Ná ’n motorongeluk wil die meeste mense twee dinge hê: hul motor gou terug, en die gerusstelling dat dit net so veilig is as voorheen. Wie die herstelwerk doen, speel ’n groot rol in albei. Hier verduidelik ons wat “vervaardiger-goedgekeur” beteken, hoekom dit vir jou waarborg en jou veiligheid saak kan maak, en wat jy moet vra voordat jy ’n paneelklopper in Bloemfontein kies.

Lees hierdie artikel in Engels: Why a Manufacturer-Approved Panel Beater Matters for Your Car’s Warranty and Safety.

Wat beteken “vervaardiger-goedgekeur” eintlik?

Motorvervaardigers keur sekere herstelsentrums goed om hul voertuie te herstel. Om goedkeuring te kry, moet ’n paneelklopper gewoonlik bewys dat hy die regte toerusting, opgeleide personeel en herstelprosedures vir daardie handelsmerk het. Die goedkeuring word gewoonlik deur oudits nagegaan.

Eenvoudig gestel: ’n goedgekeurde werkplek is aan die vervaardiger se eie standaarde gemeet, nie net aan ’n algemene kontrolelys nie.

Hoekom maak dit saak vir my motor se veiligheid?

’n Moderne motorbak is veel meer as ’n paar metaalpanele. Dit is ontwerp om die krag van ’n botsing te absorbeer en weg van die insittendes te lei, en dit dra sensors en kameras waarop bestuurdershulpstelsels staatmaak.

• Materiale: baie nuwer motors gebruik hoësterkte-staal en aluminium wat spesifieke herstelmetodes vereis. As dit verkeerd verhit of gesweis word, kan dit verswak.
• Struktuur: as die bak- of onderstelmates ná herstelwerk selfs effens uit is, kan dit beïnvloed hoe die motor in ’n volgende botsing optree – en ook jou wielbelyning en bandslytasie.
• Elektronika: sensors agter buffers, voorruite en spieëls moet dalk ná herstelwerk nagegaan of herkalibreer word.

’n Paneelklopper wat die vervaardiger se herstelmetodes volg, werk volgens dieselfde instruksies wat die ingenieurs vir daardie motor geskryf het.

Sal herstelwerk by ’n nie-goedgekeurde werkplek my waarborg raak?

Dit hang af van jou vervaardiger en jou waarborgvoorwaardes, so gaan altyd jou waarborgboekie na of vra jou handelaar. Die meeste vervaardigerswaarborge het voorwaardes, en sommige verwys na hoe – of deur wie – bakwerk en spuitverf gedoen moet word. Veral roes- en verfwaarborge kan geraak word as herstelwerk nie volgens die vervaardiger se standaarde gedoen word nie.

As jou motor nog onder waarborg of op ’n diens- of onderhoudsplan is, vra die vraag voordat die herstelwerk begin, nie daarna nie.

Besluit my versekeraar wie my motor herstel?

Die meeste versekeraars werk met ’n netwerk van goedgekeurde herstelwerkplekke, en jou polisbewoording verduidelik hoe ’n paneelklopper vir jou versekeringseis gekies word. Sommige polisse gee jou meer seggenskap as ander, so gaan jou polis na of vra jou makelaar. As jy ’n spesifieke paneelklopper verkies, noem dit wanneer jy die eis aanmeld. Ons artikel Wat om te doen ná ’n motorongeluk help jou met die eerste stappe, en ons stap-vir-stap-gids oor versekeringseise in Bloemfontein (in Engels) verduidelik die hele proses.

Wat moet ek ’n paneelklopper vra voordat hy my motor herstel?

1. Is julle deur my motor se vervaardiger goedgekeur? Vra watter handelsmerke, en of die goedkeuring tans geldig is.
2. Volg julle die vervaardiger se herstelmetodes? Dit sluit dinge in soos waar panele gesny, verbind of gesweis mag word.
3. Hoe kontroleer julle die struktuur? Vra of die motorbak voor en ná die herstelwerk gemeet word.
4. Kan julle aluminium herstel? As jou motor aluminium strukturele dele het, vereis dit spesifieke sertifisering en toerusting.
5. Watter waarborg gee julle op die herstelwerk? Kry dit op skrif.
6. Behoort julle aan ’n bedryfsliggaam? SAMBRA is byvoorbeeld die bakherstelvereniging binne die RMI.

