The Importance of Using a Spray Booth for Crash Repairs
After your car has suffered a minor or major crash, your focus may instant jump to repairing or replacing damaged door sills, window arches, bumper, wings, boot lid and/or bonnet. Then you will want to restore the original beauty and sheen of your car to cover up the scuffs, dings and dents. Auto centres with a spray booth can achieve these cosmetic improvements quickly, easily and masterfully. Crash repairs Dublin must include re-painting to hide unsightly evidence of the crash and preserve its appearance.
You can also opt for spray painting when your car’s paint has faded from prolonged exposure to the sun. Vehicle owners also treat their cars to a spray painting session when they wish to switch to a new colour.
What is the point of a spray booth?
A spray booth is an environment-friendly addition to an auto centre. The air exhausted from a painting area must be clean of paint – which is toxic to the environment – as much as possible. A spray booth prevents paint and paint-related atmospheric pollution.
Spray painting may cause a fire hazard from solvent and overspray deposits. A spray booth disposes both efficiently.
Additionally, spray booths allow the removal of waste spray paint and the sludge it forms. Professional auto service centres offering crash repairs Dublin invest in spray booths to ensure high-quality work and a safe working environment.
Baldoyle Auto Centre uses advanced spray paint technology for excellent quality paint finish. The work is carried out in dedicated spray booths for environment protection. We are certified by the Environmental Protection Agency and we’re a member of SIMI
.
What can you expect from a good spray service?
- Accurate restoration of car’s original finish, in terms of both aesthetics and lustre
- Use of the latest auto body painting techniques
- Use of high-grade paint
- Quality workmanship
A top-notch spray painting job will ensure perfect colour-matching where repairs blend seamlessly into the car’s existing paintwork.
Why is a Pre NCT Important?
Improving road safety is at the heart of National Car Testing (NCT). When your car turns four years old, you will need to get it tested, and from then on, have it tested every two years till it reaches ten years. From here on, an annual test becomes necessary.
A Pre NCT test is the best way to prepare your vehicle for an NCT test. The Pre NCT will provide a comprehensive diagnosis of your car’s safety and tell you if any work is needed before NCT. Those who ignore Pre NCT almost always fail their NCT test. In fact, less than half of all vehicles tested pass the first time.
The consequences of not having a valid NCT are quite serious and can hit you hard. For one, it can cost you five points on your license and require you to make a court appearance. If your car fails the test, you will need to undergo a re-test and pay a fee before getting the NCT certificate. In any case, you will have to get suspension, brakes, bodywork and other safety-related issues fixed before appearing for the retest. Best to wrap this up after a Pre NCT, get the certificate, and avoid the re-test fee altogether.
Finally, when you fix your car’s defects on time, it will run efficiently, cleanly, safely and fuel-efficiently. Ensuring the road-worthiness of your car in your best interests, besides helping safeguard public and environmental health.
The Main failure items for 2015 were:
- Front Suspension.
- Brake Line / Hoses.
- Headlamp Aim.
- Tyre Condition.
- Stop Lamps.
Category of cars due for testing in 2016 are 2012 reg., 2010 reg., 2008 reg , 2006 reg. and older registered vehicles.
How to prepare for the NCT Click Here
What is examined in the NCT Click Here
Is Brake Fluid Flushing Really Important?
Let’s start by understanding what brake fluid is. Your car’s brakes are operated by a hydraulic system. Hydraulic energy is generated by pressurized fluid – what we call hydraulic fluid – to power machinery. Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid that moves the components of your vehicle’s braking system. When you push the brake pedal, the brake fluid transfers the force of the pedal through the brake lines to the brakes. As you can see, brake fluid plays a vital role in the proper and safe functioning of your brakes.
Brake fluid has a service interval
Check your owner’s manual for details on your car’s brake fluid service interval. Usually, it has a service interval of two or three years. Brake fluid checks are part of the Standard Procedures that assess if flushing and replacement is required. It is important that your auto centre performs this check to determine the health of your braking system and takes appropriate action in a timely manner.
What can happen if brake fluid is not replaced?
