Bodyworx 4#1, April 2015 by Media Matters

SPECIAL EDITION OF

MIXED MATERIALS: OEM WEIGHT SAVING STRATEGIES AND YOU!

BREAKING BAD

Break your bad habits and profit.

STRIPES FOREVER

The basics of pinstriping revealed.

Vicarious

THE CUSTOM PICK-UP IS TYLER AND DAWN SCARFE OF HPI CUSTOMS’ LOVING TRIBUTE TO THEIR BIGGEST SUPPORTER.

PLUS

Hot concepts at the Auto Show, Sam Mercanti of CARSTAR started on the floor, gearing up for skill competitions and much, much more!!! Spring 2015

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Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40841632

l 86 John Street, Thornhill, ON L3T 1Y2

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CONTENTS

profile 9 Vintage Visions HPI Customs specializes in customizing and revitalizing the classics. regulars 4 Publisher’s Page by Darryl Simmons Career builders.

6 News Eye Candy

2015 CIAS brings the best of car culture.

House of Kolor announces 2015 Prestigious Painter Award winners, and the latest and greatest tools for techs.

38 Final Detail by Mike Davey Creative problem solvers.

20 World Stage Canada’s representatives are ready for WorldSkills.

features 13 Mixing it Up

25 Big Business

Multi-materials make up the next generation of vehicles.

CARSTAR Canada CEO Sam Mercanti’s humble beginnings led to the building of a national brand.

15 Seeing Stripes Expert tips on mastering the basics of pinstriping techniques.

18 Automotive Art Professional pinstripers dish on the evolution, and love of the craft.

30 Easy Fix Techs can adopt some pretty bad habits. Here’s how to swap them out.

Pinstripers They’re a breed apart. Find out their story.

34 Worldly Ambitions Two Skills competitors have set their sights on WorldSkills 2015.

37 Tools of the Trade Pick them up through CNA’s Motor Vehicle Body Repairer Program.

on the cover: Tyler and Dawn Scarfe of HPI Customs in Beausejour, MB. Photo courtesy of HPI Customs.

April 2015  bodyworx professional

publisher’s page

hard work

BODYWORX THE VOICE OF COLLISION REPAIR TECHS & PAINTERS

PROFESSIONAL PUBLISHER Darryl Simmons 647.409.7070 publisher@collisionrepairmag.com

Put it together with passion and build yourself a career.

EDITOR Mike Davey editor@collisionrepairmag.com ART DIRECTOR Candace Taylor candace@mediamatters.ca Assistant eDITOR Melissa Hayes melissa@mediamatters.ca

By Darryl Simmons

VP Industry Relations & Advertising Gloria Mann 647.998.5677 advertising@collisionrepairmag.com

here are great careers being made in the collision repair industry on a daily basis. Just take a look at Sam Mercanti. For those of you unfamiliar with Sam, he’s the CEO of CARSTAR Automotive Canada, one of the country’s biggest networks of collision repair facilities. Sam’s not from the boardroom, although he’s certainly at home there. He got his start just where most people in the industry did: on the shop floor. He started out sweeping up and washing cars. He learned how to do body-

started out working with their hands, doing the most important jobs in the industry: getting those cars back on the road, and returning them to preaccident condition. It isn’t just the top people at repair organizations that started out as technicians. Look around the insurance industry, and you’ll fine that some of the top people in the automotive claims business have also put in the time on the shop floor. The same can be said of suppliers and even a few people working at the car manufacturers. You may be in high school, or know

the industry’s movers and shakers have nuts and bolts experience.

Director of Sales & Marketing Ellen Smith 416.312.7446 ellen@mediamatters.ca Marketing Assistant Will Jacques will@mediamatters.ca Marketing coordinator Aleecia Cameron COLUMNISTS Justin Jimmo, Leanne Jefferies

SUBSCRIPTION One-year $19.95 / Two-year $34.95

Bodyworx Professional™ is published bi-monthly, and is dedicated to serving the business interests of the collision repair industry. It is published by Media Matters Inc. Material in Bodyworx Professional™ may not be reproduced in any form with out 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. 40841632 RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED Send change of address notices and undeliverable copies to: 86 John Street Thornhill, ON L3T 1Y2

work and write estimates. From there, he learned management and how to get the best out of people. He literally brought CARSTAR to Canada. There were no CARSTAR facilities anywhere in the country 20 years ago. Today, there are over 200 locations doing about $315 million in network sales annually. Now that’s a career! You can read about how Sam and his team at CARSTAR made that journey starting on page 31 Sam’s path might not be entirely typical, but it’s not as unusual as you might think. A really high percentage of the industry’s movers and shakers have nuts and bolts experience. They’ve grown into capable administrators and business leaders, but they

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a student in high school who is considering a career in the field, and meeting resistance from guidance counselors and parents. A bachelor’s degree isn’t the ticket to a good job that it once was. A degree in art history might make you a more well-rounded person, but it doesn’t always get you the best life style. Skills, on the other hand, never go out of style. When you repair, you problem solve. Master that, and there’s no limit to where your career can take you.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Bodyworx Professional is published by Media Matters Inc., publishers of:

BODYWORX THE VOICE OF COLLISION REPAIR TECHS & PAINTERS

PROFESSIONAL

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news

Gray Tools announces release of new Pro+ tool storage solutions line Gray Tools Canada has announced the introduction of its Pro+ line of tool storage solutions. The company says Pro+ combines the distinctive, heritage look many professionals have come to prefer with modern features that ensure safe tool storage and years of reliable use. “The starting point for designing the new line was our bestselling line of toolboxes, the Pro Series. The most loyal Gray users have consistently expressed a preference for the distinctive classic look of those toolboxes, without the gimmicks often seen in the marketplace,” says Gray Tools Marketing Manager Frank Dominguez. “For this reason, we decided to transfer the same look and feel into the new line. But this is as far as the commonality between the two lines goes.” The new 17-product assortment includes top chests and roller cabinets in 28 and 42 inch widths, in addition to side riders and utility carts. Other features include 100 lb. capacity ball bearing sides on all drawers, up to 14 percent more storage capacity than previous models, 5 inch by 2 inch casters with a rear 360 degree

brake, a robust tubular lock system and a redesigned all-steel double hook engagement mechanism. Rolled over drawer edges and reinforced caster-mounting plates contribute to the overall construction. The company also offers support to the new line by stocking spare keys, replacement drawers and other parts. For more information on Gray Tools, visit graytools.com. The Pro+ line of tool storage solutions has a distinctive, heritage look.

LESS STATIC, LESS WORK, A BETTER FINISH. THE NEW STAT-GUN removes dust and impurities, eliminates the need for anti-static wiping and reduces halos and denibbing. Contact us today for a demo.

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news

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House of Kolor by Valspar names 2015 Prestigious Painter Award winners

Valspar has named this year’s winners of the Prestigious Painter Award. Presented annually to the industry’s top 12 painters, the tradition rings in its 15th year with the recognition of the following alphabetically listed contestants and their work: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Aluminum Tech Tools are here!

