Collision Repair FAQ
Collision repair is the single biggest investment your car takes after you bought it. Done right, the car drives, looks, and sells like new. Done wrong, you've got a safety risk and a value problem. Here's what to know.
Collision Repair FAQ
How long does collision repair take?
It depends on damage severity and parts. Bumper-only: 3-5 business days. Door + quarter: 7-10 days. Frame/structural: 2-4 weeks. The longest pole is parts — OEM parts for late-model imports (Lexus, BMW, Audi, Tesla) can take 1-2 weeks just to land. We start tear-down and prep work in parallel so the car moves the moment parts arrive.
Do you use OEM parts or aftermarket?
We use OEM parts whenever possible. If your insurer pushes aftermarket or used parts, we negotiate or document the substitution clearly. Mike rule at OAB: structural and safety parts (airbags, sensors, frame components) are OEM-only — non-negotiable. Cosmetic parts may use aftermarket if quality is verified.
How do you straighten a bent frame?
We use a Car-O-Liner laser-measure frame rack. The car is anchored, the frame is measured against factory specs in 3D, and hydraulic rams pull the metal back to within 3mm of factory dimensions. Anything outside that tolerance gets pulled again or the section gets cut and replaced. After straightening we re-measure, document, and the file follows the car.
Will the paint match exactly?
Yes. We use a spectrophotometer (a digital paint scanner) to read your existing paint code and adjust the formula for fade, age, and lighting. We mix in-house with PPG Envirobase. For metallic and pearl colors we blend into adjacent panels so the eye can't see a transition line. Mismatch is a workmanship issue — covered by our lifetime warranty.
Is the car as safe after repair as it was new?
If the shop follows OEM repair procedures — yes. If they cut corners — no. We're I-CAR Gold Class and we follow OEM position statements (Honda, Toyota, Ford, GM, Subaru, etc.) for every structural repair. Crush zones, sensor calibrations, ADAS recalibration, weld procedures — done by the manual, every time.
What is ADAS calibration and do I need it?
ADAS = Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (lane keep, adaptive cruise, automatic braking, blind spot, park assist). Modern cars have cameras and radar behind bumpers, windshields, and grilles. Anytime those parts are removed or replaced — even just a windshield — the system needs recalibration. We do static and dynamic calibrations in-house. Skipping ADAS calibration is a safety hazard and a liability problem.
What warranty comes with the repair?
Lifetime warranty on workmanship — for as long as you own the vehicle. Paint warranty is also lifetime. Parts carry the manufacturer warranty (typically 1-3 years for OEM parts). If anything we did fails in normal use, bring the car back and we make it right.
Are you certified by manufacturers?
Yes. Orlando Auto Body holds I-CAR Gold Class (the industry top tier), FCA Certified (Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/RAM), Hyundai Certified, Infiniti Certified, Kia Certified, and Nissan Certified. Certifications mean: trained technicians, manufacturer-approved equipment, and access to OEM repair procedures.
Can you repair Tesla, Rivian, or other EVs?
Yes for cosmetic and most non-structural collision work. For battery-pack damage or high-voltage system damage, we coordinate with manufacturer-certified repair facilities. EV-specific safety procedures are not optional and we follow them. Call first so we can scope the right path.
How do I know if I need full frame work or just panel replacement?
You don't — we do, and we'll show you. We measure the frame on the rack before we quote structural work. If frame dimensions are within tolerance, we replace panels and skip the rack. If not, we pull. Either way the inspection report goes in your file. No upselling — we measure first, then talk.
Talk to a Real Estimator
Free appointments. All insurance accepted. Family-owned since 1989.