Panel Restoration

Over time, the exterior panels of your car may deteriorate due to usage, weather, and collision damage. More often than not, this is seen as fabric wearing, rips and tears, as well as scratches and dents. The size, depth, and location of the blemish determines the size and expense of the project. Whether it’s the doors, hood, or bumpers, we’ll complete a thorough examination to determine how much of the panel needs to be repaired. Our team works diligently to uncover the issue and complete repairs to your satisfaction

If you’re searching for an auto body shop near you, our professional mechanics provide the best Auto Panel Restoration for all of Austin, Texas. Stop in for your free quote! We’ll include a step-by-step layout of how we’ll tackle the problem at the most affordable rates in town. Book your appointment with us today for all your panel restoration needs!

Common Panel Issues That Prompt Restoration near Austin

Rust and Corrosion

In regions with harsh winters and high amounts of road salt, rust and rust-induced corrosion are common problem that prompts panel restoration. Wheel arches, fenders, rocker panels or sills, door bottoms and jambs, and trunk floors are some of the most affected rust spots. Structural points such as frame rails, subframe mounts, and suspension mounting points can also be affected, causing structural weakening of your vehicle due to rusting and corrosion. Our technician at Swedish Auto Service will cut and replace the affected panel, restoring your vehicle’s functionality.

Impact damage

Both minor and major impact damages call for panel restoration. Every day, minor impacts, stone chips, small collisions, or falling objects can cause dents and dings. Swedish vehicles feature a thick steel frame that prevents the dent from going deeper; however, due to this, the dent spreads wider, covering a broader area. Major impacts cause extensive damages that require significant panel beating, section replacement, or sometimes even chassis alignment. Dent correction using a suction tool or hammer and dolly at Swedish Auto Service is the solution for the damage to your vehicle in Austin.

Paint Degradation

Fading and degrading of the paint and clearcoat due to oxidation also prompt panel restoration. Panels exposed to sunlight for a prolonged period often face this issue. Consult our technician for a comprehensive inspection and restoration of the damaged panel in Austin.

Stress Cracks

This type of panel damage is rare in occurrence, but equally damaging. Weight-bearing portions of the vehicle bear continuous strain and flex, which, with time, can lead to cracks in the panels. Poor repair could lead to panel failure in the future if additional stress is applied.

Model Specific Issues

  • The Saab 900’s tapering rear panel shows multiple stress cracks due to years of flex and repeated hatch use.
  • Due to water and moisture exposure, Volvo 240’s rubber bumper mounts become laden with rust, which later causes corrosion and permanent damage to the mount.
  • Older models, such as the Volvo 700 series, used to employ powder coating painting methods in their vehicles. Paint delamination occurs over time and with exposure to harsh environments, particularly at the hoods of vehicles.

Panel Restoration around Austin

  • Inspection: Our technicians at Swedish Auto Service conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicle body. Identification of corrosion spots, dents, and other signs of wear is done. Integrated component areas, such as side-impact beams and sensor housings, and structural points are double-checked for any underlying damage.
  • Surface Preparation: After identifying the damage, surface preparation is performed before the restoration begins. Specialized cleaners optimized for high-quality paints are used to remove dirt, grease, and salt buildups under this service. Additional sand-blasting and hand-sanding are also done to remove degraded paint and surface rust residue, without causing damage to the original substrate material.
  • Rust Removal: Although surface rust can be removed with sandblasting or hand-sanding, deep and perforated rust requires correct excision and removal. All corroded metal panels are cut and removed.
  • Dent Correction: With suction equipment, the dents are treated to restore them to their original shape. On models with thick metal bodies, suction equipment doesn’t work. For these, hammers, dollies, and shrinking disks are used to return them to their original contour.
  • Welding: Using specialized welding equipment, factory-grade welding is replicated to attach new metal patches or replacement sections in the place of removed rust panels.
  • Priming and Sealing: After the panel restoration is complete, it is coated with primer to prepare a base for further layers of paint and protective coatings. Primer also fills tiny surface pores, cracks, and damages, ensuring a uniform and smooth surface for additional coating.
  • Painting and Clear Coating: On the primer base, paint is applied, chosen to match the manufacturer’s paint, thereby maintaining the vehicle’s visual aesthetic. After the base paint coating, clear coating seals the paint from the external environment firmly.
  • Reassembly: After the panel restoration and painting are complete, the panels are carefully reassembled and attached to their respective positions. Waxing and sealing are performed in vulnerable areas to prevent rust. A final polish is applied to achieve a flawless, deep shine.

Since 1993, at Swedish Auto Service, we have been serving Swedish and other European auto owners in the Austin area, as well as the surrounding communities of Cedar Park, Round Rock, and Leander.

Your Swedish Automotive Specialists

At Swedish Auto Service, we believe in quality over quantity. That’s why we specialize in servicing all models of:

Our shop features the latest factory-grade tools & equipment available so that we can always handle everything your car needs with accuracy and high quality.

Call or Visit Our Shop Today

Since 1993 the team at Swedish Auto Service has helped drivers all throughout Austin and surrounding areas including:

If you’re noticing issues with your car’s brakes or would like to schedule routine maintenance, please call or visit our shop today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Swedish models like Volvo 240/260 and Saab vehicles have the highest demand for restoration. Saab models, since discontinued in 2011, have become a rare commodity and are often restored.

Bubbling paint, visible rust, uneven panel gaps, dents, scratches, paint chips, or compromised undercoating are the signs that indicate the need for panel restoration.

If you are an automobile enthusiast, you can perform minor repairs and restoration; however, complex restoration often requires professional expertise.

During cleaning the panels, always use gentle cleaning products and avoid abrasive materials.

There are several practices you can adopt to prevent future rust. Always use rust-resistant primers, apply quality paint on top of that, undercoat exposed areas, keep the car clean, and regularly wash road salt during winter.

Swedish Auto Mechanics

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11008 N Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78753

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Shop Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Phone Hours: Monday-Sunday 8:00AM - 9:00PM

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