Automotive Collision Repair/Painting
28 courses · El Camino College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Winter 2027 · Spring 2027
ACRP 1A Introduction to Automotive Collision Repair
- Units
- 8
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 15 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides a full, hands-on introduction to all steps of auto collision repair from damage estimating, dent removal, Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding and plastic repair to priming, painting and final detailing. Students will also learn basic safety, tool use, smart disassembly, vehicle parts nomenclature and career strategies. Successful students may be ready for entry-level employment by the end of this course. This course contains Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) curriculum for Non-Structural and Refinishing certification credit.
ACRP 1B Non-Structural Collision Repair and Welding
- Units
- 8
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 15 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- ACRP 1A or ACRP 4A or equivalent with a minimum grade of C in prerequisite
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course parallels the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) B3 certification topics of non-structural damage analysis and repair such as: vehicle construction, vehicle disassembly procedures, large dent repair, bolt-on panel replacement and alignment, non-structural steel Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding, squeeze-type resistance spot welding (STRSW), glass replacement and plastic parts repair. The topics of replacing door skins, panel bonding, steel patch panel fabrication, weld-in panel replacement and basic aluminum panel repair are also covered. This course contains Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) curriculum for Non-Structural certification credit and promotes I-CAR steel welding certification standards.
ACRP 1C Major Collision Analysis and Structural Repair
- Units
- 8
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 15 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- ACRP 1A or ACRP 4A or equivalent with a minimum grade of C in prerequisite
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course parallels the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) B4 certification in the topics of: full frame and unibody vehicle construction and damage types, locating and analyzing direct and indirect damage, planning a pull, setting up and using a frame rack with and without computerized measuring systems, and replacing structural parts and panels with Metal Inert Gas (MIG) and Squeeze-Type Resistance Spot Welders (STRSW). The topics of vehicle sectioning, structural glass, suspension components, front-end alignment, and damage estimating are also covered. This course contains Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) curriculum for Non-Structural certification credit and promotes I-CAR steel welding certification standards.
ACRP 1D Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Collision Repair Technicians
- Units
- 8
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 15 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- Automotive Collision Repair/Painting 1A or Automotive Collision Repair/Painting 4A with a minimum grade of C in prerequisite or equivalent
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course parallels the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) B5 certification topics of mechanical damage analysis and correction of: steering and suspension, wheel alignment, air conditioning refrigerant recovery, electrical systems, and passenger restraints and airbags. This course also provides instruction in OBDII scan tool use, hybrid/electric vehicle safety, advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) calibration and interior reconditioning. This course contains Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) curriculum for Non-Structural certification credit, and may include EPA Section 609 certification (air conditioning).
ACRP 2A Basic Automotive Painting - Refinishing
- Units
- 8
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 15 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- ACRP 1A or ACRP 5A or equivalent with a minimum grade of C
- Transfers to
- CSU
In this course, students will build skills in surface preparation and masking for primer and paint, and spray a variety of materials including solvent base, waterbase, waterborne basecoat, clearcoat and single stage paints. Spray gun selection, adjustment, maintenance are covered, as well as paint mixing, troubleshooting and volatile organic compound (VOC) recordkeeping. This course contains Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) curriculum for Non-Structural and Refinishing certification credit, and may include CA Rule 40 Subpart HHHHHH certification.
ACRP 2B Automotive Refinishing Materials and Equipment
- Units
- 8
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 15 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- ACRP 1A or ACRP 5A or equivalent with a minimum grade of C in prerequisite
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course helps students build confidence in and around a spray booth. Students will learn how to operate and maintain spray booths and compressed air supply systems, use chemicals and additives to outsmart weather and production demands, use color variant chips and formulas to improve color match, and improve their application of topcoat and undercoat materials. This course contains Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) curriculum for Refinishing certification credit, and may include CA Rule 40 Subpart HHHHHH certification.
ACRP 2C Automotive Refinishing Applications
- Units
- 8
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 15 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- ACRP 1A or ACRP 5A or equivalent with minimum grade of C in prerequisite
- Transfers to
- CSU
This advanced course builds skills in spraying multi-stage colors, blending and spot refinishing. Topics include smart masking and custom gun adjustment, working with complex shapes such as bumper covers and jambs, preventing and correcting paint defects both wet and dry, and formulating the best refinishing strategy for an estimate based on vehicle color, condition, damage and design. This course contains Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) curriculum for Refinishing certification credit, and may include CA Rule 40 Subpart HHHHHH certification.
