Automotive Refinishing Prep Technician is a person who removes parts, masks, performs chemical cleaning, applies putty, sands, primes, and prepares an automobile, truck or bus for the Automotive Refinishing Technician in a safe and environmentally sound manner.

Automotive Refinishing Prep Technician is similar to a Motor Vehicle Body Repairer in most duties.

What do these workers do?
(Source: BC Work Futures)

Repair or replace plastic body parts. Newer vehicles may have some plastic body parts. You will remove damaged panels and identify the type and properties of the plastic. Most types of plastic can be heated with a hot-air welding gun or by immersion in hot water, then pressed back into shape by hand. You will use plastic or solder to fill small dents that cannot be worked out. Badly damaged plastic parts will be replaced.

Apply primers and repaint surfaces. In small shops, workers often do repairs and painting. You will use hand and power tools to file, grind and sand repaired body surfaces, then apply primers and paint surfaces with brushes or spray guns. In large shops, some worker may specialize in painting and refinishing.

Install and replace glass. Some automotive collision repair technicians specialize in removing broken, cracked or pitted windshields and window glass.

Use hand tools and specialized automotive repair equipment. You will use common hand tools, such as screwdrivers, pliers and wrenches, and specialty tools, such as cutting torches, soldering equipment, blocks, hammers and spray guns.

You must be able to communicate with customers. Your business depends on your ability to explain to customers how their vehicle was repaired and assure them it operates safely.

Inspect damage and make repair recommendations. You must be able to assess the extent of vehicle damage, determine how to fix it and provide customers with a cost estimate for the repairs.

Read the full Automotive Refinishing Prep Technician Profile (56kb pdf).

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