What services can you expect from an auto body shop is a common question we’re asked at Bodymek. An auto body shop is the place to take your car when it needs cosmetic or structural repairs such as fixing paintwork from scratches.
As specialists in general automotive repairs, we have customers who use our bodywork repair services, our mechanical repairs or both. In this blog we’re going to explain the difference between the two kinds of repair shops and what services you can expect from an auto body shop.
What’s the difference between an auto body and auto repairs shop?
There is a difference between an auto body shop and auto repairs shop, though they both carry out repairs.
An auto repair shop focuses on problems with the mechanics such as oil changes, engine or aircon. An MOT covers mechanical and technical issues so it’s likely you’ll have had to get your vehicle fixed once or twice due to an MOT. From a simple headlight change to a broken clutch, these are the kinds of issues auto repairs shops fix. Anything that includes the engine and brakes will be covered.
Auto body shops focus on the external and structural repairs, such as paintwork, scuffs on alloy wheels and windscreen chips. Body work is the name given to these kinds of repairs. An MOT is less focused on how the outside of a car looks so you won’t see paint scratches come up as an advisory. However, as well as aesthetics, damage to the body of a car can cause further issues. This means body work is an important part of keeping a car in good condition. Body work includes the frame and structure of a vehicle, as well as the external body you can see.
What services do body work shops provide?
There are a range of different services body work shops provide and some places will specialise in particular ones. This means not all autobody shops will provide the same services as each other. In general though, and at Bodymek, you can find the following services.
- Repairs to scratches and dents
- Paint resprays
- Buffing out imperfections
- Restoration of alloy wheels
- Front and rear bumper repairs
- Repairs to structural damage
Why should you get scratches on a car fixed?
One of the most common body work repairs we do here at Bodymek is fixing scratches and dents that have damaged the paint on cars. We often get asked if there is much point to getting them fixed because they can seem like an expensive repair for such a small area.
To help make sense of the cost we explain the process and the reason why scratches should be fixed.
Vehicles have a clear coat of protective paint on top of the colour and this gets damaged when it’s scratched or dented. With the protective coat damaged the paint is likely to get chipped as the weather and cleaning the car strips it away.
When the coloured paint is damaged it causes the metal beneath to rust and disintegrate and you can see why that would be a problem. Crumbling metal is not a safe barrier between a driver and the force of a collision. Rust and scratches will also affect the resale value of a vehicle as it isn’t desirable.
What is the process for fixing car scratches?
The process for repairing scratches includes stripping a great amount of paint away than the initial scratch. Once it’s back to the bare metal the metal is cleaned. The rust is treated and any repairs to the metal take place.
Next, a primer is applied which is then sanded down and cleaned once it’s dry. Several layers of colour matching paint are added which can take the most time as each one has to dry before the next coat is applied. After the colour coat is applied, a protective clearcoat is added to complete the job.
The services you can expect from an auto body repair shop include paint resprays, structural fixes and windscreen restoring. Each body shop might carry out different types of repairs or specialise in a particular element.
At Bodymek we’re proud to be used by Formula One Racing companies for their bodywork repairs. Get in touch with us if you’re in the Northamptonshire area and need any body work repairs carried out on your vehicle, we’re happy to help.
