MEET THE CANADIAN REPS FOR WORLD SKILLS 2022 FALL 2022 l $7.95 l Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40841632 l 86 John Street, Thornhill, ON L3T 1Y2 SPECIAL EDITION OF VISIT BODYWORXMAG.COM SELF-HEALING COATINGS | CAR CULTURE AND THE JOB MARKET | DRAG-RACING POLICE CARS +MORE LEMONSLUCRATIVE TACKLE BOX OF Car restorers on tracks to the trade How Dorrian Selley netted his Skills Canada win TALENT
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CONTENTS FALL 2022 | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL 3 >>> FEATURES 23 INSPIRATION STATION What inspires today’s top technicians? 30 GETTING INTO RESTORATION The path from repairer to restorer, as per Canadian car builders. 32 BRIGHT COLOURS, SHINY FINISHES Experts on navigating the dynamics of a career in automotive refinishing. REGULARS 04 PUBLISHER’S PAGE by Darryl Simmons 34 FINAL DETAIL by Allison Rogers CONTENTS 20 26 The Toronto Police have a new street racer—a retrofitted Dodge Dart. Self-healing car-scratches? They may be in your bay someday. Meet your Team Canada reps for World Skills 2022—Dorien Lozeau and Abigail King. MEET THE CANADIAN REPS FOR WORLD SKILLS 2022 $7.95 Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40841632 SPECIAL EDITION OF VISIT BODYWORXMAG.COM SELF-HEALING COATINGS CAR CULTURE AND THE JOB MARKET DRAG-RACING POLICE CARS +MORE LEMONSLUCRATIVE TACKLE BOX OF Car restorers on tracks to the trade How Dorrian Selley netted his Skills Canada win TALENT COVER Dorrian Selley can paint and perform collision repair—see which he won a gold medal for in this issue’s cover story. 14 18
4 BODYWORXMAG.COM | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL4 BODYWORXMAG.COM | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL PUBLISHER’S PAGE>>> BO DY WO RX PR OFESSIONAL THE VOICE OF COLLISION REPAIR TECHS & PAINTERS One-yearSUBSCRIPTION$25/ Student Discount is 10% Bodyworx Professional ™ is published quarterly, and is dedicated to serving the professionals of the collision repair industry. It is published by Media Matters Inc. Material in BodyworxProfessional™ may not be reproduced in any form without written consent from the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising and disclaims all responsibilities for claims or statements made by its advertisers or independent columnists. All facts, opinions, statements appearing in this publication are those of the writers and editors themselves, and are in no way to be construed as statements, positions or endorsements by the publisher. PRINTED IN CANADA ISSN 1707-6072 CANADA POST CANADIAN PUBLICATIONS MAIL SALES PRODUCT AGREEMENT No. RETURN40841632POSTAGE GUARANTEED Send change of address notices and undeliverable copies to: 317 Reid St., Peterborough ON K9J 3R2 “We acknowledge the [financial] support of the Government of Canada.” Bodyworx Professional is published by Media Matters Inc., publishers of: SUPPORTSOCIAL HOW STRONG ARE YOUR BONDS? BY DARRYL SIMMONS PUBLISHER Darryl Simmons ASSOCIATEpublisher@collisionrepairmag.comPUBLISHER Orest Tkaczuk | orest@mediamatters.ca EDITOR Allison Rogers | allison@mediamatters.ca ART DIRECTOR Yvonne Maschke | yvonne@mediamatters.ca STAFF WRITERS Max Reid | max@mediamatters.ca Kate Ng | kate@mediamatters.ca Tyler Majer | tyler@mediamatters.ca VP OF INDUSTRY RELATIONS & ADVERTISING Gloria Mann 647.998.5677 | gd.mann@rogers.com DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS SOLUTIONS Ellen Smith 416.312.7446 | ellen@mediamatters.ca INDUSTRY RELATIONS ASSISTANT Wanja Mann 647.998.5677 DIGITALwanjamann1@gmail.comOPERATIONSMANAGER Cassie Doyle | cassie@mediamatters.ca AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT MANAGER James Kerr | james@mediamatters.ca
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Finding the right mentor is a unique experience for each person that enters this industry. hen you talk, do people listen? Perhaps a better way to pose that question would be; do you feel heard in your workplace? When you bring a question or request to your superiors, are your needs met? Mentor support is a critical part of making it in our industry, particularly for those first building their network of collision contacts. This sector is as tight-knit as they come—attend any industry event to find out firsthand. The difference made by having a network of supporters, both inside and out of your workplace, can make or break your experience on the production floor. Finding the right mentor is a unique experience for each person that enters this industry. Perhaps you have a parent or a trusted family friend eager to show you the ropes; maybe you’re walking in with little more than a basic understanding and no references or connections. Whatever your situation may be, there are plenty of qualified professionals prepared to take you under their wing—if you’re willing to put in the work. A mentor-mentee relationship is different than that of a teacher-student dynamic. In the classroom, young people are often conditioned to speak only when spoken to. Questions are few and far between—unless someone wants to use the bathroom—and the conversation is frequently one-sided. You won’t learn like this from your mentors. A successful mentor-mentee bond is one with open communication. So, are you a good communicator? Do you do your very best to communicate frustrations in a calculated and professional way? Do you ask questions even when you’re a little unsure? If you are faced with a problem or recognize a recurring challenge on the production floor, do you say something? Are you taking efforts to make your job as straightforward as it can be? Problems will never be fixed if you simply let them pass by. Mind-reading may not be real, but communication does wonders for a team’s productivity.
If you have passion and drive, this industry can present a myriad of opportunities to you. This fact is outlined by the stories in this issue. Look to our cover star’s drive, Dorrian Selley, as he conquers two trades with a gold medal around his neck; or to the two WorldSkills competitors, Abigail King and Dorien Lozeau, who are taking their skills to the international stage. Take a glance at our restorer story—that’s free advice from three successful owners of restoration businesses. If the words penned on this page don’t convince you of the vastness of our industry, let this issue of Bodyworx Professional do the talking.
A NIGHT ‘OOT’ IN VEGAS
Daniel Benton, Global Product Director of Color Marketing at Axalta Coating Systems, Andy Hysi, eBusiness Manager at AkzoNobel and Jeff Wildman, North American Manager of OEM & Industry Relations at BASF discussed the challenges of developing OEM coatings in compliance with government and ADAS regulations, the growing list of restricted materials in paints, creating ADAS compatible coatings and eco-friendly requirements.“I think you’ll see some innovations from OEMs. Traditional metal flakes might turn into something else that gives hue shifting and colour changes,” said Benton. “[These features] make repair a little more challenging when colour matching and layering.” Benton’s suggestion is to pay extra attention to OEM instructions. It’s not just application techniques that have become more technically demanding, Wildman explained. “OEMs are trying to develop unique colours. When you look at a vehicle today, your estimator should check the colour code. If you have a limited-edition toner, it may take a week or longer to get it.” Those toners aren’t necessarily cheap, said Wildman, describing the sticker shock of a repairer informing customers about the need for custom paints to be purchased a week after the car enters the shop–rather than at the start of the process.
