3 Types of Parts YOU Can Use When Replacing Damaged Auto Body Parts
"New Replacement Body
Panels, Aftermarket Body
Panels and Salvaged Car
Body Panels"
If the damage to your car body panels is too extensive for body filler repair, using replacement body panels would be a faster and sometimes an easier alternative.
On occasion, damaged body panels may be beyond your bodywork repair skills or you may have found that your collision repair efforts in straightening body panels were ineffective. Sometimes this will happen.
Most vehicles are designed with their bodies made up of individual car body panels, making it far easier to replace them.
If you decide on replacing body panels, you could use either:
 |
New Sheet Metal Replacement Body Panels direct from the Manufacturer |
|
Aftermarket Body Panels - Made in China parts etc... |
|
A Salvage/Scrap Yard |
Getting New Sheet Metal Replacement Body Panels direct from the Manufacturer (OEM)
Any car dealer's auto body shop, if hired to carry out an insurance job, would attain replacement body panels direct from the vehicle's manufacturer; making the car body panels completely brand new and genuine.
This is the most expensive option but being brand new sheet metal with all of their original mounting features, their higher quality fit would render the replacement body panels far easier to work with, saving overall bodywork time.
Auto body shops simply don't have the time to save damaged parts when a phone call is all it takes to have brand new car body panels delivered straight to them. You may want to do this to your project if you have the budget.
If insurance is covering the cost, which is often the case, new replacement body panels would be ordered without question.
The reason for this is because the time it would take an auto body shop to fix the damaged panel or the cost a hiring a rental car for the time the vehicle is off the road, would be a lot more expensive than the cost of a replacement panel.
If you're paying for the parts yourself however, you may choose to repair some of the affected panels, keeping the overall cost to a minimum.
When installing the new panels, you must first check each panel for any signs of rust or damage before they are installed. I have had times when the brand new part had a ding or two in the panel I'd ask for a 30% discount and 95% of the time I get it. The rest is cash in my pocket.
Ask for discounts if you get damaged parts and don't mind fixing them.
Working with Aftermarket Body Panels
When dealing with aftermarket body panels it can be a little hit and miss; it also depends on the manufacturer. These panels come with all of the original features and will look the same as the original panel being replaced.
However, any problems you may experience with the panel fitting incorrectly will not be discovered until after you have purchased the part and attempted to install it. There are however some excellent after market parts available so ask around for good dealers before you purchase.
I put an entire after market front end on a 1991 Mazda RX-7 and it came out Excellent. Some parts didn't match to speck but with a little cutting and drilling new holes ther car looked like it was never hit. Pictures coming soon on this project.
A vital point to consider when buying from a salvage yard
If you decide to purchase replacement body panels from a salvage/scrap yard, choose the one with the best sheet metal to fit your vehicle; suffering the least damage and rust.
It makes no practical sense to purchase a replacement panel that is in a worse condition, requiring collision repair or even auto rust repair, than the one you already have.
It would also be smart to carry out any paint removal using sanding, chemical paint stripping, dipping or auto media blasting methods whilst the panel is still unattached from your vehicle. The most common method is sanding.
Regardless of what method you use for obtaining a replacement panel, make sure the mounting brackets, emblems or trim are included with your order or are still usable on your vehicle.
My advice for removing car body panels from your vehicle
If you don't immediately see how you are to take off the panel you are replacing, examine an car accident repair manual for your vehicle to find out how or ask at a local auto body shop or auto store like Checkers, O'Reilly, AutoZone, PepBoys etc...
Remember, pay close attention as you remove the damaged panel; in doing so you will learn how to install the new one. Simple!
For the best results, you can apply the automotive primer undercoats before you install the panel(s). This will ensure that all the parts of the panel can be coated easily with epoxy primer, therefore optimizing your anti-corrosion efforts. If you are not concerned about blending, you can simply paint the panel off of the body.
If you want to blend for PRO finishes, the top coats should only be applied once the panels are secured onto the vehicle, this will allow for precise color blending with the adjacent panels, but don't worry. We show you EXACTLY how you can easily achieve PRO paintjobs from your home garage set up.
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