Collision Repair & Refinish Technology (36 Weeks)

Students will learn about the safety requirements for the collision industry, PPE and MSDS. Additionally, students will learn to read and interpret a vehicle damage repair report, assess the damage, and develop a repair plan. The student will learn the proper identification and use of hand tools to include tightening/torquing procedures. Lab work will include the removal of trim, door handle and locks, and the alignment of door, hood and deck lid panels. Students will learn to remove and disassemble doors; remove, install and align fenders, hoods, bumpers and deck lids; and verify and adjust door seals. Students will also begin developing professionalism skills that will translate to their future careers.

Students will learn principles of MIG welding, oxy-acetylene and plasma cutting. The emphasis will be on safe practices. Also covered will be the application of metal repairs using MIG welding. Students will learn to set up and tune a MIG welder for welding steel and aluminum, and how to perform welds in various positions on a vehicle. Additionally, they will learn to set up and operate a plasma cutter and an oxyacetylene torch for cutting. 

Students will learn the application of safety and environmental practices, and surface preparation for refinishing. They will learn procedures for paint removal, preparation of adjacent panels for blending, and application of sealers and stone chip-resistant coatings. Students will also learn to analyze existing finishes of panels/vehicles, remove paint using various procedures, apply metal conditioners, sand panels in preparation for primer-surfacer application, and apply primer-surfacer. 

Students will learn fundamentals, troubleshooting and repair of electrical and electronic systems. They will learn to troubleshoot and repair electrical systems using digital multimeters, read wiring diagrams and repair damaged wiring harnesses. The students will learn alternative energy systems for vehicles. This includes identifying safety requirements, alternative energy vehicles, safety equipment and tools and disabling and storage of High voltage systems. The student will examine advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) which include static and dynamic calibration procedures. The student will perform calibration of generic ADAS system using tools defined by industry professionals.

Students will learn about air conditioning; cooling and heating systems; fuel, intake and exhaust systems; and drivetrains. They will learn fundamentals, operation maintenance, inspection and testing, and repair of these systems. They will also learn to discharge, recover, evacuate and recharge air conditioning systems; drain and recover cooling systems; and simulate removal and reinstallation of drivetrain assemblies. Additionally, students will learn about hybrid vehicle safety as it applies to the collision industry.

Students will be taught fundamental techniques of custom metal fabrication. They will learn the skills used to fabricate metal projects and work with equipment while learning the techniques used by some of the top metal fabricators in the field today. Students will be taught fundamental techniques in custom paint which will include stencils, special-effects paint, the use of candy and pearl paints, and how to apply special effects paint to simulate a wood grain effect.

Students will learn the identification of automotive plastics and how to make repair decisions. Also covered will be repair of plastics using welding and adhesive technologies. Students will gain a working knowledge of nitrogen welding repairs, airless welding repairs and staple repair technology. Additionally, they will learn to repair cosmetic sheet metal panel damage using Paintless Dent Repair techniques and metal working tools.  Students will learn to remove a door flange hem and to form a door flange hem and install, using appropriate tools and techniques.

Students will learn about repairing cosmetic steel and aluminum panel damage and how to use body metal working tools. They will learn to shrink stretched metal and prepare a damaged area for the application of body filler. Also covered will be techniques for applying body fillers and preparing body fillers for final finishing and sanding to various contours.

Topics covered will include an introduction to damage analysis, interpreting body-dimension specification sheets, various measuring systems, steel unitized structures, advanced high strength steels and how to diagnose damage using computerized measuring systems. Students will learn to analyze and interpret vehicle structural damage; measure vehicles using centering gauges, laser and computerized measuring systems; and interpret printouts to determine damage location in vehicle structures. Students will also learn to safely secure a vehicle for pulling, use squeeze-type resistance welding equipment and fabricate a rail section. Students will also learn various cosmetic panel and structural panel attachment methods.

Students will learn about cycle time; principles of blending; and single stage, base coat, clear coat, and tri-coat finishes. Students will learn to identify and solve paint application problems and paint finish problems such as mottling, orange peel, sags and runs. Also covered will be diagnosis and repair of finish defects; and determining causes of and repairing poor adhesion, cracking, water spotting and environmental damage. Students will also learn to detail a vehicle for customer delivery. 

Students will learn to carry out damage analysis and write estimates on vehicles using computer based estimating software. Students will be introduced to a different estimating software provider and learn how to convert from one type to another. Students will learn how to write estimates on vehicles that have damage caused by collisions, vandalism, hail and other losses. Students will also learn about what constitutes a total loss. The use of recycled and aftermarket parts in the industry. In addition, students will learn how to schedule, assign and track vehicles, parts and technicians in the collision facility.