Question 1

How are car body repairs done?

Accepted Answer

Garages and bodyshops use a variety of techniques to repair your car's bodywork. Rusty areas can be either ground out, or cut out and replaced with fresh metal. Dents can be sucked or pulled out. Imperfections can be smoothed and polished to a perfect finish by using a little filler. Finally paint is perfectly blended to ensure a flawless finish.

Question 2

How are dents repaired?

Accepted Answer

A body shop will use a number of techniques to remove dents including: 'sucking' the dent out, using a 'reverse hammer' to knock the dent from within, and using filler to fill and smooth a dent for a flawless finish.

Question 3

What are SMART Repairs?

Accepted Answer

SMART repairs (Small Medium Area Repair Technology) describe a range of techniques for removing dents, scratches, bumper and wheel flaws, in a localised area. They don't require full panel resprays and can be performed by mobile mechanics.

Question 4

What is 'paintless dent repair'?

Accepted Answer

Paintless Dent Removal (PDR) covers a wide range of dent removal techniques that don't involve filler or paint, including 'pulling out' dents with suction or glue, or using metal rods to push the dent out from the reverse of the dented panel.

Question 5

How do bodyshops match car paint colours?

Accepted Answer

Over time, a car's paint (or clear coating) will fade or become oxidised, so an 'off the shelf' manufacturer's colour won't match exactly. Body Shops will therefore closely examine the condition of your paint in multiple light conditions and order a closely matching 'known variant' of the original colour. Finally, when applying the paint, they will 'blend' it to draw the eye away from any slight difference in colour.

Question 6

How much does bodywork repair cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost of Body Repair will vary hugely depending on the work required. Localised dents can be removed for well under £100, whereas any respraying work will cost at least double that. Quotes for accident repairs or chassis realignment will be much higher, but may be covered by your insurance company.