Car Insurance

Repair/Replacement
Modern vehicles are being constructed with lighter and more flexible materials. On one hand lighter construction has made some aspects of the repair process easier because of the quick replacement process. On the other hand, because of the lighter materials, vehicles are more susceptible to damage on impact at lower speeds.

A distinction should be made between the term “repair” and “replace”. These two terms involve separate processes. If a body component has been completely mangled, it will simply be “replaced”. This is the easiest type of body work since the process involved is simply purchasing the part, installation, and painting. “Repair” work may involve pounding out a dent if it is simple, or it may involve straightening the frame which is the most extensive and complex type of body work.

With the advent of unibody construction, the repair process has been made even more complex. In the older domestic vehicles, components were bolted to a frame which acted as the support for vehicle road shock. In unibody construction, the components act as the frame. If a unibody vehicle has been damaged, simply replacing the component may not be enough to restore the vehicle. Other components must be checked to determine if they have been shifted from the original positions, Failure to do a proper alignment is often the cause of a vehicle “not feeling the same” after a collision.

Another change is the safety concept of “energy absorption.” Essentially, this allows the body to absorb a higher percentage of the impact from a high speed collision. This also means that the body collapses more easily. Again, this makes the vehicle more susceptible to damage at lower speed impact as well.

In the sections to follow, the term “repair” refers to either the repair or replacement process unless another specific distinction is made.

Paint Process
Once the vehicle has been repaired it will be painted to match the original color as nearly as possible. If the vehicle has the factory original paint, the “formula” for that color may be available by the manufacturer. Paint mixing systems vary with each body shop. Some maintain the formulas on microfiche while 1-3 others keep them in a computer database. Smaller body shops may depend on the paint stores to mix the needed paint. Before the paint is applied, the repaired part is sanded and sealed to remove scratches and prepare the surface. After it is painted, a clear coat is applied to give the paint a shiny or metallic look.

Other Processes
A collision may not only damage the body exterior but also the mechanical functions inside. Some body shops will perform minor mechanical work, such as radiator replacement or easy electrical work. Major mechanical work is usually sublet out to an auto repair shop.

Other processes include tire and glass replacement, upholstery repair, and cleaning of the vehicle which involves washing and waxing the exterior and cleaning and scenting the interior.