Understanding the language of car body parts is essential for anyone in the automotive industry, from repair technicians to insurance professionals, and even car enthusiasts. This comprehensive guide breaks down common terms you’ll encounter when discussing vehicle bodies, collision repair, and aftermarket parts. Knowing this terminology ensures clear communication and accurate assessments in the world of auto body repair.
Aftermarket (A/M) Parts
These are replacement parts for vehicles not manufactured by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). Aftermarket parts can be produced by various companies and offer alternatives in terms of price and availability compared to OEM parts.
Alignment
Alignment refers to the precise adjustment of a vehicle’s suspension and steering components. This process is crucial for ensuring proper handling, tire wear, and overall driving safety. Modern alignment is performed using computerized equipment that provides detailed measurements and compares them against factory specifications. Alignment is also vital in post-collision diagnostics to detect hidden suspension damage not immediately visible.
Bench (Frame Rack or Rack)
Also known as a Frame Rack or Rack, a bench is a robust metal platform used in auto body shops to restore a vehicle’s structural integrity after damage. The vehicle is securely mounted to the bench, and hydraulic equipment with chains and clamps is used to precisely pull and realign the vehicle’s frame or unibody back to its original factory dimensions. This is a critical step in ensuring the vehicle’s structural safety and proper fit of body panels.
Betterment
In insurance terms, betterment refers to the depreciation of a part that is replaced due to an accident but had pre-existing wear. This is often applied to components like tires and batteries. For example, if a tire is 75% worn, an insurance company might only cover 25% of the replacement cost, arguing they are only obligated to return the vehicle to its pre-accident condition, not a better one. However, betterment policies vary among insurance companies.
Blend
Blending is a refinishing technique used in painting to seamlessly integrate new paintwork with the existing paint on adjacent panels. This is done to avoid noticeable color mismatches, especially when achieving an exact factory color match is challenging. The new color is carefully faded or overlapped into the surrounding area.
Body Time (Body Labor)
Body time, or body labor, encompasses the work hours spent on non-mechanical repairs to a vehicle’s body. This includes tasks such as panel removal and installation (R&I, R&R), frame straightening on the floor, repairing non-mechanical body components, and the application and sanding of body filler (like Bondo) to achieve smooth surfaces before painting.
Chip Guard (Rock Guard)
Chip guard, also known as rock guard, is a protective, durable coating applied to lower body panels of a vehicle. Its purpose is to protect these vulnerable areas from damage caused by road debris like stones and gravel, preventing paint chipping and corrosion.
Chip Protector (Stone Shield or Rock Shield)
Chip protector, stone shield, or rock shield, unlike chip guard coating, is a clear, adhesive plastic film. It’s applied to specific areas prone to chipping and scratching, such as rear bumpers, door edges, lower door panels, and bedside areas. This film acts as a barrier, preserving the underlying paint finish.
Clear Coat (Clear)
Clear coat is the final, transparent layer applied over a base coat in modern automotive painting systems (base coat/clear coat systems). It is pigment-free and provides gloss, depth, and crucial protection to the colored base coat from environmental factors like UV rays and scratches.
Color Sand and Polish (Buff to Match OEM Finish, Denib and Finesse)
These terms describe similar detailing processes performed to refine the paint finish after application. Color sanding and polishing involve carefully sanding and buffing the clear coat to remove imperfections like dust particles or texture (denibbing). The goal is to achieve a smooth, glossy finish that matches the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) standard.
Deductible
A deductible is the amount of money the insured person is responsible for paying out-of-pocket per insurance claim before the insurance coverage begins to pay. In auto repair, the customer pays the deductible amount directly to the repair facility.
Degreasing
Degreasing is a critical step in the auto body repair process, involving the removal of contaminants like grease, wax, and oil from vehicle surfaces before painting or other treatments. Proper degreasing is essential for ensuring good adhesion of paints and coatings and preventing surface defects.
Detailing
Detailing is the final cleaning and cosmetic enhancement of a repaired vehicle, both inside and out. This includes interior cleaning, exterior washing and waxing, polishing, and often the application of pinstripes. Detailing also involves removing any paint overspray from areas like the engine compartment and trunk.
DRP (Direct Repair Program)
DRP stands for Direct Repair Program. These are agreements between auto body repair shops and insurance companies. DRPs establish guidelines and standards for repairs, including warranties, billing procedures, and record-keeping, streamlining the repair process for insured customers.
