DEG Estimating Tips August 2026

CCCONE Web: Bedside Shipping Braces

DEG Inquiry 41507 shares information on replacement bedsides that may come supplied with a shipping brace requiring removal prior to installation.

“Any labor required to remove a shipping brace or otherwise prepare the replacement part prior to installation should be determined through an on-the-spot evaluation based on the actual replacement part received and applicable Ford repair information.”

Mitchell: Masking Bumpers with Texture or Unpainted Areas

When painting a bumper that requires extra masking for textured or unpainted sections, always check the Refinish Operation Labor notes first.

• Included: This masking operation is included only once, and only if it is explicitly identified in a labor note.

• Not Included: If the masking is required but not mentioned in a labor note, the labor is not included by default.

Duplicate Effort/Materials: Any duplicate masking effort or additional material costs must be handled as an On-the-Spot evaluation.

Solera Qapter (Audatex): Seam Sealer

Audatex DBRM Section 4-2 Labor Exclusions identify the following NOT INCLUDED:

• Body materials are not included in Audatex labor values.

• OEM aesthetic appearance matching of sealants, sound deadening or bonding materials.

• Application of seam sealer on new parts that require seam sealer.

• Adhesive curing times.

• Removal of panel bonding adhesive material.

• Removal of debris, grease, corrosion, protective coatings, or other materials impeding replacement, R&I or refinishing of parts.

• Restoration of corrosion-protective coatings (e.g., galvanizing, zinc coatings, E-coat ‘equivalent,’ and other like materials).  (Standard Manual Entry M14 is available). For more detailed information, see Refinish section.

Solera Qapter (Audatex) – Data Access Fees

Solera Qapter DBRM page 38 shares feedback regarding Data Access Fee – “Any fees related to OEM data subscriptions and/or OEM information access are not included in part prices or labor values within Audatex Estimating.”

Want more? Check out the August 2026 issue of AASP-MN News!