Collision Repair
Our expert collision repair aims to restore a bus, van, motorcoach or other mass transit commercial vehicle to its pre-accident condition, focusing on both structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. Our technicians are trained for large vehicle systems and have the know-how and experience to operate our specialized, heavy-duty equipment.
Initial Assessment & Inspection: Our technicians perform a comprehensive inspection, including digital diagnostics to identify visible and hidden structural damage. This involves looking at the frame, suspension and mechanical components.
Structural & Frame Repair: A critical part of our collision repair process involves laser frame alignment, structural fabrication, and repairing or replacing damaged structural members.
Body Panel & Fiberglass Work: Repairing body panels includes fixing dents and scratches, or replacing panels; often using specialized welding techniques.
Mechanical & Suspension Repair: Our collision repairs often extend to the chassis, including axle / wheel alignment, suspension realignment and braking system checks.
Electrical & System Repair: Our technicians possess the required expertise in multiplex systems found in modern buses, motor coaches and other mass transit commercial vehicles. Electrical components are checked and repaired, along with diagnostics of computerized systems.
Painting & Refinishing: Our process includes sanding, priming, and applying high-quality paint to match the original finish.
Interior & Glass Repairs: We replace damaged glass. In serious accidents or cases of extreme wear, we also restore interior finishes including flooring.
Auto Paint
Our auto paint services transform the appearance of buses, motorcoaches and other commercial mass transit vehicles. We utilize multi-stage paint systems designed to protect the vehicle from the elements, restore its appearance or rebrand it. We begin with extensive surface preparation utilizing specialized equipment for large surfaces, detailed cleaning and thorough masking, and then meticulously apply multiple coats of durable primer and paint as needed.
Preparation & Cleaning
Cleaning and Degreasing: The bus or other mass transit vehicle is thoroughly washed and stripped of dirt, oil and old adhesives.
Removal of Old Decals / Rust: Old decals, vinyl wraps, and old caulk lines are removed, followed by addressing any rust issues.
Sanding: The entire surface is sanded (scuffed) to remove the old sheen and create a surface for the new paint to adhere to.
Masking: Windows, lights, bumpers and wheels are covered with tape and plastic to prevent overspray.
Body Repair & Priming
Damage Assessment & Repair: Technicians repair dents, scratches or more severe structural damage from accidents.
Priming: A high-quality automotive primer is applied (often two coats) to ensure adhesion and durability.
Sanding / Smoothing: Once the primer dries, it is sanded again to create an ultra-smooth surface for the top coat.
Painting Process
Paint Application: A premium paint system, such as a two-stage process (base coat and clear coat) or a three-stage (tri-coat) system, is applied, usually using paint sprayers.
Specialized Coatings: The final clear coat often contains UV inhibitors to prevent fading.
Color Matching: Specialized technology is used to ensure the new paint matches the existing color or a new color scheme, particularly for fleet vehicles.
Finishing
Reinstalling Components: Lighting and other removed items are reinstalled.
Detailing: Final inspections and polishing, including potential additions like anti-graffiti shields on windows.
Bus, Coach & Van Frame Straightening
Our frame straightening service is a structural, heavy-duty repair process that uses hydraulic equipment to pull and reshape a bent, twisted or otherwise compromised bus, coach or van chassis back to its original manufacturer specifications. We straighten frames to fix issues such as poor handling and uneven tire wear, help prevent structural failures, and ensure the vehicle will properly absorb energy in any future impacts.
Initial Assessment & Computerized Measuring: Technicians begin by measuring the vehicle frame to compare the current compromised frame against the original vehicle specifications. This identifies specific points that are bent, twisted or diamond-shaped.
Securing the Vehicle: The vehicle is driven or placed onto a specialized, heavy-duty frame rack and bolted down securely at multiple structural points. This immobilization is crucial because the process involves immense force that could move the entire vehicle if it were not locked into place.
Hydraulic Pulling and Realignment – Our technicians use hydraulic towers and arms positioned around the bus to apply force.
Chains and Anchors: Heavy-duty chains are attached to the damaged sections of the frame.
Controlled Force: The hydraulic towers pull the chains slowly, reversing the impact damage.
Multiple Angles: Because buses and similar vehicles can suffer complex damage, our technicians often pull from multiple angles simultaneously to restore the frame to its original shape.
Final Verification and Recheck – Throughout the process, the computerized measuring system is used to check progress in real-time. Once the measurements match the factory specifications, the frame is considered restored. A final inspection ensures the structural integrity is fully restored, ensuring safety, proper wheel alignment and longevity of the vehicle.
Vehicle Alignment / Suspension Work
Our vehicle alignment adjusts the suspension and steering components to ensure all wheels are perpendicular to the ground, parallel to each other, and tracking correctly according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Unlike passenger cars, our bus and motorcoach alignment focuses heavily on axle-to-axle alignment to handle heavy loads, improve fuel efficiency and minimize tire wear.
Inspection: Our technicians inspect tires, suspension components and steering linkage for wear or damage.
Preparation: The bus, motorcoach or van is placed on a heavy-duty alignment rack or leveling turn plates, and tire pressure is checked and equalized.
Measurement: Specialized sensors are attached to all wheels to measure key angles in real-time.
Adjustment:
Camber: Adjusting the inward or outward tilt of the wheels.
Caster: Adjusting the angle of the steering pivot to ensure stable steering.
Toe: Adjusting the direction the tires point relative to each other.
Thrust Angle/Axle Squareness: Ensuring the rear axle is perpendicular to the centerline of the chassis.
Test Drive: The vehicle is driven to confirm proper handling.
Commercial Mass Transit Vehicle Dent Removal
Our dent removal services can fix minor dents from door dings etc without damaging the factory paint. For deeper dents where the paint is cracked or gone, we fix by sanding to bare metal, filling with pro-grade filler and painting. We have the specialized tools required to access and manipulate the large surface areas of thick metal panels set in complex framing.
Minor Dents
Accessing the Backside: Our technicians may remove interior panels, lights or luggage bay liners to reach behind the exterior metal.
Massaging the Metal: Using specialized long, durable steel rods, our technicians apply pressure from behind to “massage” the dented metal back into its original shape.
Lighting & Precision: Specialized LED lights or light boards are used to highlight the precise high and low spots of the dent, ensuring a smooth finish.
Glue Pulling: For areas with restricted access, specialized tabs and hot glue are applied to the exterior to pull the dent
Deep Dent Repair
If the damage involves sharp creases, damaged paint, or significant structural stretching, a more thorough approach is necessary.
Sanding & Filler: The damaged area is sanded down to the bare metal.
Panel Beating / Pulling: Small pins are welded onto the dented area, which are then pulled to restore the panel’s shape.
Body Filler: A filler is applied to smooth out the surface, followed by sanding to match the mass transit vehicle’s contours.
Repainting: The area is primed, painted to match the rest of the bus, and sealed with a clear coat.
