Step-by-Step: What Really Happens During the Auto Collision Repair Process

If you’ve recently been in a car accident, you probably have a million questions—and one of the biggest is, “What happens next?” The auto collision repair process can feel like a mystery if you’ve never been through it before. At Davis Paint & Auto Collision Center, we believe in transparency and keeping our customers informed every step of the way.

Here’s a breakdown of what really happens when you bring your vehicle in for collision repair.

Step 1: Inspection & Estimate
The process starts with a thorough inspection of your vehicle’s damage. Our technicians look beyond the surface to assess hidden issues that could impact performance or safety. Once we know the full scope of the damage, we provide you with a detailed repair estimate.

If you’re going through insurance, we’ll work directly with your provider to speed things up and ensure everything is properly documented.

Step 2: Disassembly
Sometimes what’s visible on the outside doesn’t tell the whole story. That’s why we carefully disassemble the damaged areas to look for internal damage, frame issues, or compromised components. This step allows us to revise the estimate if needed and ensure there are no surprises later in the process.

Step 3: Ordering Parts
Once we’ve finalized the estimate and gotten approval, we order all necessary replacement parts. At Davis Paint & Auto Collision Center, we’re certified by many major car brands (see our certifications), which means we follow factory-approved procedures and use recommended parts to restore your car to pre-accident condition.

Step 4: Structural & Body Repairs
Our technicians use state-of-the-art equipment to repair or replace damaged frames, panels, and structural elements. If precision work is needed to realign your vehicle’s frame or suspension, we make sure it’s done right to protect your vehicle’s safety and handling.

Step 5: Paint & Refinishing
Once the bodywork is complete, it’s time to restore the look of your car. We carefully prep the surface, apply primer, and use computerized color-matching to ensure a flawless finish. Whether it’s a small touch-up or full repaint, your vehicle will leave looking like new.

Step 6: Reassembly & Quality Control
After painting, we reassemble everything with close attention to detail—from trim and lights to sensors and electronics. Then the vehicle goes through a comprehensive quality control check. We test all repaired systems, inspect the finish, and ensure everything meets our standards—and yours.

Step 7: Cleaning & Delivery
Before we hand the car back to you, we give it a full interior and exterior cleaning. We’ll walk you through the repairs and answer any questions. Our goal? That you leave feeling confident in your vehicle’s condition—and safe back on the road.

Bonus Tip: Ask About Additional Services
If your car has smaller dents from the accident or hail, our Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) might be a fast and cost-effective fix. We also offer automotive repair for mechanical issues and full collision repair for all types of accidents, big or small.

Trust Davis Paint & Auto Collision Center for Your Repair Needs
With decades of experience and certification from major manufacturers, Davis Paint & Auto Collision Center takes the guesswork out of the repair process. Whether you’ve had a fender bender or a major collision, we’ll walk you through every step with honesty and expertise.

Choose the location closest to you and give us a call: