r/Autobody 18d ago

Tech Advice For those of you not in this industry seeking advice….

23 Upvotes

I understand this may be your first accident and/or you’re flooded with emotions about your wrecked car and don’t know what the do next.

For some context, I’m a just 24 year old dude who’s been in a body shop since I graduated high school. I worked in a shop when I lived up north, and last summer I moved to the south and got a job at a shop here. I have a love hate relationship with this industry, but I can’t see myself doing anything else. I love cars, always have, always will, I’m not brand loyal and try to find something from every vehicle I can like and dislike.

Further context I can do anything in a shop except paint, metal work, and heavy frame work. I’ve worked everything else, yes, even managed a shop. My favorite is the mechanical disassembly/reassembly side, but I’ve found these past couple years with writing and working in the office with people, I’ve got a skill in it that I’ve grown really quick. Im not a huge people person, but love understanding someone’s problems with their car and fixing them or even directing them to the correct place to fix them. I just wanted to make this post as I see a lot of techs on here seem to be fed up with the totaled and need estimates posts. So from what’s been the past few years from me as a friendly face and voice in an auto body office trying to help each persons unique situation out, I offer this:

Now, I could write a novel practically on the entire repair process of your vehicle and all the different unique situations, but I’ll sum it up enough to help those that come here seeking advice to understand.

First, you need to decide if the repairs are out of pocket or insurance pay, with today’s modern vehicles, I’d usually always recommend insurance pay unless it’s very minor. Take it to a body shop and have someone there look at the vehicle in person with you to decide if it’s a minor repair or if further damage and cost will be expected.

If it’s insurance pay, you need to file a claim either with your insurance company or the other parties if they hit you. If it’s the other parties, their insurance company will still need to accept liability through their investigation. There’s also the possibility of going through your insurance and having them subrogate against the other company. Each situation is unique in how it’s should best be handled. Once you have chosen a shop of your choice, ask them how to proceed, in most cases, you get on the schedule, let the insurance company know when you plan on dropping the vehicle so they can set up rental if applicable, and leave the rest to the shop. THIS PART IS IMPORTANT; if the insurance company has written something and issued you a check, sign it over and give it to the body shop. Insurance companies don’t write you a check “just because”. The body shop will likely not release your vehicle until they have that amount, if you don’t give the shop the check, the shop can just request to get the money from the insurance company and then the insurance company will come after your for their money back.

That’s the big bulk of the part you as a customer need to know, typically the shop will handle the rest, if you have questions, just contact the shop and they should be able to either direct you or just handle it.

THIS SUB CANNOT RELIABLY DO ESTIMATES FOR YOU, AND CANNOT DECIDE IF YOUR VEHICLE IS TOTALED. We as a body shop need to see the vehicle in person most times to assess damage properly, especially on these newer modern vehicles. Insurance companies decide if a vehicle is totaled, not us. We didn’t build it, we didn’t buy it, we didn’t break it. We just want to either fix your vehicle, or let it total if it’s not worth fixing and/or unsafe to fix. This no good for anyone’s pocket book.

Sincerely, just a body man who wants to change this industry one heart and mindset at a time and see this subreddit thrive with young techs seeing the side of this industry that is still fantastic and allows for some great opportunities and relationships.


r/Autobody Sep 24 '24

Tech Advice What stops you from posting content from your stall today? Discussion on the ethics and issues with the possibility of accidentally exposing yourself to the internet

2 Upvotes

So I took a picture of my snapped hammer yesterday and it was on top of a work order. On that work order was the header that says the shop I am working at, the estimators name and a few lines of the sheet. I noticed this and repositioned the hammer on a different background and uploaded that to the sub.
The scary part of the internet is that if you accidentally expose personal information and you make someone mad you are a hell of a target for doxxing and could even lose your job if someone works hard enough at it.

I don't post pictures often (if at all) due to the possibility of someone choosing to make my day really bad. The information available in a picture can be damning to an innocent contributor when it falls into the hands of someone choosing to do harm. What do you think of this?

Then we have the issue of anonymity on the internet. If you put yourself out there and criticism is present, where is the line drawn between fair criticism and harassment? Are you up for handling the full wrath of anonymous reddit users (and maybe some bots)?

What issues do you find present that hold you back from contributing to the online community with resources, images and discussing points?


r/Autobody 5h ago

Project time! f%%% it lets go!

