Auto Body Repair and Restoration Services in HCM

Car body is the external structure of the car, including parts such as the hood, car doors, front bumper, rear bumper, and panels surrounding the car frame. The main function of the car body is to protect the internal parts, ensuring the aerodynamics and aesthetics of the car.

During use, the car body is susceptible to damage such as scratches, dents, cracks, rust or frame deformation. If not handled properly and promptly, these errors can affect the aesthetics, structure of the car and operational safety.

According to statistics from the Vietnam Automobile Insurance Association (2023), about 68% of cars will experience bodywork problems during their lifetime, ranging from minor to serious damage.

Proper body repair not only ensures safety, maintains the value and appearance of the vehicle, but also saves up to 40% of the cost compared to prolonged damage.

At Ho Chi Minh, Thanh Phong Auto is a reputable address for car body repair and painting, owning a modern machinery system and a team of highly skilled technicians. The center is committed to providing optimal restoration quality, ensuring both safety and aesthetics for the car as original.

The process at Thanh Phong Auto is carried out systematically: From condition assessment, disassembly, surface restoration to finishing paint, all according to high technical standards. The following article will help you better understand common car body damage and effective solutions.

What is Auto Bodywork? Common Types of Damage

The car body is the external structure of the car, including parts such as the hood, car doors, front bumper, rear bumper, and panels surrounding the car frame. The main function of the car body is to protect the internal parts, ensure the aerodynamics and aesthetics of the car.

Common types of car body damage include surface damage such as scratches, light dents due to collisions, and structural damage such as heavy dents, cracks, rust or deformation of the car frame that affects the safety and structure of the car.

According to the Auto Body Research Institute (2022) report, the car body accounts for up to 60% of the total surface area of ​​the car, playing an essential role in protecting the structure and ensuring the aerodynamic performance of the car.

Surface damage:

• Scratches: Fine scratches, deep scratches exposing metal due to light impact. Shallow scratches usually only affect the outer clear coat.
• Minor Dents: Minor dents can appear due to minor impacts or objects falling on the vehicle.

Structural damage:

• Severe dents: Deformation of the frame, pillars, and doors due to a strong impact. This type of damage can seriously affect the structure and safety of the vehicle.
• Cracks, breaks: Cracks or breaks may appear in the welds and joints on the body.
• Rust, corrosion: Rust and corrosion can appear due to the influence of weather conditions, chemicals and not being treated promptly.

Damage due to chassis deformation: Frame misalignment can cause deviation from the vehicle's standard dimensions.

According to the 2021 report of the American Automobile Insurance Association (AAA), more than 30% of serious collisions cause deformation of the body frame, especially in the A-pillar or front bumper area, directly affecting the structural safety of the vehicle.

The Importance of Proper Auto Body Repair & Restoration

Properly repairing and restoring the body of a car not only ensures the safety of the driver and passengers, but also helps maintain the value of the car, enhance aesthetics, confidence for the owner and save long-term repair costs.

Auto Service Today magazine (2023) stated that improper body repair can reduce the protection effectiveness in the next collision by up to 35%.

1. Ensure safety protection in case of collision

Proper repair and restoration of auto body panels is vital to the safety of the driver and passengers. If the body panels are severely damaged and not repaired promptly, it can compromise the vehicle's ability to protect itself in the event of a collision.

2. Maintain vehicle value

Proper body repair and restoration helps maintain the value of your vehicle. A vehicle with a beautiful, undamaged exterior will have a higher resale value than a damaged, dented vehicle.

3. Aesthetics and confidence for car owners

A properly repaired and restored bodywork vehicle will bring aesthetic beauty and confidence to the owner. This helps to enhance the driving experience and bring satisfaction to the owner.

4. Save on repair costs in the long run

Proper body repair and restoration from the start will save you money in the long run. If small damages are not dealt with promptly, they can become more serious over time, leading to larger repair costs later.

Data from the Car Repair Cost Index (2023) shows that ignoring the initial treatment of minor dents can cause repair costs to increase 3–4 times if the bodywork rusts or deformations spread after 6 months – 1 year.

Where is a reputable place to repair car bodywork in HCM?

In Ho Chi Minh City, Thanh Phong Auto is one of the prestigious auto repair centers, specializing in car body and paint. With a modern machinery system, a team of highly skilled technicians and a professional working process, Thanh Phong Auto is committed to providing optimal service quality, restoring the beauty and safety of the car to its original state.

1. Auto body repair service

Thanh Phong Auto provides a full range of body repair items from basic to advanced, meeting all levels of damage.

