PREVIOUS – NEXT (COMING SOON)

Introduction

Imagine you’ve just laid down the perfect paint job—smooth, glossy, and beautiful. Then the sun bakes it, gasoline drips on it, and before long… it looks like your project aged 20 years overnight.

That’s why a clear coat isn’t just optional—it’s the armor your paint job deserves. Today, we’re diving into Dupli-Color’s One K Clear, a urethane-modified clear coat that’s all about shine, durability, and protection.

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you’ll know:

• What makes One K Clear different from standard clears.
• How to prep and apply it correctly.
• The role of UV protection, gasoline resistance, and durability.
• Tips for getting a professional gloss (or matte!) finish.

What is One K Clear?

• A urethane-modified clear coat → tougher than regular clears.
• Designed for use over any Dupli-Color paint.
• Provides:
  • High-quality finish & film hardness
  • Gasoline resistance (perfect for gas tanks )
  • UV protection (prevents fading )
  • Long-lasting durability

Think of it as sunscreen + a bulletproof vest for your paint job.

Project Example – Yamaha V Star Refresh

The demo project was a 2000 Yamaha V Star motorcycle with:

• Mismatched fenders and tank.
• Old decals buried under clear.
• Black plastic fenders that needed adhesion promoter.

Prep work included:

• Stripping paint transitions and decals.
• Bare metal → Self-etch primer.
• Bare plastic → Adhesion promoter + filler primer.
• Everything finished with multiple coats of Perfect Match Primer.

Then came the paint scheme:

• Two-tone design: Charcoal Gray Metallic + Black racing stripe.
• After laying down color, it was time for the One K Clear magic.

Applying One K Clear – Step by Step

1. Surface Prep
   • Clean thoroughly.
   • Sand if needed.
   • Fresh paper on the table (avoid dust & overspray).
2. Shake it up
   • 2 minutes before use.
   • Shake 10 seconds for every minute during spraying.
3. Ideal Conditions
   • Temp: 65–85°F
   • Low humidity (your paint hates sticky weather ).
4. Application
   • Hold can 4–8 inches from surface.
   • Spray in smooth, even passes.
   • 50–75% overlap each pass.
   • Apply 2–3 coats, waiting 10 minutes between.
5. Timing
   • Recoat: within 2 hours or after 48.
   • Dries to touch in 30 min.
   • Handle in 2 hours.
   • Wet sanding/buffing: optional, not required.

Results & Options

• The Yamaha tins came out glossy, durable, and beautiful.
• Available in High Gloss or Matte finishes.
• Versatile: works on exterior, interior, under the hood.
• Protects and enhances your paint job for years.

Quick Quiz – One K Clear

1. What makes One K Clear unique compared to regular clear coats?
A) It only comes in matte.
B) It’s urethane-modified for extra durability.
C) It smells like pine trees.
D) It dries in 10 seconds flat.

2. Why is gasoline resistance especially important for motorcycles?
A) Because riders spill gas every time.
B) Because the gas cap is often on top of the tank where spills happen.
C) Because motorcycles use more gas than cars.
D) Because bikers just like shiny paint.

3. How far should you hold the spray can from the surface when applying One K Clear?
A) 1–2 inches (aka “let’s make it drip city”)
B) 4–8 inches
C) 12–24 inches
D) As far away as possible—just throw the can at it.

4. What are the two sheen options for One K Clear?
A) Gloss and Matte
B) Chrome and Glitter
C) Satin and Sticky
D) None—it’s invisible!

5. If you miss the 2-hour recoat window, when can you safely apply another coat?
A) After 12 hours
B) After 24 hours
C) After 48 hours
D) Never—game over.

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to:

• Understand what the Dupli-Color Paint Shop Finish System is and why it’s unique.
• Prepare a vehicle’s surface for a quality paint job.
• Apply primer, color, and clear coat correctly.
• Recognize common pitfalls and how to fix them.
• Appreciate how DIYers can achieve professional results in their own garage.

Introduction

Imagine opening a can of paint, pouring it directly into your spray gun, and transforming your ride — no mixing, no reducers, no hardeners. That’s the beauty of the Dupli-Color Paint Shop Finish System.

This lacquer-based system includes primer, color, and clear coat, all pre-reduced and ready to spray. It dries quickly, buffs easily, and is designed for DIY automotive projects that can rival a professional shop finish.

Step 1 – Preparation is Everything

Before you ever spray, the vehicle’s body must be completely ready. That means:

• Finish all bodywork — dents, scratches, rust, and flaking paint must be addressed.
• Clean thoroughly — remove dirt, grease, and wax with a mild cleaner and water.
• Sand the surface — use 400–600 grit sandpaper or a red scuff pad to feather edges.
• Special plastics need adhesion promoter — Dupli-Color CP199 is recommended.
• Mask everything — anything not being painted must be covered.
• Final wipe-down — use Dupli-Color Multi-Purpose Foaming Prep Cleaner to remove oils and dust.

