The Main Types of Car Body Damage and How to Handle Them

Tony Mers • December 5, 2019

When you own a car, the chances are that you will deal with some form of body damage over the course of the life of your vehicle. Whether it's through a collision or some environmental factor such as hail storms or wind, there's no denying the importance of finding a reputable car body repair shop to perform the necessary work to get your car back on the road in style. If you're not sure about the main types of car body damage and what you can do to make sure they're dealt with in the right way, then read our tips below.

Rear End Collisions and Bumper Repair

Rear end collisions account for a large number of auto accidents each and every year. For this reason, bumper repairis quite a common subject among most repair shops. Even so, because bumper repair is a complex, tender process it pays to ensure that you are visiting a shop with the kinds of skilled, experienced technicians needed to restore your vehicle to its prior state.

Hail Damage and Repair

Depending on your climate, you may discover that your car has become the victim of hail damage. Even though it's frustrating to have to deal with, there are more techniques than ever before. One of the most common repair techniques is paintless dent repair. As the name suggests, the process does not use any paint to repair dents and dings left on the body of your car by hail. Even though the process may sound simple at first, paintless dent repair, much like bumper repair, requires the care and touch of expertly trained technicians. But it's nice to know that there are options for anyone who is dealing with hail damage.

Windshield Cracks and Breaks

When it comes to windshield cracks and breaks, you do not want to try to cut any corners by visiting a less than reputable repair shop. There are six basic types of windshield breaks: surface pit, combination break, half-moon, bullseye, crack, and star breaks. While you certainly don't need to become an expert on all types of windshield breaks, it helps to have a general awareness of them so that you can be sure your car body shop has the experience and know-how to deal with each different type. If you have any doubts about taking your vehicle to a car paint shop, then it helps to shop around and explore your options. Finding a shop with a positive reputation will do a lot to give you the peace of mind that you deserve when dealing with car body damage and repair.

If you're in need of bumper repair, windshield replacement, or any other kind of auto body repair, then do not hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team today for more information. At River North Collision Repair, our team of experienced technicians is here to help get your back out on the roads quickly, efficiently, and affordably. No matter how large or small your problem is, we would love to help you get everything back to the way it should be.

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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.