D.E.G. ESTIMATING TIPS

Audatex: DBRM Clarification “Interior/ Exterior Metal”

Recent DEG Inquiry 18614 clarifies Audatex DBRM page 153, section 4-4 “Interior/Exterior Metal.”

“Additional RFR Feedback regarding DBRM page 153 Section “Interior/Exterior Metal.” We have reviewed the DBRM section INTERIOR/EXTERIOR METAL. This section is in reference to the application of masking to protect interior/exterior surfaces. The language in this section does not indicate instructions regarding refinishing components, nor does it indicate which components do or do not require refinishing.”

Final DEG note: Section 4-4 “Interior/ Exterior Metal” does not negate or include the need to repair and refinish inner panels as a result of weld burn/adjacent panel damage. Additionally, the labor to mask and protect adjacent panels is NOT INCLUDED in the replacement panel operation.

All Three Systems: Removal of Ceramic Coating Prior to Refinish

“Ceramic” or “Nano” coatings applied to vehicle surfaces may affect the vehicle preparation and refinish process. It is especially important for repairers to identify if this coating has been applied before performing any repairs by asking the vehicle owner or performing a hydrophobic water test.

Once determined if the vehicle has this coating applied, any additional labor and materials needed to remove the coating to bring the panel to new, undamaged condition is NOT INCLUDED in any of the three estimating systems’ published refinish labor times.

All Three Systems: Two Stage/Three Stage Refinish

Repair planners should not rely solely on estimating system information when determining if a vehicle is a two-stage or three-stage refinish process. There are instances where the repair facility paint system being used may have a different color formula or application process than that decoded in the estimating system. The repair planner must verify and apply the correct refinish stage based solely on the paint system used at the repair facility for that specific repair. Material costs are NEVER included in published labor times. Recent DEG Inquiry 18796 states: “Paint Codes are referenced from Paint Manufacturers i.e., Akzo, PPG, Dupont, etc.

• A Pearl Color may be formulated as a 3 Stage formula or as an optional Base/Clear formula depending on Paint Manufacturer. • The Collision Repair Facility determines which Paint Manufacturer they will use. • MOTOR suggests determining which paint type based on Paint Manufacturer used before finalizing any repair cost estimate.”

Mitchell: “Additions to Labor” Update

Mitchell has made recent language updates to its CEG (Collision Estimating Guide), including updates to the Additions to Labor Time section for NOT INCLUDED operations.

“Accessing Repair Information - Research, retrieval, review or usage cost of OEM and/or other service procedural information.”

“Weld Testing - Time to perform weld testing or matching. The performance of destructive weld testing.”

All Three Systems: Basecoat Blender AKA “Wet Bed”

Recent DEG Inquiry 18844 for Audatex states, “Audatex blending formula does not include the basecoat blender application process. If this process is needed, we suggest to add a manual entry for this labor allowance.”

Conversely, CCC includes “Wet Bed Application” on blend panels per the Guide to Estimating. Additional information regarding applying a wet bed on repaired panels refinish can be found in Inquiry 11591.

Mitchell Inquiry 11428 addresses “Adhesion Bonding Coat” similarly to CCC and identifies wet bed as an included part of the blend process under the single stage/two stage colors in procedure page 28.

Final DEG Note: For CCC and Mitchell products, wet bed is only considered in blend formula allowances. Blend formulas are NOT considered for full panel or repaired panel refinish scenarios. Any additional steps not outlined in the new undamaged panel section are NOT INCLUDED, nor is any material cost. Audatex never includes wet bed process in any refinish scenario.

Note: The estimating databases are all intended to be used as a GUIDE ONLY - it is important to remember that the auto body professional performing the repair is in a position to thoroughly inspect, diagnose and identify the methodology and their unique cost of the vehicle damage repair. You can view these tips and others on the DEG website, DEGWEB.ORG.