Pro Tip: If your surface isn’t spotless, every speck of dust or grease will show through the primer, color, and clear. Cleanliness makes or breaks your finish.

Step 2 – Primer Application

Primer is your foundation — it evens out all the surface colors and creates a smooth base for paint.

• Shake and strain the paint before loading it into your spray gun.
• Spray at 25–30 PSI using a 1.4mm HVLP tip.
• Apply 2–3 medium coats, overlapping each pass by 50%.
• Allow 5–10 minutes between coats.
• After drying, lightly sand out imperfections with 600 grit paper, then clean again.

The result: a uniform gray foundation, ready for color.

Step 3 – Laying Down Color

Now comes the fun part — spraying the actual paint. In the video, the team uses Concrete Gray, a modern OEM-style color.

• Pour paint directly from the can (after straining) into the spray gun.
• Apply 2–3 coats. The first should be light, with later coats heavier for full coverage.
• Maintain 8–10 inches spray distance.
• If spraying a metallic color:
  • Hold the gun a bit farther back (10–12 inches).
  • Finish with a light mist coat at 12–14 inches to evenly distribute metallic flakes.
• If imperfections appear, lightly wet sand with 1000 grit and wipe down again.

Step 4 – Protecting with Clear Coat

The clear coat gives durability, UV protection, and the glossy look.

• Apply 3–4 coats, starting with a light one and building heavier.
• Maintain 8–10 inches spray distance.
• Final coat should be the heaviest with about 75% overlap to maximize gloss.
• Add extra coats if you plan to wet sand and buff later.
• Always clean your spray gun immediately afterward with lacquer thinner, acetone, or prep spray.

Step 5 – Final Finish

After the clear coat cures, inspect the surface:

• Any dust, runs, or orange peel can be wet sanded and then buffed.
• Buffing stages bring out the final deep gloss finish.
• Always wear a respirator and ensure proper ventilation throughout the job.

In the example, the 1979 El Camino emerges in Concrete Gray with Jet Black accents, looking showroom-ready thanks to the Paint Shop system.

Key Takeaways

• Dupli-Color Paint Shop Finish System = primer + color + clear, all pre-reduced and ready to spray.
• Surface prep is king — clean, sand, mask, and wipe down thoroughly.
• Spraying technique matters — overlap passes, let coats flash off, and control distance.
• Clear coat is essential — it locks in color and delivers gloss.
• DIY-friendly — with patience and prep, you can achieve professional results at home.

Quick Quiz – Dupli-Color® Paint Shop Finish System

1. What makes the Dupli-Color Paint Shop Finish System unique compared to many other automotive paints?
A) It requires special reducers and hardeners.
B) It is pre-reduced and ready to spray straight from the can.
C) It only works on motorcycles.
D) It comes with a free pizza if you buy two cans.

2. Why is surface preparation so important before painting?
A) Because the paint won’t stick to metal otherwise.
B) Because dust, grease, or rust will show through every layer of primer, color, and clear.
C) Because it saves time when applying primer.
D) Because cars love spa days, and sanding is basically exfoliation.

3. When applying primer or color, how should each pass of the spray gun overlap?
A) 25% – like barely saying hello
B) 50% – the sweet spot for smooth coverage
C) 75% – that’s just hogging the paint
D) 100% – congratulations, you just painted the same spot twice

4. What is the purpose of the clear coat?
A) To speed up drying time.
B) To act as an adhesion promoter for the color coat.
C) To protect the finish and provide gloss.
D) To blind people with so much shine they forget you missed a dent.

5. If you notice dust nibs, orange peel, or small runs in the finish after clear coat, what should you do?
A) Leave them; they’ll magically vanish overnight.
B) Apply another coat of color and hope no one notices.
C) Wet sand and then buff the area smooth.
D) Cry quietly in the garage and consider taking up knitting instead.

 Learn more or find your color code at www.CollisionBlast.com/ATU 

How To Use Touch-Up Pen

Blending Explained

Automotive Touch Ups - Car Smarts to repair your vehicle!

How To Blend - Color Match

Body Filler

Bumper Repair

Peeling Clear Coat - Spoiler

Door Molding Repair

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  How To Use Touch-Up Pen

  Tips for using the touch-up paint pen.
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  Blending Explained

  Blending automotive paint is a techniques used to fade the new color into the original color to give you the illusion of a perfect color match. It is necessary to blend metallic and pearl colors in order to have a good match in most cases.
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  Automotive Touch Ups - Car Smarts to repair your vehicle!

