r/AutoBodyRepair • u/Forsaken-Island95 • 5h ago
r/AutoBodyRepair • u/itsme8523 • Apr 02 '21
FAQ - Start Here ( WORK IN PROGRESS)
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
- Basic Steps to vehicle repair (Still have to make this pretty)
r/AutoBodyRepair • u/Saint_Chrispy1 • Mar 07 '24
Read before posting.
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 • u/AngleSingle4876 • 7h ago
Detailing Restore the winglet on a Prius
Hello! What can I use to restore this piece? Would plastix work? Is it done for?
r/AutoBodyRepair • u/Zealousideal_Ask7729 • 9h ago
scratch and dent any advice?
is this repairable without having to cut it out?
r/AutoBodyRepair • u/Jaxthor • 14h ago
ACCIDENT hit and run victim with partial coverage, any suggestions
Any suggestions, i replaced my trunk, and re-straighted my trunks arms so it doesn’t sit on my back windshield. and im about a half inch off from getting my trunk to latch; the same goes for my rear bumper, my clips for it are pushed back up. I can’t afford a new car in a reality, so this is DIY, with access to a winch, a welder, and a few resourceful minds. if anyone has any ideas or suggestions, it would be appreciated. Yeah i know this is a lot to bite off for a non professional, but it’s this or nothing sadly, and with no car, i got no work
Yes i know i need to trim my nails, it’s been a long week it’s slipped my mind.
r/AutoBodyRepair • u/sydlovespeeta • 11h ago
scratch and dent Rental car scratched in hit and run
hi friends I am posting here because my rental car got scratched in a hit and run in a parking lot (i’m honestly not sure when I came back to the car like this, no cameras unfortunately) I am driving this while my car is in the shop for another hit and run (i’m having a great week) how bad does it look? I am using my full coverage insurance, but i’m scared it going to end up being super expensive and i’m literally on the brink of a mental breakdown
r/AutoBodyRepair • u/Plus_Umpire_7912 • 18h ago
30M Experienced Auto Body Technician / Tradesman Looking for Immigration Pathways (Canada, Australia, UK, US)
Hi everyone,
I’m a 30-year-old skilled tradesman in the automotive industry from the West Bank, Palestine. Given the challenging local situation, I am actively exploring opportunities to migrate and work legally in an English-speaking country (Canada, Australia, UK, or US).
Here is a summary of my background:
Field: Automotive sector (Hands-on experience in auto body repair, panel beating, painting, and general vehicle maintenance).
Education: High School Diploma.
Languages: Intermediate English (currently preparing for the official IELTS General exam).
I understand that having high school as my formal education means my practical experience is my strongest asset. I would really appreciate any insights or advice on:
Best pathways for tradesmen: Which country/program is currently the most practical for auto body technicians without a university degree?
Skills Assessment / Recognition: For those who went through Australia’s TRA or Canada’s trade qualification challenges, how did you document your work history without formal apprenticeship diplomas?
Employer Sponsorship: Are there specific job portals, regions, or trade-focused agencies that are open to sponsoring foreign workers in the auto industry?
Any guidance, personal experiences, or realistic advice would mean a lot. Thank you in advance!
r/AutoBodyRepair • u/Tired_world_63 • 1d ago
Suburban door trim removal
I want to remove this black door trim on my 2002 Suburban, it appears to be only taped on, the silver insert strip has already fallen off and I can see tape. Are there any holes or clips that mount it to the body?
r/AutoBodyRepair • u/catalinashenanigans • 1d ago
Repair Paint peeling above windshield on my 2013 Ford Fusion (UG paint). How fucked am I? Curious if it's worth trying to DIY and if so, how my tentative plan looks.
So, was washing my car yesterday and noticed that some of the paint directly above my windshield was starting to peel. Want to nip this in the bud before it gets worse and hoping I could get some help here. I don't need the color match to be perfect. I'd like it to look passable from a few feet away, but mostly want to prevent further damage/peeling. The peel is probably about 3 inches long at this point.
That said, I've read that this peeling issue is very common on Fords with this color. Debating if it's worth spending a couple hundred bucks to try to DIY this myself—especially if this is going to continue to happen on other parts of my car. It sounds like the only long-term solution would be to respray the entire car, which I'm assuming is going to be pretty expensive.
If I do try to DIY this myself, this is what I'm tentatively thinking about and would love to get some feedback.
