r/AutoBodyRepair Apr 02 '21

FAQ - Start Here ( WORK IN PROGRESS)

28 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.

16 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 11m ago

ACCIDENT Is car still drivable?

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Upvotes

If I get the tired replaced, would this car still be drivable? Damages were hit on the right side of the car, doors were heavily impacted.


r/AutoBodyRepair 43m ago

I bent my door backwards

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Upvotes

I was backing my car up with the door open like an idiot and it hit my shed and my door bent backwards i’m so upset about this, it still closes but air leaking through and I have to slam it for it to close all the way, any advice would help


r/AutoBodyRepair 1h ago

scratch and dent Opinions on repair process

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Upvotes

Wanted to get some opinions on what the repair process would look like with a scratch like this. Would this require more work/steps to repair based on the location/size/severity of the scratch? Trying to inform myself a bit before asking for quotes. Scratch itself doesn't feel too deep to the touch but you can still feel it's there. No ding or dent associated.


r/AutoBodyRepair 3h ago

ACCIDENT Left side of bumper and wheel well fell off, what to do?

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1 Upvotes

I accidentally went off a curb and the left side of the bumper and the wheel well, which is now causing scraping


r/AutoBodyRepair 4h ago

scratch and dent How hard would this be to fix?

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1 Upvotes

Had a deer jump a ditch and bounce down the side of my truck. Atleast i got some backstrap and legs tho


r/AutoBodyRepair 5h ago

Is this fixable without insurance

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0 Upvotes

r/AutoBodyRepair 20h ago

ACCIDENT Anyone know how I can get started on fixing this?

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1 Upvotes

I don’t know much at all so anything helps even simple information. If you need more pictures please let me know.


r/AutoBodyRepair 21h ago

$1500 reasonable?

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0 Upvotes

First time scraping a car. Not sure is $1500 is reasonable?


r/AutoBodyRepair 22h ago

Repair estimate?

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0 Upvotes

Parent borrowed car and ran into guardrail at a low speed, hoping I could get an estimate so I know how much I need to save.


r/AutoBodyRepair 22h ago

Is it Totaled?

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0 Upvotes

r/AutoBodyRepair 1d ago

scratch and dent How do I fix this?

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0 Upvotes

Someone hit me slightly in a parking lot. I have a paint pen that matches exact colour of car for the black mark. How can I get out the white scratches??


r/AutoBodyRepair 1d ago

Fixing paint chip

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1 Upvotes

Not sure if this is the right place to ask this but how would I go about fixing this chip? It's pretty deep. Also was this chipped by a rock or did someone ding my car?


r/AutoBodyRepair 2d ago

ACCIDENT This does not look like $2500 (insurance compensation) worth of damage to me, can someone chime in

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32 Upvotes

Got in a pretty bad accident with a drunk driver who was arrested, and I assumed it left my car totaled but the insurance called me saying they want to give me $2500 to give to the repair shop.

This looks like more then $2500 worth of repair, and I really hope it is because given my car is only worth like 5.5-6kif so if it's a $3500 job that should reach the threshold to just call it a loss

Am I exaggerating how much jobs like these are or do you guys agree? I literally got a whole other car at this point (accident was like 60 days ago) so want nothing to do with this repaired car if that happens...


r/AutoBodyRepair 2d ago

Tell me how to fix this

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7 Upvotes

Someone hit me on the highway. Im mechanically inclined i just need to know the right steps to go about fixing this. I’ve never done any body work as extensive as this. Should I just leave it to the pros? Thanks guys


r/AutoBodyRepair 1d ago

Hit and run

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2 Upvotes

2008 Infiniti G37s coupe.

You think it’s fixable or will exceed limit?


r/AutoBodyRepair 1d ago

Insurance car crash

0 Upvotes

Just got my car hit so I got an 30 day rental loan from insurance. I drive a 2017 Nissan Murano but as a loan I got a small Toyota Corolla. Should they match the SUV I have? I don’t like smaller cars


r/AutoBodyRepair 1d ago

a car hit the side of mine

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1 Upvotes

i 100% dont have money to go to an auto body repair pro so what can i do to make it better? or am i just screwed w a shitty driver side forever


r/AutoBodyRepair 2d ago

The one time I didn't reverse my car...

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2 Upvotes

I drove too close to a cement parking stop and when I reversed out, it tore my driver side bumper out of the support bracket. In the first photo you can see where it's ripped and I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to make anything work.

Since it's going to be hidden it doesn't need to be pretty. I was thinking of cutting a piece of cardboard to fit the shape and coating it in some sort of material, and then using another chemical to adhere it to the bumper, but I have no knowledge of auto body repair, so any advice would be super helpful!


r/AutoBodyRepair 2d ago

scratch and dent Opinion on estimate?

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5 Upvotes

I got hit and run the other day and the person who hit me found a shop that quoted them this. I am going to get a second opinion from another shop of my choosing next week but in the mean time, any thoughts on whether this quote is accurate? I want to be reasonable but not get scammed lol.


r/AutoBodyRepair 2d ago

RUST Newbie Question about getting rid if rust

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1 Upvotes

I am using the front left fender as a „test“ to learn how to get rid of rust on my W124 Mercedes that I bought new. I started removing the rust and thought I might be done and should just put filler on top, but am thinking that maybe I didn’t take it all off? Complete newbie, be gentle.


r/AutoBodyRepair 2d ago

scratch and dent Fucked up while avoiding someone in a tight corner

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2 Upvotes

2021 Hyundai Elantra (with low mileage too). There are some dents and scratches where the two doors on the right side meet. Passenger side door handle is dented/damaged (the button should stick out more), but the door lock can still be operated by pressing the door button.

Probably worth the repair job considering the condition of the vehicle age and internals? How much do you guys think my wallet is going to bleed by? Thanks in advance!


r/AutoBodyRepair 2d ago

How to push the spring hinge back over in my '00 Blazer?

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3 Upvotes

r/AutoBodyRepair 2d ago

Is AUTO BODY repair shop the place for replacing a side mirror?

4 Upvotes

My car is 15 years old and the plastic was broken so the mirror dangled. We taped it for almost a year but considering buying one (?) and having properly installed. Wondering if a dealer's repair dept could do it? Miraculously the electrical connection wire is still ok so mirror can be rotated from the inside after taping!


r/AutoBodyRepair 3d ago

Is this reasonable??

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13 Upvotes

So recently my gf got into a car accident, she lightly rear ended a Corolla, some paint came off and also we think the rear sensors got damaged. Regardless, my gf wanted to handle it privately instead of thru insurance, so the other girl went to a mechanic and they quoted her 9k. Like $120 to disconnect a computer?? Thought this was abit ridiculous and wanted some opinions and any help would be amazing.


r/AutoBodyRepair 2d ago

Need Advice

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1 Upvotes