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It also was found that 17 percent of men are likely to offer an obscene gesture to their fellow motorists, as compared to 12 percent of women. Similarly, men seem to quite enjoy offering advice—yelling from their window—more than women do (10 percent versus six percent) and are more likely to exit their vehicle for a friendly chat with the other driver (four percent versus one percent).
You better start sizing one of them up, because odds are they are willing to throw hands over the lane you just blocked them out of, according to a recent poll conducted by Leger and published by RATESDOTCA. A recent poll found that 51 percent of Canadians admit to engaging in road rage of some kind, with 78 percent re porting that they themselves have been a witness to some amount of highway shenanigans. Curiously, the study also found that road rage is almost never worth it, with 28 percent of Canadians saying they have witnessed an accident directly caused by road rage. Luckily, the study does confirm that drivers tend to mellow out with age, noting that only 38 percent of drivers older than 55 admitted to engaging in road rage, as compared to 64 percent of drivers between the ages of 18 and 34. According to RATESDOTCA, the online survey of 1,507 Canadians (1,341 licensed drivers) was conducted between June 17 and 19.
Porsche owners now can opt into an insurance plan designed to cater specifically to their needs as the German automaker has officially launched Porsche Insurance in Canada. Customers who sign on to the OEM-affiliated insurance plan will be afforded a number of exclusive benefits, according to Porsche’s press release, including the guarantee that vehicle repairs will be completed by certified Porsche technicians and using official OEM replacement parts. As well, during repairs Porsche Insurance customers will have access to a rental vehicle of comparable value and, in the event of a total loss or theft, be guaranteed a full return of the vehicle’s original purchase price.
A Canadian contingency will be making its return to SEMA this fall, as the Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA) officially opened up registration for Canada Night, the association’s flagship networking event at the annual Las Vegas trade show. Returning after a two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian companies from across the automotive aftermarket industry are invited to the Venetian Resort at the close of SEMA’s opening night on Nov. 1. Canada Night typically proves to be a highlight for many Canadian attendees to the SEMA show and promises a night of food, drinks and networking opportunities with industry members they may not otherwise meet in person. This year’s Canada Night event is set to run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. PST.
FURY ROAD PORSCHE
As far as automotive coatings have advanced to accommodate for ADAS tech nologies, Wildman and Benton were doubtful that technological marvels like ‘blackest black coatings,’ regenerating paints or even energy gathering paints would become mainstream. They might demonstrate innovation but would need time to become cheap and durable enough for the average consumer.
IMMINENTPOLICYADVANCEMENT
INDUSTRY Look at the driver to your left. Now, look at the driver on your right.
On July 28, representatives from three major automotive coating companies met at an online Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association webinar to discuss the future of automotive coatings in the age of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS)–effec tively, radar systems that serve as the eyes of self-driving cars.
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While no prototype has been showcased yet, the patent suggests that materials like silver and stainless steel would be used as a reflective surface. However, it does not elaborate on whether this alternative will be as clear as traditional glass mirrors.
Euphemistically dubbed “sustainable paints made from bio-waste,” these matte paints are part of the company’s focus on sustainability and reduced CO2 emissions.
BMW is partnering with BASF to develop the next generation of paints using an innovative new material—sewage waste. Euphe mistically dubbed “sustainable paints made from bio-waste,” these matte paints are part of the company’s focus on sustainability and reduced CO2 emissions. Most importantly, these new paints are chemically identical to previously manufactured body coatings and share the same properties as their oil-based predecessors.
“Step on a crack, break your mother’s back”, the old kids’ phrase and superstition goes. Fortunately, for children worldwide, if a crack appears on a Tesla vehicle, they’re likely to simply paint over it. A Tesla Model 3 owner reports that their car’s undercarriage was found to have damage that the Tesla company covered up with paint instead of repairing properly. This damage was found during a routine tire inspection and represents at least the second instance that a similar cover-up repair has been found in a Tesla vehicle. Move over artists, the robots may be coming for your jobs, too. ABB Robotics says its robots have successfully painted a car with artistic designs in less than 30 minutes. A mechanized arm with an advanced print jet mechanism, ABB’s IRB 5500 industrial robot successfully painted a replica of a painter’s monochromatic work. According to ABB, this was achieved in a single pass with no overspray. While Bodyworx was unable to verify whether this was the world’s first art car painted by a robot—see BMW’s similar technology unveiled last fall—though most automated painting systems currently present in the industry appear to focus on the large-scale base coating on assembly lines.
STORY
UNDER SWEDISHPRESSURESUCCESS
SPRAYING WITH SEWAGE MIRROR, MIRROR
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BWW Group Plants Leipzig and Rosslyn (South Africa) are expected to use similar processes to create corrosion protection paints, effectively replacing petroleum-based components like naphtha with renewable Shape-changingalternatives.mirrors,ahorror movie classic, coming to a car near you!
A recent patent by General Motors (GM) describes a mirror that reshapes in accordance with the driver’s behaviour, with the goal of improving driver awareness. The patent describes a motorized housing around the mirror, turning it from a flat mirror into a fisheye mirror. Think of the extra field of view from rounded anti-theft mirrors in stores and you get the idea. Sensors adapt to information from the car automatically. Information like the ve hicle’s turn signal status and lane merging would allow the mirror to transform accordingly without driver input.
“We are in the midst of a significant decade in the history of the automotive industry and the start of a new era,” said Sami Atiya, president of ABB Robotics. “We are working to support the industry in this transition and I’m confident that with flexible automation, sustainable transportation will fast become reality.”
The complaint came from a German court proceeding but could potentially be of concern to Tesla vehicle owners worldwide. The court has ordered an impartial independent investigation into the matter. The investigator has confirmed that the covered-up damage is severe and that the EV in question would fail Germany’s automobile safety inspection (TÜV).
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The 2022 SEMA Show takes place between Nov. 1 to Nov. 4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and is open for exhibitor registration starting Oct. 27. Unrestricted registration for other tradespeople begins Oct. 31.
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Another commonly overlooked safety recommendation for shop owners is to inspect their shop floors and walls for holes and cracks. Sparks generated from welders can land inside cracks in your floor or walls and smolder, greatly heightening the potential for the building to catch fire. It is also recommended that there be appropriate time between any activities that could eject foreign particles into the air, like sanding or painting, so that any potential airborne fire hazards can be properly filtered out of the production space.
The nation has chosen Ontario’s Abigail King as its champion to represent Canada’s autobody repair industry at the WorldSkills Competition 2022, set to run from Sept. 7 to Nov. 26. King is currently studying to become an auto body technician and dreams of one day running her own customs shop. She says she enjoys the physical satisfaction of working with her hands, combined with the ability to be creative and face new challenges daily. Prior to enrolling in an autobody repair program, she took a year of pre-health sciences with the thought of potentially becoming a paramedic. A harsh critic of her own work, King was hand-picked by her instructors to compete in this year’s SkillsCanada events and noted that participating in the national competition “made a huge impact on how I see myself,” she said. “Throughout the competition, I criticized my work and myself harshly when I shouldn’t have. I now know that what I’m doing is impressive and that I should never be so hard on myself.” King will be competing at one of 61 skills competitions to be held across 15 countries in Europe, North America and East Asia, as part of the WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition.
