Hey guys! I been trying to figure out how I'm going to pay for school and Qualified for financial aid!! wooo!!

I been seeing a buncha Maro's in my area recently and was wondering if it was you guys (East Oakland). Also I think i saw the fire orange one on 20's from street customs driving around in union city lol.

So I was signing up for classes about a month ago, going for auto mechanics and could ONLY sign up for 1 Introduction class, as the rest were advanced classes. I ended up also signing up for Automotive painting basic tools/prep and intro to auto mechs. I do want to learn how to paint my car professionally, but i think it takes away from actually learning about car engines/suspension. I was reading on suspension and it seemed like I had to learn something new for every chassis. Same thing with engines.

Question: Do you guys think I'm trying doing too much? I see shows like overhauling and it seems specializing is the way to go. Basically is learning Automotive paint AND mechanics way too much for someone who is just starting to get into the world of cars?

 

i'd say so yeah. i'd pick an area you would prefer to get into first. And yes most cars are different. and that is the thing about the automotive repair industry is that cars are always evolving and changing and you are always learning. I mean 20 years ago cars had 1 computer in them now some of 5, 6, 7 ecm/pcm/bcm etc...just crazy. Really just start off with basics. Learn all the basics. As you get those down you'll be able to use what you learned on that and try harder things. when you do get a car, especially an older car. Its very critical that unelss you have a lot of money you need to be able to do some of the work yourself. Whether you can handle the engine work, exterior work, or interior work. Because having to pay for everything is just going to be too hard.

 

Okay... Are you saying that taking painting prep is also one of those basics i should learn? or that its a path that shouldn't be taken if i wanna learn about engines?

I guess I'll keep painting cause i'd like to learn how to do it myself anyways. Experience is always good for looking for jobs also. I'll keep studying and hopefully try to make everything work.

 

If you have the time to take BOTH intro classes along with general ed, go for it. you might enjoy paint and hate mechanical repair or vise-versa. also try welding, but don't forget general ed. You might be surprised what will make you happy for a carrier. even if you find out that accounting or law is the right path for you having a basic knowledge will help keep others from screwing you in the future. If you do find that the repair side is the path, take computer classes, without an understanding of multiplexing, CAN, OBD, .... you will find yourself being a tire monkey, or brake hanger, or worse a parts bitch

 

I was saying try focusing on one. But if you think you can handle both then try both. and like wddavis says you might prefer paint and bodywork over mechanical work.

 

MAJOR EDIT!!!!! haha. thank god some classes opened up!!! I love Community Colleges. People dropping classes left and right.

So I have these 3 classes:

Intro To Auto Mechanics
Intro To Auto Electrics
Transportation Technology Principles

No more risks being taken AND I have enough units for health insurance LOL. I CAN FINALLY GET MY TEETH CLEANED OMG!!!!! AND NEW GLASSES!! Oh yeah I'm excited about my classes too. haha j/k.

I'm so glad I got this set up now!

 

when i was 17 years old i knew i was going to be a mechanic for a living my grandfather was an electrician and told me if i could read and understand a service manual and have a mechanical ability i could fix anything.
He was right not everybody has machinable ability you need to understand how it works before you can repair it otherwise your just a parts changer.
Today's cars are computer controlled and computer diagnosed for problems but it still comes down to the repair manual to fix it some manuals are easy to understand like Chilton's there made for the general public but only have general info.
if you get a chance look at a factory Chevy manual if you can understand a factory manual your doing good definitely take the basic classes first and read everything you can get your hands on.
Its not that hard to be a mechanic there's steps you take to repair something when your new you need to follow all the steps when your older with more experience you can sometimes skip steps and make a repair fast but if you do that when your new you might have to do the same repair twice good luck on your journey.

 

I'd say to hold off on the paint and body classes until later. It takes a lot to know what you're doing when repairing a car. And it takes a lot to learn to diagnose a car properly. Get comfortable with repair before you start paint and body, because that's a whole other can of worms...

And if you decide you do want to work in a shop, get your smog license, that bumps up pay instantly and I've found that it allows you to find work way easier, I'm glad I took the smog classes when I did.

 

Yeah. I've been studying electrics and engines like crazy this week. Trying to remember all the fundamentals really. I don't wanna be the one kid who's like... "uhh what's a piston?" lol jk i'm not that bad, but close. I Just relearned ohm's law and basic circuitry. As for engines, i'm still learning about exhaust and cats. It's tough man. I understand now what i'm trying to do. I'm gald i'm not taking paint/autobody. Even Smog is a whole new can of worms at this point. I'm getting sucked into studying though. Still need to get some jack stands and start doing some more hands on training. I might get a job soon... that means I'm goning to get a crappy camaro and join you guys!! lol.