Car Care Tips

Car care, collision repair, and car buying tips from B&B Collision in Royal Oak, MI.

car1

How to Wax Your Car Without Damaging the Paint

Key Takeaways
  • Always wash and dry the car before waxing.
  • Work in the shade on cool paint, never in direct summer heat.
  • Apply a thin coat with clean, soft cloths and remove it gently.
  • Leave a protective layer behind. Rubbing until nothing is left defeats the purpose.
  • Avoid cheap drill-mounted buffers. They can burn through clear coat and paint.

Wax is one of the cheapest ways to protect your car’s finish. It adds a sacrificial layer on top of the clear coat that helps shield the paint from sun, road grime, and, here in Michigan, winter salt. But waxing the wrong way can do more harm than good.

We have seen it firsthand at B&B Collision. One customer bought an inexpensive buffing wheel that attaches to a household drill, pressed down hard on a hot, sunny afternoon, and buffed straight through the wax, the clear coat, and the paint. He was at our shop the next morning asking us to fix a bare spot.

“Those things are nothing but sanders. And they seem to forget that you want to leave a little product on the car. That’s the whole point of waxing it.”Wendy Tomassi, B&B Collision

How to Wax Your Car Step by Step

  1. Wash the car first. Wax applied over dirt grinds that dirt into the finish. Wash with a car wash soap, not dish soap, and rinse well.
  2. Dry it completely. Use a clean microfiber drying towel so you don’t leave water spots.
  3. Move into the shade. Hot paint makes wax dry too fast and streak. Wax on a cool, overcast day or in a garage, never when it is really hot out.
  4. Apply a thin, even coat. Use a clean, soft applicator or cloth and work one panel at a time. More wax is not better.
  5. Let it haze, then buff gently. Follow the product directions, then remove the residue with a clean, soft microfiber towel using light pressure.
  6. Leave the protection behind. You are removing the excess, not every trace of wax. If you are sweating and scrubbing, you are working too hard.

Mistakes That Damage Paint

  • Aggressive power tools. High-speed or drill-mounted buffers can cut through clear coat quickly. Paint correction with a machine polisher is a skilled job.
  • Dirty towels. A towel that hit the ground picks up grit that scratches. Use a fresh one.
  • Waxing in direct sun. It leads to streaks, hazing, and extra rubbing.
  • Using household cleaners. Dish soap and all-purpose cleaners can strip wax and dry out trim.

Car Care Tips for Michigan Winters

Road salt is hard on paint and on any spot where the paint is chipped or scratched. A few habits help:

  • Apply a coat of wax or sealant in the fall, before the salt trucks come out.
  • Wash the car regularly in winter, including the lower panels and wheel wells, when temperatures allow.
  • Get chips and scratches repaired before bare metal has a chance to rust. Our dent and scratch repair team can take a look.

When Waxing Won’t Fix It

Wax can hide very light swirl marks for a while, but it won’t fix scratches that go through the clear coat, faded or peeling clear coat, or chipped paint. Those need proper refinishing. Our auto painting and color matching work starts with a multi-step prep process and ends with a factory-like finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I wax my car?

It depends on the product and how the car is stored and driven. Many traditional waxes last a few weeks to a few months, while synthetic sealants and ceramic products last longer. Follow the product label, and plan on a fresh coat before winter.

Can waxing remove scratches?

No. Wax can temporarily fill very light swirl marks, but scratches through the clear coat or paint need to be repaired and refinished.

Is it bad to wax a car in the sun?

Yes. Hot paint makes wax dry too quickly, which causes streaks and leads to extra rubbing. Wax in the shade on cool paint.

Scratch or Paint Damage?

Waxing can’t fix everything. Stop by for an honest look at your paint.

Call 248-543-2929Request an Estimate

So, did you hear the one about the guy who really wanted to put a polish on his car? He bought one of those $49 wheels you attach to a drill and on a nice hot Sunday, in direct sunlight, and put all he had into pressing down on that wheel. He was going to get a nice shine, that’s all there was to it.

He was also going to get a good look at bare metal because he bore right through the wax, the clear coat, the paint, and finally had buffed himself a nice, shiny spot where all of that used to be. Moral of the story: If you want to learn to wax your car, don’t be anywhere near a phone at 2 a.m. with a credit card when those commercials come on.

He was at B&B early the next morning, asking if they could help him out. “Those things are nothing but sanders,” says Wendy Tomassi, a manager of B&B Collision. “And they seem to forget that you want to leave a little product on the car – that’s the whole point of waxing it.”