Catalyst Customs – Kustom Bagger Mike Coy – Kustom Bagger Nathan Curry – Red Sled Pedro Jose De Haro – Kustom Build Mat Eagn – 1954 Ford Jim Hetzler – Kustom Harley Bagger Sandy Kuhar – Nova Brian Morgan – Kustom Graffiti Bike Zach Ness – Kustom Build Ryan “Ryno” Templeton – Ironman Ryan Thomas – 1937 Ford Phantom Coupe Jeff Urman – Kustom Bagger

Submissions for the 2016 Prestigious Painter Award will be accepted online starting June 1, 2015. House of Kolor was founded in 1956 by world-renowned custom painter, Jon Kosmoski. He was well-known for his skills as a custom painter, however, he was displeased with the problematic nitrocellulose laquers and alkyd enamels of that day, which would sometimes sun-fade or cold-crack. Together with a doctor in polymer chemistry, Kosmoski set out to produce custom paints that wouldn’t tarnish, crack or sun-fade. The 2015 House of Kolor Prestigious Painter Award Calendar is available to order at houseofkolorgear.com. For more on House of Kolor, visit houseofkolor.com. To read more on Valspar Automotive, go to valsparauto.com.

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Licensing,

Certification and Training:

s a licenced 310B & 410N Collision and Refinish technician, my career has now taken me into training and education. Early on, in a family of collision repairers, I continued my path in the autobody trade. The “unibody” was new to the industry and training was focused on repairing this new skeleton. With time, changes to design and safety were implemented and the information was not readily passed on to the repair industry. Through updated training while on the bench, I learned the guidelines for the vehicles I was repairing as well as the health and safety issues that are so prevalent in our industry. For the past 15 years, I’ve focused a large part of my career on training and education to bring the industry knowledge to technicians, which brings me to my present position with Assured Automotive. I am tasked with ensuring that all of our technicians and front office staff have the knowledge, tools and equipment to provide a safe and quality repair to ensure that repair decisions made while analysing collision damages

“training

are the best ones for the consumer focusing on the safety designs incorporated in all of the vehicles that we repair.

CERTIFICATION With the ever growing OEM information available today, we are still a long way from having all requirements and recommendations readily available to us. The ever-changing landscape of our facilities along with Original Equipment Manufacturer updates to vehicle design and new materials and manufacturing processes, training is more important today than ever before. The opportunity of being certified, grants us access and knowledge of vehicle specific information. The greatest issue that I find today goes with the old saying, “You don’t know what you don’t know”.Technicians encounter vehicles with new materials that don’t react to known repair procedures.

TRAINING Knowledge, the key to a safe repair. Through Centennial College, using existing curriculum and focusing on new technologies that apprentices are now learning, I am instructing the PreCertification classes to prepare all whom have completed their position requirements to write the C of Q exam. The new I-CAR designations implemented in 2014 havew allowed our technicians to update their knowledge on the new procedures, recommendations and requirements from the OEM pertain-

is essential i n t o d a y ’s i n d u s t r y

”

THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF THE COLLISION INDUSTRY. ing to their specific areas of expertise.

LICENSING With the Ontario College of Trades out to visit many shops ensuring compliance with licensing, what you may all not be aware of is that their mandate is not just on enforcement but to also ensure that every technician is properly trained to return collision damaged vehicles to their “pre-accident” condition. With Assured Automotive’s support, I have the honor and privilege of participating in the OCOT curriculum standards revision workshops. This past year, with many of my peers, we have updated the in-school training materials and the MTCU Certificate of Qualification exam to include the new alloys we work with, repair procedures, equipment requirements and knowledge of the many new electronic and safety systems that are becoming more and more prevalent on all of the vehicles we repair. Although basic repair procedures have stayed relatively similar, the ways of which we plan a repair has changed drastically. For instance, repair and refinish procedures have had to be re-visited on some panels such as bumpers as computer and radar systems require penetration through painted flexible parts and if heat limitations on HSS (High Strength Steels) during repairs are not addressed, they can have catastrophic effects on the structural integrity affecting collision management and air bag deployment timing. With technologies advancing so rapidly, the future of training will have an even greater level of importance.

- Jean-Marc Julien

CUSTOMIZERS

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Living

Vicariously

Tyler and Dawn Scarfe of HPI Customs built a cool custom truck to honour their biggest supporter. By Mike Davey

yler and Dawn Scarfe of HPI Customs know something about family. The couple founded HPI Customs in Beausejour, Manitoba shortly after they met. They’ve since grown the business and their family, with two toddlers now ranging around their home and shop area. As co-owners and co-parents, the two are often working together on various projects. One of their latest is Vicarious, a ’52 Chevy pick-up that they’ve heavily modified as a gift to Tyler’s father. “He’s always been our biggest supporter,” says Tyler. “This is our way of giving something back.” Tyler believes that trends and developments are driven by new technology and the capabilities of today’s production cars as well as the technology and tools available to match. HPI Customs specializes in the Pro-Touring segment of the custom car world. The Pro-Touring segment focuses on classics, often muscle

cars, beefed up with enhanced suspensions, brakes, drive trains, and aesthetics. Often they are built to meet or surpass the capabilities of modern performance vehicles. “The emphasis is always on function,” says Tyler. “They’re intended to be driven, whether on the track or out on the street. We don’t make trailer queens.” The project “Vicarious” was secretly built behind closed doors as a surprise thank you gift for Tyler’s father. It’s amazing that the Scarfes managed to keep it a secret for as long as they did. All told, 46 sponsors and partners helped out with this top secret build, the most prodominant being Missing Link Machine, Auto Resurrection who handled the paint, Sew Fine Interiors, and Vortech Superchargers. A complete list of sponsors is on page 10. “We have been blessed to work with so many different companies on this SEMA build, starting with Vortech Superchargers,” says Dawn. “The design renderings were done by Hermance Designs to start

Tyler and Dawn Scarfe.

the build, and since then a massive list of sponsors followed. We did all of the chassis design, fab, sheet metal, wiring, plumbing, and the main build, with Missing Link Machine doing all the one-off CNC machined bits for the truck. Auto Resurrection tackled the paint and body prep, while SewFine Interiors crafted the custom interior.” Vicarious itself presents an almost menacing appearance. The lowered body gives the impression of speed and performance, and the modifications help deliver on that promise. The truck rides on C4 Corvette Suspension, massive Z06 brakes, and is pow-

spring 2015  bodyworx professional

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CUSTOMIZERS It’s not just body. The truck has been fully modernized.

Sponsors The following companies contributed products, materials, or services to the building of Vicarious.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Vortech Superchargers Hermance Design Dakota Digital Rydell Chevrolet Afco Dynatech Vibrant Performance KinDigit Designs E-Stopp Missing Link Machine Auto Resurrection SewFine Interiors Rain Gear Sunspec Billet Factory Prismatic Powders Budnik Wheel Kore3 Brakes Hydratech Brakes Borla Exhaust Ricks Tanks Speedway Engineering Flaming River MSD Holly Performance EFI MB Quart Audio Quiet Ride ElectricLife Eddie Motorsports Powertrain Control Solutions Impact Racing Techflex Hose Candy Golden Leaf Automotive Vintage Air Lokar Performance Hagan Auto Kal-Tire Performance World

The truck was rebuilt from the frame up.