  Is DIY car paint repair possible? Do you know how to fix car paint chips? Do you want to save money on your external car repairs? Well with Automotive Touch Up you can do just that. Lauren Fix brings you the latest Car Smarts video with information on DIY car paint damage repair with Automotive Touch Up
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  How To Blend - Color Match

  Use a blending technique to make an automotive paint repair look less obvious with a comparison to a car paint repair done incorrectly by masking off a small section.
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  Body Filler

  This video shows bondo body filler and spot putty techniques. We then refinish with some touch up paint.
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  Bumper Repair

  Scuffs are common on any bumper. Here we show how to spot repair a scuffed bumper using this Porsche Cayenne and our premium quality aerosol spray paint as an example.
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  Peeling Clear Coat - Spoiler

  Clearcoat was delaminating (flaking off) from this OEM red Ford ZX2 spoiler which is very common on older basecoat clearcoat paint jobs. Here we show how to repair it. Extra tip: try to remove all of the old clear. It didn\'t hold up to sunshine and water. Putting fresh paint over the chipped paint can make the old clearcoat wrinke up.
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  Door Molding Repair

  Repairing Honda Civic door trim using AutomotiveTouchup.com aerosol spray paint.

Lesson: Mastering Automotive Touch-Up – Pen, Bottle, or Aerosol: Blending Color Like a Pro

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Locate your vehicle’s factory paint code using AutomotiveTouchup’s resources.
2. Identify the three main touch-up paint formats and their ideal uses.
3. Explain the essential preparation steps before applying touch-up paint.
4. Apply correct techniques for each format—pen, brush-in-bottle, and aerosol—for a seamless blend.
5. Recognize the importance of using a matched paint system for professional-looking results.

1. Introduction

Everyday life is a battlefield for your car’s paint. Tiny rock chips, door dings, and random scratches sneak in like uninvited guests at a barbecue—annoying and, if ignored, potentially destructive thanks to rust.

Luckily, you don’t need to be a pro painter to fight back. With the right touch-up format—spray can, pen, or bottle—you can restore your car’s finish, protect it from corrosion, and avoid that dreaded “Oh no, what happened here?” moment when someone notices the damage.

2. Find Your Vehicle’s Paint Code

Before you pick up a brush, can, or pen, you need the exact factory paint code for your vehicle.

• Visit www.CollisionBlast.com/ATU  and use the “Find Your Paint Code” tool.
• Enter your year, make and model to determine paint code.

Pro Tip: Don’t guess based on color names like “Metallic Silver.” Different years and trims can have subtle but noticeable variations.

3. Choosing the Right Format

Available Options:

• Aerosol Spray (12 oz) – Best for larger areas; fan-shaped mist gives smooth blending.
• Touch-Up Pen – Ideal for thin scratches or precise work in tight spots.
• Brush-in-Bottle – Great for chips and small imperfections; allows dab application.

Rule of Thumb:

• Small & Precise = Pen
• Medium & Detailed = Brush-in-Bottle
• Larger & Blended = Aerosol

4. Preparation – The Foundation of a Great Finish

No matter the method, prep is king.

1. Clean Thoroughly – Dish soap + water, then wipe with prep solvent and lint-free towel.
2. Sand Carefully – 180-grit for rust and rough edges, 320-grit for smoothing.
3. Dust Removal – Use a tack rag to make sure no grit remains.

5. Application Techniques

A. Brush-in-Bottle

• Primer (if needed): 2–3 light coats, 5–10 min apart.
• Dry 30 min, sand 600-grit, blend with 1,500-grit.
• Base coat: Shake well, apply light coats, 5–10 min apart.
• Tri-coat: Apply ground coat, then mid coat for pearl effect.
• Clear coat: 2–3 light coats, wait 10–20 min between.
• Cure overnight; buff next day. No wax for 1 month.

B. Aerosol Spray

• Best results: 70–80°F, humidity < 50%.
• Mask off area, prime in light coats, sand after 30 min.
• Base coat: Medium coats, 5–10 min apart.
• Clear coat: 4–5 coats, 10+ min apart.
• Imperfections? Wet-sand next day (1,500–2,000 grit), polish.
• No wax for 30 days.

C. Touch-Up Pen

• Shake until ball rattles, depress tip to start paint flow.
• Primer: Light coats, 5–10 min apart, dry 30 min before sanding.
• Base coat: Light layers, 5+ min apart.
• Tri-coat: Base first, then mid coat.
• Clear coat pen: 2–3 coats, dab lightly, 10–20 min apart.
• Buff after 1 day.

6. Why AutomotiveTouchup Works

• Precision Color Matching – Factory-accurate colors.
• Complete System – Primer, base, clear are designed to work together.
• Tri-Coat Expertise – Step-by-step for depth and pearl effects.

Short Summary

Touch-up paint repairs can look professional—without the body shop price tag—if you follow these golden rules:

1. Find your exact paint code before buying paint.
2. Prep meticulously.
3. Match the format to the job size.
4. Apply primer, base, and clear in the correct sequence with patience.

Using AutomotiveTouchup’s matched system ensures a flawless color match, proper blending, and long-lasting protection against rust.

