When your car needs repairs, the thought of going into a car repair shop can be daunting. You may not know what’s wrong with the car or what needs to be done – and you may not even know what type of mechanic you need.

In this blog, we’re taking the stress out of this process by explaining whom you can expect to find in a repair shop and the kind of work they may do on your car.

General Automotive Mechanic

This is the type of mechanic you’re most likely to encounter – they do general repairs and replacements on a vehicle. They diagnose mechanical problems and repair them as needed. If you are bringing in your vehicle for a check-up or routine maintenance, this is the type of mechanic you likely need. They’re kind of like the GP for your car.

Auto Body Mechanic

These are the mechanics you’ll often encounter after an accident. They can handle everything from minor paint job touch-ups to complete structural replacements in a car after an accident. These mechanics receive specialized training to keep up with all the current car technologies, and they have a special certification.

Brake and Transmission Technician

This type of mechanic is exactly what it sounds like – they specialize in brake and transmission issues. While a general mechanic will also be versed in these areas, a brake and transmission technician can correct more complex issues and has the training to use special alignment equipment. If a general mechanic notices something that seems off with your brakes or transmission, they will often hand your car over to this type of specialist within the shop.

Service Technicians

Service technicians can diagnose and check mechanical and electrical components within a vehicle. When they look at a car, they’ll do things such as check the oil and fluid levels, or work to find causes of operational issues. Rather than looking at specific mechanical components, they tend to look at the general systems that work together in a vehicle to identify any problems or issues.

Auto Glass Mechanics

Fixing or replacing the glass on a vehicle can be tricky. Some auto glass mechanics have been specially trained in working with auto glass. They’ll know how to identify if cracks or dents can be repaired, or if the entire piece of glass needs replacing. These mechanics are also trained in weatherproofing glass, installation and more.

Tire Mechanics

General mechanics will be trained in basic tire care, but tire mechanics have even more training to spot complex issues and optimize tire usage and wear. They can identify tire issues, do tire rotations, and complete tire replacements. They’ll also inspect tires for any abnormalities and to ensure proper inflation.

If you’re in need of a repair shop for your vehicle, Carwise is here to help. Browse thousands of shops on Carwise.com and read real reviews from customers, see certifications and specializations, and more.

Even if you’re a very careful driver, scratches can happen. Sometimes it’s as simple as sliding a grocery bag off the top of your car or brushing against a bush as you pull into your driveway. Some minor scratches can be fixed at home, but keep in mind that repairing or repainting a scratch incorrectly can incur further damage. Here are a few tips on how to decide when it’s best to try a DIY repair or take it to a professional.

DIY Options for “Barely There” Scratches

If a scratch is minor or barely noticeable, there’s a chance you can fix it at home. If the scratch is shallow and the length or width is less than an inch, you may be able to buff it out yourself. A good test is to see if your fingernail catches in the scratch.

Scratch Repair Kits

A scratch repair kit is worth a try for those “barely there” scratches and can be purchased at most auto body shops, online, or in other retail stores. Most will come equipped with scratch repair polish and paste, touch up paint and buffers.

For all scratches, you’ll start by first cleaning the area with soap and water, using a microfiber cloth. This removes any debris that might cause further scratching. Next, apply the scratch removal paste to a microfiber cloth or the buffers the kit came with – not directly to the scratch – and gently buff the scratch to fill it in.

Then, use the scratch removal polish with another buffer or microfiber cloth to gently buff the scratch again. Take your time – this process can take a few minutes. Don’t repeat the buffing process more than three times, or it may erode the clear coating on the auto body.

Finally, remove any extra polish with a clean cloth, and touch up the paint as needed with the paint that came in your repair kit. Let the paint dry for 8 to 12 hours, then consider getting your car waxed to protect the paint once again.

Glazing Putty Kits

If a scratch is big enough to catch your fingernail, or that you can see bare metal, it’s a bigger job – and you should consider contacting a professional. However, if you want to attempt to fix it at home, you can try using glazing putty.

Glazing putty can be purchased at most auto shops and some retail stores. This putty can fill in bigger scratches, and it’s the best method if a scratch is deep enough to see the metal beneath the paint.

