r/AutoBodyRepair Apr 02 '21

FAQ - Start Here ( WORK IN PROGRESS)

30 Upvotes

Welcome to r/AutoBodyRepair!

You either came to us for help, or you just started a new job! (Probably idk your story). If you're looking for help on these you came to the right place!

Still a work in progress, we're only really doing this on the side so if you have any unanswered questions leave a comment and I will put in some more work to help answer the question!

Vehicle Damage

  • Scratches ( This is easy)

Ooh, that's a bad scratch, well the first thing you need to check is if it's through the clear coat. Run your nail against it and see if it catches, if it doesn't this'll be easy. If it does get out the buffing wheel.

  • Light Scratch (Photos and maybe a link here)
    • Get yourself a microfiber and some basic compound, apply to paint, and rub until the scratch clears up.
  • Deep Scratch (Photos and a link for sure)

  • Dents ( Ooh it's time to work)

The first question is where is the dent? Middle of the door? No problem. Right on a body line? Good luck. The second question is how large is it? Did it crack the paint?

  • I got this I can do it myself
    • (Links and basic info)
  • Okay it's on a bad spot maybe I should call a professional
    • (Types of pros and super rough pricing)

  • Fender Bender ( Maybe a bit much)

  • Accident ( Talk to a professional)

This is the part where you call your local body shop for a quote, or maybe more like a few body shops.

Industry

  • Detailing ( Welcome to the world of "I can only see scratches now")
  • Painting ( It's hot in here)
  • Body Work ( How is it still not smooth?)
    • Basic Steps to vehicle repair (Still have to make this pretty)
      • Inspection- what you can see Tear down- keep going until you no longer see damage Blueprint- parts to order, damage to repair, does it have to be measured, prescan with a computer Framework- measuring pulling measuring cutting fitting measuring welding measuring again Bodywork- dressing welds, body filler application, seam sealer, primer Paint work- prep sand, clean, tape, paint Reassemble- hope you tagged your bolts, post scan Detail- make it shiney

r/AutoBodyRepair Mar 07 '24

Read before posting.

18 Upvotes

Please read our rules to avoid post removal. We can't tell you how much a job will cost. We can't tell you if it's totalled. We can tell you what we see is broken and only speculate possible hidden damage. We can help going through written estimates We can give general insight for the overall process if you are unsure of how to proceed with finding and communicating with a collision repair shop.

Please always include year make and model with your post.

If you are attempting or inquiring about a diy repair, don't get mad if a user makes a perceived smart allic comment. You asked for advice, someone gave you an opinion about it.


r/AutoBodyRepair 2h ago

scratch and dent Anyone know what could of caused this?

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2 Upvotes

r/AutoBodyRepair 3h ago

Easy fix to mirror?

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2 Upvotes

Bonked into a pole in a parking garage and mirror detached from plastic it was built into


r/AutoBodyRepair 3h ago

Can anyome help me solve this mystery?!

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2 Upvotes

2014 a class amg sport


r/AutoBodyRepair 38m ago

recently got into an accident, is it totaled?

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Upvotes

r/AutoBodyRepair 38m ago

recently got into an accident, is it totaled?

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Upvotes

r/AutoBodyRepair 1h ago

Tail light help ASAP

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Upvotes

Cracked taillight on my 2020 Audi A3. Ordered a new one online, exact same in every way but the connection isn’t the same


r/AutoBodyRepair 1h ago

ACCIDENT 2023 CX-5 hit while parked

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Upvotes

What a bummer. someone hit my car while parked, broke the front grill and left some small dents on that front edge piece. Scratched the badge. No note, of course. What all would need to be replaced versus what can be fixed? I am so sad.


r/AutoBodyRepair 9h ago

Best R500 brands

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2 Upvotes

r/AutoBodyRepair 7h ago

Repair Replace or fix?

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1 Upvotes

r/AutoBodyRepair 7h ago

Leave it be or treat it?

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1 Upvotes

r/AutoBodyRepair 12h ago

Have the guys who done my windshield done a bad job?

