The ordeal is finally behind you.
No more rattling from the quarter panel. No more daily reminder of the fender bender that turned your world sideways for weeks. No more fiddling with the rental car’s side-view mirrors that are still just a little off.
There’s nothing quite like the relief you feel when getting your car back from the shop, especially when it gleams like new. Wouldn’t it be great to keep that feeling—as well as the flawless paint finish with no hint of damage—for miles to come?
Fresh From the Shop
According to data analysis group Gitnux, paint makes up approximately 35% of total collision repair costs, making it one of the most expensive elements to fix. That’s why protecting your paint is a smart move.
Following a simple set of best practices can help you not only maintain your car’s restored appearance but even prevent a trip back to the shop for touch-ups.
Mike DeFrancesco, a vice president at CollisionRight, a leading provider of collision repair services and one of ERIE’s Direct Repair Program (DRP) partners, said the most common mistakes happen when owners try to apply treatments too soon.
“We tell customers not to take it through a car wash for at least 45 days and not to wax it for at least 60 days,” he said. “To keep it simple, we say don’t wash or wax your car for two months.”
Holding off on washes and waxes allows the paint plenty of time to adhere to the car’s surface.
“We bake the paint on at over 150 degrees so it’s dry when it leaves the booth,” he said. “But it still needs time to fully cure.”
Gentle hand washes with mild soap and a soft sponge or microfiber cloth—not harsh brushes or cleaners—are fair game, but even touchless car washes should be avoided.
Tree sap is another potential danger to your car’s finish in the days following repairs, as it can bond with the clear coat and potentially cause it to peel. DeFrancesco said he advises customers to avoid parking under trees if possible.
The good news is collision repair technology has made big strides over the years.
Most shops handle recalibrations after repairs that are necessary to keep Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), such as lane assist and collision warning, working. And modern water-based automotive paints, whose use has grown by 40% in the last five years, according to Gitnux, dry and cure faster than older ones, DeFrancesco said. These paints—as well as computerized systems—offer greater color-matching capabilities, so your car’s finish should be close to the one you first saw on the showroom floor.
Keep It Shining
Many products on the market can provide excellent protection for both original and repaired finishes, and car owners should easily find a wax, sealant or coating that suits their needs.
Traditional carnauba waxes are still among the most popular, offering a deep, wet-looking shine but they require reapplication every few weeks or months. Synthetic paint sealants can last multiple months and provide good protection but may not offer the same depth and warmth of a carnauba wax.
Ceramic coatings chemically bond with your paint’s clear coat to deliver excellent protection measured in years, not months. But they can be costly and may require professional application.
For even greater protection, paint protection film (PPF) can be installed on high-impact areas like the hood, bumpers and side-view mirrors. Professionals can seamlessly apply PPF by cutting polyurethane wrapping material to your car’s specifications and using heat to adhere it to the surface. This defense lasts multiple years, although it is a significant investment that can total in the thousands.
Even the most protective treatments can be no match for threats like eggs or road paint. They can eat through your car’s clear coat and expose the underlying finish, potentially inviting moisture and rust.
When your car encounters these irritants or sustains small chips or scratches, time is of the essence, according to DeFrancesco.
“The longer you wait, the worse it gets,” he said. “After a few days, those things have had time to cure on your car, and you really can't just buff or spray it off. Unfortunately, that’s when you must take it to the body shop and they’ll have to sand it, fix it, repaint it and reclear it. And you're probably going to have to turn in an insurance claim.”
DRP: Skip the Stress
Sometimes there’s no avoiding filing a claim for car repairs.
When those situations arise, ERIE’s Direct Repair Program, or DRP, can streamline the process to its simplest form. That’s because each shop in the program has earned the distinction of being a trusted ERIE partner by meeting strict standards and is authorized to run its own estimates before completing repairs.
Heather McMahon, a vice president of claims at ERIE, said the arrangement allows for quality repairs in a timelier manner.
“We work with shops that have the equipment and know-how to ensure repairs go smoothly,” she said. “It’s part of creating an efficient, stress-free experience for our customers.”
Here’s how it works: once you file a claim, you’re given the option to select an auto body shop you’d like to use for repairs. Should you choose one that participates in the DRP, it will contact you to bring your car in if it’s drivable or coordinate getting it towed.
The shop will then provide you and ERIE with the final estimate for repairs. ERIE will then pay the shop directly, and you pay the deductible and get your car back when it’s done.
Shops in the program are vetted and regularly reviewed for quality and reliability. They are also required to provide a limited lifetime warranty on workmanship, and ERIE offers a warranty on repairs for as long as the owner owns the car. And besides the deductible, customers never have to pay out of pocket, McMahon said.
It’s always the customer’s choice where to get repairs. But ERIE’s DRP shops can offer unrivaled quality, efficiency and peace of mind. Plus, ERIE keeps a broad network of more than 2,000 facilities, making finding one nearby more convenient for customers.
So, the next time you file a claim, remember that feeling of relief when your car came back as good as new. With ERIE’s DRP, that moment can come a little sooner.
To make your next repair as smooth as possible, visit ERIE's Repair Shop Locator or talk to your local ERIE agent.