According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| File, grind, sand, and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools. | 90% |
| Inspect repaired vehicles for proper functioning, completion of work, dimensional accuracy, and overall appearance of paint job, and test-drive vehicles to ensure proper alignment and handling. | 89% |
| 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. | 89% |
| Prime and paint repaired surfaces, using paint sprayguns and motorized sanders. | 88% |
| Follow supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take. | 86% |
| Sand body areas to be painted and cover bumpers, windows, and trim with masking tape or paper to protect them from the paint. | 85% |
| Chain or clamp frames and sections to alignment machines that use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components. | 85% |
| 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. | 84% |
| Position dolly blocks against surfaces of dented areas and beat opposite surfaces to remove dents, using hammers. | 84% |
| Fill small dents that cannot be worked out with plastic or solder. | 82% |
| Review damage reports, prepare or review repair cost estimates, and plan work to be performed. | 82% |
| Remove damaged sections of vehicles using metal-cutting guns, air grinders and wrenches, and install replacement parts using wrenches or welding equipment. | 82% |
| Remove upholstery, accessories, electrical window-and-seat-operating equipment, and trim to gain access to vehicle bodies and fenders. | 82% |
| Remove small pits and dimples in body metal, using pick hammers and punches. | 82% |
| Fit and secure windows, vinyl roofs, and metal trim to vehicle bodies, using caulking guns, adhesive brushes, and mallets. | 81% |
| Mix polyester resins and hardeners to be used in restoring damaged areas. | 81% |
| Adjust or align headlights, wheels, and brake systems. | 79% |
| Replace damaged glass on vehicles. | 78% |
| Remove damaged panels, and identify the family and properties of the plastic used on a vehicle. | 78% |
| Apply heat to plastic panels, using hot-air welding guns or immersion in hot water, and press the softened panels back into shape by hand. | 77% |
| Clean work areas, using air hoses, to remove damaged material and discarded fiberglass strips used in repair procedures. | 77% |
| Read specifications or confer with customers to determine the desired custom modifications for altering the appearance of vehicles. | 74% |
| Soak fiberglass matting in resin mixtures and apply layers of matting over repair areas to specified thicknesses. | 71% |
| Cut openings in vehicle bodies for the installation of customized windows, using templates and power shears or chisels. | 68% |
| Measure and mark vinyl material and cut material to size for roof installation, using rules, straightedges, and hand shears. | 68% |
