Minor Collision Repair

Paint chips caused by rocks, hail, or other road debris don’t just look ugly, they can spread and lead to further damage to your vehicle. Your vehicle’s paint protects against rust, which can cause significant damage to the body of your car. This also decreases the resale value of your vehicle. The good news is that you might be able to fix car paint chips yourself.  Since 2012, StormWise has used premium paint for flawless dent and hail repair. During that time, we’ve seen and fixed all types of paint chips, so we put together this step-by-step guide so you can avoid a trip to the auto body shop by learning how to fix chips in car paint yourself.  Keep reading to improve the appearance and integrity of your car by assessing paint chips, cleaning and smoothing the area, applying primer when necessary, repainting the damaged surface, and finally buffing and waxing to keep your vehicle looking great for longer.  Step 1: Determine Chip Size Before you start the DIY automotive paint chip repair process, you should determine the size and severity of the chip. Paint chips can vary from tiny to large and, as you might have guessed, it’s easier to fix paint chips when they’re small.  Small chips are often classified as paint chips that are smaller than a dime, medium chips are up to the size of a quarter, and large chips are those that are larger than a quarter. Additionally, you want to identify if the chip is spreading or flaking the surrounding paint. Finally, identify if there is any rust underneath the paint.  While you can fix car paint chips of any size on your own, if there is rust, deep scratches, or significant flaking, especially for large paint chips, we strongly suggest taking your vehicle to a professional paint chip repair service. They will make sure that the rust hasn’t compromised the integrity of your vehicle and ensure a clear, unnoticeable repair for even very large, rusted, and flaking chips and dings.  Step 2: Clean the Area After you determine the size and severity of the rock chips on the car paint, you need to thoroughly clean the area. Doing so will ensure a smooth, lasting paint job and help you avoid painting over dust or dirt that can impact the appearance and color of the paint. Rinse the area with water and then use warm soap and water to wash the affected area and nearby areas around the debris or stone chip. Then, make sure that the area is completely dry before moving on to step 3.  Step 3: Smooth out the Raised Edges Around the Paint When the paint on your car is chipped, then the other edges around the paint can be raised, which can lead to an uneven touch-up paint job. Additionally, there may be waxes, grease, and coatings on the surface that can prevent good paint adhesion.   You can pick up and remove some debris with your hands or tweezers including flaking paint. Additionally, you can use canned air to eliminate smaller debris. Then, use rubbing alcohol to remove grease and oil from the area. This will make it easier for primer or paint to bond with the material.  In some cases, you can gently sand the area to smooth out any remaining rough edges. However, you must be very careful if you plan to sand the area. It can be easy to scratch the paint and cause further damage. There are sanding pens and specific fine-grit sandpapers that are less likely to damage the surrounding paint. Understanding the different types of car scratches is essential before attempting any repairs. Scratches can range from light surface marks that only affect the clear coat to deeper gouges that expose the paint or even the metal underneath. Finally, if there is any rust, you will want to remove as much of it as possible. For large amounts of rust, this can be a difficult task, but you can purchase rust remover and use a cotton swab to eliminate rust from small and medium paint chips. After doing so, you will need to clean away any residual rust remover with isopropyl alcohol.  Step 4: Apply the Primer (If Necessary) For medium and large paint chips that expose the metal body of your vehicle, you will need to apply primer prior to applying paint. Many stores like Amazon and Walmart sell automotive primers that come with an applicator brush to easily coat the area. It’s important to coat the entire exposed area with a very thin layer. You want to use just enough primer so that the paint application can adhere but should avoid using any more than necessary. Immediately wipe away any excess, drips, or streaks.  Additionally, you want to avoid getting any primer on the paint around the chip because it can create a blemish in the appearance of the new paint job. While it will take some patience, try to apply primer slowly and methodologically to ensure a thin coat that doesn’t extend beyond the paint chip. Make sure that the primer is completely dry before moving to step 5. If it is sticky at all, then it is not dry enough.  Step 5: Apply the Paint Now it’s time for the actual paint portion of paint chip repair, but first, you must make sure that you choose the correct color. Otherwise, your new paint will look different from the rest of your paint job.  As long as your vehicle was built after 1983 and still has the original paint color from the dealership or manufacturer, you should be able to find the OEM color on the vehicle. Coupled the VIN number, an automotive repair store should be able to get the exact paint code for your color using Dr. Colorchip or an auto parts store. These types of stores also sell paint chip repair kits and Road Rash kits that may come in handy during the process.  Otherwise,

