are following too closely to another car and other movements. “The technology has worked very well in the real world during tests,” Adams said. “There are more pros than cons that can come out of this. Consumers can stay safe and save money if they are willing to give up some information to let people know where they are on the road.”

graph“The insurance industry will react to driverless cars by retooling their offerings to sell product liability insurance to vehicle manufacturers,” said Valerie Raburn, vice president and chief innovation officer of insurance for Xerox, the technology company based in Norwalk, Conn. Another added benefit is that the concept of a “distracted driver” will cease to exist, which means less accidents and lower insurance rates.

If you have a collision – contact Davis Body Shop for top quality repair and restoration.  Our numbers are: Atascadero (805) 466-2446 or Paso Robles (805) 239-8752.

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Automakers Seeking Common Safety Regulations

Automaker lobbyists are calling for the U.S. and the European Union to seek common safety regulations into one overarching standard.

Car company  lobbyists claim that automakers are charged the equivalent of a “25-percent or more” tariff when exporting cars across the Atlantic due to the higher costs of meeting standards in one or both regions.  “The U.S. and Europe have the most advanced auto-safety regulations in the world, and in many cases, the differences between the standards are very modest,” Rob Strassburger, a representative of lobbyist group Auto Alliance, said in a statement.

Automakers are hoping to unify crash tests and thousands of similar laws that could work in both Europe and the U.S. Seeking common safety regulations, they’ve commissioned a study between the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute and its Swedish counterpart at Chalmers University.

Outside of the U.S. and E.U., automakers have been selling cars with substandard or deleted safety equipment in the name of higher profits. Unified regulations could help stop such practices if a free-trade agreement could also be developed.

Safety_CarsA single set of regulations for Europe and U.S. will be very difficult to put into place. For instance, European crash tests require automakers to meet standards for pedestrian impacts, whiplash, and infant protection—even infant dummies and car-seat installations are evaluated for each car.  The U.S. government necessitates these tests but their performance in them isn’t even scored. The Feds can’t agree on how to test active safety features, but the IIHS is mirroring European tests for evaluating auto-braking systems.

Competing interests among automakers, governments and the insurance industry are hampering efforts to standardize safety requirements worldwide. That means extra engineering to make different versions of vehicles for different markets.

“Each party negotiating this has their own views about their own standards being better,” said Ronald Medford, senior associate administrator of vehicle safety at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which sets U.S. standards. “But as long as we can show we’re not lowering safety and we’re lowering cost, we’re all interested in that.”

Perhaps if they can agree on safety standards automakers just might pass on the savings to consumers, if not at least shareholders would reap the benefits.

We hope our blogs keep you informed.  Davis Body Shop is committed to keeping you and your family safe on the road. We invite you to join our community and stay connected on Facebook, Instagram and  Twitter!

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Cars Talk to Each Other – Could Prevent Accidents

In just a few years our government will require automakers to equip new vehicles with technology that lets cars talk to each other and warn drivers if they are headed toward an accident.

According to federal officials the action has “game-changing potential” to reduce collisions, deaths and injuries.talking cars A radio signal will continually transmit a car’s position, direction, speed and other information. Cars and light trucks will receive the same information back from other cars and the vehicle’s computer will alert the driver of an impending crash. Some systems may even automatically brake to avoid an accident if carmakers choose to include that option. The technology works for about 300 yards and communicates with other vehicles with the same technology. For example the driver will be warned of another car about to run a red light even if you cannot see them. This technology is different than the automated safety features using sensors and radar that are being built into high-end vehicles today. The technologies are compatible and both will bring the self-driving car closer to reality. Communities can even choose to invest in the technology so that roadways and traffic lights could start talking to cars. They can send warnings of traffic congestion or hazards ahead in time for drivers to make a detour. bmw-future-technologyThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been working with automakers on vehicles with technology that lets cars talk to each other and could prevent up to 80% of accidents that don’t involve drunken drivers or mechanical failure. David Friedman, head of the agency stated that the focus is “to prevent crashes in the first place” rather than efforts to ensure that accidents are survivable. Davis Body Shop wants you to have the safest car on the on the road. 

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Traveling with Children

kids-in-car__largeAs every parent knows, traveling with children is challenging at best and tear your hair out, jump out of the vehicle, downright difficult, at others. It does not seem to matter if they are toddlers or teenagers, each age group causes its own set of parental anxieties.

The most important aspects are to keep them  safe and relatively happy with as few “Are we there yets?” as possible. When planning a trip it is important to involve them as much as feasible in the planning:

  • Share maps
  • Daily schedules
  • Places you will be staying
  • Kinds of places you will be stopping for sight-seeing
  • Where they would like to eat
  • Getting their input on what games or videos should be included for the trip.

