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Aluminum is becoming an increasingly popular material among automakers. A light but extremely strong metal, aluminum is being found more and more often on luxury vehicles and trucks looking for the right balance of towing, payload capacity, speed and pickup. OHS' Body Shop, in Kalispell, MT, wants to share three important things you should know about aluminum repair for your vehicle. 

3 Things to Know About Aluminum Vehicle Repair

1. Metal Memory

Steel has long been the top material for making vehicles, but because of its light weight, aluminum is gaining in popularity. One of the challenges of dealing with aluminum is that it doesn’t have what's called "metal memory": after an accident, it doesn’t return to its pre-damage shape nearly as easily as steel. This means that quality aluminum repair requires a body shop with aluminum-specific tools and repair technicians with experience reshaping aluminum panels. 

2. Aluminum & Steel Don't Mix

aluminum repairAluminum and steel are corrosive to each other when either metal is in an unfinished state. This means that something as small as a few steel shavings can cause damage to aluminum parts. Because of their extreme sensitivity to one another, body shops that work with aluminum vehicles must have a separate set of tools for handling this metal. Even overlapping steel and aluminum workspaces can have corrosive consequences. 

3. Aluminum Repair Collision Facility 

Because of the specific skills and requirements for dealing with aluminum repair, it can help to look for authorized aluminum collision repair facilities, or call ahead of time to see if your body shop regularly handles this type of job. A less experienced facility may be stretching their capabilities when taking on aluminum repair, resulting in sub-par work. 

Whether you're looking to repair a dented aluminum panel or need a reputable shop after an accident, OHS' Body Shop is the premier destination for all your auto repair needs. Locations in Whitefish, Columbia Falls, and Polson means they’re convenient for all of Flathead County. With an expert team of mechanics that have both ASE certification and are I-Car Gold Class professionals, your car is in great hands at OHS' Body Shop. Visit the company website for more about their repair services, or give them a call at (406) 752-8202. 

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