Your car’s paint job not only enhances its appearance but also serves as a protective layer against potential damage from elements like rust or road debris. When the paint is compromised, addressing the issue promptly is essential to maintaining the vehicle’s condition and longevity. The cost of paint repair can vary significantly based on the type of damage and other factors. Typical paint repairs range from $840 to $5,000, depending on the repair type, with minor touch-ups or scratch repairs falling between $945 and $1,545, while more extensive work like bumper or whole-car resprays can cost anywhere from $1,290 to $5,000. StormWise has used only premium paint to restore the appearance and functionality of 1000s of satisfied customers. Since we want to make sure you always pay a fair cost for a car paint job, we put together this comprehensive guide.  Keep reading to learn the average cost of car paint repair, factors that influence the price, different options for paint damage, the pros and cons of DIY touch-up paint, and more.  Jump to: Average Cost of Car Paint Repair Factors Influencing Car Paint Repair Cost Auto Paint Repair Options DIY vs. Professional Car Paint Repair Insurance and Car Paint Repair Car Paint Repair Cost FAQs Average Cost of Car Paint Repair When it comes to answering the question, “How much is a paint job for a car?” the answer really depends on the type of paint damage and repair. For example, minor scratch repair or touch-up paint is going to cost significantly less than it will to fix deep scratches, paint an entire body panel, or respray the whole car.    To make it easy, we compiled this table with a breakdown of the average auto paint repair costs based on the type of paint repair.  Paint Repair Type Average Cost Range Touch-up (Small Area) $900 – $1,500 Touch-up (Medium Area) $945 – $1,500 Paint Chips $1,030 – $1,635 Minor Scratch $945 – $1,545 Scrapes $950 – $1500 Panel Painting (per panel) $1,170 – $1,770 Bumper Repair/Repaint $1,290 – $1,890 Door Repaint $840 – $1,440 Hood Repaint $840 – $1,440 Fender Repaint $1,100 – $1,700 Roof Repaint $1,135 – $1,735 Whole Car Respray (Basic) $2,020 – $2,620 Whole Car Respray (Advanced) $2,245 – $5,000 Note: These repaint services are commonly performed on sedans valued between $10,000 and $25,000, which are still economically viable for aesthetic maintenance. Factors Influencing Car Paint Repair Cost There are different factors that can affect how much to get your car painted including the extent of the paint damage, the location of the damage, the type and color of paint, and the vehicle itself.  Extent of Damage The severity and type of damage will influence the cost of car paint repair. Small scratches might only take an auto body shop a couple of hours to repair while a deep scratch through an entire paint layer to reveal bare metal might require significantly longer repairs. Location of Damage The location of car paint scratches, dings, scuffs, or dents might also impact the price. For example, a minor scratch on a door panel might be less expensive than a similar scratch on a fender or bumper. That’s because some areas offer complications including curves, headlights, sensors, cameras, and crumple zones.  Type and Color of Paint  The type of paint a repair shop uses will make a difference not only in the cost, but in the durability and appearance of your vehicle and paint job. Additionally, some paint colors are more common or popular while others may be more specialized and only available through certain manufacturers. This will influence the cost of materials and total car paint repair costs.  Vehicle Make and Model Different vehicles may come with different paint repair costs. This not only relates to the deductible, but larger vehicles may require more paint or layers. Plus, luxury brands may also cost more due to the paint color as well as potential metallic flakes, unique finishes, and other factors.  