Automotive Body and Related Repairers

• Follow supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take.
• Sand body areas to be painted and cover bumpers, windows, and trim with masking tape or paper to protect them from the paint.
• Review damage reports, prepare or review repair cost estimates, and plan work to be performed.
• 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.
• Remove damaged sections of vehicles using metal-cutting guns, air grinders and wrenches, and install replacement parts using wrenches or welding equipment.
• Prime and paint repaired surfaces, using paint sprayguns and motorized sanders.
• Chain or clamp frames and sections to alignment machines that use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components.
• File, grind, sand, and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools.
• Fill small dents that cannot be worked out with plastic or solder.
• Mix polyester resins and hardeners to be used in restoring damaged areas.
• Position dolly blocks against surfaces of dented areas and beat opposite surfaces to remove dents, using hammers.
• Remove upholstery, accessories, electrical window-and-seat-operating equipment, and trim to gain access to vehicle bodies and fenders.
• Adjust or align headlights, wheels, and brake systems.
• 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.
• Remove small pits and dimples in body metal, using pick hammers and punches.
• Fit and secure windows, vinyl roofs, and metal trim to vehicle bodies, using caulking guns, adhesive brushes, and mallets.
• Remove damaged panels, and identify the family and properties of the plastic used on a vehicle.
• Clean work areas, using air hoses, to remove damaged material and discarded fiberglass strips used in repair procedures.
• 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.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Automotive Body and Related Repairers.

• Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Active Listening - Giving 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.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Automotive Body and Related Repairers.