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Career Details :: Automotive Body and Related Repairers
Description
Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.
Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.
Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.
Tasks
- Soaks fiberglass matting in resin mixture and applies layers, matting over repair area to specified thickness.
- Positions dolly block against surface of dented area and beats opposite surface to remove dents, using hammer.
- Adjusts or aligns headlights, wheels, and brake system.
- Reads specifications or confers with customer to determine custom modifications to alter appearance of vehicle.
- Straightens bent automobile or other vehicle frames, using pneumatic frame-straightening machine.
- Cuts opening in vehicle body for installation of customized windows, using templates and power shears or chisel.
- Removes upholstery, accessories, electrical window-and-seat-operating equipment, and trim to gain access to vehicle body and fenders.
- Cuts and tapes plastic separating film to outside repair area to avoid damaging surrounding surfaces during repair procedure.
- Paints and sands repaired surface, using paint spray gun and motorized sander.
- Measures and marks vinyl material and cuts material to size for roof installation, using rule, straightedge, and hand shears.
- Cleans work area, using air hose to remove damaged material and to remove discarded fiberglass strips used in repair procedures.
- Examines vehicle to determine extent and type of damage.
- Peels separating film from repair area and washes repaired surface with water.
- Cuts away damaged fiberglass from automobile body, using air grinder.
- Fills depressions with body filler and files, grinds, and sands repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools.
- Fits and secures windows, vinyl roof, and metal trim to vehicle body, using caulking gun, adhesive brush, and mallet.
- Removes damaged fenders and panels, using wrenches and cutting torch, and installs replacement parts, using wrenches or welding equipment.
- Mixes polyester resin and hardener to be used in restoring damaged area.
Related Careers
- Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers
- Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders
- Electric Motor and Switch Assemblers and Repairers
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery
- Mechanical Door Repairers
Important Abilities
General Work Activities
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Repairing & Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, Material
Important Skills
Frequent Work Context
- Consequence of Error
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Frustrating Circumstances
- Using Hands on Objects, Tools, Controls
- Objective or Subjective Information
Institutions Offering Related Majors
No institutions found.