Auto Paint Repair Options When you take your care into an auto body shop or dealership for paint damage, you may have a few options depending on the type of damage. These options include touch-up paint, full resprays, paintless dent repair, and car panel paint. Touch-up repairs are a form of car scratch repair that addresses small areas with surface scratches and clear coat scratches that don’t go all the way through the paintwork and to the metal. If you have deep paint scratches, then you may require a full layer of paint and professional detailing.  If the entire vehicle needs to be painted either to change the appearance or to restore the original vivid color and shine, this is referred to as a full respray. In general, it will include multiple coats, primer, wax, and all additional necessary detailing.  Finally, sometimes when you have a dent you may not even require a paint job. With paintless dent repair, the dent can be removed, and the aesthetic restored without using any paint. If there is a remaining scratch, then touch-up paint can be added to make your car look as good as new once again.  DIY vs. Professional Car Paint Repair While we strongly suggest professional body repair and paint work for anything more than surface level or very minor damage, you do have the option of doing your own paint repair. To do so, you’ll need to gather the necessary tools and supplies, learn best practices, and take precautionary measures.  DIY Paint Repair Pros and Cons Depending on the type of damage, you’ll need a paint repair kit, microfiber clothes, paint, rubbing compound, primer, sandpaper, clear coat, wax, polisher, and more. The process will involve determining the chip or scratch size, cleaning the area, smoothing any raised edges, applying the primer (if necessary), applying the paint and clear coat, and polishing, buffing, and waxing the area.  You will also need to determine how much paint does it take to paint a car, make sure you take

Having a car in the auto body shop can be a stressful hassle, especially if you have to find alternate transportation to get to and from work, school, the grocery store, and anywhere else. The amount of time you’ll have to wait for your car to be repaired can vary greatly depending on the severity of the damage, type of car, insurance claims, and more.   For over 20 years, StormWise has been dedicated to making hail, dent, and collision repair as stress-free as possible for customers. We put together this guide on how long does a collision repair take because we believe that part of a stress-free experience is having the right expectations. Keep reading to learn about collision repair times including the average time it takes for certain repairs, stages of the collision repair process, and factors that influence the amount of time it takes to fix your vehicle. Average Collision Repair Time If you’re wondering, “How long does it take to repair a car after an accident?” then the answer is that it depends on the type of damage and other factors. The average auto body repair time can vary from a few hours to a few weeks or longer. Because the range is so significant for how long do car repairs take, we compiled an easy-to-read table of average repair times for certain levels of damage. Type of Collision Repair Average Time to Fix Minor Collision Repair 1-3 days Major Collision Repair 1 to 3 weeks Paintless Dent Repair 1-2 days Bumper Repair/Replacement 1-3 days Fender Repair/Replacement 1-4 days Door Repair/Replacement 2-4 days Glass Replacement 1-2 days Suspension Repair 2-3 days Frame Straightening 4 days – 2 weeks Paint Repair (minor) 2-4 days Paint Repair (major) 1-2 weeks Airbag Replacement 2-5 days Engine Repair/Replacement 1-4 weeks Full Vehicle Restoration 4-8 weeks or longer Minor vs. Major Collision Repair Times Minor Collision Repair Minor collision repairs, which usually take 1 to 3 days, involve simple fixes such as small dents, scratches, or minor bumper damage.  These repairs are quick because they don’t affect the core structure of the vehicle and typically require only cosmetic adjustments. They are generally not labor-intensive, and with the right tools and parts, the actual work can often be completed in just a few hours. Example: 1. Shopping Cart Collision 2. Tree Branch Scratches 3. Minor Scratches from Road Debris Major Collision Repair On the other hand, major collision repairs can take anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks. These involve more complex issues like frame damage, mechanical problems, or airbag replacements. Because the repairs require more specialized work and may involve waiting for parts, they take longer to complete. Example: 1. Rear-End Collision 2. Side-Impact (T-Bone) Collision 3. Parking Lot Collision with a Pole or Barrier Severe Collision Damage In cases of very severe damage, such as extensive frame damage or when hard-to-find parts are needed, repairs can extend beyond 3 weeks. The more severe the damage, the longer the repair time. Example:  1. High-Speed Head-On Collision 2. Rollover Accident 3. Severe Side-Impact (T-Bone) Collision at High Speed Stages of the