Review Quiz

1. Before you start any touch-up repair, what’s the first step?
A) Start sanding immediately
B) Find your vehicle’s paint code
C) Mask off the damaged area

2. Which touch-up format is best for fixing a long, thin scratch?
A) Aerosol spray
B) Touch-up pen
C) Brush-in-bottle

3. What grit sandpaper should you use to smooth primer before applying base coat?
A) 180-grit
B) 320-grit
C) 600-grit

4. True or False: You should wax the repaired area the next day for extra shine.

5. Why is it important to use primer before applying base coat on bare metal?
A) Makes the color shinier
B) Helps paint stick and prevents rust
C) Speeds up drying time

When high performance is needed, the engine requires a high flow of oil to keep it well lubricated. #AD The FRAM Titanium oil filter has advanced high-flow synthetic technology to produce ultimate engine protection for up to 20,000 miles. Engineered with premium synthetic blend media, FRAM Titanium provides over 99% dirt trapping efficiency, allowing peak engine performance between longer synthetic oil change intervals. FRAM’s innovative filtration technologies is what makes FRAM Titanium keep your engine protected and performing longer. FRAM has been a trusted name since 1934 and continues to be the go-to brand for DIY pros and anyone wanting the best oil filter for the job. #ad #FRAMpartner

Visit my friends at FRAM at https://www.fram.com/products/consume… to learn more and find the right filter for your vehicle. #FRAMpartner #ad One of the easiest and most important things to do to keep your vehicle well maintained is to change your oil and your oil filter. We recommend the FRAM Ultra Synthetic® oil filter. FRAM Ultra Synthetic® oil filters help get top performance from newer engines and maximum protection for older ones. Its synthetic blend media captures 99%+ of the contaminants present in your oil, ensuring your engine is getting the cleanest oil possible. FRAM has been a trusted name since 1934 and continues to be the go-to brand for DYI, professionals and anyone wanting the best oil filter for the job.

CLEVELAND, OH (July 7, 2021) – On Wednesday, July 14, a deserving Cleveland veteran will experience a life-changing event – the presentation of a vehicle to provide him independence and the ability to work and take care of their families – thanks to the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides® program along with car donors GEICO and Gerber Collision. The presentation will be held in conjunction with BodyShop Business magazine, a Babcox Media publication, which is headquartered in nearby Akron.

The presentation will be held at the Public Square, Quicken Loans Stage, in downtown Cleveland.

WHO:   NABC Recycled Rides® program, along with partners:

• Vehicle donor GEICO
• Collision repair partner Gerber Collision
• A deserving veteran recipient selected by Volunteers of America Greater Ohio

WHAT:  NABC®, GEICO, Gerber Collision and BodyShop Business will present the restored vehicles to Victor Schwartz, who served as a Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, and today works as a security guard. His current vehicle is beyond affordable repair, so the gift of reliable transportation will allow him to get to work and doctors’ appointments.

NABC Recycled Rides® is a unique program in which businesses representing all facets of the collision repair industry team up to repair and donate vehicles to individuals and families in need of reliable transportation. Since the inception of the NABC Recycled Rides® program in 2007, members of the National Auto Body Council® have donated more than 2,600 vehicles valued at more than $36 million.

Additional partners in the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation include 1-800 Charity Cars  and PPG.

WHERE:     Public Square, Quicken Loans Stage, downtown Cleveland

(Parking is available at the Renaissance Hotel Cleveland or the public lot at West 3rd and Rockwell Avenue)

WHEN:                4 p.m. ET

Media Opportunities: Media members will have an opportunity to cover the unveiling of the car and presentation to the recipients, as well as interview the recipients and representatives from NABC®, the insurance partners and the repair partners.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL AUTO BODY COUNCIL®

The National Auto Body Council®, which celebrated its’ 25th anniversary in 2020, is the premier organization of collision industry partners dedicated to strategic networking opportunities that positively change lives in the communities we serve. The collaborative membership of the National Auto Body Council® has gifted more than 2,600 vehicles, provided extrication opportunities for more than 3,800 First Responders and contributed to thousands of distracted driving pledges in communities through NABC Recycled Rides®, NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.) and the NABC Distracted Driving Initiative. That effort equates to a 4:1 ROI in dollar value delivered from NABC® membership dollars. The National Auto Body Council® is changing the paradigm of how the collision industry works and is viewed. For more information, visit www.NationalautoBodyCouncil.org.

ABOUT BODYSHOP BUSINESS

BodyShop Business is committed to helping collision repair facility owners and managers improve their efficiency, profitability and repair quality by equipping them with the knowledge they need to run successful businesses. BSB provides not only business management content and market trend analysis, but also technical content, breaking news and innovative product technology.

ABOUT BABCOX MEDIA

Founded in 1920, Babcox Media (Babcox.com) is the leading business-to-business, multi-media content provider for the transportation industry. The company’s portfolio includes highly respected and influential brands within the auto care, tire, performance, collision, commercial trucking, auto dealer, powersports and enthusiast markets.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (July 6, 2021) – Maaco, America’s Body Shop and the leader in the $38 billion automotive paint and collision industry, is ready to race at Atlanta Motor Speedway this July with William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE in the NASCAR Cup Series. Through its partnership with Axalta, Maaco will be featured on the quarter panels, roof and rear TV panel of the No. 24 machine.

