Ever had to deal with smash repair lingo that’s left you feeling a little more confused than confident? We’ve put together a quick guide to brush up on your smash repair lingo.
Aftermarket parts - While aftermarket parts can be appealing as they are generally cheaper than genuine ones, they are not made by the original equipment manufacturer. Choosing aftermarket parts can be cheaper in the short term, but they can leave you out of pocket later on.
Filling - filling, or putty filling can be used to restore original contours in a panel. A putty paste is mixed and then put onto a surface to dry and harden. Once the putty filler has hardened, the surface can be smoothed and shaped through sanding.
Genuine parts - genuine parts can be the most expensive replacement option and will carry the brand logo of your car manufacturer. These parts are not typically manufactured by the car manufacturer themselves, but rather from another company who adds the car makers logo.
Non-structural repairs - these repairs are more cosmetic and generally affect the panels or exterior parts of your vehicle.
Sanding - sanding is used to smooth, shape and contour panels. Sanding is also one of the last steps in preparation for spray painting.
Stretching and shrinking - this is a process where heat is applied to any damaged metal panels. A hammer is then used to reshape the panels back to their original shape.
Re-alignment - force from an accident can cause the under body of your car to be out of alignment. Re-alignment is the process that ensures that everything is properly aligned and that your car is safe to drive.
To understand the assessment and next steps, read our guide to car write-offs and insurance claim preparation checklist.