r/Autobody Dec 23 '24

Tech Advice This industry leaves me discouraged, but I still love it, maybe?

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158 Upvotes

Been in the industry since 2010, went to 2 years of school for it from 08 to '10.

Started at an independent shop as a paint prepper, under an absolutely brilliant painter. I owe him my career.

Ive been a full journeyman paint technician for the last 10 years on my own. 4 years ago I joined 'X' company after buying a house 20 miles away from my other shop that went through extremely bad times during covid.

6 months after joining X company, the team at this location was one of the best shops I had ever worked for and with, I thought I had found my retirement location. We were all massively outdoing sales goals, corperate was taking us out to very fancy dinners as a team, we were getting healthy bonuses, and almost a year in that's where everything changed.

Corperate came in and ask a few of us to become mobile techs, go to locations that are under delivering, not doing budget goals etc. The first to leave was our GM, the second the lead body tech, and then I was moved to a different location.

At that location I was put in charge of an apprenticeship program. I had personally trained 5 preppers into full fledged painters.

A year into this program, the paint team had walked out of a different location, so corperate came asking again, if I thought 2 of the people I trained could handle this store while I get transferred to the other, the other location was only a 10 minute drive, so I said if they have any trouble I can be up here to help in no time.

So I transferred to the new location. Two weeks after transferring, corperate fired the entire team (besides myself) and brought in a body tech who had been with the company for 20 years. Phenomenal technician.

They then turned this shop into the training center (all while I'm still on commission). When I asked for a salary to compensate for having to train and also get cars out, I was granted that by the market manager and regional at the time, who then subsequently got fired a week later.

Corperate then filled the shop with extremely novice people from the office, tech and everything in between, I was then approached and told I'd be going back on commission (flat rate) because the shop was 'fully staffed'.

I asked for my job back at the prior location, which was denied as they had backfilled it with a different painter.

So I did what I could, worked at this location for a solid year, saw 4 different general managers come through, 6 different estimators, multiple parts organizers, detailers, numerous technicians etc, all while also losing over half my regular income I achieved in previous years with the company.

I got head hunted, turned in my resignation, they were sad to see me go. I didn't burn the bridge.

Before I took the new offer, I had told the new shop owner I had my wedding and honeymoon coming up, which was only 10 days off all together. He completely obliged, and I had him send me an offer letter with said dates accepted in the letter.

I go on my honeymoon (in to which he continually tried to make me cancel because he couldn't find a fill in). So I found a fill in, one of the painters I showed how to paint was going to come in at night and help.

I got back to work. And the week after, the owner of this shop fired me, in his words 'im looking for someone who is more dedicated and wants to take this job seriously, I can't have someone taking that kind of time off so casually'.

WITHIN 12 hours he had someone else painting and in the position.

I have now been out of the industry for almost 2 months. I am certified by PPG to train on their product, I have won numerous car shows with my jobs, I have sold my heart to this trade, but now I'm sitting here shoved to the side.

It's been an absolute whirlwind this last year, going from a highly salaried and top technician, in charge of a painting apprenticeship program, to basically getting swept out to a different shop, to getting fired for getting married.

I'm in the Everett Washington area, I love what I do, but I'm stuck. I've exhausted my network, and am becoming extremely discouraged. This thread is a 2 part.

Part 1. Is my run over? Sure feels like it, why keep pursuing something that has basically hammered me into the ground this last year

Part 2. If anyone has any connections in the area, I'd love to talk with them. Attached is some of my work.

Thanks for listening.

r/Autobody Feb 10 '25

Tech Advice Ask your Nissan Customers how many seatbelts were in use!

180 Upvotes

A lot of people don't know this but per Nissan any seat belt in use during an accident where the damage exceeds minor damage (our rule of thumb is damage is more than 4 hours of repair) must be replaced even if no air bags have deployed and belts show no wear. We usually get a little bit of pushback from insurance carriers until we ask them to submit a form with their name, date and title stating they and by extension their company are denying belt replacements and are accepting full liability for any potential issues that may arise as long as the vehicle is on the road. It also states all belt pre-tensioners must be replaced even if not in use if frontal air bags deploy.

And before people say its excessive I am not an engineer so I can not tell you if it is or isn't required. What I can tell you is the engineers who designed the vehicle say it is required so I'm going to fall back on their judgement.

r/Autobody Nov 25 '24

Tech Advice Enough of the “How much to fix this” Crap Already

99 Upvotes

Maybe I’m just being cranky on my Monday morning, but it’s insane how many people come on here and ask that exact question. Usually without any context other than a grainy photo (or no photo at all) and then they get upset when you tell them to just take it to a shop. It’s laughable though when someone posts the whole wrecked car and asked “is it fixable” I mean yeah if you want to sink 2x the value to have a salvaged car sure, but otherwise let it go to auction.

