Auto Body Repair Techniques

Courses

Auto Body Repair Techniques-2026/2027

Level 1
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
ATBR-1019Auto Body Work Practices2.5
This course will introduce students to the everyday work practices of the auto body industry. Upon completion, the student will be able to practice safe workplace procedures, apply WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System), identify causes of accidents and develop preventive measures. Students will be familiar with the acts and laws pertaining to auto body and collision damage repair. Students will also gain a working knowledge of the hand tools and equipment, including different fastening hardware and materials, used within the auto body industry.
WELD-1059Automotive Welding3.5
This course will prepare students to use welding equipment common to auto body and collision damage repair. Students will learn safe handling and set-up procedures and identify common workplace welding and cutting hazards. Students will weld automotive steel in a variety of joint setups, including overlap and butt joints. Students will become familiar with common auto body procedures of welding and cutting using plasma cutters, oxy-acetylene torches, aluminum and steel MIG (MAG) welders, and TIG welders.
ATBR-1032Auto Body Frame & Structure6
An understanding of auto body frame and structure design is foundational knowledge for auto body repairers. This course will enable students to identify various cosmetic and structural vehicle design concepts and manufacturing processes. The students will learn the logic behind various styles of body and frame design and use this knowledge to fabricate and replicate auto body designs. Students will also apply non-structural repair principles and procedures to common collision damage. Students will use various types of corrosion protection to maintain vehicle structural integrity and will work with vehicle safety systems.
ATBR-1031Auto Body Mechanical3
In this course students will learn the fundamental
ATBR-1023Trade Calculations2
This course provides students with the trade-related math skills used in common auto body shop operations. Students will learn basic formulas, calculations, and units of measuring used for autobody accounting, mixing paints, measuring vehicles, welder calibrations, and metal fabrication.The students will also apply these basic math skills to typical office tasks such as job costing, calculating overhead costs, and processing payroll.

Level 2
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
ATBR-3013Automotive Plastic Repair2.5
This course will enable the students to identify the various types of plastics used in the automotive industry and use appropriate repair equipment and procedures. Students will repair both flexible and rigid plastics using common epoxy repairs. Students will perform various types of plastic welding in a variety of repair scenarios. Students will identify which types of plastics and what type of damage would require replacement versus repair.
ATBR-3014Non-Structural Panel Repairs2.5
This course will enable students to identify and perform non-structural replacement and repair of automotive panels. Students will assess panel damage and use appropriate procedures and tools to repair and replace panels. Students will be exposed to pneumatic, hydraulic and electric equipment used to repair various types of cosmetic damage on vehicles. Students will also fit and adjust removable panels back to OEM (original equipment manufacturer) standards of fit and finish.
ATBR-3015Collision Repair Estimating2
This course will enable students to identify various types of damage and assess the extent of damage for the purpose of estimating repair costs. Students will locate and diagnose damage patterns using common blueprinting processes. Students will apply repair estimate logic to prepare hand written estimates, and use auto body estimating software to prepare computerized estimates.
ATBR-3016Painting Techniques4
This course will enable students to perform basic refinishing procedures on automotive panels. The students will service and use equipment required in refinishing, including spray guns, airlines, paint dryers, computerized paint mixing systems, sanders, fresh-air-supplied respirators and associated safety equipment. Students will work with various substrates in preparing the panel surface for primers, colour coats and clear coats and refinish to industry standards. Students will learn industry techniques to block sand, dry sand, wet sand, and refine surfaces for various painting scenarios. In this course students will tint and mix complicated colours, prepare vehicles for multi-layered paint jobs. Students will apply custom painting techniques to automotive panels and will troubleshoot and correct common paint problems on painting projects.
ATBR-3012Trade Techniques2.5
In this course students learn about new auto body repair techniques and associated procedures and equipment. Examples include repair of aluminum vehicles and paintless dent removal (PDR). Students will conduct research on emerging repair technologies and learn how to access the resources required to stay current with vehicle repair trends.
COMM-3081Communications for the Auto Body Trade2
This course will provide students with the trade-related communication skills used to foster customer relations as well as the communication skills using tofind, obtain and retain a job. Students will learn basic job search strategies and skills such as networking, resume writing and interviewing. The curriculum will also address essential employability skills (e.g., time management, workplace ethics, professionalism) to ensure graduates meet employer expectations.

Program Residency
Students Must Complete a Minimum of 9 credits in this
program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency
requirement and graduate from this program

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