For those who don’t know, we asked the expert; Wendy says if you’re going to wax your car:

Wash it.

Do it in the shade,

“and never when it’s really, really hot out.”

Using clean soft clothes, you put the coat of wax on and you gently take the coat of wax off. You must leave some product on the car to protect it. You’ll normally see some people standing there with a six-pack using all their muscle to try to rub that wax off, and they’re sweating, and you walk up to them and ask ‘What did you do?’ and they say ‘I waxed my car.’ And I say ‘No you didn’t. You didn’t leave any protector on there.’” “People in general don’t know how to wax a car, and make the fatal mistake of thinking just because it’s clear coated, it doesn’t need to be waxed.”

 

“Wrong,” Wendy says. She says you don’t have to do it every weekend. Twice a year is good if you know what you’re doing, but it’s a good idea to run your car through a quarter car wash to get the bird droppings off. They’re acidic and will eat right through the clear coat and the paint in no time at all, Wendy says. Makes you wonder what the birds are eating, doesn’t it?

Then there’s the problem of overspray. You’ve probably noticed it in traffic. The person next to you will hit their sprayer button and miss their windshield completely, hitting the top of their car and if you’re in position behind them you can just turn on your wipers and clean your windows.

One day a customer drove in with two streaks of overspray hitting her trim and it was all over the top of her car. “She asked if we could get it off,” said Randy, and while we were talking, a porter came out and already has started to get it off using a triple fine steel wool.

“Well, when she got home and saw some more overspray on the windshield, she went in the house, got some steel wool out of a drawer and needless to say she scratched the s— out of the windshield. So she called and wondered why we’d used steel wool and it hadn’t left a mark and she’d used steel wool and it had just scratched it up worse. We told her to come back in and we’d show her.”

“The best in my mind is when we paint a customer’s car, sometimes they ask us for a little touch up paint. So we put some in a baby food jar and we always ask them if they’re going straight home. There’s a reason for that.”

“We warn them – don’t leave it in the car. Take it straight home and put it in the garage or in the basement or in a shaded area like that. So she says OK, leaves, needs something for dinner, stops at a grocery store. The paint was in the glove box.”

“She was in the store for 20 minutes, which was long enough for the temperature in the care to rise and she came out to see it pouring out of her glovebox all over her black carpeting.”

Sometimes, it is easier to let a pro do it, even though you can. I can make pasta, but not as well as Mario’s – that sort of thinking. Getting a good coating of paste wax on your car now, before the bad weather hits (which could be any minute given this is Michigan) isn’t such a bad idea. It’ll carry you through most of the winter.

bbshop

Car Buying Tips From a Body Shop: What to Check Before You Buy

Key Takeaways
  • Check crash test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA before you buy.
  • Ask your insurance agent for a quote on the exact model first.
  • Bumper sensors and cameras can make minor repairs more expensive.
  • Some specialty paint colors are harder and more costly to match.
  • Have a used car inspected for signs of past collision repair.

Car reviews tell you about horsepower, gas mileage, and features. They rarely tell you what happens after a fender bender. At B&B Collision, we have been putting cars back together in Royal Oak since 1977, and we see how vehicles hold up after an accident.

“We get to see what they’re really made of when they’re towed in here.”Wendy Tomassi, B&B Collision

Here is what we recommend checking before you sign.

1. Look Up Crash Test Ratings

Two organizations test vehicles in the United States: the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Both publish free ratings online. Compare the exact model and year you are considering, since ratings can change when a vehicle is redesigned.

2. Get an Insurance Quote First

Two similar cars can cost very different amounts to insure. Repair costs, theft rates, and claim history all play a role. A quick call to your agent before you buy can save you from an unpleasant surprise.

3. Think About Repair Costs, Not Just the Sticker Price

Many newer vehicles have parking sensors, radar, and cameras built into bumpers, mirrors, and windshields. These features are great for safety, but they can turn a minor bump into a bigger repair because the parts cost more and some systems may need to be checked after a repair.

4. Consider the Paint Color

Some specialty colors, like multi-layer pearl and certain metallic finishes, take more steps to match than a standard solid color. Any color can be matched by a skilled painter, but specialty finishes may cost more to repair. Write down your car’s paint code, usually found on a sticker in the driver’s door jamb.

5. Have a Used Car Checked for Past Repairs

When buying used, look for signs of previous collision repair:

  • Uneven gaps between doors, hood, and fenders
  • Paint that looks slightly different from panel to panel
  • Overspray on rubber trim, glass, or under the hood
  • Doors or the trunk that don’t close smoothly

Past repairs aren’t automatically a problem. What matters is whether the work was done right, especially on the vehicle’s structure. Learn more about frame and unibody damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find crash test ratings?

