Collision Blast

Providing FREE Auto Body and Paint Training Videos

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.

Students Working in the Collision Industry While Attending College

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I held an interview with Zan Fine, a Butler Community College Collision Repair student, about his experience at Butler. In addition to attending college, Zan works part time for a body shop. I encourage students to work in the collision industry while in college. This is an excellent way to get experience and help the students apply what they’ve learned and help them excel in school and on the job. After a few weeks of school Zan spoke with Arlie at Arlie’s Paint Body & Glass in Marion, Kansas. Arlie was kind enough to welcome Zan and offer him a part time job, and now works on Friday’s and Saturday’s for him.
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Donnie – How did you get interested in collision repair?
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Zan – The first thing that sparked an interest was through a shadowing assignment that I did in high school, in my English class. I had the opportunity to spend a day at a body shop and I found that to be exciting and interesting. Later, I visited both programs at Butler (Auto Tech and Collision Repair) and decided that there were too much computer and electrical technology involved with auto tech. So I decided that collision repair was a better fit for me. I like the hands-on.
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Donnie – Now that you’ve been in the collision repair program for about a semester, what area of the industry do you favor?
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Zan – I think that I enjoy working with metal the best. I like to straighten metal and repair dents. However, I’m interested to get into the painting side of this.
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Donnie – Tell me why you decided to choose Butler Community College?
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Zan – I looked at some other programs and felt that therir class size were too big. Butler appeared to have a better atmosphere and everyone was easy to get along with. Dealing with bad attitudes is something I don’t want to deal with at this time.
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Donnie – What do you feel Collision repair has to offer you?
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Zan – I think this training offers a great deal of opportunities. I like learning and doing new things. I hate routine. This industry is constantly changing, which will keep it interesting. I also believe that I will always be able to find a job. Accidents are going to happen, which will require someone to repair them. However, you must be willing to work hard in this industry.
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Donnie – What advice would you give someone considering collision repair as a career?
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Zan – I think that if you like it–go for it. If you decide that you don’t want to be a technician later, there are many other careers to choose from. Shop estimator, insurance appraiser, or shop manager. I was not sure if I was going to like collision repair, but I’ve learned that I love this type of work. Again, this career is for the doers and shakers. If you’re not willing to work hard, it may not be for you.
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Donnie – I know that you’ve been working at Arlie’s part time. Can you tell us a little about that?
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Zan – It’s a great place to work and they have treated me excellent. It is a very clean shop, which make it nice. It has benefited me to work there because what I learn at school helps me apply it at work. The things that I learn at work give me a head start at school.
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Zan is definitely focused on his career and I believe that he will be among the best of the collision repair industry.
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Collision Repair Tip
Using a new razor blade to carefully scrape a run in paint will reduce sanding time.
Fact
Butler Community College was founded in 1927.
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Quote
“Whatever you have, you must either use or lose.”
~Henry Ford
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Question
What are crush zones designed to do when in an accident?
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Here is a video that Zan was asked to produced.

It’s A Time For…

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The end of the year is here and it is time for many things. Let’s slow down, take a breath, and reflect on the great times we had this year

It’s A Time for Thanks

  1. Collision Repair had a new semi-downdraft prep station installed.
  2. Collision Repair now has AllData Collision Connect. This allows us to retrieve the correct repair procedures for vehicles. This increases the quality of repairs we do. It also contributes to a safer working environment by taking guess work out.
  3. Collision Repair purchased a Red Devil Paint Shaker, which is a must for the high pearl colors of today.
  4. Collision Repair received a lower line of PPG paint called Shopline. This will be used to perform test panels and practice spraying techniques. This will be a small savings on materials. However, we will continue to use PPG for live work. Thanks to Danny Hutchins at Car Color.
  5. Upgraded our existing Shark computerized measuring system.
  6. Collision Repair received outside training classes and tour of collision repair facilities. Thanks to Danny Hutchins at Car Color, Bob Rech at 3M, AutoCraft of Wichita, and Extreme Motorsports Collision Center of El Dorado.
  7. Materials and Parts Donations. Thanks to Danny at Car Color and Scholfield Honda in Wichita.
  8. For all of our soldiers willing to put their life on the line to keep us safe.
  9. We all have different beliefs, but I’m personally thankful for a certain someone born about 2000 years ago.

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I’m sure there are things to be thankful for in other programs or businesses. I can barely keep up with the Collision Repair program, but I encourage you to comment on your thanks in our comments section.

A Time for Memorial

  1. The Butler Collision Repair Team lost one of their own this year. Ted Powe, a former BCC Collision student will be on our minds and our hearts will be with his family this holiday season.
  2. For soldiers who lost their lives, while defending our country.
  3. The one that lost his life for us, so that we can have life.