Hoe weet ek of my motor al swak herstel is?

Let op ongelyke gapings tussen panele, spuitverf wat in daglig nie heeltemal pas nie, waarskuwingsligte op die paneelbord, deure of ’n kattebak wat nie meer so goed toemaak nie, en ongelyke bandslytasie. As jy enige hiervan opmerk, laat die motor ondersoek. ’n Diagnostiese skandering en 3D-meting kan wys of iets uit is.

Waar pas Technicolour in?

Technicolour herstel al sedert 1994 motors in Bloemfontein. Ons is deur 27 motorvervaardigers goedgekeur: Audi, Chery, Datsun, Ford, Geely, GWM, Haval, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Isuzu, Jaecoo, Jetour, Kia, Lepas, Lexus, Mahindra, Maybach, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Omoda, Renault, Suzuki, Toyota en Volkswagen. Jy kan almal op ons bladsy oor vervaardiger-goedgekeurde paneelkloppers sien.

Ons het volledige sertifisering vir aluminium strukturele herstelwerk vir Audi, Volkswagen en Mercedes-Benz (lees meer oor ons aluminium strukturele herstelwerk), ons gebruik diagnostiek en 3D-meting, en ons is gereed vir elektriese voertuie. Ons is lid van SAMBRA, deel van die RMI.

Onlangse erkenning sluit in Telesure Regional Repairer of the Year 2026 en Isuzu National Audit & Compliance Winner 2026, asook Mercedes-Benz National Repair Centre of the Year (2011 en 2016) en Telesure Service Excellence (2017).

Ons werk met die groot Suid-Afrikaanse versekeraars en hanteer die versekeringseis saam met jou: ons skakel met jou versekeraar en die assessor. Gerieflikheidsmotors (courtesy cars), afhaal en aflewering van jou motor, en mobiele kwotasies is beskikbaar. Besonderhede van ons herstelwaarborg is op ons waarborgbladsy, en ons bladsy met gereelde vrae beantwoord die vrae wat ons die meeste hoor.

Kry ’n kwotasie

Stuur vir ons foto’s van die skade of kom kuier by ons. Ons help jou graag in Afrikaans of Engels.

• WhatsApp: 066 121 8489
• Foon: 051 435 5375
• E-pos: info@technicolour.co.za
• Besoek ons: Millstraat 13, Hamilton, Bloemfontein, 9301 (Ma–Vr 07:30–17:00)

The post Waarom ’n vervaardiger-goedgekeurde paneelklopper saak maak vir jou motor se waarborg en veiligheid appeared first on Technicolour.

Lees hierdie artikel in Afrikaans: Waarom ’n vervaardiger-goedgekeurde paneelklopper saak maak vir jou motor se waarborg en veiligheid.

What does “manufacturer-approved” actually mean?

Vehicle manufacturers approve certain body repair centres to repair their vehicles. To be approved, a repairer generally has to show that it has the right equipment, trained staff and repair procedures for that brand, and approvals are usually checked through audits.

In simple terms: an approved repairer has been measured against the manufacturer’s own standards, not just against a general checklist.

Why does it matter for my car’s safety?

A modern car body is far more than a set of metal panels. It is designed to absorb crash energy and channel it away from the people inside, and it carries sensors and cameras that driver-assistance systems rely on.

• Materials: many newer cars use high-strength steels and aluminium that need specific repair methods. Heating or welding them the wrong way can weaken them.
• Structure: if the body or chassis measurements are even slightly out after a repair, it can affect how the car behaves in a future collision, as well as wheel alignment and tyre wear.
• Electronics: sensors behind bumpers, windscreens and mirrors may need to be checked or recalibrated after repair work.

A repairer that follows the manufacturer’s repair methods is working to the same instructions the engineers wrote for that car.

Will a non-approved repair affect my warranty?

It depends on your manufacturer and your warranty terms, so always check your warranty booklet or ask your dealer. Most manufacturer warranties come with conditions, and some refer to how body and paint repairs must be done, or by whom. Corrosion (rust) and paint warranties in particular can be affected if repairs are not done to the manufacturer’s standards.

If your car is still under warranty or on a service or maintenance plan, ask the question before the repair starts, not after.

Does my insurer decide who repairs my car?