“We’re excited to carry the Maaco logo on the No. 24 Axalta Chevy for Atlanta,” said Byron. “Our goal is to win at Atlanta and this weekend, fans can win, too. They just have to watch for my car on TV or on social media to have a chance to win the ultimate race experience from Maaco.”

To celebrate the partnership, Maaco is hosting the “Watch Maaco Go” promotion, in which fans can share a screenshot every time they see the Maaco logo on the No. 24 Axalta Chevy during the week of the race (July 5 to July 11, 2021) to win the Maaco Ultimate Race Experience. Fans can watch race week programming and social media for images of the race car from Hendrick Motorsports or on the track during the race, then share those screenshots on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #BetterGetMaaco.

One winner from the entries will be randomly selected to win the Ultimate Race Experience from Maaco, including the Maaco TV panel from William Byron’s racecar. See promotion rules for details here.

“Axalta has always been a great partner with Maaco and this is a tremendous opportunity to be on William Byron’s car through our partnership with them,” said Chris Dawson, president of Maaco.  “We’re looking forward to seeing Maaco on the track and leading the field. On behalf of our more than 400 Maaco franchise partners, we hope to see William Byron and the No. 24 Axalta/Maaco Chevy in victory lane. We also look forward to all the fans tuning in to ‘Watch Maaco Go’ this weekend.”

About Maaco

Maaco is North America’s body shop, with almost 50 years of experience in providing affordable auto body repair and car painting. Maaco, with more than 400 independently owned and operated franchises across the United States and Canada, has been named a top automotive franchise numerous times by Entrepreneur Magazine in its Annual Franchise 500 ranking and Franchise Times’ list of Top 200 franchises. Maaco is a member of Driven Brands, the largest automotive services company in North America. For more information about Maaco, visit Maaco.com.

The struts I used in the video lifted the front end 2 inches. Here is a link to the struts – https://amzn.to/3jTkkDN In this video

I demonstrate how to replace the front struts on a 2007 Nissan Titan. The struts used also raised the front end 2 inches. Also in the video I introduce you to DIY Auto Shops if you have never used one.

in Donating Three Refurbished Vehicles to Three Deserving Northern California Recipients

 in Need of Reliable Transportation

Car Presentation to Recipients Took Place Friday, June 4 at G&C Auto Body in Santa Rosa, CA

SANTA ROSA, CA – On Friday, June 4, three deserving Northern California recipients experienced a life-changing event – the presentation of vehicles to provide them independence and the ability to work and take care of their families – thanks to the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides® program along with car donors Allstate, repairer G&C Auto Body and automotive refinish coatings partner PPG.

The presentation was held at G&C Auto Body in Santa Rosa, CA. This marked the company’s 196th presentation of vehicle to a family in need since 2013. The deserving recipients were selected by the Crozat Family Foundation, which was created by G&C Auto Body Founder Gene Crozat to give back to the community.

“My dad started this – he was a car guy and he was always passionate about helping people in the community,” said Shawn Crozat, CEO of G&C Auto Body. “He saw a need in our community and he created the Crozat Family Foundation to help. We’re excited to get over the 200 cars donated milestone. Giving back is good for business and supports our culture of caring for our team members and our customers. It’s amazing to see technicians donate their time on these projects. It’s also important for our community — they support us and it is our responsibility to give back to them.”

The recipients included:

·       Ami, who is now the proud owner of a 2019 Nissan Kicks, is a single mom working full time to support her four children. Her vehicle recently broke down and she has been able to get rides from friends. She was nominated by her boss and seems to be a very hard worker. Ami had a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer, she just got it paid off this year. The transmission went out and it is no longer operable leaving Ami with no form of transportation. The gift of reliable transportation will help her maintain employment and the stability in her household as a single mom to four.

·       Brooke, who received a 2017 Honda Accord, is a single mom to a child with some medical needs. She moved back to Ukiah after fleeing an abusive relationship with her now ex-partner from Minnesota. Brooke had to leave her work at the beginning of Covid due to issues with childcare and has employment waiting for her once she has childcare again. Now that childcare is available, transportation has become an issue. Her car has been losing power on the freeway and has become unreliable for getting to work or getting her son to daycare. Having reliable transportation to get her son to daycare, herself to work and take care of her son’s medical will mean the world for her independence and success.

·       Nadia, who was presented a 2018 Nissan Sentra, has been on her own since high school graduation, when she was kicked out of her parent’s house. Because she was 18 and had a full-time job, they thought she was equipped to take care of herself. After living in her car for about a year and maintaining a full-time job at Starbucks, her boss told her about Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) and encouraged her to reach out to them. She has been renting from SAY since August of 2020. As she was moving into housing with SAY her car broke down. She has a second job, which is part-time, and is trying to save for a reliable vehicle. The presentation of a reliable car will allow Nadia to pursue her dream of attending SRJC for nursing. It also will help her get to medical appointments for her diabetes.