A fire that tore through a Charlottetown, PEI repair facility in late April has since been linked to welding work that was being done at the time. What started as routine repairs in the shop’s garage quickly turned into an inferno that caused the roof of Mechanical Performance Auto Service on Brackley Point Road to collapse, and the entire building to be declared a total loss. Fire inspectors did not elaborate on what about the welding likely caused the fire to start, however, the blaze was substantial enough that it took firefighters nearly four hours to extinguish. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) suggests that a welder’s first step, before even laying hands on their tools, is to survey their workspace for flammable or potentially combustible materials. This includes anything from spilled oils or fluids, cardboard boxes, paint cans, rags—even dry leaves tracked in on the floor should be swept up prior to any welding. If floor space is inflexible, flame resistant materials and screens can be set up around the welding area to contain stray sparks.
TRAINING
Collision centre owners in Nova Scotia can bring in an extra set of hands thanks to a recent amendment to the province’s apprenticeship regulations. Where previously apprenticeship training was intended to be a one-on-one experience between an apprentice and a journeyperson, the Nova Scotia government has amended the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act General Regulations to allow journeypeople to train up to two apprentices at a time. Other amendments to the act include increased flexibility for virtual supervision of apprentices and exempting youth apprentices from being included in the apprenticeship supervision ratio, to remove barriers to youth apprenticeship. The government says this decision follows con sultations with the industry where it was determined that ratio requirements proved to be a barrier to growth and recruitment.
PLAYING WITH FIRE
KING GOES FOR THE GOLD SPECIALTY
This year’s competition is being held internationally in lieu of the cancellation of WorldSkills Shanghai 2022.
Get your toolkits and suitcases ready: this year’s SEMA 2022 show boasts more exhibitions addressing the automotive market’s shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) than ever before. According to the 2022 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) market report, aftermarket support for the elec tric market is a prime area for growth. Points of note include EV conversion kits for internal combustion vehicles, OEM accessories and the knowledge to build and modify specialized EVs. Consequently, SEMA is expanding EV attention across all industries. Rather than just its own section, all sectors like automotive servicing, recycling and the aftermarket sector will have booths for EV-related services. BUDDY SYSTEM SHOWCASE
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Another transport hauling a cherry-picker caused significant traffic issues after hitting a 4.46-metre overpass on Highway 1 as well. These are just a few of the recent crashes involving overpasses and trucks, with the latter incident representing the eighth collision in the last year.
Luckily, Hannay settled on calling the Conservation Officer report line. The police arrived shortly thereafter—but the bear had ample time to destroy Hannay’s car, reportedly tearing into the interior and defecating inside. “It’s just gross in there,” said Hannay.“It’s bad. It’s pretty bad. You can tell he tried to get out. He basically ripped the panelling off every single door, including the hatch. Things are just strewn around…it’s a disaster.”
DON’T PASS ME BY A HERO’S TAIL TOUGH DISHONOURABLETOYOTA
When the data for measures like survivability and pressure came back, the Land Cruiser passed the test in full. In addition to the seemingly miraculous armour plating, the SUV was equipped with a fire-suppression system, emer gency lights and a siren/intercom system.
Sometimes when you gotta go, you gotta go. This is as true for humans as it is for bears—and is especially true for one bear who has been creating chaos across Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island Police and local Conservation Officers have recently been accosted by a plethora of vehicle break-ins from one gnarly bear. The animal, presumably looking for food, has left more than 10 vehicles badly damaged, and shocked at least one vehicle owner. Stephanie Han nay, from Tofino, British Columbia, was awoken to the sound of her vehicle’s horn last Saturday night. After investigating the source of the noise, Hannay spotted a bear in her backseats. “I opened the driver-side door and this head pops out in the back seat and it’s just a bear. I couldn’t believe it,” said Hannay. “I wasn’t actually sure if that was what I had seen but I freaked out and closed the door immediately and I began screaming. I wasn’t sure what to do.”
Transportation officials in British Columbia have been left confused by what appears to be an unexplained increase in the number of trucks col liding with highway overpasses. Even Dave Early, CEO of the BC trucking Association can’t explain it. “We don’t know what’s going on,” said Earle. something’s not going well.” There have been four collisions wherein trucks have collided with highway overpasses—all reported since the beginning of June 2022. Each has resulted in serious damage and the shutdown of major transportation routes within the Vancouver area.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) have indicated that they will be releasing a monthly list of licence cancellations for cause in response to this rise in collisions. The registry will cover a three-year period, and the list contains 10 firms, with the most recent cancellation having occurred on May 17th.
A cat that survived a van crash was rescued by a Thunder Bay, Ont. man after a five-day search and is eager to continue his plans for world domination. According to local news site SooToday, a van transporting Gizmo and several other animals crashed on June 29, when it collided with a moose near White River, Ont. While most animals survived and remained contained, several cages broke in the collision, allowing some to escape, including Gizmo. Unfortunately, one puppy did not survive the crash. Upon hearing of the crash, Terry Hostland, an admin of a stray rescue Facebook group, took it upon himself to rescue Gizmo, spending days searching the area around White River—more than 600 kilometres away from his home in Thunder Bay. “I couldn’t just leave him out there to fend for himself. He’s not a street cat, he’s domesticated…He wouldn’t have survived out there,” he said. After five days of intense searching, setting up traps, baits and following up on local tips, Gizmo was safely found on July 25, after spending nearly a month in the wild. Members of the collision repair industry know the ordeal achieving certifications can be—but considering what North York-based Inkas Armored Vehicle Manufacturing has to go through for its stamp of approval, OEMs should count the lucky stars that they don’t have to prepare for grenade tests. The armoured vehicle developer released a video showing off what a modified Toyota Land Cruiser 300 had to endure to earn certification, which included being subject to 780 rounds of various calibre bullets, six roof-level hand grenades, four underbody grenades, two land mines and 15 kg of TNT exploded just two metres away. The test dummies inside the SUV were certainly rattled in the onslaught of bullets and explosions, as the tests were intended to target “the potential points of failure where the vehicle would be most susceptible to penetration during an attack.”
Specific incidents include a flatbed pulling an excavator hitting an overpass in Surrey on Highway 1, as well as a transport truck on Highway 99 hitting an overpass, which closed the road for nearly 18 hours in Richmond.
IN THE HEADLIGHTS>>> 12 BODYWORXMAG.COM | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?!
DISCHARGE
“Obviously
Dorrian credits much of his success to his team at St. Claude Auto Body.
“I started my first job at 11 years old as a car detailer. I was working for a friend of my dad’s, but I didn’t get paid in cash— I got paid in car parts.”