Most insurers work with a network of approved repairers, and your policy wording explains how a repairer is chosen for your claim. Some policies give you more say than others, so check your policy or ask your broker. If you would like a specific repairer, mention it when you log the claim. Our step-by-step guide to car insurance claims in Bloemfontein explains the full process, and what to do after a car accident covers the first steps at the scene.

What should I ask a panel beater before the repair?

1. Are you approved by my car’s manufacturer? Ask which brands, and whether the approval is current.
2. Do you follow the manufacturer’s repair methods? This covers things like where panels may be cut, joined or welded.
3. How do you check the structure? Ask whether the body is measured before and after the repair.
4. Can you repair aluminium? If your car has aluminium structural parts, this needs specific certification and equipment.
5. What warranty do you give on the repair? Get it in writing.
6. Do you belong to an industry body? SAMBRA, for example, is the body repair association within the RMI.

How can I tell if my car has had a poor repair?

Look out for uneven gaps between panels, paint that does not quite match in daylight, warning lights on the dashboard, doors or a boot that no longer close as they used to, and uneven tyre wear. If you notice any of these, have the car inspected. A diagnostic scan and 3D measuring can show whether something is out.

Where does Technicolour fit in?

Technicolour has been repairing cars in Bloemfontein since 1994. We are approved by 27 vehicle manufacturers: Audi, Chery, Datsun, Ford, Geely, GWM, Haval, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Isuzu, Jaecoo, Jetour, Kia, Lepas, Lexus, Mahindra, Maybach, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Omoda, Renault, Suzuki, Toyota and Volkswagen. You can see them all on our manufacturer-approved panel beaters page.

We hold full aluminium structural repair certification for Audi, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz (see our aluminium structural repair page), we use diagnostics and 3D measuring, and we are electric-vehicle ready. We are a member of SAMBRA, part of the RMI.

Recent recognition includes Telesure Regional Repairer of the Year 2026 and Isuzu National Audit & Compliance Winner 2026, alongside Mercedes-Benz National Repair Centre of the Year in 2011 and 2016, and Telesure Service Excellence in 2017.

We work with the major South African insurers and handle the claim with you, liaising with your insurer and assessor. Courtesy cars, pick-up and drop-off of your car, and mobile quotations are available. The details of our repair warranty are on our warranty page, and our FAQ page answers the questions we hear most often.

Get a quote

Send us photos of the damage or come and see us. We can help you in Afrikaans or English.

• WhatsApp: 066 121 8489
• Phone: 051 435 5375
• Email: info@technicolour.co.za
• Visit: 13 Mill Street, Hamilton, Bloemfontein, 9301 (Mon–Fri 07:30–17:00)

The post Why a Manufacturer-Approved Panel Beater Matters for Your Car’s Warranty and Safety appeared first on Technicolour.

’n Motorongeluk is stresvol, selfs ’n klein bampbotsing. As jy weet wat om in die eerste uur te doen, maak dit alles wat daarna kom (die polisieverslag, die versekeringseis en die herstelwerk) baie makliker. Hier is ’n eenvoudige kontrolelys wat jy op jou foon kan stoor.

Lees hierdie artikel in Engels: What to Do After a Car Accident in Bloemfontein.

Wat moet ek eerste doen op die toneel van ’n ongeluk?

1. Stop en bly kalm. Dit is ’n oortreding in Suid-Afrika om die toneel van ’n ongeluk te verlaat, selfs al lyk die skade gering.
2. Maak die toneel veilig. Skakel jou gevaarligte aan. As die motors geskuif kan word en niemand beseer is nie, skuif hulle uit die verkeer. Sit jou waarskuwingsdriehoek uit as jy een het.
3. Kyk of iemand beseer is. As iemand seergekry het, bel dadelik vir hulp: 10177 vir ’n ambulans, 10111 vir die polisie, of 112 van enige selfoon.
4. Moenie stry oor wie se skuld dit is nie. Hou by die feite. Jou versekeraar en die assessor sal later bepaal wie aanspreeklik is.

Watter besonderhede het ek van die ander bestuurder nodig?

Kry die volgende van elke bestuurder wat betrokke was, en gee hulle joune:

• Volle naam, ID-nommer, selfoonnommer en adres
• Registrasienommer, fabrikaat, model en kleur van die voertuig
• Die naam van hul versekeraar en hul polisnommer, as hulle versekerd is
• As die bestuurder nie die eienaar is nie, ook die eienaar se naam en kontakbesonderhede

Skryf ook die name en nommers van enige getuies neer. ’n Vinnige foto van die ander motor se lisensieskyf en nommerplaat spaar jou later baie moeite.

