Have you ever been in an accident and wondered what happens to your car after you drop it off at the body shop?

The whole process can seem mysterious, but at Ron’s Collision Center, we believe in transparency. In this post, we’ll take you through the entire repair process, from the initial consultation to driving your car off the lot.

1) Repair Consultation

We hold customer consultations with every repair to ensure your expectations are being met. We will gather facts about the loss, estimate the scope of work, and address any concerns about the work being done or other details such as payment requests. This step is foundational to our Culture of Care.

2) Drop Off

Upon arrival, we wash and check in your vehicle. Then, we conduct a pre-repair scan to detect system faults. Finally, we will identify all damages, both related to the claim and unrelated, to ensure a comprehensive assessment before moving on with the repairs.

3) Disassembly

All necessary components are removed to fully assess the damages. Then, we move on to blueprinting the repairs, mapping your vehicle, and auditing all required hardware, one-time-use parts, and calibrations.

4) Supplements Submitted*

Any additional damage uncovered during disassembly is promptly submitted to the insurance company. Repairs are paused until an agreement is reached between the insurance company and the body shop, involving a review of additional repair time, parts, and sublet work. This process varies in duration, with some approval taking anywhere from approximately two business days to two weeks. Once the repair plan and cost are agreed upon, parts can be ordered.

If there’s ever a case where insurance doesn’t fully cover certain aspects of the repair, we’ll be upfront with you. Our goal is to ensure you’re well-informed at every step—we’re here to discuss the nitty-gritty of car repairs, no sugar-coating.

5) Parts Procurement*

We coordinate with vendors to gather all necessary parts and address any discrepancies with the orders. As parts arrive, we mirror-match and test-fit each part to confirm accuracy.

* = These steps depend on insurance or manufacturer, customer may need to get involved.

6) Metal Work

Once we have all of the pieces to your vehicle, we move on to repairing any damaged metal. From small dent repairs to large weld-on structures, our metal work is completed to an unfinished surface before moving on to paint to be finalized.

7) Paint

We finish, prime, and block repairs, then prepare new panels for refinishing. Next, we mask refinish areas, remove any surface contaminants, and proceed with color matching. Following this, we mix the paint, apply it to the vehicle, and blend as needed. Once the painting is complete, we unmask the vehicle and perform de-nibbing and buffing on refinished surfaces.

8) Reassembly

Before reassembling, we mirror-match parts once more to confirm everything is correct and we have all of the parts to complete the job. Then we reinstall all parts and verify fitment. If needed, the vehicle will be towed to a nearby dealership for any required calibrations to be completed or to a vendor for any misc. sublet work such as spray-on bed liners, windshield replacement, etc.

Following this, we confirm the functionality of vehicle systems and perform a road test. Finally, we conduct a post-repair scan to ensure that no new issues are present.

9) Finalize Repair, Deliver Vehicle

After repairs are completed, we note any issues found and address them, ensuring no lingering concerns. Following this, we conduct a final quality inspection before delivering the vehicle.

Our administrative staff reviews the final estimate for accuracy and submits any final supplemental charges to the insurance company. We confirm payment arrangements and add all repair documentation to your folder.

Once everything is in order, we contact you to arrange for pickup. On delivery day, we ensure that you’re satisfied with the repairs and provide a customer satisfaction survey to gather feedback on your experience.

Getting your car repaired after an accident can be stressful, but at Ron’s Collision Center, we strive to make the process as smooth and worry-free as possible for everyone. We prioritize clear communication, top-quality repairs, and your complete satisfaction. By the time you pick up your car, it will not only look great but also be safe—so you can drive away with peace of mind.