• Chassis adjustment: Applying specialized machine technology to measure and pull the frame to restore the deformed car frame after collision. Ensuring dimensional accuracy and stability during operation.
• Body welding and patching: Repair dents, dents, tears or holes using sophisticated welding techniques, restoring the original shape of the body without changing the metal structure.
• Genuine body parts replacement: Providing genuine replacement parts such as car doors, hoods, fenders, ensuring proper assembly and synchronization with the overall vehicle.
• Plastic parts repair: Restore or replace plastic parts such as front bumper, rear bumper, side skirts, bringing aesthetics and high durability to the car.

2. Professional car painting service

Thanh Phong Auto invests in a closed paint room with a digital paint mixing system, meeting high requirements for aesthetics and color durability.

• Whole car painting: Service of changing color or renewing the entire surface of the car. Using imported 2K paint, high durability, good adhesion and effective UV protection.
• Touch-up and patching paint: Repair local scratches and peeling with skillful touch-up painting techniques, ensuring the new paint layer is in harmony with the original color, without revealing any repair marks.
• Ceramic coating and car paint polishing: Creates a nano coating to protect the paint surface from environmental impacts such as UV rays, rainwater, dirt. At the same time, keep the car shiny and dirt-resistant.
• Restore old paint: Remove stains, polish and renew faded, degraded paint, making the car look like new without having to repaint the whole thing.

3. Why should you choose Thanh Phong to repair and restore damaged car bodies?

Thanh Phong Auto is a reputable auto body repair and restoration address in Ho Chi Minh City thanks to its experienced team, modern equipment, quality materials, diverse services, reasonable prices and clear warranty policy.

• Many years of experience: With a team of experienced technicians, Thanh Phong Auto can handle all damages on the car body.
• Modern equipment: Thanh Phong Auto invests in advanced machinery and equipment to shorten repair time and ensure quality.
• High quality materials: Only use genuine or high quality standard materials and spare parts.
• Diverse services: Providing full range of related services such as dent repair, welding, body straightening, body repainting, rust treatment...
• Reasonable price: Despite good quality, Thanh Phong Auto still offers competitive prices.
• Prestigious warranty: Long-term warranty commitment for repair and replacement items.
• Clear contact information: Easily find Thanh Phong Auto's contact information and address, convenient for communication, consultation and repair scheduling.

Professional Car Body Repair and Painting Process at Thanh Phong Auto

The process of repairing the body and painting the car at Thanh Phong Auto is carried out professionally according to scientific steps from damage assessment, disassembly, repair or replacement of the body panels, surface treatment to finishing painting, to ensure the quality, aesthetics and safety of the car.

1. Assessment and repair planning

Before starting any repairs, accurately assessing the condition of the vehicle is an important step to ensure the process is efficient and transparent to the customer.

• Reception and initial inspection: Technician receives vehicle, records damage description from customer, performs general inspection and compares with actual condition.
• Detailed assessment: Use a spotlight, gap gauge, and technical magnifying glass to identify dents, scratches, warping, and frame deformation.
• Make quotation – repair plan: Make quotation publicly and transparently; analyze optimal solution (repair or replace), estimate completion time.
• Take photos and videos for documentation: Record and take photos of the original condition as a technical basis and for comparison after repair.

2. Disassemble the parts

To access the area to be treated and ensure the safety of surrounding components, the technician will carefully disassemble the related parts.

• Removing Related Parts: Parts such as front/rear bumpers, lights, mirrors, door handles, trim, etc., will be carefully disassembled to access the damaged area and avoid further damage during the repair process.
• Marking and storage: Disassembled parts are carefully marked, classified and stored to ensure accurate reassembly.
• Check for hidden parts: After removing the exterior parts, the technician will thoroughly inspect the internal components (e.g., chassis, wiring) for potential damage.

3. Frame repair (in case of serious accident)

For vehicles that have suffered serious collisions that affect the structure, the process of repairing the frame with specialized equipment is indispensable.

• Frame deformation measurement: Use 3D frame measurement system (Car-O-Liner, Celette…) to determine deviation.
• Straightening: Use electronically controlled hydraulic frame straightening machine to bring it back to the correct standard parameters.
• Reinforcement welding: Apply MIG/MAG welding technology combined with welding wire and protective gas suitable for each type of steel.

4. Replace body panels – when repair is not possible

When the car body panels are too badly damaged and cannot be restored, replacing them with new components is the optimal solution to ensure quality.

• Remove damaged panels: Use a plasma cutter or specialized cutter to remove severely damaged, irreparable parts of the vehicle's body.
• Prepare replacement cover: Choose genuine replacement cover or from reputable suppliers, ensuring quality and compatibility.
• Welding the new body panels: Use spot welding or MIG/MAG welding technology to attach the new body panels to the chassis. Ensure the welding position is accurate, the weld is strong and does not cause deformation to the surrounding parts.
• Check for tightness: Use sealant to ensure a tight seal between the panels, preventing water and dirt from entering.

