Auto Body Kits - 5 Steps to Choosing a Body Shop For Your Kit

When the time comes for you to customize your car, with a new body kit, there are many things that need to be considered. Choosing the right kit is obviously important. You'll also need to ensure you have any extra parts such as suspension upgrades, lights, or exhaust. Many auto body kits require extra parts to make them work. Those aspects are obviously important, but they're not all that needs to be considered.

One, often overlooked, element of customizing your ride is choosing a body shop. It isn't enough to just have the parts. The body kit also needs to be painted, and if you don't take the time to choose a shop that can do it right the first time, you may find yourself disappointed when your body kit is installed.

You've spent the money to order your body kit, spent extra money to ensure you had the other parts you required, you don't want to turn that investment into a waste by getting a bad paint job!

5 Steps to Getting Your Auto Body Kits Painted

There are five key elements to choosing the right body shop. If you take the time to pay attention to these elements you are much more likely to end up with a job that you are happy with.

1. Ask a Dealer - When it comes to getting accessories painted, an excellent place to ask about body shops are your local car dealerships. Most dealers will have accessories and body work they get done on a regular basis. Simply stopping by your local dealer and asking who they use is a good start.


2. Visit the Shop First - Your first step should always be to visit the body shop. First impressions do count. Are the personnel friendly and courteous? Does the shop appear to be clean and organized? Stopping by is a good way to gauge the professionalism of a body shop.


3. Get a Written Estimate - After you have visited a few body shops in your area, take the time to get a written estimate. This will protect you against the, it-took-more-time-than-we-thought syndrome. If the body shop won't provide a written estimate, find a different one.


4. Realize that Price Isn't Everything - If you do get a few estimates, it is important to realize that price is not everything. That body shop that is charging you $100 more, but came recommended by two dealers, and gave a better first impression will likely make those extra dollars spent show in their work.


5. Ask About Warranty - That last factor you should consider is warranty. A reputable body shop will warranty their work. Of course that warranty won't extend to you scraping the paint off, but it should include peeling or cracking due to defects in workmanship.

By taking the time to choose a body shop, you ensure that the auto body kit you invest in is finished properly. Most body shops will even install the kit for you should you choose the additional service. In either case, a good shop will save you money and frustration!