Watter foto’s moet ek neem?

Neem meer foto’s as wat jy dink jy nodig het:

• Al die motors van ’n afstand af, sodat jy kan sien waar hulle op die pad tot stilstand gekom het
• Nabyfoto’s van die skade aan elke motor
• Nommerplate
• Padmerke, verkeersligte, stoptekens, remmerke en die weer- of ligtoestande

Skryf die datum, tyd en presiese plek (straatname of die naaste kruising) neer terwyl dit nog vars in jou geheue is.

Moet ek die ongeluk by die polisie aanmeld?

In die meeste gevalle, ja. Die Suid-Afrikaanse wet vereis gewoonlik dat ’n ongeluk binne 24 uur by ’n polisiekantoor aangemeld word, veral as iemand beseer is of as besonderhede nie uitgeruil kon word nie. Die meeste versekeraars vra ook vir die polisie se ongelukverslag (AR-nommer) of saaknommer voordat hulle ’n eis verwerk, so dit is wys om elke ongeluk aan te meld.

Neem jou rybewys en ID saam. Vra vir die AR-nommer en hou dit saam met jou notas, want jou versekeraar gaan daarvoor vra.

Wie moet my motor wegsleep?

Wees versigtig vir sleepwaens wat by die toneel opdaag sonder dat iemand hulle gebel het. Voordat jy enigiets teken of iemand toelaat om jou motor aan te haak:

• Bel eers jou versekeraar se padbystand- of eiselyn. Die meeste omvattende polisse sluit insleepdienste in en sal ’n goedgekeurde sleepdiens stuur. ’n Sleepdiens wat jou versekeraar nie gereël het nie, word dalk nie gedek nie. Gaan jou polis na.
• Moet nooit ’n leë vorm teken nie, of enige dokument wat ’n sleepmaatskappy toestemming gee om jou paneelklopper te kies.
• Jy kies waarheen jou motor geneem word. Gee vir die sleepwabestuurder die naam en adres van die herstelwerkplek wat jy verkies.
• Haal jou waardevolle besittings en afstandbeheerders uit die motor voordat dit weggesleep word.

As die motor veilig en wettig bestuur kan word, kan jy dit self inbring.

Wat as die ander bestuurder nie versekering het nie?

Dit gebeur gereeld op ons paaie, so dit is goed om jou opsies te ken:

• As jy omvattende dekking het, kan jy gewoonlik op jou eie polis eis. Jy sal normaalweg jou bybetaling betaal, en jou versekeraar kan probeer om die koste (en moontlik jou bybetaling) van die ander bestuurder te verhaal. Vra jou versekeraar hoe dit op jou polis werk.
• As jy net derdepartydekking of geen versekering het nie, moet jy dalk die herstelkoste direk van die ander bestuurder eis. Dit is waar die besonderhede, foto’s, getuies en AR-nommer wat jy versamel het, baie belangrik word.
• Die Padongelukfonds (RAF) hanteer eise vir beserings, nie skade aan voertuie nie.

Wat gebeur volgende met my versekeringseis?

Meld die eis so gou moontlik by jou versekeraar aan, verkieslik dieselfde dag. Daarna gaan die proses oor na die kwotasie, die assessor se goedkeuring en die herstelwerk. Ons verduidelik elke stap (in Engels) in ons artikel Car Insurance Claims in Bloemfontein: How Your Accident Repair Works, Step by Step. Jy kry ook vinnige antwoorde op ons FAQ-bladsy.

Hoekom bring jou motor na Technicolour ná ’n ongeluk?

Technicolour herstel al sedert 1994 motors in Bloemfontein. Ons werk saam met die groot Suid-Afrikaanse versekeraars en hanteer die versekeringseis saam met jou. Ons skakel met jou versekeraar en die assessor, sodat jy nie in die middel vasgevang word nie.

• Goedgekeur deur 27 motorvervaardigers, met volle aluminium-struktuurherstelsertifisering vir Audi, Volkswagen en Mercedes-Benz
• Gereed vir elektriese voertuie
• Lid van SAMBRA, deel van die RMI
• Telesure Regional Repairer of the Year 2026 en Isuzu National Audit & Compliance Winner 2026
• Gerieflikheidsmotors, afhaal- en aflewerdiens, en mobiele kwotasies

Lees meer oor ons ongelukherstelwerk en ons herstelwaarborg.

