I have been picking up used cars for very little money for several years. I take those cars and put a little money into them to bring up the value and then sell them for a nice little profit. Is this something that interests you? If so, go to my blog. Here, you will find many tips that will improve the appearance of a used vehicle to increase the value of it and make it an easier car to sell. It is my hope that all of my experience can help others find a way to make a little extra money selling used cars after restoring them.
You likely already save money to pay for regular maintenance for your car, such as for replacement of tires, oil changes, and tune ups. You probably don't even think about getting into a collision, but if it happens, the repairs can get very expensive. Below are three tips to help you keep these costs down.
Fix It Yourself
There may be times when you can fix the auto body damage on your own. For example, if your car has small scratches on the paint, you can try to repair them yourself. This works great if you only have a few scratches. Even if you are having some auto body damage repaired at a shop, fixing part of it on your own before you go can save you some money. To make sure you purchase the right color of paint, look in your car's owner's manual for a paint code. You may also find this code on the door jamb. Take the code to an auto parts store, and they can find the right color for you.
Ask About Paintless Dent Removal
The auto body technician may be able to use paintless dent removal (PDR) instead of using the traditional repairs. With the traditional way, the auto body shop will fill dents in with body filler or paint. They then match it to the rest of your car's exterior. When they are finished, your car will look like it did before the accident. This process can take a long time to do, however. With PDR, they will not use any type of body filler or paint, as well as use no sanding to repair the dent.
Go to an Auto Body Shop Instead of Your Dealer
Instead of taking your car to your auto dealer to have it repaired, take it to an auto body shop. In many cases, you will pay premium prices at a dealership, and they will only use new parts. An auto body shop can find refurbished or used parts that will work fine to fix your vehicle. For example, if you have a dented bumper, the auto mechanic may find the same model and year of your car at a car salvage yard that has a perfectly fine bumper.
Take your car to different body shops in your area and get an estimate of what each one will charge for auto paint and repairs. This will help you determine the best place to take your car. Of course, cost is not the only thing you should look at. You should also make sure the auto body shop is reputable.
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