William Champagne
Bonney Lake,WA
Summary
Seasoned Auto Body Technician with hands-on experience in diagnosing, repairing, and refinishing vehicle bodies. Possess strong skills in using tools and equipment relevant to auto body repair work including welding, buffing and painting. Show evidence of ability to consistently deliver high-quality workmanship while adhering to safety regulations and maintaining clean and organized work spaces. Have made significant contribution in previous roles by improving workflow efficiency and reducing project turnaround time. Skilled automotive body and related repairer with hands-on experience in vehicle body restoration and customization. Known for precision in matching paint, repairing body damage, and customizing vehicles according to specifications. Strong problem-solving abilities and adept at using a wide range of tools and equipment to achieve desired outcomes. Contributed to increasing customer satisfaction through quality repairs and efficient service.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Auto Body Technician /Welding Fabricator
Northwest Vintage and Classic / Dennison Intern.
Puyallup , WA
09.2009 - Current
- Welded broken parts and filled in dents to create smooth vehicle bodies.
- Assisted with windshield, window and light replacements.
- Followed workplace safety protocols to prevent injuries, accidents and vehicle damage.
- Maintained records of all repairs performed on each vehicle including time spent on each job.
- Prepared and applied body fillers to repair minor damages.
- Checked all bolts, screws, nuts, for proper tightness after completion of repairs.
- Provided excellent customer service throughout the entire repair process.
- Advised customers on repair processes and timelines.
- Filled small dents and lesser cosmetic issues with plastic or solder to create smooth surfaces for painting.
- Performed preliminary inspection of vehicles to determine extent of damage.
- Assisted in maintaining a clean workspace by sweeping floors and disposing of hazardous materials properly.
- Applied primer and paint to vehicles following repair.
- Operated sandblasting equipment to remove old paint from vehicles' surfaces.
- Documented repair processes and completed work orders.
- Performed diagnostic tests on vehicles to detect issues and root causes.
- Disassembled and reassembled vehicle components as necessary during repairs.
- Inspected completed jobs for quality control purposes prior to releasing vehicles back to customers.
- Provided customers with invoices and receipts detailing services performed.
- Organized and maintained work areas free of potential hazards.
- Operated hot-air welding guns and immersive hot water baths to soften plastic panels for installation.
- Performed dent removal using appropriate tools and techniques.
- Installed new windshields using specialized tools and adhesives.
- Sanded and buffed vehicles to prepare for painting or repair work.
- Repaired structural damage such as broken frames using jacks, hammers, wrenches .
- Cleaned repaired surfaces with solvents to ensure proper adhesion of paint or other materials.
- Assessed vehicle damage and developed comprehensive repair plans.
- Ordered tools and paint materials from suppliers to prevent item shortages.
- Followed safety procedures and used protective gear.
- Maintained cleanliness and orderliness in the work area.
- Ensured smoothness of vehicle surfaces through sanding and buffing.
- Replaced or repaired parts to complete daily work orders on vehicles.
- Performed welding to repair vehicle frames and bodies.
- Replaced damaged car fenders, grills and panels.
- Distributed vehicle parts to technicians for replacement on in-shop vehicles.
- Installed and aligned vehicle body parts and panels.
- Used metal-cutting guns, air grinders and wrenches to remove damaged vehicle sections.
- Replaced damaged body panels with new or recycled OEM parts.
- Replaced damaged glass components on vehicles.
- Evaluated vehicle schematics to assess required parts and order accordingly.
- Reviewed manufacturer manuals to understand vehicle specifications and parts.
- Removed dents with hammers, suction and skilled use of dolly blocks.
- Covered bumpers, windows and trim with masking tape to prevent overspray or damage to adjacent areas.
- Assisted the shop manager in ordering supplies when needed.
- Ordered and utilized protective equipment and respirators to promote workplace safety.
- Welded replacement parts into place using MIG and TIG welding equipment.
- Monitored parts and materials storage area and maintained stock replenishment and organization.
- Received new inventory orders and verified completeness and accuracy.
- Ensured that all safety protocols were followed at all times while working on customer vehicles.
- Used buffing tools to repair dents on vehicle doors and panels.
- Managed inventory of body shop supplies and tools.
