Collision Center

Our Toyota-Certified Facility

Here at the Vic Vaughan Toyota of Boerne Certified Collision, we can repair anything from the simplest dent to major collision damage. All decisions made in the design of our new shop were made with consideration of your time, convenience, and complete satisfaction.

Our Certified Collision features the latest in technology and equipment including frame machines, measuring systems, dimension charts, oxy-acetylene resistance, MIG welding equipment, a PPG refinishing system, climate-controlled downdraft paint booths, as well as networked and wireless-computerized estimating with digital imaging. We have invested over $1 million into our new facility and specialized equipment in order to bring you the latest repair techniques and procedures. Our guests know we can take care of their vehicle in a timely and efficient manner. At the Vic Vaughan Toyota of Boerne Certified Collision, our goal is to get our guests and their families back on the road as safely and quickly as possible.

Repair Process

We understand that being in a car accident can be frightening and overwhelming. That’s why we’ve streamlined the repair process to make it as painless and convenient as possible for you. Here’s how it works:

1. Vehicle Reception

The following information will be required upon receiving your vehicle:

• Your information
• Your insurance company information
• Notations of damage to the vehicle – this includes related and non-related damages
• Photographs of the vehicle, damages, and contents
• Your signature and the best way of contacting you

At this time, we will assign a Vic Vaughan Toyota of Boerne Certified Collision estimator to you, who will explain the complete process so you’ll know what to expect during the course of repairs.

If needed, we also offer:

• Courtesy Shuttle Service

2. Vehicle Damage Analysis

Your vehicle is disassembled to reveal all areas of damage and checked for the following:

• Damaged Parts
• Structural Dimension (if applicable)
• Mechanical Damage
• Secondary Damages
• Unrelated Damages

After the inspection, a detailed estimate will be created and will provide line-itemized information, including:

• Body Labor Operations
• Paint Labor Operations
• Parts Pricing
• Taxes
• Total Labor and Parts Amounts
• Total Repair Cost

Your estimator will then call you to review the estimate and to obtain the authorization to repair.

3. Insurance Company Supplement for Repairs

If your insurance company is not part of a direct repair program with the Vic Vaughan Toyota of Boerne Certified Collision, we will have to wait for a re-inspection conducted by your insurance company. Once the supplement estimate for repairs has been authorized, they will provide a revised estimate of repairs.

We will contact you, explain all of the supplemental revisions, and obtain an authorization for the supplemental repairs and amounts.

Even if an insurance company is paying for the repairs, we’ll still need your approval to continue with the supplemental repairs. You can authorize this by phone, fax, or in person. The additional parts will now be ordered.

4. Body and Structural Repairs

Following the manufacturer’s guidelines, your vehicle will have panels repaired or replaced as needed. Inner structural components will also be addressed at this stage. Bolted-on outer panels such as bumpers, hood, fenders, doors, luggage lid and/or liftgate will be replaced and aligned, per the estimate. Panel-to-panel gap openings will be also be set before the vehicle is sent to the next stage of painting.

5. Paint and Polish

The vehicle is now ready for the painting process. This process has three basic stages:

1. Prep – prime and prep the area that is going to be refinished. After the prime and prep is completed, a procedure called “block sanding” is performed to ensure the panels are straight and correct.
2. Paint – mask off the openings of the vehicle to prepare for paint. It is painted and baked in a climate-controlled, state-of-the-art, 1 million BTU, direct-fired downdraft paint booth. This paint finish and clear coat is baked at approximately 145 degrees.
3. Polish – lightly wet color and sand the panels that have been refinished to ensure a consistent high-quality, high-luster finish. The vehicle is then ready to return to the collision repair technician for final assembly.

6. Mechanical, Final Cleanup, and Inspection

Mechanical work can be performed throughout the repair processes as necessary. The vehicle is then road-tested and sent to the Final Wash and Inspection. At Final Wash, the following actions are taken:

• Exterior is washed
• Windows are cleaned
• Interior is vacuumed & wiped down
• Tire dressing is applied

Your vehicle is ready now ready for inspection. It is raised on a lift and inspected for completion of estimate items.

7. Pickup Appointment and Deliver

After the inspection, you will be called for an appointment to pick up your vehicle. At the time of pickup, your estimator will go over the repairs with you and tell you how to care for your vehicle over the next few weeks. The repairs have a warranty for as long as you own the vehicle. (This warranty is for the repairs, workmanship, and the refinish work. The parts are covered per the manufacturer warranty.)

At this time, we will let you know if you have any responsibilities such as any deductibles owed or any other special arrangements that need to be addressed.