Automotive body repair is a technical process aimed at restoring damage to the vehicle body caused by collisions, corrosion, or aging. Its core objective is to restore the vehicle's exterior integrity and structural safety. With the development of the automotive industry, repair technologies have been continuously iterated, gradually forming a complete system that encompasses both traditional craftsmanship and modern technology.

 

I. Common Repair Methods

1. Shrinkage and Shaping Repair

For the deformation of metal components, local heating combined with precise hammering is used to shrink the stretched metal back to its original shape. This method is suitable for slightly dented or stretched areas. Strict temperature control is required during this process to avoid damage to the material's performance.

2. Wrinkle Unfolding Repair

For complex wrinkles caused by collisions, a technique of releasing stress layer by layer, unfolding the wrinkles, and then hammering them flat is employed. During operation, professional tools (such as finishing hammers and pry bars) are needed to gradually restore the flatness, ensuring that there is no difference in feel on the repaired vehicle body.

3. Supporting and Pulling Restoration Repair

For severely deformed parts, hydraulic or mechanical supporting and pulling equipment is used to apply a reverse force to gradually correct the frame or large - sized panels. This technology relies on high - precision measuring equipment (such as a three - dimensional correction platform) to monitor the restoration progress in real - time.

4. Padding and Prying Restoration Repair

Using the principle of leverage, the undamaged adjacent components are used as a fulcrum to pry the dented area. This method is suitable for local repair of accessible parts such as car doors and fenders. Its characteristic is flexible operation without the need to disassemble large components.

 

II. Standardized Process Flow

1. Damage Assessment and Correction

The degree of body deformation is analyzed through visual inspection combined with an electronic measurement system, and a personalized repair plan is formulated. For structural damage, the vehicle frame needs to be corrected first to ensure that the overall dimensions meet the original factory standards.

2. Sheet Metal Repair and Shaping

This process includes cutting, welding, grinding, and other steps. In modern processes, liquid repair materials are applied to complex curved surfaces and are rapidly formed through electrified solidification technology, simplifying the traditional sheet metal process. The repaired surface must meet the tactile requirements of being free of wrinkles and dents.

3. Painting and Surface Treatment

A multi - layer spraying process (primer - color paint - clear coat) is used to restore the paint surface, and infrared baking is used to accelerate curing. For high - level repairs, color consistency with the original vehicle paint needs to be achieved, and a mirror - like gloss is obtained through polishing.

Hydraulic guillotine shears

III. Industry Technology Trends

1. New Material Adaptation Technology

The popularization of lightweight materials such as carbon fiber and aluminum alloy has promoted the upgrade of repair tools. For example, for aluminum bodies, low - heat - input equipment is required to avoid oxidation, and special welding processes are used to ensure strength.

2. Intelligent Detection Equipment

The combination of three - dimensional scanners and artificial intelligence algorithms can quickly generate repair path plans, reducing the reliance on manual experience. Some systems can simulate stress distribution and predict the durability of the structure after repair.

3. Environmental Protection and Efficiency Innovation

The promotion of dust - free dry grinding equipment and water - based paints has reduced pollution emissions during the repair process. In addition, the application of modular tool sets has shortened the complex repair cycle by more than 30%, improving the efficiency of repair enterprises.

 

As an important part of the automotive aftermarket, body repair technology is developing towards high precision and intelligence. It requires both the inheritance of traditional sheet metal craftsmanship experience and the integration of new material science and digital tools. In the future, with the transformation of new - energy vehicle structures, the repair industry will further refine technical standards, providing a solid guarantee for vehicle safety and value maintenance.