Smarter than an Average Repair

For a long time now used car dealers have been utilising smart repairers. The advantage of this is the low cost to remove minor dents to what is otherwise a presentable car for sale. This has now moved on and it is now possible to have a one stop shop turn up and remove dents, rectify small tears on trims etc., and even have the wheels refurbished. Many years ago when I was a young lad of 19 (and I know some of you still believe I am), it was frowned on when a dent repair specialist was on site at a garage doing smart repairs to a panel, as it was perceived as removing money from the bodyshop. In reality, overall to a main dealer or car super market, this has been proven to be a cost saving, as the cost for manpower, paint, materials and costs in running a paint booth would outweigh the cost for a smart repair on a vehicle. As an ex bodyshop manager, like any other manager, it was never looked at this way. I have been involved in numerous demonstrations on smart / trim and wheel refurbishments. Those of you who have witnessed the smart repairs would agree that the skill of the technician can make a vast difference to the overall finished product, it can also go the other way and make a small dent look even worse, dependant on the panel. A good smart repair technician is worth his weight in gold. The methods adopted are interesting and the tools they use are curious to look at. These companies are popping up everywhere and it is now not uncommon for body shops to utilise their services in rectifying damage, as opposed to repairing the damage themselves. This I am told has been a profit centre, if handled correctly. I have always had concerns over the health and safety / COSH regulations with regards to these vans turning up and painting vehicles out in the open, normally on dealer car parks or in the rear car park, but that's for another issue I'm afraid.

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