The team at G&C Auto Body also provided each recipient with $200 grocery cards for the next six months, $200 gas cards for the next six months, six months of insurance through Allstate Memmer Insurance Agency and a one-time $500 gift card for Target.

PPG, a global leader in paints, coatings and specialty materials and longtime partner with G&C Auto Body, supplies all of the automotive refinish paint and equipment for the 20 G&C Auto Body locations throughout Northern California. The three vehicles were restored to showroom quality by G&C Auto Body, which used PPG ENVIROBASE® High Performance waterborne basecoat paint system. The system is engineered to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and deliver an accurate color formula, excellent hiding power and long-term durability.

“At PPG, our purpose to protect and beautify the world guides our actions in serving our communities and neighbors,” said Tom Wolfe, PPG strategic accounts director, automotive refinish sales. “We have had long-standing business partnerships with both G&C Auto Body and the NABC® for many years, and our common goal of positively impacting deserving families within our local communities makes our partnerships that much more meaningful.”

“What a tremendous honor to join the Crozat family and G&C Auto Body in giving so generously to their community,” said Bill Garoutte, president and CEO of the National Auto Body Council®. “We offer congratulations to G&C Auto Body on this incredible milestone of presenting 196 vehicles to community members in need and thank them for their commitment to and support of this program.”

NABC Recycled Rides® is a unique program in which businesses representing all facets of the collision repair industry team up to repair and donate vehicles to individuals and families in need of reliable transportation. Since the inception of the NABC Recycled Rides® program in 2007, members of the National Auto Body Council have donated more than 2,600 vehicles valued at more than $36 million.

About G&C Auto Body and the Crozat Family Foundation

G & C Auto Body was founded in 1972, as the company has grown so has the owner’s generosity. They founded the Crozat Family Foundation as a way of giving back to the community that has supported them as a local business. G&C Auto Body has been sponsoring car giveaways through its nonprofit charity organization, The Crozat Family Foundation, since 2013. G & C Auto Body has been providing funding and resources to not only purchase and refurbish vehicles but to provide additional monetary help to aid in the cost of vehicle ownership and operation.

G&C Auto Body and the Crozat Family Foundation has given away 196 vehicles since 2013 and works diligently to help individuals and families who have hit a pot hole get back on the road of life with a reliable transportation. G&C Auto Body is now spreading the love even further by sponsoring car giveaways in any community that has a G&C Auto Body location. We welcome you to nominate a family in need today by simply going www.gandcautobody.com and click the tab to nominate/apply at the bottom on the home page. We thank you for your help and continued support in our mission of loving fellow man

ABOUT PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD®

At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty materials that our customers have trusted for more than 135 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $13.8 billion in 2020. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL AUTO BODY COUNCIL®

The National Auto Body Council®, which celebrated its’ 25th anniversary in 2020, is the premier organization of collision industry partners dedicated to strategic networking opportunities that positively change lives in the communities we serve. The collaborative membership of the National Auto Body Council® has gifted more than 2,600 vehicles, provided extrication opportunities for more than 3,800 First Responders and contributed to thousands of distracted driving pledges in communities through NABC Recycled Rides®, NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.) and the NABC Distracted Driving Initiative. That effort equates to a 4:1 ROI in dollar value delivered from NABC® membership dollars. The National Auto Body Council® is changing the paradigm of how the collision industry works and is viewed. For more information, visit www.NationalautoBodyCouncil.org.

We protect and beautify the world is a trademark and Envirobase and the PPG Logo are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

CHICAGO (April 29, 2021) – The CARSTAR Chicagoland Business Group is helping ensure the future of the collision repair industry with its support of Lincoln Technical Vocational College over the past decade. From providing gifts for signing day to scholarships to offering practical experience, CARSTAR locations across Chicagoland are guiding the next generation of collision repair professionals on their career journey.

Located just outside of Chicago in the suburb of Melrose Park, Lincoln Tech has been an important part of the Chicago community for more than 100 years.

“Lincoln Tech plays such an important role in Chicago’s educational system – and has for many years,” said Ron Zappetillo, field performance manager, CARSTAR. “Skilled workers are essential to our industry and our economy, and we want to do our part to keep the job pipeline full with qualified technicians.”

The CARSTAR Chicagoland Business Group participated in the Lincoln Tech Signing Event for future collision repair students at a packed house that included graduating high school students, who will begin their auto body repair classes in September, along with their parents, faculty and alumnae.  On this day, students signed their letter of intent to attend Lincoln Tech this fall.  The students received a Lincoln Tech hat, pens and a gift bag from CARSTAR Chicagoland that included the popular cell phone pop-sockets, juice and other snacks.

“We can’t thank CARSTAR enough for their continued support with our events,” said Karen Clark, Lincoln Tech Campus President.  “It’s so important for our students to know the opportunities that CARSTAR brings to the table.”

