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 »  Home  »  Career Information  »  Auto Body Tech
Auto Body Tech Job Description
By Shannon Kietzman | Published  03/6/2006 | Career Information |
Auto Body Tech Job Description

All it takes is one icy road.  Bam!  The cars involved in the collision are in dire need of repairs.  Bumpers are smashed and hanging down.  Dented front panels rub on the tire.  To return a car to its former glory, an Auto Body Technician is required.

Auto Body Technicians possess capabilities to replace dented automobile parts.  They can remove dents.  Using their skills, they can easily buff and paint over nasty scratches.  In general, they can take a badly beaten and smashed automobile or truck and return it to new.

It is undeniable.  In order to get to work, school or run errands, the majority of U.S. households must own at least one vehicle.  As the number of vehicles driving on roadways increases, the odds of being involved in a crash also soars.  Any number of occurrences from weather conditions to road rage can all help create collisions.  Damage can be minimal or devastating.  Regardless, the need for an Auto Body Technician is steadily increasing.

Auto Body Technicians both repair and refinish automobiles.  Through specified training, an Auto Body Technician spends his or her day banging out dents, replacing broken components, sanding or buffing rust or scratches, and using an airbrush paint system to create a dazzling finish.  Specialized Auto Body Technicians work with glass.  Titled Auto Glass Repairmen, these men and woman are fully trained in replacing broken windows and mirrors. 

As vehicles are built out of both metal and plastic, an Auto Body Technician must be computer literate, capable of reading and comprehending material in repair manuals, and they must be able to work on their feet for long hours.  Basic math skills are necessary for calculating paint coverage and determining exact measurements for replacing metal and plastic panels.  A vehicle is a three-dimensional form, so it is critical that an Auto Body Technician is capable of measuring in three-dimensions.

As of three years ago, almost one-quarter of a million Auto Body Technicians work in the United States.  More than half of these technicians are self-employed.  With increasing demand for reliable Auto Body Technicians, this career is quickly growing.  Working in the field of automotive repair is proving to be rewarding and prosperous.  The career of an Auto Body Technician can be seasonal to an extent.  In the north, accidents occur far more often as weather changes and snow create hazardous road conditions.  Those thinking of working in this field often make sure they have a good client base to ensure they have work for the entire year.

As vehicle manufacturers improve the components used in cars and trucks of the future, there will be tremendous need for Auto Body Technicians who can keep up with those changes.