The IIHS and NHTSA both publish free crash test ratings on their websites. Look up the exact make, model, and year.

Do safety sensors make repairs more expensive?

They can. Sensors and cameras are often mounted in bumpers and mirrors, so a minor collision may involve more expensive parts and additional checks.

How can I tell if a used car was in an accident?

Look for uneven panel gaps, mismatched paint, overspray on trim, and doors that don’t close smoothly. A vehicle history report and an inspection can also help.

Questions About a Car You’re Considering?

Call the shop. We’re happy to share what we see every day.

Call 248-543-2929Request an Estimate

Let’s say you’re in the market for a new car. The best place to research the safety features before buying that car is:

 

Consumer’s Report, a nationally known, objective resource about everything from cars to coffee pots;

The manufacturer itself. By law, manufacturers are required to file safety, along with other statistics, o the government for the public’s review.

By heading down the street to your neighborhood car fix-it shop and get the lead mechanic’s take on the car you’re considering purchasing.

These are all good options, but there’s a better one – the people who put the cars back together after an accident – if they can be reassembled at all.

B&B Collision is an excellent place to start your research.

“People can write anything they want about cars and their safety standards,” says Wendy Tomassi, business manager of the family run shop. Randy Booden, Wendy’s brother and shop owner, practices what he preaches. As time allows, he builds cars, from the tread up, and then races them in events across the country.”

“We get to see what they’re really made of when they’re towed in here,” Wendy added.

To an individual, Wendy, Randy and Nick, the shop manager, all gave a thumbs-up to Saturns. “They’re well engineered, the parts are easy to get and they’re pretty much a perfect fit right out of the box,” Wendy said.

“Plus, they have a lot of kid safety features already installed, which tells you something about what the designers are thinking about,” she added, referring to the half-door that allows easier access to the back seats. “Those seats also make it easier for a child to get out of a car.”

Another car in the safety category is like hospital wallpaper. It’s always the same color, no matter where you go; after a while, it becomes synonymous with comfort and relaxation; and finally, it becomes invisible. Your eye doesn’t catch it any more. It’s become part of the landscape.

That’s because it’s a Ford Taurus. “We don’t see many of those in here, which means Taurus drivers are very good drivers, or the car is built to take quite a beating and keep on going,” Wendy added. “Here again, parts are easy to find and often we can get them overnight.

“We’re very aware of that sinking feeling customers get when we tell them we can have their car assembled and on the road inside of a few hours – but it’s going to take two weeks to get the parts,” she added.

Nick, the shop manager, said Kia’s may have some cute designs for the market they’re after, but there’s nothing exceptional under the hood and no reason for kids to have Kia or GMC pickups.

“What’s kid that age going to do with a pickup, anyway?” After everyone winked their way through the obvious, Nick continued. “They’re horrible to drive in the winter. Now you’re talking not only about a car that’s automatically difficult to drive in rain and snow, but it’s a car with no weight in the back.

“You’ll never convince me that was a bright idea when all of, say, Kia’s designers said, “OK, let’s make a car with all the weight in the front. Everyone will overlook it when we hit it with our new sparkle paint series, available in every color.”

 

Which takes us back to our last story, about B%B’s new paint shop, which can paint and make the paint dry inside of an afternoon (a job like that used to take a day). “I can write up an order that will give you the prettiest car on the road. It might have a hole underneath the paint and Bondo that you could send a cannon ball sailing through, but geez, will that car look good.”

“We don’t do thing that way around here,” Randy said. After more than 20 years in this business, you learn that a car must be reassembled right, or not at all. Some cars are built to take a small “bang” every now and then, but they’re easy to be fixed. Then there are others, like that Kia out there on the lot that looks like a pita roll-up, that was designed to be a one-hit wonder.”

Collision Shop revised

Why Modern Car Repair Takes More Than a Toolbox

Key Takeaways
  • Modern cars are run by computers, sensors, and complex wiring.
  • Drivers can still handle simple maintenance like fluids, wipers, and tire pressure.
  • Collision repair today involves structural measuring, advanced materials, and electronics.
  • After an accident, warning lights and sensors should be checked by a professional.

There was a time when a basic set of wrenches and a free Saturday could fix almost anything on a car. A lot of us grew up that way. At B&B Collision, the Booden family still works on classic Mopars for fun. But the cars most people drive today are very different machines.

