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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 X @Ask_ICAR to ensure you’re equipped with the most up-to-date collision repair technical information available in the industry.
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 we have found for weld-through primer guidelines.
You may have noticed that A/C refrigerant on many new vehicles has started to change. For many years, OEMs used R134a. However, government mandates require OEMs to phase out R134a by the year 2021. This left OEMs scrambling to find a replacement. Many US OEMs chose to use R1234yf to replace R134a, but there are some OEMs that have chosen a different route. Let’s take look at these new refrigerants.
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.
On April 17, 2017, the Automotive Service Association (ASA) released a position statement on pre- and post-repair system scanning. This statement coincides with many of the recently released statements issued by OEMs. Let’s see what this position statement says.
The addition of the OEM Calibration Requirements Search to the RTS portal was a big step for the collision industry. While this new feature has been well received, there has been some confusion about what is included in the search tool. OEM Calibration Requirements Search is designed to provide information on the calibration requirements that are needed for vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This includes systems such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and collision braking.
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.
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.
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/Surventis, 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.
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.
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.
As the industry continues to ask if pre- and post-repair system scanning is necessary, Toyota/Lexus/Scion provides their answer.
Are you wondering if a particular OEM or organization has a published statement on pre-repair and post-repair scanning? We have compiled a list of most of the statements on the subject, so you can...
Since advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), scanning, and calibration first started becoming relevant, members of the collision repair industry have required as much knowledge as possible on...
BMW has released a position statement related to pre- and post-repair system scanning. The statement applies to All vehicles equipped with on board diagnostics II (OBD II).
Honda/Acura has updated their position statement on pre- and post-repair scanning to give additional clarification on what is expected for scanning.
The I-CAR best practice article, Recycled Outer Quarter Panels w/Rolled Hem Flanges has gotten a lot of interest from the collision repair industry. It’s important to know which vehicles are...
As the industry continues to ask, are pre- and post-repair scans necessary, General Motors provides their answer.
Over the past few months, we've been sharing OEM position statements on restraints wiring repairs. Now we're bringing them all together in one place for easy reference.
Technicians should be aware of what’s required to keep advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) running safely after a collision. Whether that be aiming a camera, which can cause a system to not...
FCA/Stellantis has released a position statement related to pre- and post-repair system scanning.
I-CAR is having a discussion on the I-CAR apprenticeship program.
Sometimes seeing is understanding, that’s why I-CAR's technical team created the Just in Time video series to guide you through a variety of collision repair topics from ADAS and EVs to repair tips...
Day four of the numerous I-CAR and SCRS interviews and presentations at the 2026 SEMA Show.
Day three of the numerous I-CAR and SCRS interviews and presentations at the 2026 SEMA Show.
Day two of the numerous I-CAR and SCRS interviews and presentations at the 2026 SEMA Show.
Day one of the numerous I-CAR and SCRS interviews and presentations at the 2026 SEMA Show.
Per your request, we have step-by-step instructions on how to access the vehicle maker repair information to complement our how-to videos. Let's look at Subaru.
I-CAR had a discussion on FCA/Stellantis sectioning guidelines.
Ford has released the third installment of their On Target publication for 2026.
General Motors (GM) has a position statement on trailer hitch repair, first released in June 2026 and revised in September 2026.