http://www.brakestopautoservices.com

2B | THEPRESS.NET AUTO CARE GUIDE OCTOBER 22, 2010

Obsidian Motors Service Department is staffed with factory-trained technicians in a state-of-the-art service center that provides high quality Mercedes-Benz repairs in Oakley. We understand how much you depend on your vehicle, so our service staff will work to get your Mercedes-Benz back on the road as soon as possible.

Specializing in Mercedes-Benz Service and Parts

1241 Main Street, Oakley

(925) 625-7700www.obsidianmotors.com

Introducing

Mobile service takes sting out of dings

Car door dings and shopping

cart creases are the unfor-

tunate realities of automo-

bile ownership. And since the cost of

most vehicle repairs ranks somewhere

between expensive and prohibitive,

it’s not surprising that many of us just

resign ourselves to living with a few

extra bumps, dents and wrinkles.

But Tim Helm, owner of Oakley’s Dent King – a paintless dent repair service – believes all our vehicles can have that fresh-from-the-showroom look – we simply need to know where to get it.

“Most people don’t realize that dent removal is much cheaper than a conven-tional body shop – about 25 percent cheaper – and that it can restore your car to its original fi nish,” said Helm, who opened his mobile business in 2005. “Paintwork is where most of the money is spent at a body shop, so bypassing that step can save you a lot of money.”

Helm’s premiere mobile service offers customers the convenience of getting the

work done at home or offi ce, typically in under two hours. Using a variety of metal rods and body picks, dent technicians such as Helm are able to push the dents out from the inner side of a car’s body panel. Glue may also be used from the outside of the panel to pull the dents out. The repair is fi ne-tuned by tapping down small high spots created by the original repair, making the surface fl at.

Paintless dent repair may be used on both aluminum and steel panels, and because no sanding or painting are involved, the process is 100 percent “green.”

“I see a lot of different kinds of dents and I can take out some really big ones, like the panels that have been kicked in by an unhappy boyfriend or girlfriend,” said Helm. “But the typical repairs are for door dings.”

Dent removal is not a new technique – it’s been around for as long as sheet metal has been used on cars – but over the past decade the popularity of paintless dent repair has spawned a growing cottage industry.

Not all services however, are created equal. “This is really an art form,” said

R U T H R O B E R T S

Photo by Ruth Roberts

Tim Helms’ Dent King in Oakley is a mobile repair service specializing in paintless dent removal.see King page 8B

4B | THEPRESS.NET AUTO CARE GUIDE OCTOBER 22, 2010

22 888882008 G

OLD MEDALAWARD

6945 LONE TREE WAYBRENTWOOD, CA 94513

925-513-7610(OPEN 7 DAYS)

6935 LONE TREE WAYBRENTWOOD, CA 94513

925-513-7028(OPEN M-S 8AM-6PM • SU 9-5)

TRI CITY

EXPRESS LUBE

B R E N T W O O D EXPRESS OIL CHANGE WITH FREE WASH

ONLY$2995

Most vehicles. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Expires 12/31/10

Reg. $39.95

EXPRESS OIL CHANGE WITH FREE WASH

ONLY$2995

Most vehicles. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Expires 12/31/10

Reg. $39.95

COOLANT FLUSHWITH FREE WASH

$6995Cannot be combined with any other offers.

Expires 12/31/10

Reg. $89.95NOWONLY

FULL SERVICE WASH

$999Offer not valid with any other discounts.

Oversized vehicles are extra. Expires 12/31/10

Reg. $14.99

FULL SERVICE WASH

$1099Offer not valid with any other discounts.

Oversized vehicles are extra. Expires 12/31/10

Reg. $14.99

FULL SERVICE WASH

$899Offer not valid with any other discounts.

Oversized vehicles are extra. Expires 12/31/10

Reg. $14.99

SUPER WASH

$999• Full Service Wash • Clear Coat Protectant• Under-Carriage Wash • Wheel Treatment

• Air FreshenerOffer not valid with any other discounts.

Oversized vehicles are extra. Expires 12/31/10

Reg. $17.99

SUPER WASH

$1099• Full Service Wash • Clear Coat Protectant• Under-Carriage Wash • Wheel Treatment

• Air FreshenerOffer not valid with any other discounts.

Oversized vehicles are extra. Expires 12/31/10

Reg. $17.99

SUPER WASH

$1199• Full Service Wash • Clear Coat Protectant• Under-Carriage Wash • Wheel Treatment

• Air FreshenerOffer not valid with any other discounts.

