I think it's been about 12 years since I was in a class. I'm very excited about this one. I've joined Centennial College for Part time Auto Body repair technician.

Attended my first class which was boring as hell and all I was learning was how to log in to the website and where to spend more money. I just purchased my first CSA compliant boots and these things are heavy and expensive. Tried it out on my stove by kicking it, didn't even feel a thing. I bought a pair of Workload Extreme, price was one of the lowest compared to others, it still ran me good $100.

Dust respirator and ear plugs were purchased a couple of weeks ago which is just regular stuff. I'm a little tight on the eye protection because I wear prescriptions. I think I'll be going for the laser surgery if I keep at it.

TO be purchased is the welding helmet, painter's respirator with that fag pink filter and of course quite a lot of tools.

Speaking of keeping at it, some may wonder what the heck I'm up to. Passion for cars and speed has always been in my blood but that's about it. I wanted to get a tiny bit more serious about what I can do on a car. Did a lot of thinking and talking to other people in the trade. Choices were not very many, mechanical or cosmetic. I chose to handle the spray can because I used to be very good at graffiti when I was younger. Always had this wierd attraction towards a can of spray like painting my license plate blood red with black letters on a blood red car, which cops didn't like much. My room used to be all spray painted up on the walls and even on the ceiling.

Obviously that's childhood days but more recently I've worked on my Lancer to get rid of all minor rust spots which is all simple and easy stuff but I was able to do it all with exceptional results (my own views) so I'm taking this to the next level and see how things move along. Hopefully I won't find any major allergies when I'm around fiberglass or it's all over and I'll have to turn to being a greasemonkey. So far spray paint, saw dust, plastic dust, primer, sanding etc doesn't bother me at all.

So here's to the future, I'm picking my new field and will be using it along with my computer skills which should make a good combination.

To give more insight, Iron Piston will remain as it is, it'll be the club but more on the work side I have registered the company and put up a teaser site which is work in progress - Auto Dock. Take a peek at Auto Dock | Toronto Auto Body Repair & Restoration Experts and see how you like it.

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whoa a student? that actually sounds like a good idea i might have to look into it, i have body work knowledge but being certified in it would be even more helpful, and i like the idea, and im loving the idea of iron piston as a company! keep me posted on how the schooling goes

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Andrew Rocha - Staff Member

 

I think I'll keep this thread as my school log too so you'll see when I drop out err... I mean graduate

Iron Piston - Club
Toronto Car Forums - THE forums duh
Auto DOck - The shop

Would be a nice combo. Still the dream is far off, I'm working towards it one step at a time. Share with me how you like the site, it's simple but effective.

As far as working experience, I have fixed up a few cars. Things like minor dent fixes, body filler, primer, paint, clearcoat etc... The knowledge is there but need it on paper to get a loan from the bank to open the shop.

Of course this would explain my absence from the forums and all. Full time work, full time family, part time gym and now part time night school. Life is too short.

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Wow you certainly don't sit still for too long, do you? Well good luck with it...even if it doesn't work out you will pick up lots experience along your journey...but if you tell us next year your going to be a doctor...well I'll just bet you'll make a good one...of course not MY doctor of course!

 

Nah doctors creep me out and I don't like touching other people True indeed, I don't stop moving but I did stop moving for a long time and didn't gain any new expertise in my computer field. Now I'm too behind and catching up is almost impossible because by the time I will catch up I will have to do more catching up. Need to settle down I guess. Like I said if I don't find any huge obstacles like allergies, there would probably be no stopping to what I'm doing now.

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i like the idea of combining the 3 together into 1 possible big company, that would be cool

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Andrew Rocha - Staff Member

 

I'd like that more than anything and just tell my boss that he's fired But can't get excited about things like that.

Today we did more theory stuff that I already know. Some things I had no idea but it never did any damage. Learnt about the types of frame and how they react to body work and such. Types of paints, welding equipment, primers, epoxy primers and such stuff was taught too.

Certainly a better day than last time. Although now I need to buy leather gloves because I don't want to use the ones they provide, used ones. These things are expensive too - so is everything with body repair.

Oh I found out paint strippers are excellent choice to get high.

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oh god. just keep away from my car LOL

 

I may have already visited your car and put a dent on it and then leave my business card on the wiper.

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What days and times are you at school? I'll be back there at the end of the month to finish up my truck and coach license.