Understanding Auto Body Panels

What are the auto body panels?

1. Hood panel 
2. Bumper panel
3. Fender panel
4. Header panel
5. Low door skin
6. Wheel arch panel
7. Quarter panel
8. Firewall

Following an accident, you will likely find yourself in an auto shop awaiting the estimate of repairs for your car. While talking to the auto technician, they might say something about replacing the auto body panels. Car manufacturers design vehicles with body panels that attract attention. For a good reason, this is the first thing that people see. However, that’s not the sole purpose of an auto’s body panels. 

What Are Auto Body Panels?

Auto body panels refer to the assortment of large steel sections installed around the vehicle. These steel sections provide a solid covering for the vehicle’s parts and systems as well as protect the passengers from environmental elements and during collisions. 

Thanks to decades of innovation in the automobile industry, modern auto body panels are now designed to enhance the passenger and driver’s overall riding and driving experience. This is as opposed to early vehicles that were uncomfortable.

There are numerous auto body panel parts and each one has a specific function. Continue reading on to learn more about these. 

Hood Panel 

The hood, also known as the bonnet, is the hinged cover that is on top of the engine of cars. Hood panels can be opened to allow access to the engine compartment for maintenance and repair.  

The hood panel may be hinged at either the rear or front edge of the vehicle. Hood panels are usually made from the same material as the rest of the auto body panels. This can include steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, or fiberglass.   

The hood typically consists of a release system such as an inner hood latch, hood lock assembly, and hood release cable. As an auto body panel part, the function of the hood panel is to protect the engine from dirt, debris, rain, and other hazards like direct sunlight. 

Bumper Panel 

Bumper panels are auto body panels that are usually placed at various points of a car, be it at the back and front. Some cars also have bumper panels installed at the side. 

Bumper panels are the first point of impact during a collision. As a result, you get to minimize speed collision damage and reduce repair costs. In addition, the bumper panel also protects against corrosion, dirt, and other damaging materials to the car. Nowadays, standard vehicle bumper panels have a rigid reinforcing bar with compressible sections of foam or plastic underneath. 

Many drivers think that a bumper panel is solely a decorative part of a car. Contrary to popular belief, however, the decorative properties of bumper panels only play a secondary function. 

Bumper panels are designed for pedestrian and driver safety. These absorb multiple impacts. Although bumper panels are often broken into pieces during collisions, they can effectively put out kinetic energy. As a result, the car will transfer its energy to whatever it hits, be it another car or a stationary object like an electricity pole or street sign. 

Fender Panel 

The fender is an auto body panel that starts at the front of the doors and spans over the front wheels and wraps around the headlights. Sometimes, the fender is referred to as the front quarter panel. 

Fender panels are shaped like an arch. These panels not only improve the look of the fender, but also protects the body of the car from debris, dirt, snow, and other materials that the tires come across while driving on the road. Fenders also protect against collision.

Header Panel

The header panels are located just above the bumper. These are made of either plastic, fiberglass, or sheet metal. The header panels act as the connection between the headlights and grille. 

Lower Door Skin

The door of a vehicle is the attachment point of the handles and side-view mirrors. The lower door skin is an important component as it prevents the door panel from being damaged by flying debris, kicks, scuffs, kicks, and bumps. 

Wheel Arch Panel

The wheel arch panel is the auto body panel that is curved above the wheel. Similar to other panels, it protects the body from water, dirt, and other debris thrown toward the car. 

Quarter Panel

Quarter panels are the second term for fender, however, these are found between the trunk and the rear door of the auto. This is typically the panel that gets damaged during parking lot fender benders and rear-end traffic accidents. 

Firewall

Lastly, the firewall is the protective panel wall that separates the engine and the passenger compartments. During collisions, the firewall protects the driver and passengers from the engine bulk. 

Key Takeaway

In this article, we’ve rounded up the different auto body panels and how they function. Given that they play important roles in a vehicle, it’s important to have them replaced when needed. 

If you need auto body panels in the Philippines, get in touch with Roberts! At Roberts, we have been offering a wide array of OEM car parts in the Philippines at affordable prices since 1994. Contact us today!