Panel Beater
Panel beaters repair damage to metal, plastic and fibreglass bodywork on vehicles. They also make and form vehicle panels using machines or hand tools.
Panel beaters may perform the following tasks:
- remove damaged panels and components by unbolting or cutting them away
- remove dents by hammering panels with special panel beating tools such as planishing hammers
- straighten badly damaged vehicles using mechanical and hydraulic equipment to obtain door, boot and bonnet clearances
- cut and join replacement sections or damaged panels using oxyacetylene and electric welding equipment
- fill dents with plastic fillers and file, grind and sand repaired surfaces using power and hand tools
- fit the repaired panel on the framework of the vehicle and refit body hardware such as door locks and door trims
- replace badly damaged sections with new or second-hand panels
- realign chassis and body frames, and use chassis alignment machines and measuring systems
- remove and replace accident-related mechanical items
- remove and replace auto-electric components
- help vehicle body builders to build custom-designed, speciality or vintage vehicles
- assist in spray painting vehicles.
Panel beaters work in workshops and wear protective clothing.
Personal Requirements:
- enjoy practical and manual work
- able to work with hand tools and machines
- good hand-eye coordination
- able to visualise the end product
- normal colour vision
- good at technical activities.
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