Oversized vehicles are extra. Expires 12/31/10

Reg. $17.99

EXECUTIVE WASH

$1099• Full Service Wash • Foam Polish Wax• Tire Dressing • Clear Coat Protectant

• Under-Carriage Wash • Wheel Treatment• Air Freshener

Offer not valid with any other offer discounts. Oversized vehicles are extra. Expires 12/31/10

Reg. $22.99

EXECUTIVE WASH

$1199• Full Service Wash • Foam Polish Wax• Tire Dressing • Clear Coat Protectant

• Under-Carriage Wash • Wheel Treatment• Air Freshener

Offer not valid with any other offer discounts. Oversized vehicles are extra. Expires 12/31/10

Reg. $22.99

EXECUTIVE WASH

$1299• Full Service Wash • Foam Polish Wax• Tire Dressing • Clear Coat Protectant

• Under-Carriage Wash • Wheel Treatment• Air Freshener

Offer not valid with any other offer discounts. Oversized vehicles are extra. Expires 12/31/10

Reg. $22.99

OAKLEY • 89 Carol Lane

(925) 625-4532

BRENTWOOD • 6361 Lone Tree Way

(925) 513-3432www.LesSchwab.com

Obsidian Motors masters Mercedes

As the crisp autumn air

begins to bustle with

winter’s chill, East County

residents know it’s time to haul out

the heavy coats and weatherproof

the house in preparation for winter’s

wacky weather. It’s also time to take

your car in for a check-up.

And if you own a Mercedes Benz, that used to mean driving over the hill to Walnut Creek or farther to get quality service. But Obsidian Motors in Oakley is ready to get your vehicle in top shape regardless of the conditions. The crew at the repair facility, which opened last year, works with only Mercedes Benz automo-biles, specializing in the vehicles’ intricacies and unique characteristics.

S A M I E H A R T L E Y

see Obsidian page 8B

Ian Lebb, right, and his crew at Obsidian Motors in Oakley are Mercedes Benz experts with the know-how to handle all repair and maintenance needs associated with the German luxury car.

Photo by Samie Hartley

OCTOBER 22, 2010 AUTO CARE GUIDE THEPRESS.NET | 5B

VornhagenBody & Paint 600 Harvest Park Dr.

Brentwood

(925) 516-1969

www.vornhagenbodypaint.com

Open Monday through

Friday 8am to 5pm

“There is a big difference between

shops. Any shop can give you a

lower estimate by leaving some-

thing out or overlooking parts. Do

not assume you get the quality of

workmanship you want from the

shop offering the lowest estimate.”

- Vornhagen Body & Paint

22 888882008 G

OLD MEDALAWARD

J U S T I N L A F F E R T Y

When a car’s “check

engine” light comes on,

the driver’s wallet starts

to hurt – especially when the light has

been blinking for a while.

Drivers of older cars are faced with a dilemma when confronted with repairs: should they bite the bullet and pay to get the problem fixed – even though the bill might rival the value of the car – or should they cut their losses and move on?

Considering costly repairs

see Repairs page 6B

Gary Kendall, owner of Kendall Automotive, checks under the hood of a Honda. Kendall recommends that older-car owners set money aside each month to account for maintenance.

Photo by Justin Lafferty

Stan Tittle, owner of Brentwood Transmissions & Auto Care Center at 305 Central Terrace, said he experi-ences this dilemma on a weekly basis. According to Tittle, a car owner should consider several things before giving the green light to a costly repair: the car’s subjective value and the difference between its overall mechanical condition and its Blue Book value, which can be found at www.kelleybluebook.com.

“There is a point of no return,” Tittle said. “It just depends on the Blue Book value of the vehicle versus the repairs and also what the customer feels his car is worth to him as far as the mechanical shape of the vehicle.”

According to Tittle, owners sentimentally attached to their car usually opt for the repairs in order to keep their prized possession running smoothly. But when heavy repairs such as maintenance of the transmis-sion (which Tittle said can cost up to $3,000) or the engine come into play, owners should give serious thought to cutting their losses.

If the car looks good on the outside, however, and has no serious mechanical problems, owners should opt for repairs. “Some vehicles that are in good mech shape would be worth fixing even though the Blue Book value is not what it should be,” Tittle said.

The first things to wear out on older cars, Tittle said, are safety items such as brakes, lights and windshield wipers. Problems involving the water pump, radiator and timing belts are also common – totaling about $300 or more – but not as costly as major repairs.

Gary Kendall, owner of Kendall Automotive at 205 Oak St., advises older-car owners to prepare for a major repair by setting aside money each month. Even so, said Kendall, “It depends on how the customer likes the car, and its sentimen-tal value. Sometimes people don’t care at that point what it costs – they just love the car.”

To comment, visit www.thepress.

6B | THEPRESS.NET AUTO CARE GUIDE OCTOBER 22, 2010

Approved Repair Facility For All Major Insurance Companies

• Highest Quality, Affordable Rates• Foreign & Domestic Repairs• Laser Accuracy Unibody Repairs• Rental Cars & Towing Available

FREE ESTIMATES • COURTESY SHUTTLE SERVICE

4515 O’Hara Avenue

Brentwood

634-2211Mon - Fri: 7:30-5:30

Direct Repair Network

Serving East County for Over 33 Years

Voted one of the Best 8 Years in a Row

It depends on how the

customer likes the car,

and its sentimental

value. Sometimes

people don’t care at

that point what it costs

– they just love the car.

