FAQ
What Is Panel Beating?
A plain-English explanation from your local Waikato panel beater.
The short answer
Panel beating is the trade of repairing damaged vehicle body panels. When a car is involved in a collision, or even just picks up a dent from a car park, the metal panels that form the outer body of the vehicle can be bent, creased, or crushed. A panel beater repairs that damage.
What does panel beating involve?
Depending on the severity of the damage, panel beating can involve:
Straightening: Using specialist hammers, dollies and pulling equipment to reshape bent metal back to its original form.
Panel replacement: If a panel is too badly damaged to repair, it can be replaced with a new or reconditioned part.
Body filler: Small imperfections are smoothed out with body filler before painting.
Spray painting: The repaired area is colour-matched and repainted so the repair is invisible.
Is it the same as smash repairs?
Yes. "Smash repairs" is an informal term for the same type of work: collision repair and body panel restoration. Both terms are used interchangeably in New Zealand.
What types of damage can a panel beater fix?
When should you see a panel beater?
If your vehicle has visible damage to the body, whether from an accident or general wear, a panel beater can assess it and advise on the best repair approach. Many repairs are more affordable than people expect, and leaving damage unaddressed (especially rust) can make it worse over time.
Need a panel beater in Waikato?
Panel Beating Services is based in Pirongia and serves all of Waikato. Free quotes.
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