What Changed Under the Hood

Modern vehicles rely on computer modules to manage the engine, transmission, brakes, airbags, and driver assistance features. Diagnosing a problem often starts with specialized scan tools rather than a wrench. Many vehicles also use high-strength steels and other advanced materials in their structures, which require specific repair procedures.

What You Can Still Do Yourself

There is still plenty of basic maintenance most drivers can handle:

  • Check and top off windshield washer fluid
  • Check your oil level and tire pressure regularly
  • Replace wiper blades
  • Keep the car washed and waxed to protect the paint (here are our waxing tips)
  • Pay attention to warning lights and get them checked promptly

Why Collision Repair Is a Job for Pros

After an accident, a proper repair is about more than how the car looks. The structure has to be back where it belongs so the car handles correctly and protects you in a future crash. At our shop, vehicles with structural damage go on a unibody frame rack with a laser measuring system before body and paint work begins.

Collisions can also affect sensors, cameras, and wiring hidden behind bumpers and panels. If any warning lights come on after an accident, or a safety feature doesn’t seem to work the way it used to, have it checked.

Signs You Need a Professional After an Accident

  • New warning lights on the dashboard
  • The car pulls to one side or the steering wheel is off center
  • Doors, hood, or trunk don’t close the way they used to
  • Uneven gaps between body panels
  • Any airbag deployment

See our full collision repair process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fix minor car damage myself?

Small cosmetic issues can sometimes be handled at home, but anything involving the structure, sensors, airbags, or paint refinishing is best left to a trained shop.

Why do warning lights come on after an accident?

A collision can damage sensors, wiring, or modules. Warning lights should be checked by a professional so safety systems work correctly.

What maintenance can I do at home?

Most drivers can check oil and tire pressure, top off washer fluid, replace wiper blades, and keep the car clean and waxed.

Been in an Accident?

Get an honest estimate from a family shop that has been fixing cars since 1977.

Call 248-543-2929Request an Estimate

Gentlemen, start your engines.

Now, turn them off.

You’re not only wasting gas at nearly eight bits a gallon, but you have been emasculated. Sorry you had to hear about it here. Perhaps telling you how this happened in anecdotal form would have eased the blow.

I have a friend, Austin. He drives an old pickup truck and carries a tool box in it, behind the seat. He could drive something else if he wanted to.

He can use the tools, in his tool box, to work on his truck. He can change a water pump, replace other parts, and basically fix everything under the hood. Austin says the Army taught him everything he needs to know about fixing machinery, and he likes it that way.

But that way is that way no longer.

The mechanics – top-flight people who have to put your car back together at B&B Collision after you’ve spun out playing “Don’t Hit the Telephone Pole” have news.

The only thing under the hood, today, is computer chips. As Wendy, who manages B&B with her brother Randy Booden and Nick Olsoyw, says, you might, if you’re lucky, still be able to change the oil and windshield washer fluid.

The engine in a week-old Subaru. Toss your tools, light up your laptop. Just what you want to do on the shoulder of I-696.

The V-8 engine in a gorgeous, candy-apple red Olds Cutlass. Tools work here.

But you are no longer qualified enough to work on anything else under the hood, unless you have about $20,000 in computer diagnostic equipment and know how to use it. That tool box is ballast. Over the side she goes.

“That’s not necessarily a bad thing,” Nick says. “Take the Mercedes new 500 series. The computers help the seat belts and air bags work together.

“Let’s say you have to slam on the brakes. The computers measure how much pressure is on them and transmit that information to the seat belts, which determine how tight they need to get, and then to the air bags, and they tell the air bags if they have to deploy or not and if so, exactly how much they have to deploy, so it just doesn’t blow up in your face any more.”

Nick and Wendy also said the computers on high-end cars send messages to the side door airbags, telling them to or not to deploy, and if so, how much. “Cars are much safer today, but soon, very soon, you’ll just have to accept the fact that you cannot work on your own car any more.” B&B always sends employees to seminars to keep the company current. It’s literally changing the face of how B&B works.

“All the computers work as a team now,” Nick said, and he agreed with Wendy that yes, most of this stuff is on the high-end cars – now.

“But you’ll see it trickle down real shortly,” Wendy said. “Some Fords have the side airbags now. If they’ve got them, we’re not far away from everyone having them.”

“People really don’t know about all the new technology that’s come out lately with these new cars,” Nick said. As an example, he mentioned an airbag called a trim curtain, which comes out of the trim (duh) to protect your face, and side airbags wedged between you and the door. “They deploy so fast, and so hard, that they can keep the car that slammed into your side from breaking your ribs,” Nick said.