- Completed routine maintenance and repair.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Worked effectively in team environments to make the workplace more productive.
- Exceeded customer satisfaction by finding creative solutions to problems.
- Utilized advanced technical skills and expertise to troubleshoot complex problems and implement solutions.
- Maintained clean and organized work environment to ensure safety and productivity.
- Safely ignited torches and monitored surroundings to proactively identify hazards.
- Developed test plans for verifying accuracy of fabricated components before shipment.
- Maintained accurate records of all work performed in a timely manner.
- Measured workpieces with straightedges or templates to conform with specifications.
- Produced work using appropriate welding techniques, metallurgy knowledge and engineering requirements.
- Melted and applied solder along adjoining edges of workpieces to solder joints.
- Prepared workpiece edges by grinding, cutting, buffing or bending to verify snug fit.
- Selected and installed torches, filler rods and flux according to welding chart specifications.
- Assembled parts into larger structures following blueprints and engineering specifications.
- Troubleshot problems related to fabrication process and proposed solutions for improvement.
- Managed lamination process by observing cure time and surface temperature to adjust for quality results.
- Performed fiberglass lamination on a variety of products using hand lay-up and vacuum bagging techniques.
- Inspected finished products for quality assurance purposes.
- Trimmed excess fiberglass from edges to remove unnecessary material.
- Performed trimming, grinding and polishing operations on composite materials.
- Followed strict safety protocols while operating power tools and working with hazardous chemicals and materials.
- Worked well with dispatchers to communicate route and schedule changes.
- Monitored road conditions and adjusted route accordingly to ensure timely arrival at destination.
- Loaded and unloaded freight in a safe and efficient manner.
- Prepared detailed reports outlining trip, vehicle and passenger details.
Welder
Ez Acess
Auburn, WA
01.2009 - 09.2009
- Aligned and clamped workpieces using rules, squares or hand tools.
- Monitored the fitting, burning, and welding processes to avoid overheating of parts or warping, shrinking, distortion, or expansion of material.
- Marked or tagged material with job number, piece marks and other identifying marks.
- Recognized, set up, and operated shielded metal arc and gas metal arc welding equipment.
- Prepared workpiece edges by grinding, cutting, buffing or bending to verify snug fit.
Fabrication Welder
Flex a Lite
Fife, WA
01.2008 - 10.2008
- Cut, contoured and beveled metal and structural shapes to achieve accurate dimensions.
- Detected faulty operation of equipment or defective materials and notified supervisors.
- Identified any defects in the fabrication process and took corrective action when necessary.
- Checked cut length frequently for deviation in cut length specs.
- Fabricated metal components and structures according to blueprints, drawings, and written specifications.
- Welded fabrication materials, continuously checking for safety and quality.
- Deposited intermittent tack welds for fit-up and alignment of work assemblies.
- Measured workpieces with straightedges or templates to conform with specifications.
- Inspected welds for accuracy and adherence to quality standards.
- Determined equipment and welding methods, applying knowledge of metallurgy, geometry and welding techniques.
Welder
Joes Racing products
Mukilteo, WA
01.2007 - 11.2007
- Monitored the fitting, burning, and welding processes to avoid overheating of parts or warping, shrinking, distortion, or expansion of material.
- Positioned and clamped workpieces together and properly assembled in jigs and fixtures.
- Connected and turned regulator valves to activate and adjust gas flow and pressure and obtain desired flames.
- Recognized by management for providing exceptional customer service.
- Identified needs of customers promptly and efficiently.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Operated equipment and machinery according to safety guidelines.
- Conducted system analysis and testing to identify and resolve technical issues or inefficiencies.
- Provided excellent service and attention to customers when face-to-face or through phone conversations.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Worked with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
- Managed household errands and other essential duties.
Race Car Mechanic
Barnett Harley Davidson
El Paso, TX
01.2007 - 10.2007
- Reviewed work orders and discussed with supervisors.
- Inventoried stock, placed orders and verified receipt to keep supplies ready.
- Reassembled vehicles after completing repairs or servicing them.
- Kept team in compliance with shop and manufacturer specifications for repairs and maintenance services.
- Installed new parts such as shock absorbers or radiators according to manufacturer specifications.
- Performed maintenance inspections, tune-ups, oil changes and other key services.
