SMART Repairs for cars – What are they?

car body repair and detailing workshop. man polishing vehicle paint.

What’s a SMART repair?

SMART stands for Small to Medium Area Repair Technique. Using specialised technology this method allows the technician to focus only on the damaged area, instead of having to completely remove entire parts of a car.

This new type of repair has made it simpler to fix a scuff or dent as it nullifies the need to visit a traditional bodyshop, which tend to keep your car for weeks at a time. Mobile SMART repairers are an alternative option to this and will conveniently travel to your home to carry out quick repairs on your vehicle.

How do they work?

The type of repair required is always dependent on what sort of damage your car has suffered. Small dents with no paintwork damage are suited to a PDR (Paintless Dent Removal). During a paintless dent removal the dent is slowly massaged back to its original form, without the need for paint or filler.

If this isn’t the case and the paintwork has been damaged, then filler and respray can work perfectly on damaged and dented paintwork. This process involves the damaged part being sanded down before being filled and then left to dry. After this the area is rubbed down, spray painted, clear-coated, and then polished to bring it back to its full potential.

Types of SMART repairs

Chip and Scuff Repair – Used for repairing damage to paintwork.

Paintless Dent Removal – Perfect for removing dents without the need to repaint any bodywork.

Alloy Wheel Refurbishment – A great way to repair wheel damage from potholes, kerbs, and corrosion – usually using a masking product to protect the tire from overspray

Mechanic with tools in auto repair shop

Benefits of SMART Repairs

Cost-Effective

Traditional bodyshops would often remove the whole panel from the vehicle and repaint it all. SMART repairers can focus solely on the section which has been dented/scratched, using less paint and less time, which reduces the cost by a significant amount.

Faster

SMART repairs are usually completed within a day, so the vehicle is kept off the roads for minimal time.

Convenient

SMART repairers are often mobile services which visit your home, making the job little hassle for the car owner.

No Claims Discount

Due to the minor damage to the vehicle and the relatively low cost of the repair, you can choose not to make any claims via your insurance, meaning you would retain your No Claims Discount.

Increased value of car for sale

When selling your favourite car, you might find that buyers devalue your vehicle because they notice minor scratches or dents. If buyers notice defects on the vehicle then they are likely to search for more damage, so SMART repairs can be extremely useful in increasing the aesthetic and price of your car when showing potential customers.

However, the need for a SMART repair is dependent on your price point –  a £2000 sale might not be as worthy of a £100 SMART repair as an £8000-£9000 sale. For this reason it would be wise to do some research into the maximum potential of your vehicle’s price before committing to any sales or SMART repairs.

Perfect finish

Using specialist techniques, paint and tape, these jobs ensure a flawless colour match, making the job indistinguishable from the car’s original paintwork.

 

JTAPE’s SMART Repair Products

Wheel Repair Mask

Alloy Wheel Repair Mask

Our solution to alloy wheel refurbishment is the most effective way to mask a tyre when spraying an alloy wheel. This masking product saves considerable time compared to traditional masking methods as the elasticated centre can be quickly applied around the back of the rim, covering the whole tyre. Its paint absorbent properties make the clean-up process even easier, keeping your job tidy throughout.

Flexi No Edge Blending Tape

Perfect for masking tight curves, Flexi No Edge Blending Tape makes previously difficult to mask areas quick and easy and eliminates the need for rework. It is temperature resistant to 90°C, paint absorbent and is ideal for automotive applications on fuel caps, bumper edges, wheel arches and more.

Parking Sensor Masking Discs

A simple yet effective solution to masking a parking sensor, this product protects against damage during sanding, painting and polishing, whilst preventing contamination of the sensors. It leaves no adhesive residue and has an easy lifting tab for a clean, quick removal.

orange parking sensor masking discs

Other JTAPE products which are suitable for SMART repairs include:

No Edge Blending Tape / Plus

Paint Control Tape

Cloth Tape

Premium Masking Tape

 

If you would like to find out more about the JTAPE range of SMART Repair solutions or any other of our specialist masking and tape products please complete the contact form or call +441625 618185 to talk to a member of the team.

 

 

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