Chicagoland CARSTAR is also sponsoring a classroom at Lincoln Tech along with awarding $2,000 worth of student scholarships. Today, Lincoln Tech graduates are employed at several CARSTAR Chicagoland locations, demonstrating the career-path potential for these young students.

“Our partnership with CARSTAR means so much for Lincoln Tech and our students,” said Nancy Journet, Director of Career Services at Lincoln Tech. “We know that right now our youth needs support and some direction.  We are able to do that with the help of CARSTAR.  We thank all the CARSTAR shops for their partnership and continued support.”

About CARSTAR

CARSTAR is North America’s largest franchise network of independently owned and operated collision repair facilities with more than 700 locations in 35 states and 10 Canadian provinces. A part of the Driven Brands family of automotive aftermarket franchise brands, CARSTAR delivers national scale, premier vehicle repairs, repeatable outcomes and the industry’s highest customer satisfaction ratings. CARSTAR has maintained its commitment to give back to the communities it serves through a variety of fundraising initiatives, including raising over $4 million for cystic fibrosis research, care and advocacy across North America. CARSTAR is actively seeking new franchise partners and interested parties should call 844-906-9764 or visit CARSTARfranchise.com.

I am demonstrating what sandpaper grits to use and the steps to take for sanding paint and coatings to bare metal, shape and sand body filler, feather edge repair area, and get the repair area ready for prime and block.

For more information about SunMight USA Corp visit:

14943 Desman Road La Mirada, CA 90638

http://www.sunmightusa.com

714-952-5020 – sales@sunmightusa.com

1. Wash the repair area with soap and water.

2. Wash the repair area with wax and grease remover.

3. Remove paint and coating to metal using 80 grit on a DA sander.

4. Blow repair area with compressed air.

5. Mix and apply body filler.

6. Lightly level body filler using 80 grit on a DA sander.

7. Apply guide coat to the repair area.

8. Minimize 80 grit scratches and feather edge using 180 grit on a DA sander.

9. Prepare surface for prime and block using 320 grit on a DA sander.

GEICO donated (4) grandstand tickets to CREF for the upcoming Daytona 500 race taking place on 2/14. CREF partnered with Body Shop Business magazine by trying to auction these off via their Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/p/CKwXHa3A9…​

Auction is running now through February 10th where people can like the post, follow BSB’s page and comment with their bid. You will be able to make bids through the 10th and whomever has the highest bid will have the tickets emailed to them once payment to CREF is made.

Thanks for bidding and supporting collision repair schools and colleges.

We would like to thank you all for watching and subscribing to the channel and for being a part of this award.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzA2PE7vg9R_ebLiBSjCxEw

If you would like to collaborate in an upcoming video, then please let me know.

I have also opened all lessons to help our students as well. I lifted the Patron fee during this time, as many schools and colleges have closed. However, I do appreciate my Patron’s support and hope they continue to support this website and training during this time. For now, there are no passwords to access any part of the website. Although it is possible, I have overlooked one. If you find one, then please let me know.

Have fun and be safe! Donnie Smith

What Brings You To This Channel and/or Website? CLICK HERE TO VOTE

Today, as collision repair shop owners are evaluating their current car count and the estimated volume for the next month, there is an opportunity to retain valued technicians and team members while increasing the efficiency and performance of your facility when the vehicle volume returns.

“We are thinking of all of the collision repair shop owners, managers and technicians around the country as they deal with this health and economic challenge at work and at home,” said Farzam Afshar, CEO of VeriFacts Automotive. “No one wants to face declining car counts and repair volume, but if there is a silver lining to all of this, it does provide an opportunity to focus on how you can improve your business during the downtime.”

As the federal government has deemed automotive repair as an “essential” business, shop owners across the country are working hard to change their business practices to reassure customers of their health and safety when getting their vehicle repaired. Many of these practices, like shop cleanliness and customer service enhancements, will have a lasting impact on shop operations.

VeriFacts Automotive, which works with thousands of collision repair facilities and industry suppliers across North America and regularly coaches shop owners on their shop environmental health standards and operational enhancements, is offering shop owners guidance on improving their businesses during this downtime.