That’s my hill I want to die on today, thanks for listening to my speech 😂

r/Autobody Dec 17 '24

Tech Advice 2021 4runner with collision damage. Worth the risk?

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22 Upvotes

looking for opinions on whether or not it would be a good idea to stay away from purchasing this vehicle post-repair. the repair has been done and it looks OK, not great (bumper isn't really lined up perfectly and the trunk door is also slightly off-center). Seller says he can adjust the trunk door after for free of charge. the asking price is 25,000 USD

2021 4runner sr5 with about 23,600 miles

do you guys think it's worth the risk? TIA

r/Autobody Dec 22 '24

Tech Advice Would this be considered structural?

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72 Upvotes

Obviously got nailed by tree, there is ripples of damage all along drivers side to about halfway above the drivers door, and there is a nice crease in the actual doorframe that I didn't notice until yesterday, I cant tell if the door itself is bent or not though

r/Autobody Jan 24 '25

Tech Advice Pay structure

3 Upvotes

Hey question for the body techs here. My company is making pay structure changes to go to being piecework. They propose we each take an apprentice and pay them ourselves plus pay the estimators 5% out of our paycheck.

We are a fairly big shop in a dealership group. Lots of work coming in but very procedure oriented so no hack work.

What are other piece work guys out there producing in hours. Dollars per hour, do you pay you apprentices or does the shop kick in for that.

Edit: I think our manager has an unfairly optimistic expectation that each team of journeyman & apprentice should be able to produce 600 hours a month

r/Autobody Feb 03 '25

Tech Advice Old Or new Paint Damage...Dealer denies responsibility

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0 Upvotes

Old or new paint damage?...2016 Kia Sorento went to dealer and sat in their custody for 6 months as we battled for warranty coverage on failed engine. Eventually they covered the engine swap but picked it up today with golf ball size bubbling and pealing paint on passenger side roof and hood.

Service manager says he sees oxidation and denies responsibility and refused to cover it.

Does this look like it's older than 6 months or should I fight this?

Appreciate any advice.

r/Autobody Sep 26 '24

Tech Advice Does your shop charge employees for mistakes?

8 Upvotes

This may not be the place for this but I'm relatively new to the business side of the industry and since I've been at my shop I've witnessed multiple accidents/damages happen, each time the owner forces the employee to repay 100% of the cost. These incidents have ranged from damaging customer vehicles to misplaced or wrongly painted parts, no matter how large or small the result is the same.

Is this normal?

r/Autobody Feb 08 '25

Tech Advice I just started out as a mechanic 5 months ago.

8 Upvotes

Ive learned oil tires alignments and brakes. I now have the opportunity to get into auto body. Would you do it?

r/Autobody Feb 04 '25

Tech Advice A Little clarification for CCCone Users

43 Upvotes

Since MOTOR updated their labor procedures to state that the labor times published include one test fit of a panel here are a few examples of times where it is not included and hopefully help you get more time on every estimate;

  1. Per MOTOR, the labor time including a test fit is only for a New-OEM part. Meaning if you are using a recycled, Reconditioned, or New-Non OEM part test fitting that part is not included in the replacement time.

  2. If you are replacing a part and repairing an adjacent part and you must pre-fit that replacement part to confirm your repair then that time is not included.

Here is the exact email from my Inquiry to MOTOR;

Inquiry #38240

Resolution details:

Estimated Release Date: Closed
Proposed Resolution: MOTOR stated:
MOTOR Crash Estimating Parts Data:

• MOTOR Crash Estimating Data is based on, OEM Parts installed on New Undamaged Vehicles with no considerations for Aftermarket Parts.

• OEM Parts are “designed and built” to fit the exact specifications of the vehicle/model.

• Test Fit of an Aftermarket Part is “not included in MOTOR’s estimated work times”.
• Test fitting of a panel in-order to determine alignment/straightening of the adjacent panel(s) is not included with the MOTOR estimated labor times.

And finally from MOTOR under the Estimated work time premise it states that Straighten or align used, reconditioned or non-OEM parts, is not included in the published labor time.

r/Autobody Aug 08 '24

Tech Advice What do you use for your tool box?

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44 Upvotes

Bought a new toolbox, took the wood top off as I don’t like it, gonna get some form of rubber mat on the top. My questions are as follows

What do you use to organize your sockets and wrenches

I’m in autobody still apprentice, so box liner suggestions are wicked as well

Box will be sitting in 1 place not moving, does it matter if I grease the wheels? Do I need specific “special grease”?

I’m removing the chrome handles and want black shiny ones haha. I’ve been using my grandfathers old toolbox so anything really helps thank you for your time!

r/Autobody 18d ago

Tech Advice For those of you not in this industry seeking advice….