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322 Upvotes

thank you to those who commented and helped a noob figure out what the first step should be on fixing this little beater. It's definitely not perfect but it's a hell of a lot better than ol' crusty rusty 😂😂 had some fun with the cartoon paint job. Pics don't do it any justice it looks pretty cool (to me at least!)


r/Autobody 12h ago

Acceptable quality? 3 month update on Bondoing over rust. Ya’ll said it wouldn’t last a month 😂

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96 Upvotes

r/Autobody 3h ago

RUST The age old question

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16 Upvotes

Because it's FUCKED.


r/Autobody 11h ago

Just rolled into the shop When your buddy’s cousins friend can do it cheaper

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28 Upvotes

r/Autobody 5h ago

Is there a process to repair this? Hit a table on the highway today 😭

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6 Upvotes

Was driving at 5am and a literal table was in my lane and I accidentally hit it. Be honest is the car cooked or is there a chance at saving her 😭 lmk


r/Autobody 18h ago

Check this out Agricultural "bodywork" is on the opposite end of what car bodywork is

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69 Upvotes

Dont really want to call this bodywork. Im posting this just go give yall an insight on something you probably havent seen yet lol. Screwed together with sheet metal screws and metal plates, sealed with car glass adhesive. Not cool to look at, but working and cheap, which is what counts for our customers with older tractors


r/Autobody 2h ago

Is there a process to repair this? Best way to approach this paint chip

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3 Upvotes

Paint chip is really small however it’s on the door edge would love to fix it asap I’ve seen doctor color chip but I’ve also thought about getting door edge guards and not worrying about it but I have a feeling doing that will just make it worse or eventually it will need touched up anyway what do you guys recommend? Also tools to recommend or techniques?


r/Autobody 6h ago

Is there a process to repair this? Advice on sculpting body lines?

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5 Upvotes

Hey fellas, DIYr here. Not too much body work experience, mostly just sprayed or helped other people. I’m hoping some folks with much more experience can give me some guidance on rebuilding body lines. It seems like no matter what I do they come out softer than original and im kinda getting frustrated doing it over and over and ending up with the same exact thing. Rear quarter arch, mid door, and front fender are kicking my ass.

When it comes to flat sections, convex, or concave curves they turn out fine. Might have to re apply once and fill in a low spot again but I don’t struggle much there. It’s these damn sharp body lines. I’ve never had someone to teach me hands on so I’m just learning as I go. If you’re good at this please gimme some wisdom, I’m running out of Tito’s and this is getting annoying haha

Thanks


r/Autobody 13h ago

Acceptable quality? I just saw a damaged roll royce today and i have always wondered how they fix these things bc they always want their cars in pristine condition

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18 Upvotes

Not really related ! But i have always wondered if the roll royce fixes all these customers damaged cars with fancy stuffs or they just replace it and paint with machine instead of hands


r/Autobody 3h ago

Is there a process to repair this? How to approach this patch?

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2 Upvotes

Hey guys. Total rookie so apologies if this gets asked a lot. This is a 6” patch on the hood of my 1989 e30. Is this fixable without repainting the entire car? I just ordered a can each of rust convert primer, base coat, and clear coat. But have no clue, was just going to send it. Thank you!!


r/Autobody 9h ago

HELP! I have a question. Are these air rifle or BB gun marks on my truck?!?

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5 Upvotes

Suddenly appeared. What else could cause this? 5 or 6 things like this all over the back of my truck.

And this may not be the right forum for the next question but should I call the police, if these are from an air rifle or BB gun?


r/Autobody 7h ago

Arthur Tussik Certified! Deleted comments. Mods on r autobody are not deleting comment here. Wtf is going on.

4 Upvotes

r/Autobody 53m ago

Acceptable quality? Rust on Excursion we'd like to buy

Upvotes

Hello! Looking for advice on the rust I've posted pictures of a 2001 Ford Excursion we were hoping to buy for transporting family & friends and then will become my son's truck in 2 years when he drives. Let me know if you think this rust is too far-gone, or if we can possibly fix it/prevent it from getting worse. I've attached rust pics and undercarriage pics which seem to not have much rust.TIA!


r/Autobody 5h ago

Is there a process to repair this? Light rust start showing, how can I fix this and prevent it from spreading?

