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Automotive Collision and Refinishing

Are you good with your hands? Do you enjoy working on cars and fixing things? A career in automotive collision and refinishing could be for you.

In this program, you’ll learn to repair and restore modern damaged vehicles to original manufacturer condition. You’ll study welding, sheet metal repair and replacement, fabrication and restoration techniques, frame and unibody repair, as well as repair and replacement of structural components. Much of your learning will take place as you work on actual project cars in our fully equipped, on-campus shop.

If you want to work in the rapidly growing automotive collision and refinishing industry, this program will provide you with the specialized training to succeed in the field.

  1. Understand the characteristics of metal and the principles of metal correction.
  2. Repair damaged bodies, frames, suspensions and sheet metal; remove and replace glass.
  3. Refinish complete vehicles and spot damaged areas with the latest in refinishing products and equipment.
  4. Estimate damage costs.
  5. Understand automotive electrical principles and minor services.
  6. Weld (wire feed) to industry standards.
  7. Understand basic shop operation.
  8. Understand hazardous waste management.
  9. Demonstrate shop safety practices.

The Automotive Collision and Refinishing Technician program teaches the skills necessary to succeed in the automotive collision repair industry.  Instruction is primarily in a shop situation where field conditions are simulated.  Students are able to learn by demonstration and direct hands on experience.

Students are instructed in a wide range of skills, including welding, sheet metal repair and replacement, fabrication and restoration techniques, frame and unibody repair, as well as repair and replacement of structural components.

The refinishing portion of our program provides students with a comprehensive education in modern refinishing techniques and materials, as well as material and damage estimation. Students will learn all phases of substrate preparation, color matching and application of the latest paint materials including water born products.

Students must complete each ABF and related course with a 2.0 grade or better before advancing to subsequent quarters.

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Total Program Credits: 49


Program Courses

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ABF 111
Shop Procedures Lab  
3
ABF 115
Basic Metal Straightening and Panel Alignment Lab  
3
ABF 116
Parts Identification Lab  
2
ABF 117
Automotive Collision MIG Welding  
3
ABF 211
Shop Procedures  
1
ABF 215
Basic Metal Straightening and Panel Alignment  
1
ABF 216
Parts Identification  
1
APLED121
Applied Written Communication   1
4
Total Credits
 
18

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ABF 112
Introduction to Unibody Lab  
5
ABF 212
Introduction to Unibody  
2
ABF 244
Advanced Metal Straightening and Panel Alignment Methods Lab  
5
ABF 247
Advanced Metal Straightening and Panel Replacement Methods  
1
APLED123
Leadership Skills for Business and Industry   1
4
Total Credits
 
17

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ABF 123
Major Panel Replacement Lab  
3
ABF 124
Mechanical Components Lab  
3
ABF 125
Major Unibody and Frame Repair Lab  
4
ABF 127
Major Panel Replacement  
1
ABF 224
Mechanical Components  
1
ABF 225
Major Unibody and Frame Repair  
2
Total Credits
 
14

1 This related education requirement may be met by any course or combination of courses approved by the instructional dean.
Costs for completing a degree or certificate can vary. For more information about costs, visit our How Much Does it Cost? page.

  • Brent Lowe
    Brent Lowe
    Auto Coll and Refin Techn
    Certificate, San Mateo County Regional Occupational Program, Burlingame, California; certified A.S.E. collision repair estimator, technician; additional study: Automotive Management Institute, Bedford, Texas, I-CAR
    Brent.Lowe@scc.spokane.edu
    509-533-7111
  • Steven Mack
    Steven Mack
    Auto Coll and Refin Techn
    Certificate, Spokane Community College
    Steven.Mack@scc.spokane.edu
    509-533-7109

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Steve Mack

Steven.Mack@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7109