An Automotive Collision Repair Technician is designated as a Motor Vehicle Body Repairer under the Inter-provincial Red Seal program. (Find out about Red Seal in the Trades Lingo section.)

Prior to beginning repairs, an Automotive Collision Repair Technician prepares or reviews motor vehicle repair estimate reports to determine what needs to be fixed.

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

Automotive collision repair technicians repair and restore damaged motor vehicle body parts and interiors. In larger repair shops, a team approach allows workers to specialize in one type of repair, such as straightening frames or repairing doors and fenders. Workers generally perform these duties:

Restore damaged metal frames and body sections. Thousands of motor vehicles are damaged in traffic accidents every day. Although some are beyond repair, others can be made to look and drive like new. Damaged vehicles can be clamped to alignment machines that use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components. "Unibody" designs that are built without frames must be restored to precise factory specifications.

Remove and replace badly damaged sections of body panels. You identify sections that are beyond repair and use pneumatic metal-cutting guns, wrenches or cutting torches to remove them. Replacement sections are welded or bolted in place.

Repair less serious dents. Some smaller dents, buckles and other defects can be knocked out with hand tools, a pneumatic hammer, hydraulic jack or hand-held prying bar. You smooth out small dents and creases in the metal by holding a small anvil against one side while hammering on the other, and you remove very small pits and dimples through a process called metal finishing.

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 Motor Vehicle Body Repairer (Metal & Paint) Profile (56kb pdf).

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