- Improved function of engines by replacing spark plugs, fuel filters and defective sensors.
- Maintained records of vehicle repair and services provided.
- Developed in-depth understanding of automotive systems and components to complete fast and accurate repairs.
- Conducted test drives before and after repair services.
- Performed troubleshooting and diagnostic procedures to locate source of malfunctions.
- Kept detailed records of repairs, labor involved and parts used.
- Repaired and replaced faulty parts, components, and systems including engines, transmissions, steering systems, brakes, suspensions, electrical systems, air conditioning units.
- Inspected vehicles for damage and recorded findings to facilitate repairs.
- Ensured safety regulations were followed while performing repair work on vehicles.
Fabrication Welder Auto Body
Don Davis Race Cars
El Paso, TX
11.2002 - 12.2006
- Performed inspections of fiberglass parts for quality assurance.
- Troubleshot problems related to production processes in order to identify solutions that would improve product quality.
- Trimmed excess fiberglass from edges to remove unnecessary material.
- Set up and maintained chopper gun by adding chopper blades to adjust fiber length, replacing rolls of fiberglass yarn roving and replacing parts.
- Sprayed gel coat on fiberglass molds to specified thickness to protect fiberglass exterior.
- Mixed and applied fiberglass resin to boat hulls, decks, and bulkheads.
- Communicated effectively with supervisors regarding progress updates on assigned tasks.
- Prepared material surfaces for welding by removing scale, rust or other foreign matter.
- Cleaned parts to be welded using power tools and chemical solvents.
- Cut, trimmed and fabricated metal components to exact dimensions for building and assembling.
- Set up jigs and fixtures for efficient production runs.
- Trained new employees on proper safety protocols related to TIG welding operations.
- Welded fabrication materials, continuously checking for safety and quality.
Education
High School Diploma -
Irvin High
El Paso, TX07-1994
Skills
- Repair estimate experience
- Schematics experience
- Dent hammering
- Repair of various haulers and transporters
- Repair of customer coaches
- Collision estimates
- Excellent work ethic
- Accurate estimates
- Auto body fabrication
- Welding proficiency
- Commitment to quality
- Frame assessment
- Auto body repair
- Woodworking skills in automotive setting
- Surface sanding
- Headlight restoration
- Sanding techniques
- Seam sealing
- Power tool proficiency
- Plastic repair
- Vehicle reassembly
- Welding
- Frame straightening
- Attentive to detail
- Body part replacement
- Fiberglass repair
- Strong leadership skills
- Vehicle testing
- Vehicle disassembly
- Color sanding
- Repair assessment
- Vehicle inspection
- Body panel repair
- Hydraulic equipment operation
- Corrosion protection
- Body filler application
- Glass installation
- Client service
- Adhesive bonding
- Suspension repair
- Test driving
- Oxy-acetylene welding
- Spot welding
- Deadline oriented
- Pneumatic tool proficiency
- Aluminum repair
- Panel replacement
- Electrical system diagnosis
- Upholstery removal
- Wheel alignment
- Damage assessment
- Hand tool proficiency
- Defect removal
- Trailer Repair Abilities
- Pothole repair
- Maintenance and repair coordination
- Unscheduled emergency repair
- Suspension repair abilities
- Valve and regulator repair
- Power Tool Repair
Affiliations
- Avid Radio Control hobbyist.
- Semi-professional crew chief of various forms of auto racing.
- Professional Dog Park explore.
Accomplishments
- 2 Time Pebble Beach Best in Show winner
- 15-time best-in-class winner
- 2002 USAC Southwest Championship Crew Chief
- Multiple-time NHRA Super Gas Championships as a car builder
Timeline
Auto Body Technician /Welding Fabricator
Northwest Vintage and Classic / Dennison Intern.
09.2009 - Current
Welder
Ez Acess
01.2009 - 09.2009
Fabrication Welder
Flex a Lite
01.2008 - 10.2008
Welder
Joes Racing products
01.2007 - 11.2007
Race Car Mechanic
Barnett Harley Davidson
01.2007 - 10.2007
Fabrication Welder Auto Body
Don Davis Race Cars
11.2002 - 12.2006
High School Diploma -
Irvin High
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