Paintless Dent Repair, often referred to as PDR, is an auto body repair procedure used as an alternative to conventional auto body repair, according to a local auto body shop owner. Paintless Dent Repair isn’t always an option as a repair method. Sometimes Paintless Dent Repair and conventional repair are needed for the same vehicle. What qualifies a vehicle for traditional repair? What are the advantages of using PDR? Read on for the answers!

How to know if PDR is right for your car

PDR is not an option for all repairs. It is generally used when a vehicle has been damaged by hail, but may be applicable in non-hail dent situations as well. Is the paint damaged? That is the first question. If the vehicle’s paint is damaged, PDR is not an option.

Cost of Paintless Dent Repair

PDR is often less expensive than traditional repair. Why? There are fewer steps involved than in the conventional repair process. Fewer steps usually translate to less materials used and time necessary to complete the repair. Less time and materials working on the vehicle translates to fewer hours and materials billed, making the paintless dent repair process generally a less expensive alternative.

How long does PDR take?

PDR is generally a quicker repair because there are fewer steps in the repair process. Although parts may still need to be disassembled and reassembled, there are no time delays for parts procurement, which can often occur in a conventional repair. Parts are not being prepped or painted with the PDR method of auto body repair, also hastening turnaround time.

How invasive is Paintless Dent Repair?

PDR is less invasive because fewer parts are being disassembled and reassembled. For example: If PDR is being used on a roof, the headliner (soft interior ceiling of your vehicle) may need to be removed to access the roof from the inside, but that is as invasive as PDR gets. When a roof is being repaired or replaced with conventional repair procedures, all glass as well as the interior of the vehicle will need to be removed. This insures that the vehicle is not damaged during the repair or replacement of parts and that proper painting procedures are being followed, but is the more invasive of the repair options.

Will my car need a new paint job?

PDR repaired vehicles do not get re-painted, therefore paint matching is not a concern. Paint matching can be a challenge with traditionally repaired vehicles. Multiple challenges can arise when a part needs to be painted during the traditional repair process, including; matching the paint color and blending with adjacent panels so the color will look as natural as possible.

Schedule an estimate for your dent repair

If you are unsure whether or not your auto body damage may qualify for PDR, schedule a free estimate to find out. When getting an estimate for auto body repairs, don’t be afraid to ask our service writers questions about the repair plan offered. Find out why PDR is being used, or why it is not.

I had sold another business and was looking for a business to buy. Having grown up in the car business, owning a body shop seemed like a good fit.

What do you like best about being  an E&S owner?

The best thing about being an owner is helping people. People who have wrecked their vehicles and returning the vehicle to pre-accident condition. Also the people that work here. Giving them a great place to work, learn a trade and earn a living. They are like family to me.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time, I like to golf and hunt. Usually it is at the same time — I hunt for my golf ball.

What interesting fact about you do most people not know?

I am a Christian. It is the foundation of my life.

What would your employees say about you?

Ha! You’re going to have to ask them!

Down to earth and never makes a quick decision without weighing his options. - Les Kubena, Research Location Manager

I have been working for Ellis and Salazar for 3 years. I can honestly say I have never worked for a company that has held to such a high moral and ethical standard. This company without hesitation prioritizes what is morally right, as the first and only course of action, whether dealing with Insurance companies or the customers. Where does this standard come from? It comes from the owners who have built this great company. You can tell a lot about person by the way they live their life and do their business. Jack Nash is that person. He is a man of honor and integrity. He lives and owns his faith. He is kind, considerate and compassionate, a stickler for details.  Mix in a great sense of humor and you have one heck of a guy! For all who know Jack, their lives are truly enriched. -Kim Bishop,  Admin Assistant – Anderson Mill location

When someone asks me, how would you sum up Jack Nash in one word, it spawns some deep thought. I believe the word simply to be, “Graceful” (to mean full of grace, not the satirical word used for someone who’s not clumsy). The kindness Jack displays to his employees, his friends, and his customers is un-matched by anyone I’ve ever met before. Some say the measure of a man is his wealth, I believe you measure a man by those who call him friend, and Jack has many. His charitable activity with organizations such as Austin Woods and Waters, also show that he’s graceful with those he doesn’t even know. I indeed look up to this man and hope to be more like him some day. If there were anything I’d tell Jack that he needed to change in his life, it would be to change his favorite college football team, but then again, no man can be completely perfect.  -Doug Smith, Estimator – S. Congress location

How about you?

Have you been a customer of Ellis & Salazar, or just know these kind words about Jack to ring true? Let us know some of your experience with Jack and the service at Ellis & Salazar in the comments below.

How did you get into the body shop industry?
My family lived down the street from Turners Automotive. When I was eleven years old I would go and help clean the shop after school and during the summer. Curtis Turner would let me disassemble cars occasionally.  My father was employed at B&B Body and Frame at the time, and I started to go to work with him during the summer of 1972.

