Auto body repair is the work of bringing a damaged vehicle back to factory condition — crunched fenders, broken windshields, bent frames, and dented doors restored so the next person who looks at the car can't tell it was ever in a wreck. Frank's Automotive in New Braunfels has been doing auto body work since 1998, and our body shop is I-CAR Gold Class certified, meaning every technician trains every year on current manufacturer procedures. We also handle the insurance back-and-forth so you don't have to.
What's involved
A typical body repair flows like this:
- Initial estimate — written, photographed, itemized. You get a copy; the insurance company gets a copy
- Insurance coordination — we work with your adjuster on the claim, including supplemental claims if hidden damage shows up once teardown begins
- Disassembly and inspection — bumpers, panels, and trim removed to expose structural damage that's invisible from the outside
- Structural repair — measuring the unibody/frame, pulling it back to factory spec on our equipment, replacing sections per manufacturer procedures (some panels are bolt-on; others are welded with specific weld types in specific locations)
- Panel work — replace, straighten, or fabricate as needed
- Refinishing — primer, base coat, clear coat through a PPG High Performance Refinish process, color-matched to your factory paint code
- Reassembly, alignment, and quality check — including any ADAS (advanced driver assistance) sensor recalibration required after a windshield, bumper, or mirror replacement
You get the vehicle back washed, vacuumed, and looking like nothing happened.
When to bring it in
Bring it in for any collision-related damage:
- Visible body damage — dents, creases, scrapes, broken trim
- Damaged bumpers — front or rear, with or without sensor parking assist
- Cracked or broken windshield — especially if your vehicle has lane-keep assist or forward-collision warning (windshields with cameras require recalibration after replacement)
- Suspicious "I just need a quick patch" — if it was a real collision, get a real estimate; what looks superficial often hides structural damage that affects safety
- You were rear-ended even at low speed — bumper covers can hide bent reinforcement bars
If your vehicle isn't drivable, call us first and we'll arrange a tow.
Why Frank's for auto body repair
We're I-CAR Gold Class (highest training tier in collision), PPG High Performance Refinish for paint, and we've been the body shop choice in New Braunfels for 26+ years. We work with all major Texas insurers, and the workmanship is covered by a lifetime guarantee — if a panel we painted bubbles or a weld we made fails, we fix it free.
If you've been in an accident, call us first at (830) 627-3939. For a non-emergency estimate, request an appointment and bring photos if you have them.