Body styling gives a unique take on a classic look.

ered by a supercharged small block Chevy with EFI and methanol injection, backed by a paddle shifted GMPP Supermatic transmission. Tons of modifications round out the custom luxury sport interior, including a full CNC machined dash layout, and more body mods than we can count. Pro-Touring cars are usually pony cars, but HPI Customs does things a little differently. For evidence, there’s also The Tyrant. Built from a 1966 Chrysler Imperial, The Tyrant epitomizes the giant four-door hardtops of the 1960s. However, it’s still clearly a Pro-Touring car. “We see amazing custom cars and components come out of our competitors’ and peers’ shops, and the bar is continually being raised,” says Tyler. “Ongoing education and skill development is absolutely essential to keep up, now more than ever. Our challenge is to develop our product line and manufacturing capabilities, which presents us with the need to start running more complicated and expensive equipment.” The Scarfes are young (Tyler just cracked

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Engine mods complete the build.

30 and Dawn is a few years older), but they’ve managed to build a well-respected business in just a few short years. Part of their success is a willingness to always learn more, and to study new teachers and techniques. “Learning is always a challenge, but it is the only way to grow as an artist and a business,” says Scarfe. “I always tell my employees that we are doing something wrong if we ever have a day where we don’t learn something.” Vicarious was entered at Battle of the Builders at the 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. While it didn’t win, the Scarfes are confident that they’ll be back. “It’s just incredible to see your work showcased alongside the top builders in the world,” says Dawn. “Vicarious was also named BestTruck/SUV from Gran Turismo and Sony Playstation. We were all invited to attend a VIP party on the roof of the Cromwell Casino with the other category winners.”

Thank you to the thousands of stars that make up our CARSTAR universe â&#x20AC;&#x201D; our franchise, insurance and vendor partners, and our employees for helping us achieve Gold status. Over 200 locations in 10 provinces | carstar.ca

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MATERIALS

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Until recently, aluminum was often seen as the domain of high-end vehicles. However, the original mid-market car, the Model T Ford, used an aluminum hood.

Mixed Bag What you need to know about the drive towards the use of mixed material.

In The Mix Research from Frost & Sullivan shows that while steel will continue to dominate, other materials are closing the gap. These graphs show current and projected material use across all classes of automobile.

By Mike Davey

2013 – 2015

12%

here’s a drive to save weight in t he au tomotive w or ld, brought on by a double whammy of tougher emission standards and increasing fuel prices. Luxur y brands such as BWM, Mercedes-Benz, and Jaguar, have used aluminum frequently in body applications, but the introduction of the new aluminum bodied Ford F-150 this year signals a shift. Aluminum will likely continue to make inroads in the mid-market segment, while the high-end brands are including more carbon fibre and specialty plastics in new vehicle design.

8% 9% Even steel has been transformed in recent years. High-strength steel and ultrahigh strength steel are not new, but steel manufacturers are constantly innovating, with lighter, more durable products coming to market. Steel still dominates in automotive construction, and it’s no surprise that steel makers want to keep it that way. Steel accounts for about 70 percent of all vehicle materials, according to independent research firm Frost & Sullivan. Aluminum accounts for another 9 percent or so, while all plastics, including carbon fibre, only take up about 8 percent of vehicle weight.

71%

2018 – 2020

15% 9%

65% 11%

Steel/Iron Aluminum

Plastics Other

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MATERIALS

Ford’s Aluminum Pick-up Rumours started circulating about Ford’s new aluminum pick-up several years ago, and most of those rumours ended up being confirmed when the truck was launched in late 2014. Since then, numerous people in and out of the industry have racked up real world experience with the 2015 F-150. A widely circulated report from Edmunds.com showed a door repair as taking approximately twice as long as it would have with a steel door. Ford President and CEO Mark Fields responded to this concern during a recent earnings call held by Ford Motor Company. “We saw the Edmunds report, and unfortunately, the experience with that, the dealer was incorrect,” he said. “The amount of time to repair based on the standards that we’ve developed and also shared with the dealers, it would’ve been about half the time.” Fields also said the design of the F-150 was modular, to allow for repair efficiency. This might mean that it would have been more cost and time effective in this case to replace rather than repair the panel. An aluminum F-150 panel costs the same as a steel one. Edmunds.com also did not use a facility trained for the new F-150 when they did their test. Over 750 dealerships and more than 1,000 independent facilities have now been certified on these repairs. No matter what you think of them or how long they take to repair, you are going to see them at some point. According to Fields, the new aluminum F-150 is in high demand. “We are seeing very strong demand for the F-150,” says Fields. “It’s our fastest-turning vehicle on the lot.”

Aluminum is increasingly common, but progress marches on. BMW’s current 7 series model is composed of 20 different materials.

A breakdown of body panels in the new F-150. While aluminum clearly predominates, it may be the joining that’s most unusual. There are only two areas where it is spot welded. All other joins are made with adjesives and self-piercing rivets.

Don’t get too comfortable with those numbers though. According to Frost & Sullivan’s research, we’re likely to see a reduction in steel and an increase in everything else, especially aluminum. Aluminum vehicle construction is certainly not new. Cast aluminum body components were in use as far back as the turn of the last century. The Great Arrow, a vehicle introduced by Pierce-Arrow in 1905, used cast aluminum in the side walls and doors. Sheet aluminum started making its first appearances in the 1920s and 30s. In fact, the Model T Ford featured an aluminum hood. So much for the myth that aluminum is just for the luxury brands! However, automotive engineers rapidly turned away from aluminum. Increases in engine power meant saving weight simply wasn’t as important. Other factors made

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steel king, and those factors still largely apply today. First, steel is much less expensive than aluminum. Second, there was more experience generally in working with steel, processing it, and repairing it. Steel rose to a position of prominence, but aluminum car bodies never disappeared completely. The luxury and performance markets continued to use it on a regular basis. However, aluminum has and will continue to make the transition to more common vehicles, while the high-end manufacturers will increasingly turn to carbon fibre and other “exotic” materials to accomplish their objectives. It’s impossible to predict the future with any accuracy, but we suspect that those materials will increasingly make their way into the mid-market automobile. As new technology is developed, high prices will not remain a barrier for long.

paint by numbers

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Dan “Danno” Drouin is a professional pinstriper working out of Brantford, Ontario. He walks us through the basics of this classic automotive enhancement.

Laying S Down Stripes Pros make it look easy. Here’s how to start with the basics. By mike davey Mechanical pinstriping kits are sometimes used when a long straight stripe is required, say along a bodyline. However, they cannot give the same breathtaking results as freehand methods.

o, you want to give pinstriping a shot? The professionals make it look easy, but even the simplest design can turn out poorly without good planning and prep. Professional pinstripers spend years honing their craft and their abilities. It’s best to start with something simple and practice, practice, practice before you try it on a vehicle, even one of your own. There are a number of pinstriping methods. Mechanical pinstriping is one method that may be attractive to someone just starting out. One of the big advantages of a mechanical striper is that it lays down stripes of a consistent width, meaning you can concentrate more on keeping your lines straight or contoured, depending on your design. Adding in a magnetic pinstriping strip can help guide your hand, helping you to achieve consistency.

