Vehicle Restoration Continuing Education

Nov 2 & 3, 2024

Course will cover:

• how to buy, plan and budget for a project
• introduction to restorations
• theory of welding processes, welding sheet metal, specialty metals
• practice welding on MIG, TIG, Oxy/fuel welding. Times on each process are choice of student.
• aluminum welding on TIG and MIG are available to try if the student wishes. Plasma cutting is also available.
• wrap up discussions and questions

Note: there will be one student per welder to maximize practice time.

You can take home all sheet metal projects you build.

Nov 30 & Dec 1, 2024

You'll start in the classroom covering:

• how to manipulate sheet metal into form and shape
• common processes
• tooling and application in the restoration/custom industries

In the lab you will:

• practice with basic sheet metal shaping tools like sheet metal brake, hammer and dolly
• practice shrinking and stretching metal
• practice patterning various body parts
• create the parts from stock sheet metal

You can take home all the sheet metal projects you build.

Jan 4 & 5, 2025

Course will cover:

• Basic braking system modifications, steering systems and suspension upgrades, laws and registration of custom vehicles.
• Theory of advanced sheet metal shaping tools, patterning methods on complex parts. Applying shaping principals to rust repairs, accident damage, custom panels.
• Practice with bead rollers, slip rollers, English wheel, power hammers, and hammer forms. Custom formed panels, patterning and building vehicle body parts. Custom sheet metal procedures and techniques. Discussions on custom procedures such as chopped tops, channeling, and Frenching.
• Wrap up discussions and questions.

All sheet metal projects you build in this course can be taken home.

Feb 1 & 2, 2025

You'll start in the classroom with 4 hours of theory covering:

• body construction
• analyzing body damage
• rust removal procedure
• panel replacement procedures
• body integrity concerns
• accident damage repair procedures
• structural repair procedures
• panel alignment
• gapping procedures

Your practical lab time will be spent on truck cabs, removing and replacing rockers, cab corners, and floors. As needed, you may also do pillar repairs and floor sill replacements.

Mar 1 & 2, 2025

You'll start in the classroom covering:

• substrate preparation, body fillers, primer surfacers and sealers
• applications of products and prep procedures
• paint product information
• paint application procedures
• finish polishing
• custom paint techniques

In the lab you'll work prep and paint a small hood. This includes:

• body fill
• sanding
• priming
• block sanding
• primer seal
• apply a base coat and clear coat
• sand and polish on a base/ clear finished body pane

All sheet metal projects you build in this course can be taken home. 

This is a new course and will be offered for the first time in spring 2025.

April 5 & 6, 2025

Suspension, Chassis, and Brakes Course Outline

Course will include discussion, demonstration, and visual aids to explain the following subject material:

Stock and original suspension systems

• Geometry and component diagnosis will be covered as well as wheel alignment angles
• Typical modifications to stock systems and the drivability issues that can occur
• DOT regulations and laws pertaining to suspension modifications
• Industry standard repair procedures

Aftermarket Suspension systems

• Preparation to replace or modify suspension system components or complete replacement
• Discussion on Bolt- in systems, pro’s and con’s ,legal requirement
• Weld-in suspension modifications:
• Preparation required, performance considerations, final outcomes for drivability, aesthetics, and safety
• Achieving correct geometry with weld in systems
• Discussion on ride height, driveline angles, total vehicle performance

Braking Systems

• An expanded overview of stock braking systems, diagnosis, and repair
• Regulations and laws that must be followed
• Choosing the correct system for your vehicle
• Preparation and installation of aftermarket braking systems
• Testing and adjusting braking performance after installation

Next offering will be in spring 2026.

You'll start in the classroom covering:

• theory on basic electrical diagnosis
• repair of common circuits, relays, sound systems and power accessories
• general wiring layout
• reading wiring diagrams
• proper wiring repair
• diagnosing common issues in vintage vehicles

In the lab you'll use training boards that simulate a vintage vehicle wiring system to:

• become familiar with the  operation of electrical circuits and electrical testing equipment
• practice soldering procedures

Originally developed for the Street Rod Technologies program, this lab is now home to workshops.

There's room for 20 students.

Among its features are:

• welding booths
• tool wall
• sanding booth
• paint mixing room
• paint booth
• 10-tonne overhead crane
• frame straightening hooks
• a classroom
• viewing deck
• student lounge
• office suite

The site also houses our driver training program.