Here’s the latest DEG Estimating Tips

The Database Enhancement Gateway’s (DEG) most recent estimate tips explore label replacement labor, welded seams and weld zone repair and refinish, data access fees, masking bumpers with texture or unpainted areas, and bedside shipping braces. 

Label Replacement Labor 

An August inquiry asked about missing labor units for labels, including those for emissions, battery, coolant, and engine, as well as a test on a 2015 Toyota Prius hatchback. 

The response noted that Mitchell does not develop or publish labor allowances for label replacement.

“End users may consider any step(s) relating to label replacement as on-the-spot evaluation,” a DEG Estimating Tip about the inquiry states. “Operations that may be needed, e.g., adhesive residue removal, measuring and marking location placement, template creation/fabrication, panel preparation, and material/consumable cost, etc.”

The response also directs the inquirer to previous DEG inquiries: 

• • 31567
  • 31349
  • 4443
  • 3417
  • 1970

Welded Seams and Weld Zone Repair and Refinish 

A July inquiry, and mentioned in a DEG Estimating Tip, asks whether adjacent panel weld zone repairs are included in quarter panel replacement and sectioning work times for a 2018 Toyota Corolla sedan. 

A response from MOTOR states that the work times included in the procedure for grinding, filling, and smothering the welded seams of the replacement panel up to 150-grit finish outlined in the guide to estimating do not include repair or refinish of the adjacent panel weld zones resulting from normal cutting, welding, or grinding procedures. 

“Any repair or refinish operations required to restore adjacent attaching panels affected by the replacement process should be determined through an on-the-spot evaluation, as the extent of the weld zone and resulting damage can vary based on the vehicle configuration and repair technique used,” the response states. 

Data Access Fees

A DEG Estimating Tip states that any fees related to OEM data subscriptions and/or OEM information access are not included in part prices or labor values within Audatex Estimating. 

The post notes that the information on the data access fees can be found on page 38 of the Solera Qapter Database Reference Manual. 

Masking Bumpers with Texture or Unpainted Areas

This DEG Estimating Tip notes that when painting a bumper that requires extra masking for textured or unpainted sections, repairers should always check the Mitchell Refinish Operation Labor Notes first. 

The masking operation is included only once, and only if it is explicitly identified in a labor note, the tip states. 

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

Any duplicate masking effort or additional material costs must be handled as an on-the-spot evaluation. 

Bedside Shipping Braces 

A June inquiry discussed in a DEG Estimating Tip notes that on a 2026 Ford F250 pickup there is a panel where the step mounts that must be cut out before installing the bedside. 

“This seems to be a common thing for Ford for adding bracing to sheet metal parts,” the inquiry states. 

It asks that MOTOR add “removal of shipping braces” to language for bedside panels. 

MOTOR responds that after review, it found the bedside is represented in the pickup box group as the box side panel/outer panel. 

“If the additional panel located at the step mounting area is a shipping brace supplied with the replacement service part, removal of that brace would not be included in the published estimated work time,” MOTOR says. 

It adds that any labor required to remove a shipping brace or otherwise prepare the replacement part before installation should be determined through an on-the-spot evaluation based on the actual replacement part received and applicable Ford repair information.

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Photos courtesy of DEG