What You'll Do

  • File, grind, sand, and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools.
  • Sand body areas to be painted and cover bumpers, windows, and trim with masking tape or paper to protect them from the paint.
  • Follow supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take.
  • Remove damaged sections of vehicles using metal-cutting guns, air grinders and wrenches, and install replacement parts using wrenches or welding equipment.
  • Cut and tape plastic separating film to outside repair areas to avoid damaging surrounding surfaces during repair procedure and remove tape and wash surfaces after repairs are complete.
  • Prime and paint repaired surfaces, using paint sprayguns and motorized sanders.
  • Mix polyester resins and hardeners to be used in restoring damaged areas.
  • Chain or clamp frames and sections to alignment machines that use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components.
  • Fill small dents that cannot be worked out with plastic or solder.
  • Fit and weld replacement parts into place, using wrenches and welding equipment, and grind down welds to smooth them, using power grinders and other tools.

Essential Skills

Repairing 3.25/5
Troubleshooting 3.12/5
Active Listening 3.0/5
Speaking 3.0/5
Critical Thinking 3.0/5
Monitoring 3.0/5
Operations Monitoring 3.0/5
Quality Control Analysis 3.0/5
Time Management 3.0/5
Reading Comprehension 2.88/5
Active Learning 2.88/5
Social Perceptiveness 2.88/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Dependability, Integrity, Achievement/Effort, Innovation

Want a personal read on fit. Take the free assessment and see your exact compatibility with this career and many related roles.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.5/5
Visualization 3.38/5
Manual Dexterity 3.38/5
Oral Comprehension 3.25/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.25/5
Information Ordering 3.25/5
Finger Dexterity 3.25/5
Near Vision 3.25/5

Technologies & Tools

Accounting software Accounts receivable software Appointment scheduling software Automotive and Accounting Software by R*KOM Invoice Writer AutoZone ALLDATA Collision damage estimation software Collision damage measurement software Equipment management information software Inventory management software Materials management software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft OneNote Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word Paint mixing and matching software Swan River Estimiser Pro

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.91/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.45/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.18/5)
  • Achievement/Effort (High importance: 4.17/5)
  • Innovation (High importance: 4.1/5)

Want to see how YOUR work style matches this career?

Take Free 15-Min Assessment →

How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

Similar Careers to Explore

Terrazzo Workers and Finishers

99.8% similar profile

Pile Driver Operators

99.8% similar profile

Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall

99.8% similar profile

Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers

99.8% similar profile

Sheet Metal Workers

99.8% similar profile

Rock Splitters, Quarry

99.8% similar profile

Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons

99.8% similar profile

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

99.8% similar profile

Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Auto Body Customizer Auto Body Detailer Auto Body Estimator (Automotive Body Estimator) Auto Body Man Auto Body Mechanic Auto Body Paint Prepper (Automotive Body Paint Prepper) Auto Body Paint Tech (Automotive Body Paint Technician) Auto Body Repair Technician (Auto Body Repair Tech) Auto Body Repairer Auto Body Repairman Auto Body Service Mechanic Auto Body Shop Tech (Automotive Body Shop Technician) Auto Body Straightener Auto Body Worker Auto Bumper Mechanic Auto Bumper Straightener Auto Manufacturing Service Mechanic (Automotive Manufacturing Service Mechanic) Auto Rebuilder Auto Refinisher Auto Repair Tech (Automotive Repair Technician) Auto Seat Cover Installer Auto Slip Cover Installer Auto Vinyl Top Installer Autobody Technician Automobile Body Customizer Automobile Body Repairer Automobile Repairer Automotive Body Technician (Auto Body Tech) Automotive Metalsmith Automotive Technician (Auto Tech) Body Man Body Mechanic Body Sander Body Shop Estimator Body Shop Floorperson Body Shop Painter Body Shop Tech (Body Shop Technician) Body Shop Worker Body Specialist Body Straightener Body Technician (Body Tech) Body Work Auto Trimmer Body Worker Bumper Straightener Car Body Mechanic Car Customizer Car Refinisher Collision Body Tech (Collision Body Technician) Collision Mechanic Collision Repair Technician (Collision Repair Tech) Collision Technician (Collision Tech) Collision Worker Custom Car Builder Fender Mechanic Fender Repairer Fender Worker Fiberglass Autobody Repairer Frame Man Frame Straightener Frame Technician Leak Repairer Measure Technician Mechanical and Auto Body Car Checker Metal Bumper Metal Worker Panel Beater Rattle Repairer Refinish Technician (Refinish Tech) Repair Technician Service Mechanic Shop Technician Squeak Repairer Trim Mechanic Truck Body Builder Truck Body Repairer Vehicle Body Sander