AUT-AUX9348 - Auto Restoration: Body and Structural Work II

Course Description

This course provides essential skills for performing structural and metal repair within automotive restoration. Students learn practical skills for safe cutting and welding using common shop equipment, including MIG, TIG, and spot welders. Hands-on training covers how to remove and replace panels, fabricate patch pieces, and weld repairs with minimal warping — the kind of work often needed on aging vehicles.

The class also introduces the basics of vehicle structure and alignment so hobbyists can recognize and correct chassis or frame issues before they become major problems. Techniques for shaping metal, reinforcing weakened areas, sealing welds, and protecting against future rust help ensure repairs last for years. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the confidence and capability to tackle structural restoration tasks in their own garage while keeping safety, durability, and craftsmanship at the forefront.

***IN ORDER TO SIGN UP FOR THIS COURSE, YOU MUST SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE AUT-AUX9340 AND AUT-AUX9346 PRIOR TO REGISTRATION ***

Course Outline

• Unit 1: Welding & Cutting Basics
  • Introduction to MIG, TIG, and spot welding in auto restoration
  • Cutting techniques: plasma, oxy-acetylene, cut-off tools
  • Welding safety and ventilation requirements
     
• Unit 2: Panel Replacement & Fabrication
  • Proper panel removal methods
  • Preparing flanges and seams for new panels
  • Fabricating small replacement panels (bending, shaping, forming metal)
  • Welding patch panels with minimal warping
     
• Unit 3: Frame & Structural Integrity
  • Basics of unibody vs. body-on-frame construction
  • Measuring systems for alignment (tram gauges, computerized measuring)
  • Identifying structural damage from collision
  • Techniques for straightening and reinforcing frames
     
• Unit 4: Advanced Metal Work & Reinforcement
  • Complex panel shaping (English wheel, shrinker/stretcher)
  • Bracing and reinforcing structural components
  • Preparing joints for long-term durability
     
• Unit 5: Final Preparation & Quality Control
  • Inspection of welds, seams, and structural repairs
  • Sealing and protecting welds against corrosion
  • Primer application over repaired structures
  • Safety inspection and alignment verification

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.