How long does a bodywork and paint repair take, and what does it depend on?

It is the question we hear most often when someone drops off their car: "When will it be ready?". Fair enough, because getting around the south of Tenerife without a car is not easy. The honest answer is that it depends, and in this article we want to explain exactly what it depends on, so you understand the timescale we give you and why it sometimes changes.

A repair has more stages than you might think

When you see the finished car, you only see the final coat. Behind it there is a sequence of jobs that cannot be skipped or rushed without affecting the result:

1. Assessment and repair estimate. We look at the damage, sometimes removing a part to see what lies behind the impact.
2. Ordering parts, if anything needs replacing.
3. Panel work: removing dents, straightening or replacing panels and, after a heavy impact, checking the structure.
4. Surface preparation: sanding, applying body filler where needed, primer and surfacer. Each product needs time to dry.
5. Paint and clear coat in the booth, with the colour matched to your car.
6. Refitting, polishing, cleaning and a final check before we hand it back.

What makes a repair longer or shorter

• The size and type of damage. A scuff on a bumper is not the same as a crushed wing or a damaged chassis rail. If the car has to go on the chassis jig to measure and correct the structure, the job takes longer.
• Parts. If the part is in stock on the island, it arrives quickly. If it has to come from mainland Spain or from the manufacturer, the timing depends on the supplier and on shipping, which is not always in our hands.
• How many panels need painting. To get an invisible colour match, we sometimes have to blend into the neighbouring panels, and that adds work.
• Insurance. If an insurer is paying, we usually have to wait for the loss adjuster to assess the damage and approve it before certain work can start.
• Hidden damage. Once parts come off, something may appear that was not visible from outside. If that happens, we tell you before going any further.
• The workshop's workload at the time, which we always try to plan so that no car sits idle without a reason.

Why paint should not be rushed

Some steps simply need their time. Filler sanded before it has cured properly, or clear coat polished too early, can cause trouble weeks later: marks that reappear, uneven gloss or small shrinkage lines. Our aim is a repair that lasts, not just one that is quick. That is why we would rather give you a realistic timescale than an optimistic one that is later missed.

How we help while you wait

We know that time without a car is what bothers people most. So we do several things to make the wait easier:

• We give you an estimated timescale with the quote and let you know if it changes, and why.
• You can check the status of your vehicle in real time, without having to phone us.
• Depending on the case and availability, we can offer you a courtesy car.
• If it suits you better, we collect the car and deliver it back to your door.

If you would like to know how long your car would need, the best thing is for us to see it. Ask for a free, no-obligation quote or see how we work with private customers at our workshop in Las Chafiras, Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 16:00.