An auto body shop has to contend with repairing and replacing the damaged body components of a car, and then painting the damaged area to make it match the rest of the vehicle. This type of work requires very specific tools, many of which are not typically found outside of a body shop. Specialized tools like these are required for body work, but the regular tools that any other mechanic would use are also required.
MIG Welder
Although other types of welders may also be used in a body shop, the most common type of welding done on cars is MIG welding. Metal inert gas welding is used to create strong welds that don't become contaminated by the environment due to the protective gas bubble that forms around the weld as it is made. It is popular for use in auto body shops because a good MIG welder can make strong welds that are very small and tidy, and yet strong. Strength and appearance are both critical in auto body repair, which is why this is typically the welding method of choice.
Hammers and Dollies
Much of the work that a body shop does involves dent repair. Ideally, large dents should be removed from the rear of the panel where the dent is placed. The body worker will remove what he has to to get in behind the metal panel, and then attempt to hammer out the dent from behind. This is done using a series of special body shop hammers and dollies. Dollies are tools with smooth metal faces. Dollies come in different shapes with varying curves on their face. The body shop technician will use a dolly with a curve that matches the body panel that he is working on. Then, he will sandwich the panel between the hammer and the dolly and try to return the panel to its correct shape.
Stud Welder and Slide Hammer
When a car has larger dents, or dents that cannot be removed with the hammer-on-dolly method, the body shop must use two tools called the stud welder and the slide hammer to remove the dents. The stud welder places nail-like studs into the dent in locations that the worker thinks will allow him to pull out the dents. Then, he will use the slide hammer to pull out the dents. The slide hammer attaches to the studs to grant strong pulling power for removing large dents.
HVLP Paint Gun
This is a modern tool that is growing in popularity. HVLP stands for high volume low pressure. These new paint guns are favored for their ability to provide better efficiency. This makes them both more environmentally friendly and better tools for achieving the best possible paint jobs. According to the EPA, which is encouraging their adoption by body shops, they can also help keep costs down by reducing material waste.
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