Autobody Repair and Body Shop Work 101

Now lets talk about autobody repairs and the body shop. There are some excellent shops that do outstanding quality work. And just like every other business there are shops that you should run from as fast as you can and never look back!

When a vehicle goes in for autobody repairs whether a ding, chip, nick, or a scratch the entire panel or section will be refinished. The area must be sanded, primed, color coated, and then topped with the clear coat. It's a labor intense process.

But why? It's just a scratch! Because the scratch or chip removed paint leaving a valley in the paint surface. Now here's the process, and you need to think in reverse for a moment. In order to remove the scratch ... remember it's the low spot ... the paint on the entire panel must be sanded away or lowered to smooth out the valley. In other words, the only way to bring the valley up is to take the mountain down.

Sanding the mountain down ... that's where the labor is going to get you. Autobody repairs are expensive. But don't despair yet... there are alternative procedures that will can repair your paint chip or scratch.

You could purchase factory-packaged touch-up paint and attempt to cover the damage with a small brush. I never had good results. Some how I always end up with a blob of paint! So which is worse a blob of paint or a chip? And worse yet is a long blob of paint over a scratch!

The second option is to find a franchised business in your area that will airbrush the repair. They simply spray on enough paint to fill the void in the damaged paint so there is no need to sand the entire panel. The airbrush method is often referred to as a "micro body shop on wheels." This will cost you in the neighborhood of $75 and $125 depending on the damaged area.

Now here is the method I like the best... and for two reason. 1. It's inexpensive, and secondly, 2. I can do it myself. This method WORKS without affecting your vehicles original paint! And you can touch up the clear coat as well. Today this is the hottest product for paint chip repair and paint scratch repair.

Just one more page and you are there! Click here Autobody Repair to learn more about paint chip repairs.