BALTIMORE (Map, News) - A “ding” in the body of a car, unrelenting sap and stains, and even the sun’s harmful UV rays leave many scurrying to secure reliable painters for their cars.

The quandary arises when you consider all the options available. Custom car/hot rod painting, paintless dent repair and other alternatives can leave even savvy shoppers puzzled.

Ed Kriston and Jeffrey Boone, approved automotive repair specialists, Towson office, AAA MidAtlantic, said the choice depends in large part on expecting what the owner wants. “When I hear custom car painting, I think of custom car/hot rod painting,” said Kriston. “That is a very big word-of-mouth business. Most of the street rod guys see a vehicle at one of the shows or out riding on a weekend and get the information from the vehicle’s owner. In many cases, that is the way that most ‘custom painters’ get their business.”

But how do those who want basic touch-ups or paint jobs secure quality jobs? The bottom line: Do your research and compare. First, find out what options are available. Then compare prices and qualifications. Ask shop managers what training and certifications are held by those who perform the work.

The following is a quick primer on some of the options to consider:

» Paintless dent repair. Technicians use an assortment of rods and bars to push the dent out from behind the panel. The major advantage is that the paint cannot be scratched or “broken,” as they call it. These companies do not do body work with filler and paint. They just push the dented panel back out.

» Mobile spot repair. This is best for small touch-ups such as minor dents in the rear panels. The technicians use filler and paint but limit their work to small areas. The work generally can be completed in hours, which means the owners can quickly reclaim their cars.

» Auto body repair shop. Certainly, these shops generally welcome jobs from minor to major. But their true forte is in what Kriston and Boone call “miracles” such as restoring wrecks to beauty.

For more information on this and other car care issues, go to www.aaa.com.