In this case, you’ll again clean the area, but this time use rubbing alcohol to remove any residual wax or dirt from the area. Next, apply the putty directly to the scratch on the car. Use a spreader tool to spread it evenly and fill in the scratch. Allow it to harden for several minutes before moving on.

Finally, you’ll remove any excess putty with a liquid paint leveler and a microfiber cloth until the scratch looks flat and the area around it seems transparent. Then, you’re ready to repaint.

The Challenge of Paint Matching

Keep in mind that the paint may not be an exact match to the color and finish of your vehicle. If the scratch is large enough, a mismatched paint job will be just as noticeable as the scratch itself, so you may want to seek paint repair from a professional auto body shop near you. Professional auto body technicians have the tools and resources to repair the scratch efficiently and match your vehicle’s color and finish.

Find a Professional Auto Body Shop Near You

Carwise.com can help you find a shop near you that can get your vehicle’s scratches fixed quickly and correctly the first time. Carwise has details on more than 21,000 shops, from hours and locations, to shop certifications, reviews by real customers, and before and after photos. Use Carwise’s shop finder tool to search your zip code for a customer-reviewed auto body shop nearby: https://www.carwise.com/auto-body-shops/.

Whether your car is decades old or brand new, you want your car to remain looking as nice as possible for as long as possible, and keeping the paint job looking fresh goes a long way. But there are certain materials that can damage car paint. While many are repairable, some are not, so it’s important to be aware of them and take care of any messes promptly.

Below, read about 10 top items that can damage a car’s paint and learn what you can do to protect your own vehicle.

1 – Brake fluid.

As a car owner, you likely know how important it is to keep brake fluid at the proper levels – but even a little bit of non-silicone-based brake fluid can act like paint thinner and damage a paint job. If you spill brake fluid, wipe it up immediately by dabbing. Don’t spread it around. Then, wash the spot with soap and water.

2 – Animal and plant materials.

Bugs, bird droppings and tree sap can all be acidic and damage paint if they sit on a vehicle for too long, especially in the sun. Regular car washes by hand or at a commercial wash can help avoid lasting damage. If tree sap has hardened, it may need to be carefully scraped off – but be mindful not to scratch your car. And, be mindful that some types of commercial washes are better for your vehicle’s finish than others.

3 – Gasoline.

Gasoline can stain your car’s finish and be very difficult to remove if left for too long, so it’s important to be cautious when inserting and removing gas nozzles from the gas tank to avoid drippage. If you take care of spills and drips right away, it shouldn’t be an issue. Keeping your car waxed can also help protect the car’s surface from gas stains.

4 – Vandalism.

Whether a silly prank by a friend or a true act of vandalism, there’s no doubt it can damage your car. Items like silly string or shaving cream might seem benign, but if left in the sun, they can damage car paint. Other household items like certain cleaning fluids or acidic foods (tomatoes, vinegar, etc) can also leave damage. Be sure to clean up messes like these quickly with soap and water. If other vandalism occurs on your car – such as graffiti or scratches – contact your insurance agency, as the repair may be covered. In most cases, a local auto body shop will be able to color match your car’s paint and restore it to like-new condition.

5 – Shoe polish.

Believe it or not, shoe polish can be one of the most difficult stains to remove from a vehicle. Sometimes, it’s impossible. You might be wondering why someone would put shoe polish on a vehicle, but mistakes happen. If someone tries to test shoe polish on a worn part of their leather interior and rests the polish-soaked rag on the roof or hood of the vehicle even temporarily, it can cause damage. (It should also be noted that shoe polish is not recommended for cleaning or repairing leather car interior because it will not soak up the substance the way that shoe leather does.) If shoe polish gets on your car, go to your local body shop to purchase a specialized cleaner, or consult with a professional.

6 – Dust.

Dust or dirt on a car isn’t exactly attractive to begin with, but when dust mixes with rain, it can cause corrosion to the paint. Gentle car washes can help keep your car free of long-term dust and maintain the finish.

7 – Acid rain.

Acid rain is just that – acidic. Even after the rain evaporates, the acidic part remains on your car and can damage paint. Again, frequent car washes can help limit this exposure.

8 – Dirty towels & rags.

Washing your car can of course be great for the paint, but only if you’re using the right towels and rags. Be sure towels and rags are clean and ideally made of microfiber. Also, don’t set them down on pavement or gravel while working, as you could pick up dirt or debris that could damage your car’s paint.

