AUT-AUX9346 - Auto Restoration: Body and Structural Work I

Course Description

This course introduces students to the basic core techniques and safety practices essential for body and structural automotive body restoration. Learners explore damage assessment, metal shaping, and panel repair while developing proficiency with industry tools such as hammers, dollies, grinders, and stud welders. The curriculum emphasizes safe work habits, proper rust removal, and structural decision-making when determining repair versus replacement. Through hands-on practice with dent repair, patch fabrication, and body filler finishing, students gain the foundational skills needed to restore damaged panels to a primer-ready condition and prepare for advanced refinishing processes.

***IN ORDER TO SIGN UP FOR THIS COURSE, YOU MUST SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE AUT-AUX9340 PRIOR TO REGISTRATION ***

Course Outline

• Unit 1: Introduction to Auto Body Repair
  • Role of body & structural work in restoration
  • Shop and tool safety (PPE, fire safety, ventilation)
  • Tool identification & usage: body hammers, dollies, sanders, grinders
     
• Unit 2: Damage Assessment & Panel Diagnosis
  • Identifying types of damage (dents, creases, collision vs. corrosion)
  • Determining repair vs. replacement
  • Measuring and documenting body panel conditions
     
• Unit 3: Metal Shaping & Panel Repair
  • Hammer & dolly techniques for dent repair
  • Heat shrinking & stretching metal
  • Pulling techniques: slide hammer, stud welder use
  • Restoring panel contours
     
• Unit 4: Rust Removal & Surface Treatment
  • Methods: chemical stripping, media blasting, grinding, cutting out rust
  • Application of rust inhibitors and protective coatings
  • Fabrication and installation of patch panels
     
• Unit 5: Body Filler & Finishing Work
  • Mixing and applying body filler
  • Layering techniques for strength and smoothness
  • Shaping with sanding blocks and contour tools
  • Introduction to glazing putty for fine surface correction

Learner Outcomes

1. Safely use tools and equipment for body and structural repair.
2. Repair and refinish body panels to a primer-ready state.
3. Remove rust and fabricate replacement panels.
4. Perform welding operations with correct techniques and minimal distortion.
5. Assess and correct structural alignment issues.
6. Prepare repaired structures for final finishing and painting.