Will “Body and Fender Mechanic Apprentice” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

91% Chance of Automation

“Body and Fender Mechanic Apprentice” will probably be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #558 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 49-3021.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 45,180.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 21.00
Currently, there are 143,940 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Automotive Body and Related Repairers”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Body and Fender Mechanic Apprentice”

File, grind, sand, and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools.
Review damage reports, prepare or review repair cost estimates, and plan work to be performed.
Soak fiberglass matting in resin mixtures and apply layers of matting over repair areas to specified thicknesses.
Fill small dents that cannot be worked out with plastic or solder.
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.
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.
Fit and secure windows, vinyl roofs, and metal trim to vehicle bodies, using caulking guns, adhesive brushes, and mallets.
Chain or clamp frames and sections to alignment machines that use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components.
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.
Prime and paint repaired surfaces, using paint sprayguns and motorized sanders.
Read specifications or confer with customers to determine the desired custom modifications for altering the appearance of vehicles.
Follow supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take.
Remove small pits and dimples in body metal, using pick hammers and punches.
Remove upholstery, accessories, electrical window-and-seat-operating equipment, and trim to gain access to vehicle bodies and fenders.
Adjust or align headlights, wheels, and brake systems.
Remove damaged sections of vehicles using metal-cutting guns, air grinders and wrenches, and install replacement parts using wrenches or welding equipment.
Clean work areas, using air hoses, to remove damaged material and discarded fiberglass strips used in repair procedures.
Mix polyester resins and hardeners to be used in restoring damaged areas.
Replace damaged glass on vehicles.
Cut openings in vehicle bodies for the installation of customized windows, using templates and power shears or chisels.
Measure and mark vinyl material and cut material to size for roof installation, using rules, straightedges, and hand shears.
Position dolly blocks against surfaces of dented areas and beat opposite surfaces to remove dents, using hammers.
Remove damaged panels, and identify the family and properties of the plastic used on a vehicle.
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.
Sand body areas to be painted and cover bumpers, windows, and trim with masking tape or paper to protect them from the paint.

Related Technology & Tools

Safety glasses
Welding hoods
Power punches
Toe dollies
Sanding blocks
T pullers
Body saws
Air hammers
Windshield knives
Hydraulic jacks
High velocity low pressure HVLP spray equipment
General purpose spoons
Dial indicators
Double-edged cutter tools
Personal computers
Buffing machines
Vernier calipers
Spray booths
Dent hammers
Punches
Alignment machines
Grease guns
Pneumatic metal cutting guns
Paint sprayers
Cold chisels
Drill presses
Pop rivet guns
Wedges
Pick hammers
Bondo spreaders
Pull rods
Welding tips
Impact wrenches
Tungsten inert gas TIG welding equipment
Oxyacetylene torches
Machine polishers
Spoon dollies
Crown spoons
Digital cameras
Hand brakes
Universal railroad dollies
Steam cleaning equipment
Stainless steel brushes
Nut drivers
Hydraulic automobile lifts
Hand shears
Screwdrivers
Depth gauges
Air pressure gauges
Pneumatic panel crimpers
Suction feed sandblasters
Slide hammers
Resistance spot welding equipment
Scrapers
Safety gloves
Power drills
Door skin dollies
Single-cut mill saw files
Pneumatic grinders
Grinders
Weld current controllers
Adjustable widemouth pliers
Ratchets
Welding electrodes
Pressure gauges
Portable buffers
Frame alignment equipment
Metal inert gas MIG welders
Adjustable wrenches
Calipers
Pitch gauges
Pressure washers
Panel cutters
Laser printers
Hot air guns
Double-edged blades
Alignment squares
Air compressors
Feeler gauges
Spot weld breakers
Hoists
Suction cups
Foot shears
Height gauges
Socket wrench sets
Media blasters
Anvils
Jacks
Safety hoods
Slapping spoons
Power sanders
Fluorescent lights
Desktop computers
Air chisels
Pneumatic smoothing hammers
Blow torches
Portable welding machines
Gas arc welding equipment
Soldering equipment
Paint stencils
Stud welder kits
Power shears
Welding helmets
Hydraulic cranes
Telescoping gauges
Pressure feed sandblasters
Micrometers
Pick pull rods
Welding goggles
Respirators
Heel dollies
Infrared IR paint curing units
S-hooks
Brazing equipment
Pry bars
Heavy duty inside spoons
Surforms
Rivet busters
Socket sets
Pneumatic hammers

Appointment scheduling software
Collision damage measurement software
Microsoft Windows
Equipment management information software
Automotive and Accounting Software by R*KOM Invoice Writer
Swan River Estimiser Pro
AutoZone ALLDATA
Materials management software
Collision damage estimation software
Inventory management software
Accounts receivable software
Accounting software
Paint mixing and matching software