Trying to fix your car’s body damage on your own can seem like an easy way to save money.
But the truth is, car owners who try it can often end up with more damage and frustration then they started with. We’ve seen a lot of the end “results” brought in for us to clean up the mess, and it isn’t pretty.
Modern auto body repair requires precision, expertise, and specialized tools.
In this blog post, we’ll go over why DIY auto body repair can be a really bad choice and why hiring a professional is worth the investment.
Table of Contents
What Can Go Wrong?
Here’s what we’ve seen can often happen with car owners who attempt their own auto body work at home after a minor accident.
Important Prep Work Often Skipped
Repairing car damage takes more than hammering out a dent and repainting your car. Proper preparation is needed and skipping steps can mean costly mistakes.
For example:
- Thoroughly inspecting for hidden structural damage
- Assessing for surface visual damage
- Making sure you have the right sandpaper types, body filler, primer, paint, paint sprayer, masking tape, putty knife, sanding blocks, and protective equipment
- Cleaning the car and using a degreaser or isopropyl alcohol to remove oil and wax from the repair area
- Using automotive masking tape and plastic sheeting to protect areas you don’t want to be affected
A repair job that misses steps can end up damaging your car’s body and affecting its resale value.
Health Risks To Consider
If you don’t know what you’re doing, auto body repair materials can have significant health risks.
Paints, solvents, and adhesives contain harmful chemicals and release toxic fumes. In a poorly ventilated space like a garage, these fumes can cause dizziness, nausea, or even long-term respiratory issues.
On top of that, sanding and grinding creates dust particles that are very dangerous to inhale. Professionals use protective equipment and work safely in controlled environments.
Skipping over these precautions in your garage can seriously harm your health and put others at risk.
It Takes Longer Than You Might Think
A car body repair usually isn’t a simple weekend project.
Without training, even a simple dent repair can take far longer than expected. Mistakes made along the way may require you to redo work, dragging out the process even more.
Professional-grade tools, such as paint guns, sanders, and diagnostic equipment, cost a lot of money and take time to learn. Trying to get the same results with tools you might have in your garage will frustrate you and take longer than you think.
When you factor in the time needed for research, prep work, and potential do-overs, DIY car body repair is unlikely to be worth the effort.
Easy to Overlook Hidden Damage
One of the biggest dangers of DIY car body repair is missing hidden structural damage and other issues. If you don’t know what to look for and how to look for it, a small dent or scrape could actually mean structural damage beneath the surface.
What seems like a minor impact can weaken your car’s frame, putting you and your family at risk in future collisions.
Accidents can also damage wiring and sensors, causing your issues with airbags, lights, or other systems that you won’t notice until you get in another accident.
Professional auto body technicians have the certifications, expertise, and professional tools to diagnose and fix these problems before you drive your car again.
Good Chance It’ll Ruin Your Car’s Look
Matching your car’s original automotive paint finish is a lot harder than you might think.
Car manufacturers use advanced techniques and custom formulas to get that perfect appearance. Trying to get that same look in your garage without access to professional-grade paint mixing systems can be nearly impossible.
That’s why home auto paint jobs usually look unprofessional, leaving behind streaks and visible imperfections. A botched application can also cause your paint to peel, bubble, or fade prematurely, making the repair job look even worse.
An amateur finish doesn’t just ruin your car’s appearance—it will also lower its resale value. A professional repair will make sure the colour and finish blends seamlessly with the rest of your vehicle like it did pre-accident.
Cheaper Parts and Work-Arounds Get Poor Results
Many DIYers cut costs by using cheaper parts, lower quality car paint, or attempting repairs without the proper tools. However, this often ends up costing them more down the road.
Low-quality, aftermarket parts may not fit correctly, causing performance issues and additional damage.
Without professional-grade tools, it’s nearly impossible to achieve the precision needed for many repairs. Trying work-arounds will likely get you frustration and poor results.
Investing in the right equipment and parts can be expensive, and even then, you’re not guaranteed a professional-looking repair.
DIY Repairs Often Cause More Damage
If you don’t have experience and training and the right tools, you could be about to turn your small problem into a big one.
Sanding too much can weaken your car’s panels, while using too much auto body filler can make the repair brittle and prone to cracking.
Without the right preparation, adhesives and paints won’t bond correctly, leading to weak repairs that fall apart over time.
Another concern, DIYers can often unintentionally damage nearby panels or trim while trying to fix a specific area.
These mistakes can increase the overall cost of your repairs and compromise your car’s structural integrity.
Professional Repairs Save Time, Money, and Further Problems
While DIY car body repairs might seem like an easy way to save money, the risks outweigh the savings, unless you know what you’re doing and have professional-grade tools and equipment.
Here’s why professional services are a good investment:
- Expertise and Training: Professional, trained technicians have the experience and knowledge to do precise repairs, getting your car looking just like it did before your accident.
- Advanced Equipment: Repair shops are equipped with specialized tools and technology that help them get high-end results.
- Warranty Protection: Most professional repairs come with warranties, giving you peace of mind that if anything goes wrong down the line, it will be redone at no cost to you.
- Insurance Compliance: Having your vehicle’s body repaired by a certified auto body shop will make sure your vehicle stays compliant with your insurance policy. Find a shop approved by your insurance company and that meets quality standards.
By trusting the pros, you’ll avoid potential headaches and make sure your vehicle is both structurally safe and looking good as new.
Choose Bemac for Expert Auto Body Repairs
At Bemac, we’ve been repairing vehicles in Ottawa for over 60 years.
Our team of skilled technicians is equipped to handle everything from minor scratches to major collision damage. We use state-of-the-art tools and high-end materials and car paint to restore your vehicle to its original condition—or better. And we handle all types of body repairs including windshield repair and replacement.
You’ll rest easy knowing our experienced repair experts will find any underlying structural issues.
And best of all, Bemac is approved by all Canadian insurance companies. We’re CAA approved, and have a great rating with the Better Business Bureau.
When you bring your car to Bemac, you can expect:
- Honest, transparent estimates with no hidden fees.
- Exceptional attention to detail to ensure a flawless finish.
- A commitment to customer satisfaction and safety.
Don’t risk the hassle and expense of DIY car body repairs. Trust the experts at Bemac to get the job done right the first time.
