[cruzindablvd]

Hi all my name is mark im new to this chat. Im trying to get started in autobody. Ive taken classes. I can do the basics. I guess most shops want lots of experience.....any ideas thanx so much

[adtkart]

Mark, you are right in that most shops want people with lots of experience. Unfortunately, there are not many people that are born with lots of experience. What I would suggest is that you approach some shops about a job as an apprentice. Everyone has to start somewhere. Schooling is great, and someplaces almost require it. You will not, and cannot, learn everything that you need to know to get a job as a full fledged body tech in most places.

[BondoKing]

Wow you must be a gluten for punsihment... I remember back when I was a young man, tried my best to get this guy to teach me the trade, he refused and said it was a terrible profession to get into and had too many health risks... Guess I showed him

Go the apprentice route if you can, this will get your foot in the door, then you are gaining real world "experience", or move to Kentucky and I will learn you a thing or two and you will only have to pay me 40% of every job you do!!!

Matthew

[crashtech]

Originally Posted by BondoKing

...move to Kentucky and I will learn you a thing or two and you will only have to pay me 40% of every job you do!!!

Matthew

Can I come work for you? 60% commision is a pretty good rate!

[kenseth17]

I agree with the guy who said you must be a gluten for punishment. At least as far as doing it for a living. Can be a tough trade sometimes.

[62galaxiguy]

believe me there are better paying jobs and your in a healthier enviroment.I made 83000 fixing electronic equipment for the usps last year an eperienced bodyman would be hard pressed to earn that.mike

[Jeff L88]

Mark, May I suggest getting your arms amputated so you don't have this desire to get into this trade? If you're dead set on getting into this career, go to your local auto-body supply store and ask them where a quality shop is where you can learn the trade, They know the good shops vs the hack shops! I was lucky,I learned from some true craftsmen which are hard to find now days!! Above all, take all the precautions when getting started, take care of your health; wear particle masks when doing mud work, and a good respirator when painting. Good luck!!!

[BondoKing]

Originally Posted by crashtech

Can I come work for you? 60% commision is a pretty good rate!

Sure, that is 60% minus all paint related fee's ... clear,base,primer,mud,paper etc... Oh and I pick what you do and dont do until I think you are ready

Now if we can only get Barry to give me an incentive check and new booth, I can break ground next week on my new building

Matthew

[baddbob]

Originally Posted by cruzindablvd

Hi all my name is mark im new to this chat. Im trying to get started in autobody. Ive taken classes. I can do the basics. I guess most shops want lots of experience.....any ideas thanx so much

Mark, The top collision techs in my area are making $50K+ per year but they are really bustin *** to do it. Average techs are in the $40's. You can make a living doing this work but there's some major drawbacks to the job, possible health problems which may make the quality of life poor and also decrease your lifespan. Plan on buying tools every year, and this cut's into your earnings. Also something that's usually not considered is the fact that as you get older your production may slow down and this will result in less wages at the end of your career.

The upside to this job is nothing gives you as much satisfaction as a quality job that's done with your own two hands. If you like to take pride in your work this line can definately offer oportunities every work week. The stress level is usually low when you attain enough experience to feel comfortable with any job that enters the door, unlike some jobs where stress is high like dealing with the public, etc. instead it's usually just you and the car.

There's very few bodymen that I would consider financially well off, so if your plans are to make it big time$$ I'd rethink it. The only people I've seen that have ever done really well are the owners of very successful shops and specialists that can charge what they want.

If working on cars gives you enjoyment it can always be a hobby and it doesn't need to be your living so consider the whole picture. If you want to learn look for a small shop that does good work and is willing to let you learn and teach you along the way. Some of the larger production shops really don't offer the environment needed to let you learn, instead you'll be put on just a very small part of the assembly line for a very long time. The larger shops will usually provide you with the best paying job once you have the skills but usually not the best place to find an apprentice position from my experiences.

