Auto body repair companies are always looking for ways to discern themselves from their competition, and those that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award are already several steps ahead. For Carreras Auto Body, standing out in a crowded industry is all about maintaining relationships with customers and understanding the specific needs of its community. “Everyone who works here is local to Sonoma County,” explains Dan Vassallo, who owns the company with his brother, Joe. “We were all raised here and have deep roots in the area, which allows us to relate to our customers on a personal level.”

Carreras Auto Body has been rebuilding and restoring all types of damaged vehicles at its Healdsburg facility since 1981. Mr. Vassallo says the company’s singular location makes a big difference to customers who are looking for personalized, high-quality auto body service. “Having one location eliminates a lot of problems regarding service and workmanship. My brother and I are on hand to oversee each job, and we both inspect every car before it leaves the shop. If something isn’t aligned or the color isn’t quite right, we catch it before it’s too late.”

Unlike larger auto body repair companies that emphasize workload volume over customer service, Carreras Auto Body strives to provide extra services that make the repair process as convenient as possible for its clients. “We pick up and deliver cars, provide loaner vehicles and even offer mobile estimating,” says Mr. Vassallo. “We’ll come to a customer’s workplace or residence to inspect their car and offer a repair estimate. They don’t even have to step foot in our shop if they don’t want to.”

Another distinctive characteristic of Carreras Auto Body is its use of state-of-the-art repair equipment, including two laser frame measuring systems and a high-tech spray booth that allows for precise painting. “Our employees are trained and certified to effectively operate all our equipment,” says Mr. Vassallo. “Their ongoing training ensures they provide quality service for each of our customers.”

Taking proper care of your vehicle’s body will both increase its aesthetic value and prevent future problems. It’s just as important to maintain your car’s hard-to-find body features—such as the wheel wells, frame and engine compartment—as it is to maintain more immediately recognizable components like the windows and paint. Consider the following tips for keeping the entirety of your car’s exterior as flawless as possible:

Steam clean your car’s engine and underside at least once a year. When you remove all the accumulated dirt and oil, you can easily inspect for rust, broken brake lines or cables, faulty electrical wires and other problems. Make sure to grease the front suspension components after steam cleaning. You can also use a water-soluble degreaser when cleaning the engine, but be careful not to get too much water in the alternator.

Pay close attention to the wheel wells. The undercoating can peel away and stones and dirt thrown up by the tires can cause the paint to chip or flake, which in turn can invite rust. If you notice any rust spots, clean them down to the bare metal and apply a rust preventative paint.

Wash your car’s body once a week. Before you start washing, thoroughly wet the vehicle to loosen dirt, and then proceed with a soft sponge and soapy water. If you’re not careful about washing off surface dirt, you risk prematurely wearing down the car’s paint. Remove asphalt and tar spots with a soft cloth soaked in solvent.

Never skip drying. Drying your vehicle after washing it is necessary to prevent water spots. Auto detailing professionals advise using a 100 percent cotton detailing cloth or sheepskin chamois to dry your car—polyester and microfiber can scratch the paint surface. If you want to get more high-tech, many car care product lines offer “paint safe” drying towels that are super absorbent and claim to be lint- and scratch-free.

Clean vinyl trim as often as you clean the rest of the vehicle. There’s no need to use detergents, heavy-duty soap or petroleum-based cleaners on vinyl trim—regular soap and water will work fine. Use a soft brush to remove tough dirt. Apply a coat of rubber and vinyl protectant to keep the vinyl looking like new. It’s also a good idea to apply the protectant to radiator hoses and tires to prevent dry rot.

Don’t apply too much wax. It can be tempting to use a thick layer of wax, but too much will become hard to remove and leave a residue that can damage the finish. Use a damp sponge to apply a thin, even coat of wax. Use a cotton or microfiber cloth to carefully remove the wax once it’s dry.

Q: Do you specialize in any particular kinds of cars?

A: Yes, your car.

Q: Will the new paint match my car’s original color?

A: Yes. We go to great lengths to make sure the finish we provide matches in color, degree of gloss and texture so you truly leave with an invisible repair. We also exclusively use Dupont refinishing products that have been proven to be the finest available. Our paint guarantee, which is for the duration of your car ownership, surpasses the manufacturer’s in most cases.

Q: Do you use original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts?

A: Yes. Sometimes a customer’s insurance company won’t pay for OEM parts, but we’ll insist on them anyway. However, if a customer requests other parts as an inexpensive option, we’ll use them providing safety and quality isn’t compromised.

Q: Do you handle insurance paperwork?

A: Yes. All we need is a claim number and we’ll take care of the rest. We’ll negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, inspect the car thoroughly for all related damage and insist that your car will be repaired to factory specifications. In short, we’ll make sure you get everything you are entitled to.

Q: Do you provide any guarantees?

A: Yes, we provide a lifetime guarantee on our workmanship that’s good for as long as you own your car.

Q: Do you provide a shuttle service and loaner cars?

A: Yes. In addition, we offer free pickup and delivery to all of Sonoma County and beyond. We’ll also deliver one of our free loaner cars to your home or workplace.

Q: Can I be made to pay the difference between the body shop’s estimate and the insurance company’s?

A: Not at Carreras Auto Body. Some body shops collect from the vehicle owner if they are unable or unwilling to negotiate with the insurance company. Some will even keep your car captive until they recieve payment in full. We assure you, you will never pay more than your deductible.

Q: Do I have to go to the shop that my insurance company requests?

A: Absolutely not. Every insurance company has preffered body shops they like to work with. These are called direct repair facilities. There is nothing wrong with selecting a shop that your insurance company refers or that you feel comfortable with, but it is always your choice. Even in the situation where someone else other than an insurance company is paying for your repairs, again, it is always your choice.

Q: I’m paying for my repairs myself and I can’t believe how expensive body work is. What are my choices?

A: It’s true, top-quality body and paint work is not cheap. Alternatively, low-quality body and paint work isn’t much cheaper. We know times are hard and you want to get the most for your dollar, so we can help you select a method of repair that best suits your needs while not sacrificing quality and, above all, safety.

Q: Some shops offer money back, free oil changes or discounts on insurance deductibles. Do you offer that?

A: No. Giving money back, giving free oil changes or discounting deductibles would indicate overcharging your insurance company or the party paying for your repairs. The final bill we provide reflects the honest amount of parts, material and labor we have invested in your car. We would no sooner overcharge your insurance company as we would you.