Now all this doesn’t come without a price.

Talk to the professional mechanics in B&B’s back shop, and they will just scratch their heads and wonder why a battery is under a back seat, and other design idiosyncrasies that make it a miracle to just find the part, much less run a diagnostic on it.

What are the hardest cars to work on? “Jags, BMWs – the European cars, just because of the way they have things positioned. They’re not body-man friend. They’re not collision friendly. When you want to go in and do something simple like change a battery, it’s almost always behind this other stuff that makes it impossible to work on.”

“They’re building these cars with the safety of the driver in mind, but not the caring of the vehicle,” Wendy said. “Ease of assembly is not their concern.”

Wendy was leaning on a week-old Subaru that had been smacked good on a test drive. The front end is a mess. Want to know what they dread most about fixing the Subaru?

“You have to take off the entire front assembly to change the bulb in the headlight,” Wendy said. “Now you know why so many people are driving around with one headlight.”

And then there’s more fun. For example, Nick said it’s necessary to disconnect the battery to work on some cars, for some reasons. When you reconnect it, it isn’t unusual at all for the radio not to work. “Customers come back and say nice job, what did you do to my radio? We didn’t do anything. It’s now necessary to call the manufacturer and get a code to punch in so the computer will recognize it — and then the radio will work.

What’s the best car they believe delivers everything the driver expects, is safe, rides nice, doesn’t rust, is durable and one of the best cars every made? “The Grand Am,” was the simultaneous answer from mechanics Brett, Carl and Tom.

Paint Booth revised

Car Repair Myths vs. Facts: What Every Driver Should Know

Key Takeaways
  • Crumple zones are designed to absorb crash energy and protect people inside.
  • Airbags deploy based on crash severity, not one fixed speed.
  • Automotive paint is a multi-layer system, not a single coat.
  • A bumper is more than the plastic cover you see.
  • Ask your shop to explain the repair plan and parts before work begins.

Cars have changed a lot over the years, and so has collision repair. Here are some of the most common things drivers get wrong, and what is actually true.

Myth: A car that crumples badly is poorly built

Fact: Modern vehicles are designed with crumple zones that collapse in a controlled way. That crushing absorbs crash energy so less of it reaches the people inside. A big, rigid car from the 1960s might look less damaged after a crash, but its occupants absorbed more of the force. Read more in how modern cars protect you in a crash.

Myth: Airbags go off at a specific speed

Fact: Airbag systems use sensors to measure how quickly the vehicle slows down and how severe the impact is. Whether they deploy depends on the type and severity of the crash, not just the speed on the speedometer.

Myth: Car paint is one coat of color

Fact: Automotive finishes are a system. Repairs typically involve surface prep, primer, the color (base) coat, and a protective clear coat. Getting a repair to blend in takes careful prep and color matching. Learn about our auto painting and color matching.

Myth: The bumper is just a plastic cover

Fact: The painted cover is only the outer layer. Behind it there are usually energy absorbers, a reinforcement bar, brackets, and often sensors. That is why a body shop should look underneath before deciding whether to repair or replace. See bumper repair.

Myth: If it looks fine, it is fine

Fact: Some collision damage is hidden behind panels. Structural shifts can affect alignment, panel gaps, and how the car protects you. That is why we measure vehicles with structural damage using a laser measuring system.

Myth: You shouldn’t ask questions about your repair

Fact: You should. A good shop will walk you through the damage, the repair plan, and what kind of parts will be used. At B&B Collision, we believe in being knowledgeable, honest, and straightforward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do new cars get so damaged in minor accidents?

Modern cars are designed with crumple zones that absorb crash energy. Panels may show more damage, but that design helps protect the people inside.

What layers are in car paint?

A typical automotive finish includes primer, a color base coat, and a clear coat, applied over carefully prepared surfaces.

What is behind a car bumper cover?

Usually energy absorbers, a reinforcement bar, mounting brackets, and often parking or safety sensors.

Have a Repair Question?

Call the shop and talk to a real person.

Call 248-543-2929Request an Estimate

How are you at your knowledge of cars these days? Things have probably changed a lot since you’ve poked your head under the hood. Want to find out? Take this little quiz. The answers are at the end, Five points for each correct answer; four points for each second-best answer. Beyond that, well … our moms taught us if you cannot say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.

How much actual steel is put into an average car today?

  1. a) Twenty-five percent
  2. b) Fifty percent
  3. c) 60 percent
  4. d) 65 percent

Airbags are set to go off when the car hits an object dead on going:

  1. a) The rate of deceleration
  2. b) 5-8 mph
  3. c) 5-10 mph
  4. d) 10-15 mph

How many coats of paint are put on a car today, particularly one that’s being fixed?

