Straight answers
Bumper & Cosmetic Repair FAQ
Questions people ask before they text Robert.
How mobile service works, how pricing and payment work, what he repairs, and what to do afterward.
How mobile service works
Do you come to me?
Yes. Robert works from a truck and trailer and does the repair where your car is, usually your home driveway. There's no shop to drop the car off at.
What do you need on site?
A home with a driveway is ideal, and some townhomes work. He usually needs a power outlet, and a reasonably clean car helps. Parking decks don't work, because the truck, trailer, and lighting won't fit. Office complexes sometimes work, but building security can be an issue.
How fast can you come?
Usually within two or three days of your call, and sometimes the same day if Robert is already nearby. He texts a day or two ahead to confirm, and again the morning of the appointment when he's on his way.
How long does it take?
Most repairs take under three hours on site. Welding cracks and pushing out dents take longer. Hours are Monday to Friday, about 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; on very hot days he wraps up by about 2 p.m.
What happens if it rains?
He doesn't paint in rain or snow, and below-freezing days are difficult, so the appointment moves to the next good day. He carries a canopy, and during heavy pollen season he avoids painting certain colors.
Prices, payment, and insurance
How do I get a price?
Text or call with one or two clear photos of the damage from different angles, with the car dry and in good light. Robert quotes from the photos, typically within minutes during weekday business hours. Prices aren't posted because every repair is different.
Will the price change?
Rarely. It changes only if you add work or if something wasn't visible in the photos, and Robert explains why before doing anything different.
Do I pay a deposit?
No. There's no deposit to book. You pay when the repair is done.
How do I pay? Do you take credit cards?
Cash, check, or Venmo, when the work is finished. He doesn't take credit cards and doesn't offer financing. A written estimate and a receipt are available on request.
Do you work with insurance?
Robert doesn't handle insurance claims or write insurance-format estimates. He tries to keep repairs under your deductible, or close to it. He also handles fender benders between two drivers where the driver at fault pays for the repair.
What he repairs
Do you fix dents?
Small dents in plastic bumper covers, yes: he loosens a corner and pushes the dent out without removing the bumper. Paintless dent repair on metal panels, hail damage, structural damage, and mechanical work aren't offered.
Can you match my color?
For most factory colors, yes. Robert mixes paint on site from your paint code, tests it on the car, and scans with a color camera to build a custom formula when needed. He doesn't blend into neighboring panels. He generally avoids exotic one-off colors.
What about parking sensors?
Working sensors are taped off or painted in light coats so they keep working. Robert has painted sensor bumpers for a Volvo dealership for 15 years without a comeback. He doesn't replace, program, or recalibrate sensors.
Will my scratch buff out?
If your fingernail catches in it, nine times out of ten it won't buff out, but it can be touched up and hidden. Light scratches that your nail glides over usually buff out.
Do you work on fleets or for dealerships?
Yes. Robert's business was originally built on dealership work, and he can set up at your lot or office park and repair several vehicles in a day.
After the repair
When can I drive, wash, or wax the car?
The paint is cured with a heat lamp, so you can drive within a few hours. Wait at least two days to wash it, and hold off on waxing the repaired area for about 30 days.
Do you stand behind your work?
Yes. If a problem with the repair itself shows up, Robert will make it right. Damage from a new impact, like someone bumping into the repaired area, isn't covered.
Are you insured?
Yes. Robert is fully insured, including garage keepers coverage, the kind that protects a customer's vehicle while it's in his care.
Get a repair quote from photos
Have a question that needs a photo?
Text Robert one or two clear photos of the damage. He'll answer, and quote it, usually within minutes on a weekday.
Monday–Friday, about 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.