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— Dorrian Selley painter, St. Claude Auto Body / Gold Medallist, Skills Canada National Competition 2022 He may be an automotive painter at heart, but Dorrian Selley is this year’s gold medallist for Skills Canada’s collision repair competition, where he came out on top in the post-secondary category.
And from that point on, Dorrian’s professional life as an auto body technician and painter had officially begun, as he would spend the next several years balancing his time between his studies at Red River College, eventually being hired on as a painter at St. Claude Auto Body—later being forced to install fencing for his living while the initial COVID-19 lockdown put a halt to his workflow.
Dorrian recently competed at the Skills Canada national competition in Vancouver where he came home with a gold medal in auto body repair, in the post-secondary category.
“I started my first job at 11 years old as a car detailer. I was working for a friend of my dad’s, but I didn’t get paid in cash—I got paid in car parts,” said Dorrian, already with hefty automotive ambitions in mind before even reaching high school.
Bodyworx Professional caught up with the multi-tal ented Manitoban over the phone for a chat about what makes this young champ tick.
The relationship he formed with his boss at the private shop further cemented Dorrian’s interest in learning all there was to learn about building and repairing cars. With high school over and a decision about the future to be made, “He then suggested that I apply to pre-employment at Red River [College] for body work,” said Dorrian.
“I am very thankful for the opportunities I get, because a lot of the guys at my level wouldn’t get those opportunities,” said Dorrian.
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For many young technicians, it’s with the first major job completed that the bodywork bug really starts to take over its host, as Dorrian was motivated to keep honing his craft throughout high school.
SELLEY WINS GOLD MEDALS FOR A SIDE GIG
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As such, he knew at a young age that if cars were a field he ever wanted to excel in, there was no time like the present to start putting in the work.
These days, Dorrian is a technician at his home town shop of St. Claude Auto Body, situated in the eponymous small town of a little more than 600 people, about an hour from the border with North Dakota.Asakid who grew up across the road from a farm, with an agricultural engineer as a father, Dorrian was raised in an environment not just steeped in the automotive, but with a healthy respect for machines and what makes them run.
“About midway through high school I got a job at a private bodyshop. They did all sorts of custom accessories, bed liners, some paint and whatnot,” he said. “I worked there for almost five years, all the way through high school.”
BY MAX REID
ST. CLAUDE’S DORRIAN
Dorrian really couldn’t say it enough times how grateful he is to his boss Norm, not only for keeping a tab on him and calling him back to the shop when work returned, but for the innumerable learning experiences working at St. Claude Auto Body has provided for him.
FINDING FINESSEHIS
hen something feels as natural to you as bodywork does to Dorrian Selley, it only makes sense that you would be among the best in your field. Whether it be a dent repair, a weld or a paint job, the 20-year-old, self-confessed “wannabe farm boy” can deliver results with the best of them.
“I bought my first car when I was 13 years old; it was a ’97 Ford Ranger. It was purple. Between my dad and my boss at the car detailing place, we put a whole new motor in it, replaced a few parts and went and got it safety-ed. By the time I was 15 and a half, it was good to go.”
— Dorrian Selley painter, St. Claude Auto Body / Gold Medallist, Skills Canada National Competition 2022
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“After working at that private shop, I learned that I really love welding. It’s one of my favourite things to do. But I’ve also developed a taste for painting.”
Dorrian can oftentimes be found on the banks of Lake Winnipeg, engaging in another hobby that he also turns out to be quite good at—fishing.
One of Dorrian’s proudest works and his first-ever complete paint job: a 1973 Pontiac Ventura two-tone hardtop.
“My brother and I are really close, so we started a YouTube channel called Catch N’ Selley. We joined the Manitoba Bass Asso ciation and entered some tournaments last year,” said Dorrian “The first tournament was a fluke and didn’t pan out for us, but a majority of the tournaments we were in last year we were among the top three.”
“Our shop is very, very intuitive. We have monthly training nights where we go over new technology or new processes in the shop. [Norm] makes sure that, no matter what the cost is, we are always spending money on getting the newest procedures and the newest programs. So, school did very much prepare me, but if there was anything I was lacking, the shop would just pick that up from there.”
“Right now, I’m a painter. What makes me want to paint is the idea of seeking per fection. Cars are something that I can turn into something perfect,” said Dorrian. “I go into the shop and I’m like, ‘Today I’m going to make this paint job as good as I can,’ or make my bodywork as straight as I can.”
Dorrian recognizes that the line between good and good enough can get tragically blurry when working in a busy shop—when he is doing your repairs, however, you know the result you are getting will be great.
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Dorrian seems to compete with a higher bar than most other technicians and painters his age. Where other young tradespeople are concerned with simply getting the job done correctly, Dorrian’s aim is already pointed far beyond to efficiency and non-invasiveness.
“Let’s talk about when you’re masking something,” he explains. “When you’re painting a panel, you’re going to have to mask it off. When you mask it off, you’ll get a film build on the edge, but I want to get that film build to the point where you almost can’t even tell it’s there. My goal is that I can paint the panel, and you won’t even be able to tell that I painted it.”
“I did my first complete paint job back in April. It was a 1973 Pontiac Ventura two-tone hardtop. White on top and a Mazda 12R metallic blue on the bottom and it looked good. That is probably one of the jobs I’m most proud of,” said Dorrian. When he wants some time away from the noise and mayhem of the shop floor, Dorrian can oftentimes be found on the banks of Lake Winnipeg, engaging in another hobby that he also turns out to be quite good at—fishing.
When asked for the secret to his fishing success, the tip Dorrian gave could just as easily be applied to the skillset required of the modern collision repairer. Dorrian said, “Be diverse. You’ve got to learn what the fish want.”
Even just the opportunity to watch and learn from a Red Seal tech as they do their work is a gift, according to Dorrian. He seems to possess within him a near-con stant desire to deliver as perfect a product as he can. He says that is what drives him to always be learning.
All that is not to say he is never satisfied, though—he’s completed more than a few jobs for which he holds a certain amount of pride.
Self-repairing nanotechnology 101 What sets self-healing materials apart from their traditional counter parts is weaker chemical bonds. This allows molecules to break and combine using light or high temperatures, almost like two lumps of chocolate melting on your countertop. Or for an automotive analogy, welding two materials together without the need for welding wire.
IN A MATTER OF TIME, THAT SCRATCH WILL BUFF ITSELF OUT
18 BODYWORXMAG.COM | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS>>>
BY KATE NG The Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology has created a substance straight from the Star Wars universe: an automotive coating that heals itself when exposed to the sun. According to Korea Bizwire, dynamic urea is a substance that can be added to conventional automotive coatings, giving them the ability to go through the bonding and debonding process repeatedly. In lab settings, a scratch was fully repaired in 30 minutes using daylight, and under 30 seconds with a magnifying glass. In other words, this is a coating that will regrow and heal all but the most severe cuts andsWhilescratches.thisisamong the first cases of re generating autobody coatings, it is far from the first to create self-healing materials. Enter the world of self-repairing nanotechnology.
