BODY SHOP IN NEW BUILDING

James Glass and Auto Body, 2321 Bloomfield Road, has relocated into a new 60 x 195-foot structure built on the property. The metal fabricated building has nine bays and an office/reception area.

One of the main features in the building is the paint booth. "It's the only one in the area like it," Joe James said. "The booth has a gas-fired, one million BTU furnace that dries with the bake and cure method." The unique downdraft furnace creates a 140-degree atmosphere that cures auto painting in 15 minutes, rather than overnight.

The paint booth is a pre-manufactured unit that meets all city and national codes.

James is using a new computerized color matching system that can determine paint formulations to match exactly any given color.

In addition to the body shop, the $300,000 building houses the auto glass and flat glass services.

The business started in 1965 as only auto glass service. James added the auto body service in 1982. It utilizes unibody frame repair equipment.

Twelve employees are housed in the new building, which was erected by Mac Con Construction of Gordonville.

The former building was razed to make way for the Cape La Croix Creek/Walker Branch flood control project. It will replace the Bloom field Road bridge over the creek and clean the channel.