If you consider yourself a “do it yourselfer” and a car buff you may be toying with the idea of repairing collision damage on your vehicle. The following tips may be helpful to ensure that you do the job right – but remember, there are some repairs that are best left to the professionals.
When it comes to DIY – the internet can be helpful:
In today’s day and age, we Google to learn how to do things that we have never done before. Google can deliver you back vast amounts of information regarding how to repair auto collision damage, but remember, just because an article is posted on the internet doesn’t mean that the writer knows what s/he is talking about.
Our best advice is to read several articles on the same topic. If all the writers are offering the same advice, you will likely have a thorough lesson on repairing collision damage. Keep in mind, that the first article may not be the best article. It may be in the number one position because the writer spent some money on advertising. So again, look for similar articles before you begin.
When buying replacement parts – cheaper is usually not better:
If you need replacement parts for your collision damage repair DIY – make sure they are the right parts for your car. There are lots of counterfeit parts floating around on the internet so beware. If the site you are buying your parts from is cheaper than every other site, chances are the parts may be counterfeit. To ensure that you are using quality parts either purchase them from the automaker or purchase used.
Test your work on a screen door or other large metal object before beginning work on your car:
Practice makes perfect which is why professionals generally do a good job repairing collision damage. They have all the equipment needed to do the job correctly. So how does a DIYer practice that type of work? Try repairing damage on a screen door or a metal home entry door. If you can create a smooth, seamless repair on something as large as a door, it can give you the training needed to repair auto collision damage.
These three tips can help prepare you for your projects. If you change your mind and want to leave your car repair work to the professionals, call Barry’s Auto Body at 718 948-8585. We have 30 years of experience in the auto body industry.