career in auto body and paint...

[marble hatch]

is there money in it?? im a junior in high school and i dont have the best of grades... i want to but might not make it into any big college.. im looking for a career that i will enjoy and be able to learn after i graduate high school..lmk of some personal experience if you can provide any and just let me know how the profession is. thanks

[killerMikeD]

If you like getting bent over and assraped by insurance companies From your own insurance, and then when you go to work by other peoples insurance then your all set. (dont worry you will understand in the long run)

Ok in all seriousness if your willing to do the work and you can actually do it, meaning you have some skill, and patience and like the work. And most of all FInd a GOOD shop that will fight to get payed for everything you do then yes there is money in it.

Now there is 2 sides, body tech, and painter, you need to choose lol, But IMO painters are a dime a dozen, from Good, to bad, I wanted to be a painter, but no one would even consider hiring me, even as a helper, there was just too many people applying for those jobs. Its body technicians that are wanted most, even the bad hacks lol.

I my self am a body tech, and ive been doing it for about 3 years officially, although i have an extensive background, and have been familiar with the industry for most of my life. I like my job, and its amazing to see how and actually fix cars that most people would write off. Now I started as a helper at 8.50 an hour working with an older Tech, and slowly bought tools and things i needed. They say that the average is 4-5 years as a helper before you can go on your own, but i was only a helper for 1 year.

I have spent about prolly about 5-6k in tools and i just bought a 8,000 tool box. Now the money is good for a 40 hour work week i bring home about 900-1000 after taxes. Now this is possible because we work flat rate, the job pays so many hours, and if you can do it for less then you still get payed the alloted time.

Now its not Easy i've seen countless people THINK they want to do this, and end up leaving, it cost alot of money in tools to make money in the long run, and you have to be able to take things apart, repair(bondo)/replace(welding), and then reassemble and have all gaps in hoods, doors, fenders, correct, as well as all the windows and electronics working. And be assured if it aint correct the 1st time you will be doing it again, for free. But everyone has those times, espically in the beginning, but Now days i usually beat the time on every car.

It really just depends on if you like this type of work weather or not there is money is in it, I am personally happy with my Professon, and the money is great esp for not having a college degree, but the work is tedious sometimes, and fustrating, but if you can get past that then you can make a decent living.


Now I know there are a few painters on here they will have to share there side of the Collision world that i stay far away from ;)

[marble hatch]

thanks im just looking into some career ideas before its time for me to go out looking for a job. i really want to in the long run open my own shop. my buddy is going to daytona for custom audio and interior and i have a friend going to UCF for buissness. i might even look into maybe going to a school for performance related classes get certified as a mechanic.. idk im just looking for a good paying job that i would enjoy everyday.. thanks for your input it was highly appreciated.

[honda4u]

Get into an airplane paint shop. I work at american avaition in brooksville. It is a pretty good job, need to learn how to paint tho, painters make more. just my 2 cents

[Lookin2GoFA$T]

my dad has been a body tech for 30 years. 19years at billcurrie ford on dalemabry. he's always told me to go to sachool and get good grades so that i don't have to do hard work like him. i currently work as his helper at dicknorris buick. go figure. Mike D nailed it IMHO. My dad has worked hard his whole life to support me and my family. he's had to go in earily, and stay late. it hasn't allways been easy for him. work can get slow, you can get a string of bad jobs( jobs that take all the time they write you, that you still might have to re-do). one thing i've learned working with him is to save your money. for when you don't have a lot of work, or for when you need to move to a different shop. i love working side by side with my dad, learning what he has to teach me. body work isn't like being a mechanic, it's something different, something that takes understanding and pacientce(sp owns at 6:30 on a friday). being a painter is where the money is. if you do great prep, and are a fast worker you can make a lot more than a body tech. what i've learned is that it all comes down to getting in a good shop. sorry for long post.

[Turrbo]

I don't know if your high school will have this but I know mine does, ask if they have a dual enrollment program(its free too), if so they may have a tech school which I know one of the tech schools in our program has Auto body/collision and Auto tech. But if you think you would like that then look into it! Good luck.
-Turrbo