Career Details
Career Details
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Career Details

49-3021.00 - Automotive Body and Related Repairers


Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
149,700
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
163,500
Estimate
Change in Employment
+13,700
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+9.2%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • 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.
  • Fit and secure windows, vinyl roofs, and metal trim to vehicle bodies, using caulking guns, adhesive brushes, and mallets.
  • Replace damaged glass on vehicles.
  • Inspect repaired vehicles for proper functioning, completion of work, dimensional accuracy, and overall appearance of paint job, and test-drive vehicles to ensure proper alignment and handling.
Supplemental
  • Cut openings in vehicle bodies for the installation of customized windows, using templates and power shears or chisels.
  • Read specifications or confer with customers to determine the desired custom modifications for altering the appearance of vehicles.
  • Measure and mark vinyl material and cut material to size for roof installation, using rules, straightedges, and hand shears.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Mechanical
  • 72%
    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 65%
    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.
 Production and Processing
  • 63%
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
 Mathematics
  • 60%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 English Language
  • 59%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Transportation
  • 59%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
 Engineering and Technology
  • 55%
    Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
 Public Safety and Security
  • 51%
    Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
 Education and Training
  • 51%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Holding and clamping tools
  • Adjustable widemouth pliers
 Wrenches and drivers
  • Adjustable wrenches
  • Nut drivers
  • Pick pull rods
  • Pull rods
  • Ratchets
  • Screwdrivers
  • Slide hammers
  • Socket sets
  • Socket wrench sets
  • T pullers
 Pneumatic tools
  • Air chisels
  • Air hammers
  • Pneumatic grinders
  • Pneumatic hammers
  • Pneumatic panel crimpers
  • Pneumatic smoothing hammers
  • Pressure feed sandblasters
  • Suction feed sandblasters
 Compressors
  • Air compressors
 Pressure measuring and control instruments
  • Air pressure gauges
  • Depth gauges
  • Pressure gauges
 Vehicle servicing equipment
  • Alignment machines
  • Frame alignment equipment
 Forming tools
  • Anvils
  • Dent hammers
  • Pick hammers
 Welding and soldering and brazing accessories
  • Blow torches
  • Gas arc welding equipment
  • Oxyacetylene torches
  • Stud welder kits
  • Weld current controllers
  • Welding tips
 Power tools
  • Body saws
  • Buffing machines
  • Grinders
  • Hot air guns
  • Impact wrenches
  • Machine polishers
  • Media blasters
  • Portable buffers
  • Power drills
  • Power sanders
 Rough and finishing tools
  • Bondo spreaders
  • Cold chisels
  • Single-cut mill saw files
  • Stainless steel brushes
  • Surforms
 Welding and soldering and brazing supplies
  • Brazing equipment
  • Welding electrodes
 Length and thickness and distance measuring instruments
  • Calipers
  • Dial indicators
  • Feeler gauges
  • Height gauges
  • Micrometers
  • Telescoping gauges
  • Vernier calipers
 Body tools
  • Crown spoons
  • Door skin dollies
  • General purpose spoons
  • Heavy duty inside spoons
  • Heel dollies
  • Slapping spoons
  • Spoon dollies
  • Toe dollies
  • Universal railroad dollies
 Computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Personal computers
 Cameras
  • Digital cameras
 Cutting and crimping and punching tools
  • Double-edged blades
  • Double-edged cutter tools
  • Foot shears
  • Hand shears
  • Panel cutters
  • Pneumatic metal cutting guns
  • Power punches
  • Power shears
  • Scrapers
  • Windshield knives
 Lamps and lightbulbs
  • Fluorescent lights
  • Infrared IR paint curing units
 Paint applicators and painting accessories
  • High velocity low pressure HVLP spray equipment
  • Paint sprayers
 Lifting equipment and accessories
  • Hoists
  • Hydraulic automobile lifts
  • Hydraulic cranes
  • Hydraulic jacks
  • Jacks
  • Suction cups
 Computer printers
  • Laser printers
 Welding machinery
  • Metal inert gas MIG welders
  • Portable welding machines
  • Resistance spot welding equipment
  • Tungsten inert gas TIG welding equipment
 Drafting supplies
  • Paint stencils
 Fastener setting tools
  • Pop rivet guns
  • Rivet busters
 Cleaning equipment
  • Pressure washers
  • Steam cleaning equipment
 Tool attachments and accessories
  • Punches
  • Spot weld breakers
 Hooks
  • S-hooks
 Vision protection and accessories
  • Safety glasses
  • Welding goggles
 Safety apparel
  • Safety gloves
  • Safety hoods
 Soldering machines
  • Soldering equipment
 Paint systems
  • Spray booths
 Face and head protection
  • Welding helmets
  • Welding hoods
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Finance accounting and enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Accounting software
  • Accounts receivable software
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Appointment scheduling software
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft OneNote
  • Microsoft WordHOT
 Industry specific software
  • Automotive and Accounting Software by R*KOM Invoice Writer
  • Collision damage estimation software
  • Collision damage measurement software
  • Paint mixing and matching software
  • Swan River Estimiser Pro
 Data management and query software
  • AutoZone ALLDATA
  • Equipment management information software
 Business function specific software
  • Inventory management software
  • Materials management software
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
 Operating environment software
  • Microsoft WindowsHOT
  • Palm OSHOT
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Specialty
 Advanced
 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Northern Virginia Community College
Tidewater Community College