what's this job?

[English4everyone]

When there is a car accident, the cars are damaged and the accident usually leaves dents on the body surface of the car. Then we should take the car to a garage to have the dents repaired and removed, and probably after that painting/spraying is done.I would like to know what you call a person whose job is removing those dents and flattening the body of the car.Thanks.

 

[Rover_KE]

He's a panel beater.

 

[SoothingDave]

I have never heard that. We would take the car to an "auto body" shop.

 

[Barb_D]

I think we're seeing the difference in American English and English used elsewhere. Like Dave, I have not heard the term "panel beater" before (though it sounds like a great thing to put on a business card!) but I wouldn't know what to call someone who worked in a body shop. He (or she!) is not a mechanic. I guess I'd just say "I had to bring it to the [auto] body shop, or say "the guy at the body shop said..."

 

[SoothingDave]

If I had to, I would give a title like "auto body repair technician" or "specialist." Or even just "worker."

 

[5jj]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panel_beater

 

[charliedeut]

I worked for a while with some pleople from the US who did this: http://www.dentwerkspdr.com/hail_dent_repair_using_pdr.htm. I'm aware the case is not the same, since this technique is only applied for minor dents (like hail dents), but what would you call them? Simply "Paintless dent removers"?

 

[Barb_D]

Charlie, I'd still call him "an auto body guy."

 

[Amigos4]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panel_beater

Thanks for the reference, 5jj.

A panel beater is a term used in some Commonwealth countries to describe a person who repairs vehicle bodies back to their factory state after having been damaged (e.g., after being involved in a collision).[SUP][1][/SUP] In the USA the same job is done by an auto body mechanic.