Collision Repair Process To understand the timeframe, it’s a good idea to understand the stages of the collision repair process from initial estimate to vehicle completion. Assessment and Estimation The first part of any collision repair service is the initial assessment and estimation. A repair facility will examine the damage to your car, estimate the timeframe and cost of repairs, take necessary photos and paperwork, and then provide the repair estimate to you, the vehicle owner. Timeframe:  Many auto repair shops take several hours to a day or longer to provide an accurate estimate, but StormWise offers free estimates in less than an hour. Get your Free Estimate within an Hour. Insurance Approval If you’re using an insurance policy for your collision repairs, they will have to review and approve the estimate. In some cases, there may be some negotiating based on the required repairs, costs, and other information. Since the insurance company will have to determine if your vehicle is repairable and whether the cost of repairs is fair, this part of the collision repair process can take a few days or longer. Timeframe: 3 to 5 days Ordering and Receiving Parts (if needed) Depending on the extent of damage, the make and model of the vehicle, and the damaged area, the collision repair shop may have to order replacement parts. Depending on the type of parts, this could take anywhere from a couple of hours to a few days or longer. Timeframe: 1-2 hours to 1-2 days Body Repair and Painting The next stage of the collision repair process is the actual vehicle repair. This involves restoring the vehicle to factory specifications and ensuring that the car frame remains structurally sound. We’ll remove dents, replace parts, and use premium paint to restore the aesthetic of your vehicle. Timeframe: 1 day to 4 weeks depending on damage and other factors Reassembly and Quality Control Any detail pieces and final moldings will be put back on the vehicle during this step. Then, we’ll wash, clean, and thoroughly inspect your vehicle to ensure everything looks great. In addition, all vehicle systems are checked and tested for safety and performance. Timeframe: <1 day Additional Factors to Consider In addition to the typical stages of collision repair, you need to consider the possibility of hidden or additional damage that your collision repair technician may discover during the repair process. Some vehicles may also require specialized repairs like frame straightening, wheel alignment, additional auto detailing, or other services that can extend the repair time. There is also a chance of supply chain issues, heavy mechanical workloads, and other potential situations that can lengthen wait time. In general, there are certain main factors to consider that affect how long does it take to repair a car. You can use these to determine a basic timeline of repairs. Factors Affecting Collision Repair Time Several factors affect the answer to the question, “How long

The average collision repair cost can vary a lot and can cost as little as $50 or as much as $2,500 or more. This is because it depends on the severity and location of damage, type of care, parts required, the auto body repair shop you choose, and other factors. Over the last 10 years, StormWise has seen vehicle repairs of all magnitudes, and our experts know exactly how to give an accurate quote. We put together all the information you’ll ever need about collision repair costs. That way, you can determine how much your collision repair process should cost so you never overpay. Keep reading to learn the estimated prices for different types of damages, factors that affect repair prices, how to save money on collision repairs, and more.  Estimated Collision Repair Costs by Damage Location: Since the average estimate price differs a lot depending on where the dents and damage are located, we divided up the average price based on the location of the body damage. Type of Repair Repair Cost Factors that Affect Cost Lower-end example Higher-end example Minor Scratches repair $150 – $2,000 The main factor is whether or not it’s into just the clear coat or the paint. Severity and location of the scratch on the panel and if it’s close to an adjacent panel that will need to have paint blended, age of the car & existing paint quality Bugging out a scuff that’s in the clear coat only. No dent, no paint damage, just buffing a panel. 