How We Can Celebrate Christmastime in Chicagoland in 2020.

It is something that changes with each passing month during this trying time in our world. Your friends at Arrow Body and Fender recommend that you visit Chicago.gov/coronavirus for the latest updates. This site will help you obtain the latest updates from your area on the response and latest updates regarding Covid-19.

The health and safety of Chicagoland visitors and locals remains the highest priority. The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is closely monitoring developments around the Coronavirus Disease and sharing safeguards and smartest practices as outlined by federal health authorities and state and local officials.

Regardless of how you observe this unusual Holiday Season we here at Arrow Body and Fender pledge to be right here at 7536 Grand Ave. in Elmwood Park to serve your auto body repair and vehicle painting needs in 2021 just as we have done for more than seven decades. Have a safe and healthy Holiday in 2020 from Arrow Body and Fender of Elmwood Park.

Black Ice…A Chicagoland Driving Hazard.

How do you spot black ice on the highways and byways of Chicago this Winter? It will definitely help to know where it forms. Always be on the lookout for bridges, overpasses, bottoms of hills where water runoff can gather, plus anywhere that sunlight can’t get to, during the daylight.

If you hit a patch of black ice and begin sliding, lift your foot off of your car’s accelerator. DO NOT HIT THE BRAKES as you might do instinctively! Braking will lock your wheels and you’ll drift even farther into the nasty stuff. Hold onto the steering wheel and make small corrections…never over-steer.

If you lose any battle with black ice this winter you can count on Arrow Body and Fender to restore your vehicle to like-new condition. We have repaired auto body damage in Chicagoland for more than seven decades. Arrow Body and Fender is located at 7536 Grand Ave. in Elmwood Park. Call (708) 456-9424 or visit us virtually at arrowbodyandfender.com.

Let’s Give Thanks.

It might be difficult at this time of year for the traditional giving of thanks as we approach late November. This year has been one of the most challenging of our lives. We at Arrow Body and Fender give thanks every day for your continued support of our business and its ultimate future success.

You could glance at our website and see two of the reasons why…current CEO Joseph Bellocchio Jr. on the left and his late father Joseph Bellocchio Sr. standing next to him. You could read about the wonderful American success story surrounding our patriarch and how he came back safe and sound from WWII to start what was to become Arrow Body and Fender.

Noone took your patronage lightly then, and we certainly do not now! Through thick and thin we hope to be there for you to repair or repaint your vehicle in Chicagoland. Yes, we are still located at 7536 Grand Ave. in Elmwood Park and expect we will be there for decades to come. That aforementioned website is arrowbodyandfender.com. Call us at (708) 456-9424.

You Are Good to Go…Through Life.

That is the kind of guarantee we would love to have from our doctor, our plumber, and our auto body repair shop. Typically, when a car owner has a vehicle repaired after a wreck, he or she looks over the area that was damaged to see how well the repairs were made. The driver then takes the car for a ride to make sure everything is operating as it was prior to the accident.

However, a lifetime warranty means a respected auto body repair shop will guarantee the work performed on your vehicle for as long as you own that car. If for any reason, the repairs do not hold up or there is an issue, you can go back to that particular body shop and have the repairs fixed at no cost to you.

That is the mantra of Arrow Body and Fender. And just in case you were concerned, they won’t be there when you return, rest assured. They have been around for more than seven decades! A lifetime warranty…just more peace of mind when your trust your vehicle to Arrow Body and Fender of Elmwood Park. Visit arrowbodyandfender.com, then call (708) 456-9424.

The Tow May be the Worst Part of the Whole Experience.

Providing that no one is injured in an auto accident the worst part of the ordeal may well be getting your car towed into a body shop to repair the damage. The waiting, the cost, the entire process is often exhausting. When all is said and done (and depending on your particular insurance policy) the tow may cost you more than the repair!

How would you like a scenario where your favorite auto body shop in Chicagoland pays for the tow to their facility?  That may well be the case when you trust Arrow Body and Fender to take care of everything after you have been involved in a vehicle accident. Yes, in many cases Arrow will even pay for the tow.

Just to give you peace of mind for now, visit them on the web at arrowbodyandfender.com to find out how the potential free tow works. If you ever need Arrow Body and Fender they will be there as they have been for decades at 7536 W. Grand Ave. in Elmwood Park. You can always call them at (708) 456-9424.

I-CAR…UCAR…We all Car.

I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on auto collision repair, is a well-known international, not-for-profit auto technician training organization. I-CAR was founded in 1979 to serve the auto repair industry and protect the public. Auto technicians can choose to enroll in one or more of I-CAR's training programs to become certified in that specific area of the auto repair industry.

Auto technicians enroll in the I-CAR Professional Development Program to begin the certification process. The knowledge for each auto collision repair role is divided into three sections called Pro Levels. They earn their Platinum Individual designation by passing Pro Level 1. All well and good, but what does it mean around here?

Well, our owner, Joe Bellocchio completed one of the area's first ICAR training courses. We may have been around here at Arrow Body and Fender for more than seventy years, but we never stop innovating. Please visit us on the web at arrowbodyandfender.com. Call for an appointment at 7536 W. Grand Ave. in Elmwood Park by calling (708) 456-9424.

That Looks Nasty!