5. Repairing body panels – restoring original shape

For minor dents or deformations, panel shape restoration techniques are cost-effective while maintaining the original aesthetic.

• Manual bending and straightening: Using specialized bending tools, hammers, and anvils to straighten out dents and dents on the car's surface. Technicians need experience and high skills to restore the original shape without damaging the paint layer inside.
• Using a riveting machine: Weld the rivets onto the concave surface, then use a riveting machine to pull out the dent to avoid having to disassemble the interior parts of the car, saving time and reducing the risk of damaging other parts.
• Using infrared drying lamp: Helps soften metal, supporting easier bending process.

6. Anti-rust

After the shaping or replacement process, anti-rust is an important step to protect the metal from oxidation and prolong the life of the body.

• Surface cleaning: Use a specialized solvent (e.g. industrial gasoline) and a clean cloth to remove dirt, grease and other impurities on the metal surface.
• Anti-rust spray: Spray a layer of anti-rust material (e.g. epoxy anti-rust primer) onto the metal surface, especially the repaired areas, to protect against oxidation.

Note: Make sure the anti-rust paint is sprayed evenly and thick enough to effectively protect the metal surface.

7. Assemble the parts

Once the processing steps are complete, the previously disassembled parts will be reassembled precisely, ensuring uniformity and normal operation.

• Reinstallation of removed parts: Previously removed parts (bumpers, lights, mirrors, etc.) will be carefully reinstalled, ensuring proper position and security.
• Clearance Alignment: Check and adjust clearances between parts (e.g., clearance between hood and front bumper) to ensure uniformity and aesthetics.
• Function test: Make sure all parts work properly after assembly (e.g. lights, wipers, door locks.

8. Surface quality check

Before entering the painting process, the body surface will be carefully inspected to detect and handle any remaining minor defects.

• Visual and Instrumental Inspection: The technician will thoroughly inspect the vehicle body surface visually and use supporting tools (e.g., spotlight, flatness gauge) to detect minor defects (e.g., dents, ripples).
• Marking of defects: Defects are marked in preparation for the puttying step.

9. Putty

Putty is an indispensable step to help smooth the surface, cover small scratches and create a perfect foundation for the next coats of paint.

• Purpose: Putty (also known as putty) to create a smooth, flat surface, fill small dents, scratches and other defects on the car body surface.
• Type of putty: Use 2-component polyester putty (including putty and hardener) with high adhesion, easy to sand and no shrinkage.
• Plastering technique:
• Mix the putty and hardener in the exact ratio specified by the manufacturer.
• Use a specialized putty knife to apply putty to the surface to be treated.
• Apply several thin coats, each coat about 15-20 minutes apart to ensure the putty dries evenly.
• Sanding: Use sandpaper of appropriate grit (eg P80-P120 for coarse sanding, P180-P240 for fine sanding) to smooth the putty surface.

Note: Sand in circular or X-shaped motions to avoid creating deep scratches.

10. Cover and prime

After surface treatment, the technician will carefully cover and spray a primer to increase adhesion and protect the metal.

Cover:

• Use masking tape, newspaper and plastic wrap to cover areas that do not need painting such as car windows, lights and door handles.
• Make sure the tape is sealed to prevent paint from smudging.

Primer:

• Spray primer onto the surface that has been treated with putty and sanded.
• Effect of primer: Increases adhesion of the topcoat, creates a uniform surface color, and protects metal from rust and oxidation.

Technique & materials:

• Paint type: Epoxy primer or water-based primer depending on the paint system.
• Spray paint evenly, thin and smooth layer.
• Dry with infrared lamp or let dry naturally according to technical standards.
• Sand the primer again with fine sandpaper P320–P400 to prepare for the topcoat.

11. Mix paint colors

Paint color is mixed precisely according to the original code of the car, ensuring uniformity between the new painted area and the remaining old paint layer.

• Identify the color code: Use a spectrophotometer or the vehicle manufacturer's color code chart to accurately identify the original paint color.
• Computerized color mixing: Applying computerized color mixing system helps to reproduce color accurately according to the original code to ensure uniformity and reduce color deviation after painting.
• Water-based paint ingredients: include colorants, binders, solvents, and specialized additives.
• Color check: Spray test on test sheet, compare with original color under natural light to ensure match.

12. Cover and spray paint

Once ready for the final coat of paint, the area to be painted will be thoroughly masked before the professional spraying of the topcoat is carried out.

