Well being someone that has been doing this for a little while (7 years) and is also going to school for the other side. (Auto Mechanics and Technology.)

I can tell you they are two very different scenarios.

On one hand the Mechanics side is very in depth. Meaning it requires a lot of book smarts to know how to properly diagnose and repair things.
But it is very "Book Smart" oriented, meaning anybody with the right knowledge (Book) can do it. It is very step by step. There are very few variables.
For the most part there is only one way to do anything. There is only one way to replace a head gasket. There is only one way to replace a radiator.
Thus you can provide a step by step guide, and anybody with common sense to follow direction can do it.

Where as the paint and body side of it is just the opposite.
There is no one way to do anything. There is no guide. it is a skill, and it takes lots of experience to know how to correct an issue as it arises.
And there are millions of variables. If something goes hay wire... there is no book that says "Righty tighty, lefty loosey" for auto body.
There is some information out there that can give you general idea. Mostly all written by the companies that made the products themselves.
And have been doing this for decades. And even then, it's all "Theory" and it's all pretty much a guessing game.
You pretty much have to figure it out on your own, or find someone that may have possibly had your exact problem for suggestions.

There is no one way to paint, there is no one way to do body work.
Everyone kind of does it a little different. Some better then others. But there is no guide. There is no step by step.

I was reading awhile back that something like 87% of people that go to school for mechanics actually end up going into that field.
But only something like 48% of people that go to school for Autobody/paint actually end up doing autobody or paint.

Sure it is probably highly do to even many people that do complete their autobody/paint courses. End up seeing that the money isn't particularly there.
Or that even with an education, they still don't have a clue on how to do their job. Also education or not... This industry you start on the bottom.
Nobody is going to put their business on the line because you have a piece of paper... You'll likely start sweeping floors, or sanding bondo.

You think any piece of paper gives you respect in this field? You're wrong.

Most people probably don't even try just for that aspect... They come out of school all cockey, just to get kicked to the ground. told that their piece of paper doesn't mean shit.


So I guess in closing, you could just say that the Mechanics side is Book Smarts. Whereas the Paint and body side is a Skill, or an Art. if you want to call it that.

Not everyone can do it. and not everyone can be taught.
Read More...