Car body, or a few words about car upholstery

Just a few decades ago, the car body was not as complex as it is today. However, pressing ever more futuristic shapes on hydraulic presses is the order of the day today. The materials used to make these parts have also changed. Appearance has also become more important, but drivers also attach great importance to safety. Do you know what the upper part of the car consists of and what its main tasks are? Find out more and read!

Car body elements - basic parts

Cars are usually built with a multibody body. The most frequently replaced body parts include:

• a door;
• wings;
• bumpers;
• air intakes;
• strips;
• engine cover;
• mask;
• trunk lid;
• spoiler;
• back belt;
• tracks;
• wind deflectors;
• side trim;
• belt reinforcement;
• plastic wheel arches.

What are car body parts made of?

Sheet metal has been the main material used for car upholstery for many years. The corresponding parts are extruded from the sheets, and the car body is assembled from the created elements. In order to reduce the curb weight of vehicles, more and more parts are made of plastic and aluminum. Carbon fiber is also used in sports cars. Individual parts are joined by rivets, welding or special glue. It also happens that parts are made by hand, but this is not a very popular practice.

What is the car body used for?

A car cover performs two main functions - protective and aesthetic. All components are attached to a structure mounted on the body. Many of them (such as the side doors or the front and rear aprons) are additionally reinforced to absorb impact forces. The main thing is not to confuse the car body with the body, because the skin is only its component.

The body of the car and its appearance

The second, and most important, is aesthetics. The body of the car should attract attention, because everyone wants to have a beautiful car. Some cars are known for their aggressive, very sporty lines. Others, on the other hand, are ridiculed mostly because of their looks. An example shrouded in this uninteresting legend is the Fiat Multipla. Despite being a rugged, roomy, and fairly trouble-free car, its design has landed it at the top of every list of ugliest cars.

Can car body parts be replaced?

Definitely yes, because many of them are simply interchangeable. Remember that the vehicle's supporting structure (consisting, for example, of the A, B and C pillars) is connected together. However, fender liner, bumpers, fenders, wheel arches or bonnet are free to exchange. Of course, in order to make such a change in the right way, several conditions must be met. Must match:

• body type;
• serial version;
• vintage;
• by color;
• upholstery appearance;
• additional electrical parts.

Can body parts be repaired?

Individual damaged parts of the body can usually be regenerated. Plastic parts and metal components are welded by appropriate methods. In addition, substances are used in the form of aluminum putties and other mixtures adapted to the material. The car body is usually very thin and does not exceed 2,5 millimeters at its thickest points. Therefore, perfect alignment of severely damaged parts is not always cost-effective or even possible. The parts are then simply replaced with new ones.

How to care for a car body?

You already know what a car body is and understand why it is so delicate. Therefore, you need to take care of it yourself so as not to waste money on repairs and removing the rust layer. And it can be very expensive, especially for the latest car manufacturers. Therefore, of course, it is better to keep the car in the garage or at least under a canopy. It's also worth washing it regularly and keeping an eye out for scratches and parking damage. It will also be useful to protect the varnish often so that it does not fade. The car body, serviced in this way, will be in good condition for many years.

As you can see, the car body is one of the most important parts of the body. It is worth caring for him not only for aesthetic reasons, although it is known that the appearance of the car gives out the owner of the vehicle. Be aware of the rules for replacing parts and remember not to expose the car body to unnecessary minor damage.