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.



If you have used the BMW/Mini repair information website since the first of the year, you may have noticed a message. This message was stating the BMW/Mini was transitioning from WebISTA to AIR for the delivery platform to find repair information. WebISTA has been removed from the BMW site as of March 1st. Let’s check out the new AIR platform and how to navigate it.


As a collision repair technician, there is one part of a service manual that houses all of the information you would ever need…right? This is not the case with modern vehicles. You may be required to look in numerous manuals to find the information required to safely repair the vehicle.


We recently posted a position statement from Nissan regarding bumper repairs on vehicles equipped with Blind Spot Warning System. There was some uncertainty around some of the wording, so we reached out to Nissan to get some clarification on what the statement meant. Let’s take a look at what we found out.


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 Volkswagen recommends and where this information can be found.


Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI) released their position statement today on Pre- and Post-Repair System scanning. Per their statement, ETI agrees with the stance that many vehicle makers have taken with requiring a pre- and post-repair system scanning as part of the collision repair process. Let’s see what ETI have to say.


When spot welding on a Honda vehicle, what settings should be used if the body repair manual doesn’t specify? We were recently asked this question so we escalated it up to Honda. Let’s see what they had to say.


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 Subaru recommends and where this information can be found.


A hot topic question that the ASK I-CAR team has been repeatedly asked, “Does Ford have an approved sectioning procedure for the outer quarter panel that does not require the removal of the roof panel?” We now have the answer!


The collision repair industry is ever-changing. In an average year, there are over a hundred new models, face-lifts, and redesigns. With all of these changes, it can be difficult to keep up with all the makes, models, and new technologies. Luckily, I-CAR’s RTS team is dedicated to keeping track of these changes and locating where to find this new information. In 2016 we have added several features and improvements to the RTS portal to make this this ever-changing information easier to find. Let’s take a look.


Nissan released a new position statement addressing the repairability of a damaged rear bumper cover on vehicles equipped with Blind Spot Warning (BSW). Let’s take a look at what is included in this position statement.


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 Mazda recommends and where this information can be found.


When a damaged vehicle enters a collision repair facility, many times the repairs require the battery to be disconnected. Operations such as welding, SRS repairs, engine work, and body panels being open for extended periods of time, can all require that the battery be disconnected. At one time the radio presets would be written down before the battery was disconnected and programmed after the battery was reconnected. However, today many OEMs have special precautions or steps that need to be taken when disconnecting the battery. Let’s take a look at what some OEMs require when disconnecting the battery.


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 Toyota/Lexus/Scion recommends and where this information can be found.


Now that the new year is well underway, let’s take a look at some of your favorite things from 2016. Let's continue with your favorite questions.


Now that the new year is well underway, let’s take a look at some of your favorite things from 2016. Let's start with your favorite articles.