What made you decide you wanted to be an owner?
I had told my partners that if we ever had an opportunity to open another location that I would like to become a partner in the business. In 2000 we opened our second location. My children were young and I felt this would give me more job security and eventually more freedom.

What do you like best about being an owner?
What I have enjoyed most, is that everyday is a new challenge. There is always something that needs attention.

What do you like to do in your free time?
During my free time I enjoy doing things with my family, and riding my bike or just enjoying the great outdoors. I enjoy playing sports with my kids and watching their activities.

Any interesting facts about you that people don’t know?
An interesting fact some may not know is that I am half Hispanic.

Sign up for the E&S Monthly Newsletter and be entered to win!

Ellis and Salazar is giving away a $50 Visa giftcard to one special E&S customer on September 1st. 

We will be giving away all sorts of cool stuff in the future, so keep your eyes peeled for the next giveaway and forward this to your friends & family so they can enter!

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Angela Stokey won last month’s drawing for an iPod Touch. Enter now for you chance to win next month’s drawing and spread the word!

The owners of Ellis & Salazar Garage & Body Shops are a testament to how important hard work and dedication can be when chasing your dream. For our inaugural E&S ‘Person of the Month’ feature, we thought it fitting to start with one of the three owners. Wayne was able to take some time away from his busy day as “A Captain”, to tell us about what it took for him to own his own business, the importance of community involvement in Austin, and to let us in on a few of his personal achievements and passions.

How did Ellis and Salazar get started?

When I first got into the Austin auto body shop business in 1977, I knew this was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I wrote a little statement on a piece of paper that read, “by the time I am 35 years old, I will own my own shop.” and taped it to my mirror so I could see it every morning.

I worked hard to make it happen and in February of 1989, I received a call from Jack Nash (another of the three Ellis & Salazar owners) who wanted to partner up on buying a body shop — so we did. Jack and I purchased the original Ellis & Salazar shop in 1989, which had been in business since 1953. Then we partnered with Joe Lewright (third owner) and opened a second location in 2000 and the third in 2008.

What is your favorite thing about being an E&S owner?

What I like about being an owner is getting to tell people what to do ha ha! Being an owner just makes me feel good.  Over the past 23 years, we’ve been able to hire so many good people, who love to show customers how much we care about repairing their vehicles.

What do you do outside of being a shop owner?

My time now is spent helping and watching my beautiful wife, Tami, rodeo, keeping my grandbaby as much as I can, and volunteering. I volunteer a lot! I’m on the rodeo board (STFR), head of the Cowboy Breakfast, chair director on the Dripping Springs Ranch Park, on the construction board of DSRP building committee, work with the Firefighters Relief Fund Fishing tournament and I’m co-coach of my church’s softball team. I just enjoy helping people in need in any way. I’m not patting myself on the back, I just like doing it!

I used to enjoy bull riding and clowning in rodeos, now I focus on anything outside like hunting and fishing. I’ve been to Colorado, Wyoming , Montana ,Alaska and Africa on hunting trips. I am a country boy at heart!

What is something about you that not many people know?

I played all the sports in high school. I played varsity football and basketball and ran track. I won’t say I was a sports hero or anything, but I was an all district football player two of the four years in high school I also played semi-pro baseball because we didn’t have a baseball team in Manor. I blew out my knee and wasn’t able to advance my career in baseball any further, so I started playing fast-pitch softball. I played for twenty five years and went to 3 world tournaments! Now I just play slow-pitch for my church’s team.
Thank you Wayne for letting us in a little on what has made you, you!
You can find Wayne every day of the week at the Ellis & Salazar on South Congress- stop in and say hi!

When’s the last time you were in an accident? You probably remember it like it was yesterday. I know I do! I’ll never forget slamming into the car in front of me as I was getting off the highway last summer. The airbag deployed and I was surrounded by dust and smoke. In my dazed state of shock, the last thing on my mind was getting all the information I needed from the other driver and the scene of the accident.

Luckily you have this handy checklist to help you out the next time this happens to you. So, print it out and keep a copy in your car next to your insurance and registration.

1. Be prepared: Keep in your vehicle; a copy of a current insurance ID card, vehicle registration, a list of emergency contacts, a medical card noting any allergies to medication or specific medical conditions, pen or pencil, notepad, first aid kit, blanket, jumper cables, disposable camera, and a copy of this list.

2. Be safe: Move the vehicle to a safe location, check for injuries, call 911 for medical assistance, and never leave the scene of the accident.

3. Contact the police; they will let you know if their presence is needed. Cooperate with the police, don’t admit fault, and remain calm.

4. If your vehicle is NOT drivable, call a wrecker. Request your vehicle be towed to the Ellis & Salazar Body Shop of your choice. 4501 S. Congress Ave.-512.444.5555, 8808 Research Blvd.- 512.459.8808, or 8425 Anderson Mill Rd.- 512.249.2600.

5. Exchange Contact information (including vehicle owner information, if not the driver) with all parties involved: name, address, email, and phone number.

