Collision Blast

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Butler Community College Receives Highest Honor Possible

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Butler’s football team receives the highest honor possible, which is the 2008 National Championship.  We’re the first community college in the United States to win national championship back-to-back two times.  Check out the video to hear more about this awesome accomplishment.  

After watching the video, it’s obvious that Butler is the home of Champions.  However, we have champions in many of our programs.  The Collision Repair and Auto Tech programs were recently selected by Tomorrow’s Technician magazine to be in the final 2o schools to becoming the School of the Year.  I’m excited to find the results in April.
If you’re interested in becoming a champion in the collision repair or auto tech industry, let Butler help you make your dreams become reality.  Butler is committed to producing quality students.  Therefore, we only offer 15 openings in each program per year.  If you’re interested in becoming a professional technician, it’s time to start thinking about securing your spot for fall classes.
For more information about the Collision Repair program contact:
Donnie Smith
Lead Collision Instructor
(316)323-6890
asmith73@butlercc.edu 
For more information about the Auto Tech program contact:
Jeremy Carlson
Auto Tech Instructor
(316)322-3287
jcarlson5@butlercc.edu
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Collision Repair Tip
Use a razor blade to gently scrape a run or sag out of a painted surface.  This will reduce the amount of color sanding required.
~Zan Fine – BCC Student
Fact
The first car radio was invented in 1929.

Quote
“You are the only person on earth who can use your ability.”
~Zig Ziglar
Question
Shops are being required to use water borne paint.  What is your opinion or thoughts about this?
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Follow-up on the Ted Powe Scholarship Skate

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The skating event went well.  My wife and I even skated.  The best news is that we did not even brake any bones.  Although, we did fall a time or two.  My boys already want to know when we can go skate again.

The event was created to benefit the Ted Powe Scholarship, which is a scholarship set up for the collision repair program.  Carousel Skate Center said that they plan to hold two skates per year in memory of Ted.  All money generated from admissions and raffles will be donated to the scholarship.  
I would like to personally thank Carousel Skate Center for their support and contributions.  Community support helps Butler produce the technicians of tomorrow.
Here is a short video of the skating event.

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Collision Repair Tip
When masking, some soft moldings can be lifted by slipping a small rope between the molding and the surface to be painted.  This will eliminate paint/clear from bridging to the molding. 
~BCC Student – Sam Moser 
Fact
The automobile is the most recycled consumer product in the world today.

Quote
“You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.”
~Zig Ziglar
Question
How does water borne paint reduce VOC’s?
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A Man in a Hunting Cap

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The first week back to school was a busy, but a productive week. The first year students spent the week learning how to prepare an automotive damage repair estimates so they can start writing the auto repair estimates for the facility and students needing estimates. The second year students were busy learning how to mix, tint and blend paint. I can’t believe that we’re already in the second semester. If this semester goes by as fast as the first one, then summer is right around the corner. Well, here is a quick video about what is going on in the program and about a man in a hunting cap.

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Collision Repair Tip
To help from having a hard clear coat edge, remove the line edge tape when the clear is still wet. This will allow the clear coat level, which will leave a softer edge.
BCC Student – Patrick Sampoll

Quote
You were given two ends. One to sit on and one to think with. Success depends on which one you use; heads you win, tails, you lose. Think about it…
~Author Unknown

Fact
Butler Community College’s engineering program is one of only five programs accredited by ABET (Accrediting Board for Engineering Technology) in the nation.

Question
1. If an estimate shows that it will take 2.1 hours to replace a fender, 2.3 hours to paint the outside, 0.5 hours to edge it, and add for clear coat; how many hours and minutes will the technician flag?
2. Who is the man in the hunting cap? If you know the answer to either of these questions, please let us know in the comments.
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Hands-On Training + Work Experience = Superior Results

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Some students are off playing and having fun when not in class, but several of the collision repair students are getting work experience in their spare time. These students are spending four hours per day, four days per week in the collision repair program. In addition to collision repair classes, they are taking general education classes to obtain an associates degree. When they are not busy with classes they are working in the collision repair industry.

Today, I am interviewing Patrick Sampoll, a collision repair student, to get his views on his school and work experience. Patrick is a first year student and is currently work part-time for X-treme Motor Sport Inc. in El Dorado, Kansas. Patrick connected with Brian (owner) when we took a field trip to X-treme’s facility. Patrick went and spoke with Brian after the field trip and was able to attain a part-time job. We appreciate Brian, and other body shop managers for taking our students in and helping them achieve superior results at a faster rate.

Donnie – Tell us how you became interested in collision repair.

Patrick – I have always wanted to work on cars. While in high school I decided to take the Auto Tech program offered by Butler. I really enjoyed what I learned, but I still wanted more, so I decided to enroll in the collision repair program.