When brake fluid is fresh, it stays in a dry state. Over time, the fluid absorbs water and moves to a wet state. As the fluid keeps getting saturated, it boils at a lower temperature. The friction from using your brakes boils aging liquid more easily and causes air bubbles in the brake lines. So, now when you push the brake pedal, the force from the pedal compresses the air and not the brake fluid. The energy your foot applies doesn’t get to the brakes.
What does that mean for driver and passenger safety?
A couple of small bubbles in the brake lines can combine to form a big bubble. Your brakes then start feeling soft and spongy. As your braking system doesn’t get the required normal pressure, it can even fail.
The average motorist who drives 25,000 kilometres a year uses his brakes approximately 75,000 times. Unless your car’s brakes engage properly, there’s always a safety hazard looming around you. Not surprisingly, many drivers say that among all driving emergencies, brake failure is their number one concern.
Brake fluid service cannot wait
At Baldoyle Auto Centre , we have actively advocated scheduled brake fluid checks. A timely replacement safeguards your car’s optimal functioning as well as on-road safety. It is not unusual to detect problems in your braking system during a brake fluid examination. We suggest the best course of action to get your car back safely on the road.
Make an appointment online or call 01-8321045
“We Recommend you read: Brakes – All you need to know
Cinty Fay is the winner of our Mothers Day Competition.
Easter Egg Appeal
You’re Not Alone is calling on local businesses and members of the public to bring seasonal chocolate cheer to the homeless whom we support. You can give someone a little bit of chocolate heaven by buying an extra egg and donating it to You’re Not Alone
Many of us will spend Easter weekend with our families, and it’s easy to forget that not everyone has a place they can call home, or families who care for them. You’re Not Alone works with hundreds of Homeless people on Dame Street who can feel very isolated and lonely at these family times.
Last year You’re Not Alone received a record number of Easter eggs from generous businesses, organisations, and individuals, all of which were distributed to the homeless and they even had eggs left over which was donated to the children’s wards in Beaumont Hospital young people and women with children across their projects, and this year they are hoping to do the same.
After the success of the Christmas Shoebox Appeal, Martina from Baldoyle Auto Centre has agreed to be a drop off point for the Easter Egg Appeal. We will be collecting eggs until 24th March 2016
Drop off point to Martina at Baldoyle Auto Centre Ltd, Unit 138-139, Baldoyle Industrial Estate, Dublin 13
Directions: Turn into Baldoyle Industrial Estate and take a left, At the next T Junction take a Right and half way down the road you will see Kane Kitchens take this left and Baldoyle Auto Centre is at the end on left.
Car Service – Seven signs a car service is required
- Warning Messages
- Strange Noises
- Shaking Steering
- Tyres Out
- Burning Smell
- Smoke
- Filling up more
Looking after and maintaining your car will save you money in the long run. Ideally you should service your car at least once a year. Below are seven signs your car needs a service.
1. Warning messages
Modern cars have dashboard warning messages. Don’t ignore these if they appear as it could lead to a serious malfunction. In some cases the message will tell you to have the car serviced.
2. Strange noises
Ignoring strange noises is a mistake that could prove costly. A grinding or squealing sound might be a problem with your brakes. A roaring sound could be an issue with the tyres or wheel bearings.
3. Shaking steering
If you find your steering wheel shaking or vibrating uncontrollably while driving it is likely your tyres may need balancing or re-aligning. A simple fix if spotted early enough.
4. Tyres out
While we’re on the subject of tyres make sure to check the tread depth regularly. If the depth is less than 1.6mm then you’ll need to change them.
5. Burning smell
If you notice a distinctive burning smell particularly of rubber it could be a transmission leak. Fluid leaking onto a hot engine will create this odour. The old fluid will need to be drained out and then replaced.
6. Smoke
Exhaust smoke is a sign your car could have an oil leak. Check to see if there is any thick black liquid or soot building up within the exhaust pipe.
7. Filling up
If you find yourself filling up more often than normal it could be a good time to have your car serviced. High fuel consumption indicates a possible engine fault.
If you’ve come across any of these warning signs why not book in for a full car service today with one of our highly trained mechanics.