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Automotive Body and Related Repairers Occupation Detailed Description

Automotive Body and Related Repairers career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Automotive Body and Related Repairers

The main tasks and work activities of Automotive Body and Related Repairers are to smooth surfaces of objects or equipment, apply protective coverings to objects or surfaces near work areas, disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair, install machine or equipment replacement parts. In general, for the Automotive Body and Related Repairers, repairing, troubleshooting, operation Monitoring, monitoring and other 6 skills are required.
Automotive Body and Related Repairers Job Description
EducationThese occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related ExperienceSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Automotive Body and Related Repairers jobs. 41.99% of Automotive Body and Related Repairers have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 34.65% of Automotive Body and Related Repairers have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
23.35%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
41.99%
Post-Secondary Certificate
34.65%
Some College Courses
0.00%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0.00%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
0.01%

Tasks and Work Activities of Automotive Body and Related Repairers

  • File, grind, sand, and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools.
  • Sand body areas to be painted and cover bumpers, windows, and trim with masking tape or paper to protect them from the paint.
  • Follow supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take.
  • Remove damaged sections of vehicles using metal-cutting guns, air grinders and wrenches, and install replacement parts using wrenches or welding equipment.
  • Cut and tape plastic separating film to outside repair areas to avoid damaging surrounding surfaces during repair procedure and remove tape and wash surfaces after repairs are complete.
  • Prime and paint repaired surfaces, using paint sprayguns and motorized sanders.
  • Mix polyester resins and hardeners to be used in restoring damaged areas.
  • Chain or clamp frames and sections to alignment machines that use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components.
  • Fill small dents that cannot be worked out with plastic or solder.
  • Fit and weld replacement parts into place, using wrenches and welding equipment, and grind down welds to smooth them, using power grinders and other tools.
  • Position dolly blocks against surfaces of dented areas and beat opposite surfaces to remove dents, using hammers.
  • Remove damaged panels, and identify the family and properties of the plastic used on a vehicle.
  • Review damage reports, prepare or review repair cost estimates, and plan work to be performed.
  • Remove small pits and dimples in body metal, using pick hammers and punches.
  • Remove upholstery, accessories, electrical window-and-seat-operating equipment, and trim to gain access to vehicle bodies and fenders.
  • Clean work areas, using air hoses, to remove damaged material and discarded fiberglass strips used in repair procedures.
  • Adjust or align headlights, wheels, and brake systems.
  • Apply heat to plastic panels, using hot-air welding guns or immersion in hot water, and press the softened panels back into shape by hand.
  • Soak fiberglass matting in resin mixtures and apply layers of matting over repair areas to specified thicknesses.
  • Cut openings in vehicle bodies for the installation of customized windows, using templates and power shears or chisels.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRunning, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDeveloping specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Smooth surfaces of objects or equipment.
  • Apply protective coverings to objects or surfaces near work areas.
  • Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair.
  • Install machine or equipment replacement parts.
  • Cut materials according to specifications or needs.
  • Paint surfaces or equipment.
  • Prepare compounds or solutions to be used for repairs.
  • Remove dents from equipment, materials, tools or structures.
  • Operate welding equipment.
  • Install vehicle parts or accessories.
  • Remove parts or components from vehicles.
  • Read work orders or descriptions of problems to determine repairs or modifications needed.
  • Plan work procedures.
  • Clean work areas.
  • Adjust vehicle components according to specifications.
  • Confer with customers or users to assess problems.
  • Replace vehicle glass.
  • Measure distances or dimensions.
  • Inspect completed work to ensure proper functioning.

Skills and Abilities for Automotive Body and Related Repairers

  • RepairingRepairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  • TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Visual Color DiscriminationThe ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Multilimb CoordinationThe ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Trunk StrengthThe ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
  • Static StrengthThe ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Auditory AttentionThe ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
  • Adjustable widemouth plierse.g. Adjustable widemouth pliers
  • Adjustable wrenchese.g. Adjustable wrenches
  • Pneumatic hammere.g. Air chisels
  • Air compressorse.g. Air compressors
  • Pneumatic hammere.g. Air hammers
  • Pressure indicatorse.g. Air pressure gauges
  • Wheel alignment equipmente.g. Alignment machines
  • Squarese.g. Alignment squares
  • Anvilse.g. Anvils
  • Blow torche.g. Blow torches
  • Power sawse.g. Body saws
  • Spatulase.g. Bondo spreaders
  • Welder torche.g. Brazing equipment
  • Power bufferse.g. Buffing machines
  • Caliperse.g. Calipers
  • Cold chiselse.g. Cold chisels
  • Trim or molding toolse.g. Crown spoons
  • Hammerse.g. Dent hammers
  • Depth gaugese.g. Depth gauges
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.