1.  Facility Maintenance and Spring Cleaning – With a lower car count, now is a good time for a thorough cleaning of the entire facility. Clean and sanitize all walls, counters, surfaces and floors. Consider interior and exterior painting to give everything an updated, fresh look – a project your team members may tackle while they aren’t as busy repairing vehicles. And now that the shop is clean, it’s an ideal time to explore opportunities to keep it that way, such as a dustless sanding system.
2. Equipment Maintenance – This is an ideal time to perform the annual maintenance on equipment and tools and make needed repairs. If it’s time to replace equipment, now is a good time to negotiate with equipment suppliers to make those purchases.  It is imperative that you research and purchase equipment and tools that are OEM approved based on the mix of vehicles your facility repairs.
3. Inventory Management – Conduct physical inventory of all of the supplies, parts and materials you have in stock and determine how to order and use more efficiently. Make sure equipment is correctly inventoried so you can accurately depreciate on your financials.
4. Organize Parts and Supplies – Tired of searching for parts or looking at a messy supply room? There are a variety of shelving, rack and cabinet system that make finding the products needed for each job easy and efficient.  It’s important to add a tracking system so as parts and supplies are consumed, they are re-ordered promptly, thus reducing delays on repairs.
5. Paint Department Improvement and Cleaning – The paint booth is the vital part of the body shop, but if it isn’t taken care of, breakdowns can be costly. Deep clean the booth and remove overspray, change filters, clean pits and update lighting. Reapply booth coating or sand down and repaint inside and out. Consider adding a booth wrap on the inside walls and floors to make future cleanup easier. Also look at improving air movement for waterborne paint conversion. This may be the time to consider upgrading from your current booth to one that is more efficient to operate. If the paint room and all of the equipment in it is splattered and spackled, that’s potential contamination and debris that could get in your paint and mar your paint jobs. This is a perfect opportunity to work with your paint partner to look at new paint systems that make it more organized and efficient, as well as adding wall containers for cups, lids and liners and counter surfaces that are easier to clean up. Reducing the painter’s time in the mixing room delivers more profitability in the paint department!
6. Shop Process Improvements – Are there bottlenecks in the workflow in your shop? Are you wasting time moving cars around rather than repairing them? An evaluation of your shop layout and repair process can identify new opportunities to improve how vehicles move through the repair process in your shop, increasing efficiency and decreasing unpaid time. From streamlining the workstations for each step of the repair process to vehicle tracking systems to implementing parts bins or carts, simple changes can add up to big returns. Most paint company provide this service and if your paint company does not please ask VeriFacts to assist you.
7. Employee Training – Technicians and team members frequently complain about lost work time due to training, so now is the perfect time to participate in online training and coaching programs. VeriFacts Automotive provides virtual coaching and support to shops, which complements online training classes and webinars from suppliers like your paint, equipment and materials partners.
8. Employee Reviews – A key factor in retaining and growing team members is feedback and career pathing.  Annual or ongoing reviews often get put on a back burner in busier times, so this an ideal opportunity to conduct reviews with your employees, get their feedback and map out how to grow together.
9. Year-End Financial Evaluation and Budget Planning – As you close your books on 2019, this is the time to conduct a thorough financial review with your accountant. If you’re part of an MSO, review your financial plan with your peers and field operations team. Together, you can identify where you could cut costs and spend more efficiently, as well as evaluate how you can recover typically lost revenue through better repair mapping and tracking.
10. Manage Your Parts Orders and Vehicle Intake – During this pandemic time, a collision repair facility is looking to take any jobs in.  Make sure you verify parts availability before you disassemble drivable vehicles to ensure you can get the parts to repair them in a timely manner.

“We are always here to help our collision repair customers, in good times and challenging ones,” added Afshar. “We want to help them set their business on the proper course for success as we emerge from the current situation back to more prosperous times.”

About VeriFacts Automotive

VeriFacts Automotive, headquartered in Newport Beach, CA, provides the highest level of collision repair business coaching, evaluation and verification services, delivering OEM certifications to ensure collision repair facilities are prepared to deliver safe and reliable repairs. Today, VeriFacts has partnerships with the majority of leading multi-shop collision repair organizations, independent repair facilities and top vehicle manufacturers and is recognized by top insurance carriers, among others. VeriFacts employs more than 75 team members across North America. For more information, visit www.VeriFactsAuto.com.

Here are a few tips form Lauren Fix to help prevent you from the coronavirus when working on cars.

I know you all are on many different topics, I will not be able to cover every topic, but I will do the best I can per your request.

I am a Platinum I-CAR educator and Master ASE Certified Technician. I do not have all the answers yet, but I am going to help as much as I can. These videos will be ad-free videos without distraction.

I have been teaching collision repair since 2004, and I am here to help other instructors in any way I can. I will be providing additional resources as we move forward to ensure your students get the training needed for the remaining school year. Learn more at www.CarAddictGarage.com

I recently attended a training event where CCC One, a leading auto estimating and management system, showed us the statistic of auto accidents on the rise and expect more wrecks in the future. As they explained, it’s not necessarily the safety features failing, but the people driving the cars are becoming too dependent on the safety features and paying less attention to driving.

These features are not 100% safe, as many people believe, so stay alert and pay attention while driving. Here is a video talking about automatic braking.

This year at the 63rd Annual Cars for Charities Rod & Custom Car Show in Wichita, Kansas we selected a 1940 Buick for Butler’s Sponsor Award.

There are many amazing cars this year, but this car has some cool histroy.  It is said that Eleanor Roosevelt was one of the first riders to ride in this car.

Nancy Reagan later rented this car for her nieces wedding, which we found interesting.

About The Car

• 1940 Buick Series 90 Limited
• Overhead Valve
• 320 Cubic Inch Straight 8 Engine
• 3 Speed Manual Transmission
• 484 Produced

We found this Buick interesting and we think you will too.