CUT-PROOFCOATINGS
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS >>> FALL 2022 | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL 19
While self-healing materials have found use in the real world as self-healing cutting mats and some (very expensive) autobody coatings, they have yet to truly enter the automotive market at large, primarily due to their high costs of manufacturing and application.
“The chemistry must be adapted to con ditions for commercialization, scaling up from a little sample material to an entire screen,” he said.
According to John Oh, a supervisor at the University of Concordia’s Laboratory of Poly mer and Nanoscale Biomaterials Chemistry, self-healing polymers like dynamic urea are designed with special chemical properties. When the surface is damaged, the damaged molecules chemically deconstruct before they reconnect, using light to activate this healing process.
On a larger scale, this means creating a material whose molecules can selectively adapt their electrostatic force, hardening as a substance or weakening polymer connections to re-establish damaged bonds. This technology has existed since the 2010s when Nissan created a self-healing autobody coating. While it succeeded as a regenerating coat of paint, it failed as a commercial product. It left marks in healed areas, could not be evenly applied, and cost more to apply than on dynamic urea substance was fully repaired in 30 minutes using daylight, and under 30 seconds with a magnifying glass.
In the case of dynamic urea materials, Oh emphasizes biocompatibility and processability as particularly important factors creating substances that won’t poison the user or theForenvironment.moderncars, self-sealing components remain the main redundancy measure. Think of multilayered assemblies in fuel tanks and tires that swell to close off punctures. Where these components fall flat is how they are meant to buy the driver time to safely get a replacement part or a serious repair job. Theoretically, this is the niche that self-healing materials could fill. While self-healing materials have found use in the real world as self-healing cutting mats and some (very expensive) autobody coatings, they have yet to truly enter the automotive market at large, primarily due to their high costs of manufacturing and application.Whilethe technology has been understood, it may take awhile before automotive com panies push the funding needed to turn lab-tested concepts into practical, regenerating auto coatings that the average collision repairer or auto body painter keeps in their paint
“It’sstock.hardto say. There’s so much chemistry that can be used, but must be adapted for commercialization,” John remarks.
Experimental or Indispensable? Oh explains that the primary challenge comes from the commercialization process. Experiments in lab conditions highlight the cutting edge of scientific knowledge, but commercial products care about less flashy, but equally important factors. Sustainability, production capability and costs play a role in turning lab technology into commercially available goods.
Auto body coatings are not the only place that experiments with the technology called dynamic urea bonds. Researchers at the Uni versity of Concordia have successfully used dynamic urea self-healing polymers to create a self-healing phone screen. Unlike their Korean automotive counterparts, this can be achieved in seconds at room temperature.
20 BODYWORXMAG.COM | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL RESTORATION>>>
From left to right: Darrin Heise from Mathew John, owner of Paint Source, and Indy Gopaul, owner of Indy's 101 Customs. The pair were integral to the creation of the P.A.C.E.R. program promo vehicle.
The P.A.C.E.R. program is a not-for-profit community organization that works with police to educate the public about illegal street racing and dangerous vehicle modifications. How does it promote its message? By creating crazy car mods that would be capable of the same street racing they attempt to cull. Freshly buffed and ready for paint.The retrofitted Dart after a fresh paint job. Mike Savage and Lucas Humberstone of 3M’s Automotive Aftermarket division with Mark Huisman, BASF Canada.
Constantino Uliano and his wife Eva with their daughter Victoria, and Wanja Mann of Media Matters.
EVER SEEN A DRAG-RACING POLICE CAR?
BY KATE NG Toronto’s Paint Source Automotive cel ebrated the relaunch of the Police and Community Educating Racers (P. A.C.E.R.) Program in August, where companies and local organizations gathered for a barbeque and the unveiling of a police-themed drag racing Dodge Dart.
The P. A.C.E.R. program is a not-for-profit community organization that works with po lice to educate the public about illegal street racing and dangerous vehicle modifications. Paint Source Automotive is among the orga nization’s primary sponsors. Companies like BASF, 3M and Toronto’s Tropicana Community Services were also integral in the construction of the new Accordingbuild.toMathew John, co-owner of Paint Source, the P. A.C.E.R. program aims to educate the next generation of drivers about the dangers of illegal street racing, after the initial launch in 2002. Several members of municipal and provincial government were onsite at Paint Source for August’s drag car unveiling.
Some Tropicana students even got the opportunity to join in on the project.
In the last two years, organized street racing on highways began shifting to drag racing with varying legality sometimes in purpose-built structures for legal racing of all kinds, some times racing during the wee hours of a city.
TO SERVE AND BURN RUBBER
RESTORATION >>> FALL 2022 | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL 21
After surviving a street racing accident 20 years ago, John made it his mission to edu cate the public about the dangers of illegal street racing, and advocate for safe, legally sanctioned street races in Toronto, a better alternative to courses several hours away or illegal“Weracing.havea new era of drivers who are not familiar with the program and its history,” he said, citing 400 speeding tickets laid in the GTA over the last four months. “As much as we may not like to admit it, speed’s best companion is safety.” It may be touted as a Dart—but can you tell what that bumper is really from?
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“We’re seeing a big generational shift right now. From the classic boomers that we had in the 50s, 60s and 70s cars, muscle cars, cars with big fins—there’s a real nostalgia for the mid-20th century automotive culture,” Alexander Gates, executive director and cura tor of the Canadian Automotive Museum in Oshawa, Ontario, told Bodyworx Professional. cars, there’s not the same level of enthusiasm.”
This is particularly evident in Sookraj’s career, as he has placed an emphasis on restoring vehicles from a more recent generation; particularly in his commitment to running the only DeLorean dealership in Canada.
“I’m inspired to keep a very unique part of history alive.” “Going back to the vehicles of the 1980s or the 1990s, they weren’t the best cars, but they were the cars we had,” Sookraj continued.
MEINSPIRE
“The previous generation grew up with these tanks that could last forever. Our stuff was fragile. It was part of a disposable generation.
Another historical inspiration for entering the automotive industry is popular culture. What people see on TV, in film or online can draw people to their initial interest in vehicles. This was certainly the case with Plymouth’s Road Runner x Looney Toons campaign.
CAR
INFLUENCECULTURE’SONTHECOLLISIONREPAIRJOBMARKET
“For those that didn’t grow up with those [classic] cars, there’s not the same level of enthusiasm [for a career in automotive,]” says Alexander Gates, executive director and curator of the Canadian Automotive Museum in Oshawa, Ontario.
THROWBACK >>> FALL 2022 | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL 23
BY TYLER MAJER
“It’s easy to see the magnetic draw of an automobile,”says Dimitry Anastakis, U of T professor and automotive historian. “We can’t imagine a world without motor vehicles.” But everyone has a different reason—a different magnetic force—that draws them to the autobody repair industry. Maybe it’s a drive for success, or the allure of money. Maybe it’s the visceral love of the trade, or intellectual interest in this field of work.
