Collision Repair News

Your job requires that you keep on top of the latest in vehicle, tool, and equipment technology – I-CAR is committed to helping you do so in one convenient place. We regularly publish new articles highlighting the latest and greatest collision repair information.

So check back often and follow us on Twitter @Ask_ICAR to ensure you’re equipped with the most up-to-date collision repair technical information available in the industry.



Cosmetic Repairs To Aluminum Exterior Panels

Repairing mild steel body panels with collision damage is nothing new. Using hammers, dollies, and picks when access to the backside is obtainable is a very common practice for straightening. With areas of limited access to the backside, using a weld-on dent puller for straightening is also quite common. So why does this change when dealing with an aluminum exterior panel?

Continue Reading...



What's A Ford Lap-Joint Backer Plate?

In your recent pursuit of late-model Ford sectioning information, you've scanned past the term "lap-joint backer plate" in their body repair manuals. Wait a minute, pause, rewind, what is a lap-joint backer plate and how do you make that?

Continue Reading...




What's A BMW/Mini Engine Support?

When it comes to repair information, vehicle makers use a wide variety of terminology for replacement parts. All of the different names can be confusing, especially when repairing a variety of vehicle makes and models.

Continue Reading...






Have You Ever Had A Vehicle With A Damaged Cowl?

A cowl may also be referred to as a firewall or dash panel. It is common for cowls to be multi-piece parts. Typically, if the part is sold by the vehicle maker, it can be replaced as supplied. A cowl may have one or multiple layers of sheet metal. When this type of part is replaced, make sure to maintain the same panel layering as the original part.

Continue Reading...


It's Not Just A Flashlight

How do you use a 3M™ Sun Gun™ to evaluate color? Do you just shine it straight at the panel like you would any old flashlight? Did you know that there is a procedure for getting the best results?

Continue Reading...



What Makes An Aluminum Stud Welder Different?

Because more aluminum panels are being used on vehicles to reduce weight, you are more likely than ever to have to remove a dent in an aluminum panel where you can't get access to the backside of the panel to push the dent out.

Aluminum dent removal equipment is available for pulling dents out of aluminum panels using weld-on studs similar to the way you pull dents on steel panels. But, do you know what's different about the aluminum "stud welders" compared to the steel "stud welders"?

Continue Reading...