ACRP 3A Introduction to Automotive Collision Estimating
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
This beginning estimating course is for all students interested in making money in collision repair. ACRP 3A focuses on the 'why' as well as the 'how' of writing damage estimates by teaching students how to analyze non-structural damage, use estimating guide books, practice vehicle part identification, and create thorough, fair and effective estimates based on the vehicle and damage, customer service and the latest repair standards. Profitable body shop production and cycle time strategies are also discussed.
ACRP 3B Computerized Collision Damage Estimating
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- ACRP 3A with a minimum grade of C or equivalent
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides instruction on the development of computer-generated damage estimate using both Certified Collateral Corporation's One software (CCC One) and Mitchell estimating software. Students expand their knowledge of non-structural, manual estimate writing by: examining and estimating structurally damaged vehicles that require frame straightening, structural panel replacement, vehicle sectioning, electrical and mechanical repairs, suspension alignment and wheel alignment. Students also learn how to make use of the digital documentation, work flow and business management features of the software to run an efficient and profitable repair shop.
ACRP 4A Beginning Automotive Collision Repair I
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture, 7 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides instruction in basic safety, tool identification and use, vehicle construction and parts nomenclature, basic estimating, small dent repair, plastics scratch and dent repair and the mixing and application of primer. This course contains Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) Professional Development Program curriculum.
ACRP 4B Beginning Automotive Collision Repair II
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture, 7 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides instruction in automotive Metal Inert Gas (MIG) and Squeeze-Type Resistance Spot Welding (STRSW) and safety, automotive metals, metal finishing, large dent repair, corrosion protection, and vehicle disassembly and reassembly. This course contains Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) Professional Development Program curriculum.
ACRP 4C Intermediate Automotive Collision Repair I
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture, 7 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides instruction in structural plastic repair, surface and structural repair of fiberglass and composites, aluminum repair and surface treatment for refinishing, vehicle frame and structural parts nomenclature, frame and unibody damage identification and measurement, structural damage estimating, and replacement panel fitment and alignment. This course contains Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) Professional Development Program curriculum.
ACRP 4D Intermediate Automotive Collision Repair II
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture, 7 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course introduces students to frame straightening and severe collision damage using the frame rack, power post, damage dozer, hydraulic jacks and Porto-Power. hydraulic ram. Topics covered include how to section a vehicle, replace damaged unibody structural panels and prepare replaced panels for rustproofing/refinishing. This course contains Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) Professional Development Program curriculum.
ACRP 5A Beginning Automotive Painting I
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture, 7 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides instruction in personal safety, environmental laws, introduction to surface preparation, mixing ratios, spray booth use, spray gun adjustment, use and cleaning, priming and painting vehicle parts and panels, and color sanding and buffing. This course contains Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) Professional Development Program curriculum.
ACRP 5B Beginning Automotive Painting II
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture, 7 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides instruction in vehicle disassembly for refinishing, surface preparation of unpainted surfaces, specialty undercoats and corrosion protection, plastics refinishing, and painting parts and complete cars. This course contains Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) Professional Development Program curriculum.
ACRP 5C Intermediate Automotive Refinishing I
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture, 7 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
In this course, students will learn refinishing repair standards and how to write an estimate for refinishing. Students will learn how to identify and correct paint flaws, choose color variants, retrieve and mix paint formulas, adjust paint for color match, and perform panel blends and spot repairs. Students will also learn how to mask panels for blending and how to refinish composite materials such as fiberglass and carbon fiber. This course contains Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) Professional Development Program curriculum.
ACRP 5D Intermediate Automotive Refinishing II
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture, 7 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides instruction on production painting skills and maximizing shop throughput by controlling the painting environment through spray booth controls, temperature and humidity control, paint additives and gun adjustment. Additional topics covered include spot blending and applying tri-coat paints, flat paints, truck bedliner, single stage paints and interior paints. This course contains Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) Professional Development Program curriculum.
ACRP 6 Automotive Collision Repair for Non-Majors
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 1 hour lecture, 3 hours lab
- Formerly
- Automotive Collision Repair/Painting 6abcd
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is designed to provide students with a brief, hands-on introduction to all facets of automotive collision repair. Topics include safety practices, customer rights and the collision repair process, auto parts nomenclature, dent removal, plastic repair, filler application and shaping, priming, painting and detailing.