“[The auto industry] draws a lot of people because it’s financially one of the most im portant aspects of our economy. And it’s a place where all kinds of people can make a lot of money,” said Anastakis. Of course, many in our industry see their day-to-day as a job to pay the bills. For others, like Jason Sookraj, owner of Wells Auto London and organizer of the favoured London, Ontar io-based Oblivion Car Show, “every generation looks for more of the things that they enjoy.”
“People who are really into cars, they’re primarily into them because they love the feeling cars give them, in terms of image identity and status,” says Dimitry Anastakis, U of T professor and automotive historian.
“I look back about 20 years—the cars were a lot easier to tinker with,” says Jason Sookraj, owner of Wells Auto London and organizer of the Oblivion Car Show.
24 BODYWORXMAG.COM | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL THROWBACK>>>
“I look back about 20 years—the cars were a lot easier to tinker with,” said Sookraj. It is also potentially true for the EV/AV boom, which relies on computer technology to maintain vehicles, rather than the simpler mechanical fixes of the past.
“The kids of the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s: there seems to be this ‘I want to do what I want to do’ mentality,” said Sookraj.
“Part of car culture is a youth culture,” said
The reasons people enter the trade may be varied, both generationally and personally—but a car never fails to make anyone feel special, according to Anastakis’ travels.
“In some ways, cars of the 1980s are rarer and more difficult to find than cars of the 1950s,” explained Gates. Inspiration to enter the trade changes based on the cars themselves, but also in what cars represent to individuals in the specific age and society that creates them.
“Whereas previous generations were of the mindset: ‘I want to do what pays the bills.”
Gates’ work at the Canadian Automotive Museum, however, focuses on the popular aspects of cars in media. This works to, “link cultural connections to…cars, because otherwise, they can be out of context,” he explained.Whatis cool to look at, drive or appreciate can gain additional meaning from its place ment within pop culture, but what is popular is often driven by the young.
Another historical inspiration for entering the automotive industry is popular culture. What people see on TV, in film or online can draw people to their initial interest in vehicles.
“People who are really into cars, they’re primarily into them because they love the feel ing cars give them, in terms of image identity and status,” he said. “There’s a whole kind of aesthetic that people are really interested in. There’s a whole status that people are drawn into.”
“YoungSookraj.people are typically interested in what is new and what is exciting,” added Gates.
“The automobile is both an instigator of change, and a reflection of broader values in society,” according to Anastakis. This societal effect of cars influences the motivations of individuals entering the industry.
The reasons an individual joins the industry can vary as car trends fall in and out of style, as evidenced by Sookraj’s dealings with Oblivion Car Show, a car show focused particularly on 80s/90s vehicles rather than the overarching term of “classics.”
“One of the concerns with all these hightech, electric self-driving vehicles is that com puter technology gets outdated very quickly,” said“There’sGates.a whole different set of skills. That old stereotype of working on the car in the garage or on Saturday morning is a thing of the past.” “It’s much less hands-on. You’re not going to have grandpa and his grandson working on their Tesla out front 40 years from now because you simply won’t be able to work on a Tesla in the same way as a car from the 20th century. That technology will be long outdated,” Gates continued.
“The way that people view classic cars or cars of the past is directly influenced by what their seeing in [pop culture] these days,” saidSookraj,Gates.however, counters this idea.
“None of that stuff really applies anymore.”
BY MAX REID
AK: I was in the [auto body repair] tech niques program at Fanshawe College. Usually they choose apprentices to compete, but they didn’t have enough this year, so they were keeping a close eye on all the students in the technique’s classroom, and I just so happened to be chosen. It was cool.
BWX: What did you take away from the competition? Did you meet any interesting people?
M
Bodyworx Professional managed to get in touch with two gold medal winners, and working collision repair technicians, who will go on to represent Team Canada at the upcoming WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition. First up was Abigail King, a 20-year-old auto body repair student currently splitting her time between studies at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. and work at a local TD auto insurance centre.
BWX: What made you interested in com peting in Skills Canada?
Abigail King: I placed first. It was great. I was competing against two other people, one from Alberta and another from Quebec. The first day I repaired a large aluminum dent on a fender, a small aluminum dent on a hood. Then I had to do a bumper repair that was about a two-inch cut. I also did some measuring; we used a tram gauge to measure the top and bottom points, and then we checked those points with the Car-o-Liner system. The second day I did a lower A-pillar re placement which went well.
BEST IN THE ’BIZ
AK: There were quite a few reps there from Car-o-Liner and Snap-on who were good to talk to. One Snap-on rep was a former com petitor—he competed on both the painting and collision side of the events, which was interesting to hear about.
Bodyworx Professional: In May, you competed at the Skills Canada National competition in Vancouver in the post-secondary auto body repair category. How did it go?
BWX: Did you face any unexpected chal lenges at the competition?
AK: The A-pillar replacement. We never got around to doing that at school. I’ve only drilled out the spot welds at school, so I went into that completely blind. I had never looked at an OEM spec sheet, nothing like that.
MEET YOUR WORLDSKILLS 2022 COMPETITORS FOR COLLISION REPAIR AND AUTOMOTIVE REFINISHING
Over two days of competition, collision repair competitors were faced with a variety of challenging skills. For Abigail, the biggest challenge came in the A-pillar replacement exercise, she told Bodyworx Professional.
The in-person portion of the competition took over the Vancouver Convention Centre from May 26 to 27 and called on participants from across the experience levels of post-secondary and Team Canada qualifiers. The secondary school level of competition was held virtually and drew in more than 200 skilled youth to take part in 45 competitions.
26 BODYWORXMAG.COM | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL GOT SKILLS?>>>
ore than 500 of the nation’s most talented young tradespeople were in Vancouver or tuned in at home over several days in late May for the return of the Skills Canada National Competition. This year’s partial return to usual event structure saw medals awarded across a mix of 35 live and virtual skilled trade competitions, including auto body repair and automotive re finishing, as well as other skill-based careers like hairstyling, photography, electronics and graphic design.
AK: I would say just go for it. I came from pre-health sciences. I took that before get ting into the auto body techniques course at Fanshawe and I love it. I didn’t enjoy the health science route, but the teachers have been fantastic, and the learning just never stops. Everything is always changing in the automotive industry, so just go for it, I say.
BWX: How did you deal with using equipment you had never worked with before?
BWX: What got you interested in the trades?
AK: It wasn’t as bad as you might think. The technical chairs went through it thor oughly with us on how to use everything. They did one-on-one demonstrations and if you were using the equipment wrong, they would correct you.
GOT SKILLS? >>> FALL 2022 | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL 27 Abigail King will represent Canada in the Collision Repair category at WorldSkills 2022. TOUCH Electronic Measuring System TOUCH Electronic Measuring System The Blueprint is Right in Front of You. MULTIBENCH Structural Repair Workstation MULTIBENCH Structural Repair Workstation 224-SPANESI (224-772-6374) www.spanesi-americas.com facebook.com/spanesiamericas Spanesi Americas, Inc. 123 Ambassador Dr. STE 107 Naperville, IL 60540 2022 - 9#3 Bodyworx Spanesi HP H Ad REV1 .indd 1 8/4/22 3:04 PM Same with that small aluminum dent on the hood; we thought that I would have access to the underside to use a hammer and dolly, but they changed that, so we had to use the aluminum ProSpot system, which I have also never used before.
