Whether it was a car park knock or something more serious, damaged bodywork is stressful and you want it put right properly. NRH Autoworks runs a body shop alongside the garage at 274 Windsor Road, Bray, repairing damaged bodywork for drivers from Maidenhead, Windsor and the surrounding villages.
The quickest way to start is to send us photos. Enter your registration, tell us what happened and upload a few clear pictures of the damage. We'll look them over and come back to you by phone or email with an initial estimate, or to arrange a time to see the car.
To see the standard of finish, have a look at recent bodyshop work in our gallery.
What we can help with
- Bodywork damage assessment
- Panel repair and panel replacement
- Bumper, wing, door, bonnet and boot repairs
- Surface preparation, filling and priming
- Paint colour matching and refinishing
- Initial estimates from uploaded photos
What a body repair actually involves
Body repair is done in stages, and most of the work happens before any paint goes on. First we assess the damage and decide whether each panel can be repaired or is better replaced. Repairable panels are reshaped and filled where needed; replacement panels are fitted and aligned so that the gaps around doors, the bonnet and the boot sit evenly.
Then comes preparation (sanding, priming and masking), which is what determines how good the finish looks. The colour is matched to your car's existing paint, which will have aged a little since it left the factory, and the repaired area is refinished and blended so that it doesn't stand out from the panels around it.
Getting an estimate from photos
Photos let us give you a realistic idea of the work without you having to drive over first. Take them in daylight if you can: one of the whole side or end of the car so we can see where the damage sits, a couple closer in, and one at an angle so dents and creases show up. Include any broken lights, trim or parking sensors.
An estimate from photos is an initial estimate. Damage often extends behind what's visible (brackets, mountings and the structure underneath a bumper, for example), so we may need to see the vehicle before confirming the figure. We'll always tell you when that's the case, and explain what we need to check.
Insurance-related repairs
If the damage is part of an insurance claim, or you're weighing up whether to claim at all, you're welcome to ask us about it. Tell us the situation in your enquiry (whether you're claiming on your own policy, whether another driver was involved, or whether you'd simply rather pay for the repair yourself) and we'll advise on how we can help once we understand the details.
Bodyshop & Car Body Repairs: common questions
Can I get a quote for bodyshop repairs online?
You can request one online. Enter your registration, describe the damage and upload photos through the enquiry form. We'll review them and get back to you by phone or email with an initial estimate. If the damage needs a closer look before we can be accurate, we'll ask you to bring the vehicle in.
Can I upload photos of the damage?
Yes. It's the most useful thing you can send us. Add several photos to your enquiry: a wide shot showing where the damage is on the car, closer shots of each damaged area, and an angled view to show the depth of any dents. Daylight and a reasonably clean panel make a real difference.
Will the new paint match the rest of my car?
Colour matching is a core part of the job. We match to the paint that's on your car now rather than relying on the colour code alone, and blend the repair into neighbouring panels where that gives a better result. Some finishes, such as pearlescent and metallic colours, take more work, and we'll explain the approach when we assess the car.
Can you help if the repair is going through my insurance?
Ask us. Give us the details of your situation when you enquire and we'll advise on what we can do. Every claim is a little different, so we'd rather talk it through with you than make blanket promises on a web page.
Is my car safe to drive with body damage?
Not always, even if it looks driveable. Damaged lights, loose bodywork, sharp edges, a bonnet that won't latch securely, leaking fluids or a wheel that has taken a knock are all reasons not to drive it. Mention anything like this in your enquiry and we'll advise on the next step.