Auto mechanics often compare themselves to doctors. That’s because they need to be adept at various integrated skills.
Ask for a detailed invoice after your repairs are complete. It should list each repair, the parts replaced, and their cost. It should also indicate whether the replacement parts are new, remanufactured, or salvaged. Click here to Learn More.
Welding is a fabrication process that uses heat to fuse parts together, creating a join as the materials cool. It can be used on metals and thermoplastics. It’s a common technique in auto repair, and it can be used to repair broken headlights, bumpers, fenders, or other body parts. It requires a high level of skill and attention to detail, but it can also be a great career choice for those who enjoy working with their hands and are comfortable in a demanding physical environment.
There are many different types of welding, including soldering, brazing, and spot or seam welding. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, soldering produces a joint that is not as strong as a weld, but it is faster and less expensive than welding. Spot and seam welding require a high degree of skill, but they can produce stronger and more precise joints than other methods.
In construction, welders work in a variety of environments and must be prepared to adapt to changing weather conditions. They may need to work at heights or in confined spaces, and they must follow strict safety protocols to ensure their own health and the quality of their work. In manufacturing facilities, welders work in dedicated areas equipped with welding stations or booths. They may work alone or as part of a team, and they must be able to collaborate effectively with other professionals to complete their tasks.
While there is no single certification program for welders, some companies offer training programs and workshops to help employees develop their skills. These courses can teach the basics of welding, as well as more advanced techniques. The best welders stay up-to-date on the latest industry standards and equipment, so continuing education is essential for a successful career in this field.
It’s important to remember that working on cars is a dangerous job. Even simple repairs can lead to accidents if you’re not careful. Before you start working on your car, make sure it’s parked in a safe place with the parking brake on and the gearshift in Park or Neutral. Always wear protective gloves and glasses, and never work on a vehicle with the engine running.
GPR
GPR, or ground penetrating radar, is a non-invasive imaging method that uses pulses of electromagnetic energy to scan the subsurface. When these signals encounter an object or anomaly, they are reflected and refracted differently depending on the density of the material. The resulting signal is recorded by the receiver. By examining the resulting data, a picture of the subsurface can be interpreted. This technology is widely used in a variety of engineering applications such as nondestructive testing and inspections, studying soils and bedrock, locating buried structures and utility lines, and mapping natural geological features and buried infrastructure. It is also useful in environmental remediation, such as defining landfills and contaminant plumes, as well as archaeology and law enforcement for locating clandestine graves and buried evidence.
In the auto repair industry, GPR is rapidly becoming an indispensable tool for body shops to keep their customers happy and safe on the road. This innovative repair technique allows technicians to save time in the repair process, allowing them to complete more jobs and provide better customer service. In addition, GPR reduces the amount of body filler and paint needed to repair damage, aligning with environmental sustainability goals that are increasingly important to consumers. Moreover, as the technology continues to evolve, newer systems are being developed that allow technicians to work on vehicles from roughout through finish without having to remove panels or use traditional welding.
KECO, for example, has been developing GPR tools and systems for several years. Their GPR Roughout System provides the tools and tabs necessary to perform basic pulls and rough repairs on a vehicle, while their Mother of All Beams (MOAB) is designed for more complex repair needs, such as flat finishes and detail dents.
When paired with trained operators, the results can be astounding. The ability to accurately detect the location of a hidden structure beneath the surface, including the presence and size of a pipe or wire, is extremely valuable. However, the success of the system depends on a number of factors, including the location and condition of the underground infrastructure being investigated, as well as the operator’s knowledge and experience.
UV Curing
The automotive repair industry is rapidly embracing UV curing technologies. UV products have a significant advantage over conventional refinish coatings, in that they drastically cut drying times, which allows body shops to repair more cars in the same day.
When used in conjunction with the proper equipment, an auto painter can apply a base coat, spot repair and clearcoat in less than one hour. This represents a significant improvement over traditional two-component products that require up to 15 minutes for each step. It is also a huge savings in time for the customer, as fewer days will be required for repairs.
UV cured sealers, primer surfacers and spot fillers are making a big impact in the industry. These products eliminate the need for a separate base coat and reduce drying times significantly. They also eliminate the need for multiple re-coats and sanding steps, which saves time and money for the repair shop.
Early evaluation of UV refinish clear coats for automotive applications revealed some unacceptable brittleness, particularly at low temperature.1 This was due to the dual-cure cross-linking system used. The system employed a polyol with acrylate and hydroxyl functionality, combined with a dual-cure cross-linker with acrylate and isocyanate functionality. This system was cured with an Xe lamp using a photoinitiator with an acrylate group to activate the cross-linking.
More recent development of UV products has overcome this issue. In combination with a special light, these products are able to reach a high cure speed and produce a complete clear coat in less than 2 minutes.
For bodyshops with a heavy volume of small and medium-sized repairs, UV is the ideal solution. With the Fastlane UV curing system, an operator simply waves a mobile wand over the area where they are working and the spray paint, body filler or primer dries in seconds.
This technology is especially useful for repairs on plastics, trim, headlight lenses and other components that must be bonded and re-attached after the repair process is completed. It is not recommended for structural damage, such as rust or corrosion repairs.
Paint Matching
Aside from repairing the physical damage, one of the most important aspects of auto repair is ensuring that the new paint matches with the rest of the vehicle. Perfectly matching the color and sheen helps make it look as if the car was never damaged, preserving its aesthetic appeal and resale value.
Paint matching is an intricate process that blends science and art. It involves a combination of advanced technology and skilled technicians, who use blending techniques to make the repaired area virtually invisible. The goal is to restore the vehicle to its original appearance, maintaining resale value and preventing additional charges when returning the vehicle to the dealership.
In addition to achieving an exact match, the technicians must take into account any fading or other changes in color from sun exposure and wear. This can be difficult to do visually, so the technicians often utilize tinting techniques to adjust the shade of the paint and ensure that it matches the existing hues.
Modern cars tend to have multi-layer paint systems that include base coats, mid-coats, and clear coats for protection and shine. This makes it more challenging to match the color, especially since the different layers reflect light in varying degrees. Technicians must also consider specialized finishes such as metallic and pearlescent paints, which require special attention to detail.
Achieving flawless paint matching requires a great deal of time and effort, but it’s a vital part of professional autobody repair. Flawless paint matching is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it instills confidence in the driver that their vehicle was properly repaired. It also helps to maintain resale value and prevents additional charges when the vehicle is returned to the dealer for inspection.
Whether your vehicle needs cosmetic repairs or major collision work, Miracle Body & Paint is here to help! Our certified technicians are dedicated to restoring your vehicle to its original condition. We pride ourselves on our meticulous attention to detail, including expert color matching services. We will help you keep your vehicle safe and look good for years to come. Call us today to schedule an appointment!