Manager, trainer, customer service; most days, you will wear several of them. How about a metallurgist? That is probably one that you never considered needing, but there are several good reasons for understanding this discipline and how it relates to collision repair.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety stated, “Previous IIHS testing in 1987 and again in 2000 illustrated that cosmetic parts have no influence on crashworthiness, so their origin is irrelevant.” Just to clarify, by cosmetic parts, they are referring to quarters, roofs, hoods, etc.
Absolutely. Most manufacturers now consider many of the exterior panels to be structural. At a minimum, these panels interact with the structure beneath them. So what are some of the more common panel substrates? The MOTOR Guide to Estimating has a fantastic reference to get you started, but we will look at some common substrates you will encounter. Most importantly, before beginning any repair, always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for substrate and panel repair.
We’ve seen aluminum in shops for years, but what is new is how common it has become. Unlike many other substrates, aluminum has no memory. One does not simply ‘pop a dent’ out of aluminum. Typically the repair process involves heating the repair area to prevent the panel from cracking, but heat limits must be observed to prevent annealing. If the heat tolerance of the panel is exceeded, it must be replaced.
High-strength steel is becoming more commonly used, especially in door panels. As the name indicates, this substrate is stronger than the mild steels used in the past. This higher strength complicates the repair as the damage is prone to displacing or ‘walking’ during the repair process. High-strength steels are also more prone to tearing.
Traditionally, ultra-high-strength steels were reserved for inner structure components. However, with decreasing vehicle weight being a major goal in current-generation vehicles, this substrate is now making its way to the outside of the vehicle. Like high-strength steel, damage to these components will displace during repair, and the substrate is prone to tearing. Furthermore, many manufacturers do not allow repairs to ultra-high strength steel panels.
While not used on exterior panels, magnesium and boron steel are worth mentioning. These substrates are listed as replace only. Magnesium is very hard and prone to microfractures that compromise its strength if damaged. It is also flammable and requires a type D extinguisher to put out. Boron steel is exceptionally strong and should not be repaired due to the high heat used in its formation.
They influence liability and repair profitability. Not only do we have to correctly identify the substrate and then repair it with appropriate methods, but we also have to document it. Our repairs are called into question whenever a vehicle we touch is involved in another collision. Documentation protects you, your techs, your shop, and your customer.
The other big factor is repair profitability. If you are accepting the same three hours of repair time on every substrate, then your repair costs you money. There is nothing wrong with getting paid appropriately for your work, and you do more work on a high-strength steel panel than on a mild steel panel. So how can you both help document your repair and be paid accordingly? Certainly, manufacturer procedure pages help, but they can be lengthy and complicated.
This is where the Dents.co Damage Appraisal App can help. With precise damage measurement, substrate-based repair time calculation, and professional reporting tools, you can quickly and easily document a damaged area. Reports highlight the damage with a 3D depth map and suggest a repair time, based on the damaged area and provided substrate information.
You’re the metallurgist, you know what the repair needs. Make sure you are documenting it and getting paid appropriately for it. You can get started and schedule your live demo today at https://dents.co/demo.
References:
1. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “OEM vs. aftermarket parts and Honda Fit crash tests”. 15 Feb. 2018, https://www.repairerdrivennews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IIHS_Advisory_42.pdf.
2. CCC One. “MOTOR Guide to Estimating”. 2020-2021 Current CCC/MOTORS GTE Guides,
https://help.cccis.com/webhelp/motor/gte/guide.htm#SpecialSteels.htm?Highlight=substrate.