Body Repair and Paint Care Seminar at Autometric Collision

Text by Don Kleist

A small, but enthusiastic crowd gathered at Autometric Collision’s Pontiac
location on March 5th for a day of modern car technology and car repair
techniques. Mike Van Loo of Autometirc, ably assisted by his wife Jan, served as
host and master of ceremonies.

After a brief welcome, Mike started the proceedings by explaining the subtleties
of new Xenon headlights and showed an example of a fixed headlight and one
that moves to light the direction the car is turning. He also described the
fixture they use to straighten frames. The fixture, called a Celette, is essentially
a surface plate on wheels. Model-specific jigs are used to define multiple frame
location so that precise frame alignment is possible.

Mike then talked about a couple of in-repair cars and showed how modern
design practices allow access for repairs under hoods that are crammed with
new technology. On these cars he also explained how his company makes
repairs that return damaged cars to a better condition than before being
damaged. I can attest to this. They did a fantastic job of repairing my BMW M5
after it had an unfortunate incident at Waterford Hills. They even used jigs
from the factory assembly line on the Celette machine to align the frame.

An interesting demonstration was then given by Jason Roth, owner of Dynamic
Dents, a firm that fixes dings and dents in body panels. Working on a black
911, Jason showed how he fixes dings from the inside of door panels by using
access holes for entry. He circled two dings on the passenger door of the
Porsche. Then, he inserted a special tool through an existing hole in the rear
part of the door and fixed the ding. Working mainly from the inside, but also a
bit on the outside, he fixed the ding so well that you could not see where it had
been, even though the area was still circled. He did the same a couple of weeks
before to a ding in my M5. I cannot pinpoint where the ding was, even though
I know about where it was. This guy is good.

After the demonstration, we were served a catered lunch. Then Mike showed off
a M-B SL55 AMG that was in his shop. It had been used in a commercial and
had not yet been returned to the dealer. What a beautiful and sophisticated
car. Powered by a supercharged, 493 hp V-8, this car is a certified screamer.
But it also has incredible technologies.

I was impressed by the infrared sensor that measures the distance to objects in
front of the car. If the sensors determine that a collision is imminent because
there is not enough room to brake, the car prepares for impact. The brakes are
set to apply full braking as soon as the pedal is touched, and the seatbelts are
pre-tensioned. One hopes never to use such capabilities, but it is nice to know
they are there.

After the SL55, Mike turned his attention to my 2002 M5. He had it on display
to show the quality of workmanship done by his shop. I thought my M5 was
fairly sophisticated, but next to the SL55 it looked a bit primitive. This
illustrates the pace at which automotive technology advances.

Mike then took us to another part of the shop and discussed how they repair
damaged cars of enthusiasts. He used a Porsche 911, an Audi A6 and a BMW
5-series to illustrate his points. To see the type of damage they can repair to
new standards is impressive.

Mike told me afterward that he would be glad to repeat the seminar. (I talked
to him about doing a seminar for the BMW Club.) If this happens, I encourage
all to attend. I guarantee that you will learn a lot.