Cover up: Cover up all areas that do not need to be painted, especially door slots, lights, and glass.

Spray coating:

• Use a specialized HVLP gun to spray each thin layer evenly.
• Usually spray 2-3 coats, each coat 10-15 minutes apart.

Technical Note:

• Adjust spray distance, air pressure, hand speed to avoid paint runoff, uneven surface.
• Move the gun in a straight line or S-shape to coat evenly.

13. Dry and polish

To complete the paint layer and create depth and gloss to the surface, the technician will spray a layer of clear paint over the color layer.

• Paint drying: Use a drying room or infrared drying lamp at the correct temperature and time recommended by the paint manufacturer.
• Polishing: Use a polishing machine combined with specialized wax to handle: Paint dust, light scratches, increase gloss and smoothness of the paint surface.

14. Final quality check

After painting, the surface needs to be properly dried with infrared lamps or standard paint booths to ensure hardness and color durability.

• Overall inspection: Surface must be free of defects such as paint dust, discoloration, or peeling.
• Measure gloss: Use a meter to ensure gloss meets manufacturer standards.
• Measure paint thickness: Check the paint layer reaches 100–180 µm.
• Adhesion test: Use the grid cutting method or tape pulling method to evaluate the adhesion of the paint layer.

15. Car wash and interior cleaning

Once the paint has completely dried, the surface is sanded and polished to remove paint dust, smooth and increase the deep gloss.

• Clean the entire car body after painting with a specialized solution.
• Vacuum and clean interior: seats, dashboard, car floor, etc.
• Final check before handover to customer.

16. Vehicle handover and maintenance instructions

Finally, the vehicle will undergo a final overall inspection to ensure all details meet standards before being handed over to the customer.

Handover: Deliver the vehicle to the customer, accompanied by: Invoice, warranty card, technical report.

Paint maintenance instructions:

• Avoid washing your car within 3–5 days after painting.
• Wash car with soft cloth, neutral pH solution.
• Do not park in the hot sun for too long.
• Regularly maintain paint with wax or ceramic coating.
• Treat scratches early to prevent oxidation from spreading.

Frequently Asked Questions When Repairing & Restoring Auto Bodywork

1. How do you know when to replace instead of repairing the bodywork?

When the car body is severely deformed, structurally cracked, or rust spreads affecting durability, experts often recommend replacement to ensure safety and long-term use.

2. Can I request the use of genuine body parts?

Yes. At reputable centers like Thanh Phong Auto, customers can absolutely request to use accessary Genuine body shell to ensure durability and design synchronization with the vehicle.

3. How long does a typical auto body repair take?

Depending on the extent of damage and the number of parts that need to be repaired, the time can range from 1-5 days for minor damage and from 5-10 days if the frame needs to be straightened, many parts need to be welded, repainted or parts need to be replaced.

See more articles: Car paint – Process, technology & quotation.

4. Does body repair reduce the value of the car?

If the repair is done properly, using quality materials and the right color, the value of the car will be maintained. However, poor quality or improper repairs can cause the car to lose value quickly when resold.

5. Is the touch-up paint different in color from the original paint?

At centers with digital paint mixing systems and closed paint rooms like Thanh Phong Auto, Full body car paint service like new is done with high precision. The touch-up paint color can match 95–99% of the original color, difficult to detect with the naked eye if not examined carefully under specialized light.

6. The car has a slight dent but no paint scratches, do I need to repair it?

Repair early. Minor dents can damage the protective paint, increasing the risk of rust, and affecting the aesthetics and resale value of the vehicle in the future.

7. After painting the car, how long can I wait before washing the car or applying ceramic coating?

Typically, you should wait at least 5–7 days for the new paint to fully cure before pressure washing or performing any other services. ceramic protective coating, nano,…

8. Does Thanh Phong Auto provide full vehicle repair and repainting services?

Yes, in addition to repairing and repainting individual parts, Thanh Phong Auto also provides repair and repainting services for the entire vehicle. This service is suitable for old vehicles, severely damaged vehicles or vehicles that need to change the paint color. We will advise and develop specific plans for each case.

Explore more car painting service price list to clearly understand the specific costs for each item of touch-up painting, full painting, as well as related accompanying services.

9. Does Thanh Phong Auto have regular car maintenance and care services?

Yes, in addition to body repair and paint services, Thanh Phong Auto also provides periodic vehicle maintenance and care services. These services include: inspection and replacement of wear parts, engine maintenance, gear, brake system, drive system, air conditioning systems, etc.

To ensure safety, maintain the value and beauty of your car, repairing and restoring the body of your car is essential. Any questions about care and repair services car exterior, contact Thanh Phong Auto now for service!.