Description
Repair, restore, and refinish vehicle body panels and frames, replacing, aligning, and painting damaged parts to factory specifications.
- • File, grind, sand, and smooth repaired surfaces using power and hand tools.
- • Sand and mask body areas for paint to protect trim, glass, and bumpers.
- • Follow repair plans and timelines from estimators or supervisors.
- • Remove damaged sections with cutting and grinding tools and install replacements with fasteners or welds.
- • Mask adjacent panels with plastic sheeting; remove masking and clean after repairs.
- • Prime, block, and paint repaired panels using spray equipment and sanders.
- • Mix and apply body fillers, resins, and hardeners to restore damaged areas.
- • Set and pull frames or unibody structures on alignment equipment.
- • Fill minor dents with body plastic or solder.
- • Fit, weld, and grind replacement panels; finish welds smooth.
- • Use dollies and hammers to bump out dents.
- • Remove and install body panels; identify and work with automotive plastics.
- • Review damage reports, write or verify estimates, and plan repair steps.
- • Pick and punch out small pits and high spots.
- • Remove interior trim, upholstery, and power accessories to access repair areas; reinstall after work.
- • Clean bays and blow off dust and debris from vehicles.
- • Align body panels, doors, and headlamps; verify gaps, latches, and seals.
- • Heat and reshape plastic panels with hot-air tools or hot water.
- • Repair fiberglass using resin-soaked mat to specified thickness.
- • Cut and finish openings in body panels for accessories or glass as required.
- • Install and seal glass, moldings, and exterior trim.
- • Consult customers or refer to OEM specs to determine finish and repair requirements.
- • Replace cracked or broken automotive glass.
- • Inspect completed repairs for fit, structural alignment, and paint quality; road-test if needed for noises or leaks.
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Supply Chain & Transportation
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