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paint by numbers

Stencil tape is also an option. These allow you to paint stripes of various colours without waiting for others to dry. Run the tape along where you wish to paint. Make sure you press out the air bubbles as you go, as paint can bleed into these pockets, ruining the effect. There’s no doubt that these techniques work, but for flexibility and results they can’t beat freehand striping. Naturally, it’s also the hardest to master. Dan “Danno” Drouin has been a professional pinstriper for over 30 years. He recently sat down with Bodyworx Professional to give us some pointers.

1. Start with a design. Sketching it out on paper will allow you to finalize the details and helps make sure the design you have in mind works visually. A good marker will allow you to draw both thick and thin lines. As you gain experience with the process, you’ll feel more confident in winging it. 2. Pick your colours. This is more a matter of personal taste than anything else, but limiting yourself to no more than two colours to start with is a good idea. Too many colours will look too busy. Choose colours that provide contrast and look good with the colour of the material you’re striping. 3. Give yourself a visual guide. This can be as simple as a strip of tape, but Danno recommends drawing a grid. “I’ve seen stuff drawn without a grid that might look okay first glance, but the unevenness of the designs jumps out at me right away. Even if you don’t know why, you’ll know something isn’t right.” 4. You can lay out a grid of 1-inch squares directly onto most materials with a soft pencil. These are available at art supply stores. The pencil lines do not interfere with paint adhering to the material, and you can wash them off with water when the design is complete. 5. Load your brush with paint. Remove excess by running it over an old glossy magazine or piece of scrap metal or plastic. 6. Start striping. Hold the brush between your thumb and forefinger. Hold it at the ferrule (the part where the bristles con-

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paint by numbers

<<<

nect to the handle) with the flat side facing away from you. 7. Use a consistent even pressure to make consistent even lines. 8. Curves should be smooth and balanced. Check against both the grid and the other lines already completed to ensure that they match and provide symmetry. 9. Start striping with your second colour! Follow the same procedures again to lay down the second part of your design. While it’s possible to have a one-colour design, two colours helps the design stand out and lends an illusion of perspective.

Equipment and Tools First off, you’re probably going to need at least one striping brush. Like any kind of paintbrush, there is enormous variability in quality between manufacturers. There’s a tendency for people just starting out to go for cheap equipment. However, this may not be a good move. Cheaper brushes tend to be harder to work with than more expensive ones. When you’re just starting out, go for the middle of the road. Find a sweet spot between price and quality, and make sure the brush feels right for you. Second, you’ll need some paint. The most common brand name is 1-Shot. It’s widely available in art stores and from sign painting suppliers. Building a big library of colours off the bat is going to be prohibitively expensive. Pick out a couple of colours you really like the look of and suit what you have in mind. You can always expand your collection later.

Brushes vary widely in quality and price. Find the one that works for you.

1-Shot is a brand name, but it’s common enough that many people use the term generically.

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KUSTOM KULTURE A model shows off a classic pickup adorned with custom lettering.

Pinstriping takes talent, patience, and an artistic flair. By Mike Davey

or Danno Drouin, the road to becoming a professional pinstriper started with a passion for art. Drouin is the proprietor of Danno’s Black Heart Designs in Brantford, Ontario. “One of my first memories is trying to draw something I’d seen with my crayons. As far back as I could remember, I knew I was going to be an artist,” says Drouin, who describes himself as a bit of a reckless youth. “Luckily, I got into art school, and that started to curb some of my impulses.” While at art school, Drouin discovered sign painting, and the rest was history. “I found I had a gift for that sort of art,” says Drouin. Seeing Drouin at work you can

begin to see why he might have an affinity for the automotive side of the business. He’s a huge fan of Alice Cooper, and tattoos cover his arms. The connection between kustom kulture and rock music has been firmly entrenched since at least the 1950s, when both started to emerge as pop art forms. The goal of pinstriping is to enhance the curves of the surface, and the lines are generally of complementary colours. The technology used by contemporary stripers has changed little since the ‘50s. Mack still makes brushes the same way they did when Andrew Mack started the company, although their product line has expanded considerably. While stripers such as Lyle Fisk, Von Dutch (Kenny Howard) and Ed “Big Daddy”

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Roth are possibly the best known early practitioners of modern pin striping, many of those early stripers cite Tommy “The Greek” Hrones and Dean Jeffries as their major influences. Today, countless brush artists carry on those traditions. Kelly Norwood is a professional striper and operator of Kelly’s Kustom Traditional Pinstriping in Vernon, BC. While he stripes everything, it’s his work on cars, trucks and bikes that is among the most eye-catching. Drouin and Norwood operate at different ends of the country, but both share certain attributes. Both are artists in the traditional sense of the word, as well as being enthusiastic about custom and vintage work, and both share rock and roll sensibilities.

KUSTOM KULTURE

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FIX AUTO NORTH BAY

It’s not all about the stripes. Many professional pinstripers pride themselves on their ability to deliver art featuring landscapes, objects, or figures, like “Harley Quinn” (right) or RCMP Bomber Girls (left). All figures are by Kelly Norwood.

BECOMES FIRST HONDA PROFIRST-CERTIFIED SHOP IN ONTARIO > AdvAnces Fix Auto’s nAtionAl commitment to serve oem repAir mArket The coveted certification represents an important recognition of Fix Auto North Bay’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of body work, and working with manufacturers to ensure that all repairs are completed in accordance with OEM guidelines and mandatory procedures to return vehicles to their pre-accident condition.

Danno Drouin shows some of the graphic design software he uses. While much of the work is done by hand, software can aid greatly in the design stage and for more complicated works.

Kelly Norwood is a professional pinstriper with his own company, Kelly’s Customs in Kamloops, BC.

Kelly Roberts Business Development Manager, Fix Auto North Bay says “our combination of dedication, perseverance, training and the strive to continually learn and grow as a team, has been the back bone to our shops growth and success, this was a conduit for that recognition and the future OEM certifications in progress” “Being part of the Fix Auto network is about embracing the future of the Body Shop industry, and Fix Auto North Bay is a shining example” said Daryll O’Keefe, General Manager Ontario.

For more information on becoming part of the Fix Auto family please contact: Peter Polito, Western Canada ppolito@fixauto.com

Daryll O’Keefe, Ontario dokeefe@fixauto.com

Michel Bourgeois, Various shots of one of Danno’s projects, The Wanderer. A good pinstriping job helps to show off and highlight the vehicle’s lines.