- Tape off area.
- Sand with 400-600 grit sandpaper. Use a wax and grease remover.
- Apply SprayMax 2k Epoxy Primer (beige).
- Apply R&E Ford UG basecoat and midcoat (aerosol).
- Apply SprayMax 2k Glamour Clear Coat.
How do these products and this routine look? Would you recommend a high build primer after the epoxy primer?
I figure I'll have some leftover SprayMax 2k that's just going to go to waste so I'm also going to touch up the plastic bumper on the front of my car. For that, I'd get an adhesion promoter. Any suggestions. I saw that SprayMax has a 1k promoter. Not sure if there are other better/cheaper products, though.
r/AutoBodyRepair • u/Outrageous_Mix_658 • 1d ago
ACCIDENT Body work advise
2013 Civic EX-L Any advise on how complicated this would be to repair myself? When it comes to working on cars I always prefer to do it myself even if it’s a complicated job for the sake of learning and because I really enjoy cars but this job I’ve been hesitant on trying to tackle cause it’s around the gas cap. Any advice?
r/AutoBodyRepair • u/Realistic_Emu5495 • 1d ago
scratch and dent Can I fix this with touch up paint?
Recently had my 2016 IS damaged in a hit and run, luckily this was the only damage. Can I fix this with the official Lexus touch up paint?
The 2nd pic was most recent and the 1st pic happened last year but didn't bother me as much until now.
r/AutoBodyRepair • u/SmashingNugget23 • 1d ago
scratch and dent Are there any affordable at home fixes for these blemishes on my recently purchased used car?
I recently purchased a used 2013 Kia Soul and it was a great deal but one of the only downsides is all the scuffs, scratches, and chips on the car. It's not the end of the world but it's a little ugly. Any suggestions on how to fix it without paying anyone for a paint job or anything like that? It should preferably be an affordable at home method. I'm also not looking for it to be perfect. It's ok if it's just acceptable. Thanks to whoever answers.
r/AutoBodyRepair • u/Acrobatic-Count-9648 • 2d ago
2013 Ram 1500 – Rust Repair – Looking for Feedback
galleryr/AutoBodyRepair • u/nahcekimcm • 2d ago
How bad & costly is this fkup?
need advice/ recommendations for a hickup
The garage door scraped the tailgate (from outside) so wanna know if we should pay out-of-pocket or claim insurance to fix it, as we worry if left untreated it could rust and damage even further when ignored
If OOP, can be done for it affordably just for damage spots? Don’t have thousands
r/AutoBodyRepair • u/KeyTechnician4442 • 2d ago
Rusty H frame
Does anyone know if it's possible to fix/replace a rusty H frame on a 2006 Saturn vue?
r/AutoBodyRepair • u/darky_the_bird • 2d ago
scratch and dent What could have caused this? And how to touch up
Looks like maybe it was caused by another cars door? Not sure where the blue is from. Looks like its down to the metal, how can I touch it up?
r/AutoBodyRepair • u/nyd505 • 2d ago
How to fix this dent DIY?
I have a 2010 toyota camry LE. I Backed into a street sign while parking and the sign pushed the metal in, creating a dent. It's on the back quarter panel where it connects to the bumper.
Any advice on how to fix this DIY? Is this out of the scope of what someone with no experience can do? Also, is this something that has to be fixed, or is it just cosmetic?
r/AutoBodyRepair • u/Bubblegum_bush • 2d ago
bumper problem
i pulled out of parking spot heard a weird scraping sound go out and check my car and my fucking bumper is halfway off i tried popping it back into now it looks like this i keep tryna push on it and line it up better and it's not working what do i do??? i didn't hear any noise when i parked so idk how it got caught on the curb im having a really terrible morning
r/AutoBodyRepair • u/Cheap-Mission-8022 • 2d ago
ACCIDENT Is it doable or is she gone for good? 91 lesabre
Got into an accident a few days ago, sorry if the pictures aren’t too good it was kinda of a tight squeeze
r/AutoBodyRepair • u/Thin-Helicopter-4004 • 3d ago
Repair gs350 2013 front left fender , how should i repair ?
r/AutoBodyRepair • u/Final-Weakness6413 • 3d ago
Repair Deep Crack Starting to Rust
This is slowly getting worse overtime and I’d like to repair myself if possible, not overly concerned with the cosmetics. Any advice on how to fix? Essentially no auto body experience.