Automotive Body Repairer Responsibilities

Accidents cause severe damage to the automobiles and change its functioning and appearance completely. Some of the main automotive body repairer responsibilities are to restore the automobile to its original shape and condition by either repairing or replacing its parts and giving it back the same bright shine and radiance. Relevant skills and education will guarantee success as an automotive body repairer.

Key Automotive Body Repairer Responsibilities

Every vehicle comes with a unique problem that needs to be dealt by automotive body repairers. They need to identify the depth of the damage and analyze the future needs for repair and replacement. They are employed in auto repair shops or work with the dealers of used cars. Generally, they work individually but follow the directions of their immediate supervisors. It is their prime responsibility to make sure that their clients are completely satisfied with their work done. Here is a general list of the key responsibilities that need to be handled by them:

Review the damaged vehicle, prepare and project the cost estimate for the repair or replacement, convey it to the client, and plan the work accordingly. To discuss with the client as to what modifications can be done so as to give the original shine to the damaged vehicle
To extract, cut the damaged panels by using effective power tools like pneumatic guns, wrenches, and replacing it with new sections by using welding techniques
To pound minor dents by using tools like punch or hammers
To dismantle certain parts, so as to gain access to the interiors of the vehicle
To repair or replace the fenders and other parts of the vehicle as per the requirements, weld the metallic parts, straighten the frames which are bent and distorted
To grind, file, soil, and smoothen the deformed portions and fill the damaged sections with fillers like plastic body or by mixing hardeners or polyester resins to restore the original look

They also perform some additional duties which are as under:

To paint the repaired surfaces by using spray guns and motorized sanders
To align the brakes, headlights and wheels to ensure the accuracy of dimensions and appropriate functioning by doing a test drive
To hammer out the dents and any other minor damages that may have occurred
To give chemical treatment to weather proof the newly replaced window shields and glass

Essential Skills

If cars, vehicles, and automobiles are your passion and you enjoy being in their company, then you can take up the career of an automotive body repairer. You should have some additional skills to be successful:

A good manual dexterity with good hand and eye coordination
Should be totally customer oriented with strong interpersonal communication skills
Should be able to locate, identify, and detect the damages and provide appropriate repair or replacement solutions
Should be able to read, see, visualize, and comprehend the details in drawings
Should have good arithmetic skills and work with maximum levels of precision to deliver high standards of accuracy
Should be patient and keep a track on the latest trends happening in the automobile industry by continuously learning new techniques

Educational Requirements

A high school course, diploma, or a postsecondary education in electronics, mathematics, or relevant subject is the minimum requirement. A certification program in collision repairing or automotive installation of glass will be helpful. If an individual has National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence or an Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, getting an entry for the desired job would definitely be more easier.

Work Hours and Salary Details

Most of the technicians need to work full time. More workload may require them to work overtime.

The salary commensurate with relevant experience, other skills, and academic background. It generally ranges from between $35,000 to $65,000.

Career Prospects

The career prospects are really bright in the coming decade because of the increasing population and the subsequent growing demand for vehicles, resulting in more accidents. Those who are well-equipped and updated with latest knowledge and techniques and experience in automobile industry will surely advance to better positions.

Thus, the automotive body repairer responsibilities are to restore the condition of your damaged vehicle and create a new attractive look by using various repairing and replacement procedures.