collision repair how to

The Collision Repair Process Step By Step

1. Move the Vehicle to a Safe Place. If possible, move your vehicle out of the flow of traffic for the safety of both yourself and others.
2. Go to a Collision Repair Center. Once the initial chaos of the accident is over, your vehicle needs to go to a collision repair center for damage assessment.
3. File an Auto Insurance Claim. ...
4. Get an Estimate for Repairs. ...

More items...

Full Answer

How can one learn collision repair?

• Important Facts About This Field of Study
• Basics of Auto Body Repair. Basic classes in distance learning auto body repair programs introduce you to the steps you'll take as a repair technician.
• Auto Body Repair Tools. ...
• Performing Auto Body Repair. ...
• Non-Mechanical Auto Body Repair Skills. ...

How much does collision repair pay?

How much does COLLISION REPAIR in the United States pay? Average COLLISION REPAIR hourly pay ranges from approximately $12.00 per hour for Owner Operator Driver to $16.45 per hour for Body Shop Estimator.

What happens during collision repair?

During an auto collision of even low speeds, your spine is forced into a very non-physiologic or non-normal movement in a matter of milliseconds. Let us run through a very brief and simplistic description of what actually happens to your spinal joints of the neck and back when injured in an auto collision.

Who pays to fix your car after an accident?

YOU’RE NOT AT-FAULT, HOW DO YOU PAY FOR THE RENTAL CAR?

1. Other insurance company pays In an ideal world, the at-fault drivers’ insurance company pays upfront. ...
2. Rental insurance Does your insurance policy include rental coverage? If it does, you can use your insurance to pay for the rental vehicle right now. ...
3. Pay out-of-pocket

How can I do auto body work myself?

2:3911:45DIY Auto Body and Paint Secrets Step-by-Step! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUsually take two to four coats. You know depending on how much bodywork there is smaller. Areas youMoreUsually take two to four coats. You know depending on how much bodywork there is smaller. Areas you know usually get it with one coat two coats. Here we are rasping it down again. Now.

How do I estimate collision repairs?

0:497:54How To Write Repair Estimates - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you need to look the vehicle. Over you need to know what the job is and the vehicle that you'reMoreSo you need to look the vehicle. Over you need to know what the job is and the vehicle that you're working on. Having some experience is super helpful when you go to write estimates.

How do you do bodywork on a car?

0:0030:42How To Bodywork A Car & Spray Primer-Surfacer on ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOn this episode of hands-on cars kevin's buddies show up to help do the bodywork on the camaro. ThenMoreOn this episode of hands-on cars kevin's buddies show up to help do the bodywork on the camaro. Then he sprays it in eastwood high-build primer surfacer.

How do you repair minor body damage?

0:096:24ISOPON Body Repair for Minor Dents & Damage (UP5000, UP5007)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd fine grade sandpaper a convenient resealable bag of solvent wipes a tack rag peel away mixingMoreAnd fine grade sandpaper a convenient resealable bag of solvent wipes a tack rag peel away mixing sheets with predetermined ratios for your hardener hardener for the filler.

When talking about the 3 C's the correction is?

Most of you are probably familiar with the 3 Cs on your repair orders—Condition-Cause-Correction—which are necessary to complete a repair order correctly.

Can a body shop charge more than the estimate?

This commonly asked question has a simple answer: “no.” A body shop should not charge you in order to provide an approximation on the cost of repairing your car's damages.

How do professionals spray paint a car?

5:1413:09How To Paint A Car | BEST METHOD | ONLY SPRAY CANS - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd also when you paint be sure to never stop while you're spraying you want to be moving. So moveMoreAnd also when you paint be sure to never stop while you're spraying you want to be moving. So move spray never just hold it in one spot like this you're gonna get a lot of glumps.

Can you fix the body of a car?

Luckily, auto body damage can be repaired. In some cases, with the latest technology, these repairs may only take minutes.

What help the driver to fix minor damage on the vehicle?

Tips To Repair Minor DamagesRepairing Dents With Suction Cups. Suction cups are a very popular DIY repair tool. ... Repairing Dents With A Hairdryer. ... Covering Scratches With Fillers or Touch-up Paints. ... Removing Cracks With Windshield Repair Kit. ... Repairing Broken Lights With A Sealant.

What is the most important first step when preparing to do a plastic repair?

The first step after identifying the plastic type is to thoroughly clean the entire part, specifically both sides of the repair area. This should be done with hot, soapy water (or a water-based cleaner) and then dried (photo 3). This will remove water-soluble contaminants.

How do you get an estimate?

The general rule for estimating is to look at the digit to the right of the digit you want to estimate. Estimating or rounding to the nearest whole number means looking at the digit to the right of the decimal. If you see a digit greater than 5, round up, and if it's less than 5, round down.

What is a body shop estimator?

Body shop estimators inspect vehicles that need body work, typically as a result of an accident, incident, or owner's desire to change the look of their vehicles. They then calculate the costs for any needed repairs and other improvements.

How much does it cost to fix a dent and scratch on a car door?

In any case, when a car door dent occurs, your first thought will likely be, “How much is this going to cost to fix?” Small, simple dents can be fixed for around $150. If your car window and/or door lock was broken in the process, the entire door may need to be replaced, which can cost $1,500 or more.

How do you estimate in math?

To get an estimate of the sum, round off all the numbers to the same place value, then add them. To estimate the difference, round off all the numbers to the same place value, then subtract them accordingly.

How to do a collision repair?

1. Estimate. The process of collision repair starts with an inspection of your vehicle. It will be done by an estimator at the body shop where the repair will take place. After the paperwork is finished and the result of the inspection is produced, photos of the car will be taken. All the necessary information will then be forwarded to ...