Keeping them safe is critical! According to AAA, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death and injury for children.  Make sure you get a good night’s sleep prior tokids-yelling-in-back-seat-of-car traveling. This will keep you from falling asleep behind the wheel as 17% of drivers involved in fatal crashes admit to doing.  Ways of keeping your family safe are:

  • Drive during the day
  • Do not follow other vehicles too close
  • Drive at the appropriate speed for the conditions
  • Make sure your children have seat belts and car seats set correctly
  • Do not be distracted by what is going on in the back seat(s)

Children do get lost at times when traveling. Ford is taking another factor of child safety very seriously and will provide you with a child safety kit that includes inkless fingerprinting kits.  “Safety is the No. 1 priority at Ford and it is also our responsibility to look out for the safety of our employees’ families, as well as our neighbors,” said Marty Mulloy, Ford vice president for labor affairs. “The ultimate goal of the National Child Identification Program is to provide an ID kit for every child in the United States, and we’re proud to partner with the UAW to help them achieve that goal.”

We at Davis Body Shop are concerned about your family’s safety and hope this information helps keep you informed. If you have questions or subjects you would like covered in future blogs, drop by or simply call us…. our numbers are: Atascadero (805) 466-2446 or Paso Robles (805) 239-8752. Davis Body Shop wants to keep your family safe on the road. Stay in touch with us on Facebook or Twitter and stay connected!

 

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Who’s Driving That Car?

google-self-driving-car-higIn the not too distant future, there will be self-driving cars on our highways. Nissan has joined GM, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, and others including Google to put self-driving cars on the road soon, perhaps by 2020.That goal will be difficult to meet. The technology is basically ready, according to Karl Brauer, a senior analyst at Kelly Blue Book. But there are challenges to overcome.  

The Big Hurdles

  • The issues that need to be addressed are primarily legal and insurance-related ones.   Nissan executive vice president Andy Palmer said “what we need now is regulatory changes.”
  • Self-driving cars are already legal in California, Florida and Nevada. Self driving or autonomous cars present “a lot of legal issues” Brauer says.
  • If an autonomous car gets into an accident with one driven by a human, who is to blame? How will insurance companies handle self-driving cars?
  • Who is legally responsible for a self-driving car? Can minors now travel in self-driving cars without an adult?

Part of the solution, Brauer said, is getting the government to devise a standardized safety test for autonomous vehicles. That means lobbying legislators and the administration to change the rules while making sure there’s a system in place for handling problems that arise.

Technical Challenges 

Challenging these cars are areas such  as:

  • The ability to navigate through tricky real-world situations, like detours or icy roads.
  • When snow is on the road, the cars often have difficulty “seeing” the lane markers they use to stay correctly positioned on the roadway.
  • The vehicles can become confused by quick changes in road conditions, such as Cadillac-Super-Cruise-Self-accidents, detours, traffic cops with hand signals or construction zones.

Convincing Drivers to Give Up Control

Auto makers will have to convince humans to give up control.

  • According to a recent KBB poll, 53% of Americans would never consider purchasing a car that drives itself around.
  • Before Google revealed its robotic test car in 2010, self-driving cars seemed like a vintage type of science fiction.
  • Premium vehicle owners were more embracing of self-driving cars and technology. These drivers are already accustomed to several “assisted driving” features like automatic braking and adaptive cruise control.
  • Costs will need to come down significantly before these cars are widely purchased. Added sensors, software and computing requirements currently total more than $100,000 per vehicle.

We hope our blogs keep you informed.  Davis Body Shop is committed to keeping you and your family safe on the road. We invite you to join our community and stay connected on Facebook, Instagram and  Twitter!

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How Crash Ratings Affect Insurance Rates

Buying a safe car can not only help save your life in the event of an accident, but it can also lead to savings on your car insurance premium. Insurers value safe vehicles because they keep occupants safer and keep claim costs low.

why-crash-test-Also, drivers of safe vehicles are thought to be more likely to drive responsibly. For these reasons, driving a safe car will translate into a lower car insurance premium. From your insurer’s perspective, the rationale’s pretty clear: the better your car performs in crash tests and the more safety features it has, the safer you’ll be on the road. For crash ratings on your vehicle click here: Crash Safety Ratings

  • New Cars

Because there’s not as much data on the real-world safety of new cars, crash tests tend to carry more weight on the latest and greatest models. So if you’re in the market for a new car and you choose one that scores well in crash-test safety instead of a rollover-prone model, your insurer may reward you with lower rates.

Insurers can tell what car brands are trending on the safe side based on official lists like the Top Safety Picks from the IIHS. This type of list, based entirely on crash test results, allows car shoppers and insurers to see which companies excel at producing safe cars andCrashTestDummy trucks.

  • Model

The specific model of a car can be a useful safety barometer, too. For instance, different models may affect your car insurance premium differently based on their crash test results, despite being made by the same company.

  • Year

The year of your car is also a key aspect in determining its safety: a top safety pick of a 2016 may score a lower car insurance rate than the driver of a 2012 version, all else being equal.

If you have questions, drop by or simply call us…. our numbers are: Atascadero (805) 466-2446 or Paso Robles (805) 239-8752. Davis Body Shop wants to keep your family safe on the road. Stay in touch with us on Facebook or Twitter and stay connected!

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