Auto Body Technology

  • Eddie Dorman, Instructor

    Students in Auto Body Technology learn major and minor auto body and collision repair skills such as surface preparation, welding, panel replacement, frame repair and sectioning of structural parts. They also learn proper painting techniques using up-to-date equipment. There is a consistently high demand for skilled auto body technicians today. Career options in this area include custom painting, estimating, and managing, just to name a few.

    Auto Body Technology I

    Grades: 10-12
    2 credits
    Prerequisite: None

    Through participation in classroom and lab activities, students develop fundamental knowledge and skills needed to analyze and repair automotive body systems. At the conclusion of the course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

    • Identify and follow safe working procedures
    • Read and interpret customary and metric measuring systems
    • Solve problems involving proportions and ratios
    • Demonstrate safe use and maintenance of auto body hand and air tools
    • Identify the basic construction of the automobile
    • Identify government agencies regulating the auto body industry OSHA/EPA
    • Diagnose and analyze damage to an automobile
    • Identify and operate mig welders and oxyacetylene welders
    • Remove and replace cosmetic panels
    • Perform basic dent repair

    Auto Body Technology II

    Grades: 11-12
    2 credits
    Prerequisite: Auto Body Technology I
    Recommended: Welding Methods and Practices.

    At the conclusion of the course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

    • Mix and apply base coat
    • Use clear coat finishes
    • Prepare surfaces for painting
    • Mix and apply automotive paints
    • Perform paint detailing
    • Mixing and tinting paint for color match
    • Apply tri-coat finishes
    • Prepare estimates
    • Repair composite substrates

    Auto Body Technology III

    Grade: 12
    2 credits
    Prerequisite: Auto Body Technology II

    Students are prepared for entry-level positions in automotive repair career fields. Students participate in classroom and lab activities to develop fundamental knowledge and skills to analyze and repair automotive body systems. Activities include estimation, unibody measurement and correction, fiberglass repair, welding, structural and nonstructural analysis and repair, paint preparation, and paint application. This class requires the use of specialized personal protective equipment. Students are provided additional training in the following areas:

    • Demonstration of safe use and maintenance of hydraulic equipment
    • Identify vehicle frame construction
    • Analyze and correct frame damage using frame specification forms and manuals
    • Identify steering and suspension systems
    • Remove and install interior and exterior trim and moldings
    • Identify vehicle glass replacement procedures
    • Perform vehicle structural repair and analysis and weld on panel replacement
    • Air Conditioning identification