3 inches or less Deep scratch into the paint with no dent on a quarter pane. This price would include refinish quarter panel, R&I any adjacent moldings or glass, and blend into the roof rail Cracks Repair $700 – $2,000 This requires body & paint work regardless, and the minimum is usually going to run $700 on a single panel. The price increases if the paint has to be blended into 1 or more adjacent panels Small crack on small panel such as a fender that requires no blending of paint to an adjacent panel Crack on a roof rail that requires R&I any adjacent moldings or glass, and blend into the quarter panel Dents Repair $100- $3,000 or more (hail damage can be much more than $3,000) Size, sharpness, and accessibility of the dent, quality of paint and whether or not there’s damage during the paintless dent repair process 1 small, dime-sized dent with easy access to the back side of the panel to do paintless dent repair  A large dent that cannot be PDR’ed, perhaps on a door panel that will need to replaced all together and have adjacent panels’ moldings/glass/trim R&I’ed and adjacent panels painted to match as well Car Windshield Repair $100 – $2,000 Whether it’s a chip that can be filled or a crack that requires replacement, as well as what other features the windshield includes such as a rain sensor, lane departure alert, heads up display, or be heated Small rock chip that can be filled  Newer model car with all the features that needs replaced, which could include a rain sensor, lane departure alert, heads up display, sound suppression, a camera, other sensors, or be heated Seat Belt Repair $200- $3,000 If the seatbelt needs replaced or if it’s a simple fix, or contains an airbag that has to be re-calibrated and connected Something like the seatbelt isn’t retracting properly and just needs a few labor hours from a technician to diagnose and repair A high end seatbelt with airbags included, that needs to be calibrated, and involves a complicated remove and reinstall process Frame Damage Repair $10,000 – $30,000 Any collision that includes frame damage is a major repair that likely includes multiple panel replacements, so factors effecting the price will widely include the parts prices and severity of frame damage 3 panel replacements and paint on older vehicle where aftermarket parts are readily available and the customer requests them The sky is the limit price-wise on the high end of frame damage repair. On a brand new BMW, Mercedes, or Tesla, parts and panels are extremely expensive and have to be imported from overseas Rear-end Collision Repair $150 – $10,000 Whether the paint was damaged, the bumper needs replaced or can be fixed, and any other adjacent panels or frame damage from the collision No paint damage, light scuff on the bumper that requires buffing only  Frame damage on a newer vehicle would push a tear end collision price upwards of $10,000 or more. Includes multiple panels and parts replacements and frame straightening  Front-end Collision Repair $200 – $10,000 Same as rear end repair: the main factors are  whether the paint was damaged, the bumper needs replaced or can be fixed, if there is damage to the radiator, air conditioning unit, headlights, grill, and any other adjacent panels or frame damage from the collision No paint damage, light scuff on the front bumper that requires buffing only  Engine work can shoot the price of repair up, as well as parts on higher end, newer vehicles. Front end collisions are typically more costly because of the fact that engine for most cars is under the front hood, which usually crinkles in a front end collision  Side Collision Repair $300 – $10,000 Factors that effect cost includes if it is light enough for paintless dent repair (which usually side collisions cannot be PDRed), the extent of damage to which ever panel or panels, if there’s damage to the frame or other parts, and the need for additional repairs to doors, windows, or wheels Very light hit into a door where the dent is less than 4 inches in diameter, can be fixed with easy access to the back side of the panel, and required no paint work  Multiple doors effected in the crash, needing to replace the doors and then blend the paint into quarter panel, fender, and roof rail, potential interior trim damage, glass replacement  Full Bumper

On average, minor bumper dent repair will cost somewhere between $150 and $250, but can be as little as $50 or as much as $600 or more depending on many different factors. Everything from the type of damage to vehicle make and model, material of the bumper, location of damage, and more can influence the price you pay to get it fixed.  Since 2012, StormWise has been a leading auto hail repair company, which means we’ve seen all types of damage and the costs associated with bumper repair. We’ve compiled all the information you need to know about repair costs so you can make sure you avoid overpaying for dent removal.  Keep reading to learn the answer to, “How much does it cost to fix a bumper dent?” as well as information about different types of damage, factors that affect bumper dent repair cost, whether DIY repair is an option, and how to save money when getting your bumper fixed. Cost Estimates for Bumper Dent Repairs  Since cost estimates can vary greatly depending on the extent of the damage, it’s a good idea to narrow down bumper dent repair costs by type of damage.  