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Chevrolet Collision Repair in Bradenton, FL
Collision repair for Silverado, Equinox, Tahoe, Traverse and Malibu owners in Bradenton. All makes and models, OEM parts whenever possible.
Chevrolet is one of the most common brands on Bradenton roads. Silverados haul boats to the ramp at Kingfish, Tahoes and Suburbans carry big families to Anna Maria Island, and Equinoxes and Malibus handle the daily commute on US-41 and I-75. If yours has been damaged, Firkins Collision Center is a Chevy body shop in Bradenton that repairs all makes and models, with OEM parts whenever possible, at 2700 1st St.
Chevrolet Models We Repair Most
- Silverado 1500 and Silverado HD (2500/3500): full-size pickups for work and towing
- Colorado: midsize pickup
- Tahoe and Suburban: full-size SUVs
- Traverse: three-row crossover
- Equinox and Trax: compact crossovers that see a lot of fender-benders and parking-lot damage
- Malibu: midsize sedan
- Blazer and Trailblazer: crossovers, including the Blazer EV
- Camaro and Corvette: performance cars
Every vehicle follows our seven-step repair process, with a teardown to identify hidden damage before the final repair plan is set.
How Chevy Trucks Are Built
Silverado: Aluminum Closures, Steel Body and Frame
When Chevrolet redesigned the Silverado 1500 for the 2019 model year, it moved to a mixed-material approach:
- Aluminum for the doors, hood and tailgate (both inner and outer panels)
- Steel for the cab and the bed. The bed floor uses high-strength roll-formed steel
- A high-strength steel frame, mostly made of high-strength steel
That means a single side-impact repair might involve an aluminum door and a steel cab pillar. Aluminum must be worked with dedicated tools to avoid steel contamination, which can lead to galvanic corrosion, especially in Florida's humid, salty climate. Steel components, especially high-strength ones, have their own rules about heating and straightening.
Body-on-Frame SUVs
The Tahoe, Suburban and Colorado also ride on separate ladder frames. A rear hit while towing or a hard curb strike can shift a frame rail without obvious body damage. Our frame straightening process uses frame machines and computer-assisted measuring to compare your vehicle against factory dimensions. Watch for the signs of frame damage.
Unibody Cars and Crossovers
The Equinox, Traverse, Blazer, Trax and Malibu are unibody vehicles where the body shell is the structure. They use high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels in key areas. Many of those steels can't be heated or straightened like older mild steel, and GM's repair procedures specify where sectioning is allowed and where parts must be replaced.
Chevy Safety Assist and Driver-Assist Features
Many newer Chevrolets come with Chevy Safety Assist and other available features. Depending on model and trim, you may have:
- Automatic emergency braking and forward collision alert
- Lane keep assist with lane departure warning
- Front pedestrian braking
- Following distance indicator and adaptive cruise control
- Side blind zone alert and rear cross traffic alert
- Rear park assist, HD surround vision and trailering cameras
- Super Cruise on equipped models
These features rely on cameras in the windshield, grille and mirrors, and radar sensors behind bumpers. After a collision repair, ask your estimator how your vehicle's systems will be verified. Learn more in ADAS sensors after a collision.
Electric Chevrolets
The Bolt EV, Blazer EV, Equinox EV and Silverado EV carry large high-voltage battery packs. EV repairs involve specific safety steps and planning around high-voltage components. Ask your estimator how your vehicle will be handled.
OEM Parts Whenever Possible
Chevy trucks and SUVs come in dozens of trim combinations with different grilles, headlamps, bumpers and sensor packages. We use OEM parts whenever possible so fit, finish and sensor mounting match what left the factory. Read OEM vs. aftermarket parts to understand the differences before you talk to your insurer.
Paint and Florida Weather
Chevy offers plenty of metallic and tri-coat colors that need careful blending. Our auto painting is done in a dedicated booth using a waterborne paint system. During the first 30 days, skip high-pressure washes and wax, park away from trees, and clean off love bugs and bird droppings quickly. For more, see protecting new paint in the Florida sun.
Towing With Your Silverado or Tahoe
Many Chevy trucks and SUVs around Bradenton pull boats, campers or work trailers. A rear-end hit while towing can damage more than the bumper. The hitch receiver, the frame crossmember it bolts to, trailer wiring, the rear camera and blind-zone sensors that watch the trailer can all be affected. Make sure your estimate covers the hitch area and trailering hardware, and tell your estimator if a trailer was attached when the collision happened.
Why Chevy Owners Choose Firkins Collision Center
- All makes and models repaired, including Chevrolet trucks, SUVs and cars
- I-CAR- and ASE-certified technicians with ongoing training
- Frame machines, computer-assisted measuring and a dedicated paint booth
- Works with all insurance companies; help with claims and paperwork
- 24/7 towing, free loaners or rental help, and pickup and delivery
- Lifetime warranty on parts and labor
- Spanish-speaking staff
See all vehicles we repair.
Get Your Chevy Repaired in Bradenton
Request a free estimate or call (941) 229-6451. If your vehicle can't be driven, call our 24-hour towing line at (941) 749-1450.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Chevy Silverado body aluminum?
Partly. On the Silverado 1500 redesigned for 2019, the doors, hood and tailgate are aluminum, while the cab, bed and frame are steel. A repair can involve both metals, which require separate tools and techniques.
Do I need to go to a Chevy dealer for collision repair?
Generally, no. As the owner you can tell your insurer where you want the car repaired, and most major insurers say you can use any shop. Firkins Collision Center repairs all makes and models, including Chevrolet, and uses OEM parts whenever possible.
Will you use genuine GM parts?
We use OEM parts whenever possible, and your estimate shows what's planned. If your insurer's estimate lists aftermarket parts, we can explain the difference and your options.
My Equinox has lane keep assist. Does it need attention after a repair?
It may. Chevy Safety Assist features rely on a windshield camera and, on some models, front radar and rear sensors. After a collision repair, ask your estimator how your vehicle's systems will be verified.
Can you repair the steel bed on my Silverado?
Yes. The Silverado 1500 bed is made of high-strength roll-formed steel. Bed damage can range from simple dents to replacing bedsides, and your estimator will explain which approach fits your damage.
Wrecked, dented or scratched? Let's look at it.
Free estimates, help with your insurance claim, and a loaner while we work.