Aug. 25, 2015—The Automotive Service Association (ASA) announced on Monday a new research project that will respond to recent questions regarding repair processes on aluminum body panels raised by the National Alliance of Paintless Dent Repair Technicians (NAPDRT).
This new initiative by the ASA Collision Division Operations Committee will document the repair process necessary to restore aluminum panels with different degrees of hail damage.
“This study will be similar to our recent releases of the ASA Documented Collision Repair Operations and Reference Chart of Not-Included Operations When Installing New Replacement Parts guides,” said Scott Benavidez, AAM, ASA’s collision division director. “Our goal is to provide an impartial review of the aluminum repair process as it relates to hail damage to dispel any misconceptions that may still exist.”
“We commend Scott and the Collision Division Operations Committee team for taking on this challenge to address and document the differences between steel and aluminum repair,” said Tony Molla, ASA vice president. “ASA has a role to play in being the voice of the collision repair industry and helping to keep our members and the industry at large abreast of the latest changes in technology and materials that impact the collision repair process. This study will add to the body of knowledge ASA makes available free to the industry to advance our common knowledge for all stakeholders.”
The project will compile research information from existing industry sources to clearly define all necessary procedures to repair aluminum and provide a quick reference for use in writing a complete estimate. The study will involve input from collision repair professionals, industry organizations, manufacturers and training providers.
