Major: Automotive-Body Technology
At car shows, parades, maybe even right down the street, you’ve seen them: those gorgeous cars that look like they’ve been preserved in a museum. Have you ever wondered what it takes to make an old or damaged car look new again? Do you enjoy working with your hands, even if it means getting them dirty? Are you fascinated by cars and how they’re put together? If so, consider majoring in automotive-body technology.
Automotive-body technology majors learn how to repair and reconstruct the bodies of damaged vehicles.
Did You Know?
- Formal training will help you land an auto-body job, but you’ll probably have to train on the job as well.
Are You Ready To...?
- Learn how to use the latest high-tech repair equipment
- Develop an eye for matching paint colors
- Hammer out dents
- Mock up models to illustrate your repair recommendations
- Show what you’ve learned by repairing and refinishing a car to industry standards
- Lay out money for tools and auto paint
It Helps to Be...
Good with your hands and good with your eyes: form and color count when you’re restoring a car.
College Checklist
- Is the program certified by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation?
- Will you learn on state-of-the-art auto-repair equipment?
- Does the curriculum meet your needs? Some programs focus on body work only, while others teach you just as much about collision-related mechanical repair.
- Are there any specializations within the major, such as painting or shop management?
- Will your training include lots of hands-on work as well as theory?
- Is an internship or other real-world training available?
- Will the school help you find work after graduation?
Did You Know?
- The all-fiberglass body has been a hallmark of the Corvette since its 1953 debut.
Course Spotlight
If you don’t get the surface just right, you can’t paint a car to perfection -- something you’ll learn in refinishing, a class you’ll probably take several times at different levels. You’ll learn a range of techniques for sanding and prepping surfaces, along with mixing and spraying topcoats, paint removal, and more. And here’s a surprise: attendance, attitude, and an ability to use spray guns and other tools safely will probably count toward your grade as much as your artistry will.
