Auto Body Shops Industry Terminology

ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems)

Vehicle safety systems such as adaptive cruise, lane keep, radar, and camera-based features that often require diagnostics and calibration after collision repairs.

We need to calibrate the front radar after replacing the bumper cover; The windshield replacement triggers an ADAS camera calibration; The pre-scan shows ADAS fault codes that must be addressed.

Adjuster

Insurance company representative who inspects damage, negotiates scope, and authorizes payment for repairs.

The adjuster approved our supplement for hidden damage; Schedule a re-inspection with the adjuster; The adjuster requested LKQ parts on the estimate.

Aftermarket Parts

Non-OEM replacement parts produced by third-party manufacturers.

The insurer specified an aftermarket fender; The aftermarket bumper needed extra fitment time; Customer opted to upgrade to OEM instead of aftermarket.

Alignment

Adjusting suspension geometry (camber, caster, toe) to OEM specifications, often necessary after structural or suspension repairs.

Sublet the vehicle for a four-wheel alignment; Post-repair alignment shows the rear toe is still out; Alignment is required after replacing the lower control arm.

Assignment of Benefits (AOB)

Legal agreement that transfers the policyholder’s right to insurance benefits directly to the repair shop.

Have the customer sign the AOB before teardown; With the AOB on file, we can bill the insurer directly; The AOB streamlines supplement approvals.

Basecoat

The pigmented color layer in a basecoat/clearcoat system applied before clearcoat.

We tinted the basecoat to match the blend panel; Two medium-wet coats of base for coverage; The tri-stage requires a ground coat plus a mid-coat base.

Blend (Color Blend)

Fading new paint into adjacent panels to achieve an undetectable color match.

Blend the front door into the fender repair; Insurer denied the quarter panel blend—submit a supplement; Metallic flop requires extending the blend area.

Booth (Spray Booth)

A controlled, ventilated, and heated environment for refinishing operations.

Reserve booth time for the SUV tomorrow; Run a 30-minute bake cycle after clear; Change booth filters per maintenance schedule.

Calibration (ADAS Calibration)

Aligning and programming sensors and cameras to OEM specifications after repairs or glass replacement.

Perform static radar calibration after bumper R&R; The windshield camera needs dynamic calibration; Add calibration as a separate line item with documentation.

CCC ONE

Widely used collision estimating and shop management software platform.

Upload damage photos through CCC ONE; Check the P-Pages linked in CCC for included operations; Our updated labor rates are set in CCC ONE.

Clearcoat

Transparent protective topcoat that provides gloss, UV resistance, and durability.

Apply two coats of clear with proper flash times; Dieback in the clear requires buffing; Use fast clear to reduce booth occupancy on small jobs.

Corrosion Protection

Materials and procedures (e.g., epoxy primer, cavity wax, seam sealers) used to prevent rust after repairs.

Reapply corrosion protection after sectioning; Fog cavity wax into the rocker panels; OEM procedure calls for seam sealer on the wheelhouse.

Cycle Time

Total calendar or production days from vehicle drop-off to delivery.

Our average cycle time is 8 days; Parts delays increased cycle time this month; Lean scheduling cut cycle time by 1.5 days.

Deductible

The customer’s out-of-pocket portion of a covered claim before insurance pays.

Collect the $500 deductible at delivery; Deductible assistance is part of our promotion; Higher deductibles reduce premiums but raise at-delivery costs.

Diminished Value

The reduction in a vehicle’s market value after an accident and repair, due to its history.

The customer is filing a diminished value claim separately; DV isn’t included in our repair estimate; The appraiser provided a diminished value report.

DRP (Direct Repair Program)

Preferred network arrangement between shops and insurers with agreed processes, pricing, and performance standards.

We’re a DRP shop for Carrier X; DRP guidelines require photo estimating first; DRP scorecards track cycle time and CSI.

EPA 6H Rule (NESHAP Subpart HHHHHH)

U.S. regulation controlling hazardous air pollutants from paint stripping and surface coating at collision shops.

Painters must complete 6H training; Maintain 6H records for inspections; HVLP guns and enclosed gun cleaners support 6H compliance.

Estimate

An itemized assessment of damages, parts, labor, materials, and procedures for the repair plan.

Write a blueprint estimate after teardown; Update the estimate with a supplement for hidden damage; Provide a customer-pay estimate for non-claim work.

Frame Rack

Fixed platform with pulling towers used to anchor, measure, and realign frames and unibodies.

Mount the vehicle on the frame rack for a pull; The rail is out 8 mm per the measurement system; Perform a three-point pull on the front end.

Glass R&I/R&R

Remove and install or remove and replace operations for automotive glass to access repairs or replace damaged glass.

R&I the back glass to refinish the roof; Sublet windshield R&R with camera calibration; Add urethane cure time to the schedule.

Hazardous Waste Manifest

Legal document tracking generation, transport, and disposal of hazardous shop wastes.

Sign the manifest when the hauler picks up; Keep manifests on file per state rules; Used solvent drums require manifest documentation.

HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure)

Spray gun technology that reduces overspray and VOC emissions, improving transfer efficiency.

Use HVLP for base and clear per 6H; Try a 1.3 tip on the HVLP for clearcoat; HVLP lowered material waste by 15%.

Hybrid/EV High-Voltage Disable

OEM-specified process to power down and isolate high-voltage systems before repairs for safety.

Perform HV disable before welding; Store and label the battery per OEM guidelines; Tag the vehicle as HV-safe before teardown.

I-CAR

Industry-recognized collision repair training and certification organization.

Our shop maintains I-CAR Gold Class; Techs completed I-CAR structural and electrical courses; Check I-CAR RTS for OEM procedures.

