Glossary of Auto Collision and Body Repair Terms

Below are terms and descriptions that will help you navigate your way through the auto body repair process from beginning to end.

aftermarket car body parts
Auto body repair parts that aren’t made by the original manufacturer. Aftermarket parts are made to fit and function the same as original car parts, and they’re often less expensive than original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. Some aftermarket auto body parts have been redesigned to increase the performance of your car, truck, van or minivan.
Also known as: aftermarket parts, aftermarket auto body parts, functionally-equivalent auto parts, off-brand auto parts, off-make auto parts, performance aftermarket parts, aftermarket body parts, aftermarket auto body parts

auto body repair shop
An automotive repair shop that specializes in repairing the body (or outside) of a vehicle. Auto body repair shops restore vehicles that have been damaged in accidents or sustained exterior damage due to vandalism, weather, or corrosion.
Also known as: auto body repair shop, auto collision repair shop, auto body paint repair shops, collision auto repair shops, auto body repair services, automotive body repair facilities, collision centers, auto body shops

bumper repair
Auto bumpers are among the most important safety features of your vehicle. They’re located on the front and back of all cars, trucks, and mini vans, and they’re designed to absorb the shock of a collision or accident. Some bumpers are designed with crumple zones that flex and bend during a collision to provide better protection. Bumper repairs and replacements are common because of the frequency of major and minor car accidents that cause damage to the front and rear bumpers.

chipping
Auto paint is said to chip when stones and other debris cause the colored paint finish to break off in small pieces. Auto body paint shops can buff out and refill chipped areas with matching paint to make the damage invisible.
Also known as: auto paint chips, auto paint chipping, clearcoat chipping, auto body paint chipping

clear coat
The top layer of auto paint that’s applied to add shine and protect the colored basecoat. A clear coat doesn’t have pigment added to it, so the color of the auto paint basecoat shows through.
Also known as: clear coat paint, clear coat spray, car clear coat, auto clear coat, automotive clear coat, urethane clear coat, acrylic clear coat, epoxy clear coat, clear coat painting, enamel clear coat, base coat clear coat paint, lacquer clear coat, acrylic urethane clear coat

corrosion
Corrosion happens to the bodies of metal vehicles when the metal is exposed to oxygen and water. Some corrosion appears as rust and causes visible degradation of metal surfaces. Auto paint helps curb corrosion and offers protection against water and oxygen.
Also known as: auto body rust, auto body deterioration, weathering, oxidation, car corrosion

dent repair
A method of removing car dents by pushing or hammering them out from the underside of the vehicle. Vehicle dent repair is effective for large and small dents, and it may or may not require the application of fresh auto paint depending on the severity of the dent and the condition of the paint surrounding it.
Also known as: paintless dent repair, auto dent repair, car dent repair, dent auto repair, mobile dent repair, bumper dent repair, automotive dent repair, door dent repair, hail dent repair, scratch and dent repair

direct repair program 
Direct repair programs (DRPs) are usually an agreement between auto body shops and auto insurance companies. DRP shops agree to repair collision damage using a standardized set of rules and procedures (including repair techniques, parts and materials used, warranty coverage, and billing practices) in exchange for insurance companies directing customers to them.
Also known as: DRP, direct repair programs

edge-to-edge repair
Complete body repair for trucks, cars, minivans and vans. This type of auto body repair requires the removal and replacement or restoration of an entire vehicle panel. This is the opposite of car body touch-up or spot repairs, which are possible for damaged auto body panels and paint when only a small area is damaged, chipping or removed.

enamel auto paint
A clear or colored topcoat auto paint that has a shiny finish. Enamel auto paints are available in gloss or semigloss finishes. Popular brands of enamel auto paint include PPG, DuPont, Maxx 2K and DupliColor.
Also known as: urethane enamel paint, auto body paint, auto paints, touch-up paint, lacquer auto paint, acrylic enamel auto paint

fender repair
Fenders are the panels located on the sides of a vehicle in front of the doors. Vehicle fenders serve aesthetic and practical functions. Fender-benders are a common yet minor auto accident that damages the fenders of vehicles as a result of a collision. Some modern cars and trucks are designed with fenders that are easily replaced because fender-benders are so common.

