California Color
A masked vehicle in the down-draft paint booth at California Color Body & Paint in Chico.

Chico, California

CaliforniaColor

Body & Paint.“Your Collision Repair Center”

I-CAR & ASE Certified Car-O-Liner Frame System Limited Lifetime Warranty

After the accident

We do the
part you
dread.

You call your insurance company, you write down a claim number, and you bring it to us. We do the rest. Parts are generally ordered at the time we write the estimate, so your vehicle is scheduled for drop-off a couple of days later and spends less time sitting in our shop and more time in your driveway.

If your car isn’t safe to drive, we help you arrange a rental right away. We offer courtesy pick-up and drop-off anywhere in the local Chico area, and we work with all insurance companies.

Estimates are complimentary. Every vehicle is washed, vacuumed and wiped down inside before it goes back to you — along with a free car wash certificate for California Carwash, conveniently located right across the street.

I-CAR
& ASE
Every repair technician and painter is certified, with ongoing training to stay current.
Car-O-LinerComputer-based frame system capable of multiple pulls, plus a Chief measuring system.
Spies HeckerWaterborne paint, a division of DuPont — the finest system available, matched to your factory finish.
LifetimeWe guarantee our workmanship for as long as you own your vehicle.
Panorama of the California Color repair floor in Chico, with several vehicles under repair.
The floor at 3106 Esplanade
A vehicle on the Car-O-Liner Vision frame rack at California Color.

Structure

A bent frame
is not a
total loss.

A car is a total loss only when the cost of repairs exceeds what your insurance company says the vehicle is worth. Most cars today are unibody — frame and body built as one piece.

Our technicians, with a state-of-the-art computer measuring system, return the vehicle to its original factory specifications. If a frame section is bent beyond repair, that section is simply replaced.

The paint mixing room at California Color, shelves of tinted paint and mixing equipment.

Colour

You can judge
a car by
its cover.

Today’s factory finishes are several layers of highly specialised paint. We made a major investment in the finest paint system available — Spies Hecker waterborne, a division of DuPont — and we keep upgrading its technology and equipment so every vehicle’s paint matches.

Matching the factory finish is the last step in the restoration, and we take particular pride in it.

A vehicle raised on the frame bench inside the California Color shop.
On the bench

Insurance

A direct repair
facility for

Mercury Geico Nationwide Permanent General

Which means they guarantee our work as well as we do. We work with all insurance companies, and claims processing is handled here, hassle-free.

The front office and waiting area at California Color Body & Paint, Chico.
The front office — Monday to Friday, 7:30 to 5

Questions people actually ask

Before you
drop it off

Where do I get a claim number?

Claim numbers are issued by your insurance company at the time you report your accident. Just jot it down and bring it in with you when you come in to begin the repair process — we will do the rest.

Will the parts be ordered before I drop off my car?

Absolutely. We generally order your vehicle’s parts at the time that we write the estimate and schedule your vehicle for drop-off a couple of days later — unless your vehicle is found unsafe to drive, in which case we would help you arrange for a rental vehicle as soon as possible. This enables us to provide quicker turnaround time.

Can you match my car’s paint colour?

Today’s modern factory finishes incorporate multiple layers of highly specialized paints. We have made a major investment in the finest paint system available and constantly upgrade its technology and equipment to ensure that each vehicle’s paint matches. We take special pride in our ability to match factory finishes as the final step in the restoration process.

Can I get other work done while it’s in the shop?

Yes. Just let your advisor know what other work you would like done so that he or she can make the necessary arrangements.

Can I get a ride home when I drop off my car?

Yes, we would be happy to provide this service to you. We provide a pick-up and delivery service, and we want each customer’s visit to be a positive experience.

How will I know when my car is done?

You will be notified when your vehicle is ready to be picked up. Feel free to call or e-mail your advisor at any point during the repair if you have questions or concerns.

Is there a warranty on the repairs?

Yes. We guarantee all repairs with a Limited Lifetime Warranty, and we stand behind our workmanship for as long as you own your vehicle.

Do I have to pay a deductible, and to whom?

The amount of deductible you are responsible for is determined by your insurance policy. If you carry broad collision and you were not at fault, your insurance company will most likely waive it. If it is not waived, it is paid to us when you pick up your vehicle. If you aren’t sure, your agent can tell you.

What forms of payment do you accept?

The easiest and most convenient way is to endorse your insurance claim check and submit it to the shop. Of course, cash and checks are always welcome, and credit cards may be used.

What are betterment charges?

Parts that wear out with time and use — tires, batteries, suspension parts — are commonly subject to betterment charges when they are replaced during a repair. These charges are determined by your insurance company and pro-rated based on the actual miles on your vehicle.

How should I look after a fresh finish?

First 30 days: wash by hand in the shade, with cool water, a very mild car wash solution and a soft cloth or sponge; always use clean fresh water. Don’t use a commercial car wash — stiff brushes can mar the finish. Don’t dry-wipe, don’t drive on gravel roads, and avoid parking under trees or utility lines: bird droppings are highly acidic and tree sap will spot a fresh surface. Keep gasoline, oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid and windshield solvent off it, and don’t scrape ice or snow from a newly painted panel. First 90 days: don’t wax or polish — let the finish dry and harden completely.

The California Color Body & Paint team outside the shop at 3106 Esplanade, Chico.
The shop, on the Esplanade

Come by

3106
Esplanade

California Color Body & Paint
3106 Esplanade, Chico, CA 95973
(530) 895-3004  ·  Fax (530) 895-0880
CaliforniaColorBody@gmail.com

Office hours
Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Estimates
Complimentary, with hassle-free claims processing
Pick-up & drop-off
Courtesy service anywhere in the local Chico area
After the repair
Washed, vacuumed and wiped down — plus a free car wash certificate