Who Is Irwin Collision?
Irwin Collision is a family run business on Saltspring Island BC Canada that was started by Don Irwin in 1974. His son, Kurt took over the business when Don retired.
The shop employees 4-5 local people and you will often find younger members of the Irwin family helping out around the shop.
You will also find the shop mascot Simon keeping an eye on the place (and ever on the look out for a doggy biscuit).
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What Services Does Irwin Collision Offer?
Irwin Collision is Saltspring's Only Full Service Auto Body Shop. Services offered include:
- ICBC Claims - Saltsprings only ICBC accredited shop and a C.A.R Shop Valet repair facility which requires the highest standards of workmanship, facilites, and customer service are met - More on ICBC C.A.R Valet Service It also means you can get an estimate and file most claims at the shop instead of having to go off island to an ICBC office
- Private Insurance Claims - We have worked with most major private carriers
- Private Repairs - for items not covered by insurance or from wear and tear
- Restorations - all stages of restoration services including panel replacement, painting, and other services
- Custom Paint - Onsite colour matching and mixing including custom Sherwin Williams paint
- Installation of Vehicle Body Accessory - from stripes to fog lights
- Computerized Wheel Alignment Equipment - Proper wheel alignment is essential to today's vehicles. Our system includes computer look up of specifications from a frequently updated database to ensure accuracy
- Frame Alignment Equipment - Our frame bench ensures that damage is repaired to the manufacturer's specifications rather than just getting it to look straight.
- Saltspring's Only Down Draft Paint Booth – This ensures the finish on your vehicle is free of dust and overspray - painting with out one is a hit or miss job
- Loaner Car For Qualified ICBC/Other Insurance Repairs - As part of the ICBC Valet service we have vehicles available (some conditions apply) to keep you mobile while your car is being repaired. We also will drop you off and pick you up if that works for you
- Auto Glass Repairs - We are able to do most auto glass repairs including leak repairs
- Rust Check - We are a certified Rust Check installer - to keep your vehicle rust free for years
- Air Conditioning Repairs - Most vehicles come with air conditioning - it is essential that these systems be maintained and if you have a leak, repaired. We have the right equipment to do the job including refrigerant recovery to ensure that we are looking after the environment as well as your car
- Marine and Specialty Painting - We have successfully painted several aluminum boats as well as other items - Ask us - if we are in a position to do a proper job we will - if not we will try to help you find someone that can
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When Are You Open?
We are open from 8:00 to 5:00 Monday to Friday except for Statutory Holidays
We also try to keep a good Work/Family balance so we may sometimes close to provide our staff that opportunity
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Why Would I Want To Bring My Vehicle To You?
We offer you several advantages and added value:
- Local business – we have been in business for over 2 decades and take pride in being part of the Saltspring Community as well as employing local people
- We are small enough to care – big enough to do job right – most body work requires the right tools to do properly
- modern cars use all of the vehicle to provide strength
- if the work is not done properly the safety of the vehicle is compromised. We pride ourselves in having built up our business so that we can provide our customers the best service possible.
- We are the only ICBC C.A.R. Valet certified facility on Saltspring – This enables you to file a claim and get an estimate on island which is far more convienent - especially if your vehicle has been damaged and you would rather not drive it.
- Hidden Damage – Our estimates are done by certified Auto Body Technicians - this is important as their training ensures that all damage is repaired properly and safety of your vehicle is maintained
- New Cars Need New Technique – we are constantly upgrading our equipment and technology (Our shop even has internet access to interface with our supplier's databases) - this ensures that the proper methods
are used to repair your vehicle. Today's vehicles are very high tech - from the use of plastics, stressed body and glass panels, air bags and other active harm reduction systems. Our technicians are trained in these new systems.
"Beat it Out and Bondo" shops may be cheaper - but do you really want the adage "You get what you pay for" to apply to you or your family's safety?
- Big and Small - Trucks to smart cars – Our shop is capable of handling full sized trucks down to smart cars - plus our finishing work is performed indoors under controlled conditions - this is essential to
ensure that the products used to repair your vehicle are within the specifications they were designed to be used in.
- You can always talk to the boss - and if She isn't there you can talk to Kurt
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Where Are You Located?
We are at 15 Desmond Crescent
Salt Spring Island BC, V8K 2S1 Tel/Fax: 250-537-2513. You can email us at irwincollision@irwincollision.ca
From Ganges - Fulford Road Turn onto Park Drive (Village Market side) Desmond is the first Left - Our driveway is to the left, up the hill.
From Downtown Ganges - Turn onto Park Drive (By the Church) - Desmond is the first right (down the hill) - Our driveway is to the right - hang wide on the turn as it slopes back from the road.
Here is a link to Google Maps (we are a bit further down the road on the north side - where Desmond curves - watch for the sign)
View Larger Map
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Are You Guys Involved In The Community?
Irwin Collision is very much a community oriented business. One side of the family has been on Saltspring since the 1850's.
We practice this through:
- Community Events and sponsorship – such as the SSI Toy Run in past years
- Apprenticeship programs - providing career paths for young people
- Active in the volunteer Fire department for 2 generations
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What About The Environment?
Nature of repairs means some products used are chemical based - this can't be avoided but we try to minimize any impacts:
- Use of water based products to reduce VOC emissions
- As new greener products are released we adopt them for use
- Our down draft spray booth contains vapour and dilutes them before release into the environment, this promotes rapid biodegrading
- Solvent containment by use of means such as a cup washer instead of washout of equipment in the open air
- Metal and other products are recycled
- Our wheel aligment equipment helps you save fuel and tires and reduces use
- Our air conditioning equipment traps all refrigerant for recycling, in addition we are able to provide conversions to the newer CFC free refrigerants that are better for the environment
- Our shop is designed to keep noise and dust contained
We are avid outdoors people so the environment is important to us at a personal level!
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