Tape & Trash Bag Auto Repair? Enter the Auto Body Hall of Shame

March 23, 2010 - PRLog -- It ought to be against the law. In Ohio, it’s not. “It” is duct tape-type body work – a temporary fix that, for many, becomes a permanent one. Not only is it ugly, it could be unsafe. Just because a car is drivable, doesn’t mean it’s safe to drive.

From mending busted hoses to re-attaching bumpers or makeshift doors and panels, duct tape's powerful adhesive powers are "proven" (the Myth Busters raised an entire car with it) - but are they safe?

Consistently included in car safety kit lists, duct tape acts as a heavy duty band-aid - a temporary fix - to hold car parts in place until 1) the car can be brought to a proper auto body repair shop, or 2) enough money is saved for repairs. But, lookout - more inventive duct tape repairs make it appear that these may not be temporary fixes after all.

What does that mean for road safety when these fixes are applied to mirrors, lights and windows. Obstructed sight lines and impaired safety signals imperil the car's driver, passengers and, possibly, other motorists.

What can you do? Be aware. Create a little more distance between you and a vehicle with taped-on, wired-together windows, tail lights, mirrors or injured car parts that impede maneuverability. If yours is such a vehicle, drive with more caution and less speed.

To call attention to the possible hazards posed by long-term temporary repairs, a Richfield, Ohio auto body shop is encouraging drivers to watch for vehicles with “home made” body work – then take a picture, to enter into the first annual Village Auto Body Hall of Shame Contest. It’s a lighthearted way to look at cosmetic fixes, and distinguish potentially serious safety problems alongside you on the road.

Serving northeast Ohio since 1957, Village Auto Body takes its work seriously - but not itself. "You bend 'em, we mend 'em," comments owner, Rick Hudak. Active in his community, Hudak is also proactive in researching state-of-the-art technologies to restore vehicles to like-new condition.

It's the damage that doesn't show that poses the greatest danger. That's why Village Auto Body wants to encourage motorists to learn the true extent of damage caused by a fender bender, and to have the car looked at by a reputable collision repair shop.

The Village Auto Body Hall of Shame is a fun way for people to train themselves to look out for cars that may not be so safe to ride beside. There are some pretty unusual home made repairs, so why not share the sightings.

Photos will be posted on the Village Auto Body website home page, and winners will be determined by popular vote. Submissions will be judged in three categories:

1.   Most Inventive – interesting use of materials and their applications
2.   Best Looking – fixes that actually look good
3.   Most Shocking – unsightly, unsafe and unrecognizable as automobiles

Winners will be posted July 15, 2010. Find contest rules, voting and other information at http://www.villageautobody.org or email melinda@precisionmarketservices.com.

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