Kry ’n kwotasie

Was jy in ’n ongeluk? Stuur vir ons foto’s van die skade op WhatsApp: 066 121 8489 of bel 051 435 5375. Jy kan ook e-pos na info@technicolour.co.za. Ons help jou graag in Afrikaans of Engels.

Besoek ons by Millstraat 13, Hamilton, Bloemfontein, 9301. Ons is Maandag tot Vrydag oop van 07:30 tot 17:00.

The post Wat om te doen ná ’n motorongeluk in Bloemfontein: stap vir stap appeared first on Technicolour.

Lees hierdie artikel in Afrikaans: Wat om te doen ná ’n motorongeluk in Bloemfontein.

ar accident is stressful, even a small one. Knowing what to do in the first hour makes everything that follows (the police report, the insurance claim and the repair) much easier. Here is a simple checklist you can save on your phone.

What should I do first at the scene of an accident?

1. Stop and stay calm. Leaving the scene of an accident is an offence in South Africa, even if the damage looks minor.
2. Make the scene safe. Switch on your hazard lights. If the cars can be moved and nobody is hurt, move them out of the traffic. Put out your warning triangle if you have one.
3. Check for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call for help straight away: 10177 for an ambulance, 10111 for the police, or 112 from any cellphone.
4. Do not argue about who is to blame. Stick to the facts. Your insurer and the assessor will work out liability later.

What details do I need from the other driver?

Get these from every driver involved, and give them yours:

• Full name, ID number, cellphone number and address
• Vehicle registration number, make, model and colour
• Their insurer’s name and policy number, if they have insurance
• If the driver is not the owner, the owner’s name and contact details too

Also note the names and numbers of any witnesses. A quick photo of the other driver’s licence disc and number plate saves a lot of trouble later.

What photos should I take?

Take more photos than you think you need:

• All the cars from a distance, showing where they ended up on the road
• Close-ups of the damage on every car
• Number plates
• Road markings, traffic lights, stop signs, skid marks and the weather or light conditions

Write down the date, time and exact location (street names or the nearest intersection) while it is fresh in your mind.

Do I have to report the accident to the police?

In most cases, yes. South African law generally requires an accident to be reported at a police station within 24 hours, particularly where someone is injured or where details could not be exchanged. Most insurers also ask for the police accident report (AR) or case number before they will process a claim, so it is wise to report every accident.

Take your driver’s licence and ID with you. Ask for the AR number and keep it with your notes, because your insurer will ask for it.

Who should tow my car?

Be careful of tow trucks that arrive at the scene without being called. Before you sign anything or let anyone hook up your car:

• Phone your insurer’s roadside or claims line first. Most comprehensive policies include towing and will send an approved tow operator. A tow your insurer did not arrange may not be covered. Check your policy.
• Never sign a blank form or any document that gives a tow company permission to choose your repairer.
• You choose where your car is taken. Tell the operator the name and address of the repairer you want.
• Take your valuables and remote controls out of the car before it leaves.

If the car can be driven safely and legally, you can bring it in yourself.

What if the other driver has no insurance?

This happens often on our roads, so it is worth knowing your options:

• If you have comprehensive cover, you can usually claim on your own policy. You will normally pay your excess, and your insurer may try to recover the costs (and possibly your excess) from the other driver. Ask your insurer how it works on your policy.
• If you only have third-party cover or no insurance, you may need to claim the repair costs directly from the other driver. This is where the details, photos, witnesses and police AR number you collected become very important.
• The Road Accident Fund deals with injury claims, not damage to vehicles.

What happens next with my insurance claim?

Report the claim to your insurer as soon as you can, ideally the same day. After that, the process moves to quoting, the assessor’s approval and the repair. We explain each step in our earlier post, Car Insurance Claims in Bloemfontein: How Your Accident Repair Works, Step by Step. You can also find quick answers on our FAQ page.

Why bring your car to Technicolour after an accident?

Technicolour has been repairing cars in Bloemfontein since 1994. We work with the major South African insurers and handle the insurance claim with you, liaising with your insurer and assessor so you are not stuck in the middle.