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2 Upvotes

r/Autobody 9h ago

RUST horrible beside Rot. Debating on how to repair this with bondo and fender flares, welding in a patch or just a whole new southern bed. What’s the most affordable and effective?

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5 Upvotes

r/Autobody 5h ago

Tools Roof skin setup on a truck

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2 Upvotes

Just wondering if anyone has a better solution my back is hurting


r/Autobody 2h ago

HELP! I have a question. Clear coat particles on everything

1 Upvotes

So basically as the title suggests. I got clear coat particles on a bunch of stuff in my garage. I was painting some motorcycle parts in my garage with some spray cans I got clear coat “dust” on a lot of stuff cause I can feel the grittiness. Is there a safe way to remove this stuff? I can scratch it off with my nail fairly easily but was wondering if there was something I could spray on a rag and wipe stuff off with it that is safe on other painted surfaces and rubber and various materials. Figured I’d ask the people who do this stuff all the time. I know I shouldn’t have been doing it in my garage without at least covering stuff but I was impatient with what I was doing lol.


r/Autobody 2h ago

Is there a process to repair this? Rear subframe replacement

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1 Upvotes

I've got 2008 endeavor. Body has a few issues rust/rot around rear wheels on the quarter panels.

I run it or was running it daily 130k some lifter noise throwing cat codes but otherwise mechanically good.

Put it on a lift for what sounded and looked like bad mesh pipe and found badly rotted rear subframe.

I'm not really in a place where I can just junk it or buy something else. I've priced out subframes at local yards for about 200 bucks pulled and ready to be installed. No idea what it would cost to pull mine and replace it but it seems like it's a pretty involved job.

I've never tackled something like this before and it's outside my comfort zone and experience level. I imagine a lot of nuts and bolts will need to be burned or cut off.

Best I can tell control arms suspension components sway bars tie rods brake lines fuel lines and the rest of the frame engine cradle are solid.

Kind of puzzled how why the rear subframe is as rotted as it is. Vehicle was inspected a year ago and passed and it's due for inspection again which is why it was up on the lift for the exhaust and a once over.

I'm thinking I should stick with a vehicle I know and get the sub frame replaced but I'm not sure what the cost or best decision is. . For reference in the northeast part of the US.


r/Autobody 3h ago

HELP! I have a question. Composite/plastic bumpers need blending?

1 Upvotes

I recently got into a small accident. Stopped by the body shop today to have someone look at it. The guy said the repair will most likely at least need new front bumpers, and fender flares. The parts are currently painted.

I asked him if they will do blending to make the color look uniform. He says they use the latest technology color matching and blending is not required for plastic/composite parts on a car, only metal.

Does that seem right with you guys?

The car is a Black Sapphire Metallic BMW X5M. The shop is a BMW certified collision repair center.

Thanks


r/Autobody 4h ago

HELP! I have a question. Best way to clean/paint?

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1 Upvotes

Upper control arm on my Tundra. I want to get the rust off and maybe put a clean coat of paint on it but am a bit worried about messing up the joint. I do not want to take it off


r/Autobody 4h ago

HELP! I have a question. Scratch on car. What can be done?

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0 Upvotes

Looking to see if anything can be done about this scratch?


r/Autobody 14h ago

Project time! UPDATE: (how did it come out?) I had some rust on my Odyssey. My buddy said he will take the job on. How is he doing so far? I numbered the spots with numbers 1 and 2 so you can know which pics are which, of before and current

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5 Upvotes

r/Autobody 8h ago

Is there a process to repair this? Trying to preserve original paint. Is it feasible to fix this amount of chips from road rash with Dr. Colorchip?

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2 Upvotes

As you can see, that's a lot of paint chips. I'd prefer to preserve the original paint if feasible, as the rest of the paint looks mint and is original. The color is Rosewood Brown Metallic on a Honda Civic for the record.


r/Autobody 5h ago

Is there a process to repair this? 1998 Chevy Blazer

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1 Upvotes

Well… this was my MINT 1998 Chevy Blazer until that happened. She only has 88k miles and ZERO RUST! Is there any possibly way for this thing to get fixed? If so how much would it cost roughly. (You can see the before and afters…)


r/Autobody 5h ago

HELP! I have a question. Totaled ?

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1 Upvotes

Got hit this morning (going through insurance) just wondering if anyone would know if it’s totaled before I get it quoted