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How Reputable Car Stereo Shops Care for Your Vehicle

July 1, 2022 By Dave MacKinnon

Vehicle Care

One of the goals at BestCarAudio.com is to help consumers pick the best retailers to upgrade their vehicles. We explain what to look for in terms of installation practices and explain the features and benefits of products that will deliver fantastic performance. In this article, we’ll discuss how shops care for your vehicle while it’s in the installation bay.

In many cases, the technician working on your vehicle might get in and out of it a dozen times to perform a simple task like a radio upgrade or remote car starter installation. If you have custom work done to create a subwoofer enclosure and amp rack, custom door panels or a specialized center console, that number might easily climb to 100. Making sure the paint, upholstery and vehicle components are protected is crucial to returning your vehicle to you in as good or better shape than when you dropped it off. Let’s look at some of the best practices that shops across North America take to ensure that your vehicle is safeguarded.

The Check-in, Check-out Process

Most reputable shops use a consistent process to check vehicles in and out of their install bays. Depending on the system, they might have a checklist of items they verify are working, or they may use a tablet or smartphone app to log systems. Many shops will also photograph the exterior, interior, VIN and odometer as part of the check-in process.

This process serves two purposes: If a system isn’t working (power door locks, for example), the technician can advise the client before work begins. If this happened to be a remote car starter or security system installation, the door lock issue would need to be addressed before new work could begin.

The check-in process also helps protect retailers against fraudulent claims. I’ve witnessed a client accuse a drive-through oil change shop of scratching his car. The client told the shop owner he was going to call the police. The shop owner looked at the scratch and said, “Oh wow, we should call the police.” The scratch was already rusting as it had existed for a while before the car was brought in for that oil change. Many mobile enhancement retailers also have video camera systems to monitor the work being done on client vehicles for precisely the same reason.

After the upgrade has been installed and tested, the technician will go through the check-out process to ensure that the vehicle was correctly reassembled. If a door panel had been removed, there’s a chance that the power lock, power window switch or door release rod might not have been reconnected perfectly. The check-out process ensures that everything is functioning perfectly.

Vehicle Care
INNovative Concepts in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, uses the 12v.Biz Toolbox system to check vehicles in and out.
Vehicle Care
The Studio by Vonder Automotive Tailoring Center in Richmond, British Columbia, also uses the 12v.Biz Toolbox to capture vehicle information.

Vehicle Exterior Protection

The paint on the door sills, fenders and trunk edges is at risk of damage whenever someone works on a vehicle. Reputable shops will take precautions to prevent zippers and belt buckles from damaging the fenders as the technicians lean over a hood or into a truck. Most shops use automotive-style fender covers but may use low-tack protective shipping tape. Door sills are at risk of scuffs from shoes and work boots. Here, shipping tape is another popular option, but low-tack masking tape is another go-to for shops.

Vehicle Care
Motorcycle paintwork protected with low-tack shipping tape by Audio by Art in San Antonio, Texas.
Vehicle Care
Audio by Art protected the headlights of this BMW during the bumper removal for a radar detector and laser defense system installation.
Vehicle Care
A classic hot rod protected from all types of damage at Audio by Art.
Vehicle Care
A few pieces of masking tape are enough to protect the rear bumper of this Mercedes while Mobile Edge in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, finishes an upgrade.

Interior Protection

Working in a vehicle often requires removing trim panels on or under the dash to install components or make electrical connections. Protecting the surrounding dash components helps prevent scuffs and scratches.

Vehicle Care
Mobile Edge uses seat and steering wheel covers on its client vehicles.
Vehicle Care
The team at KarTele Mobile Electronics in Waterbury, Connecticut, uses seat and floor covers when upgrading client vehicles.
Vehicle Care
Mobile Edge has a dedicated center console cover named The Sombrero.

Battery Charger

When your car or truck is being worked on, it’s common that the doors, hood and trunk are opened and closed repeatedly. This process can put a significant drain on the vehicle battery as the body control module (BCM) will keep the interior lights on. Many shops will connect a battery charger to the vehicle to ensure that it leaves with more charge than when it arrived.

Vehicle Care
Fender protection and battery charger connected to a Chevrolet Corvette at Mobile Edge.

Choose the Best Shop for Your Vehicle Upgrades

As we’ve repeatedly stated, getting the best value for your car audio or accessory upgrade requires proper installation. We hope this article will help you choose a mobile enhancement retailer in your area that will provide the services you want to make your vehicle more enjoyable.

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Filed Under: ARTICLES, Car Audio, Driver Safety, Lighting, Paint Protection, Remote Starter Tagged With: Professional Installation, Vehicle Check-In, Vehicle Check-Out, VIN

About Dave MacKinnon

Dave has worked in the mobile electronics industry since 1988 in almost every capacity, including roles as a Retail Salesperson, Installer, Sales Representative, Technical Trainer, and Product Development Manager for some of the largest car audio companies in the world. Dave started his writing career in 2000 as the Technical Editor of a Toronto-based car audio magazine and has reviewed more than 450 products. Formally trained as an Electronics Technician, Dave is considered an industry expert when it comes to explaining how mobile audio components work and has crafted thousands of articles to share that knowledge. He’s currently the Head Writer for 1sixty8 media and the Editor-in-Chief at BestCarAudio.com

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