9 – Coffee & soda.

Between the sugar and acidic nature of many coffee drinks and sodas, they can spell danger for your car paint. Simply wipe up these spills with a wet paper towel to avoid any lasting effects.

10 – Salt.

Salt helps keep vehicles safe on slippery winter road – but is one of the most corrosive things for car paint. If you live in a cold or coastal climate, it’s important to wash your car frequently to keep salt off your car long-term to reduce the risk of rust. Ideally, you should also treat your car with a wax sealant before the first snow as an extra precaution.

Find an Auto Body Shop Near You

If damage has already occurred to your car paint or you need a consultation with an expert, don’t worry. Carwise.com can help you find an auto body shop near you from more than 20,000 facilities nationwide. . Carwise’s shop search tool provides details on more than 20,000 auto body shops nationwide, including hours and location, certifications, real reviews from recent customers, and before and after photos. Get started today: https://www.carwise.com/auto-body-shops/.

When you first got your car, it was likely shiny and new, with a sparkling paint job. But over the years your car’s paint job may lose some of its luster, or may even become damaged due to rust, hail or a severe storm, or a traffic accident.

If you’re thinking about touching up your car’s paint or redoing the paint job entirely, it helps to understand what the repainting process entails. The cost of a vehicle paint job by your local auto body shop can vary widely based on the repair work needed beforehand and the size of the area being repainted, among other factors.

What Does a Car Paint Job Entail?

An estimator at a local body shop near you can go over the specific steps needed for your vehicle. Generally, the steps to repainting a car include:

• Repairing damage. If your vehicle has rust, weather or accident damage, technicians may first treat the area before repainting – the technicians will sand down the rusty areas, repair a dent, or patch a crack, etc.
• Prepping the car for paint. After making repairs, the technician wipes down the vehicle to create a smooth, clean surface for the paint to adhere, before masking the areas not to be painted with tape or plastic coverings. If the area that needs repainted is big enough, the technician may remove that panel from the car completely.
• Selecting the right paint color. The new paint is matched to the original paint. A common way to do this is for the technician to use the color code marked on the vehicle.
• Applying the primer. After the area has been sanded and dried, the car is painted with primer, up to three coats depending on the job, with each coat drying before applying the next layer.
• Re-sanding. Next, your car may be re-sanded, to help provide a smooth base before applying the paint.
• Painting the car. Up to three or four layers of the paint are applied on top of the primer, again with each layer drying before starting the next one.
• Applying lacquer or a topcoat. After the paint is once again sanded with fine sandpaper and wiped down, a topcoat of lacquer can be applied, to give the car that flawless, shiny finish.
• Buffing. Buffing the car evens out the finish and helps blend with the rest of the car.

Painting a car is a meticulous process, and it can take time to do it right. Paint jobs can start in the hundreds of dollars for a small job to several thousand or more, depending on any rust damage or other issues that may need to be resolved before painting or whether you are getting a custom paint job.

Get a Quote for a Car Paint Job from an Auto Body Shop Near You

Now that you have a better understanding of what a vehicle paint job entails, ask an auto body shop near you for a quote. You may even want to seek multiple quotes to get a better sense of how quickly you can expect it to get done.

When you request a quote, don’t be afraid to ask the auto body shop questions about their paint work, including:

• What steps do you take when painting, and what’s covered in this quoted price?
• Will you need to remove any panels on the car, or just mask them with tape or covers?
• Can you show me previous examples of your work in this price range?

Ready to start scoping out a paint job for your car? Use Carwise.com to find auto body shops near you and start gathering quotes. Carwise has details on nearly 22,000 shops, from hours and locations, to shop certifications, reviews by real customers, and before and after photos. Use Carwise’s shop finder tool to search your zip code for a customer-reviewed auto body shop nearby: https://www.carwise.com/auto-body-shops/.

When your car first rolled off the assembly line its paint job was immaculate, with a glossy finish comprised of several layers of primer and paint.  If you’ve been in an accident recently that required collision repairs, when you picked it up from the body shop your vehicle’s paint also looked like new.  But unfortunately there are a number of things that cars are exposed to on a daily basis that dull, fade and otherwise damage your once-pristine paint job.  Some are obvious, but others might surprise you and oftentimes strike unexpectedly.  With that in mind, here are 5 everyday things that can damage your car’s paint, along with advice from auto body shop pros on how best to protect your vehicle’s prized finish.

