David Automotive

Archive for the ‘Repairs’ Category

Chrome has long been a popular finish for automotive and motorcycle parts, as well as many household items, because of its beautiful shine, the depth of its reflectivity, and low required maintenance. In terms of functionality, chrome is extremely resistant to corrosion, will not oxidize, and can withstand harsh environmental conditions, which is another reason for its popularity in the automotive industry.

Many people operate under the misconception that chrome only comes in the traditional silver color; however, colored chrome, or candy chrome as it is sometimes called, has become a popular option for many car and motorcycle enthusiasts, as well as for household decor.

Candy chrome is the nick name given to a finish which is achieved via a combination of two processes: electroplating and color spraying. Chrome is actually a shortened term for chromium, a naturally-occurring metallic element.

Now you can save your car and save the environment at the same time! With a process known as “paintless” dent repair (PDR), skilled technicians remove dents from a vehicle without the use of body fillers or painting. More than ever, consumers, as well as auto insurance companies, are realizing the benefits of this revolutionary process.

Paintless Dent Repair preserves the vehicle’s value, saves money by eliminating the cost of paint supplies, and saves the environment by reducing the amount of harmful vapors and toxic paint waste which are introduced into the environment.

Polishing and buffing are both ways to maintain and prepare metal, or an object that is electroplated with metal. The two processes are often confused, but the main difference between the two is that polishing is done with an abrasive that is mounted on a work wheel, whereas buffing is done with a hand-held abrasive.

When a surface is “polished” to a highly reflective shine, it is usually the result of polishing, followed by buffing.

Polishing is usually done for aesthetic improvement, but it also helps prevent corrosion, remove rust, create a reflective surface, or buff out small imperfections.

Much like sanding wood, the process usually begins with a rough abrasive, and finer abrasives are used at each stage until the desired texture is achieved. The finest abrasives do leave scratches, but they are invisible to the naked eye, which results in the illusion of a smooth surface.

Objects that are made of metal, or plated with metal, can be maintained and cared for with buffing and polishing.

Many people believe that the two terms are interchangeable, but they are slightly different processes; polishing is done with an abrasive that is mounted on a stationary wheel, whereas buffing is done with a hand-held abrasive. The term “polished” is often used to describe a bright, mirror-like finish, but in reality, both processes are utilized to create such an effect.

Polishing is used to achieve a variety of effects: rust removal, fixing small imperfections, etc. Polishing usually starts with a rough abrasive, then finer and finer ones, until the desired effect has been achieved. The smoothness of a polished surface is actually an optical illusion; even the finest abrasives still leave imperceptible scratches. Carbon and alloy steel, iron, and nonferrous alloys are some abrasives which are typically used on strong metals; for hard and brittle substances, or metals with low tensile strength, silicon carbide abrasives are typically used.