AUT-AUX9340 - Auto Restoration: Assessment, Planning, & Safety
Course Description
This course provides foundational knowledge and hands-on skills for assessing and planning auto body restoration projects with a strong emphasis on safety. Students learn how to evaluate vehicle condition, identify structural and cosmetic damage, and make informed decisions about repair versus replacement. The course covers project planning, workflow organization, and proper shop procedures including PPE use, hazard prevention, and safe handling of tools and materials. Through guided inspections, measurement exercises, and documentation methods, students develop the competencies needed to execute restoration work efficiently while ensuring quality and safety from start to finish.
This course will serve as a pre-requisite for all other courses in the "Auto Restoration" CE umbrella.
Course Outline
- Unit 1: Introduction to Vehicle Assessment
- Understanding the scope of restoration: cosmetic vs. full frame-off
- Evaluating overall condition (body, frame, suspension, mechanical, electrical)
- Documenting findings: photos, notes, inspection checklists
- Deciding repair vs. replace for panels and parts
- Unit 2: Damage Identification & Measurement
- Types of damage (collision, rust, fatigue, corrosion)
- Tools for measurement: tram gauges, straight edges, body alignment systems
- Reading panel gaps and body lines
- Identifying hidden damage (subframes, weld seams, supports)Assignment: Worksheet on damage identification
- Unit 3: Planning a Restoration Project
- Sequencing repairs (structural → body → surface prep → paint → reassembly)
- Time estimation: hours for labor vs. parts delays
- Budget planning: OEM vs. aftermarket vs. fabricated parts
- Sourcing parts: salvage yards, reproduction, OEM suppliers
- Unit 4: Shop Environment & PPE
- Personal protective equipment (PPE): gloves, respirators, eye/ear protection
- Fire hazards and prevention (sparks, welding, flammable liquids)
- Ventilation and air quality in body shops
- Safe tool handling for grinders, welders, sanders
- Unit 5: Material Safety
- Safe handling of body fillers, paints, solvents, and chemicals
- Reading and understanding SDS (Safety Data Sheets)
- Proper storage of chemicals, compressed gases, and flammables
- Spill cleanup and disposal procedures
- Unit 6: Electrical, Welding, and Cutting Safety
- Welding hazards (UV radiation, burns, fumes, electrical shock)
- Fire watch and spark containment procedures
- Safe use of plasma cutters, oxy-acetylene torches, and cut-off tools
- Lockout/tagout procedures for electrical and mechanical systems
- Unit 7: Shop Organization & Workflow Planning
- Setting up a clean, efficient work area
- Tool organization and maintenance
- Project planning charts and checklists
- Collaboration and communication in multi-tech projects
- Unit 8: Quality & Safety Inspections
- Pre-work inspections (vehicle condition, hazards)
- Mid-project checks (weld quality, alignment, rust treatment)
- Final project inspections (safety, function, visual quality)
Learner Outcomes
1. Safely work in an autobody environment using proper PPE and shop protocols.2. Identify and evaluate damage, rust, and structural integrity issues.
3. Plan a complete restoration workflow including budget and sequencing.
4. Handle chemicals, tools, and welding equipment in compliance with OSHA/EPA safety standards.
5. Conduct quality and safety inspections at each stage of a project.