BWX: What are you ultimately hoping to get out of the experience of competing?
BWX: Do you have a message for any other young people who may be considering a career in the auto body trades?
AK: I get kind of nervous when people watch me do my thing, so I’m hoping this will get me more used to that. It’s also a good networking experience to meet all these new people and seeing their techniques, because different places have different ways of doing things, so I think that will be neat to see.
AK: I just figured I didn’t want to be stuck doing a job where everything is the same constantly. I like having a job where it’s like, “Oh hey, I’m doing this today,” and then something completely different tomorrow.
DL: Nearly everywhere I went after I won someone would compliment me on it, so it was cool. There were signs all over town about it.
DL: My message for anyone thinking of getting into the trade is to take your time and always be planning two steps ahead. Quality comes first and speed comes with time.
BWX: What was it like being able to share tips and insights with tradespeople from across Canada?
BWX: Skills Canada judges are known to test their competitors with some new tech nology they must learn on the day. Was there anything at this year’s competition that took you by surprise?
Next, we had a call with two-time gold medal-winning automotive refinisher, former Bodyworx Professional cover star and current painter at Calgary’s CSN Black Ace, 22-yearold Dorien Lozeau.
BWX: With your win at the national com petition, what are you doing to prepare now that you have advanced to compete on the world stage?
DL: I’ve been doing lots of training. We hosted a training event at NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology) about two or three weeks ago. We invited all the competitors from around the world and about six were able to make it out. We had a mini competition that helped us meet some of the people. There were people from Australia, Germany, the UK, the UAE and elsewhere. It was cool to meet those guys. A few of them couldn’t speak English, but we could all paint, so it wasGermanycool. is also hosting a training event in September in Neuss. We’re going to that one ahead of the start of the event of the world, so that should be a cool experience as well. Keep an eye out for coverage of how these talented up-and-comers do on the world stage this fall. The WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition is set to take place, both virtually and live, across 15 countries and 65 competitions, from September 7 to November 26. Dorien Lozeau will rep Canada in the Automotive Refinishing category at WorldSkills 2022.
DL: They do surprise you sometimes, but I felt pretty prepared this year. At this point, there isn’t much I haven’t done before, so when a problem comes up, I just work through it. It all went well.
28 BODYWORXMAG.COM | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL GOT SKILLS?>>>
BWX: Do you have a message you want to send to any other young people who may be considering a career in the trades?
BWX: What was involved in your portion of the competition? DL: In the auto painting category that I was in, we had to repair a plastic bumper and paint some custom graphics on it, all in a limited period of time. We also had to remove some defects from a hood that was already painted. It was full of dust nibs and runs, so we had to remove the defects and cut and polish the hood, then apply some paint protection film to the front end. There was also a little bit of colour tinting and colour evaluation and stuff like that.
Dorien Lozeau: It went well this year, being back in person. Last year they had to do a virtual competition, so it was nice to get to go out to Vancouver for the nationals and meet a bunch of people. It was awesome.
BWX: How have your competitive successes been received at home and at CSN Black Ace?
DL: It was cool having a bunch of trades people from all over Canada. We all kind of share a similar perspective on the trades; that being, work hard, play hard.
BWX: You recently competed at this year’s Skills Canada National Competition where you won a gold medal in car painting and have since advanced to the WorldSkills Competition. Could you talk a little bit about how the Skills Canada competition went?
May 26 and 27 saw more than 500 of the nation’s most promising young skilled workers buckle down for the 2022 Skills Canada National Competition— but only a select few would walk away with the honour of being named best in their trade.
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Another former Bodyworx cover star sees another“Whenside.you go to school, they tell you that you can make a hundred grand a year,” ex plains Meghan McEwen, a painter, mechanic and motorsports enthusiast from B.C. “From my perspective, only one to five percent of businesses provide opportunities where you may be able to make a wage like that.”
“[Being an automotive painter can] lead to a good career within itself. It can equip you to migrate within a bodyshop to different roles,” says Cox. “It can even lead to working on the supplier side of things, working on the paint company side of things. This is a
While the supposed benefits of the career may not end simply with how much money you can make, the amount of money able to be made, and opinions on the lucrative potential of the industry do differ. However, the room for growth can be exceptional.
“For being relatively affordable schooling, the trade itself is high paying.”
To McEwen, this is “completely false ad vertising.”JohnCox provides insight into why there may be a divide between what people are told is possible and the realities of the industry.
“The industry compensation model is the elephant in the room,” he says.
“It is a high-paying job, and there’s not a whole lot of schooling required,” says Lesnoski.
30 BODYWORXMAG.COM | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL PAINTER’S CORNER>>> CONNECTINGTHEDOTS
HOW LUCRATIVE IS A CAREER IN AUTOMOTIVE PAINTING?
“When you go to school, they tell you that you can make a hundred grand a year,” explains Meghan McEwen, a painter, mechanic and motorsports enthusiast from B.C. “From my perspective, only one to five percent of businesses provide opportunities where you may be able to make a wage like that.”
BY TYLER MAJER The trades are often touted as the safest way to a steady career within many professional industries. Being an electrician, plumber, or welder, seems like a guaranteed way of making a career for your self. With a skilled worker shortage, trades have seemingly taken the place of university degrees as a sure shot towards long-term professional and financial stability.
“The industry has very lucrative potential,” says Brad Kruhlak, a technical manager for AkzoNobel.JohnCox, the Canadian services manager for AkzoNobel agrees: “It’s lucrative. You can make a healthy living doing it.”
Former Bodyworx cover star, owner of Throt tle Thrashers, and two-time SEMA Battle of the Builder finalist Chelsie Lesnoski says another draw of the industry has to do with its affordability. This furthers the benefits of the industry in comparison to other trades or other post-secondary programs.
But how true is this to the autobody industry? When it comes to the trades, well-paying jobs are often touted as reason for entering. The scenario is similar when it comes to the automotive trades—the potential to make money and grow a solid career is a fundamental selling-point of the industry.
“If you’re in a good mood and are being treated well, you’ll work well. Anyone will. Quality work comes from compassion and positivity.”Coxagrees that all parties must be on the same page, with no hard feelings against any up-and-climbers.“Youhavetobe prepared if a person wants to grow into something ele—and understand that people move on quicker than they used to.”
One thing that will never change, though: this industry’s facilitation of connection and its whimsical ability to make an individual part of it for life.
If a person has a desire to grow within the industry, the chance to is there.”
For Lesnoski, it all starts with compassion.
"If you're in a good mood and are being treated well [in the workplace], you'll work well," says Lesnoski.