6. Exchange Vehicle information for all vehicles involved: year, make, model, and license plate number.

7. Exchange Insurance information (including vehicle owner information if not the driver): insurance company name, policy #, agent or claims department phone #.

8. Collect witness information: name, address, email, phone #.

9. Collect police information: Department name, officer name, badge number, and police report # (if available).

10. Collect documentation: photos of the scene, photos of the damage, and jot down the location of the accident.

Along with insects, birds, pollen and tree sap! Insects, birds, pollen, and tree sap are not only a chore for our homes; they are a chore for our vehicles too! Give your vehicle the same “spring cleaning” attention you give your home with this Spring Cleaning Car Care tip list.

1. Check your engine’s air filters and cabin air filters

These air filters can become heavy with pollen affecting the performance of your vehicle. Replace air filters when necessary to keep your vehicle happy and running at its best!

2. Remove leaves and debris from the cowl screen

Remove leaves and debris from the cowl screen where the hood and windshield meet, under the wipers and all crevices. Leaves left in the cowl screen can breakdown creating sediment that can clog the evaporator drain. This can cause a much more time consuming and costly auto repair. Leaves that are left in crevices absorb and hold water, like a sponge, which can cause rust. Make cure to clear leaves and debris regularly.

3. Wash your vehicle often to remove tree sap and bird droppings.

Believe it or not, the acidity in the sap and the droppings can damage your paint and clear coat! The eating away of your clear coat and paint begins quickly, especially if the vehicle is sitting in the sun! Insect splatter can also cause damage when left on paint and not washed regularly. Be careful to wash often and consider a coat of wax a couple of times a year. The wax will act as a protective barrier.

4. Follow up with a soft clean shammy

Dry wiping your vehicle with a paper towel or any other similar paper product will scratch the clear coat. Make sure to use mild soap and water to wash the affected area. Then follow up with a soft, clean shammy for drying.

5. Check your air pressure.

As temperatures rise, the air expands in your tires. You may need to let some air out to maintain the proper pressure levels for optimal tire performance.

Take care of your vehicle and it will take care of you! Stay ahead of possible damage and a potentially costly auto repair by routinely following these 5 Spring Cleaning Car Care Tips!

Hope you’ve got your engines revving for the Austin Rodeo because we’re kicking it off with the Cowboy Breakfast tomorrow, March 2, down at Auditorium Shores. From 6:00 to 9:00 am, enjoy complimentary breakfast, live music, and Texas-inspired entertainment. That all adds up to a fun-filled Friday morning, sponsored by some of your (and our) favorite businesses. We’re talking about Earl Campbell Sausage, Mission Tortillas, Shipley’s Donuts and Central Market just to name a handful.

And, of course, your favorite Austin auto mechanics will be there, and we’re not leaving until the cows come home. Or at least until we’ve run out of pancakes! You heard right. Ellis & Salazar will have two tents set up, and we’ll be handing out loads of pancakes and answering all of your car questions. So don’t forget to stop by and say “howdy!”

Also, be sure to plan ahead on how to get there. Even though we’re crazy about cars, we recommend that you look into other forms of transportation in order to avoid overcrowded parking. See it as an opportunity to stretch your legs and give your car a rest as you bike, bus or walk to the event.

For specific details on transportation and sponsors, check out the Cowboy Breakfast page:
http://www.rodeoaustin.com/events_detail.aspx?id=954

Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

A Fresh Auto Body Paint Job Means a Fresher Austin

If it’s an auto body paint job you’re looking for, then our auto service experts know how to make your car look as if it just left the showroom. Also, this year we’re continuing our commitment to “paint every car green.” So don’t worry about chemical solvents coating your vehicle because at Ellis & Salazar we use water-based paint to make any auto body scratches a thing of the past. We also make a conscious effort to recycle such items as sheet metal and aluminum from body damage repair jobs.

Which got us thinking: What are other ways to hit “green” lights on the road this year? First things first, your car should always be a well-oiled machine. Just like your body, if your car is in good mechanical shape, then less energy (fuel) is required to power the engine. Lower fuel consumption means fewer greenhouse gases are released into the air. So in addition to safety reasons, it’s important to check that your brake pads aren’t worn-out and that your tires aren’t low in order to shrink your carbon footprint. Keeping your tires inflated properly when the temperature changes with the seasons reduces rolling resistance and increases fuel efficiency. A properly inflated tire will wear evenly and burn less fuel. (Imagine a fully inflated ball rolling down the road in comparison to a flat ball trying to roll down the road.) We assess all of these features and more when you schedule your car for a tune-up with one of our friendly auto mechanics.

Other tips to consider when driving green are to keep your car body weight and speeds low. Shedding some pounds is a common New Year’s resolution. This can apply to your car too. Heavier vehicles require more fuel, and the same goes for higher speeds. We recommend removing any excess weight from your car’s interior and reducing your average speed, especially on highways. By making these small changes, you’ll not only improve your fuel mileage, but also help us paint our beautiful town of Austin green in 2012.