
At Hart Auto Body, we feel it's very important to educate our customers
about our repair process. Since you're entrusting us with your vehicle,
we want to give you the conrfidence and peace of mind that we're
taking good care of your valuable asset.

The
first step in our process is to assess
the damage done to your vehicle. Our “triage” department
disassembles all the damaged parts to be replaced, and it examines
the underlying parts for hidden damage. From this inspection, we
create a “blueprint” for the work to be done on your
vehicle, and we provide you with an estimate for the cost. This
approach ensures a thorough assessment of the expected repair work,
giving you the peace of mind that your estimate is fair and accurate.

After
we have assessed your vehicle’s
damage, we move it to our body & frame department, where we
repair all damage done to the vehicle’s frame and structure.
Using computerized frame-straightening equipment, we restore your
vehicle’s full dimensions – length, width, and height – to
the manufacturer’s specifications. Our computerized measuring
system generates before-and-after reports to ensure accuracy and
precision.
Once
the structural damage is repaired, we fix or replace
outer-body sheet metal per our initial damage analysis estimate.

To
prepare for a factory-style paint finish – and
to duplicate the steps originally taken by the manufacturer – we
first remove all exterior parts that are not to be painted, such
as trim, moldings, head lamps, tail lamps, and name plates. This
exposes the maximum amount of surface area on your vehicle, ensuring
that every edge, seam, and joint gets painted properly.
The repaired areas are then primed and block-sanded, and
adjoining
areas are sanded as well to provide a completely smooth, level,
seamless surface for the paint to be applied to. Finally, the vehicle
is masked and completely covered to protect against “over-spray” as
it enters the paint booth for refinishing.

Utilizing our computerized paint-matching system, we create an exact duplicate
of all colors on your vehicle, even if they are faded due to exposure
to the elements.



Once
we mix the paint according to factory formulas, we spray your vehicle
in our environmentally-controlled downdraft paint booths. The “cure
cycle” then bakes the finish onto the vehicle at 180° F, restoring it
to its original straight-from-the-manufacturer quality.

Once
your vehicle leaves the paint booth, we reinstall all external parts originally
removed in the paint preparation process, entirely free of paint over-spray. The end
result is an undetectable repair that will maintain the value of
your vehicle for years to come.

After all repairs
are completed, we do a complimentary detail job on your vehicle.
We wash your vehicle, including the engine compartment and all
jambs. We vacuum the interior. We clean the glass inside and out.
We clean the wheels and tires and apply tire dressing. We do this
for you, our valued customer, so that your vehicle looks exceptional
when you pick it up.

Once detailing is complete,
we carefully inspect the vehicle to make sure it is ready for delivery.
We review the original work order and compare it against the repair
work, ensuring that nothing has been overlooked. We also check
all aspects of fit and finish, including the following:
- We ensure correct paint texture and color match.
- We ensure proper alignment of gaps on sheet metal and related parts.
- We ensure proper application of corrosion protection.
- We ensure thoroughness of detailing.
- We
test-drive all structurally-damaged vehicles, or any that have
had suspension repairs.
All these steps make sure that we’ve
restored your vehicle to pre-loss condition according to rigorous
industry standards.

At this point, your vehicle is
ready to be returned to you. Upon your arrival, we walk you through
all repairs made, and we answer any questions you may have. We
present you with a copy of the final bill, along with a folder
of important documents, such as a written lifetime warranty on
all repairs, instructions for washing and waxing your vehicle,
and a customer survey card you can use to rate our service and
provide us important feedback.

At Hart Auto Body, our pledge is
to return your vehicle to pre-loss condition, and our extensive
repair process guarantees your total satisfaction.
Hart Auto Body
314-838-8700 · info@HartAutoBodySTL.com
8 Industrial Lane, Florissant, MO 63031
located behind Gold's Gym in Florissant
Open Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 5 PM
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