SMART Repairs in Tyne and Wear

SMART stands for small to medium area repair technique. The idea is simple: if the damage is limited to one area, only that area is prepared, filled if needed, painted and blended into the paint around it. The rest of the panel is left alone.

At Banks of the Tyne in Hebburn we offer SMART repairs as part of our paintwork and respray work, alongside full and partial resprays, so if your damage turns out to be too big for the method we can tell you and talk through the alternative.

What kind of damage suits a SMART repair

The method is aimed at the everyday knocks that cars pick up in car parks, on narrow streets and at junctions. It suits situations where the damage is contained and the panel underneath is still sound.

Deep creases, split plastic, rust that has spread under the paint or damage across several panels usually point towards a bigger repair. We would rather say so at the start than attempt something that will not last.

• Scuffs and light scrapes on bumpers and doors
• Paint transfer from another vehicle or a post
• Small shallow dents where the paint is intact
• Kerb marks on lower panels and sills
• Localised lacquer damage

What the job involves

The damaged area is cleaned and inspected, then sanded back to a sound surface. Any filling is done only where it is needed. Primer goes on, followed by colour matched to your paint and then a clear coat.

The edges are blended so there is no visible line where new paint meets old. Colour matching matters a great deal here, because a small repair draws the eye if the shade is slightly off. We check the match against your vehicle rather than relying on a code alone.

What affects the outcome and the price

The size and depth of the damage is the main factor, followed by the panel itself. A flat door is easier to blend than a curved bumper with a sharp edge. Metallic, pearlescent and older faded paints take more care to match.

Previous repairs, existing rust and the condition of the lacquer all play a part too. We explain what is driving the estimate before any work starts, so there are no surprises.

When a different repair is the better choice

If the paint has failed across a wide area, or the panel is crumpled, a partial or full respray may be more honest advice. Sometimes the smaller-looking option on paper does not last, and we would rather you chose with the full picture.

Bring the vehicle in and we will look at the damage in good light. Whether a SMART repair is suitable depends on that inspection, not on a photo alone.