PAINTER’S CORNER >>> FALL 2022 | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL 31 IBIS Middle East | 23 February IBIS USA | 4-6 May IBIS Global Summit | 15-17 June IBIS Latin America | 14 July IBIS Turkey | 20 October IBIS Bahrain | 23 November IBIS China | December CONFERENCE PROGRAMME 2022 IBIS – the platform for thought leadership, knowledge sharing, business development and peer-to-peer networking for the leaders of the global collision repair industry Visit ibisworldwide.com to find out more and book your place today. To explore sponsorship opportunities, email suzie@ibisworldwide.com IBIS 2022 - calendar advert - Canadian half-page.indd 1 20/06/2022 15:42 big industry. There is a lot of opportunity.
The skilled trades shortage may run deeper than compensation and past stereotypes, though. As Meghan McEwen states frankly: “businesses have a retention problem.”
“There’s hardly incentive to stay in the trade,” she “Everyonesays.says it’s harder than ever [to hire new talent],” says Cox. Kruhlak says it’s an employer’s duty to understand what attracts the right individual to a job listing. “They need to be prepared to deliver on that environment, too,” he adds.
“The opportunity to connect with a variety of people,” says Lesnoski. “That, to me, means more than any trophy, more than any fast car, more than any crazy cool candy paint job.”
Jason recommends establishing standard procedures as a great way to maximize efficiency. Proper tools for technicians, keeping parts and tools organized and clear routines are some great ways to introduce standard pro cedures to your shop.
JASON’S ADVICE THE CHECKLIST
Jason at work on a customer’s 1928 Ford Model A. Photo: Jason Smith “Cars have always been my passion, so I've just kind of moved forward with that,” said Jason. “A hunk of metal arrives at your shop, and you see your handy work its driving away.”
32 BODYWORXMAG.COM | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL RESTO’ BAR>>> SQUEEZING LEMONS THE GLITZ AND GLORY IN REPAIRING THE CLASSICS
FOLLOW
Restoration–the art of transforming a rusted hulk from decades-long passed into a beautiful, functioning piece of engineering. This process can take years to do correctly and demands a high level of technical skill. So, what pushes repairers and auto body workers to take up this Beforeskill?beginning his first auto body apprenticeship, Jason Smith already built a ’49 GMC pickup and a 1940 Ford Coop with his father. Since, he’s worked as a body technician and then manager at Alternative Restoration & Collision Centre in Calgary, Alberta.
The restored vehicle, in all its ‘30s glory!
Photo: Jason Smith
BY KATE NG
On the business side of restoration, Gil’s portfolio demonstrates these skills are transferable to other industries with a little ingenuity. He has restored vintage cars from the ‘60s, restored arcade machines and built scientific exhibits.
CUSTOMER OUTREACH Hilary emphasizes customer education, providing them regular updates and having one, clear estimate. Easing customers’ concerns and a passionate en thusiasm for incoming projects can keep restoration jobs coming, even when competing with shops offering cheaper services.
The partially restored 1972 datsun 240z with a fresh new paintjob. Just a little more and its complete!
HILARY’S ADVICE
The shop submitted a 1967 Mustang Fastback for Toronto’s Motorama competition in 2022, where it won a ‘best in class.’ Photo: Hilary Noack
Photo: Gil Schimmelpfennig
Before owning Toronto’s only all-female body shop, Ink ‘N’ Iron Automotive, Hilary Noack joined a local shop as a co-op student in 1990 she wanted to restore a vehicle she bought to get around being grounded at home. She bought a 1970 Cutlass and restored it using the skills the shop taught her, a passion that she holds to this day.
“We did custom stuff for Science World Vancouver like automotive grade finishes for displays and UFOs. It’s the size of a car, round and heavy,” said Gil. If you appreciate refinished automobiles, the smile on a customer’s face after months of work or enjoy creating works of art with your hands, automotive restoration may be for you, regardless of your trade background.
A 1972 datsun 240z after a collision, in need of a new rear section and right quarter panel. Photo: Gil Schimmelpfennig
TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
“It’s one of the most amazing feelings to take something dilapidated, spending months or years of literal blood, sweat and tears, then seeing the customer’s reaction,” said Hilary. “I’ve had grown men tear up seeing their carsNotdone.”allrestorers begin their career as repairers or technicians though Gil Schimmelpfennig, owner of Glass Works Refinishing & Auto Body in Vancouver, British Columbia started out as a graphic design paint er, taking his airbrushing and cutting skills to the auto restoration industry.
RESTO’ BAR >>> FALL 2022 | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL 33
While Gil’s interest is in cars, his automotive and restoration skills carried over into other indus tries. Diversifying your restoration services could expand your work into other things you love while growing your customer base.
GIL’S ADVICE
34 BODYWORXMAG.COM | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL FINAL DETAIL>>> BY ALLISON ROGERS
Allison Rogers is the editor of Bodyworx Professional. She can be reached at allison@mediamatters.ca, or 905-370-0101.
Contrary to popular belief, you are not necessarily bound to a life of painting cars after you’ve collected your Red Seal certs.
THE
YOU’LLPLACESGO
THIS INDUSTRY IS MUCH LIKE DR. SUESS’ TALE
S o, you have a job in the collision industry. Do you know what that really means? If you took the college or vocational school route—did your educators inform you of the various paths a career as a painter or technician could put you on? If you’re currently an apprentice, do your mentors grumble and groan about how they’ll be ‘stuck’ here forever, or look to stories about those who saw opportunity elsewhere in the industry and grabbed the chance? Has anyone ever shown you how dynamic this industry can be—how, each day, you’re bound to learn something new? It’s been brought to this magazine’s attention that plenty of young entrants to the industry are unaware of the various paths a career in collision repair can put you on. Contrary to popular belief, you are not necessarily bound to a life of painting cars after you’ve collected your Red Seal certs. For some, life on the production floor is simply theThebeginning. experience of working as an automotive painter or technician provides a foundation for countless roles in our sector. Plenty of managers, facility owners and multi-shop operators once started on the production floor. The different paths are truly endless—you could grow to have your own collision centre or restoration business; move into aerospace applications, if you make the right connections; find a job as a supplier and travel the globe representing your paint-brandof-choice—the list goes on and on. There are so many things you can do with a background in automotive repair and refinishing.
Dorien Lozeau and Abigail King provide two examples of where autobody can take you—and it didn’t take either of them that long to achieve their tremendous accolades. They’ll each be representing Canada on the global stage this Fall, networking and competing amongst some of the best young painters and technicians in the trade. They’ve each earned the right to call themselves the best young reps of their trade that Canada has to offer—Dorien, the best young painter and Abigail, the best young tech—but now they’ll have the chance to jetset internationally, all because they’re really good at their jobs. Look to this issue’s Q&A with restorers for yet another example of where the trade can take you. With the right gumption, heaps of passion and an auto repair skillset, you, too, could one day operate your own resto ’biz.
There are far more paths than those outlined in this letter, too. The automotive industry is bursting with creativity; as are its members. Take a little of that creativity for yourself and see where it takes you.
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