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2 Upvotes

Just curious if this looks like a dodgy job I’m almost certain this will leak water but don’t really know anything about windshields so hoping someone with a bit more knowledge can help
Already had the guys come back once cause it was leaking water in and this is how they left it today


r/AutoBodyRepair 10h ago

Repair C6 Hood + Bumper

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1 Upvotes

TLDR. My brother backed into my corvette, his tow hook obliterated my bumper and damaged my hood. I took the opportunity to buy the following parts and I’m going to get the bumper paint matched. Is the hood fixable? Also got these c7 headlights because they were on sale and I have a crazed headlight on the drivers side.


r/AutoBodyRepair 10h ago

scratch and dent Got a dent in the pillar of my 91 volvo 740 wagon.

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1 Upvotes

I would like to try to self repair because I want to learn more about working on cars so any advice would be great. I'm open to getting it professionally done too though. I'm not sure how it happened, it was like that when I bought the car. I want to get it fixed before I repaint. (First Pic is the damage, second is just because)


r/AutoBodyRepair 14h ago

scratch and dent I think peeling paint?

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2 Upvotes

This is my first car and my dad let it sit for awhile in the sun which.. did some pretty bad damage. Also some minor paint scratches in the bumper but the thing that worries me the most in the trunk, am I better off repainting it or replacing it?


r/AutoBodyRepair 14h ago

Scratches on my hood

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1 Upvotes

I have no idea where these scratches ate appearing from. Each day i see new ones as if someone are doing these on purpose. Im just really not sure. Most of them you can’t feel at all. If this something I can fix on my own? If so. What can i use?


r/AutoBodyRepair 1d ago

Detailing Just got new PPF (Stek), I noticed a small impact on the hood, can I fix the plastic warping with hot water?

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1 Upvotes

If I run my finger over the spot, it doesn’t even feel like anything, the actual impact point seems really small but the plastic around it seems to have warped which makes it stand out a lot. Thanks


r/AutoBodyRepair 1d ago

Is this a paint defect?

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1 Upvotes

r/AutoBodyRepair 1d ago

Can PDR technician repair this ?

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1 Upvotes

Was some paint transfer and after cleaning it this is how it looks, it’s on the both doors


r/AutoBodyRepair 1d ago

scratch and dent Is this dent repairable with PDR?

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3 Upvotes

I have this dent on my rear door. The paint seems mostly intact, but there are some small scratches/scuff marks around the dent. Do you think this could be repaired with paintless dent repair (PDR), or would it require traditional bodywork and paint?

*Not looking for an estimate, just an opinion on what type of repair this would need.

Much appreciated!


r/AutoBodyRepair 1d ago

RUST Buying a Van to Live in-- how much rust is too much?

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0 Upvotes

Shopping for a van or bus to turn into my home on wheels. Low budget, so nothing I look at will be 100% rust free, but I need help determining if the amount on this vehicle is going to bite me in the butt.


r/AutoBodyRepair 1d ago

ACCIDENT Body shop quoted 4000, state farm said 2400

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2 Upvotes

Few weeks ago my car was backed into while I was walking out of the store. The other person's insurance is shorting the original quote by 1600. Is there a way for getting more money for the estimate? It sounds like state farm already sent a check for this amount to me but would it be worth trying to get closer to the original estimate. I know i shouldn't expect 4000 but low 3000 was kind of what I was expecting especially since it appears the inner structure of the door was hit.


r/AutoBodyRepair 1d ago

Repair Bumper replacement

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1 Upvotes

Bumpers were cracked when I got her

No mechanical problems

I got a replacement rear bumper but I can't get the bolt to come out, I believe the threads are stripped since it spins. Tried pushing from the bottom to raise it and used both powered and manual rachet and got nothing.

Anyone else have a solution?

Not keen or ripping the bumper off since got good access to the bolt and couldn't get it out.

Front bumper and headlight mounting are cracked. I don't think there's an easy way to replace the bumper mounting let me know if there is.


r/AutoBodyRepair 1d ago

ROCK CHIP SPECIAL 2026

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1 Upvotes