When your car is in need of auto body repair, the last thing you want to do is spend a lot of time and money getting it fixed.
That’s why it’s essential to know about the different repair methods available to you. Making an informed decision on what type of repair you need and what goes into each repair saves you time and money.
There are 5 types of central autobody repairs:
- Auto Body Filler
- Paintless Dent Repair
- Auto Painting or Color Matching
- Sprayless Scratch Repair
- Auto Body Panel Replacement
Let’s dive into each one in more detail.
Auto Body Filler
Ideal For: Holes, dents, and deep scratches
A malleable substance, auto body filler can be used to address a variety of dents. The body filler is mixed with a hardening agent and applied to the damaged area. Once it dries, it can be sanded down to create an even surface.
AFter the filer has completed drying, a fresh layer of paint can be applied to match the rest of your car.
Paintless Dent Repair
Ideal For: Dings, minor dents, and hail damaged car
This type of repair is exactly what it sounds like – repairing dents without having to repaint your car. The paintless dent repair cost can fluctuate depending on the damage.
A technician will use special tools to massage the dent from the inside of the panel, pushing it back into place. This lets you skip the time and costs of a paint job.
Auto Painting or Color Matching
Ideal For: Entirely or select section repainting of your car after an accident
For auto painting, you have two options: a full repaint or color matching.
A full repaint is ideal if you want to change the color of your car or if the current paint job is in poor condition. The issue with this is it can get expensive, as the entire car needs to be sanded and repainted.
With color matching technology, the service tech will be able to return your vehicle to its pre-collision appearance without having to repaint the entire vehicle.
Sprayless Scratch Repair
Ideal For: Clear coat scratches and scuffs
Sprayless scratch repair is a technology that allows auto body shops to quickly and affordably fix coat scratches. This type of damage is usually caused by things like car washes, door dings, and minor accidents.
The repair process is simple – a technician will apply a unique solution to the damaged area and then buff it out. The solution fills in the scratch and hardens, leaving you with a clear coat that looks good as new.
Auto Body Panel Replacement
Ideal For: Major damage that can’t be repaired with auto body filler or paintless dent repair
In some cases, when damage to your car is too severe, it makes greater financial sense to replace the entire part instead of fixing the damaged area.
The most common parts that are usually replaced include:
- Bumpers
- Doors
Now that you have a better sense of the types of auto body repair available, you can make an informed decision on what’s best for your car.