Estimate
An estimate in auto repair is a preliminary assessment of the cost to repair a vehicle based on visible damage. Due to the nature of collision damage, which often includes hidden issues, initial estimates are subject to change. Once disassembly and further inspection are completed, a supplement may be necessary to account for additional repairs. Reputable shops work with insurance companies to ensure all necessary repairs are covered.
Floor Setup & Pull
Floor setup and pull is a method of frame or unibody repair that involves anchoring a damaged vehicle to the shop floor using secured posts and chains. Controlled pulling force is applied to strategic points on the vehicle’s structure to realign the frame or sheet metal components.
Frame/Rack Setup (Rack Setup or Bench and Measure & Pull)
Frame rack setup, also known as rack setup or bench and measure & pull, is a more precise method of structural repair than floor pulling. The vehicle is mounted and clamped onto a specialized frame rack or bench. Measurements are taken to assess the extent of the structural damage, and then hydraulic pulling equipment is used to accurately realign the vehicle’s frame or unibody to factory specifications.
Frame Time (Frame Labor)
Frame time, or frame labor, is the labor cost associated with structural repairs performed on a frame rack. This includes setting up the vehicle on the rack, performing pulling and straightening operations on frame rails and unibody structures, and removing and replacing (R&R) damaged structural components.
Hazardous Waste (Toxic Waste)
Hazardous waste in auto body repair refers to unusable byproducts from repair and painting processes that cannot be disposed of through regular waste streams. These materials, such as paint waste, solvents, and used chemicals, can be harmful to the environment and require special handling and disposal according to environmental regulations.
Initial Inspection (Preliminary Estimate)
The initial inspection is the first step in the damage assessment process. It involves visually inspecting the vehicle, documenting visible damage with photos (often required by insurance), and creating a preliminary repair estimate before any disassembly or teardown is performed.
LKQ (Like Kind and Quality, “Used” or Recycled)
LKQ stands for Like Kind and Quality. It refers to used auto parts that are salvaged from other vehicles. LKQ parts are expected to be of the same year or newer and in equal or better condition than the original part. They are inspected by the salvage vendor and again by the repair shop before use to ensure suitability. LKQ parts offer a cost-effective and environmentally conscious alternative to new parts.
Masking
Masking is the process of temporarily covering areas of a vehicle that should not be painted or exposed to paint overspray during the refinishing process. Masking paper, tape, and plastic sheeting are used to precisely protect surfaces like glass, trim, and adjacent panels.
Mechanical Time (Mechanical Labor)
Mechanical time, or mechanical labor, refers to the labor costs associated with repairing or replacing mechanical components of a vehicle during collision repair. This includes work on the engine, exhaust system, electrical wiring, battery, air conditioning, and other mechanical systems that may be damaged in an accident. It involves removing and installing (R&I, R&R) these components.
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer, OE or “Factory”)
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. OEM parts are brand new parts manufactured by the vehicle’s maker or their direct suppliers. These “factory” parts are designed to be identical to the original parts used when the vehicle was first assembled, ensuring proper fit, function, and quality.
OPT OEM Parts
OPT OEM parts are new OEM parts sold at a discounted price compared to the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). These can be overstock parts, parts from dealerships with competitive pricing programs, or sourced through recycled parts suppliers. OPT OEM parts offer a cost saving while still providing OEM quality.
Prep
Prep, short for preparation, is the crucial process of preparing a vehicle panel for painting. This involves washing, degreasing, and lightly abrading the surface to create a suitable base for paint adhesion. Proper prep work is essential for a durable and high-quality paint finish.
Primer
Primer is the foundational layer of a coating system applied directly to a bare, unpainted surface. Its primary functions are to provide adhesion for subsequent layers, protect the underlying material from corrosion, and create a uniform surface for the topcoat (paint).
Production Date
The production date of a vehicle is the specific calendar date it was manufactured and left the factory. This date is usually found on the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) tag, often located on the driver’s side door or door jamb. Knowing the production date is important as it helps identify if any design changes occurred before or after that date, which can affect parts compatibility.
R&I (Remove and Install)
R&I stands for Remove and Install. It refers to the process of taking off a part from the damaged vehicle with the intention of reusing it. The part is carefully removed, stored safely during the repair process, and then reinstalled once the repairs are completed.