• Approved by 27 vehicle manufacturers, with full aluminium structural repair certification for Audi, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz
• Electric-vehicle ready
• Member of SAMBRA, part of the RMI
• Telesure Regional Repairer of the Year 2026 and Isuzu National Audit & Compliance Winner 2026
• Courtesy cars, pick-up and drop-off, and mobile quotations

Read more about our accident repair service and our repair warranty.

Get a quote

Had an accident? Send us photos of the damage on WhatsApp: 066 121 8489 or call 051 435 5375. You can also email info@technicolour.co.za.

Visit us at 13 Mill Street, Hamilton, Bloemfontein, 9301. We are open Monday to Friday, 07:30 to 17:00.

The post What to Do After a Car Accident in Bloemfontein: Step by Step appeared first on Technicolour.

What should I do straight after an accident?

1. Make sure everyone is safe and move out of traffic if you can.
2. Take photos of all the cars involved, the damage, number plates and the scene.
3. Exchange details with the other driver: name, ID number, phone number, address, registration and their insurer if they have one.
4. Report the accident at a police station within 24 hours and ask for the accident report (AR) number. Insurers usually ask for it.
5. Don’t admit fault at the scene. Leave that to the insurers.

Step 1: Register the claim

Call your insurer or broker as soon as possible, or use their app. You’ll get a claim number, and everything after this point is linked to it. Have your policy number, the AR number, your photos and the other driver’s details ready.

Step 2: Get your car to an approved repairer

Most insurers work with a list of approved repairers, so check your policy or ask your broker. Technicolour works with the major South African insurers. If your car can’t be driven, we can arrange to collect it, and if you can’t come to us, we can do the quotation at your home or office.

Step 3: Quote and assessment

The repairer inspects the car and prepares a detailed quotation listing every part, panel and hour of labour. The insurer’s assessor then checks the damage and the quotation. Together they agree on what gets repaired, what gets replaced, and which parts are used. Depending on your policy and the age of your car, the insurer may approve original manufacturer (OEM) parts or approved alternatives.

Step 4: Authorisation

Repairs start once the insurer has authorised the quotation. When the damaged parts are stripped off, there’s sometimes hidden damage behind them, such as a bracket or sensor that couldn’t be seen before. When that happens, we photograph it and ask the insurer for an additional authorisation, so the repair is complete and you aren’t surprised later.

Step 5: The repair

This is where the repairer’s quality shows: straightening or replacing structural parts, panel work, paint matching and refitting. For modern cars, the repair has to follow the manufacturer’s methods, especially on aluminium bodies and electric vehicles, so it pays to use a repairer approved by your car’s manufacturer.

Step 6: Quality check, excess and collection

Before handover, the car is checked inside and out. You then pay your excess. The excess is usually paid to the repairer when you collect the car, or deducted if the insurer settles in cash. Your insurer confirms the amount and how it’s paid. Keep your invoice and warranty documents safe.

Will I have a car while mine is being repaired?

Check your policy first, because some policies include car hire. Technicolour also offers courtesy cars and can collect and drop off your car, so ask us when you book.

What if my car is written off?

If the repair would cost too much compared with the car’s value, the insurer may decide not to repair it and settle the claim according to your policy instead. The assessor and insurer make that call. If you’re unsure about their decision, ask your broker to explain it.

How Technicolour helps with your claim

• We handle the claim with you. We liaise with your insurer and the assessor, so you don’t have to chase anyone.
• Approved by the major insurers and 28 vehicle manufacturers, including Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, Toyota and Ford.
• Full aluminium structural repair certification for Audi, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz, and ready for electric vehicles.
• Courtesy cars, pick-up and drop-off, and mobile quotations.
• Repairing cars in Bloemfontein since 1994, a SAMBRA member, and Telesure Regional Repairer of the Year 2026.

Common questions are answered on our FAQ page, and you can read more about our accident repairs.

Start your repair

Already have a claim number? Send it with a few photos on WhatsApp to 066 121 8489, call 051 435 5375, or visit us at 13 Mill Street, Hamilton, Bloemfontein (Monday to Friday, 07:30 to 17:00). We’ll take it from there.

The post Car Insurance Claims in Bloemfontein: How Your Accident Repair Works, Step by Step appeared first on Technicolour.

Let’s look at the one where you are able to get out and argue with the other driver, pole or pavement. You know that feeling Marelize must have had when her video went viral, that’s you right now. Red-faced and everybody is staring at you. It’s not a great feeling, we know.

After leaving your dignity and some of your vehicles remains behind, you find yourself looking for the best auto body repair centre in town.

