Car Body Shop Repair
Reader’s Choice – Used Parts: Structurally Proper Repair?

“Is putting on a used part (e.g. quarter panel) considered a structurally proper repair when only the outer skin needs to be replaced?”
— Gary Atherton, general manager, Devoe Collision Center, Naples, Fla.

Practice Makes Perfect in PDR

A steady flow of paintless dent repair work is crucial to keeping a PDR specialist’s skills sharp, and can serve as justification for a select few shops having a specialist in-house. For most shops, however, outsourcing is the way to go.

Mazda 3, 6 Series Bumper Repair

This article deals with Mazda’s bumper repair recommendations and service procedures for the Mazda 3 and 6 Series vehicles.

For Good Measure

You must make sure your techs are taking measurements to accurately diagnose the condition of a collision-damaged vehicle. If you don’t, you’ll cheat yourself, them and your customers.

Are Aftermarket Parts Good or Bad for the Collision Repair Industry?

Point Counterpoint with Ronald Baker, Jr., and Tim O’Day

Service Repair Information: An Important Tool

Accessing manufacturers’ proper repair procedures during the preproduction phase or when creating a repair plan is crucial to being efficient and profitable.

2008 Lexus GS450H Power Window Initialization Procedure

When repairing a vehicle, the battery often must be disconnected to prevent onboard computer failure or damage to critical electrical components. Upon reconnection of the battery, certain systems, such as the power windows, may not operate unless they’re reprogrammed. Without proper OEM procedures to perform or analyze these operations, you and your staff could be

Galvanic Corrosion and Cross Contamination

This oldie but goodie from the BodyShop Business archives explains what happens when two dissimilar metals, like aluminum and steel, come in electrical contact of each other.

Sectioning the 2007 Ford F-150 Front Lower Frame Rail

Each day, as you prepare to evaluate and repair structurally damaged vehicles, you and your team must ask many questions: Should I repair the damaged area or replace it? Should I section this part or replace it with a complete piece? Does my technician know where the weld locations are? Do my technicians have factory

Sealing VW Hood Seams

During the course of a busy day, many parts are replaced on customers’ vehicles. Often, these parts can be superseded, updated, discontinued or modified by the manufacturer. Without access to vital factory Technical Service Bulletins (TSB), you may not be aware of the changes or updates that the factory has made to those parts. The

Point CounterPoint – Is Rear Body Sectioning an Acceptable Repair Procedure?

Bob Searle, manager Chris’ Body & Paint, Inc. Midvale, Utah OPINION: No I think most shops are equipped to do a clip, but in my opinion, there’s never a good time to do one because it’s never cost effective in the long run. It is for the insurance company, but not for the shop. It’s

Would Your Work Pass an Auto Safety Expert’s Test?

Many post-repair inspectors are finding that collision repair shops’ work isn’t up to snuff. And that can lead to a liability nightmare, not to mention the end of their businesses.