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Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
PREFACE
Auto Collision Repair and Refinishing is an easy-to-understand, up-to-date textbook detailing the
automotive collision repair and refinishing. It has been designed to help prepare aspiring technicians for
exciting and productive careers in the collision repair and refinishing industry. It also provides the infor-
mation needed to prepare for ASE collision repair and refinishing certification tests.
The collision repair and refinishing industry has changed dramatically over the past several years. From
laser-guided pulling systems to waterborne paints, many of today’s tools, materials, and techniques are
radically different from those commonly used just a decade ago. Auto Collision Repair and Refinishing
provides instruction on the latest collision repair and refinishing techniques, as well as more traditional
repair procedures. This book presents both the theoretical and practical aspects of collision repair and
refinishing in an easy-to-understand manner. Auto Collision Repair and Refinishing will give you the
tools you need to succeed in the challenging and ever-changing world of automotive technology.
The 2017 edition of Auto Collision Repair and Refinishing is organized around the ASE collision
repair and refinishing test areas and correlated to the NATEF Task List. It has been thoroughly revised
by the author and carefully vetted by a panel of instructors and industry experts, as well as a team of
technical editors, to make sure the material is technically accurate, up-to-date, and presented in the most
logical and effective manner.
Auto Collision Repair and Refinishing has been painstakingly designed to provide a student-
focused approach to learning. Short sentences, concise definitions, and thousands of color illustrations
will help you learn quickly and easily. Information is presented using a building-block approach that starts
with simple principles and general rules, and progresses gradually to more complex topics.
As society transitions from printed textbooks to digital learning tools, we know it is important to provide
the content you need in the format you need it in. The Auto Collision Repair and Refinishing textbook
and the accompanying workbook are available in both print and digital formats, and are supported with
professionally developed, user-friendly online resources. These resources include electronic study tools,
and interactive activities designed to prepare you for success in your studies and career.
We congratulate you on your study of automotive collision repair and refinishing and encourage you
to take advantage of all the resources available as part of the Auto Collision Repair and Refinishing
learning solution.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Crandell is a professor at Carl Sandburg College in Peoria, IL, where he taught collision
repair and refinishing for more than a decade. He began his career in collision repair and refinishing at
one of the largest collision repair businesses in central Illinois. He started as a helper and worked his
way up to the position of painter.
Fueled by a desire to be the best, Mr. Crandell dedicated himself to learning everything he could
about collision repair and refinishing, and soon he earned ASE certification as a Master Autobody/Paint
Technician. After more than a decade of collision repair experience, he opened his own shop, the Smash
Palace, which he operated successfully for 17 years. Mr. Crandell’s passion for collision repair was given
a boost when he was asked to develop the collision repair and refinishing repair program at Carl Sandburg r
College. He says that teaching has been his greatest learning experience.
Michael Crandell’s in-depth knowledge of auto collision repair and refinishing technology is based on
a solid foundation of training and practical work experience in all aspects of the business. The lessons l
he learned as a technician, a collision repair business owner, and a teacher are infused into every page
of this textbook.