What happens next is clear as mud. You walk in, embarrassed, frustrated and in general, not feeling lekka. Our friendly staff take you in like a lost puppy off the streets and assist you with an estimate of repair. Our team will inform you of any dangers in driving and polish out any of the visible evidence, if possible, to prevent the neighbours laughing at you when you get home.
Say your car has lost a limb or is leaking fluid from who knows where. No choice but to hand it over to the swarming towing guys. Would you prefer your car to get towed to a dodgy-looking outdoor scrap yard or to our world-class 7200m2 under roof facility, where your prized possession will be kept safe and under 24-hour security? The ball in your court!

An Estimate goes something like this: Take tons of photos of the damaged vehicle, upload them onto various platforms, get whatever part prices are necessary, ask for part availability, contact suppliers all over South Africa, guess what mess lies behind the damaged parts still attached to the vehicle, and last but not least, try to figure out which nuts, bolts, clips or small plastic parts were left at the accident scene.

A real riot, right? Yeah we thought so to.

The post Estimates Exploited appeared first on Technicolour.

Let us tell you about the most ridiculous business on earth.
Envision a world where your business is repairing vehicles for a frantic client and you basically have to pull a rabbit out of a hat every single time to make sure the vehicle looks better than it ever did before.

Our facility revolves around screwed-up cars, frustrated clients, an insurance autocracy, an assessor telling us what we can and can’t fix and at what price, a broker doing everything possible to satisfy his client and a vehicle manufacturer whose strict guidelines we have to follow while repairing the vehicle back to factory standard.

Sounds fun doesn’t it? We wouldn’t exactly call it a joy ride.
Our role is to repair a car as quickly as possible, as cheaply as we can (or we get no more work), follow rules of a motor manufacturer, make sure the client is comfortable and happy while he has no transport. And last but not least, make sure that the correct parts needed from all over the world, always arrive undamaged at exactly the right time so that we can keep everybody happy.
Now, imagine all of the above is followed exactly to procedure, the client is ecstatic to see their vehicle looking as good as new, yet we only get paid 30 – 60 days after the vehicle has already left our premises, and that’s being hopeful.

At Technicolour, our team is so nuts that they find this to be organised chaos and have no problem keeping this all under control, well, Most of the time.
In our series Between The Lines of Bodyshops we will give you an in-depth view of our circus and each and every step of the repair process.

The post Ridiculous Repair appeared first on Technicolour.

Polishing is a real labour-intensive process which ensures proper car maintenance and enhancing of old, dull and faded paintwork. A proper polish takes 2 to 3 working days if done by a trained professional and helps to remove imperfections such as scratches and swirl marks, as well as greatly extending the lifetime of your cars paint. Another great benefit of polishing your car is that it conditions your paintwork so that it doesn’t dry out, helping you to avoid cracked and peeling paint. Knowing all of this, its quite easy to see why polishing is such an important part of care car maintenance.  

Benefits of polishing 

• Polishing helps remove scratches that do not penetrate past more than 25% of the top coat. 
• Polishing can remove scruff marks that is most commonly caused by shoe heels, simply from getting in and out of your car. 
• Swirl marks and spider webbing will be a thing of the past! 
• Polishing can greatly reduce or even remove any form of etching that is often caused by; high pressure tap-water, acidic water or bird droppings. 
• Traces of dust nibs or scratches are one more thing to cross of the worry list, as these are easily removed with some wet sanding, compounding and polishing. 
• When paint is not applied by a professional it often varies in consistency and thickness, creating a sag and uneven paintwork. Abrasives and professional polishing can be used to level the surface and create an even finish.  
• Reveals a fresh new layer of paint, while getting rid of a small percentage of the top layer, making your paintwork look as good as new!
• Lastly, and most obviously, it makes your car look super shiny again, making it look as good as when you first bought it! 

The post Is polishing really that important? appeared first on Technicolour.

Paintless Dent Removal, sometimes also known as Paintless Dent Repair, is a method of repairing a cars damaged/dented bodywork by reshaping and massaging the metal back to its original state, and as long as there was no damage to the paint then no paintwork or touch-ups are needed to complete this process.

What are the methods used?

There is more than just one way to approach this situation. The most common method used is to approach the dent is from behind the damaged area. A qualified professional will use specialist dent-pressing tools and fairly quickly restructure the damaged area on the vehicle.

