Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.
<ul><li>File, grind, sand, and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools.</li><li>Inspect repaired vehicles for proper functioning, completion of work, dimensional accuracy, and overall appearance of paint job, and test-drive vehicles to ensure proper alignment and handling.</li><li>Fit and weld replacement parts into place, using wrenches and welding equipment, and grind down welds to smooth them, using power grinders and other tools.</li><li>Prime and paint repaired surfaces, using paint sprayguns and motorized sanders.</li><li>Follow supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take.</li><li>Sand body areas to be painted and cover bumpers, windows, and trim with masking tape or paper to protect them from the paint.</li><li>Chain or clamp frames and sections to alignment machines that use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components.</li><li>Cut and tape plastic separating film to outside repair areas to avoid damaging surrounding surfaces during repair procedure and remove tape and wash surfaces after repairs are complete.</li><li>Position dolly blocks against surfaces of dented areas and beat opposite surfaces to remove dents, using hammers.</li><li>Fill small dents that cannot be worked out with plastic or solder.</li><li>Review damage reports, prepare or review repair cost estimates, and plan work to be performed.</li><li>Remove damaged sections of vehicles using metal-cutting guns, air grinders and wrenches, and install replacement parts using wrenches or welding equipment.</li><li>Remove small pits and dimples in body metal, using pick hammers and punches.</li><li>Remove upholstery, accessories, electrical window-and-seat-operating equipment, and trim to gain access to vehicle bodies and fenders.</li><li>Mix polyester resins and hardeners to be used in restoring damaged areas.</li><li>Fit and secure windows, vinyl roofs, and metal trim to vehicle bodies, using caulking guns, adhesive brushes, and mallets.</li><li>Adjust or align headlights, wheels, and brake systems.</li><li>Remove damaged panels, and identify the family and properties of the plastic used on a vehicle.</li><li>Replace damaged glass on vehicles.</li><li>Apply heat to plastic panels, using hot-air welding guns or immersion in hot water, and press the softened panels back into shape by hand.</li><li>Clean work areas, using air hoses, to remove damaged material and discarded fiberglass strips used in repair procedures.</li><li>Soak fiberglass matting in resin mixtures and apply layers of matting over repair areas to specified thicknesses.</li></ul>