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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.

Breaking Ground on Your Pathway


Plan Your Courses

Meet with our counselors to customize this plan just for you. You can also search the quarterly schedule for class days and times.

Placement

Math placement is not required for this program.
English placement is not required for this program.

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 are instructed in the mathematical skills necessary to succeed in the automotive industry. Geometry and units of measurement will be covered in the structural frame and repair unit. Computations will be covered in the estimating and vehicle damage analysis portion of the program. Ratios, volumes, and conversions will be taught in the paint mixing section of the program. Any other necessary mathematical skills will be taught throughout the program when needed.

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

Program Map for

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Total Program Credits: 93 - 99


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

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ABF 133
Introduction to Industrial Safety and Hygiene Lab  
1
ABF 134
Introduction to Interior and Exterior Surface Preparation Lab  
2
ABF 135
Basic Polishing and Detailing  
2
ABF 136
Introduction to Topcoat Systems and Application Procedures Lab  
2
ABF 137
Basic Color Matching and Paint Mixing Fundamentals  
3
ABF 233
Introduction to Industrial Safety and Hygiene  
1
ABF 234
Introduction to Interior and Exterior Surface Preparation  
1
ABF 236
Introduction to Topcoat Systems and Application Procedures  
1
Total Credits
 
13

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ABF 138
Intermediate Interior and Exterior Surface Preparation Lab  
3
ABF 139
Intermediate Paint Application, Color Matching, and Paint Mixing Lab  
3
ABF 140
Materials and Cost Estimation Lab  
2
ABF 141
Intermediate Finessing, Compounding, and Detailing  
2
ABF 238
Intermediate Interior and Exterior Surface Preparation  
1
ABF 239
Intermediate Paint Application, Color Matching, and Paint Mixing  
1
ABF 240
Materials and Cost Estimation  
2
APLED125
Employment Preparation   1
3
Total Credits
 
17

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ABF 270
Sheet Metal Restoration Welding Lab  
3
ABF 271
Sheet Metal Shaping Lab  
3
ABF 272
Bucks and Forms Lab  
2
ABF 273
Sheet Metal and Restoration and Repair  
3
ABF 275
Sheet Metal Restoration Welding  
1
ABF 276
Sheet Metal Shaping  
1
ABF 277
Bucks and Forms  
1
Total Credits
 
14

Seventh Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
 
Optional Summer Vinyl Wrapping Courses   2
0 - 6
Total Credits
 
0-6
Optional Summer Vinyl Wrapping Courses: Choose 0 - 6 credits Optional Summer Vinyl Wrapping Courses: Choose 0 - 6 credits  
ABF 180
Introduction to Vinyl Wrapping  
1
ABF 181
Introduction to Vinyl Wrapping Lab  
2
ABF 182
Basic Applications of Vinyl Wrapping  
1
ABF 183
Basic Applications of Vinyl Wrapping Lab  
2

Optional Summer Vinyl Wrapping Courses   2

 

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ABF 180
Introduction to Vinyl Wrapping  
1
ABF 181
Introduction to Vinyl Wrapping Lab  
2
ABF 182
Basic Applications of Vinyl Wrapping  
1
ABF 183
Basic Applications of Vinyl Wrapping Lab  
2
1 This related education requirement may be met by any course or combination of courses approved by the instructional dean. APLED 121 should be taken in the first quarter, APLED 123 in the second quarter, and APLED 125 in the third quarter, regardless of what quarter a student begins the program.
2 Completion of these courses (6 credits) will entitle the student to a certificate of completion issued by the Dean of Technical Education.

Estimated costs for completing this program

 
WA Resident
Non-Resident
International
Tuition
$ 9,733
$ 11,570
$ 22,036
Books
$ 1,395
$ 1,395
$ 1,395
Course Fees
$ 662
$ 662
$ 662
Institutional Fees
$ 744
$ 744
$ 3,687
Supplies and Materials
$ 2,000
$ 2,000
$ 2,000
Total Costs
$ 14,534
$ 16,371
$ 29,780

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

Have a question? Let's hear it.

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Kira Fredricks

Pathway Specialist
Kira.Fredricks@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-8306

 

Corinna Donnerberg

Academic Counseling Liaison
Corinna.Donnerberg@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-8037

 

Alaynah Hardesty

Workforce Transition Specialist
Alaynah.Hardesty@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7398

 

Steven Mack

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

 

Michelle Grover

APLED Department Chair
Michelle.Grover@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7191