You don’t want people to say that when they see your vehicle…do you? While mechanical issues are everyone’s worst nightmare, body shop repairs are not necessarily a “walk in the park” either. From accidents to break-ins, to a nasty key scratch from an angry ex, there are a million reasons why you could be bringing your car in.

What is the difference between auto body repairs and mechanical repairs? It’s not always an easy answer, but generally speaking, body shops take care of the external parts of the car, from windows to frames to dents and scratches. Mechanics work on the running parts of the car. What if you could find a body shop in Chicagoland that could also do some mechanical work?

Voila! Arrow Body and Fender of Elmwood Park may be just the answer. Arrow will do its upmost to repair any mechanical damage that stems from collision repair. Does that give you greater comfort? We hope so! At Arrow Body and Fender located at 7536 W. Grand Ave. in Elmwood Park we want you to have a satisfying experience. Just call (708) 456-9424.

DIY Auto Body Repair.

You won’t often read about an auto body shop offering tips on do it yourself repair after an accident, but after seven decades in the business we want you to be informed. One thing to keep in mind is ALWAYS wear safety glasses and protective clothing when working on your vehicle. We do…you should definitely do that as well!

 

Here are just a few of the DIY steps in auto body repair –

1. Make sure you have a high-quality filler and mixing board.
2. Your garage needs to be brightly lit to see all of the damage.
3. Acquire a compressor and paint sprayer.
4. Always use a sanding tool instead of your hands.
5. Be sure to use a separate kit to fix windshield cracks.

And on and on it will go. Are you ready to give us a call yet? We are a Chicagoland institution in auto body repair having been around in one form or another since the late 1940’s. We are Arrow Body and Fender. Limp into our shop at 7536 W. Grand Ave. in Elmwood Park if your car is roadworthy. Or, call us for a tow at (708) 456-9424.

I’m from your Insurance Company and I’m Here to Help.

President Ronald Reagan warned us about “friends” bearing gifts when he referred to the government. Auto appraisers assess damage to vehicles after an accident to determine “reasonable” repair costs. They probably work for your insurer. Auto appraisers may come to the scene of the accident or view your damaged vehicle in your own driveway.

They may very well also make visits to body shops to inspect vehicles. Duties and responsibilities of an auto adjuster include thoroughly examining the vehicle, documenting damage, researching repair and replacement costs, and recommending how much the insurance company should pay to repair a vehicle.

Do you see any gray area here? They can offer whatever they deem. Isn’t it nice to know that when your vehicle is at Arrow Body and Fender the owner, Joe Bellocchio once worked as a physical damage insurance appraiser. This should give you greater peace of mind! Call Arrow Body and Fender of Elmwood Park at (708) 456-9424.

Mobile vs. Body Shop Paint Repairs.

You have probably seen them painting bumpers and doors in a remote area behind dealerships. They come with their specially equipped mobile van or truck in the heat of summer. Is the quality of their work comparable with that of body shops? It’s a question that you as a vehicle owner in Chicagoland should be asking!

Mobile paint repair technicians first appeared in the late 1980s when the collision repair industry was transitioning from lacquer-based paint systems to basecoat-clearcoat systems. One of many differences is how their spray guns shoot the paint materials compared with a spraybooth gun with unlimited psi at the ready. It’s like comparing a 12-gauge shotgun with a BB gun.

Add to that fact that an auto body shop which has been part of the Chicago landscape for over 7 decades MUST adapt with the times. Today, here at Arrow Body and Fender we only use top of the line refinishing products. We simply do not substitute a product because it happens to be on sale.  We hope to continue serving you with that in mind at Arrow Body and Fender of Elmwood Park. Call us at (708) 456-9424.

Tow, Tow, Tow Your Car Gently to the Shop.

Not being able to drive your car after an accident is one of the worst and most annoying problems to have.  This is particularly true if you only have one car and you depend on it to get to your job and for other necessities.  You need to find a good auto body shop who can fix whatever needs to be repaired as quickly as possible to get you back on the road.

A lot of auto body shops offer perks to their customers.  Some may clean and vacuum out your car before they give it back to you.  Perhaps they provide some coffee or donuts while you wait. While these are nice, they should not be the decisive factors when hiring a mechanic.  When towing is offered, this is a valuable bonus!

Arrow Body and Fender located at 7536 W. Grand Ave. in Elmwood Park is proud to offer 24- hour towing to their shop AND you may very well qualify for free towing and storage while you await your baby to return to you.  Why not call (708) 456-9424 and discover the terms?  That’s Chicagoland’s choice for auto body repair for seven decades Arrow Body and Fender.

Automotive Frame Straightening.

Frame straightening is a crucial aspect of quality collision repair.  If the job is not precise frame alignment can compromise other aspects of the repair, and can potentially cause premature tire wear, poor fuel economy, suspension problems, alignment issues, and uneven steering.

Many auto body shops in Chicagoland might have the tools and expertise to perform reasonably good general collision repairs, but accurate frame straightening requires expert attention and equipment. There is a tolerance of 3mm or less!

At Arrow Body and Fender they use their Star Liner frame unibody rack.  This puts your vehicle’s frame back to its original dimensions even before the parts are removed.  Star Liner is just another piece of the puzzle that returns your car to the road looking as good as new.  Call Arrow Body and Fender at (708) 456-9424.  They are located at 7536 W. Grand Ave. in Elmwood Park.