– Gary Kendall, owner of Kendall Automotive

Repairs from page 5B

OCTOBER 22, 2010 AUTO CARE GUIDE THEPRESS.NET | 7B

EXP

Celebrating Our 5th Anniversary

$10 Off $10 Off Smog Inspection

Must present coupon. Not valid with any other discounts or off ers.

Smog Check + DMV Registration = One 30-minute Stop!

516-6488 • 8040-C Brentwood Blvd., Brentwood (next to Big-O Tires)

SMOG SERVICESSMOG SERVICESX Regular/ “Test Only” Smog Inspection

X Appointments Available – Walk-ins Welcome

DDMVMV REGISTRATION REGISTRATION SERVICESSERVICESX Annual Registration Renewals

X Vehicle Title Transfers

22 888882008 G

OLD MEDALAWARD

Free retest within 30 days of original test date.Brentwood Smog Express is a State of California Licensed Smog Check Test Only Center. We perform all smog check inspections required by the DMV.

In what has become an annual staple for both car enthusiasts and hungry people, Rick and Linda Wilson at Brentwood Napa Car Parts held their sixth annual Car Show, benefi ting the Brentwood

Regional Community Chest.More than 100 entries were featured in this year’s event and more

than 25 sponsors supported the cause. Participants helped raise nearly $3,000 and contribute several boxes of toys and food for the Commu-nity Chest’s annual Christmas Basket program, getting the Brentwood charity off to a good start for the holiday season. Live music by Savage Lands and a surprise appearance by the Gorilla Rilla added to the fun, and 25 awards were given out for various categories of vehicles.

“Brentwood Auto Parts has been a huge supporter for many, many years, not only with their car show, but they keep a donation box at their register all year and have food and toy drives for us,” said Lill Pierce of the Community Chest. “Is it too early to say Merry Christmas?”

Napa Gears up for charity

Photos by Fred Smith

A few of more than 100 cars that turned out for the annual Car Show at Brentwood Napa Auto Parts this year.

Gorilla Rilla brought his patented fan-aticism to the sixth annual event on Brentwood Boulevard.

8B | THEPRESS.NET AUTO CARE GUIDE OCTOBER 22, 2010

Helm, who is fully licensed, trained and insured. “And not everyone can do it. I spent 25 years in the auto body repair fi eld and I’ve got the experience.”

Here’s what you need to consider when it comes to the success of paintless dent repair:Color. Contrary to what might seem logical, the lighter the car, the tougher it is to get out the dents. White, for example, catches the light at odd angles and can be the hardest color to fi x. Conversely, said Helms, metallics and grays are the easiest to fi x.

Type. The type of dent will determine how easy it is to remove. Round dents – such as those caused by hailstorms and rocks – are easier to remove than creases – typically caused by collisions.Location. As in real estate, a dent’s loca-tion is all-important. Door dings are easier to repair, said Helms, than dents or creases on trunks or along the bodyline of the vehicle.

For more information, call the Dent King at 925-323-1045 or visit www.paintlessdentking.com.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

King from page 2B

“Mercedes Benz is a very specialized vehicle,” said Obsidian Motors owner Ian Lebb. “The engineering is completely different. There is a network within each car – like its own Internet – and it contains aircraft-level technology, so the average service station isn’t equipped to handle that advanced engineering. We have a special diagnostic system that’s the same thing you’d fi nd at the dealer, but you don’t have to travel nearly as far.”

When Lebb came to Oakley a few years ago, he saw a lot of Mercedes on the roads, but no specialty shops catering exclusively to those German luxury cars, so he decided to open a shop in Antioch. He later moved his business to Oakley, where he operates a larger maintenance facility.

Lebb, however, is more than a main-tenance shop owner – he’s a Master Grand Technician. This highest status among Mercedes Benz technicians is earned by only the top 30 techs in the United States. More than 4,000 technicians are tested each year, and Lebb’s perfect scores have earned him the formidable title two years in a row.

As one of the top technicians in his fi eld, having chalked up more than 30

years of experience working with Mercedes Benz automobiles, Lebb travels the world teaching classes through WorldPac, a renowned automobile training institute. His work is so respected that Mercedes owners come to Oakley from across the Bay Area to get his crew to work on their cars. One of Lebb’s customers brings his Mercedes all the way from Southern California for routine maintenance, aware that Obsidian Motors provides a trusted, quality service that’s hard to fi nd.

“My philosophy is that you do the job right at a fair price,” Lebb said. “That’s what it boils down to. We do everything from electronics and engines to wind-shields and upholstery work. My staff is highly trained to handle this particular type of car and we’re constantly educat-ing ourselves about the latest techniques and advances in technology. We stay on top of things so that we know the cars inside and out and can save our customers money. We take pride in our work and our customers know that.”

Obsidian Motors is located at 1241 Main St. in Oakley. For more informa-tion, call 925-625-7700 or visit www.obsidianmotors.com.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

Obsidian from page 4B