Automobile accidents are a common occurrence in the United States; the National Highway Safety Administration estimates about 6 million occur annually. Auto damage from one of these accidents can range from a simple dent to major body repairs. Collision repair technicians utilize a variety of tools to perform repairs in an effort to make the vehicle look the same as it did before the accident.
Hand Tools
Automobile technician use a host of different hand tools. These tools include hammers, socket sets, screwdrivers, pry bars, hammers, wrenches, ratchets, snips and pliers. Techs use them to pry apart damaged car panels, remove bolts and install replacement parts. The collision repair training manual used at Montana State University in Billings lists these as basic tools required of a collision repair technician.
Frame Tools
Severe collisions damage the frame or structure of an automobile and specialized tools are required to repair it. A frame machine can pull a bent frame back into shape. Alignment systems allow technicians to calibrate the frame as well as square the automobile's structure so the vehicle does not pull to one side while being driven. Torches are used to remove parts of a severely bent frame. Welding tools are used to attach new pieces of straight frame to the remaining structure to create a straight, sturdy frame similar to the original.
Dent-Removal Tools
Removing a dent requires different tools depending on the size of the dent. Small dents can be fixed with a paintless dent-removal tool, which slides behind the dent through the car's quarter panel or door window and places pressure on the underside of the dent. The dent is removed without damaging the paint. Larger dents require drill bits and dent pullers. A drill bit cuts a hole in the middle of the dent and the dent puller slides through the hole to apply pressure to the dent. Using this type of dent removing tool causes damage to the paint job of the vehicle.
Finishing Tools
Every collision causes damage to the original paint job of an automobile. It takes many different tools to prepare a care for painting, then paint it. The new parts are sanded down with grinding and sanding tools to remove any chipped paint or dried bond. Removing old paint is also done with a sand blasting tool that uses small beads of sand and air pressure to blow the paint off the damaged area. The automobile is taken to a paint booth where a primer coat is applied. Once the primer coast dries, the painting technician applies a coat of paint and a finish coat of paint with a spray machine. The outer layer of paint is heated under the paint booths heating equipment before being buffed and shined with finishing tools.
Shaping Tools
Some body damage can be repaired with body shaping tools. Instead of replacing a quarter panel, the tech removes the damaged one and places on clamps, where air hammers knock out the dents and bonding material is applied. Once the bonding material dries, the tech uses a electric sanding device to smooth the area and recreate the original shape of the panel. Other tools such as scrapers and smoothing tools allow the technician to shape the damaged portion of the automobile and mold the damaged part back to the manufacturer's original design.
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