R&R (Remove and Replace)
R&R stands for Remove and Replace. This term is used when a part on the damaged vehicle is beyond repair and must be replaced with a new or LKQ part. The damaged part is removed and discarded, and a replacement part is installed in its place.
Remanufacturing (Reconditioning)
Remanufacturing, or reconditioning, is a specialized repair process, often sublet to vendors like Keystone, for specific parts like bumpers and wheels. It involves repairing and refinishing repairable plastic bumper covers, metal bumper assemblies, and alloy wheels that have been scratched, scuffed, or chipped. This is a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to replacing these parts.
Repair Authorization
Repair authorization is the point at which the vehicle owner gives permission for the auto body shop to begin repairs. This authorization may be contingent on insurance approval and settlement.
Roping (Back-masking)
Roping, also known as back-masking, is a specialized masking technique used during paint preparation. It involves carefully lifting or pulling back weather strips, seals, and moldings around panels to be painted. This allows paint to be applied fully to the panel edges underneath these trims, ensuring complete coverage and preventing paint failure or peeling along edges, which is necessary for workmanship warranties.
Sublet
Sublet refers to repair services or tasks that are contracted out to an external vendor or specialist. Common sublet services include painted pinstripes, glass replacement, vinyl repair, locksmith services, and more specialized repairs that the primary repair shop may not perform in-house.
Supplement
A supplement is a request for additional repair costs beyond the original estimate. Supplements are common in collision repair because hidden damage is often discovered only after the vehicle is disassembled. These additional costs cover unforeseen repairs necessary to properly restore the vehicle.
Teardown
Teardown is the process of disassembling parts of the damaged vehicle, such as removing exterior panels like bumpers, headlights, grilles, and fenders. Teardown is essential for a thorough damage assessment, revealing hidden damage that was not visible during the initial inspection. Sometimes, minor frame or floor pulls are required to facilitate teardown.
Three-Stage Refinish (“3-Stage”)
Three-stage refinish refers to paint systems, typically for certain vibrant or pearlescent colors, that require three layers: a base coat (color), a pearl coat (for iridescence or pearl effect), and a clear coat for gloss and protection. “Pearl white” is a common example of a three-stage paint.
Tint (“Matching the Color”)
Tinting, or “matching the color,” is the process of precisely mixing paint toners to achieve an exact color match to the vehicle’s existing paint finish. This is a critical skill in auto body painting to ensure seamless repairs and undetectable color differences between new and original paint.
Total Loss
A total loss is a declaration by an insurance company that the cost to repair a damaged vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold based on the vehicle’s value. This determination considers factors like repair costs, vehicle’s market value, pre-accident condition, and sometimes rental car expenses and potential salvage value. If a vehicle is deemed a total loss, the insurance company will typically compensate the owner for the vehicle’s value rather than paying for repairs.
Touch-up
Touch-up is a minor, localized paint repair, typically used for small chips or scratches, like those caused by stone chips. It’s a limited repair aimed at improving appearance but is not a flawless or guaranteed solution. Touch-up paint is applied with a fine brush to fill in chips. Custom mixing is required for proper color match, and leftover touch-up paint is not provided as it has a limited shelf life and requires professional mixing.
Two-Stage Refinish (“2-Stage” or Base Coat/Clear Coat)
Two-stage refinish, also known as base coat/clear coat, is the most common type of automotive paint system. It involves two layers: a base coat providing the color and a clear coat for gloss and protection.
Unibody
Unibody construction is a type of vehicle body design where the frame and body are integrated into a single structural unit, rather than having a separate frame. Unibody construction is used in most modern passenger vehicles and provides structural support and crashworthiness.
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number, “VIN Number”)
VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number. It’s a unique alphanumeric code assigned to every vehicle. The VIN serves to identify the vehicle and also contains information about its specifications, factory equipment, and production details. Repair shops use the VIN to ensure they order the correct parts specific to that vehicle. The VIN is a crucial piece of information on any repair estimate or order.
Wurth
Wurth is a company that supplies a wide range of miscellaneous automotive body repair supplies and parts. These include generic clips, fasteners, sealants, adhesives, one-time use tools, and other consumables used in auto body repairs. Many shops have dedicated storage areas for Wurth products due to their extensive use in vehicle reassembly and finishing.
