Motorists often confuse auto repairs and collision repairs, yet both are totally different. Auto repairs revolve around fixing various malfunctions that a vehicle's components may have, whereas collision repairs revolve around fixing damages incurred to the car after an accident.
Nonetheless, when you get into an accident, your vehicle can incur significant damages that warrant collision repairs before the car is deemed as road-worthy again. And with that said, here are four common types of collision repairs your vehicle might need after an accident.
Paintless Dent Repair
The outer body of a vehicle comprises several panels of metal attached to the vehicle's frame. The panels get made from relatively thin metal sheets. Thus, they are easily damaged when subjected to brute force. As a result, even the slightest impact usually leaves a dent on the car's body panels.
Thus, one of the most common collision repair services you might need after a minor collision is paintless dent repair. As the name suggests, paintless dent repair involves removing dents from a car's body panels without damaging the paint.
The paintless dent repair process involves an auto technician removing the dented panel and tapping it gently to remove the dent depression. After the dent depression gets eliminated, the technician reinstalls the panel, and your vehicle appears as good as new.
Body Panel Replacement
Depending on the severity of the car collision, the car's body panels can get dented or torn apart. As mentioned earlier, if the panels get dented after a crash, paintless dent repair is the best collision repair method to remove the dents.
However, if the panels get torn apart, you have two options. The first option involves using metal rivets or braces to reconnect the torn panels. Unfortunately, this option is only viable for minor rips. Thus, if your car's body panels are severely torn or damaged, you have to opt for the second option, which involves replacing the damaged panels with new ones.
You will have to purchase or fabricate a replacement panel for panel replacement before the auto collision repair technician can install the new panel.
Frame Realignment
Your vehicle's frame is responsible for holding all the vehicle components securely in place. Thus, the engine, seats, axles, etc., are all held in place by the vehicle's frame.
Unlike the body panels, the frame is composed of solid carbon steel or aluminum alloy. Though the car's frame is quite sturdy and can withstand a significant amount of force, it is still susceptible to damage when you ram into something or get hit by another vehicle.
If the impact force is too strong, the frame will either incur a misalignment or get squeezed together. Unfortunately, when this happens, your vehicle may not drive correctly because the weakened frame will affect the weight distribution.
Thus, whether you realize an issue with the frame or not, it is advisable to have your car's frame checked out after a collision. If the frame has sustained any damages, it is advisable to seek a frame realignment job before you resume driving the vehicle.
Auto Glass Repairs
During a car accident or collision, the front and rear windshields and the side windows can shatter or crack. The front and rear windshields are comprised of laminated glass. Thus, in a collision, the windshields will not shatter but will sustain significant cracks that make visibility difficult. On the other hand, the windows are comprised of tempered glass that shatters into minute particles in the event of a collision.
However, it is essential to note that if the cracks on your windshields are minor and do not affect the visibility of the road, you can opt for repairs instead of replacing the windshields. However, if the cracks are too large to repair, the only option is to replace the windshields.
Similarly, if the cracks on the windows are not too significant, a collision repair service can seal the cracks to ensure that they do not keep enlarging. However, if your windows get partially or entirely shattered, then you have to consider replacing the windows.
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