A fluorescent, LED light or sunlamp is almost always used to illuminate the damaged/dented area, this helps the P.D.R technician have a more visualised working area.

Another means of removing a dent quickly and easily is via the glue pulling method. Firstly, the dented area and the glue pulling tabs are all cleaned with rubbing alcohol to ensure that all the grease and wax is removed, which enables the glue to better adhere to both surfaces.

Hot glue is then applied to the glue pulling tabs, which are then gently pressed to the centre of the dent and left to set for approximately 5 minutes. The glue pulling tool of choice is then attached to the tab and a moderate amount of pulling is required, until the dent is removed and the damaged area becomes flush with the surrounding area. Sometimes a lifted area can occur when pulling, then a dent hammer and a plastic tap down tool is used to even out the surface.

The benefits of Paintless Dent Removal

So now you’re educated in P.D.R, you know how it’s done, you know the methods used and turns out, it’s not some dodgy DIY method to try at home. Still have your doubts? You might be thinking that it’s going to cost you an arm and a leg, but that couldn’t be any less true. Have a look at these great benefits of Paintless Dent Removal and why you should finally get that dent removed that’s been bugging you for the last few months!

• Quicker and easier than traditional dent repair.
• No removing of panels and no paint work (Let’s face it, these days quality paint is “Liquid Cash”) which makes this process cost-effective and much more affordable than traditional dent repair.
• No need for insurance claims, keeping insurance premiums down.
• Non-damaged paint finish that won’t affect the resale value of the vehicle.
• No discolouration or mismatched paint with this paint-free method.
• Suitable for almost any minor dents!
• This technique can even be used to remove hail damage!

Ding your car? Stuck with a small dent that’s just big enough to bother you on a day-to-day basis? Bring your car in and let one of our professionals have a look, while you sit and relax with a nice hot cappuccino!

The post Paintless Dent Removal appeared first on Technicolour.

Sun exposure

Sun-bathing might sound like a great idea to you, but not so much for your car. Excessive sun-exposure to our skin is obviously bad, but have you thought about the damage it can cause your car?

Ultraviolet light can split molecular bonds on even the toughest surfaces, like plastics, metals and even bacteria. Unfortunately this includes your cars paintwork, leaving it looking dingy, faded and rather dull.

Bird-droppings

Imagine something that is so acidic, it can burn through your cars clear coat… That’s called “bird poop”, yep, you read that right! This stuff is so acidic that if left on long enough it can remove so much clear coat that it almost feels like there is a slight dent on your cars surface.

Another reason bird droppings are so damaging to your vehicles exterior, is because some birds will eat smaller stones or gravel to aid them in digestion, and obviously what goes in, must go out. This can cause scrapes and scratches on the surface while being wiped off.

Dust and weather damage

What’s the point in washing your car if it’s just going to get dirty again, right? Wrong! A bit of dust and dirt can be damaging to a little more than just your reputation, it can hurt your paintwork, and pretty badly too.

Dirt and dust build-up may as well be called “sandpaper” if it’s already on your car, which can cause major wear and weakening to your beautiful paintjob. To no surprise, this can obviously escalate and get even worse if you add rain, sun, bird droppings or even tree sap into the mix…

But try not get too worked up about this, the bad news is over, now we can only go uphill from what you’ve just read. Here are a few things you can do to lessen, or even prevent, expensive future damages to your car.

• We know this isn’t always an option, but try to park your car under a roof, shade port or in a garage when possible, especially when stopping for longer periods of time. Remember, the sun can not only damage the exterior, but also the interior of your car!
• Wash your car often to help prevent dirt/dust from building up and inevitably scratching the surface.
• Avoid washing your car in the sun or in extreme heat! The water and car shampoo residue will dry much faster than normal, leaving unsightly water spots, streaks and drip marks. Sometimes these can be more difficult to remove, resulting in damaged paintwork. We recommend picking a nice shady spot when washing your car or taking it to a professional for an indoor wash instead.
• Be wary of using just any car care products! Make sure you use high quality car wash shampoo that has a PH neutral formula and is gentle on your paint.
• Use a clean ultrafine microfiber cloth when washing your car to avoid; wipe-in scratches, left over residue and damage to your paintwork.
• Polish your car with professionals and not your local car wash! High-end polishing products remove slight-scratches, restores the shine to dull and old paintwork, and creates a protective layer to help protect your car until your next polish.

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