You were in an accident, do you know what kind of damage your car has?

What Is Cosmetic Damage?

Cosmetic damage refers to damage that has had no impact on the structure or function of your vehicle. This damage could be paint scratches, scraped bumpers, or dings on the body. Cosmetic damage can be a result from rocks flying up, weather conditions, lightly bumping into something, etc. 

Some people might delay having cosmetic damage to their car repaired because this type of damage will most likely not affect how the car functions. Unfortunately, damage to the paint job disrupts the protective clear-coat layer on the paint. This breach in protection will allow oxidation of the metal body and of the base color paint, leading to rust, fading, and paint peeling. 

How Can I Fix Cosmetic Damage?

Proper cosmetic repairs, that are meant to last for as long as you own the vehicle, can only be handled by an experienced auto body shop. The simplicity or complexity of this type of repair is determined by the vehicle type, paint color, location and extent of the damage. The cost of this type of repair varies widely based on these factors. The most important factor for the outcome of the repair is the skill of the auto body technicians working on your vehicle. Ask the body shop for photos of previously performed cosmetic repairs to view their level of quality. Ray’s Automotive specializes in restoring the appearance and value of your vehicle. We are experts in paint refinishing and understand a precision paint job completes the look of a repaired vehicle. 

What Is Hidden Damage?

When a human gets injured, you might see some physical injuries, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a deeper injury inside of their body too. The same goes for your vehicle. If you are involved in an accident, you might see some damage to the outside of your vehicle, but you might also have internal damage that you are not aware of. Hidden damage can affect the underlying structure, suspension, mechanical or electrical systems of your vehicle. For this reason, taking pictures of the vehicle for an appraisal of repair is extremely inaccurate, but cost-effective for the entity liable for the repair costs. 

How Can I Find Hidden Damage?

Due to the nature of hidden damage, an inspection is required by an experienced technician. We connect to the vehicle's computer to determine what the diagnostic system reveals about the damage. Then the area around the impact is disassembled to view and diagnose the extent of the necessary repairs. If you were in an accident and are unsure of the damages to your vehicle, call Ray’s Automotive. Ray's Automotive is your unbiased advocate in returning your vehicle to pre-accident condition. Your safety is our number one priority and we want to make sure that your vehicle is in the best shape for you to drive. 

What Is Structural Damage?

The frame or structure of your vehicle is the foundation to which all other components are attached. Think of the frame as the skeleton of the vehicle. A vehicle will suffer structural damage when the energy of the collision is severe, causing the structure to absorb the energy and deform to protect the vehicle's occupants. The vehicle will no longer properly drive down the road, causing the suspension, steering, and tires to wear prematurely.

How Can I Fix It?

Structural damage to a vehicle can be a serious issue. In some cases, the cost to repair the vehicle may exceed the vehicle's value. If the vehicle is deemed repairable, there are approved vehicle manufacturer methods using special measuring and adjustment equipment to return the structure to factory specifications. At Ray’s Automotive, we specialize in fixing damaged vehicles to restore them to pre-accident condition and make you feel safe to drive again. 

Give Us a Call!

Whether you have minor cosmetic damage or more severe structural damage, make Ray’s Automotive your first choice for all of your auto body needs. Our speciality is returning your vehicle to its pre-accident condition. Trust Ray’s Automotive with your vehicle and give us a call today!