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If you would like to add someone to remember this year, please add him or her to the comment section of this blog.

A Time for Champions

  1. The Butler Grizzlies won National Championship two times back-to-back in football. This makes their 6th NJCAA Championship victory. Read More
  2. The Butler Livestock Judging Team took some National Championships this year. They have 23 national contest victories this decade. Read More.
  3. Dr. Vietti, Butler’s president, was nationally recognized as the recipient of the 2008 Western Regional Chief Executive Officer award for the national Association of Community College Trustees. Read More
  4. Dr. Ellis, Butler’s vice president, was recognition as a South Plains College Distinguished Alumni. Read More
  5. Patrick Sampoll, Fernando Galindo, and Jose Valenzuela, BCC Collision Repair students, produced a auto collision welding video, which was in a major national collision repair magazine called Auto Body Collision News (ABRN) Read More
  6. Jennifer Engelbrecht, a BCC Collision Repair student won a $2500.00 scholarship through the I-CAR Education Foundation, in conjunction with AkzoNobel Coatings, Inc. and the Most Influential Women of the Collision Repair Industry. This scholarship was announced at NACE 2008 in Las Vegas, NV. Read More
  7. Jennifer was also interviewed by Scene Exchange about the collision industry. Read More
  8. This blog and our videos were mentioned on Parts & People. Read More
  9. Again, the people that put their lives on the line for us are Champions.

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This is where you all are really going to have to help me. I know that there a more Champions and Victories out there, but I’m in here swinging hammers beating on cars all day. I’m not leaving any champions out; I just don’t get out a lot. However, I would love to hear more Butler and/or other Success stories. Please share in our comments section.

A Time for Hope
Everyone completes each year hoping that the next year will be even better. Here are a few of the things I hope for in the future.

  1. Better economy
  2. More jobs
  3. New football stadium for the Grizzlies
  4. High enrollment

A Time for Giving

As we reflect though this year and look into next year, you have the opportunity to put hope in the lives of others. Community Colleges depend on the help of others to produce the champions of the future. There are many scholarships available for you to contribute to at our Foundation office. You can also give online to the Butler Foundation. If you feel compelled to donate to help future collision repair technicians, there is a scholarship set up in memory of Ted Powe. Read more about the Ted Powe Scholarship.

I WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON

Here is a video explaining our Butler Foundation office.

‘Tis The Season

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We all know the holiday seasons are here, but there may be more seasons around us than we’re aware of.

I want to tell you a strange story that happened to me yesterday morning. I had just dropped my kids of at school and was on my way to Butler. A commercial on the radio caught my attention because it was talking about auto accidents. They were talking about it being deer hunting season, but it is also deer collision season. At that exact time a deer shot across the road, I slammed on my brakes and I knocked the deer off balance. Fortunately, I was not traveling too fast, the deer jumped up and ran off and there is no damage to my vehicle. So, maybe I owe Auto Craft a thank you for helping me be deer collision conscientious at that time.

After getting to work it started to snow, which led to more accidents throughout the day. I was watching the news this morning and I believe it said that there had been over 400 accidents called in, in Sedgwick County. That is a lot of work for the body shops, but please, drive careful and respect bad weather conditions.

Here are some tips to help you drive on the ice and snow, so that you can spend your holiday season safely at home with your family. Driving Tips

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Collision Repair Tip
Use a small butane torch to remove small dents from a body panel.
~Sam Moser – BCC Student

Fact
The Butler livestock judging team has 23 national contest victories this decade. Read More

Quote
“Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.”
~Henry Ford

Question
What is the first step before starting any collision repair?

BCC Collision Goes High Tech

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With the addition of a couple of new gadgets, the Butler Auto Body classroom is looking snazzy and keeping up with the latest technology.

A new smart board looks like the old white boards and even comes with “markers” and an “eraser”. One picks up the fake markers to activate the touch sensitive surface. This allows Mr. Smith to show us his mad doodle skills in the explanation of related concepts.

The new lamp looking thingy is a digital eye and a lamp that allows him to magnify and display on the smart board, any object he places under its digital lens which saves paper by preventing numerous copies to be made and passed around. Now everyone can see the magnified version on the smart board, and its large enough print for Mr. Smith to read.

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Collision Repair Tip 

“When painting aprons and rails use aluminum foil for masking wire hardnesses etc.

~LikeFactory – AutoBodyOnline

Quote

“Live as you will die tomorrow, but learn as if you will live forever.”

~Mahatma Ghandi