The average automobile consists of about fifteen thousand parts and more than two thousand welding points. Needless to say,auto body repair is a complicated and technical science. Each and every repaired technique is aimed at a single objective or goal-to restore the automobile to its original condition where every part works in close coordination for maximum performance.
The invention of the internal combustion engine did not make a significant impact on repair of the automobile body. This is because the earliest body of automobiles continued to be made of wood. It was only when engineers came up with steel and metal panels for the automobile and the first all- steel automobile was manufactured in the early 1900's that auto body repair underwent a significant transformation. The switch took place to enhance structural integrity and to reduce the impact of vibration of the internal combustion engine on the auto body
Auto body repair ceased to be a saw and hammer job and became more technical and more complicated. Of course, it also meant that auto body repair costs increased.
The Second World War saw significant investment in research and development towards the war effort. Automobiles were not excluded from this process. The end result was that there was huge scope for innovation and creative designing after the war ended. Aluminum began to be used in automobiles and this changed auto repair techniques and methods of auto body repairs.
The late 60's also saw the introduction of the fiberglass, which was unimaginably light as compared to Aluminum and steel. However, it was a lot more fragile than metal and this led to increase in prices and repair instances. The sixties and seventies saw large use of plastic in automobiles. The eighties saw the introduction of electronics in cars and trucks in the big manner. This made auto repair even more complicated and technical.
The evolution of auto body designing and automobile manufacturing has resulted in change in the types of tools and equipment used to repair the body of the automobile. There are numerous tools and equipment depending upon the nature of the repair job. A leather car seat repair would not need technical and complicated tools. On the other hand, a job that involves welding the front portion of frame to the middle frame of the automobile, which was severed due to an accident, is as difficult and complicated as remanufacture of the automobile itself.
The World Wide Web has balanced the market in favor of customers. Until the web came along, individuals were forced to accept estimates that auto body repair technicians suggested. Today, it is possible to get cheap auto body repair estimates in a span of a few minutes to ensure you are not overcharged for the repair job.
You can also find the right spares and parts to be fitted in the automobile online from stores like Automotix This brings down the material aspect of auto body work repair. You simply have to pay for the labor and overheads to get the job done.