When it comes to collision repair, the distinction between mediocre and exceptional workmanship can significantly impact the safety and the longevity of your vehicle. Choosing a reputable collision repair shop is crucial to ensure that your car is restored to it’s pre-accident condition. You might be pretty handy when it comes to maintaining your vehicle, but only the most devoted gear heads can execute serious collision repair on their own.

Quality workmanship in collision repair not only involves skilled craftsmanship but also adherence to industry standards and meticulous attention to detail.  We can tell if an auto body repair was unsatisfactory if we drive off the lot and the problem persist or reoccurs shortly thereafter. But what we really need is a way to spot quality workmanship before it’s too late. So, how do you know if the repair done on your vehicle was of high quality? How do you identify quality workmanship in collision repair?

How Can You Tell if a Collision Repair Is Good?

When it comes to auto body repair, if you can gain enough knowledge to judge the quality of the repairs on sight, you’re in a good place. That’s not always easy to do, however, and there are cases where appearances are deceiving. Just because your car looks great doesn’t necessarily mean your repairs were performed by the best auto body technicians. 

Nevertheless, being able to notice signs of quality craftsmanship after a collision repair gives you more information, and that’s never a bad thing. After your vehicle, has undergone an auto body repair, there are three key aspects to consider: alignment, paint, and the materials used. Evaluating these three qualities after a collision repair is relatively easy and can give you some quick information about the quality of the repair job. Here’s what to look out for with each category.

Alignment

Remember that an automobile is not a single thing, it is a collection of parts and components that all must fit and work together properly. Repairing or replacing one part during an auto body repair is great, but technicians must ensure these parts align with one another. Look out for the following:

Steering and Suspension

After a collision repair, pay close attention to your vehicle’s steering and suspension. Even if the repair didn’t directly relate to steering or suspension, various auto body repairs can affect these facets of your car. You want to be able to drive straight without your vehicle pulling to one side. If you’re driving and your steering wheel isn’t centered, you’ve got an issue.

Panel Alignment

The outer shell of your automobile consists of panels and these panels should align precisely with one another. The alignments, gaps, and seams should be consistent with one another. Misaligned panels can indicate poor workmanship.

Door and Hood Function

The doors, hood, and trunk of your vehicle should open and close smoothly. If you feel resistance or hear unusual noises, this suggests something is misaligned. Proper alignment ensures these hinged components function as they should.

Symmetry

Manufacturers design vehicles to look fairly symmetrical from any angle. If you can spot asymmetry, this is not good. Asymmetry might mean the auto body technicians failed to align the frame or bodywork correctly.

High-Quality Materials

You want the technicians working on your vehicle to use advanced auto body repair technology and high-quality parts. Here are some material aspects to consider:

OEM Parts

“OEM” stands for “original equipment manufacturer”. OEM parts are the components your vehicle came with or recommended upgrades. High-quality repairs use OEM parts for any necessary replacements. The alternative is to use aftermarket parts, which might be cheaper, but can impede the functionality of your vehicle and may void your warranty. The right OEM parts fit and perform just like your car’s original components.

Adhesives and Sealants

High-quality adhesives and sealants ensure panels and other components stay attached and resist moisture and corrosion.

Certification and Warranties

A reputable collision repair facility offers warranties on all or most of their work. They may also have certifications from manufacturers verifying that they only use OEM parts.

Paint Finishes

Sometimes you can tell a bad paint finish from a good one, but not always. Here’s what to look for:

Color Match

The paint should match the existing color of the vehicle perfectly. Any noticeable difference in color or shade may indicate a poor-quality repair.

A Smooth and Even Finish

The paint surface of your vehicle should be smooth, with no visible drips, runs, or uneven textures. You want a flawless finish that’s consistent with the rest of the vehicle.

Over-spray

Something you don’t want to see is over-spray. If auto body technicians are careful and use the right auto body repair technology, they won’t over spray the paint on adjacent panels, trim, or glass. Over-spray is a sign of careless workmanship; a skilled technician really ought to be able to color within the lines.

Consistent Gloss

The repaired area should have the same level of gloss and shine as the rest of your automobile. A consistent gloss looks good and suggests the technicians did the paint job correctly with durable, high-quality paint.

Quality Collision Repair

Now you know what to look for when evaluating a collision repair. Careful and skilled technicians using high-quality auto body repair technology and OEM parts will return a vehicle that looks great and operates effectively. Remember, if the technicians were careless with something like a paint job, who knows what they may have overlooked inside your vehicle. That’s why it’s always crucial to visit a collision repair shop staffed by skilled and professional auto body technicians who provide high-quality workmanship.