Bill and Sandy Wise, owners of the newly opened North State Auto Body, are ready to take over this Mazda to repair front- and rear-end damage and return it to gleaming perfection. Photo by: Courtesy to the Ledger Dispatch

Some 40 years in auto body shops was the genesis for Bill Wise to open his own complete collision repair facility at 270 Scottsville Blvd. in south Jackson.

Wise is proud of the fact that the total expertise he and his staff offer is equivalent to about 80 years. The business handles all makes and models of cars and trucks that have sustained auto body damage.

Wise worked a number of years in the auto body industry in Vallejo, Benicia and Fairfield and was manager at Steve Stymeist for a decade. During his four decades, he opened his own business in Oroville, then closed it.

But finally, he said, "I decided I wanted my own business because it's kind of nice to have my own after working and helping people build their own."

He, his wife Sandy and son Billy, the painter at North State, and technician Geoff Stainton are on the way to building their own business. "I really like Jackson, and this seemed to be a good place to set this up," Bill said. "Most of our work is sent to us. We deal with most insurance companies. When you need us, you'll find us."

You will find them in a new, 5,000-square-foot tilt-up structure that accommodates the spray booth operated by Billy. He uses Pittsburg Paint Group paint supplied from Jerry's Paint in Jackson. "It's basically an international paint especially made for auto refinishing," Bill explained. "We have a down-draft heated spray booth, that heats the car at 140 degrees from start to finish. It cures the paint as hard as it will be for as long as you own the vehicle."

While the couple currently live in and commute from Cool, Wise said, "We like this area so much, we will eventually relocate." When they do they will still be able to visit daughter Holly Pace, CSAA manager at the Auburn-Grass Valley office, and Brandi Clinton, wife and mom in Elk Grove.

North State Auto Body is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 9 to noon. Check out the experts at 257-1000.