Realistic timelines for every kind of damage.
Collision repair time depends entirely on the type and severity of damage, parts availability, and insurance approvals. Here are realistic timelines for each scenario so you know what to expect — and why some shops over-promise.
Airpark Auto Collision of Gaithersburg — 7615 Rickenbacker Dr, Suite C, Gaithersburg, MD 20879. Call (301) 908-0606
Scratches, scuffs, small dents, single-panel paint refinishing, and bumper repair typically finish in 3–5 business days. That includes time for proper masking, prep, paint, baking, color-sanding, and polish — anything quicker usually means corners are being cut.
Multi-panel collision damage, bumper plus fender plus quarter panel, or repairs requiring parts orders. Most insurance claims fall into this bucket. Times vary based on parts availability for your specific vehicle.
Frame straightening, unibody repair, structural welding, or extensive panel replacement. ADAS sensor recalibration adds a day or two. We give a written timeline with every estimate so you can plan rental coverage.
Parts back-orders (more common on imports and newer models). Insurance supplement approval (when hidden damage requires re-estimating). Specialty paint matching (tri-coats, candies). Weather (humidity affects paint cure time). We communicate proactively about delays.
Rarely — and only for very minor work like clear coat buff-outs or some PDR jobs. Anything involving paint requires multiple days for proper prep, application, baking, and polish. A 'one-day repair' usually means shortcuts.
Get the claim filed promptly, approve the estimate quickly, and authorize OEM-equivalent parts when OEM is back-ordered. Calling Airpark first means we can start ordering parts the moment your claim is approved.
Depends on your policy. We track your rental coverage limit and work to keep total repair time within it. If your coverage runs short, we'll tell you in advance.