Quebec mbourgeois@fixauto.com

Paul Randles, Atlantic Canada prandles@fixauto.com

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CIAS 2015

Hot Future A

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Exotics, debuts, and classics on display at Canadian International Auto Show. nyone who doubts that we live in in a car culture should spend some time at the Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS). Canada’s largest consumer show, CIAS covers two halls and connecting floors, with over a thousand vehicles on display throughout the half a million square feet of exhibit space. Almost every new vehicle currently available in Canada is on display, but it doesn’t stop there. At least 40 debut vehicles are

available for viewing, including the new Mini Superleggera Vision, Audi A3 e-Tron, and Mustang Shelby GT350 R. All told, the value of the vehicles at this year’s show totals approximately $30 million. Much of CIAS is given over to the present, but the past and future are both well represented. There are concept vehicles galore here, representing the leading edge of automotive design. There is also an extensive display of historic and collector cars, looking

back to the roots of the auto industry. Some of these vehicles are literally priceless, as they cannot be replaced, but the most expensive production car on display is undoubtedly the Ferrari LaFerrari. It retails for about $1.5 million. Vintage vehicles at the show include a 1908 Reo, a 1907 Ford Model N, including a 1932 Packard, a 1948 Tucker, a 1926 Bugatti Type 37, a 1929 Auburn Boat-tail Speedster, and a reconstructed 1867 Seth Taylor steam buggy.

spring 2015  bodyworx professional

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CIAS 2015

What’s amazing about CIAS is how often automakers trot out cars decked out in the latest shade of dull. Props to Bentley, who chose eye-catching orange for their new concept vehicle.

Firebird’s have always had iconic appeal. The BMW i8 will launch in 2015.

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CIAS 2015

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The new Firebird concept lives up to its predecessors.

The Nissan BladeGlider concept offers a sci-fi look.

Ferrari’s concepts continue to catch the eye. Ford’s new F-150. Hot sales mean you’ll likely see on in the shop soon.

spring 2015  bodyworx professional

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CIAS 2015

It’s not just about new cars. An instructor gives competitors instructions at the Auto Connect showcase.

The Volkswagen T-Roc concept.

Nissan may make a bigger play for the sports/performance market with their 2015 launches.

The Peel, the smallest production car ever built.

Toronto’s mayor John Tory officially opened CIAS 2015.

Kids of all ages were into this Hot Wheels custom build.

Rich tones help to make the paint job pop on this Chrysler concept. Lined up and ready to roar at the Pfaff/McLaren booth.

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CAREER profile

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Sam Mercanti, CEO of CARSTAR. Mercanti brought the CARSTAR brand to Canada in 1994.

Top Level

Details

Sam Mercanti of CARSTAR started on the shop floor and ended up building a national brand. By Mike Davey

spring 2015  bodyworx professional

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CAREER profile

Sam Mercanti, early days.

Sam Mercanti and Larry Jefferies at CARSTAR’s 10th Anniversary.

Karen Rush and Sam Mercanti present a cheque to CF Canada on behalf of CARSTAR.

CARSTAR’s Executive leadership with Canada’s Best Managed Company Plaque: Michael Macaluso, Dennis Concordia, Sam Mercanti, Lisa Mercanti-Ladd, Larry Jefferies, and MJ Marshall.

Mercanti and Victoria Whittaker, the original inspiration for CARSTAR’s CF fundraising.

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Sam with some of his first franchise partners.

CAREER profile

t’s hard to believe now, when the emphasis in collision repair is on efficiency, but there was a time when a collision facility, like many other busineses, could make money almost in spite of itself. That was essentially the case when Sam Mercanti entered the business in 1964. Today Mercanti is the CEO of CARSTAR Automotive Canada, one of the largest franchise collision repair operations in Canada. However, he started out working on the shop floor. Margins have shrunk enormously over the years, but the facilities that kept an eye on efficiency and had a progressive attitude have managed to survive. Some operators changed with the times, but the industry’s leaders were almost always ahead of the curve. There can be no question that Sam Mercanti is one of these leaders. Mercanti got his start in the business at a young age. After leaving high school, he started working in the shop owned by his uncles. His first job at the facility located on Strachan Ave. in Hamilton, Ontario was in the detail department. He later moved on to prepping and eventually bodywork. “The whole time I was writing estimates for my uncle Dino,” says Mercanti. “He had a good head for business, but he needed someone to write his sheets for him.” It might seem like a small thing, but it was actually history in the making. There’s a good chance that the Canadian collision repair industry would be very different today if Mercanti hadn’t started writing estimates at an early age. “It gave me a passion for that part of the business,” he says. “I found I enjoyed speaking to customers. Landing each job became a personal objective for me. Every single time, getting the keys was a real high.” In 1967, the city of Hamilton wanted to expropriate the location, so Mercanti’s uncles bought another building on Gage Ave. and changed the name of the business to Ontario Auto Collision. Another uncle joined the business and they went to the new Ontario Auto Collision site to run the facility. Mercanti and his uncle Dino stayed at the Mercanti Bros. location on Strachan St. In 1968 Dino decided that the new Ontario Auto location on Gage Ave. needed a manager. “I put up my hand and said, ‘Why not me?’” recalls Mercanti. “I was the front end of the business at Ontario Auto Collision, with one uncle working in body, another in

paint, and a third in prep. We took the business from $200,000 to $1 million a year in a short time frame.” That’s an impressive achievement, especially when you consider that the equivalent purchasing power in today’s currency would be almost $7 million. How did they do it? “I started pursuing the insurance business,” says Mercanti. “At that time, nobody was really going after the work, so the field was open. I started working with agents and brokers, and showing them that we could get their customers back on the road.” Mercanti bought 25 percent ownership of the business and became a full partner in 1972. By 1978, the need for further expansion had become obvious. The building was

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Numbers don’t lie, and they say that expansion was the right move. Sales went from an already respectable $1 million a year to $3 million a year. It was at this point that expansion really kicked into high gear. “We did our first acquisition in 1982, McPetrie Motors in Burlington,” says Mercanti. “I went to run the new shop while my cousin Tony took over our Gage Ave. location.” Ontario Auto Collision had built its own management system by this point, and Mercanti brought it with him to the new Burlington location. Within a short time, the facility went from $50,000 a month to over $100,000. More acquisitions and expansions soon followed. In a relative short time there were

“It really gets me going when I see their success and how much they’ve grown. It’s beyond money. These guys and gals, they started in the shop. Just like I did.” – Sam Mercanti simply running out of room. “Jim Kells was the manager of the BMO where our business did our banking, and he was a good friend. He pointed out that the government was offering small business loans, and he felt we would qualify and get enough capital to build a brand new shop,” says Mercanti. “This was also around the time of the oil crisis. We started getting in a lot of Japanese vehicles with unibody construction that most technicians didn’t know how to repair. We needed more training and equipment, so it became obvious that it was either upgrade or get out of the business.” The doors of the new facility first opened for business in September of 1980. The grand opening made national press at the time, as it was one of the first places built for collision repair from the ground up.

Ontario Auto Collision locations in Stoney Creek, Ancaster, Hamilton, Burlington, and Mississauga, including a truck repair facility located on Gage Ave. in Hamilton. In 1989, they purchased some land on Rymal Rd. in Hamilton and put in a small auto mall offering collision repair, mechanical services, and car rental. By 1990, Ontario Auto Collision had expanded to eight locations. It was around this time that Mercanti heard about a company in the US called CARSTAR. His interest was piqued, and he made several trips to visit Lirel Holt, the previous owner of CARSTAR, in Kansas City. “We saw what they were doing and we thought it was great. We signed a master franchise agreement with CARSTAR US at NACE in November of 1994 and acquired the rights to bring CARSTAR to Canada,” he says.

spring 2015  bodyworx professional

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CAREER profile

Mercanti and his team at one of the first locations in Burlington.

