Searching For an Auto Paint Shop? Beware of These 3 Common Issues

Tony Mers • April 26, 2018

According to a recent study, research found that an estimated 77% of vehicles were in need of maintenance or repairs. But there are likely millions of vehicles on the road that are in dire need of a new paint job as well.

Whether you're in need of a new paint job because of a recent collision or you just want to give your vehicle a fresh new look, you need to make sure you're heading to a credible auto paint shop. Unfortunately, there are plenty of paint shopsaround that don't offer the greatest service.

Before you sign anything or make a payment, head to the paint and auto shop and look around to see some of their work. Here are some common problems you should search for when looking for a new auto body shop for a paint job:

The new paint doesn't match the car's color -- Paint mismatching happens all the time at auto body shops. If you notice a few cars at the auto shop that have mismatching colors or the vehicles seem too light or too dark, you might want to be careful about having your car painted there.

There are drips in the paint -- If the newly painted vehicles have signs of dripping or sags in the paint, again, you might want to look elsewhere for your painting needs. Also, keep an eye out for dust or dirt particles inside the actual paint. Since cars trap dirt and debris all over the place, paint can easily get contaminated, which results in poor quality paint jobs.

Customer service is lacking -- If you don't feel welcomed walking into an auto body shop, your best bet is to turn around and find someone who will appreciate your business.

Make sure you're working with an experienced and credible paint service if you're planning on improving the look of your car. If you're in need of high quality auto body shop or paint shop services, head over to River North Collision Repair right away.

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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.