{{Short description|Occupation that repairs damaged vehicles}} {{More citations needed|date=March 2008}} {{Infobox Occupation | name= Panel beater/Auto body mechanic | official_names= <!-- ---------Details---------------- --> | type= [[Skilled trades|Vocational]] | activity_sector= [[Automobile industry|Automobile]] | competencies= | average_salary= | related_occupation= [[Auto mechanic]] | formation= [[Apprenticeship]] }}
'''Panel beater''' or '''panelbeater''' is a term used in some [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] countries to describe a person who restores vehicle bodies back to their factory state after having been damaged (e.g., after being involved in a collision).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au/occupation/view/421311A |title=Panel Beater | Job Guide |publisher=Jobguide.thegoodguidescom.au |access-date=2009-05-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090409062412/http://www.jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au/occupation/view/421311A |archive-date=2009-04-09 }}</ref> In the United States and Canada, the same job is done by an '''[[auto body technician]]''' or '''[[sheet metal worker]]''' at a body shop.
==Description== Panel beaters repair body work using skills such as [[planishing]] and [[metalworking]] techniques, [[welding]], use of [[putty]] fillers, and other skills. Accident repair may require the panel beater to repair or replace parts of a vehicle. These parts may be made from various metals including [[steel]]s and [[alloy]]s, many different [[plastic]]s, [[fibreglass]] and others.
The common panel beater will work on everyday vehicles, cars, vans or 4WDs. Specialised areas include repairs to motorcycles, trucks and even aircraft. Some panel beaters also work exclusively on [[Conservation and restoration of road vehicles|vehicle restoration]]s, and do not repair smash work at all. Others may specialise in body customisation such as is seen on hot rods.
Special equipment examples:
*Various hammers and dollies used for planishing *Body files and flippers *Assembly tools such as [[Socket wrench|socket]] sets, [[screwdriver]]s and [[Wrench|spanners]] *Other hand tools like [[pliers]], [[tin snips]], [[vise grip]]s, [[punch (tool)|punch]]es, [[chisel]]s, etc. *Hydraulic pushing/pulling devices *Vehicle measuring and aligning devices, or jigs e.g. *Vehicle lift [[hoist (device)|hoist]]s *Personal safety equipment such as [[boot]]s, [[overalls]], [[safety glasses]], welding helmets, gloves, [[respirator]]s and hearing protection *Welding equipment – [[Gas metal arc welding|MIG]] or [[Gas tungsten arc welding|TIG]] *[[Stud welding|Stud welder]] for pulling out dents
Special equipment for restoration, advanced panel repair or panel fabrication from scratch include: *[[English wheel]] *Power hammer *Pear shaped mallets and sandbags *Benders/folders *Rollers/rolls *Beaders/swaging machines *Station bucks<ref>{{cite web|url=http://panelbeater.whangarei.biz/?p=26|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802073232/http://panelbeater.whangarei.biz/?p=26|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-08-02|title=Panel Beater | Panel Beating History|publisher=panelbeater.whangarei.biz|access-date=2010-07-23}}</ref> *Templates *[[Oxy-acetylene]] welding equipment *[[Lead loading]] equipment
==Training and certification== Training to become a panel beater is most often done by completing a [[trade]] apprenticeship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.careers.govt.nz/default.aspx?id0=30103&id1=J48345 |title=Panel Beater | How to get into this job |publisher= careers.govt.nz |access-date=2010-07-23}}</ref> For the most part these apprenticeships are around three years long, but can be completed earlier. These usually consist of three years on the job training mixed with schooling at a trade school or [[TAFE]]. The fourth year is usually on the job training alone.
==References== {{Reflist}}
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[[Category:Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations]] [[Category:Industrial occupations]] [[Category:Mechanics (trade)]]