Mercanti at an early insurance event. He was among the first to vigorously pursue relationships with insurers.

There’s no question that Mercanti had a grand vision for CARSTAR in Canada. He foresaw a day when the network would have over 200 locations across the country. However, he’s never been one to pretend to knowledge he doesn’t have. “I knew my market. I didn’t know the whole country,” he says. “I needed someone on board who did know the whole country and could help us through all the challenges we were going to encounter.” Mercanti discussed the matter with Larry Jefferies. At the time, Jefferies was with coatings supplier BASF and he and Mercanti knew each other well. “Every time we expanded, Larry would get the call to equip the store, and so he already knew about our expansion plans,” says Mercanti. “He helped me write a job description to determine exactly who we were looking for to help build CARSTAR. After we wrote it, I looked at Larry and said ‘Larry, this is you!’”

Jefferies didn’t exactly jump at the idea of leaving a 28 year career with BASF, but Mercanti said he wouldn’t put the ad in until Monday morning. Friday afternoon, he received a phone call and heard three simple words: “Sam, I’m in.” It’s hard to imagine a CARSTAR without Larry Jefferies or Sam Mercanti, and this year they achieved the grand vision Sam had set out. CARSTAR Automotive Canada today consists of approximately 220 stores across the country, with over $315 million in sales annually. “Without our Franchise Partners, there would be no CARSTAR. They believed in the dream and continue to share in our vision, mission and values. Success didn’t come without a lot of hard work and pain, but I had people who shared it with me,” says Mercanti. “I’ve always surrounded myself with great people and that’s one of the reasons we’re successful. Nobody ever accomplished anything great on their

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own, it takes a team. Even when Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel, he needed someone to help build the scaffold. Karen Rush, Lisa Mercanti-Ladd, Michael Macaluso, MJ Marshall , Dennis Concordia have also been instrumental to CARSTAR’s development. We have a great Corporate team! Mercanti has been married to Roma Mercanti for over 40 years and they have three daughters, Lisa, Jennifer and Samantha, son-in-laws Ian and Chad and grandchildren, Madison, Zachary and Chelsea. Sam is a family man and that family culture is a big reason for CARSTAR’s success across the country. This year CARSTAR is having its conference at Disney World. “We invite all the partners, kids, all the spouses, everyone, and it’s going to be a great place to celebrate our 20 year milestone with the entire CARSTAR Family,” says Mercanti. Mercanti gives credit within the CARSTAR organization, but he’s not shy about acknowledging the contributions made by outside partners. “Our insurance partners played a big part in our success,” he says. “We were one of the first collision centres to start measuring the three key performance indicators of severity, cycle time, and CSI. We delivered on those, and they trusted us and helped with our growth. Our vendors have also shown us a lot of support over the years. We couldn’t have reached the level we have without them.” Mercanti started in the collision repair industry at 17, and just turned 67 this September, celebrating 50 years in the collision industry. As he says, it’s been a heck of a ride. “Anyone who’s thinking of getting into this business, I can tell you that if you work hard and set goals, you can make it happen,” says Mercanti. “A lot of our people started out on the floor, just like I did, and now they’re business owners.” Mercanti can reel off the list, but frankly there are too many to go into here. Suffice it to say, there is more than one former body tech in the rank of CARSTAR franchisees, and a significant number of those own more than one store. “It really gets me going when I see their success and how much they’ve grown,” says Mercanti. “It’s beyond money. These guys and gals, they started in the shop. Just like I did.”

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tech talk

When techs practice bad habits, it can lower the quality of repairs and slow a centre’s cycle time.

Breaking Habit

Five common collision repair faux-pas techs need to overcome. By Justin Jimmo Technical Representative – Refinish Sales for Co-Auto Co-Operative

isiting several collision centres each week and talking with techs from all over the world has made it pretty clear that each location comes with its own individual set of challenges and ways of doing things. While each facility has its differences, there’s significant overlap when it comes to the habits that can negatively impact production and quality. Here are some of the more common issues I’ve come across:

results in premature paint failures, such as excessive stone-chipping.

2. Improper Polishing Many shops rely on creating unique polishing systems — anything from simply interchanging compounds to using a coarse compound with a fine pad and hiding the resulting swirl

marks with wax — to finalize the paint finish. By creating a Frankenstein-like polishing system, you might be setting yourself up for the appearance of flaws a few weeks, or even a few days, down the road. Visible sand scratches, or swirl marks reappearing after the wax wears off, are just a few examples of potential polishing failures.

1. Skipping Primer When new parts arrive at a centre, they’re often covered in a thin, black primer known as e-coat. This serves to protect the substrate from corrosion, but does not provide the proper foundation for paint application. It is then necessary to apply either a urethane or epoxy primer over e-coat prior to basecoating. This can also be done using a wet-on-wet application. Skipping this step

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Applying primer over the e-coat on new parts is a necessary step. Here, Justin Jimmo demonstrates wet-on-wet primer application.

tech talk

3. Preparing Plastic Incorrectly The most common paint failures often involve refinishing plastic, mostly due to the time required to prepare these parts correctly. Plastic bumpers are frequently primed using a soluble, washable primer that can be removed with solvent. To guarantee your workmanship, you need to remove the primer and start with raw plastic. Failing to do so can result in peeling, excessive chipping, and adhesion problems. When you start with raw plastic, manufacturers recommendations do vary. However, they all tend to endorse good cleaning habits, an adhesion promoter, and a urethane sealer prior to basecoat application.

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designed to provide contrast to the colour of the car. The most common explanation I receive is that technicians choose a white primer on a black car because the white primer is easier to see. If you need a visual indication, then consider using a guidecoat — either a graphite powder or contrasting paint. Ideally, you want to select a greyscale value or shade of primer that best matches the brightness of the colour. In some cases your paint system can provide the exact value of primer to eliminate the guesswork. If you match the value during the priming stage, your painter will have more options in the booth that will result in both increased production and savings on material.

Most of these issues can be addressed by working with your paint and product manufacturers to establish standard operating procedures (SOP) for your collision repair centre.

4. Practicing Poor Gun Cleaning Habits From primer to clear coat, the best technicians know that spraying with a gun that looks and performs like new will provide the highest quality of jobs and also reduce material consumption. The smoother you can lay down your primer, the less time you are going to spend sanding it. With basecoat, you will reduce de-nibbing and re-application due to metallic control problems. When it comes to clear coat, not only will you reduce dirt nibs, but by keeping your spray pattern even, you’ll avoid runs and dry spray. It may seem time-consuming to break down your gun after each use, but trust me, nothing is better than spraying with the ease that comes with a brand new paint gun on each job.