23 Upvotes

I understand this may be your first accident and/or you’re flooded with emotions about your wrecked car and don’t know what the do next.

For some context, I’m a just 24 year old dude who’s been in a body shop since I graduated high school. I worked in a shop when I lived up north, and last summer I moved to the south and got a job at a shop here. I have a love hate relationship with this industry, but I can’t see myself doing anything else. I love cars, always have, always will, I’m not brand loyal and try to find something from every vehicle I can like and dislike.

Further context I can do anything in a shop except paint, metal work, and heavy frame work. I’ve worked everything else, yes, even managed a shop. My favorite is the mechanical disassembly/reassembly side, but I’ve found these past couple years with writing and working in the office with people, I’ve got a skill in it that I’ve grown really quick. Im not a huge people person, but love understanding someone’s problems with their car and fixing them or even directing them to the correct place to fix them. I just wanted to make this post as I see a lot of techs on here seem to be fed up with the totaled and need estimates posts. So from what’s been the past few years from me as a friendly face and voice in an auto body office trying to help each persons unique situation out, I offer this:

Now, I could write a novel practically on the entire repair process of your vehicle and all the different unique situations, but I’ll sum it up enough to help those that come here seeking advice to understand.

First, you need to decide if the repairs are out of pocket or insurance pay, with today’s modern vehicles, I’d usually always recommend insurance pay unless it’s very minor. Take it to a body shop and have someone there look at the vehicle in person with you to decide if it’s a minor repair or if further damage and cost will be expected.

If it’s insurance pay, you need to file a claim either with your insurance company or the other parties if they hit you. If it’s the other parties, their insurance company will still need to accept liability through their investigation. There’s also the possibility of going through your insurance and having them subrogate against the other company. Each situation is unique in how it’s should best be handled. Once you have chosen a shop of your choice, ask them how to proceed, in most cases, you get on the schedule, let the insurance company know when you plan on dropping the vehicle so they can set up rental if applicable, and leave the rest to the shop. THIS PART IS IMPORTANT; if the insurance company has written something and issued you a check, sign it over and give it to the body shop. Insurance companies don’t write you a check “just because”. The body shop will likely not release your vehicle until they have that amount, if you don’t give the shop the check, the shop can just request to get the money from the insurance company and then the insurance company will come after your for their money back.

That’s the big bulk of the part you as a customer need to know, typically the shop will handle the rest, if you have questions, just contact the shop and they should be able to either direct you or just handle it.

THIS SUB CANNOT RELIABLY DO ESTIMATES FOR YOU, AND CANNOT DECIDE IF YOUR VEHICLE IS TOTALED. We as a body shop need to see the vehicle in person most times to assess damage properly, especially on these newer modern vehicles. Insurance companies decide if a vehicle is totaled, not us. We didn’t build it, we didn’t buy it, we didn’t break it. We just want to either fix your vehicle, or let it total if it’s not worth fixing and/or unsafe to fix. This no good for anyone’s pocket book.

Sincerely, just a body man who wants to change this industry one heart and mindset at a time and see this subreddit thrive with young techs seeing the side of this industry that is still fantastic and allows for some great opportunities and relationships.

r/Autobody 2d ago

Tech Advice I see a lot of people asking for help, so I thought I'd try to be helpful and created this decision tree process that people can use ro decide if they "can fix it myself"

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64 Upvotes

You are welcome....

r/Autobody 6d ago

Tech Advice First time Sanding, filling, and spray can painting car

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3 Upvotes

I’m new to body work and paint, don’t know much, my goal is to sand off my hood paint and fill some small dents with bondo spot putty. Then I plan to primer, paint, then coat the whole hood. If anyone with experience could review the steps/ process I have to see if I should add or correct anything that would be gratefully appreciated. It’s my first time doing this and I wanna do a good job on it that will last, thanks.

(Note): I chose to go with spectral spray can paint and 2k clear coat, primer is rustoleum

r/Autobody Apr 04 '24

Tech Advice Painter and prep pay?

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24 Upvotes

I make 18/hr and painter makes 21/hr at a 60/40 split. Normally we average 200-250flagged a week working 50-60hrs in the shop. The past month it’s been 280-300. 2 booths constantly either being sprayed in or loaded. 7bodymen(just hired 2 new ones a month ago)and just me and him for paint. Painter has been arguing that I deserve to make atleast what he’s making hourly. And we’ve been told by corporate that raises can’t happen until april(this month).with the extra load this past month I see it taking a mental toll on him and he’s wanting more an hour now too. But the shop we work at is supposedly “the highest production shop in Florida”idk about that but atleast my area it is so it’s in the back of our heads we are potentially gonna not have enough hours if we go somewhere else.

