Dings, dents, scratches and rust are all things that can happen to the body of your car. When they inevitably pop up, an auto body shop is the place to go to get them fixed.

Basically, an auto body shop repairs a damaged automobile. This is different from fixing a car that is not operating properly mechanically. The damage to the car is not related to a mechanical failure, but is caused by either a collision or by neglect. The most common cause is collision. Old and abandoned cars may suffer body damage due to rust, but it is the accident that causes a collision that is the main source of work for an auto body shop.

So, what exactly do auto body shops do for you? Well, just about anything related to the body of your car. They can do simple things like pop out dents and remove scratches. On the other end of the spectrum, they can also take “bent” car frames and straighten them out. For the older car, you can get services ranging from repainting to the removal of areas that have decayed from rust and general wear and tear. If you are looking for an upgrade, they can also trick out your ride.

Nothing ruins your week more than getting in an accident. You are going to be without your car for a while. So, what does the auto body shop do with it while it is gone? Well, the first step will be to analyze the damage looking from the interior out. Structural problems are identified and fixed first. After that, the body panels are checked. Most cars have detachable panel systems that allow for relatively easy replacement. After the panels are replaced, the car is sent for painting. Painting can be a touchy thing with older cars. A good painter will be an artist. Why? They must match the new paint to the old paint on your car. It can be tricky after a few years of wear and tear in the sun.

It is important to understand that the term “auto body shop” is a catch all phrase. It is much like using the term “doctor”. There are lots of doctors, but you usually want to see a specialist for your particular problem. The same goes with body shops. If you need a paint job because your car paint has faded after years in the sun, you need to focus on finding the top painter in town. The best specialists in the auto body field tend to stick to their specialty, i.e., the best painter is not going to do windows! If you need a specific fix, find them.

At the end of the day, a good auto body shop is like a cosmetic surgeon. Regardless of the effects of time or more immediate damage from a car accident, they can return your car to its desired form. After all, isn’t that what you really want?