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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.
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On the BMW i3 with the carbon fiber passenger cell, the question is often asked, how do we repair damage to the carbon fiber? For that answer BMW presented an overview of the repairs at the 2014 SEMA show. The simple answer is that you cannot repair the passenger cell the way that you would repair a sheet molded compound (SMC) part.
This article originally appereard in Fender Bender.
Nov. 6, 2014—I-CAR has begun an initiative in which it is using real-time information from current technicians in order to provide rigorous, efficient, role-based training that makes sense for today's specialized repair professional, according to an announcement from the Society of Collision Repair Specialists.
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.
This article originally appeared in the November 2014 edition of ABRN.
When friends and family think about the vehicles of yesteryear they often say to me "they don't build them like they used to." I tell them, you have no idea how right you are. Cars today are light years ahead of where they were just a few short years ago. It is no longer vehicles of the future we are discussing, but current vehicles on the road today, and some are being repaired like nothing has changed. With the major changes in vehicle construction, the collision repair industry will need to learn some advanced attachment methods and a new way of thinking. Lets take a look at some advanced attachment methods necessary for repair on vehicles that are on the road today.
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.
FAQ: What tools and equipment do I need to repair the new Ford F-150?
ANSWER: There are a wide variety of options available and you need to asses what will work for your shop.
Recently, I-CAR CEO & President, John Van Alstyne, caught up with John McElroy on Autoline to discuss vehicle light weighting and the "Technical Tsunami" that is happening in automotive industry.
In previous I-CAR Collision Repair News articles, we announced the availability of comprehensive collision repair information from Kia.
We've added the 2015 Nismo GRT; Caring For And Repairing Matte Paint Finish service bulletin from Nissan North America that addresses caring for and repairing matte paint finish.
Recently, a collision repair professional called to Ask I-CAR, "How is aluminum dust disposed of after it has been collected in a sparkless motor vacuum?"
Ever hear about the Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG)? If you haven’t, it’s a great resource. Let’s face it, sometimes an estimating system doesn't have everything in its database that is needed to write a complete damage report. Sometimes the process to replace a part is not clear; other times it may be simple human error or a computer glitch.
Once people get used to calling something one thing, it's difficult to change it. To be technically accurate, whether it's MIG or MAG depends on the shielding gas.
When GMA (MIG) welding started its rise, it was often referred to simply as MIG welding. While this term is widely known, it's not technically accurate. MIG stands for "Metal Inert Gas" and is accurate when making welds using an inert shielding gas, such as 100% argon when welding aluminum. However, for most collision repairs on steel parts, we use a shielding gas that is 75% argon, 25% carbon dioxide (often called 75/25, or C-25). Because carbon dioxide is an active gas, the correct term would be metal active gas (MAG) welding.
I-CAR recognizes minimum driveaway time for urethane adhesive. This is a time specification that the glass industry has agreed on when a vehicle that has had a stationary glass replacement can be released to the customer. It is when the adhesive has achieved enough strength to pass Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 212, windshield retention, and 208, occupant protection.
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.
by Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS)
Prosser, Washington, September 25, 2014 - The collision repair industry benefits from accessibility to clear and concise documentation regarding processes and procedures that are necessary to produce warrantable repairs. In July, the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) issued a request to automotive refinish coatings manufacturers with an intent to update documentation on the issue of mid-panel clearcoat blending. Previous correspondence collected 10 years prior had demonstrated a consistent requirement for clearcoat application to extend across an entire panel, to the nearest breakpoint, in order for the repairs to be covered under refinish manufacturer warranties.
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 more 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.
FCA/Stellantis has released a position statement related to pre- and post-repair system scanning.
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...
The Joy Of Repair newsletter by Honda is made with repairers in mind and can be easily found on the Repairability Technical Support (RTS) website.
Honda has released the first volume of The Joy Of Repairs newsletter.
Honda has released the second volume of The Joy Of Repairs newsletter.
Sometimes, going back to the basics can make the difference between a quality repair and a failed repair. Squeeze-type resistance spot welder (STRSW) maintenance is essential to ensure it functions...
Ford has released the first installment of their On Target publication for 2026.
I-CAR is having a discussion on advancements in plastic repair.
I-CAR has developed courses that provide an overview of collision repair and electromechanical repair for current Volvo vehicles.
Did you notice the A/C refrigerant that is in the 2016 Honda Civic? It's R-1234yf and it’s no typo that Honda is requiring POE compressor oil for this system and not PAG (like other OEMs).
While looking at repair procedures in a body repair manual (BRM) you may notice that symbols are used to indicate specific operations or parts to be used during the repair process. Most BRMs provide a...
When an accident happens, how will you call for help? Maybe the telematics system, equipped with a backup battery, could automatically do this, even if the main power is cut off. What are the repair...