Frequently Asked Questions

Many drivers only check visible damage and miss critical issues like bent frames, damaged sensors, or radiator problems hidden beneath the surface. At Laton's Body Shop, we inspect all underlying components after deer hits to ensure complete safety and prevent issues from worsening over time.

Technicians use specialized tools to carefully massage and reshape the metal from behind the panel, restoring it to factory shape while preserving the original paint. This method works well for small to medium dents from hail or parking-lot dings, offering faster turnaround and lower cost than traditional bodywork.

You should schedule an alignment immediately after any collision, curb impact, or pothole strike that causes steering pull or vibration. At Laton's Body Shop, we use computerized equipment and OEM specifications to restore correct steering geometry, which helps extend tire life and maintain safe handling on Albemarle roads.

Following OEM SOPs means using the exact parts, materials, and repair steps specified by your vehicle's manufacturer to ensure factory-level safety, performance, and durability. This approach guarantees that structural integrity, safety systems, and paint protection meet original engineering standards throughout the repair process.

Bent or misaligned frames compromise crumple zones, airbag function, and overall crash protection, putting occupants at greater risk in future accidents. Frame damage also causes uneven tire wear, poor handling, and progressive structural failure. Laton's Body Shop uses frame-machine technology to restore factory measurements and safety-system integrity.

Yes, professional shops use advanced color-matching systems and blending techniques to replicate factory colors precisely, even accounting for sun fading or age. At Laton's Body Shop, paint work is performed in a controlled environment with OEM procedures to ensure seamless transitions and long-lasting protection against Albemarle's sun and gravel exposure.

Full collision repair covers structural straightening, panel replacement, safety-system recalibration, precision paint, and refinishing to restore factory appearance and function. Technicians also identify hidden damage in modern vehicles with advanced electronics. Laton's Body Shop follows strict OEM SOPs and coordinates insurance claims from start to finish.

Dents qualify for paintless repair based on their depth, location, and whether the paint is intact without cracks or chips. Technicians evaluate each dent to determine if the metal can be reshaped without affecting paint durability. This method works best for hail damage and minor parking-lot dings common around Albemarle.

Stanly County's rural roads, dense wooded areas, and high-traffic corridors like NC-24/27 create frequent deer crossings, especially at dawn and dusk. Local drivers often encounter deer strikes due to the mix of open farmland and forested routes. Laton's Body Shop specializes in fast, accurate deer-hit repairs with full structural and safety inspections.

Check for steering pull, vibration, visible tire damage, or changes in handling, as potholes can knock wheels out of alignment or damage suspension components. At Laton's Body Shop, we recommend booking a computerized alignment check to restore factory tolerances and prevent premature tire wear on Albemarle's local and rural roads.

Yes, many modern vehicles have cameras and sensors mounted on or near the windshield that require proper calibration after glass replacement to ensure features like lane-keeping and collision warning function correctly. Laton's Body Shop follows OEM guidelines for bonding, curing, and ADAS considerations to maintain full safety-system performance.

Bodywork focuses on repairing specific panels, dents, creases, and cosmetic imperfections using shaping and filling techniques, while full collision repair addresses structural damage, safety systems, and complete vehicle restoration. Both follow OEM repair techniques, but bodywork is ideal for door dings and minor rural debris impacts common throughout Albemarle.