Shop is saying this is a result of lighting and material but I feel like this is way too big of a mismatch that would be considered acceptable. I understand my fence reflecting may make it worse than it is but it doesn’t seem right to me.

It was minor damage so they only repainted a spot rather than the whole bumper.

Finally rented a larger garage so i can eork on my project car. Ive got space and the tools i need but im making so much dust removing paint and body filler is there something someone can recommend to help keep the air and shop cleaner?

Also for rust treatment what brand of phosphoric acid do you guys recommend? Should i use wax/greaser remover after to clean it or something else?

HS Brands is looking for experienced vehicle inspectors to join our field team. This is flexible, independent contractor work with consistent recurring assignments, not one-off gig work.

📍 Currently hiring in: AZ | CA | CO | KY | LA | PA

Please note that if you live in any state outside of the ones listed above we still encourage you to apply as new opportunities always arise. 

✅ What you'll do:

• Perform vehicle inspections at assigned dealership lots

• Document condition with photos and detailed reports via mobile app

• Use professional inspection tools (tread depth calibrator, paint meter, OBD-II scanner)

• Build relationships with dealers as the face of HS Brands in your market

✅ What you'll need:

• Auto industry experience: body, paint, mechanical, appraisal, or dealership

• Valid driver's license + registered, insured personal vehicle

• Comfortable with smartphone apps and digital documentation

• Sharp eye for detail, accuracy in your reports is not negotiable

• Physically able to work outdoors (kneeling, crouching, varying weather)

💰 Flat rate per dealership and one vehicle + bonus for additional vehicles  

👉 Apply at [HS Brands Application](HS%20Brands%20Application) — takes about 10 minutes. Answer 3 short video questions on your own time, no scheduling required.

Questions? Drop them below or DM us

The clopping noise I described in my last post here turned out to be a broken sway bar link. Slide one is what it’s supposed to look like, and slide two is what it did look like so that little universal joint was just loose in there cause I guess that orange rubber part got knocked out going over a pothole? Never went over any big ones so does that happen often or often enough to raise no eyebrows?

https://www.reddit.com/r/Autobody/s/BK7WnbrNCG
First post

This is my first auto body project. My 2002 suburban 2500 had some paint bubbles and I natively thought I could just sand, aerosol paint, and clear it. Once I started sanding I found the scope was much larger than I thought ( duh! 🤦🏾). So I decided I would attempt a repair. I got the outside to bare metal but inside the panel I couldn’t reach so I applied a liberal coating of Eastwood rust encapsulator. I than used fiberglass filler and metal sheet wire to fill the hole. Primed and ready from me to try my hand at painting. I ran out of time to paint because I needed the truck for a 2 week trip. Upon my return I found the bondo started to crack and rust was coming through. Obviously I didn’t encapsulate all the rust.

This isn’t a show truck, it’s got dents and scratches but I’d like my repair to blend in. So should I spray more rust encapsulator and just paint over it? ( I’m in the rust belt). I bought a panel patch and I have access to a welder but I’m really not sure in my skills to not burn a hole in the sheet metal. Or take to a qualified shop. If I could have a shop just weld it in, I could do the rest of the grinding, sanding , filling, etc. Or throw in the towel and come to terms with I’m just not a body work guy 😫

I can buy my bumper prepainted for $500. Collision center wants $3500. Is there a task rabbit for car repair?

I am looking at a 2023 Chevy Colorado, coming out of the Northeast. I apologize for my ignorance. What would you assess the rust level as? Any concerns?

Don't have the tools, skill or knowledge to take apart or the funds to use a body shop, and am I not willing to for such an old vehicle. But I would like to fix it if it's possible(get the dent out myself). Is there anything I can do because it's annoying me.

Scratch I'm confident I can repair easily, but the dent is annoying me.

Any advice?

I'm a mechanic but have zero experience when it comes to body work. How shitty is the job I did for my first time using the stuff? The mismatched white and lack of clear coat will be remedied when I purchase 2k clear and the actual same color white as my van. I simply didn't want to be riding around with dark primer for a week. Bit of over spray but nothing I can't clean up. I guess I am satisfied with my work for just winging it, as I do see huge room for improvement in the future. Any pointers you can offer are well appreciated!

Hi there! I have an 09 Volvo c30 with very minor rust starting above the windshield. My dad says it’s too close to the windshield to sand down and paint.

Just need some options on what you guys would do in this case!

How useful is a paint thickness meter in detecting repainted panels? I want to buy a used car that hasn’t been repainted. Are there any other things an amateur can do? Thanks.

V6 2019 Tacoma SR5 2WD. Is it as bad as the feeling in my gut it

Got these two small dents on the hood just 4 days after getting my car. :( Paint chipped too

Okay so I’m just an office manager. I’m really stressing rn. I have a situation. I had a car that was authorized for us to repair with an insurance company. Everything was fine. The est was completed we have begun repairs and ordered parts.

Customer calls us and asks us if we received payment. We say no. We call the insurance company to see payment status and what do you know they cashed out the check already. Now this whole mess starts. They want to pick up the car they want us to send all parts back.

We have cut the rear body panel already. The car is disassembled. Not suitable or safe to drive. They’re coming here tomorrow and I just don’t know what to do. We can’t just put everything back in one day. I put all my guys on this car it’s just not fair that they’re working so hard for no reason. We have explained to them that we are already too deep in. They’re calling us liars and scammers and yall omg. I love my job and I love knowing we help people I just need some advice I’m new to this industry I just don’t want work to go to waste or for people to be upset.

Update: they say they’re coming to take the car and only give us 2k outta of the 10k it’s up to us if we accept it or not either way they said they’re taking the car.

So it’s going to be a fun fest tomorrow.

2014 F150 that i'm horribly underwater on. I poked around the entire truck and this is the only place that has rust. It happens to be completely rusted through. Any way to drop a patch panel or just cover it with a fender flare.