Straightening is the process of restoring deformed metal surfaces of the car body. All damage can be divided into direct and indirect damage. Direct damage is the area of the bodywork that had direct contact during the impact. Indirect damage is deformation of the bodywork that is not visible during the initial inspection. The body of a modern car is folded in case of an accident, thus absorbing the impact energy.
Types of straightening works
It is important to remember that damage must be repaired in the sequence opposite to their formation. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that some of the deformations could be received at the same time.
Straightening by smoothing
It is possible when you have access from the inside. This is the most time consuming process. You will have to disassemble the body in the place of damage. Next, mark the area of the dent on the part you are working on. Tapping out the inside of the flaw, there should be a support surface, such as an anvil, on the back side. In some cases, you can heat the metal a little to make it more flexible.
Auto bodywork on a bench
Bodywork geometry problems and severe damage from accidents are repaired on the slipway. Bodywork misalignments are corrected according to the manufacturer's drawings and diagrams.
Consequences of body geometry defects:
- Disturbance of the car's wheel symmetry
- bad stability of the vehicle when driving
- Diagonals (reference points) are broken, deformation of the bodywork
Straightening with spotter
Complex defects are eliminated with the help of resistance welding (spotter). This method is used when there is no access to the damaged area from the inside.
The reverse hammer method. It involves straightening a section of metal using pulsed voltage. Before starting work, the place with the defect is cleaned of paint. Then the device sets the necessary parameters of work and resistance welding is carried out.
The method of loop pulling. Using resistance welding, special loops with ears are fixed on the metal. Then the pulling tool straightens the metal to its original shape.
Vacuum straightening of the body
It is used to correct deformations on flat surfaces. Suction cups are fixed to the body by vacuum. After that, the metal is extracted with a reverse hammer. It is worth noting that this method does not eliminate the dent by 100%.
Shrinkage of stretched metal
The task of the tinsmith is to eliminate these stretches and compressions so that they do not remain in the same place and do not appear in a new one. This procedure should be approached wisely, choose the right tools and techniques, based on the nature of the deformation. If you just hit the center of the convexity of the dent with a mallet or hammer, the metal will inevitably warp, that is, stretching or compression will go elsewhere.
It should be borne in mind that after the straightening is completed, an area of stretched metal may form, which becomes weakened and unstable. In these places there is a convexity or concavity of the surface of the part. This defect is called "clapper" (when pressing on the bulge, it bends in the opposite direction). To fix such a defect, it is not enough just to tap it with a hammer.
Removal of dents and small defects
Small damages, dents are removed without a trace by PDR method. The main advantage of this method is the perfect restoration of the surface geometry. If the paintwork is not damaged, then painting is not needed.
Car service AUTOGLOSS offers a full range of car body repair services:
- straightening of car body parts
- replacement of body parts;
- restoration of body geometry on the slipway;
- straightening of the car roof;
- restoration of body geometry;
- straightening of the car on the slipway;
- body restoration;
- colorless removal of dents;
- welding works;
- restoration of the body after an accident;
- repair of bumpers and plastic parts;
- removal of chips and scratches, body polishing;
- car painting (full, local);
- anti-corrosion treatment of cars.
You can find out the cost of body repair by making an application by phone, e-mail or through the application form on our website. We can make a preliminary calculation of the cost of repair by photo.
Stages of car body repair
Body repair at the car service is carried out exactly in accordance with certain stages of work. We can assume that the car after an accident needs repair, and it was brought to the technical center on a tow truck. After accepting the car for body repair, the following operations are performed:
- Defecting. A thorough inspection of the damage is carried out, sometimes it is necessary to disassemble the body elements to assess the damage to the units and supporting structures.
- Checking of control points and diagonals. Violations of the body geometry are checked.
- Assembly/disassembly. At this stage, the car is disassembled (it can be removal of hinged body elements, disassembly of the interior, removal of mirrors, dismantling of the engine, glasses, etc;)
- Straightening of the body. Elimination of distortions of the body, restoration of the geometry of the car on the slipway is carried out by locksmith / welding work, and if the body element cannot be restored, the body part is replaced.
- Preparation for painting. Checking of control points of body geometry, installation of parts and setting of gaps. Further works on preparation of the car for painting, anti-corrosion treatment are performed.
- Painting of the car. The technology of high-quality painting of the car body is a complete replacement of the paintwork.
- Preparation of the car for delivery. Dry cleaning of the interior, polishing of the body, washing of the car and technical maintenance.
