Certification
Honda & Acura has been long known for their quality and durable automobiles. It only makes sense when they created a certification program, they wanted to ensure shops could properly restore both after a collision. Charlie’s Auto Body is one of only two shops in Whatcom county to be considered a “ProFirst” collision facility for Honda & Acura.
Honda had our facility screened in person to insure we have what it takes to properly repair your Honda or Acura. From equipment to training, all aspects of our facility were inspected.
To be able to participate in the Profirst program, Charlie’s made the investments in new top of the line equipment to qualify. This helps ensures your Honda or Acura is repaired safely, to manufacture specifications.
One example of equipment that helped set us apart is our i5 Spot Welder. This welder performs spot welds across a huge mix of metal types and thickness. It also allows us to keep a computerized record of welds performed on your vehicle requiring panel replacement. In areas where our ProSpot cannot access, Honda also required a Pulse Mig welder that can utilize Honda specified high strength welding wire. This helps our technicians perform stronger quality welds over a traditional non-pulse welder.
All the equipment in the world does not ensure a quality repair unless paired with proper training. The ProFirst program also requires technicians to complete specialized classes for Honda and Acura vehicles as well as hands on non-structural, structural welding, and silicon brazing training. Just the welding and brazing classes exceed over 16 hours of in person training to complete. With the right tools, you need the right training.
Why the additional training on modern welding techniques? Plain & simple vehicle are not built as they where 10 or even 5 years ago. The use of mix strength metals has changed the way you can approach a repair and a repair facility without knowledge or understanding of these new practices can cause much more harm than good when repairing after a collision.
The list of requirements goes on and on from minimum lighting requirements inside our facility to protection of your vehicle during repairs. For more details on why we are best prepared to repair your Honda or Acura please contact us. We offer consolations by both walk-in and scheduled appointment. We offer limited wait time to start repairs and have one of the best turnaround times in the area to help get your vehicle back on the road sooner.