Today, we publish the first in our series of stories on companies within Jamaica’s automotive sector.

FINDING the right team to repair your vehicle after an accident can be stressful. However, Nelson Auto Repairs and Service located on 15 Montgomery Avenue, Kingston 10, will take the hassle out of the process.

Principal Ralston Nelson views motor vehicle repairs as a very precise science and several necessary procedures must be followed in order to restore your vehicle to showroom finish.

He explained that there are various reasons why a car would need body work; if a scratch cannot be erased by applying compound, or if a dent leaves a hump — body work is inevitable.

“Some scratches and dents can come out easily without body work. It all depends on how badly the panel is damaged. If the panel can be repaired without using a lot of filler, then repair it,” he said.

“However, if it’s badly damaged and can’t be repaired, then it will have to be removed and replaced,” he continued.

He said many customers opt to repair instead of replacing because of affordability issues.

“Some customers cannot afford a brand new panel so they choose to have it repaired,” Nelson explained.

Another type of body work involves mangled metal as seen in some motor vehicle accidents.

“In this case, when the chassis is bent, it has to be stretched so the panel can be replaced and joined at the same spot where the original panel was lodged,” said Nelson.

“It’s not difficult, once you know what you’re doing. It will be as good as new when we are finished with it,” assured Nelson.

Once you get through the rigours of body work, repainting of the panel is the next thing to do. Every car comes with a colour code and once this is matched with the colour being used to repaint the repaired panel, the painting can begin.

A problem Nelson highlighted is that some colours are difficult to match.

“If it is hard to find the exact colour to repaint the new panel, it is possible to spray the two closest panels to the one that was repaired, so the slightly different shade is not evident” said Nelson.

The finishing touch is given with buffing the panel.

“Buffing is required after the paint job. It is important to pick up and eliminate any minor dust or run. Your vehicle looks as good as new when we are finished with it,” Nelson added.

* Nelson Auto Repair and Services can contacted at 399-5711, 926-4632 or e-mail: nelsonautorepairs@yahoo.com.