Collision Repair

Many Americans absolutely love their cars. Because they do, auto body repairers are always in demand. When that unimaginable "oops" happens or rust begins to show, car owners look to find the best in their field.

Kankakee Area Career Center's Collision Repair program is designed to allow interested students an opportunity to become just the person people look to in order to bring their car back to the pristine condition of it's youth.

Collision Repair Specialists use various methods to restore damaged cars. They may remove ruined sections and replace them with new parts, they may repair or restore sections which are less damaged, and sometimes, are able to repair or remove large dents, prying bar or special hand tools for smaller dents.

In small shops, repairers may do the painting and glass replacement as well as the bodywork.They often will also complete the inspections and write estimates of repair costs for customers and insurance companies.

KACC's Collision Repair program provides learning experiences designed to allow students to gain the knowledge and skills for repairing automotive bodies. Learning activities while in this course are balanced to allow students to become knowledgeable about the fundamental aspects of auto body repair methods and techniques, and also to develop the practical skills in the basic operations required to prepare the automobile for final paint application.

Instruction emphasizes safety principles and practices, handling hazardous materials; auto body nomenclature, function of individual components, use of auto body fillers, use of plastic/glass fillers and special body repair tools, refinishing problems and paint preparation procedures.

During the first year of this program, learning experiences are designed to allow students to gain knowledge and skills in repairing automotive bodies and fenders. Planned learning activities in this course are balanced to allow students to become knowledgeable in the fundamental aspects of auto body repair methods and techniques, and to develop practical skills in the basic operations required to prepare the automobile for final paint application. Instruction emphasizes safety principles and practices, hazardous materials, auto body nomenclature, function of individual component the use of parts, manuals, the identification of replacement parts, use of auto body fillers, plastic/glass fillers and special body repair tools, refinishing problems and paint preparation procedures. Practical activities relate to experience in writing and calculating damage estimates, removing and installing body panels, trim and glass, straightening by using hammers, bucks and jacks, and smoothing by filling, grinding and using fillers. Students also learn to prime the area to be painted and prepare the surface for final paint application. These experiences and skills are related to metal, fiberglass or urethane components.

The second year provides experiences designed to further enhance the students’ skills in performing more advanced tasks related to automotive body and fender repair. Learning activities in this course emphasize the successful application of the final paint coat and the preparation that precedes it. Emphasis is also placed upon the identification and correction of imperfections and finish buffing of the final coat. Student learning activities include instruction in safety principals and practices, hazardous materials, types and qualities of paints, colors, and refinishing problems; glass standards and installation, special alignment techniques, customer relations, damage estimating and insurance adjustments. Student practical activities relate to experiences in estimating collision damage costs, preparing customer bills, removing and replacing glass surfaces, selecting paints, repainting minor and major damages, repainting total car body, drying or baking painted surfaces, post-paint cleanup, and post-paint polishing. This course also allows students to experience more design-related auto painting utilizing an air-brush application.

Knowledge and Skills Developed in the Following Areas

Estimate Damage and Repair	Remove Damaged Parts
Straighten Metal	Smooth Metal by filling, grinding and sanding
Painting	Adhere to safety procedures

Career Opportunities

Body Shop Owner/Manager	Collision Repair Technicians
Customizers	Dealership Parts Sales
Estimators	Glass Installers
Independent Parts Sales	Insurance Work
Truck Body Builders	Used Car Rennovators

Personal Qualities

Preference for doing physical work	Ability to use hand and power tools
Interest in working with cars and trucks	Ability to lift heavy parts and tools as needed
Ability to work in cramped positions	Ability to read blue prints
Broad knowledge of automobile construction	Broad knowledge of automobile repair