There is a widespread misconception that auto body repair shops and mechanical shops are almost the same. Nothing could be further from the truth. Both are part of the “automotive repair industry.” However, each one focuses on a completely different aspect of the vehicle repair process. Think of it as if comparing physicians. Both a plastic surgeon and a cardiothoracic surgeon are physicians but their area of expertise is different. What makes the auto body repair industry so special? Let’s say they are the “plastic surgeons” of the automotive industry.
Understanding the auto body repair industry process
Let’s highlight the unique process of the auto body repair industry in this example. Imagine a collision in the parking lot. It happens all the time. One minor distraction and a second later, both you and the other driver are looking at your respective dents and scratches. In order to proceed with the repairs, the auto body shop would have to deal with several parties, both individuals involved in the accident or fender bender and both insurance companies, which have their own estimators and internal procedures.
The organizational skills required to deal with such a complex process is much greater than a typical car repair shop dealing with one vehicle. Depending on the size of the auto body shop, two different teams would be required: One to manage the technical aspects (mainly estimations), and the other to deal with insurance company administrative paperwork.
Bringing the process to a satisfactory conclusion for all parties is always more challenging for the auto body shops. Contrary to conventional mechanical shops, body shops have to please all parties involved, not simply the car owner. The vehicle owner’s main concern is centered on repair time and quality of the job. However, insurance companies are usually more interested in keeping costs as low as possible. The “balancing act” that the auto body repair industry faces on a daily basis is as unique as its field of expertise.
The unique area of expertise of the body repair industry
Auto body technicians’ area of expertise is completely different from the rest of the automotive repair industry. A mechanic is usually trained to diagnose and then replace the faulty components. When a mechanic “repairs” an engine, what is actually being done is “rebuilding” a previously mechanized engine and equipping it with new parts that match the new tolerances.
On the other hand, the term “repair” has a quite different meaning in the auto body repair industry. While it’s true that auto body technicians also replace parts, such as bumpers and windshields, they mainly “repair” or “restore” components to their original conditions.
The skills that separate auto body technicians from the rest of the repair industry are many. However, the most notable ones are as follows:
- Auto body technicians are well versed in the properties of metals and plastics. That knowledge enables them to restore the car body to its original condition.
- Auto body technicians are skilled craftsmen when it comes to repairing dents in the sheet metal. This includes several techniques ranging from paintless dent removal to conventional methods involving sanding, repairing, and painting the affected area.
- Auto body technicians master the art of matching the original factory colors during the painting and repainting process. Even when using top-notch spectrophotometers and computerized paint mixing machines, the experience of the technician always comes first in obtaining the most accurate finish.
- Auto body technicians have the proper knowledge to replace damaged body panels, bumpers, glass, and other car body components.
- Auto body technicians understand the importance of maintaining precise tolerance when repairing the body frame and suspension components.
As you can see, auto body repair technicians deal with vehicle “aesthetics” (auto body and paint finish), but also crucial car components that affect security such as body frame.
Conclusion
Hopefully, after reading this article you will have a better idea about why the auto body repair industry is so unique. It is not only the complex technical and administrative processes that are handled, but also, the high expectations regarding the work completed. Few people will complain about their car’s recent oil change; however, most will discuss whether they notice a minor stain on the car’s paint. Every detail, no matter how small, is significant in the auto body repair industry. That aspect sets them apart from the rest. Auto body technicians are like artists; they sculpt the auto body and then paint it to accomplish the spectacular shiny finish everyone loves.
