Media Post: Necessary Tools: Customization Shops & Auto-Body Repair

The tools needed for successfully operating a customisation shop and auto-body repair.

Operating a customization shop or auto-body repair is a hefty endeavor to embark on, but finding the tools you need is a necessary step in order for the business to function properly. Thankfully, we’ve provided plenty of information regarding what tools you’ll need so that your shop can function as if you’ve been a motor-head for decades. With this being said, here’s a look at the tools you’ll need to run a spray paint booth customization or auto-body repair shop effectively.

What You’ll Need

If you’re starting from the ground up, there’s a few core essentials you’ll need for your shop to qualify as a proper domain that’s open service. Here’s a look at some of the tools you’ll need to get your garage in full operation:

• An Air Compressor – An air compressor is needed for general tasks that require compressed air for operation. However, the larger the air compressor, the more time you’ll have to use it – and less time you’ll spend waiting for it to recharge itself.
• A Spray Gun – Preferably high volume low pressure (HVLP), but automotive paint booths may require a much more intricate system – as it will be used quite often. The power of the spray gun reflects the quality of the paint’s finish.
• Basic Body or Air File – These are very important tools, as they’re used to smooth and cut excess filler.
• Pneumatic Orbital Sander – As DA (dual action) work the best, they’re one of the most used tools for body shops and it’s more than likely you’ll be using it on almost every job.
• “Cheese Grater” aka a coarse filler file – This device removes excess filler before a sand paper (disposable) is used to smooth out the surface and save money.
• Dollie Sets – These are portable anvils used to shape metal.
• Body Spoon sets – For hard to reach areas, body spoons are used in the same manner that dollies are used.
• Vise caps and a vise – A vice is used to keep an object in a secure place as work is being performed on it. The vise caps allow the object to be sturdy in on place with no marks left from the vise.
• Sanding blocks – Blocks used for sanding.
• A suction cup – Used for removing dents.
• Brass hammer – Used for heavy blows that do not ruin the metal.
• Rubber hammer – Used for getting small dents out of metal.
• Polyurethane hammer – Used for light or soft blows.
• Dead Blow hammer – Contains a lead-like shot that causes the hammer to not bounce back after a blow.
• Ball Peen hammer – Basically a general hammer.
• Shrinking hammer – Used for the process of “shrinking metal”.
• Pick hammer – Allows one to knock out dents from the inside, yet the flat side of the hammer allows smoothing.
• Body hammer – Fall in the same category as a regular hammer.
• Slide hammer – Used to pull large dents.
• Finishing hammer – Used to finish a hammering job.

If you’re new to shopping for tools for your custom shop or auto-body repair, it’s safe to say that you have some shopping ahead of you. However, if you’re more advanced in the tool market, you should check out tools such as:

• Welders – Welding is needed for serious metal forming practices.
• Gas Torch – Used for annealing before forming.
• Bead Roller – Used for shaping sheet metal.
• “Bean Bag” aka Leather Forming Bag – Used as a solid for hammering, but has soft backing so it doesn’t alter the entire the entire object.

So now that you have your shopping list ready, it’s time to embark on your custom shop or auto-body repair endeavors!