gloss
A term used to describe the shiny or reflective nature of vehicle paint. Matte, semigloss and glossy are the common levels of reflectivity found in auto body gloss paints.
Also known as: high gloss paint, semi gloss paint, gloss painting, enamel gloss paint, acrylic gloss paint, water-based gloss paint

like kind and quality
Salvaged auto body parts removed from one vehicle and installed on another are often denoted as “like kind and quality” (LKQ) on estimates and invoices for auto body repairs. These body parts rarely come with warranties and are often much less expensive than new parts. LKQ parts may be the best option for owners of rare or specialty vehicles that have a hard time finding new auto body parts.
Also known as: salvaged auto parts, used auto parts, refurbished auto parts, rebuilt auto parts, LKQ auto parts, car salvage, auto salvage parts

masking
Temporarily covering areas of a vehicle that aren’t to be painted with plastic or tape. Masking should be done carefully to avoid overspray and uneven edges. However, most auto body repair shops agree that masking isn’t a proper substitute for removing parts of the vehicle such as mirrors and door handles that can create gaps in the paint application that cheapen and weaken a new auto paint job.
Also known as: auto taping, pre-paint taping, pre-paint masking, masking for painting, mask-out paint, auto paint mask, car paint mask, car paint masking

metallic auto paint
A standard colored vehicle paint that has fine metallic particles mixed in to add shine and sparkle.

Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) auto body parts
Auto parts made by vehicle manufacturers like Ford, Chrysler, GM, Toyota, Honda and BMW. While they may cost more than aftermarket auto parts, OEM parts usually fit better, last longer and are covered by more extensive warranties.
Also known as: Original Equipment Manufacturer parts, stock vehicle parts, stock parts

primer
The first layer of an auto paint application. Auto primer is applied to an unpainted surface to protect the body of the vehicle and help the layers of vehicle paint adhere to the surface.
Also known as: base coat, auto paint primer, car paint primer, auto body primer, auto body paint primer coat

primer-sealer
The auto paint undercoat that’s applied to seal underlying layers of paint and adhere the topcoat to the base

primer-filler
A colored material that evenly fills scrapes and gashes and acts as a primer to attract and hold the topcoats of paint to the vehicle body. Primer-filler is most often used on bumpers, car doors, and body panels that have been damaged in car accidents and fender-benders.

salvage auto body parts
Auto parts taken from recycled vehicles. These parts are often inexpensive, but they usually don’t come with warranties because they haven’t been repaired or altered, so their reliability can’t be guaranteed. Salvage auto parts are often a last resort for vehicle owners looking for hard-to-find parts for rare or older vehicles. Commonly salvaged auto body parts include bumpers, doors, body panels and mirrors.
Also known as: salvage auto parts, salvage car parts, salvaged parts, used auto parts, replacement parts, used car parts

sanding
Surface coatings on vehicles are often sanded using an abrasive process to provide better adhesion to topcoats of auto paint.
Also known as: grit sanding, wet sanding, disc sanding, belt sanding, car sanding, paint sanding, automotive sanding, finish sanding, refinishing

sealer
The undercoat of auto body paint, which improves the adhesion of the topcoat and seals existing painted surfaces to prevent damage and corrosion.
Also known as: auto sealant, auto paint sealant, auto paint sealer, auto sealants, acrylic sealer, spray sealant, sealcoating

spot repair
A repair technique reserved for damaged auto body panels and auto paint where only a small area is damaged, chipping or removed. Spot repairs are generally much less expensive than edge-to-edge auto body repairs, which require the removal and replacement or restoration of an entire vehicle panel.
Also known as: auto paint ding repair, scratch repair, auto paint chip repair

three coat auto body paint
This type of auto paint includes a basecoat, a colored middle coat and a clear topcoat.
Also known as: 3-coat auto body paint, 3-coat paint, three-coat body paint

topcoat
The final layers of auto body paint. Topcoat often includes UV light absorbers that protect the auto body paint underneath from fading.
Also known as: clear coat, lacquer clear coat, acrylic topcoat auto paint

touch-up
A localized auto body paint repair that only covers a small area. Touch-up paint jobs usually hide nicks, dings, chips and scratches that occur on car hoods, vehicle doors, bumpers and fenders.
Also known as: scratch repair, ding repair, car door scratch repair, scratch removal, auto touch up paint

used auto body parts
Auto parts that have been used and rebuilt, refurbished or reinstalled in another vehicle. Some of the most common used auto body parts include doors, hoods, bumpers, trunk lids and hubcaps.
Also known as: refurbished auto parts, rebuilt auto parts, used car parts

Use Diamond Certified Resource to find top rated companies.

Local, Top Rated Diamond Certified Companies Related to Your Topic
Santa Clara County Auto Body Shops
Sonoma County Auto Body Shops
San Mateo County Auto Body Shops
Contra Costa County Auto Body Shops
Solano County Auto Body Shops 

Related Articles
The Essential Guide to Auto Body Repairs
Get Expert Advice From Owners of Top Rated Local Companies
Become a Diamond Certified Preferred Member (Always Free)