  1. a) one
  2. b) two
  3. c) five
  4. d) 10

Cars today are made to:

  1. a) Crumble up and absorb impact around the driver’s cage
  2. b) Absorb impact with the front, steel grill
  3. c) Have a front, steel grill, which absorbs impact

A new bumper on a Toyota Echo, the smallest car Toyota makes, will cost this much to replace.

  1. a) $75
  2. b) $150
  3. c) $250
  4. d) $300

What percentage of used parts, to hold costs down, is a bump shop likely to use to fix a car in what most people would agree is a medium-type accident?

  1. a) Depends on the bump shop
  2. b) All of them, but some will charge you for all new parts. And how will you know, anyway?
  3. c) They try to use as many as they can find to help recycle
  4. d) Not many – the mark-up on brand-new dealership parts is just too much for any one man to resist

At what point will your insurance company total your car?

  1. a) Ha ha ha , oh, this is good, ha ha, total the car, get a load of this
  2. b) When the damage approaches or exceeds 50 percent of the car’s value
  3. c) When the damage and value equal the value of the car
  4. d) When the damage simply exceeds the value of reassembling the car?

Long ago, when a man was a man, he carried a tool box in his car to fix problems on the fly. Today, that toolbox:

  1. a) Is as good as it ever was at fixing the same problems
  2. b) Due to computers, ballast
  3. c) Unless you have a particular computer, the right software and carry it around in your back seat, nice to pull out and have a good cry over

Means the dealerships have a hammerlock on your you-know-what’s

mini_shop

How Modern Cars Protect You in a Crash

Key Takeaways
  • Older cars were built to resist impact. Modern cars are built to absorb it.
  • Crumple zones, a strong passenger cell, seat belts, and airbags work as a system.
  • Most modern cars use unibody construction.
  • Proper repair restores how the structure manages crash energy.

B&B Collision founder Bill Booden owned a 1960 Lincoln Continental Mark V. It weighs about 5,200 pounds and stretches more than 19 feet long, solid steel and iron from bumper to bumper. In a crash, a car like that was built to resist the impact.

Today’s cars take the opposite approach. They are designed to absorb crash energy so the people inside don’t have to.

The goal, as Wendy Tomassi at B&B Collision puts it, is to “walk away from the accident.”

Crumple Zones

The front and rear of a modern vehicle are designed to fold in a controlled way during a collision. That crushing spreads out the forces of the impact over a longer time, which reduces how much reaches the occupants. A car with a crumpled front end may look worse than an old steel cruiser, but the people inside are usually much better protected.

A Strong Passenger Cell

While the ends of the car crumple, the area around the occupants is built to stay intact. Automakers use high-strength materials in pillars, roof rails, and floor structures to keep that space from collapsing.

Unibody Construction

Most modern cars and crossovers use unibody construction, where the body and frame are one structure. That structure is engineered to manage crash energy, so after an accident it needs to be returned to the correct specifications. Learn about our frame and unibody repair.

Seat Belts and Airbags

Seat belts keep you in position so the vehicle’s structure and airbags can do their jobs. Airbags add a cushion during a serious crash. They are designed to work together, which is why buckling up every trip matters.

Why Proper Repair Matters

All of these systems depend on the vehicle’s structure being right. After a collision, a quality repair should restore the structure, not just the appearance. At B&B Collision, structural damage is measured with a laser measuring system on our unibody frame rack before body and paint work begins. See our collision repair process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a crumple zone?

A crumple zone is a part of the vehicle, usually the front or rear, designed to collapse in a controlled way during a crash to absorb energy and protect the people inside.

Are older, heavier cars safer?

Not necessarily. Older cars were built to resist impact, but modern cars combine crumple zones, strong passenger cells, seat belts, and airbags to better protect occupants.

Why does structural repair matter after an accident?

A vehicle’s structure is designed to manage crash energy. If it is not restored to the proper specifications, the car may not handle or protect you as designed.

Make Sure It’s Repaired Right

Talk to a family shop that measures every structural repair.

Call 248-543-2929Request an Estimate

If my 2002 Toyota Echo hit Bill Booden’s 1960 Lincoln Mark V, he’d probably turn to his wife and say, “Whassat a bug or something?”

Bill Booden, who started B&B Collision, bought this two-door Mark V in the early ‘90s. It was made in 1960 of solid steel and iron.

The car weighs 5,200 pounds. It is 19.8 feet long. That is larger than many dining rooms in and around Royal Oak.

It has a V8 engine that develops 460 horsepower.

As noted, it is a two-door hardtop. There are only about 60 of these cars still believed to be in existence in the United States.

Originally, only 1,400 were built, period.

There are two things my car has in common with Booden’s. It is black and it has two doors. Other than that:

Without anyone in it, it weighs 775 pounds. It is 163.1 inches long. It has 4-cylinder engine that develops, ah … I’d rather not say how much horsepower. About 300,000,000 Echo’s have been made. What does all this matter? It matters a lot because over the years, the dynamics of your car have changed. Bill Booden’s car was not made to absorb a shock. It was made to stop one and at almost 20 feet long, the chances are fairly good it will.

postimage1My car, and yours, were made to absorb a shock, and fold up like a Venetian blind. The idea, according to manager Wendy Tomassi, a manager at B&B, is to “walk away from the accident. “If we didn’t have shoulder straps and seat belts, and air bags, plus cars intentionally designed to collapse under impact, you’d be on your way to Beaumont – if you were lucky,” Wendy says. “But I’ll tell you – the kinds of stuff (the car companies) are using to absorb the shock can be just a little frightening.”

As an example, she held up a piece of Styrofoam sculpted just like a bumper. The problem – it was a bumper, made to fit inside a piece of sheet metal about half an inch thick, if that, to go on the exterior of the car. It even came painted. “We have to be really careful putting these cars back together,” Wendy said, gingerly leaning on a small car. “You can put a dent in them like that,” she said, snapping her fingers, “and we can’t bump it out. The metal’s too thin. We have to order a whole new piece.

“This is what people don’t understand,” Wendy said, walking among cars waiting for parts or to be painted. “They still have that mentality that their cars are like my dad’s car. ‘It’s just a little ding, they can bump it out.’ I wish we could. On his car, we could bump it out. It’s made of steel with 15 coats of paint on it.

postimage2“On today’s cars, we have to order the part, and once it’s painted, it looks nice, but you can scratch if off with your fingernail and get down to bare metal.” Which of the two kinds of cars would Wendy feel more comfortable in? “I hate to say it, but I want a car I can walk away from if it’s in an accident.”

services

Classic Car Restoration: What to Expect Before You Start

Key Takeaways
  • A full restoration often takes many months, sometimes more than a year.
  • Finding hard-to-find parts is a big part of the timeline.
  • Owners who help track down parts help their project move faster.
  • Patience and realistic expectations make for a better result.

Cars come into a restoration shop in every condition imaginable. Sometimes they come in boxes. Randy Booden has been building and restoring classic cars since the days of drag racing at Detroit Dragway, and restoration is still one of his favorite parts of the business.

“Restoring a car is a labor of love. People bring them in here in milk crates, literally, and we put it together.”Randy Booden, B&B Collision

How Long Does a Restoration Take?

Longer than most people expect. A full restoration can take nine months, and it can take 18. The timeline depends on the condition of the car, how much rust and metal work is involved, and how quickly parts can be found.

“Real car buffs know that, and they help us out by shopping for the hard-to-find parts.”Randy Booden

Parts Are the Biggest Variable

Reproduction parts exist for many popular classics, but some trim pieces, emblems, and model-specific parts can take real searching. Owners who are willing to hunt through swap meets, clubs, and online sources can save time on their project.

The Restoration Process

  1. Teardown and assessment. The car is taken apart and every piece is evaluated.
  2. Metal and body work. Rust is addressed and panels are repaired or replaced. Media blasting can reveal damage that wasn’t visible before.
  3. Prep and paint. The body is prepped in multiple steps before paint goes on.
  4. Reassembly. Everything goes back together, often with a mix of restored and new parts.

Set Realistic Expectations

Restoration is not a race. Randy has a simple rule: if someone’s first questions are all about how fast and how cheap, a restoration probably isn’t the right project for them. The owners who enjoy the process tend to be the happiest with the result.

Want to see restoration work in progress? Visit our current projects page or read more about the Booden family.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to restore a classic car?

A full restoration commonly takes many months and can take more than a year, depending on the car’s condition and parts availability.

What slows down a car restoration?

Hidden rust and metal damage, and hard-to-find parts, are the most common causes of delays.

Can I help speed up my restoration?

Yes. Owners who help locate hard-to-find parts can help keep a project moving.

Talk to Us About Your Project

Call the shop to talk classic cars with the Booden family.

