3 Tips to Identify an Experienced Auto Body Shop

Tony Mers • March 26, 2019

In a recent survey, it was found that an estimated 77% of vehicles are in need of auto maintenance or repairs. Taking care of your vehicle should be at the very top of your priority list because neglecting to do so could result in wasted money down the line and even put you and everyone else on the road at risk.

Simply letting anyone work on your vehicle, however, isn't always a great idea. Unfortunately, there are some auto body repair services that aren't able to provide consistent and adequate service when it comes to auto maintenance.

Here are some great ways to tell whether or not the auto body shop you're working with did the repair job correctly:

Research their reputation -- "A reputable repair facility will go through everything with you, walk you through all the steps they took," said Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists. "Good shops will even touch up bolts under the hood that have been scratched while being repaired."

If you think the repair facility doesn't have a history of being reputable, you might want to look elsewhere.

Mismatched pain colors -- Auto paint shops often rely on simply punching in the factory paint code, which is about 95% of matching color and consistency. However, the remaining 5% needs to be done by professionals who know what they're doing. You should examine other vehicles and look the paint for runs or imperfections like hair specks or dirt trappings -- if you're not satisfied, find somewhere else to go.

The vehicle doesn't look right or function properly -- The easiest way to tell that you're not working with an experienced auto body shopis to take a look at all the cars being worked on. If you notice tire misalignments, suspension issues, or noticeable wear and tear problems, that's a big red flag.

If you do notice that your vehicle is more damaged than before or some other major issues are going on, there are a few things that you should do next:

Document everything.

Make them aware of the issues.

Request a refund or promise of delivery.

Consider contacting an attorney.

Do more research before going anywhere else for repair work.

The best way to avoid these common problems, however, is to work with an experienced, credible, and legitimate auto body shop from the get-go. If you want to work with a trust auto shop in Chicago, head to River North Collision Repair today!

< Older Post Newer Post >

Mail

Why Ignoring Small Dents Can Lead to Bigger Problems

January 30, 2026

It is an awful feeling when you walk out to your car after a long day and see a small dent on your passenger door. While it may appear to be just a cosmetic issue, you should still get it fixed, because ignoring small dents can lead to bigger problems for your vehicle. Don’t let small dents on your car go untreated; let's talk about why you need to tackle these issues ASAP. Rust Loves Chicago Winters We all know the drill here in the Windy City. We have beautiful summers, sure, but we also pay the price with brutal winters. And what comes with winter? Salt. Tons of it. Your car’s paint job acts as a suit of armor protecting the metal body underneath. Even a minor dent often comes with microscopic cracks in the paint—sometimes too small to see with the naked eye. Once that seal is broken, moisture and road salt sneak in. They settle against the bare metal and start a chemical party you definitely don’t want to host. Oxidation begins immediately. By the time you notice bubbling paint or that tell-tale orange stain a few months later, the rust has already been eating away at your door panel from the inside out. Resale Value Takes a Nosedive For many people, maintaining their car is a valuable part of purchasing a new vehicle. When that day comes, curb appeal is everything. Used car buyers (and dealership appraisers) will judge your car by its exterior appearance. If they see a vehicle riddled with door dings, bumper scrapes, and ignored scratches, they see a car that wasn't cared for. They assume that if you didn't care enough to fix the outside, you probably didn't care about the rest of it either. It lowers the perceived value instantly. Maintaining your car’s body and its paint is an investment in your future trade-in value. Paint Damage Spreads Like a Virus When a dent or scrape compromises the integrity of the paint, the surrounding paint loses its grip. High-pressure car washes, wind, and temperature fluctuations cause the paint to flake away from the initial injury site. A scratch the size of a quarter can grow into a patch the size of a softball over a couple of seasons. It’s Easier (and Cheaper) Than You Think Here is the good news: fixing these things early is surprisingly affordable. Modern body shop technology is amazing. For many small dings where the paint isn't cracked, we can use techniques that massage the metal back into place without spraying a drop of paint. River North Collision Repair offers paintless dent repair in Chicago to fix minor dents. Regardless of what nicked your door, we can help remove the dents and maintain a seamless look for your vehicle. Don’t Wait for Problems Don't let minor dents turn into a big nightmare. Save your future self the headache (and the cash). Swing by River North Collision Repair for your quick and easy repairs. Because driving a car you’re proud of? That’s a feeling you can’t put a price on.