ASE Non-Structural Analysis & Damage Repair 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When using metal shrinking techniques on a stretched panel, which tool applies localized heat to gather excess metal?
- Shrinking hammer or torch (Correct answer)
- Slide hammer
- Body file
- Pneumatic chisel
Correct answer: Shrinking hammer or torch
A shrinking hammer or carefully applied torch heat gathers stretched metal back to its original area.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of feather-edging during body repair?
- To create a tapered transition between paint layers and bare metal (Correct answer)
- To remove rust pits
- To align body panels
- To cure body filler faster
Correct answer: To create a tapered transition between paint layers and bare metal
Feather-edging tapers the edges of existing paint to bare metal so the repair blends smoothly.
Question 3: Body filler should be applied to a surface that has been prepared to what condition?
- Clean bare metal scuffed with 80-grit (Correct answer)
- Glossy painted surface
- Oily primed surface
- Rusty untreated metal
Correct answer: Clean bare metal scuffed with 80-grit
Filler adheres best to clean bare metal scuffed to give a mechanical bite, typically with 80-grit.
Question 4: Which welding process is generally preferred for thin automotive sheet metal repair?
- MIG (GMAW) welding (Correct answer)
- Oxy-acetylene gas welding
- Stick (SMAW) welding
- Submerged arc welding
Correct answer: MIG (GMAW) welding
MIG welding gives controlled heat and clean welds suited to thin automotive sheet metal.
Question 5: Excessive heat during welding on a panel most commonly causes what problem?
- Warping and distortion (Correct answer)
- Improved corrosion resistance
- Stronger base metal
- Faster paint adhesion
Correct answer: Warping and distortion
Too much heat warps and distorts thin sheet metal, requiring additional straightening.
Question 6: What is the recommended maximum thickness for plastic body filler over a repair?
- About 1/4 inch (Correct answer)
- About 1 inch
- About 2 inches
- There is no limit
Correct answer: About 1/4 inch
Body filler should not exceed roughly 1/4 inch to maintain strength and prevent cracking.
Question 7: Stress relieving on a damaged panel should generally be done in what order relative to the impact area?
- From the outer edges of damage toward the point of impact (Correct answer)
- From the point of impact outward
- Only at the impact point
- In random locations
Correct answer: From the outer edges of damage toward the point of impact
Working from the outer damage edges inward unlocks stress and lets the metal return naturally.
ASE Non-Structural Analysis & Damage Repair 2
When using metal shrinking techniques on a stretched panel, which tool applies localized heat to gather excess metal?