Call 248-543-2929Request an Estimate

“Cars is Cars.” – Paul Simon

“Oh no they aren’t.” – Randy Booden, B&B Collision

One’s a songwriter. The other takes the approach of many famous sculptures who said the statue was already done; he merely had to remove the marble around it to reveal it to the world.

“You look at that and see so many boxes of parts, dinged up pieces of metal, torn sheet metal. I look at is, and so does the owner, as the 1968 Camaro is once was, and will be again, in about nine months.”

“I have a rule,” Randy said, “And don’t get me wrong, I’m not being a snob or anything. But restoring a car is a labor of love. People bring them in here in milk crates, literally, and we put it together.

“But if someone asks me three times in the very first conversation how much it’s going to cost, I politely send them packing. It may take us nine months to restore a car; it may take us 18. Real car buffs know that, and they help us out by shopping for the hard-to-find parts. They’re out there, but spending an afternoon on the phone doesn’t get the car done.”

“Restoration has always been high on Randy’s list of favorite things to do,” said Wendy Tomassi, Randy’s sister and B&B’s accounting manager. “The regular day-to-day is our bread and butter, but this is what these guys live for,” she said.

Andrew sands down part the left rear quarter panel that came into B&B Collision in a box.

“It may not look like it to you, but that came out of the bunch of milk cartons,” Wendy said, walking back to the paint area where Andrew was lovingly, there just isn’t any other word for it, sanding down a gentle curve on what was taking shape as a ’68 Camaro.

“You have to have an eye for it,” Wendy said. “People just can’t come in off the street and do this kind of work. You’ll notice Andrew isn’t wearing any gloves,” and indeed he wasn’t. His hands were calloused from doing prep work like this before, although he’d only been and B&B for about a year and a half.

“You have to feel it,” Andrew said. “It’s almost – not quite – but almost a job where you have to feel the curve of the car, and then it’s like your hands

Classic Car Restoration: What to Expect Before You Start
Classic Car Restoration: What to Expect Before You Start

have memories. When I get over to the other side, I’ll remember what that side felt like, and I’ll be able to duplicate it. This isn’t a job where you can ‘eye it in.’ You have to feel your way. No too many people can do that.’

The team’s finished product: From a several boxes to a perfectly smooth Camaro. Some of these restorations can take up to 18 months.

Wendy said between jobs, the workers vie for time on the restorations. “It isn’t often you literally get the experience of building a car from the ground up with your own two hands,” she said. “Every now and again they’ll come in here on a Saturday morning if Randy is going to work on a customer’s car. It’s like a workshop for them. They’re all into it.”

If you’re waiting for a ride someday, take a look at the pictures on the walls. The GTX belongs, or belonged, to Randy; the Mustang is John’s; the ’41 Coupe and the ’65 GTO belong to Rob; and the 1960 Continental you see parked out front that’s half as long as a city block, and in near perfect condition, is the proud property of Bill Booden, who started the business 27 years ago and has won a truckload of awards with that car.

If you take a look at it, you’ll have to admit it’s pretty cool, and must feel like you’re driving your living room around (the hood alone measures 16 feet), but those aren’t the award-winning factors.

Open your eyes. It only has two doors for a car you could play touch football in without disturbing the driver. If you stop by one day when it’s parked outside, Bill will let you look at it and might, no guarantees, let you sit in it. Bill Booden stands about 6’17” – if he says “no,” don’t push it.

Another team restoration project well on its way to completion: a ‘64 Plymouth Savoy. All it needs now is an engine.

Wendy says they have eight or nine cars on the list to be restored, because they like the meticulous way Randy, Nick, his co-manager, and his team go about it. “They might find a grill that’s close. Really close. Chances are the owner wouldn’t know the difference. But Randy would. To him, there is no substitute. It’s got to be THE right part, and he’ll spend hours, days on the phone, checking his email, heck, my dad just got out of the hospital and Randy’s already got him flipping through a copy of Hemmings Motor News – that’s the Bible of car restoration.”

She went over and pulled if off Bill’s desk. It was already yellowed, corners bent, with torn sheets of magazines and newspapers marking spots for further investigation. “And this copy was white when he got it,” Wendy said, smiling. “But that’s what he lives for.”

Classic Car Restoration: What to Expect Before You Start
© B&B Collision 2026
Website By MPH Marketing Solutions
B&B Collision logo

Family owned collision repair and auto body shop serving Royal Oak and South Oakland County since 1977.

248-543-2929

Visit Us

919 South Main Street
Royal Oak, MI 48067

Monday to Friday: 7:00 am to 5:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday: Closed

FacebookInstagram
© 2026 B & B Collision Corp. All rights reserved.
Call Now
Directions