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.



Ask I-CAR receives many technical inquiries referring to sectioning. The collision repair industry wants to know where can you section, does the OEM have a sectioning procedure, and where can I find the sectioning procedure? Most OEMs allow sectioning to outer body panels and the front and rear rails. Sectioning reinforcements is not as common, as most reinforcements are replaced at factory seams.

Parts are made from various materials including HSS, UHSS, aluminum, and carbon fiber. These parts also have complex designs to collapse or transfer collision forces in a specific manner. Introducing a sectioning joint to many of these parts will alter how the part reacts to those collision forces. For this reason, sectioning a part is only allowed if supported by vehicle maker repair information. Let’s see what Subaru says about structural sectioning.


Ask I-CAR receives many technical inquiries referring to sectioning. The collision repair industry wants to know where can you section, does the OEM have a sectioning procedure, and where can I find the sectioning procedure? Most OEMs allow sectioning to outer body panels and the front and rear rails. Sectioning reinforcements is not as common, as most reinforcements are replaced at factory seams.

Parts are made from various materials including HSS, UHSS, aluminum, and carbon fiber. These parts also have complex designs to collapse or transfer collision forces in a specific manner. Introducing a sectioning joint to many of these parts will alter how the part reacts to those collision forces. For this reason, sectioning a part is only allowed if supported by vehicle maker repair information. Let’s see what Honda/Acura says about structural sectioning.


Collision Hub is a well-known source for collision repair news and information. On the Collision Hub website, you can find a monthly news report (Collision Hub Network News - CHNN), a blog, Repair University, and a relatively new feature Repair University Live. To view Repair University Live, you will need to purchase a subscription. However, the next episode, coming up on April 12, at 12:00 PM Eastern, will be sponsored by BASF, so it will be free to the public. Let’s take a look at how to view this episode and what it will include.


While the debate around pre-repair scanning and post-repair scanning rages on, there is a step that often gets overlooked in the repair process. This step is just as, if not more, important as pre-repair scanning and post-repair scanning. Post-repair calibration, or aiming, is essential for many of today’s advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to function properly.

On March 29, 2017, Jason Bartanen, Industry Technical Relations Director was the guest columnist for Repairer Driven News (RDN) and he dove into the topic of post-repair calibration.


Weld-through primers are generally a zinc-based product that are applied to the mating surfaces prior to welding. Corroding zinc forms zinc oxide which protects the steel. This is called sacrificial corrosion. For a quality weld to be made it’s required that the weld-through primer be removed from the direct weld zone before welding the joint when GMA welding. Many OEMs have a position on when and how to use weld-through primer or when it shouldn’t be utilized. Let’s see what Mercedes-Benz recommends and where this information can be found.


A key factor in collision repair, is making the repair last. When a vehicle is repaired, many areas get disturbed, which will then require corrosion protection to maintain a quality repair. However, there are certain precautions that need to be taken to safely and properly apply corrosion protection. Ask I-CAR received information on a vehicle that received corrosion protection before welding was completed. The fumes from the propellant ignited inside the rocker and exploded, causing major damage to the vehicle. Let’s look at how to prevent this from happening.


Ask I-CAR receives many technical inquiries referring to sectioning. The collision repair industry wants to know where can you section, does the OEM have a sectioning procedure, and where can I find the sectioning procedure? Most OEMs allow sectioning to outer body panels and the front and rear rails. Sectioning reinforcements is not as common, as most reinforcements are replaced at factory seams.

Parts are made from various materials including HSS, UHSS, aluminum, and carbon fiber. These parts also have complex designs to collapse or transfer collision forces in a specific manner. Introducing a sectioning joint to many of these parts will alter how the part reacts to those collision forces. For this reason, sectioning a part is only allowed if supported by vehicle maker repair information. Let’s see what FCA/Stellantis says about structural sectioning.


Ford has released the first installment of their On Target publication for 2017. Features of this issue include how Ford has made the 2017 Super Duty an all-aluminum body over a steel frame, following suit of the F-150. The article describes many of the specs and features of the new model. Ford also has shared an outline for removing the B-Pillar Outer Panel. Let’s take a look at this procedure.


Weld-through primers are generally a zinc-based product that are applied to the mating surfaces prior to welding. Corroding zinc forms zinc oxide which protects the steel. This is called sacrificial corrosion. For a quality weld to be made it’s required that the weld-through primer be removed from the direct weld zone before welding the joint when GMA welding. Many OEMs have a position on when and how to use weld-through primer or when it shouldn’t be utilized. Let’s see what Audi recommends and where this information can be found.


The 2017 SkillsUSA Championships will take place in Louisville, KY in June. Similar to last year’s competition, this year’s contest is introducing a new demonstration element to the competition. Plastic nitrogen welding will be demonstrated at the competition and contestants will be required to demonstrate proper safety, properly clean and prepare plastic parts, and making a nitrogen plastic weld repair. In June, 2018, plastic nitrogen welding will be a scored segment of the competition.


Weld-through primers are generally a zinc-based product that are applied to the mating surfaces prior to welding. Corroding zinc forms zinc oxide which protects the steel. This is called sacrificial corrosion. For a quality weld to be made it’s required that the weld-through primer be removed from the direct weld zone before welding the joint when GMA welding. Many OEMs have a position on when and how to use weld-through primer or when it shouldn’t be utilized. Let’s see what Nissan recommends and where this information can be found.


Ask I-CAR receives many technical inquiries referring to sectioning. The collision repair industry wants to know where can you section, does the OEM have a sectioning procedure, and where can I find the sectioning procedure? Most OEMs allow sectioning to outer body panels and the front and rear rails. Sectioning reinforcements is not as common, as most reinforcements are replaced at factory seams.

Parts are made from various materials including HSS, UHSS, aluminum, and carbon fiber. These parts also have complex designs to collapse or transfer collision forces in a specific manner. Introducing a sectioning joint to many of these parts will alter how the part reacts to those collision forces. For this reason, sectioning a part is only allowed if supported by vehicle maker repair information. Let’s see what General Motors (GM) says about structural sectioning.


The I-CAR Repairability Technical Support (RTS) team recently developed a new I-CAR 360 video on the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The video provides a 360 tour around the new Bolt EV.


Ford has released the first installment of their On Target publication for 2017. One of the articles discusses the construction and repairability of the frame on the 2017 Super Duty. Ford has made the 2017 Super Duty an all-aluminum body, over a steel frame following suit of the F-150. With mixed materials, special considerations need to be taken with the frame construction. The article describes what materials the frame is comprised of, and how it is constructed. Also, what parts are available for repairing the frame after a collision. Let’s take a look at the new Super Duty frame.


Weld-through primers are generally a zinc-based product that are applied to the mating surfaces prior to welding. Corroding zinc forms zinc oxide which protects the steel. This is called sacrificial corrosion. For a quality weld to be made it’s required that the weld-through primer be removed from the direct weld zone before welding the joint when GMA welding. Many OEMs have a position on when and how to use weld-through primer or when it shouldn’t be utilized. Let’s see what Volvo recommends and where this information can be found.