SMART Repair FAQs: How do we Fix Dents and Scratches?
The SMART technique has transformed car repair. It allows us to fix just the damaged area without replacing the entire panel or bumper.
Timelapse of a ChipsAway repair:
Minor dents, scratches and scuffs are now quick, easy and cheap to repair. We can restore the car’s bodywork to make it look as good as new in just a few hours.
ChipsAway introduced the innovative SMART repair technique to the UK 20 years ago. In this blog, we answer your most frequently asked questions.
What is SMART repair?
SMART stands for Small to Medium Area Repair Technology. It’s a technique for repairing small areas of car bodywork damage.
SMART repair uses specialist tools, materials and paints to blend the repair with the surrounding panel. It’s much quicker and cheaper than traditional car repair.
Do all repairers use the SMART method?
No, many do not. But all ChipsAway repair specialists are trained and certified SMART repairers.
What damage can be repaired?
SMART repair is suitable for:
How long does it take?
A standard bumper scuff repair will take as little as three hours with a ChipsAway specialist. Your repairer will give you an approximate time with your repair cost estimate.
Will the paint colour match?
Yes, we can match any paint colour and finish with our colour-matching technology.
We start with the manufacturer’s colour code and then use our spectrophotometer machine to scan the paint and identify the specific tone. We can then replicate the colour with our specialist range of tints.
Read more: What colour is my car?
How exactly does SMART repair work?
Here are the steps for repairing scratches and scuffs:
1. Clean the Damaged Area
A SMART repair requires the area to be completely clean and dry. So ChipsAway specialists start by cleaning and drying the damaged area to prepare it for the repair. Cleaning the area will remove any dirt and wax that may interfere with the SMART repair process. The specialist will then ensure the area is completely dry before moving onto the next step.
2. Mask Neighbouring Panels
Once the area is clean and dry, the specialist will carefully mask off the neighbouring panels and details such as lights and badges. Masking around the repair area will stop any overspray on nearby panels, creating a perfect repair.
3. Sanding Damaged Area
Once the surrounding area has been fully masked, the specialist will begin to sand down the damaged area to reveal the paint and primer layers. To create a high-quality finish, ChipsAway specialists rebuild the colour layer by layer so it’s important to sand down each layer.
4. Primer Application
The sanded area is then primed with a grey base, this creates a base layer for the colour matched paint to be applied. Once the primer is applied it is then cured with an infrared lamp.
5. Paint Application
Once the primer has cured, the paint is then applied in thin layers with a specialist spray gun. After every layer has been applied, it is cured with a heat lamp. The paint is applied in thin layers to ensure a perfect finish to the repair. The entire area is then cured on final time with the infrared lamp.
6. Finishing and Polishing
When the paint has cured, the area is left to cool. Any paint nibs are then removed with an extremely fine grain paper to ensure the perfect repair. Finally, the panel is polished and buffed to give a shiny finish.
For how long is the repair guaranteed?
All our paintwork and dent repairs come with a Lifetime Guarantee. For alloy wheel repairs the guarantee is 6 months.
Will the damage still be visible?
No, you shouldn’t be able to see the damage once the car has been repaired. We aim to get your car looking as good as new.
Where will the repair be carried out?
Our repair specialists are mobile and will come to you at home. It’s a convenient way to get your car repaired. Alternatively, you can bring your car to one of our 40 nationwide CarCare centres.
How much does a repair cost?
The cost of a bodywork repair depends on a lot of factors. We take into account the size, depth and location of the damage, as well as the car’s paint finish.
But our minor bodywork repairs are usually cheaper than your car insurance excess, meaning you don’t need to make a claim.
How do I look after the car repair?
The car will be fine to drive and expose to rain immediately after the repair. It won’t need any special attention but we advise you not to wash, scrub or buff the panel for five days following the repair.
Is SMART repair the same as Paintless Dent Removal? (PDR)
PDR is a type of car repair that removes minor dents where the paintwork is not damaged. It involves accessing the back of the damaged panel and using special tools to ‘massage’ out the dent.
Read more about the PDR process here.
Get your car repaired today
SMART repair is an easy and cost-effective way to repair damage to your car. ChipsAway pioneered this method in the UK and has over 200 specialist repairers nationwide. Get in touch today for a free, no-obligation estimate for your car repair.