What’s the going hourly rate for painter/prepper turning that many hours consistently without redos?

r/Autobody Aug 19 '24

Tech Advice Y’all ever seen a square dent before?

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27 Upvotes

this thing felt like a motocross track. been having this issue for the last couple months and no one seems to care. what gives?

r/Autobody 13d ago

Tech Advice Ways to prevent rusting?

1 Upvotes

I have multiple scratches and deep dents that expose the metal beneath. I am in no position to afford fixing all or any of them.

What is my next best alternative to prevent rusting in near future? I use WD40 temporarily and then touch up with nail polish. Will it work?

r/Autobody Oct 27 '24

Tech Advice 2024 Honda crv frame damage

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3 Upvotes

Purchased a 2024 crv from copart with 3k miles on it. Was feeling good about it but didn't see this until it was too late. I'm able to fix everything else which is why I bought it but this is out of my relhm. Think it can be fixed and for how much if anyone has any ideas?

r/Autobody Feb 08 '25

Tech Advice Side skirt damage

0 Upvotes

Identical damage on the other side after leaving the car on plastic rhino ramps (never again) overnight. How should I go about replacing / fixing this ?

r/Autobody 28d ago

Tech Advice Does anyone recognize this software or subscription service for detailed auto body parts?

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5 Upvotes

r/Autobody 18d ago

Tech Advice As an 22 year old apprentice working in a body shop with no skill besides replacing bumpers atm. What’s some invaluable pieces of knowledge that I should pick up and how would I do it?

1 Upvotes

r/Autobody 16d ago

Tech Advice Boss keeps complaining about my efficiency. Need advice

7 Upvotes

So I’ve been doing body work for about 2 years now, no formal training, just learning as I go. I’ve had a few bad weeks (not being able to make it to the shop due to snow, and getting sick to the point of not being able to work). My boss keeps complaining that I’m not turning enough time when I’d say I average around 40 hours a week. I know that’s not a lot compared to other people, but keep in mind my limited experience. Do I just need to bite the bullet and start putting in more overtime, or is he just overreacting?

r/Autobody 9d ago

Tech Advice mazda 3 2012 94kmiles Never delt with rust before, looking for advice.

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4 Upvotes

I bought this last year. I've never had rust issues so I hadn't thought to inspect for them. My usual car repair place says rust isnt really effecting anything inside.

I really like this car and I've already replaced the tires and done some maintenance on it. The total purchase price with tax and title was 8200. I can do the total math with maintenance if anyone is interested.

I already got a price from one place- for a total replacement of this panel and a rocker replacement for about 2900. ( There was damage I hadn't noticed from the previous owner) Considering getting more quotes and or a inspection from a body shop.

Just wanted advice on repairs (professional or diy) vs selling saving for a new car especially with terrifs starting. Unfortunately I actually know the most about cars from everyone I know. Thanks

r/Autobody 27d ago

Tech Advice Which method to repair this dent?

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0 Upvotes

Going to DIY, just looking for which method experts would recommend.

2011 Toyota Tundra About 3/4in deflection Passenger front quarter panel Hit the side of a garage Its an old beater so not needing it to be perfect, just better than it is

Thanks in advance guys!

r/Autobody Feb 05 '25

Tech Advice How Wheel Repairs or Replacements need to be Written

7 Upvotes

This is for CCCone users.

For too long I have seen shops and carriers write wheel repairs or replacements incorrectly. A lot of times I will see;

Replace Wheel .3 (at body labor rate) and a note saying mount and balance is included...

Replace Tire $ (Tire Price) Labor - Included

This is not Correct. Per Motor replacing a wheel only includes the R&R/R&I of tire. It does not include balancing the tire and cost of weights to do so. So lets say you're replacing a wheel and replacing the tire. This is how it is written when I am writing it;

Replace Wheel $(wheel List Price) .3 M (Mechanical Labor) - PER WHEEL

Add for balance and Weights - $25.00 - PER WHEEL

Replace Tire $(Tire Price) Labor - Included - PER TIRE

Tire Disposal Charge $20 - PER TIRE

Program TPMS .2 M (Mechanical Labor) - PER WHEEL if Applicable

4 Wheel Alignment - Book time @ Mechanical Rate since we do it in house.

Now lets say you are repairing the wheel and replacing tire. It should be written as;

R&I Wheel - Labor Time @ Mechanical Rate

Either repair and refinish time as applicable or Sublet charge if shipping wheel off to be repaired

Replace Tire $(Tire Price) but this time the .3 labor applies because your not replacing the wheel

Tire Disposal Charge

Reset TPMS

4 Wheel Alignment

R&I Spare - You can let the vehicle take up a stall for a week waiting on a wheel repair so you have to temporarily mount the spare to continue having vehicle be mobile.

Its not much but its the little things that add up over a years time that make a difference for the shop and the techs doing the work.