Cost Estimates for Minor Bumper Dents With minor dents, paintless dent repair (PDR) is an affordable and permanent option that can make your car bumper look like new. Paintless dent repair involves reshaping, maneuvering, and smoothing the bumper panel using specialized tools. This leaves the bumper just as strong as before the damage occurred without any need to repaint.  On average, you can expect to pay around $150 to $250 for professional paintless dent repair, but the rear or front bumper dent repair cost can be as little as $50 for light dents. The out-of-pocket costs will also depend on the company or mechanic you choose to fix your vehicle.  For example, a dedicated hail repair shop like StormWise specializes in traditional dent repair and likely won’t charge as much as a dealership or full-service automotive mechanic, or auto body shop. Plus, our bumper repair experts know exactly how to fix small dents, scratches, scuffs, and more without hassle. We even offer free rental car and valet services! Get to know more about Average PDR Cost. Average Costs for Major Bumper Dents Major dents and more extensive bumper damage can include deep scratches, larger dents, creases, and other damaged areas too extensive to be treated with minor repairs. While hail can cause major dents, the more likely cause is significant impact including vehicle collision or fender bender. If it occurred during a storm, it may also be caused by falling tree branches or other objects.  Since larger dents may require a new paint job, sanding, buffing, plastic filler, and more work, you will pay higher labor costs. In general, you can expect to pay between $200 and $750 for major dent repair if you do not need a bumper replacement. If you need a new bumper, then you will likely pay between $800 and $2,000 depending on the type of vehicle, labor rates, car insurance, and other factors. Cracks and Punctures Estimated Repair Costs Serious damage like deep cracks, punctures on the bumper cover, and holes extend beyond a dent in bumper repair cost and will usually require bumper replacement. This is because these damages compromise the strength and integrity of your bumper.  Bumper Dent Repair vs. Bumper Replacement Costs Bumper dent repair involves fixing minor damage including small dents, minor scratches, mild scuffs, and other damage to the surface of the bumper. This repair process may only require paintless dent repair, but may also involve sanding down the damaged area, filling it in with a body filler, and then smoothing and buffing the service.  This area will then be primed and painted to match the color of the rest of your bumper. Since this process is less time-consuming and doesn’t require a new bumper, you will typically pay somewhere between $150 and $600.  On the other hand, if you have major damage, punctures, splits, breaks, and cracks, then your vehicle will probably need a complete bumper replacement. In this case, the damaged bumper will be completely removed and replaced with a new one. This involves higher material and labor costs. Estimated bumper replacement costs land between $800 and $2,000. Factors Affecting Bumper Repair Cost  As you can see from the various estimates and types of damage, the bumper dent repair cost can vary a lot depending on many different factors like vehicle model, material of the bumper, location of bumper damage, location, and more. Knowing how these factors influence cost can help you prepare your budget and avoid overpaying.  Vehicle and Model The type of vehicle as well as the model of vehicle can change the price you pay for dent repair for a few reasons. First, if you need a bumper replacement, aftermarket parts will be more expensive for luxury vehicles or SUVs than for common sedans. Second, the size of the bumper, material, and other factors can change from one vehicle make or model to the next.  Extent of the Damage (Minor vs. Major Dents) As we mentioned earlier, severe damage will incur a higher average cost than minor damage. Even when you don’t need a bumper replacement, heavier damage still means more labor costs, significant auto body repair, repainting, and other services that may not be needed for mild dents.  Material of the Bumper (Plastic, Fiberglass, Metal, Chrome) Most modern automotive bumpers are made from some sort of plastic material like polypropylene (PP) or polyurethane (PUR). Fiberglass is another popular glass-reinforced plastic that’s popular for its protective properties.  Due to the popularity and affordability of these materials, plastic bumper repair costs less than metal bumper repair costs. However, when it comes to severe damage or full replacement, newer bumpers are sometimes more expensive because they are filled with sensors, lasers, cameras, and more.  Location of the Bumper Dent Damage (Rear Bumper / Front Bumper) The location of the bumper dent damage