Car bodies are formed by sheet steel metal. The alloy is formed into deeper depressions at manufacturing presses and is able to resist tearing or wrinkling by the addition of special added elements. Though other materials like aluminum, fiberglass and plastics reinforced by carbon fiber exist, steel remains as the materials of choice for making a car body for its low cost, workability and availability. Other options include Polyamide, polyester, polystyrene, and ethylene plastics. These options are good because they are not only lighter but are also cheaper to manufacture given that presses and tools for plastics are cheaper and faster to make.

A car`s body is also coated with a special priming and painting process to make it withstand corrosion and therefore maintain its strength and appearance. For areas that are known to have a higher probability of corroding, galvanized steel with a protective zinc coating and stainless steel are used. A car`s body undergoes a series of dips and spray cycles before it is used in an automobile. To remove dirt oil and other unwanted matter in the car body, a cleansing bath is used, which is then followed by painting by either enamel or acrylic lacquer, or electrodepositing of sprayed paint.