It is every driver's worst nightmare. No one wants to scratch the car they are driving around in. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happened to me. I was trying to show off my new sports car to a group of girls when I crashed into a roadside barrier. Not only did I feel really stupid, but I also had damaged bodywork and paint which ran the length of my car. I called my friend in a panic and he recommended a local auto body and paint shop. The guys there were great and the soon had my car fixed. Since then, I've been learning just about everything I can about this subject!
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What to Do If You Scratch Your Car
How Do Panel Beaters Repair Vehicle Frame Damage?
Anne Burke
Automotive manufacturers design modern-day cars so they will deform in the event of an accident. The idea is that the vehicle's body frame absorbs much of that energy from the accident, keeping the occupants as safe as possible in the process. Yet, while this is certainly preferable to injuries and suffering, it can still make it a lot more challenging to repair the vehicle after an accident. So, how would car body repair shops approach this situation when the accident severely deforms the vehicle?
Relying on Geometry
Every vehicle relies on frame construction, and designers ensure that each component is in a particular place. When everything is square and straight, the car will handle very well, be able to drive in a straight line and manoeuvre around corners. It doesn't take much to throw everything out following an accident, and the impact may have bent the chassis rails out of shape. If you want to drive your car again following the accident, someone will need to straighten those rails out, which is quite hard to do without any specialist equipment.
Working with a Jig
When you take your car to an experienced auto body repair shop, they will load it onto a special piece of equipment called a jig. They'll connect the car's four corners to sturdy upright pillars using chains. They can then force one or more of these chains to pull the bent rail (or another component) back to its original location. This work is computer-controlled to a very high degree of precision by the operator, who will have checked the information in the vehicle design manual. Manufacturers provide this information to repair shops for this purpose, enabling the technician to bring the vehicle back to its original specification.
Moving to the Next Stage
Once they've returned the chassis to its pre-accident state, the technician can remove it from the machine and start the more detailed work. This next stage will involve panel beating or replacement before they can move the vehicle into the spray booth and eventually return it to you. However, they will always road test the vehicle prior to this stage to ensure that it handles perfectly well.
Working with the Best
Always entrust the work to an experienced panel beater. They will perform the necessary work to ensure that your car looks just as good as new. To learn more about panel beaters, reach out to a local auto shop.
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