Splattered Bugs

Splattered flying bugs and car fronts just seem to go together, especially during the summer.  Those dead bugs might appear harmless, but they actually can do serious damage to your vehicle’s paint due to their bodies’ acidity.  Not removed immediately, bug body imprints can actually become etched permanently into the top layers.  Experts advise washing them off right away using a bug and tar remover, soft wash cloth and old-fashioned elbow grease.

Bird Droppings

Most of us like watching our feathered friends, but how many of us have had bird droppings bombard our cars?  In addition to being unsightly, bird droppings contain traces of acidic berries and seeds, along with grainy textures that can stain, dull and scratch your paint.  Professional auto detailers recommend promptly using a soft microfiber cloth wetted with spray wash to gently wipe away the droppings while employing a lifting motion to prevent grit-induced scratching.

Coffee and Soda

Have you ever placed a cup of coffee or soda on your car’s roof while in a hurry, and then watched in horror as it tipped over spilling the contents onto your paint’s surface?  Both beverages contain acid that can damage your car’s finish, and colorings that stain when dried.  Those in the know say wipe the spilled liquid off immediately and completely with a soft cloth and then wash the area with soapy water right after.

Sunlight

The sun’s UV rays cause our skin to age prematurely, and have the same effect on vehicle paint finishes.  Dulling and fading can occur if your car spends many hours a day exposed to direct sunlight.  Auto body paint professionals advise that you keep your car garaged, parked in a shady area, or that you use a car cover when possible to prevent sunlight-related damage.

Tree Sap

Have you ever parked your car under a tree only to later notice annoying tree sap splotches on its roof, hood or trunk?  Tree sap contains chemicals that can interact with your car’s painted surface making it not only difficult to clean off, but it also can damage the paint permanently.  Experts say that the best way to remove tree sap is to immediately wipe it off using a soft cloth wetted with an indicated polish or rubbing compound.  Then wash the area several times with soap and water until all traces of the sap are gone.

If Your Car’s Paint Gets Damaged Help is Nearby

Your car’s paint is also vulnerable to other everyday things like rocks, eggs, tar, air pollution, gasoline and human skin.  To safeguard your car’s finish from dulling or fading you should wash it frequently and also wax it at least annually with a high-quality, carnauba-based paste.  Auto body shop professionals know about paint-damaging factors and how to prevent them from ruining your vehicle’s finish.  Most collision repair shops also offer expert painting and detailing services that help your car’s finish look like new all year long.  When you need some reliable paint care tips or auto body painting done, contact a reputable collision repair shop nearby.  To search your zip code for a list of auto body shops near you, visit: www.carwise.com now.

As we enjoy the warm summer weather, there are more days where your car is exposed to the hot sun which can lead to fading or premature rusting. During the summer, your car is also exposed to more grit and grime from road trips like bird waste, bugs, and other debris that can cause damage to the surface of your car’s paint. The summer sun adds to this by baking debris into your car’s paint, making it harder to remove.

There are some precautions you can take to protect your car’s paint from fading or getting ruined by the summer sun.

Wash your car frequently

Washing your car regularly will reduce the possibility of dirt or other debris from ruining your car’s paint job. The longer dirt or debris bakes and dries into your car, the more likely it is to penetrate the paint and the more difficult it may be to remove. Washing or rinsing your car off ASAP after objects have dirtied your car is highly recommended.

Hand dry your car after a wash

It’s easy to let your car air dry after you wash your car, but water spots can leave minerals behind that can lead to the fading of your car’s paint job. To prevent fading, make sure you use clean cotton rags to absorb and dry away the water spots.

Wax your car

Waxing your car creates an extra level of protection from dirt, debris, and also helps protect your car from the summer sun’s rays.

Keep your car in a cool place

Parking your car in a garage, under trees or somewhere where you can shield your car from the summer sun will not only prevent your car’s paint job from fading, but also helps keep your interior, headlights and tires in better shape.

We hope these tips are helpful to protect your car from the hot summer sun, but if you do end up getting fading or blemishes, you can find an auto body shop near you at Carwise.com to help restore your car’s paint job to its original state.