What is the final step in the collision repair process?

This is the final step in the collision repair process. Once the client arrives at the shop to pick up their car, the final paperwork is released and the bill is explained. The customer then drives home in the car that has been returned to its pre-accident state .

What is paint preparation?

Paint preparation is a crucial step in the refinishing process of all types of vehicles. The body shop will prepare all panels for painting before priming and sealing. This creates better adhesion when the top color and additional clear coating are applied to your car.

What is the purpose of collision repair?

During the collision repair process, an electronic measuring system analyzes the car to restore it according to the factory specifications. This is an important step as it ensures the car frame remains structurally sound. If needed, wheel alignment and other suspension repairs will be done. All mechanical repairs should be completed along with the structural repairs.

Is collision repair confusing?

If you haven’t experienced a vehicular accident before, the entire process of collision repair can be quite confusing— and overwhelming. Although a lot of customers don’t care for the technicalities and just want to see the final result, having a clear understanding of the typical collision repair process is important.

Can insurance companies tear down a car?

The request is done to make sure all damages are accurately documented and find out if the vehicle should still be repaired. Once the customer and insurance company have provided authorization for the repair, the auto body shop can now order the necessary parts.

Why can't you repair magnesium in a car?

“If there’s magnesium in a vehicle, you can’t repair it, because it changes the strength as you pound it or heat it ,” Fisher says. Repairers often use heat crayons to draw a line on the metal.

Can you fix metal with heat?

Some components are bonded or riveted, and repairers must follow the manufacturer’s specifications for the type of adhesive and how the rivets are put in. Heat is often used to repair metal, but it must be used cautiously. If metal gets too hot, it can change the molecular structure, which in turn can make it brittle.

Can composite panels be repaired?

A few composite materials can be repaired, but just as with metal, it can’t be made stronger than it’s supposed to be. Safety technologies can also pose headaches for body shops. Some warning systems use sensors in the bumpers or body sides, and these must be precisely aligned after a panel is repaired.

Is a pickup truck a unibody?

Almost all cars and SUVs are unibody, a blend of body and chassis, while heavier-duty vehicles like pickup trucks have a separate body and frame. Everything needs to be brought back in line with the manufacturer’s original measurements and specifications.

How long does it take to file a claim after an accident?

After the accident, it’s very important that you call your insurance company as soon as possible. Often times they will want a claimed filed within 24 hours. Depending on the situation, some adjusters may come to the accident scene to evaluate the damage.

Should you talk about who is at fault for an accident?

It is crucial that you do not talk about who is at fault for the accident. Never admit anything or make sweeping statements about the collision. Allow the insurance company to analyze the accident and determine fault.

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How to repair a collision?

Here’s how Olson breaks down the collision repair process: 1 Conduct a pre-repair health-check scan. 2 Pull the repair procedures at the time of the estimate. 3 Pull the structural repair procedures. 4 Follow the repair procedures. 5 Perform proper welds. 6 Ensure proper corrosion protection. 7 Perform quality-control checks. 8 Perform a proper refinish. 9 Follow your standard operating procedures (SOPs) for vehicle intake. 10 Ensure that the vehicle is protected.

How many steps are involved in collision repair?

Mark Olson, CEO of Vehicle Collision Experts and a veteran of the collision repair industry, described a 10- step process for a proper auto body repair, kicking off a Feb.

Who is Josh Cable?

Josh Cable has 17 years of experience as a writer and editor for newspapers, B2B publications and marketing organizations. His areas of expertise include U.S. manufacturing, lean/Six Sigma and workplace safety and health.

How many pizzas can you make in an hour?

While other pizza shops can pump out 10 pizzas per day, your staff can manage 20. Now, say you want to make twice as much money—that requires 40 pizzas per hour.

What happens when you run a lean operation?

If you’re truly running a lean operation, then you’re cutting down on unnecessary materials, you’re only ordering the parts you need, and you’re not wasting a single minute of your employees’ time—in effect, you’re improving gross profit margins on materials, parts and labor sales, respectively.

When did Tony Garris join Fred Beans?

Tony Garris joined the collision repair industry in 1979 —but his career did not start in collision repair. Garris began in the parts department of dealerships, and he stuck with it until Fred Beans, of Fred Beans Family of Dealerships, talked him into a new role: managing the company’s flagship 45,000-square-foot collision repair center.

How does waste affect touch time?

Waste creates delays, which lead to idleness, which leads to lower touch times. Eliminating waste improves touch time, which in turn improves productivity, efficiency, cycle time—the list goes on. Here’s how varying levels of touch time play affect three essential KPIs that signify optimal throughput.

What is WIP in body shop?

Following Little’s Law, which Dave Luehr, founder of Elite Body Shop Solutions, says he learned from Rich Altieri, owner and consultant at Autobody Management Solutions, work in progress (WIP) is calculated by how many vehicles delivered each month divided by working days. The end result is how many vehicles the shop should be producing each day.

How many hours does a mechanic touch a car?

Touch time quite literally measures the amount of time a technician touches a vehicle per day. So, if a car takes five days to go through your shop and it received 20 hours of billed work, then your shop spent 4 hours a day touching that job.

What to do if your shop is DRP heavy?

If your shop is DRP heavy, you have to base your system around program needs, Dave Luehr, founder of Elite Body Shop Solutions, says. Basically: adjust and adapt. For shops with insurance companies on site, if you have a situation in which you don’t know when a job will come in, then block off times in advance for that to happen. If the insurance companies end up not bringing in a car, then schedule someone else to come in.