ACRP 10L Skill Building Lab Experience 1
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 6 hours lab
- Corequisite
- ACRP 4A
- Transfers to
- CSU
This lab-only course provides additional time and training for first-semester auto collision students to master basic hands-on collision repair skills including removing and installing vehicle parts, diagnosing and repairing damaged electrical circuits, repairing plastic parts, preparing and masking vehicles for paint, and final detailing vehicle exteriors.
ACRP 11L Skill Building Lab Experience 2
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 6 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- ACRP 4A
- Corequisite
- ACRP 4B
- Transfers to
- CSU
This lab-only course provides additional time and training for second-semester auto collision students to master collision repair skills including removing and repairing damaged steel panels, electric welding steel using metal inert gas (MIG) welders, removing and replacing mechanical vehicle parts, and mixing and applying primer with a spray gun.
ACRP 12L Skill Building Lab Experience 3
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 6 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- ACRP 4A and ACRP 4B
- Corequisite
- ACRP 5B
- Transfers to
- CSU
This lab-only course provides additional time and training for students to master collision repair and refinishing skills including: writing damage estimates, running diagnostic pre- and post-scans, performing frame rack setup and measurement procedures, analyzing and removing structural damage, applying undercoat corrosion protection and seam sealer, spraying basecoats and clearcoats, and spraying blends.
ACRP 13L Skill Building Lab Experience 4
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 6 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- ACRP 4A and ACRP 4B and ACRP 5B
- Corequisite
- ACRP 4D
- Transfers to
- CSU
This lab-only course provides additional time and training for fourth-semester auto collision students to master advanced collision repair and painting skills including using a frame rack to correct structural damage in steel and aluminum, sectioning vehicles, removing and installing mechanical components, suspension alignment, spraying and blending tri-coat finishes, and tinting basecoats for color match.
ACRP 20 Automotive Collision Investigation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is an introductory course in automotive collision investigation designed for students preparing for employment in the fields of automotive collision repair, automotive insurance investigation, and accident reconstruction. Emphasis is placed upon vehicle identification, vehicle design and construction, occupant restraint systems, tire identification and construction, identification of tire marks, the coefficient of friction, and speed from skid formulas.
ACRP 22 Automotive Repair Fraud
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ACRP 20
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course covers the elements of fraud encountered in the automotive repair industry and is designed to prepare students for employment in the fields of automotive collision repair, automotive insurance investigation, and accident reconstruction. Topics include fraud detection, investigation procedures and collection of evidence related to staged traffic accidents, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) fraud, and auto insurance fraud.
ACRP 24 Automotive Collision Analysis
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course covers the elements of automotive collision analysis and is designed to prepare students for employment in the fields of automotive collision repair, automotive insurance investigation, and accident reconstruction. Emphasis is placed on accident causation factors, collision deformation, low speed impacts, calculation of drag factors, speed determination from crush analysis, Event Data Recorder (EDR), fault analysis, roadway debris, and human factors.
ACRP 26 Automotive Accident Reconstruction
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- Automotive Collision Repair/Painting 24
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course covers the elements of automotive collision reconstruction and is designed to prepare students for employment in the fields of automotive collision repair, automotive insurance investigation, and accident reconstruction. Emphasis is placed on photography of vehicle damage and computer modeling, measuring and documenting, skid marks, calculation of drag factors, speed from skidmarks considering radius and critical speed scuff, determination of combined velocities, occupant dynamics, time and position analysis, force line determination and Principle Direction of Force (PDOF), conservation of momentum analysis, and Delta-V determination.
ACRP 95 Cooperative Work Experience Education
- Units
- 2-4
- Hours
- hours to be arranged
- Formerly
- Automotive Collision Repair/Painting 95abcd
- Transfers to
- CSU
Through a set of learning objectives established by the student, supervisor, and instructor, each student will work with and learn from experts in the Automotive Collision Repair/Painting field. These experiences will enable students to improve job skills, analyze career opportunities and requirements, and compare them to personal abilities and career expectations.
ACRP 99 Independent Study
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- hours to be arranged
- Formerly
- Automotive Collision Repair/Painting 99abc
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides special advanced studies in a subject field of Automotive Collision Repair/Painting not covered in the regular departmental offerings. Regular conferences with the instructor are coordinated with assigned Automotive Collision Repair/Painting projects (54 hours per unit).