5. Picking the Wrong Primer Shade It can sometimes seem like there is an industry disconnect on the purpose of shaded (valued) primers. First and foremost they are not

Most of these issues can be addressed by working with your paint and product manufacturers to establish standard operating procedures (SOPs) for your collision repair centre. A combination of inhouse training and easy-to-follow visual reminders will help reinforce proper procedures and help new hires adapt to your centre’s standards.

Justin Jimmo is a Technical Representative – Refinish Sales for Co-Auto CoOperative. He is also the founder of refinishnetwork.com, an online community for automotive painters. His videos can be seen online at youtube.com/ user/jimmo4life.

A Hands-on Look at Training By Bill Davidge, National Technical Manager at CARSTAR Automotive Canada As a National Technical Manager, I travel across Canada speaking to many young technicians in our company. One of the most common things I hear about is training, more specifically their desire for more hands-on training. While theory-based courses have been taught in classro oms for years, technicians have long been asking for hands-on learning where they can work with the latest in equipment and repair techniques. Finally there is some good news! The amount of hands-on training in the industry is rapidly increasing as more OEMs (vehicle makers) are developing or upgrading their training. These upgrades will include hands-on training and testing that will make sure technicians can actually do what they are learning. A great example of this is weld-testing. Before hands-on training and testing became available, technicians (myself included) were playing a guessing game with the settings we used when welding on cars. This is never a good idea because it compromises the safety of the customer’s vehicle. Now I-CAR provides manufacturer specifications and training to avoid these kinds of bad practices. At CARSTAR’s head office, we offer this I-CAR training as a full day of hands-on practice and testing that can lead to certification. This is the only certification accepted by OEMs like Ford (aluminum truck program) and Honda (steel welding). Young technicians can now learn tangible new skills for their job today, while building for their career tomorrow. It is a really exciting time to be in this industry and I encourage you take advantage of hands-on training as it continues to improve. I also encourage you to send me your comments to bdavidge@carstar.ca. I want to know: what other kind of hands-on training would you like to see offered?

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Industry skills

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Quebec’s Kassandra Bilodeau is gearing up for WorldSkills 2015.

Taking on the

World Coming off their success at Skills Canada 2014, Justin Dambitis and Kassandra Bilodeau now have their sights set on earning trips to Brazil for WorldSkills 2015. By Leanne Jefferies

he best and brightest young talent from across Canada gathered in Toronto in June 2014 for the annual Skills Canada National Competition. Held from June 4 to 7, the participating Canadian youth were at their best as they competed to earn consideration for a spot on the Canadian national team for the 2015 WorldSkills event. Thanks to the increased involvement of our partners, WorldSkills Team Canada is able to continue their participation at this international event that brings together the world’s most talented competitors in the skilled trades and technologies. The WorldSkills Canadian Trial Competitors were selected based on their performance at the 2014 Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC). Once identified, the competitor was assigned to work with an Expert and Trainer — volunteers from in-

dustry or education, who possess a high level of technical expertise. They will prepare for the international competition by working on previous SCNC/WorldSkills Competition projects using industry-specific methods and processes. In early 2015, the competitors will compete in the WorldSkills Canadian Trials in an effort to secure a spot on WorldSkills Team Canada 2015, and move on to the WorldSkills Competition being held this August in São Paulo, Brazil. At the WorldSkills Canadian Trials, competitors must demonstrate that they have reached a pre-established Canadian standard in their particular skill area. This means that not all of the WorldSkills Canadian Trials Competitors will move on to the event in São Paolo. I would like to introduce the competitors and some of the trainers and experts who are volunteering to make Canadian WorldSkills participation possible:

spring 2015  bodyworx professional

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Industry skills

Kassandra Bilodeau is putting in the time to train for WorldSkills.

Kassandra Bilodeau Car Painting

“I have worked extremely hard over the last few months and I will work even harder in the coming months in order to become even better. My trainer and I have been challenged by the high level of difficulty of the projects that we are completing to prepare for WorldSkills. We are investing a great deal of time, and will continue to work even harder The Car Painting as the event draws closer. I am enjoycompetitor is proud to ing this adventure and I am learning new represent her country. skills and advanced techniques. Training for WorldSkills is an excellent experience and will only help me become a better painter for both the event, and also my career. I am proud to represent Canada in the Car Painting global competition, and I’m looking forward to participating in future competitions.”

Aaron Hebb, Team Canada Expert and past WorldSkills medalist, is in Kassandra’s corner.

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Aaron Hebb Canadian Expert, Team Canada “When I received the information that the Expert position for Team Canada in my trade (Car Painting) was open, I immediately started working on my application. Then with support from my employer, I applied. “For me, stepping into the Expert role has been a way to give back to the Skills organization, which jumpstarted my career in the collision repair and refinishing industry. I would like to provide the same experience to all youth coming into our industry. For that reason, I donate all of my spare time to the skills program. My employer understands the importance of the Skills program at a national level and has fully supported my continued involvement in the organization. “Being a previous world skills medalist, I know first-hand what is required of a competitor and what support they will need to be successful. Kassandra will be required to spend all of her spare time outside of her job as a painter, focusing her mind and sharpening her skills to be at the level required for the competition. “My main goal is to make sure that Kassandra has every opportunity available to her and that nothing stands in the way of her achieving all the goals she sets out for herself. “New this year, we have completed the Canadian trials. The Canadian trials are a four-day world skills level competition that the competitor completes to earn their spot on Team Canada. The trials in Car Painting were held at CIMIC in Saint-Georges, Quebec from January 23 to 26. It was a great opportunity for Kassandra to experience the duration and expectations of a World Skills event. This has been the best training tool to date in her preparation for World Skills Brazil in August 2015. “In April, I will be travelling with Kassadra to New Zealand, were she will compete in another World Skills level competition, as another stepping stone in her training preparations.”

Industry skills

“I have immense pride in Canada and being Canadian, so it is an honour to be preparing for WorldSkills. I am looking forward to participating against competitors from across the globe.” Claude Labonte Team Canada trainer, Car Painting “As a teacher, my role is to train students to prepare to enter the labour market. It requires sharing a lot of knowledge and experience to ensure their skills develop to the level of standards set by the industry. Students who invest the time to develop their skills end up being top performers and succeed at Skills Canada competitions. “As a trainer to a potential WorldSkills competitor, I see that the bar is set very high at the Skills Canada trials. Kassandra has completed her trial, and continues to work very hard during her training to master difficult tasks that challenge her to become better. Training a competitor is motivating, especially when you can see improvement day by day. I approach my role as her coach with passion, motivation and determination for Kassandra to be at her best for WorldSkills. I love this job with all my heart and it’s a privilege to help someone who is so dedicated to being the best she can be.”

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Justin Dambitis is sharpening his skills, performing a variety of collision repair jobs.

justin dambitis Autobody Repair

“In preparing for the trials my trainer has challenged me as much as possible by practicing the different levels of heavy collision repairs. During the months leading up to my trial competition, I have completed my fourth levThe proud Canadian el of training to become a journeyman hopes to face off against competitors at and have written my red seal to bethe international event. come an auto body technician. I have worked very hard to expand my knowledge and sharpen my skills. I am enjoying the experience very much and appreciate my trainer investing his time to help me prepare. “I have immense pride in Canada and being Canadian, so it is an honour to be preparing for WorldSkills. I am looking forward to participating against competitors from across the globe. I hope to represent Canada well, and demonstrate the level of skills we have as a country. I hope I will also be an inspiraLeanne Jefferies is the tion to other young people entering the Director of the CCIF Skills collision repair industry.” Program and AIA Canada

Best of luck to both Kassandra and Justin as they follow their dream to represent Canada when they compete at WorldSkills 2015!

