State Tech- Auto Collision

09/30/2026

Today’s lesson: PLAYING WITH TAPE!

Okay… maybe it looks like they’re just having fun with a bunch of tape, but there’s actually a lot more to it.

Our first-year students are learning about the different types of tape used in the collision repair and refinishing process, what each one is designed for, and how to manipulate them into all the different shapes, curves, edges and areas they’ll need to cover when painting.

Disclaimer: If this were an actual repair in a body shop, parts would be removed and the vehicle would be properly disassembled before taping and refinishing. This exercise is specifically about learning the different types of tape and developing the skills to properly manipulate and position it.

Sometimes learning the right way to do something starts with… playing with tape.

09/28/2026

The second years are getting into their first structural panel replacement project.

For this first bedside, we’re working through the process together as a class. Right now, we’re cleaning up spot welds, straightening flanges, and getting the bed ready for the next stage: fitting the new bedside and seeing how everything lines up.

We’ll work through several different types of structural panel replacement projects together as a class. Once they’ve had the opportunity to see and work through those different repairs, they’ll split off and take on their own structural panel replacement projects.

The goal is to build a solid understanding of the process before turning them loose on their own repairs.

08/26/2026

Sharing again for this school year, and it will be pinned to the top of our page here.

Please Note: A materials charge applies with a 20% markup. We do not charge labor, as your support directly contributes to student learning and hands-on training. Program Requirements: • Vehicles must be 20 years old or newer • Work must be collision-damage related • Job must support student l...

05/14/2026

The amount of detail and intricate work put into this industrial-style paint job really pushed skills to the next level. Great work taking on something challenging and seeing it through.

05/14/2026

Angela Ward, Rylee Bowman and Bryson Nichols had completely stripped this Dodge bed and refinished it.

Nice work!

05/11/2026

We had Gavin Shackelford from Joe Machens install the back glass in one of our customer project cars. Gavin is also a former graduate of the program, so it was great for current students to see someone who was once in their shoes now working in the industry.

05/11/2026

A bedside replacement is typically more of a second-year oriented project, but these two first-year students took it on and did a great job. Throughout the process of removing and replacing the bedside, as well as refinishing the repair, they gained valuable hands-on experience and learned a lot along the way.

Nice work Cooper and Mason!

05/05/2026

Sophia Swope, Brianna Conway and Kevin Gallardo's bedside project.

They replaced the bedside and inner wheel arch, refinished both sides, and finished the job with a bedliner.

Good Work!

05/05/2026

Brandon Schweiss and Amber Land's Ford Ranger Project. Good work!

04/29/2026

Ray Wassilak, Catherine Young and Tyler Howard

For this 2004 GMC Bed they replaced both bedsides and inner wheel arches as well as adding a bedliner.

Good work!