Any damage to the body of your automobile seems to stick out like a sore thumb. It will make the vehicle worth less if you want to sell it and if you report the damage to your insurance company may make your premiums increase. Unfortunately, what you would consider very minor damage may end up costing quite a bit of money. Here are a few tips to help you save money on auto body repair.

Paintless Dent Repair

It is common for a repair shop to sand the paint from the area around a dent to clean up the rough edges from the crash, so the new coat goes on smooth. They may also use a filler on the dent, requiring painting. The painting can add a large amount to the total bill. This is especially true if the old paint has been dulled by the sun making it necessary to paint the whole car. When you take the vehicle in for an estimate, ask if it would be possible to perform paintless dent repair. This way you won't have to pay for the paint job.

Fix Scratches Yourself

If you notice small scratches in the paint, don't ignore them. Any compromise will allow rust to grow on the metal. You can purchase touch-up paint to take care of the problem yourself. You should use a very high-grit sandpaper to lightly go over the area before applying the paint. There will be directions on the can that will help you to get the best results.

Buy the Parts Yourself

You can save a lot of money by purchasing the parts you need from a used parts store, online, or from a salvage yard. Even if the part needs to be painted to match your car, it will still be a lot less money than buying a new part.

Don't let the price of auto body repair get you down. Always get more than one quote for the job and talk with friends who have had work done before. You may find it is possible to have your auto fixed and looking like new, or almost new, without having to take out a large loan or wiping out your savings account. However, don't drag your feet on getting it done, or you may end up with parts rusting out and needing to be replaced when they could have just been painted.