Collision Programs. She is based in Ontario, and can be reached at 905-628-3401, or at ljefferies@bell. net. To learn more about the CCIF Skills Program, please visit ccifskillsprogram.com.

spring 2015  bodyworx professional

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school spotlight

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C o l l eg e o f th e

North Atlantic CNA’s Motor Vehicle Body Repairer program arms students with the practical skills required to thrive in the workforce.

NA is one of the largest post-secondary educational and skills training centres in Atlantic Canada with 17 campus locations throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, offering close to 100 full-time programs and over 300 part-time courses. The Motor Vehicle Body Repairer (Metal and Paint) program is taught through the School of Industrial Trades at the Prince Philip Drive Campus, located on the southeast part of the island at 1 Prince Philip Drive, St. John’s, NL.

Students pick up the tools of the trade throughout the nine-month certificate program.

Nine Months at a Glance code

title

Block 1

Entry Level

hrs

TS1510

Occupational Health and Safety

TS1520

WHMIS

TS1530

Standard First Aid

AB1600

Trade Related Documents

AB1610

Safety

AB1620

Tools and Equipment

AB1630

Fasteners and Adhesives

AB1641

Vehicle Construction

AB1651

Pre/Post Repair Vehicle Inspection

AB1660

Metallurgy

AB1671

Cutting and Heating

AB1680

Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW [MIG])

AB1690

Resistance Spot Welding

AB1701

Metal Working I (Mild Steel)

AB1711

Body Fillers and Abrasives

AB1721

Corrosion Protection

AB1732

Surface Preparation (Cleaning, Stripping and Masking)

AB1750

Stationary Glass

AB1760

Moveable Glass and Hardware

AB1780

Cleaning and Detailing

AB1790

Upholstery, Trim and Hardware

AB1801

Refinishing I

Graduation Outlook

AB1811

Batteries

Successful completion of the program’s entry-level courses will result in a certificate provided by CNA. Graduates may then pursue Red Seal Certification by securing employment, registering as an apprentice and completing the outlined advanced training and required work experience. Employment opportunities are available at auto body repair shops, automobile and truck dealerships, custom shops, and service stations.

AB1820

Primers, Surfaces and Sealers

AB2811

Non-Structural Components

AM1100

Math Essentials

AM1240

MV Body Repair Math Fundamentals

CM2160

Communication Essentials

SD1760

Workplace Essentials

MC1060

Computer Essentials

AP1101

Introduction to Apprenticeship

OT1220

Workplace Exposure

Program Overview Designed to provide the skills and knowledge necessary to enter the workforce, the program trains students to repair and replace vehicle structures and body parts, remove and install interior and exterior finishes, hammer out defects, operate soldering equipment and plastic filler, remove damaged parts, weld replacement parts, straighten frames and underbodies, and perform refinishing preparation and application. Throughout their training, students will exercise safe work practices and personal protection, use necessary tools and equipment, demonstrate correct use of chemicals, determine product application, estimate repair costs, and learn to manage customer needs, complaints, questions and special challenges.

Entrance Requirements Applicants must meet set admission requirements in order to be granted acceptance into the program. Students must meet one the following academic criteria: 1. Completion of High School. 2. Adult Basic Education (Level III), with a general college profile or business related college profile or degree and technical profile. Recommended courses: Mathematics (MA3107A, MA3107B, MA3107C) and Science (3101, 3102, 3103). 3. Hold a Comprehensive Arts and Science (Trades) Certificate. 4. Meet Mature Student Status, i.e. applicants who do not meet educational requirements, are 19 years of age or older and have been out of school for a minimum of one year.

Program Length CNA’s Motor Vehicle Body Repairer (Metal and Paint) certificate program runs for a duration of nine months, beginning in the month of September. Apprenticeships take approximately four to five years, leading to Journeyman status.

spring 2015  bodyworx professional

final detail

problem solver Creativity will help you bridge the gap. By Mike Davey

here are a lot of different skills that a professional technician needs. Formal training in automotive damage repair will give you a good grounding in the basics, but that usually only covers the technical side. It’s easy to think of those technical skills as being the most important. That’s true in a way. You won’t get very far if you can’t do the repairs. No matter how smart you are, there’s no room in

and training are essentially the basic admission price. Technical skills are necessary, but they probably won’t get you to the top. When facility owners go looking for a new manager, they don’t make their selections based solely on how good someone is on the bench. In fact, that may be the last thing on their minds. Remember, it’s the basic price of admission to be considered for the role. We ran a survey recently on colli-

there is no such thing as a business that doesn’t need a creative problem solver. the collision repair industry for a tech whose repairs can’t be depended on to be safe and of high-quality. Good technical skills are the lowest possible price of admission. Just like at the hockey game, when you pay the lowest price for your seat, it’s usually up in the rafters. It’s not a bad place to be, necessarily, but you get a better view of the action the closer you can get to the ice. In other words, progressing in your career means building your skills in other areas. Don’t get me wrong. Outstanding technical skills will move you forward and help make up for any other deficiencies you may have. Never stop developing them, and never stop upgrading. Again, continuous improvement

bodyworxmag.com  bodyworx professional

sionrepairmag.com, the online home of Bodyworx Professional’s sister publication, Collision Repair magazine. If you’re not familiar with it, think of Collision Repair magazine as the manager or owner’s version of Bodyworx Professional. The survey asked owners and managers which skills they most liked to see on a resume, aside from technical skills. Respondents could choose from a number of different categories, but two answers were clearly the most popular: creative problem solving and interpersonal skills. When that manager’s job opens up, who are they going to choose? The technician who gets along well with everyone, knows everyone by name, and is friendly and professional to custom-

ers? Probably. Will the new position go to the prima donna who causes conflict every day and spreads discord wherever they go? Probably not. Never underestimate those interpersonal skills. Someone who knows people, really knows what motivates and drives them, can find a home in any industry. Knowing what makes people tick is important. Caring about them takes it to another level. The other category is also helpful and just as portable. There is no such thing as a business that doesn’t need a creative problem solver. It doesn’t matter if the solution they have right now work just fine. You can write your own ticket if you can be the one who figures out how to do things better, faster, cheaper, or all three. Great managers are always individuals, but creative problem solving and interpsonal skills are two skills they all share. When it comes to collision repair, they’re especially valuable and they reinforce each other. Solve someone’s problems, and you’re at least halfway to getting them on your side. At the very least, they’ll be more sympathetic the next time you have to butt heads. Repair skills are important, essential really, but they’re not everything. Keep building your soft skills and watch your career take off.

Mike Davey is the editor of Bodyworx Professional. He can be reached at 905-3700101 or via email at editor@ collisionrepairmag.com.

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