vcc.ca
APAP 2002: Automotive Refinishing Technician Apprentice Level 2
Effective date
May 2026
Department
Auto Paint - Apprenticeship
School
Trades, Technology and Design
Description
This course provides Level 2 technical training for apprentices in the Automotive Refinishing Technician program. Students learn application and troubleshooting techniques for sealers, basecoat/clearcoat, and multi-stage coatings, including blending methods for each. Instruction also covers alternate finishes such as matte, textured, marine, heavy equipment, and aircraft coatings. Training includes advanced operations and troubleshooting for refinishing equipment such as spray booths, mixing systems, solvent recycling machines, and drying/curing equipment. Students also learn to use OEM specifications and estimating software, apply documentation techniques, maintain equipment and VOC logs, and understand the importance of mentorship in the workplace.
Delivery Format:
• On-Campus Component: 3 weeks (90 hours) of hands-on training
Assessment and Certification:
• Students must achieve a minimum final grade of 70% at VCC to pass the course
• A grade of 70% or higher also qualifies students to:
- Receive SkilledTradesBC technical training credit for Automotive Painter (Automotive Refinishing Technician)
- Write the SkilledTradesBC Interprovincial Red Seal Exam
Credits
4.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
Students must be registered apprentices in the SkilledTradesBC Automotive Refinishing Technician program and have a valid SkilledTradesBC ID number AND successful completion of the Automotive Collision and Refinishing Foundation Certificate OR ACRP 1101 Automotive Collision and Refinishing Common Core Apprentice Level 1 OR successful completion of the Automotive Refinishing Prep Technician Certificate (pre-April 2021) OR ARAP 1001 Auto Refinishing Prep Technician Apprentice Level 1 (pre-April 2021); Students transitioning from the pre-April 2021 program are subject to a co-requisite for this course.
Corequisites
Students transitioning from the pre-April 2021 program (Automotive Refinish Prep Technician or Automotive Refinish Prep Technician Foundation) are subject to an 8-hour gap-training module, which may include online self-study material and additional face-to-face instruction.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe water borne and solvent recycling machines (B4).
- Update and organize colour library (B5).
- Maintain mixing systems and room (B5).
- Use curing and drying equipment (B7).
- Apply environmental and jurisdictional regulations (D2).
- Use manufacturers' documentation to access OEM specifications and equipment maintenance requirements (D2).
- Contribute supplemental information to a repair estimate (D2).
- Perform inspections to evaluate the refinish area and blend requirements (D3).
- Describe production schedules process timelines, development, and maintenance (D4).
- Develop a refinish plan (D5).
- Use software to create a repair estimate (D6).
- Understand and use techniques to be an effective mentor (E2).
- Use masking techniques to mask a vehicle for topcoat (G2).
- Prepare a spray booth including pressure/temperature adjustments and troubleshooting (H2).
- Setup spray guns and verify/troubleshoot spray pattern problems (H3).
- Mix a variety of refinishing materials suitable for various applications.
- Apply primer sealers and troubleshoot problems (I2).
- Apply single-stage paint and troubleshoot problems (I3).
- Apply and blend basecoat/clearcoat and multi-stage paint (I4).
- Describe refinish problems, causes and methods for correcting (I5).
- Perform colour adjustment (I6).
- Remove masking materials (J1).
- Correct surface imperfections (J2).
- Perform final check (J3).
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 45
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 45
Total Hours: 90
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 45
Total Hours: 90
Instructional Strategies
This course provides a wide range of opportunities for student learning in classroom and shop settings. In addition to hands-on practical experience at VCC’s own state of the art automotive collision repair and refinishing facility learning activities such as lectures, demonstrations, individual and group project based learning strategies may be used throughout the course. Students may access learning materials and course evaluations using VCC's online course management system.
Attendance and Participation
Given the industrial nature of this course professional and safe work practice is of critical importance. A student may be withdrawn from the course for safety concerns and/or an inability to meet professional practice standards due to inadequate attendance.
Excused absences are those reported in advance of a scheduled class, wherever possible, or if appropriate documentation can be provided for the time missed. Other absences will be reported as unexcused, and an excess of unexcused absences may result in a student being withdrawn from the course.
Attendance and Participation
Given the industrial nature of this course professional and safe work practice is of critical importance. A student may be withdrawn from the course for safety concerns and/or an inability to meet professional practice standards due to inadequate attendance.
Excused absences are those reported in advance of a scheduled class, wherever possible, or if appropriate documentation can be provided for the time missed. Other absences will be reported as unexcused, and an excess of unexcused absences may result in a student being withdrawn from the course.
Grading System
Percentages-STBC
Passing grade
70%
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Quizzes/Tests |
25 |
Formative theory quizzes |
|
Exam |
15 |
Summative theory exams |
|
Assignments |
60 |
In-shop practical evaluations |
Course topics
- Refinishing Equipment Advanced Operations and Troubleshooting
- Masking and Masking Removal for Topcoats
- Advanced Coatings Application, Troubleshooting, and Blending
- Colour Adjustment
- Alternate Finishes and Products
- Estimating: - OEM Specifications - Estimating Software - Documenting and Photo Documentation
- Production Schedules
- Environmental Regulation Compliance
- Mentoring in the Workplace
- Surface Defect Removal
- Final Check for Quality Control
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.