How long does a sheet metal repair take? If your car needs bodywork repair, you may be wondering how long it will take. A car is very much needed nowadays. Whether it’s running errands, commuting or enjoying your free time, you’re stuck without your vehicle and hope the auto repair shop understands your need to have it back sooner rather than later. Today we’ll discuss repair deadlines and how long it will take to have your car back. A good car paint shop painter will get the job done as quickly as possible.

Damage type

The important question is how severe is the damage? Are we talking about minor cosmetic damage like scratches or small dents, or major dents and lots of broken pieces? What about the extent of damage? Is the fault isolated to only one panel or are multiple panels affected?

What about the various systems of the car (e.g. bodywork, mechanical components, electrical components, etc.) Is it just the bodywork and paint we are talking about or will the repair be more complicated including work on the engine, suspension, airbags and electrics /programming? Finally, will parts need to be replaced? If so, are parts readily available?

First, we want to discuss the overall severity of the damage. Small cosmetic damage usually doesn’t take much time to repair. A simple paint scratch or golf ball sized dent in a panel will take approximately 4-5 days (for the first panel, and 1-2 days extra for each additional damaged panel). What does the repair process look like then? The vehicle is disassembled to fully identify any existing damage. The repair estimate is finalized. Dents are straightened out and scratches are removed from the bodywork.

Damaged items are replaced. Damaged panels are varnished and thermally cured. The vehicle is reassembled and detailed. Final quality checks are carried out. Accident repairs, including car bodywork, are more complicated due to the size of the damage. The car involved in the accident must be thoroughly checked.

Complicated damage

What if the damage involves more than just cosmetic dents and scratches? What to do if the damage is to the frame, suspension, engine/transmission, airbags or other components that fail occasionally but not frequently. If the frame has been damaged in any way, you should at least take accurate measurements to come up with a repair plan.

The measurement process involves mounting the vehicle on a dedicated frame measuring machine, then using a laser verification system to obtain the complete dimensions of the vehicle and how far the car has deviated from where it should be. The measurement process itself is an additional 1 day, and if you need to make adjustments to the frame, a second day will be necessary.

Damage to the suspension/brakes/steering system – if any of these elements is damaged, it cannot be repaired, it must be replaced with a new one. This part of the repair doesn’t take long, usually 1 day, but parts can take anywhere from 1 day to 1 week depending on the year, make and model of the car. Next, we consider the extent of damage. For each additional damaged panel, another day should be added for repair. Example: It will take about 4-5 days to damage one door, but it will take about 6-7 days to damage two doors. If the entire side of the car needs to be repaired and painted, 2 weeks is a safe bet.

Parts to be replaced

Finally, we must consider damaged parts that need to be replaced. This part of the repair can sometimes cause a holdup where the vehicle is ready for repair but parts are not immediately available. Depending on the car, the manufacturer may or may not have the parts on hand, and this can increase repair time. Typically, parts that are not in stock on the same day can be delivered the next day, so a 1-2 day waiting period is common until all parts are delivered.

To ensure a faster repair, we can arrange for parts to be ordered before the vehicle is handed in for repair, reducing the waiting time for the return of the car by at least one day. Dents, dents, scratches and other types of damage to your car should never be taken lightly. In addition to the unpleasant appearance, this type of damage can hide other, more serious problems, such as a bent frame or seized engine. If you have recently had a car accident, be sure to have your car repaired at a body and paint shop.

You need someone with the right experience and training to make sure everything is done right and the end result is of high quality. Bodywork and car paint should be done by a good tinsmith.

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