Most drivers will have to address several collision repair issues involving their vehicles over a lifetime. The collision repair process has changed significantly in recent years, though. It is good for motorists to understand these developments so let's look at four notable shifts.

Plastic Panels and Flexible Paints

Additives for paints have made vehicle surfaces more flexible. Likewise, these paints go over more plastic panels than ever before, especially on the fascia for the front and rear bumpers. The net effect for drivers tends to be beneficial because repairs on these panels may involve nothing more than buffing and polishing.

Even if a collision does major damage, such as punching a hole through the plastic, the repair technicians can often order a relatively light and cheap replacement. In many cases, matching the paint job may be the most expensive part of replacing these flexible components.

Sensor Banks

One case where collision repair has often gotten more expensive is the rise of sensor banks. Cars now frequently have lane departure and collision detection systems. These are great safety features, but replacing the sensors adds more electronics to parts of the car that used to be easy to fix. This adds time to the process, and it often adds hundreds or even thousands of dollars to an insurance claim.

Even if there's a repairable dent on the corner, the sensor banks could be wrecked and require replacements. Also, the sensors usually require recalibration afterward.

Insurance Apps

No one wants to wait any longer than necessary to get their car into a collision repair shop. Fortunately, the rise of insurance apps has made things more convenient for everybody. Drivers can often take pictures of their vehicles before even going to a shop so they can get their claims started. Likewise, technicians have access to apps that allow them to quickly take pictures and provide supporting documentation for claims. The application of the insurance claims process has made things faster and more convenient over the last decade or so.

Layered Paint Jobs

Many manufacturers have begun using layered paint jobs. This allows them to take a cheap base color, such as white or red, and add a layer of metallic fleck and pearlescent material. A company can then place a layer of clear coat over the paint and polish it to achieve a gorgeous result in a cost-effective manner. This is great for new cars, but it adds work during the collision repair process because a technician has to add more layers and work harder to match the paint.

Reach out to a company like Exoticar Paintworks Inc to learn more.