Aluminum Body Repair Shop In Wilmington, NC
What is aluminum auto body repair, and does your Ford or other brand of vehicle need it? The Capital Ford of Wilmington service team specializes in aluminum collision repair, so if a recent fender bender has you searching for an aluminum body shop in Wilmington, NC, let us be your first and last call.
What Is Aluminum Collision Repair?
Aluminum is an auto-industry gold mine: It's lightweight, extremely strong, and can absorb far greater impact than vehicles made solely from steel. The flip side of the coin, however, is that aluminum collision repair is a much more complex and detailed process than steel repair, making it harder to find near Myrtle Beach, SC, and Jacksonville, NC.
Steel can easily be manipulated with heat and hammering, but aluminum paneling must be heated to a specific temperature, then accurately shaped and restored with specialized tools and techniques, such as riveting and bonding instead of welding. Aluminum car body repair is also more difficult because aluminum tends to work-harden, or gain strength when reshaped. While this property lends itself to increased durability overall, imprecise repairs can actually result in a weakened structure.
Do You Need Aluminum Car Body Repair?
Even minor damage to an aluminum-panelled vehicle, like dents from a Wilmington, NC, hailstorm, needs the expertise of an aluminum body shop. Many modern cars, from luxury models to mainstream sedans and trucks, are built with aluminum hoods, doors, fenders, tailgates, and trunk lids.
Ford trucks in particular, including F-150 and Super Duty models, feature high-strength, military-grade aluminum bodies over steel frames to reduce their overall weight and enhance fuel efficiency. Even the truck-framed Expedition and Bronco SUVs have bodies fully or partially, respectively, designed with aluminum components and will require aluminum Ford body repair.
If you're not sure what your car is made of, check your owner's manual or give our collision center a call. Our team is highly trained in handling this material. Aluminum car body repair requires specialized reshaping techniques and environmental conditions to obtain the best results, and trusting the job to an unprepared technician will only lead to bigger problems and higher costs.
The Risks of an Uncertified Aluminum Body Shop
Yes, aluminum car body repair can be more expensive than steel body repair, and yes, that can be frustrating – but the alternative is far worse. Choosing a traditional, non-aluminum-certified collision center just because it's near Jacksonville, NC, or an easy drive from nearby Myrtle Beach, SC, could put your vehicle at risk of permanent damage. Unknowing technicians, even well-meaning ones, could:
- Heat the aluminum to improper temperatures, causing it to melt or be impossible to shape.
- Expose your aluminum structure to certain chemicals or metals that trigger galvanic corrosion.
- Use tools that have touched and been contaminated with steel to make repairs, ruining your aluminum's strength.
Save on Aluminum Auto Body Repair in Wilmington, NC
Not only are the Capital Ford of Wilmington collision technicians prepared to rectify your car's aluminum damage and restore it to pristine condition, but our front desk is also ready to help you offset any fees not covered by insurance with helpful service specials. Take the stress out of aluminum car body repair and call our professionals near Jacksonville, NC.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aluminum Auto Body Repair
Which Ford vehicles have an aluminum body?
Since 2015, the Ford F-150 has featured an aluminum body over a high-strength steel frame. F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty models followed suit shortly thereafter, increasing the trucks' passenger protection during accidents. Today, the Ford Expedition uses an aluminum alloy body, and the Ford Bronco is comprised of a mix of steel and aluminum.
Can any repair shop work on aluminum vehicles?
Although most repair centers will take on the job – who doesn't want more customers? – many North American shops aren't actually certified to work on aluminum car panels. Aluminum auto body repair demands specialized tools, precise techniques, and extensive training to maintain a vehicle's structural integrity because aluminum metal has different properties from steel. Trust our certified technician for your aluminum repair needs.