Estimating
Our repair process begins with preparing an estimate, or as we like to call it, a Repair Plan. This plan gives our team a blueprint of what to repair or replace based on both our and the manufacturer’s standards and procedures.
Pictured here, this Tesla Model 3 sustained light passenger side damage to the door panels and rocker. There was also mechanical and electrical damage. Understanding that vehicles today have more sensors, cameras, and advanced functionality than ever before, we are constantly mindful of what is needed to maintain the integrity and safety of the vehicle while preparing our Repair Plan.
Disassembly
After reviewing and coming to an agreement on the prepared Repair Plan, we clean the vehicle’s interior and exterior. We then disassemble the damaged area and other areas that may need refinishing for color matching. During disassembly, we carefully inspect and catalogue every part removed and note areas that may need our attention later. Disassembly allows our Repair Planners to gain a better understanding of the extent of the damage. At this stage of the process, we may find additional repairs that need to be added to the Repair Plan.
Repair
Our experienced Structural Technicians take over this stage when body repair, welded or rivet-bonded panel replacement is needed. Both the Structural Technician and Repair Planner closely study the manufacturer’s recommendation and requirements to determine the best course of action as every repair is unique.
For this Model 3, the small dent in the center of the rocker panel was noted as repairable as per Tesla’s guidelines. Having worked on many Model 3’s prior, we know how important it is to work carefully on its rivet-bonded structure so as to not move the adjacent panels that it’s attached to. After the repair is complete, the Technician will apply a few coats of primer to complete the process.
Refinishing
To begin the refinishing stage, we clean the vehicle again. The replacement parts, repair, and color blending areas are sanded, caulked and masked. Having the vehicle disassembled properly for this phase ensures the panels are refinished inside and out, just like it was at the factory! Our painters artfully refinish the vehicle to leave no hard, sharp edges or overspray. During this process, we only use a BASF product named Glasurit—a top of the line European product used by the world's best auto manufacturers. The vehicle then must pass a quality check by our refinishers before moving onto reassembly.
REASSEMBLY
Reassembly is completed by the same technician that completed the vehicle’s disassembly. Ensuring that the disassembly and reassembly technicians are the same is important to us at Conestoga Collision in order to guarantee that the vehicle is put back together the same way it was taken apart.
QUALITY CHECK
After the vehicle is reassembled and cleaned inside and out, a member of our team will perform an extensive quality control inspection taking a look at not only the fit and finish of the repairs performed but also any calibrations and aiming required by the manufacturer. Then, a post repair scan is performed. This scan double checks that all repairs are complete and also to make sure the vehicle is clear of any diagnostic trouble codes. And finally, an exhaustive final road test, where we closely monitor for any unusual rattles, noises, vibrations or wind noise through a variety of road conditions at varied speeds.