Choosing Paint Colors Wisely

Posted on: 22 December 2015

If this is the first time you've ever been in a minor fender bender with another car, you might expect to go to an auto body shop. However, you might not know what to expect. Use the following tips to make sure that you get your car back quickly and without overspending.

Choose Your Own Body Shop

You have likely contacted your insurance company to report the accident and get their recommendations for a local body shop, but you have to know that you need not use any of those recommendations. It is not certain that you give up coverage if you don't go to the body shop they want you to go to. Get a list of your own estimates from shops in the area so that you can choose a suitable one.

Be Aware of Aftermarket Parts

Many body shops choose to use aftermarket parts as replacements in your car, and some of them do so without telling you. Aftermarket parts are parts that are not produced by your car's original manufacturer. In many cases aftermarket parts work properly and cost less money because they do not come from the original manufacturer, but it is vital that you are aware of what kind of parts are going into your car. Ask to know for sure.

Check the Paint Job Before Leaving

If you have had part of your car painted, it is important that you thoroughly inspect the new paint job before driving away from the shop. Make sure to pick your car up in the daytime so you can look at your car and determine if the color of your car and the new paint match. While many cars have the factory codes for a particular color, there are different factors that affect whether the paint factory code a technician punches into the machine will match your car's color. For example, your car's manufacturer might have used a different brand than the auto body shop does.

If you do see a slight different in color, be sure to notify a technician. They should be able to make adjustments to the paint color accordingly and have your car repainted as needed.

Now that you have some idea of what to expect at the body shop after your first minor accident, keep the above information in mind as you go through the process of getting your car repaired. Speak to the shop technicians (like those at Aldrich Auto Body & Repair, Inc.) if you have additional concerns.