Auto Body Training Workshops?

[dgagne]

Hi,
I am thinking of starting to offer professionally taught auto body training seminars geared at the hobbyist and restoration.
I am trying to get a feel for the market before I start offering them. I am thinking to start with 2-3 day (Fri/Sat/Sun) workshops - welding, fixing dents, rust, paint...
What do you think? Is this a service you would be interested in paying for if it was available?
Thanks for your opinion.
Derek

[allaircooled]

I would be interested in something like this if it was available in my area. I don't have the time to take a full time course so doing a 2-3 day workshop would be perfect for me. I'm not sure how much can be covered in this short of time but then again I know nothing of this subject. Hope this helps.

[dgagne]

Hi,
The seminars would be taught be experienced professionals who have years of experience both working in shops and teaching to provide the best student experience. I too struggle with the time, offering week long (5 day courses is also an option) I just figure most hobbyists have full time jobs. You could also do a course that has several weekends to it. Lots of options to make it work. Would you be more interested in a Porsche related course or just picking up the skills on any old car? Thanks for your opinion!
Cheers,
Derek

[bt1211]

I think that its a viable market. With the proliferation of car shows most guys want those skills, or at least want to know how its done.


While I have built a number of cars,I cant watch those shows because I don't have the "soap opera gene". I used to watch Norm on the "New Yankee Workshop" and it never crossed my mind that he might be arguing with some mook off camera( not that he did but I was watching it for technique).

In the beginning you shouldn't tailor it to a particular brand. Do your eyes glaze over when someone mentions Honda or a ratrod? Some feel the same way about Porsches. You should tailor it to a particular skill set. As you know welding a 3" gash in a Porsche is the same as welding a 3" gash in a Chevy.

As your business progresses your clients might request more info on one brand as compared to another. That is when you should be brand specific.

Just my .03

Good luck.

[dgagne]

Hi bt1211,
This was my thought too about the car brands. The skills are the same on any car. I think if it got big enough, you could then tailor it to car clubs and do longer workshops with specialized brands. We are just a little more keen on Porsches vs. Muscle cars - but they are a bigger market!
Thanks for your opinion.
Derek

[Zero10]

Where would you be offering these courses?....
You might have one customer if they are remotely close to Vernon

[Seahawk]

I think it is a great idea...I took a one day welding class when I decided to start doing my own welding on the farm. Could not have been a better experience and got me up to speed painlessly.

I would love to take a class on paint chip repair!

[epbrown]

I would LOVE a course like this. It amazes me that something like it isn't offered in a city as big as Chicago. I once read a blog about someone on the west coast that took a similar course, but longer and focused on restoration. Basically you brought your own car and the pros walked you through a complete body resto over something like 6 months of weekends - the writer restored a Ferrari 330.

[allaircooled]

I was thinking for a course like this maybe have the students bring a panel,door, fender, etc. in or their own car. This could be difficult if you have like a dozen students at one time though!

[Dave L]

I attended an autobody course offered through a local high school years ago. The sessions were a few hours each week and had a heavy hands on approach. The teacher taught a few basics at first (make a patch panel, weld etc) but as the course progressed he simply moved from project to project offering tips along the way. During the 3 months I banged out a dent, filled in an antenna hole, rebuilt the inside of a fender liner and welded in a patch panel or 2.

The nice thing about the sessions is that I could learn a skill then over the course of the next week spend my time doing fiberglass, bondo or sanding. Having a weekend long session may leave your students half way thorugh a project or worse spending hours of teaching time sanding.

[dgagne]

Great to hear so much positive response. We are working on the business plan and hope to open summer 2007. We are in Squamish, just 45 minutes north of Vancouver. Anybody interested in more info can send me their contact info at dmgagne@shaw.ca
Thanks,
Derek