Panel Beating and Painting for Automobiles
Some one that does panel beating is a specialist for a type of automobile repair. In fact they can even be considered an artist, as they are able to repair damage to metal, plastic and fiberglass on wrecked automobiles. They are referred to as Panel Beaters because often they have to make and form vehicle panels using hand tools and other machinery for parts, especially if the parts are for older, vintage automobiles. There are many times replacement parts are needed and in a number of cases salvaged components are used in order to get the automobile ready for painting.
Typically, damaged panels are removed from the automobile and the dents are removed by hammering the panels. Panel beaters work to straighten badly damaged vehicles, cut and join replacement sections, fill dents, realign chassis and body frames, replace electrical and accessory parts, and may assist in spray painting automobiles. Sometimes, it may be more affordable for a panel beater to use salvaged components from other wrecked vehicles at salvage yards, if they are available or can be ordered, to repair a damaged vehicle to a like-new condition.
Panel beating is practical and manual work with hand tools and machines. A panel beater has good hand-eye coordination, color vision, technical aptitude and can visualize the finished product. Panel Beaters have often taken courses for the skill and many express a desire to become a panel beater at a young age.
It seems as if panel beating is becoming somewhat of a lost art. There are areas where panel beaters are said to be a dying breed, as many do not have the time to teach the next generation of panel beaters and there are limited courses available in the skill. Becoming a panel beater usually involves a trade apprenticeship that can last several years, in addition to taking a course at a trade school or TAFE.
Panel beaters may have to utilize mig and tig welding, hammering with different tools, heating and molding metal panels to make a replacement or repair of a section of wrecked automobile fit and restore to original condition. They also become skilled in molding fiberglass or plastics to fit sections that need repair of those materials.
If you are a new motor restoration enthusiast, you may need to find someone that specializes in panel beating for vintage restoration cars, as some panel beaters specialize in different areas such as accident damage repair, vintage car restoration, motorcycle or even aircraft fuselage panel beating.
Since a vintage restoration may or may not be able to utilize salvage components, it is important to find a good panel beater or become trained in the skill yourself. Vintage motor restoration can be profitable if you are good at panel beating and painting automobiles and do not have to hire the work out.
Many new motor restoration enthusiasts may decide to attempt minor panel beating jobs on their own and you can buy panel beating sets that include the basic tools needed for paneling beating, as well as dent pullers, hoists and pulleys or spray painting accessories for automobiles. If you happen to know a friend in the business, they may let you hang around the shop to learn some of the basics or help you out with any technical questions you might have.
Panel Beating and Painting for automobiles are good talents to learn, and can be profitable, especially if you decide to become a new motor restoration enthusiast.