Body and Frame Man

File, grind, sand, and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand 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 weld replacement parts into place, using wrenches and welding equipment, and grind down welds to smooth them, using power grinders and other tools; Prime and paint repaired surfaces, using paint spray guns and motorized sanders; Sand body areas to be painted and cover bumpers, windows, and trim with masking tape or paper to protect them from the paint; Chain or clamp frames and sections to alignment machines that use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components; Position dolly blocks against surfaces of dented areas and beat opposite surfaces to remove dents, using hammers; 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; Review damage reports, prepare or review repair cost estimates, and plan work to be performed; Fill small dents that cannot be worked out with plastic or solder; Remove damaged sections of vehicles using metal-cutting guns, air grinders and wrenches, and install replacement parts using wrenches or welding equipment; 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; Mix polyester resins and hardeners to be used in restoring damaged areas; Fit and secure windows, vinyl roofs, and metal trim to vehicle bodies, using caulking guns, adhesive brushes, and mallets; Adjust or align headlights, wheels, and brake systems; Replace damaged glass on vehicles; Remove damaged panels, and identify the family and properties of the plastic used on a vehicle; 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; Clean work areas, using air hoses, to remove damaged material and discarded fiberglass strips used in repair procedures; Soak fiberglass matting in resin mixtures and apply layers of matting over repair areas to specified thicknesses; Read specifications or confer with customers to determine the desired custom modifications for altering the appearance of 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. Special skills required include: Ability to chain and clamp frames and sections to alignment machines that use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components; Fit and weld replacement parts into place using a welder; Making repairs to body and frame of vehicles using a rivet gun and a glue gun. No formal education required, but 5 years experience as a body and frame man is a requirement.