Donnie – Now that you’ve taken some of the collision repair classes and you’re working for a body shop, what captures your interest the most?

Patrick – I interested to start learning more about refinishing. I want to become a paint technician.

Donnie – Why did you choose Butler Community College to get your training?

Patrick – I thought about another program, but I felt that Butler had a stronger program. I also like the one-on-one training offered at Butler. They have a less student-per-instructor ratio.

Donnie – What do you feel the collision repair career pathway has to offer you?

Patrick – I think that it is open to a wide variety of opportunities. Everyone knows that this training will prepare you to become a collision or refinish technician, but you can also move towards estimating, insurance appraisal or shop management.

Donnie – What advice would you give someone that may be interested in pursuing collision repair as a career?

Patrick – Take a tour of some schools offering collision repair. Visit some body shops and ask question. This should give you a good idea if this work is a fit for you or not.

Donnie – How do you like working at X-treme Motor Sport Inc.?

Patrick – It has been a great experience. We recently replace a cab clip, which taught me a lot. I am able to take the skills that I’ve learned in school and apply them at work.

While some students may be goofing off in their spare time, you will probably find Patrick in class or work achieving superior results, to offer the collision repair industry.

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Collision Repair Tip
On a large repair, use a cheese grater file to level the body filler. You only have a 10 to 20 minute window to use this technique. If filed too soon the filler will smear or peel off. If you wait too long, the filler will become fully hardened making it difficult to file. However, if done properly, this will save a lot of sanding time.

Quote
“Never give up.”
~Louis Chevrolet

Fact
W.C. Durant in Detroit, Michigan started the company Chevrolet. The cars produced were first brought out by racecar driver, Louis Chevrolet. In 1917 General Motors acquired Chevrolet.

Question
What is the difference between primer surfacer and primer sealer? If you know, leave us a comment with the answer.
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Below are a few of videos that Patrick helped produce.  The welding video was mentioned in ABRN magazine and Patrick was recognized by the Butler Board for his efforts.

Everything is Bigger in Texas

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Home of the Big Texan Ranch Steak House in Amarillo, TX

From the deserts of New Mexico, to the big state of Texas, and back to the sunflower state of Kansas. I’m back in Kansas now, but I thought that I would share with you a few of our stops that we made on our way back.

Southeast New Mexico is covered with mesquite, cactus, and sand. 
When I mention to people that I used to live in New Mexico, most people think about the beautiful mountains of Taos, Angel Fire, Ruidoso, or some of the other mountain areas of New Mexico. However, I lived in the dry and hot desert southeast corner of New Mexico. If you have ever visited the Carlsbad Caverns, you were close to where I lived in Artesia.

My dad and boys killing some time in the sand hills.

I’m sure that you’ve heard the saying “everything is bigger in Texas.” Well, the stops that we made in Texas proved that statement. In Amarillo we stopped by the Big Texan Steak Ranch. If you’re ever real hungry, you can eat their 72 oz. steak for free. The only catch is that you must eat the entire steak in 60 minutes or less. Are you up for a challenge…? I wasn’t…I just ate a burger.

The front view of the Big Texan 
My boys sitting in the big chair at the Big Texan

From there we stopped by a 190’ cross located in Groom, Texas. Standing next to this cross will make you feel small. I recommend stopping by to see the cross if you’re ever in the area.


My boys standing at the bottom of the 190′ cross.


Then we crossed through Oklahoma and back to the sunflower state of Kansas. Whew, I was glad to be back home. I felt like the road was stretching and we were never going to get home.

All right, back to business. I am going to the US Hot Rod Thunder National event at the

Kansas Coliseum. I will be there on Saturday, January 10, 2009. I’ll try to snap a few pics and share them with you.

The Butler Collision Repair and Auto Tech programs are going to set up a booth at the 52nd Darryl Starbird’s car show. This will be held at the Century 2 Convention Center in Wichita, KS. Show dates will be January 16, 17 & 18. Try to make it to the show. Be sure to stop by our booth and visit us. This would be a great time to ask us any question that you may have about the programs.

A lot of cool thinks coming up. Check back for additional information.

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Collision Repair Tip

Use a welding blanket to cover nearby glass when grinding, cutting, or welding. This will prevent pitted glass.

Quote

“What is it that you like doing? If you don’t like it, get out of it, because you’ll be lousy at it. You don’t have to stay with a job for the rest of your life, because if you don’t like it you’ll never be successful in it.”
~Lee lacocca

Fact

Butler is now the second largest community college in Kansas.

Question

What is the purpose of weld-through primer?  If you know, leave us a comment with the answer.
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