Yellow Pages® | Articles for Panel Beaters & Painters

Can you repair a small dent yourself?

A small dent on a smooth panel can ruin the appearance of your vehicle. Car doors can receive scrapes and scratches in shopping centrecarparks, or from stones or branches flicked up on the road. What are your options for repairing small vehicle dents?

Close up of small panel repair on car rear.

Common panel beating techniques explained

Panel beating is the process of repairing and restoring a vehicle to its original state, either after a car accident or as part of a restoration project. Some panel beaters specialize in the restoration of vintage or specialty cars, while others focus solely on smash repairs.The process of panel beating is highly labour-intensive, involving various techniques to remove dents, shapepanels to match the original contours then smooth, re-surface and spray paintthe damaged areas. Panel beaters can also perform paintless dent repairs on minor body damage and can re-align a vehicle once it has been involved in an accident. With a professionalsmash repair it is extremely difficult to detect that repair work has been carried out.

Silver car at panel beaters being resprayed.

Different accreditations/qualifications of panel beaters

Becoming a professional panel beater usually involves the completion of a trade certificate, combined with a number of years of work experience. Most panel beaters will also be employed while they are studying, acquiring practical on the job training to support their study. After gaining work experience, a panel beater may decide to become self-employed and open his own workshop. There are a number of professional organizations which a panel beating business can become a member of.

Man in protective clothing spray painting a car.

How do they ensure they match my existing paintwork colour, and will it fade?

Motor vehicle accidents, hail storms and shopping centre dings can all cause damage to your vehicle’s paintwork. If you have the damage repaired by a panel beater or other tradesman, will the end result have your car looking ‘like new’ again, or will there be a variance in the paintwork, texture or body appearance? What if you are repairing an older car that has been kept outside in the weather,and the paintwork has faded over the years. How will the repair paint match the car’s faded paint?

Mechanic with paint book matching car paint colour.

Top 5 things to look for when choosing a panel beater/painter

When your car needs bodywork repairs in order to restore it to its original condition and keep it safe for you and your family, it is important to select a reliable and experienced panel beater. There are a number of factors you can look for when researching panel beaters to ensure you choose the best professional to repair your car. A checklist of what to look for when choosing someone to work on your caris a useful tool to help you with your research.

Panel beater inspecting damage done to front of car.

Do repair jobs cost more when done through an insurance claim?

Being involved in an accident or scrape and needing to repair damage to either your car or someone else’s can be an expensive task. Depending on the nature and extent of the damage, it may be worth claiming through your car’s insurance policy.

How does respraying work?

Respraying a motor vehicle is a complex process involving multiple stepsincluding vehicle preparation, painting and finishing. A vehicle respray is a time-consuming task that requires both patience and skill to achieve the best results.

How long will I be without my car when getting major panel work completed?

Sometimes a vehicle will need major panel work done, either as part of a restoration or as a result of an accident. However, being without our car for even a day can be an inconvenience for the whole family. How long will major panel beating work take?

Man looking at blue car door that has been re-sprayed.

Top things to keep in mind to ensure you get a competitive quote

Having major work done to your vehicle either as a result of an accident or as a restoration project can be a costly exercise. It’s important to get a professional job done to ensure your vehicle looks good and the investment lasts for the life of the car. When choosing a panel beater or car body repair specialist, how do you know if you’re getting a competitive quote for high quality workmanship?

Mechanic and woman discussing issue with car.

Type of car and extent/location of damage – how much might costs vary?

When you are required to make significant repairs to your car’s body as a result of an accident, a number of factors will impact on the cost of the repairs, including the extent of the damage and its location on the vehicle, as well as the make and model of the car.