Visiting An Auto Body Shop? Ask These 3 Questions

Tony Mers • December 17, 2018

There are four main causes of auto body damage, including negligence, fender benders, weather, and high speed collisions. All four of these causes can lead to both minor and major auto body damage, ruined paint, shattered glass, and all sorts of mechanical issues.

Whenever your vehicle has been damaged, in any way, it's important to visit trusted auto body repair services. At an auto paint shop and repair shop, you'll be able to get your car serviced and drive off in a timely manner in your freshly painted, great-looking vehicle.

There are, however, some things you should be aware of before you just work with any auto body service professional. Here are some important questions you should ask the next time you visit an auto body shop:

Can you get a loaner vehicle during major work? -- Some auto body shops offer rental cars or loaner vehicles to offer their customers who are having major work done. This can be great if you're in need of a vehicle throughout the week, but make sure you read the fine print on the pre-rental agreement, take photos of the vehicle before and after, note the mileage, and fill it up so you're not being charged more while you wait for your own car to get fixed.

How long will the repair or paint job take? -- It might feel strange, but you need to ask exactly how long each project is going to take. Keep in mind that each car is different and there are all sorts of factors that can affect the length of repair time, but you should at least ask. If you're just dropping off your car at an auto paint shop for a new coat, it'll probably be done in a few hours. If you're having some major mechanical work done, however, you might not be able to drive your car for a few days.

What kind of warranty comes with your repair work? -- When it comes to the warranty, you must ask and find out if a warranty of any kind is offered. If the work isn't attached to their work, you might want to look elsewhere for assistance. If they do offer a warranty, however, make sure you ask how long it lasts and exactly what it will cover.

It's time to get your car looking and feeling its best. If you want to visit a skilled auto body shop or auto paint shopin the Chicago area, check out 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.