Life is short so make some good decisions. Bob

[cruzindablvd]

Hi guys...This mark. Im finding out that bodymen have a code of silence. What i mean is if you try to watch and learn they dont like it. or of you ask questions. they wont reveal too much. Its like they want you to learn this stuff they way they started out. I heard that alot of you guys who are on commision dony like to teach cuz it takes alot of time and the journeyman looses money cuz the helper is learning. Ill do whatever it takes to get in the door. I dont care ill sweep the floor if thats what it takes. I wanna learn this and i realize its gonna take years to build up experience.

[jcclark]

Originally Posted by BondoKing

I remember back when I was a young man,
Matthew

I hope you remember, that was just last year!!!!!!
Young whipersnapper!!!

[mrcleanr6]

Now if we can only get Barry to give me an incentive check and new booth, I can break ground next week on my new building

Matthew[/QUOTE]


i hear that!!! i'll even put an spi banner in the window. barry, any thoughts??

I remember back when I was a young man

bk!! what the hell are you talkin about. your the same age as me. i got atleast a few years left before the arthritis kicks in and i'm wearing diapers again.

[st3gamefarm]

Originally Posted by cruzindablvd

Hi all my name is mark im new to this chat. Im trying to get started in autobody. Ive taken classes. I can do the basics. I guess most shops want lots of experience.....any ideas thanx so much

Why in the World would you want to do such a thing?!?!
#1 $50,000 worth of tools
#2 $50,000 framemachine (used)
#3 $70,000 paint booth
#4 $200,000 building

all to make $19 an hour!? workin' on junk that people think is th' best that ever was. Fightin' wit' th' insurance companies, 'cause they put a $200 cap on materials, knowin' full well that it's gonna cost you over $2000, for th' custom paint job on that hail damaged vehicle. An' lets not forget th' guy wuo "only wants a "scratch and shoot" paint job" and has a heart attack when you tell him that it will cost him over 6 grand, and then he decides that he wants to win th' "riddler" for that same price!! ( only after you've started th' job)!!
Why would you even THINK about considering such a thing?

Good Luck
Shorty

[st3gamefarm]

Originally Posted by cruzindablvd

Hi guys...This mark. Im finding out that bodymen have a code of silence. What i mean is if you try to watch and learn they dont like it. or of you ask questions. they wont reveal too much. Its like they want you to learn this stuff they way they started out. I heard that alot of you guys who are on commision dony like to teach cuz it takes alot of time and the journeyman looses money cuz the helper is learning. Ill do whatever it takes to get in the door. I dont care ill sweep the floor if thats what it takes. I wanna learn this and i realize its gonna take years to build up experience.

The only way to learn it is to DO it. There is NO set rules, or exact procedure. EVERY job is different, even two Identical cars, with Identical damage. There is no set pattern, just the ability to see what needs to be done and the ability to do it.

If you are hell-bent-for-leather, then do this; find a reputable shop, that needs a "painters helper" That will put you in on the ground floor, and you can work your way up from there.

Thanx
Shorty

[adtkart]

It is one of those "feel good" professions. You get a good feeling when the job is done. "It looks great, and I did that" makes you feel good. There are also times that you get a "customer from hell", that thinks everyone is in cahoots to screw them, or wants everything for free. They will pick a car to death, acting like the car was perfect. I had one of those recently. They had a Ford Focus, that they acted like it was a BMW. He even claimed that the windshield wasn't put in right because the interior trim wasn't tight against it. You may not have to deal with the customer directly, but you have to deal with the car!

As for the money to be made, evry area is different. Experienced Body Techs in this area can make upwards of $100,000 a year in a good, busy, well equiped shop. On the other hand, you can almost starve in the wrong shop. Many of the larger shops in this area have helpers that work with a certain Master Tech. They are usually paid in part by the tech. The tech gets paid commision based on the hours turned by both people. It is to his advantage to teach the helper as much as possible, as it helps them turn hours. Look for a shop/deal like that if you can. One shop that I worked at, actually had people come from the local tech school, and work part time that way.

Keep in mind that this profession will age you quickly, both with the hazards, and the physical type of work.

Aaron