Collision Refinishing - Specialty Options

Applied Service Management

Applied Service Management is a great specialty concentration for anyone interested in eventually managing or running their own shop. You'll learn vital concepts for service management like:

• Business Principles
• Shop Management
• Accounting
• Financial Management
• Computers and Business Applications
• Communications

You'll also learn the theory on setting up your own shop, record keeping, OHSA standards and regulations, service writing, job costing, pricing, marketing, developing business plans, budgeting, finding lenders and investors, and so much more.
These business skills you'll learn are transferable to so many different career paths within the automotive or diesel industries.

Career Opportunities

Some career opportunities for graduates of this course include:

• Service Writer
• Service Advisor
• Shop Manager
• Shop Owner/Operator
• Fleet Management
• Parts Manager

Students who choose to take our Applied Service Management concentration will earn their Associate's degree upon completion.

Request more information about the Applied Service Management program

Motorsports Chassis Fabrication

The Motorsports Chassis Fabrication specialty course introduces students to metal working techniques that apply to specialty automotive chassis fabrication work.

This includes a study of metal types and configurations, measuring, pattern and outline development, mechanical drawing reading and development, attachment methods, metal finishing, cutting, MIG and TIG welding; frame design and modifications including boxing, tubular cross-members, c-notching, pro-street frame setup, roll cage construction, and complete tube chassis fabrication.

Course Objectives

Course training includes:

• Lay out cut marks on material in preparation for cutting, drilling or machining
• Develop and use common specialty automotive patterns
• Read and draw basic specialty automotive related mechanical drawings
• Perform various cutting procedures, including use of oxy-acetylene and plasma
• Operate various grinders and sanders
• Demonstrate MIG and TIG welding processes, procedures, equipment, minor maintenance and safety
• Recognize the frame designs used in the specialty automotive industry
• Demonstrate the care and usage of common precision measuring instruments used in metal fabrication and machining
• Operate manual machine tools (engine lathe and vertical mill) for component fabrication

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities for students who specialize in chassis fabrication include:

• Welder
• Metal Fabricator
• Race Team Technician
• Specialty Shop Technician
• Aftermarket Parts Research and Development

Request more information about the Motorsports Chassis Fabrication program

Street Rod and Custom Fabrication

In our street rod and custom fabrication course, you will learn the techniques used to customize vehicles and create works of art. You will learn basic specialized sheet metal fabrication techniques as applied to customizing vehicles.

These techniques will include the use of basic hand tools and specialized equipment like the english wheel, power hammer, planishing hammer, bead roller and louver press. Our custom paint training will cover the application of specialized finishes like pearls and candies. Techniques will be taught for special effects including the layout and design of graphics.

Course Objectives

Street Rod and Custom Fabrication offers a solid foundation in:

• Custom and specialized sheet metal shaping and fabrication
• Application of lead (body solder)
• M.I.G., T.I.G. and Oxy-Acetylene welding
• Chop tops including carson style tops
• Hidden pin hinges (Suicide Doors)
• Body Construction including Firewalls, Floorboards and Transmission tunnels
• Custom paint techniques including special effects, airbrushing and pin striping

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities for students who complete this course may include:

• Welder
• Fabrication
• Custom Painter
• Specialty Shop Technician

Request more information about the Street Rod and Custom Fabrication program

Trim and Upholstery

Theory in discrimination and harassment, trim and upholstery terminology, trim panels, headliners, headrests and armrests, shop organization and customer relations. Theory and lab in trim and upholstery tools of the trade, supplies, operation, safety and maintenance of sewing machines, analysis of seam types, layout with existing patterns and constructing patterns where non exist, sewing various insert designs, seats construction and reconstruction, interior trim identification, estimating jobs and job materials, and buttons

Course objectives

• Identify components common in automobile interiors
• Identify supplies of the trim trade
• Operate and maintain a sewing machine
• Sew all basic seams
• Calculate, layout, and sew all insert designs
• Name the parts of a seat cover
• Construct a seat cover without the use of an original pattern
• Repair a seat foam cushion and frame
• Operate a button machine and produce buttons
• Recover a typical headrest or armrest
• Layout and construct a pillow design seat cover
• Construct and install a headliner
• Cover a sun visor
• Construct a seat cover using the original pattern
• Complete a written estimate on the vehicle interior

Career Opportunities

• Trim/Upholstery Shop Owner
• Furniture Upholsterer
• Airline, RV or Yacht Upholstery
• Custom Shop Upholsterer

Request more information about the Trim and Upholstery program