KPI (Key Performance Indicator)

Quantifiable metric used to measure operational performance.

Touch time is our primary KPI; We track severity and cycle time as KPIs; Raise appointment show-rate KPI to 90%.

LKQ (Like Kind and Quality)

Used or recycled parts of similar age and condition to original components.

LKQ door arrives with minor scratches; The insurer authorized LKQ over new OEM; Verify options and build date on the LKQ part.

Masking

Protecting areas from overspray using tape, paper, film, and foam tapes.

Soft-edge mask around the handle pocket; Back-mask the door jambs; Use foam tape along the quarter glass opening.

MIG Brazing

Joining process using silicon-bronze filler at lower heat than steel MIG welding, often required on HSS/UHSS panels.

OEM specifies MIG brazing on the B-pillar; No plug welding permitted here—brazing only; Set the welder for 0.8 mm silicon-bronze wire.

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)

Vehicle maker’s genuine parts, procedures, and position statements.

Follow OEM repair procedures from the service manual; Customer opted for OEM sensor; OEM position statement discourages reconditioned wheels.

P-Page (Procedure Pages)

Estimating system documentation showing what operations are included or not included.

Per the P-Pages, color sand and buff isn’t included; Masking jambs is a non-included op per P-Pages; Use P-Pages to justify the supplement.

Paint Code

Alphanumeric identifier for the vehicle’s paint color and formula variants.

Paint code 1G3 has multiple variants; Tri-coat code requires a mid-coat step; Scan the code off the VIN plate in the door jamb.

PDR (Paintless Dent Repair)

Non-invasive dent removal using specialized rods or glue pulling, preserving original paint.

Route hail damage to PDR; Sharp crease near the edge isn’t PDR-eligible; Sublet PDR to our specialist.

Pre- and Post-Scan

Electronic diagnostics performed before and after repairs to identify and confirm resolution of DTCs.

Pre-scan found a radar DTC; Post-scan verified no remaining codes; Scans are required by OEM procedures.

Primer-Surfacer

High-build primer used to fill sanding scratches and level repairs before sealer and basecoat.

Apply two coats of primer-surfacer; Use a guide coat to aid block sanding; Respect flash and cure times per the TDS.

Quality Control (QC)

Formal inspection steps to verify workmanship, safety, and completeness at each stage.

Run a QC checklist before detail; QC caught a missing fastener; Stage-gate QC at body-to-paint handoff.

R&I / R&R (Remove and Install / Remove and Replace)

Labor operations to remove and reinstall components for access, or replace them if damaged.

R&I the door trim panel for access; R&R the bumper cover due to a tear; R&I is not automatically included with refinish per P-Pages.

Refinish Labor Rate

Billable hourly rate for paint/refinish work, distinct from body or mechanical labor rates.

Our refinish rate is $58/hour; Blend time is paid at refinish rate; Update DRP refinish rate annually.

Repair vs. Replace

Decision-making framework weighing cost, safety, OEM guidance, and quality to fix or swap parts.

Replace the aluminum hood per OEM; Repairable within 4 hours vs. replace at 6; Extensive rust pushes us to replace.

Sectioning

Partial replacement of a panel or rail at OEM-approved cut locations and joints.

Section the rear frame rail at the OEM datum; OEM forbids sectioning the UHSS A-pillar; Apply corrosion protection after sectioning.

Structural Repair

Restoration of load-bearing elements (rails, aprons, pillars) to OEM specs using measuring and approved joining methods.

Measurements now within 2 mm tolerance; Anchor the unibody on the bench; Perform destructive weld tests on coupons.

Sublet

Work outsourced to a qualified vendor (e.g., alignment, glass, ADAS calibration, PDR, wheel repair).

Sublet the windshield R&R and calibration; Alignment is a sublet line item; Attach the sublet invoice to the supplement.

Supplement

Additional estimate to capture hidden or added damage found after teardown or during repair.

Submit a supplement for broken clips and brackets; Adjuster approved Supplement #2; Upload photos supporting the supplement lines.

Teardown

Disassembly phase to expose hidden damage and blueprint the complete repair plan.

Move the vehicle to teardown after check-in; Teardown revealed a kinked apron; Upload teardown photos to CCC ONE.

Total Loss

When repair cost plus related expenses exceed a defined percentage of the vehicle’s ACV or the threshold set by the insurer/state.

Declared a total at 78% of ACV; Stop work pending total loss determination; Customer asked about buy-back from the total.

Touch Time

Average number of labor hours applied per vehicle per day while in process, indicating flow efficiency.

Raise touch time to 3.5 hours/day; Bottlenecks are lowering touch time; Scheduling by capacity improved touch time.

Unibody

Vehicle construction where the body and frame are integrated into one structure.

Set the unibody on a measuring bench; No heat on UHSS unibody components; Verify unibody datum points before alignment.

VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)

Unique 17-character code identifying a vehicle’s build, options, and history.

Decode the VIN to confirm options; Attach a VIN photo to the file; Wrong VIN led to ordering the incorrect sensor.

VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)

Solvent emissions from coatings regulated for environmental compliance.

Use low-VOC basecoats; Comply with local VOC limits; VOC content in g/L is listed on the TDS.

Weld-Through Primer

Zinc-rich primer applied to mating flanges to protect against corrosion during welding.

Apply weld-through primer on lap joints; Clean off excess before MIG welding; OEM specifies the primer type on this repair.

Work-in-Process (WIP)

Vehicles currently being repaired and the value tied up in those unfinished jobs.

Our WIP count is 23 vehicles; Limit WIP to match booth capacity; WIP dollars directly affect cash flow.