Aluminum Exclusivity: BMW bulletin restricts more than 100 structural aluminum parts to certified facilities
Toronto, Ontario — BMW’s North American division announced in a bulletin Thursday that it has restricted more than 100 aluminum structural parts for its vehicles “due to complexity of repair and the requirement of highly specialized tools, training, and repair procedures.” Going forward, parts on that list can only be ordered by facilities with technicians […]
Aluminum small tool kit
By CRM Staff Toronto, Ontario — April 2, 2019 — For those pursuing the Ford F-150 aluminum certification program, Grade A Tools offers an aluminum small tool kit that has each item required by the program. This kit is sold separately from the aluminum repair station (DF-900DX). Shops will need both items to be certified for the […]
Improper aluminum repairs could lead to costly comebacks, reports Repairer Driven News
By CRM Staff Toronto, Ontario — June 6, 2018 — A 16-page research report released October 2017 by the Aluminum Association finds filiform corrosion to be a real issue for aluminum repairs, especially “in wet and salty environments typical of the east coast of Canada or the USA.” Filiform corrosion differs from the […]
Was investing in aluminum repair worthwhile?
By Mike Davey Peterborough, Ontario — January 3, 2017 — Aluminum is hardly a new material, but it jumped to the forefront of repairer consciousness with the introduction of the aluminum-bodied Ford F-150 in 2015. It seemed as if almost every body shop was investing heavily in aluminum repair equipment and training. Collision Repair magazine […]
Friday Fun: Steel vs. aluminum, counterfeiters get sophisticated and sub-prime auto loans
By Jeff Sanford Toronto, Ontario — June 9, 2016 — This week features news about the ongoing steel vs. aluminum debate, a new flood of more sophisticated counterfeit parts from China and the “now occurring” deflation of the sub-prime auto loan bubble. – The Ontario Liberal Party made a major announcement this week. Premier Wynne […]
Skills Canada National Competition kicks off in Moncton
By Mike Davey Moncton, New Brunswick — June 7, 2016 — The 2016 Skills Canada National Competition is now underway at the Moncton Coliseum. The event kicked off on June 5 with student orientation and welcome reception. The competition portion of the event officially started on June 6 and continued on June 7. In addition […]
Alu Autotech hosts ‘hands-on’ open house
By Mike Davey Brampton, Ontario — June 1, 2016 — Research is great, but there’s just no substitute for actually getting your hands on repair equipment and trying it out. That was part of the reason behind a recent open house event hosted by Alu Autotech. The company is located in Brampton, Ontario and specializes […]
Chief University announces updated curriculum
Madison, Indiana — April 26, 2016 — Chief University has announced improvements and updates to its curriculum for 2016. Chief University is the training arm of Chief Automotive Technologies. Chief University will offer over 60 updated training classes for technicians, estimators and insurance appraisers across North America this year. For a complete schedule and to […]
GM approves Chief equipment for CT6 repairs
Madison, Indiana — March 23, 2016 — GM has approved a family of Chief aluminum-specific tools and equipment to repair collision damage on the new Cadillac CT6. According to a statement from Chief, the company’s dust and fume extractors, aluminum dent repair station, MIG welder, collet set and structural holding package are the latest additions […]
Aluminum-bodies push need for bonded riveting
By Jeff Sanford Vaughan, Ontario — July 16, 2015 — The ongoing shift to increased use of aluminum in auto bodies is also leading to an uptick in the use of bonded rivets for attaching parts. Pfaff Autoworks is keeping up with the changes by training technicians in the proper use of bonded riveting. Today’s […]
