Want to be an Auto Body Technician? Here Are the 3 Biggest Responsibilities You’ll Have
If you’re starting an auto body career, you can expect to be kept pretty busy. Auto body technicians have a number of responsibilities with regards to keeping vehicles in great shape, especially after an accident. Certain ones in particular are key to transitioning from your auto body technician training to a full-fledged career.
Though there are numerous things you can find yourself doing on the job, you’ll have to perform certain tasks more often than others. If you’re hoping to work as an auto body technician, here are arguably the three biggest responsibilities you’ll have on your plate.
1. Replacing and Repairing Parts of Various Sections of a Car
Whether it’s fixing parts on the body, doors, underbody or otherwise, you can anticipate having to repair and/or replace these parts being one of the most basic components of the job. You may find yourself removing and discarding panels that have been damaged, as well as fitting and connecting entirely new parts to a car, especially if the car has been damaged. You can also expect to perform tasks like sanding and smoothing surfaces after they have been repaired, using primers and paint over those surfaces, replacing broken or damaged glass, and welding new parts into place.
2. An Auto Body Technician Is Also Expected to Fix Different Kinds of Dents and Scratches
If certain parts have been scratched or dented, it’s up to the auto body technician to rectify that as well. Whether it’s a dent, ding, buckle, hole, or any other kind of defect, the auto body technician is expected to remove and repair them using hand tools such as hammers or hydraulic jacks, if necessary. You will likely fill out smaller dents with plastic filler or soldering equipment, as well as use sandpaper to sand down any paint that may still be present before filling. Alternatively, you can also use paintless dent repair to rectify the issue, if possible.
3. Perform Many Repair Tasks Using an Array of Tools and Machinery
As you can probably guess, becoming an auto body technician—and succeeding as one—involves being familiar with, and mastering, a number of different tools on the job. For example, you can use computerized measuring systems to straighten or restore bent frames, as well as use air grinders, blocks, pick hammers, wrenches and metal-cutting guns to remove parts of the car that have been damaged. You can use spray guns and sanders to paint over and/or prime surfaces that have been repaired, as well as welding equipment to set parts firmly in place. Speaking of welding equipment, you may also find yourself using hot-air guns to heat up plastic panels on the vehicle before using your hands to put them back into shape after being softened.
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