Automotive Body and Related Repairers

Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.

Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

1. File, grind, sand and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools.

2. Sand body areas to be painted and cover bumpers, windows, and trim with masking tape or paper to protect them from the paint.

3. Follow supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take.

4. Remove damaged sections of vehicles using metal-cutting guns, air grinders and wrenches, and install replacement parts using wrenches or welding equipment.

5. 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.

6. Prime and paint repaired surfaces, using paint sprayguns and motorized sanders.

7. Inspect repaired vehicles for dimensional accuracy and test drive them to ensure proper alignment and handling.

8. Mix polyester resins and hardeners to be used in restoring damaged areas.

9. Chain or clamp frames and sections to alignment machines that use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components.

10. Fill small dents that cannot be worked out with plastic or solder.

11. 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.

Equipment Selection - Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Installation - Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.

Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge 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.

English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.

The college search results are undergraduate programs associated with Automotive Body and Related Repairers. Further education may also be required to pursue this career.

The training search results include both short and long-term programs associated with Automotive Body and Related Repairers, and may be more appropriate for adult and non-traditional students. Further training may also be required to pursue this career.

In NY the average wage for this occupation was:

$23,660 for entry level workers, and $42,280 for experienced workers.

Based on the total number of annual openings and its growth rate, the employment prospects for this occupation are described as Less Favorable.

During 2006, there were approximately 9,160 Automotive Body and Related Repairers employed in NY.

We estimate that in 2016 there will be 9,440  employed in NY. This represents an increase of 30 job(s) each year, and a total of 220 job openings each year.

Welders and Metal Workers - Visit this link for information on this career in the military.

Automotive body and related repairers - Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.

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