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Automotive Body Repair & Painting NC II study materials
Automotive Body Repair & Painting NC II study resources

Automotive Body Repair & Painting NC II practice questions

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Question 1Workplace communication and occupational health and safety practices

Which document in an auto body shop formally lists the hazards of a task, the required controls, and the step-by-step safe method of doing the work?

  1. Material safety data summary sheet
  2. Employee time card
  3. Job safety analysis or safe work procedure Correct answer.
  4. Customer repair order

Explanation

A job safety analysis (JSA) or safe work procedure breaks a task into steps, identifies the hazards at each step, and states the controls to be used. It is a planning and training tool kept with the work instructions.

Question 2Workplace communication and occupational health and safety practices

A safety data sheet (SDS) for a two-part body filler is kept in the shop. What is the main purpose of this document?

  1. To record the number of units produced each shift
  2. To describe the hazards, safe handling, and emergency measures for the product Correct answer.
  3. To certify that the technician has passed training
  4. To list the prices of the product from different suppliers

Explanation

An SDS communicates the hazards of a chemical product and how to handle it safely, including first-aid and spill measures. Technicians consult it before using an unfamiliar product.

Question 3Workplace communication and occupational health and safety practices

During a toolbox talk, your supervisor gives instructions in English, but a co-worker clearly does not understand some of the steps. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. Post the instructions on the wall and end the discussion
  2. Tell the co-worker to copy the steps from a colleague's notes
  3. Continue the talk and let the co-worker ask questions later
  4. Ask the supervisor to repeat and clarify the steps, using simple language or a translated version Correct answer.

Explanation

Safety instructions are effective only when every worker understands them. Asking for clarification and using simple or translated wording ensures the message is received correctly.

Question 4Workplace communication and occupational health and safety practices

Which action best demonstrates active listening when a colleague is explaining a problem with a spray gun?

  1. Nodding while planning your next task
  2. Interrupting to describe a similar problem you had
  3. Repeating back the main points to confirm understanding Correct answer.
  4. Checking your phone while the colleague speaks

Explanation

Active listening involves focusing on the speaker and confirming understanding, for example by paraphrasing the key points. This reduces miscommunication in the shop.

Question 5Workplace communication and occupational health and safety practices

A technician finds that a repair will take longer than the time quoted to the customer. Who should be informed, and how?

  1. No one, as long as the job is finished correctly
  2. The customer service adviser, promptly and clearly, so the customer can be updated Correct answer.
  3. The parts supplier, so a discount can be requested
  4. The other technicians, so they can adjust their own schedules

Explanation

Changes that affect the promised completion time must be reported promptly to the person who communicates with the customer. This keeps expectations accurate and avoids disputes.

Question 6Workplace communication and occupational health and safety practices

When writing a short handover note for the next shift about an unfinished paint job, which content is most useful?

  1. Personal opinions about the customer
  2. The history of the shop's paint brand changes
  3. The exact stage reached, products used, and what remains to be done Correct answer.
  4. A general statement that the job is in progress

Explanation

A handover note should give the next technician the facts needed to continue safely and correctly. Stating the stage reached, the products applied, and the remaining steps achieves this.

Question 7Workplace communication and occupational health and safety practices

You need to report a near-miss where a solvent container was almost knocked over. Which report is most useful for preventing a recurrence?

  1. A note saying someone was careless near the bench
  2. A description of what happened, where, when, and a suggested control Correct answer.
  3. A verbal comment to a friend at lunch
  4. No report, because no one was injured

Explanation

Near-miss reports are most useful when they state the facts and propose a control, such as relocating the container or adding a tray. This allows the cause to be corrected before an injury occurs.

Question 8Workplace communication and occupational health and safety practices

In an auto body shop, which personal protective equipment is specifically required when mixing and spraying two-pack polyurethane paint containing isocyanates?

  1. A face shield and cloth apron only
  2. An air-supplied or approved respirator with suitable gloves and eye protection Correct answer.
  3. A dust mask and cotton gloves
  4. Ordinary safety glasses alone

Explanation

Isocyanate-containing paints require respiratory protection that supplies clean air or is approved for the hazard, plus skin and eye protection. Skin and inhalation exposure must both be controlled.

Question 9Workplace communication and occupational health and safety practices

What is the correct action when a worker's clothing becomes soaked with solvent?

  1. Cover the wet area with a rag and keep working
  2. Continue working until the shift ends
  3. Dry the clothing near an open flame
  4. Move away from ignition sources, remove the clothing, and wash the skin Correct answer.

Explanation

Solvent-soaked clothing keeps the skin exposed and creates a fire risk. The worker should move away from ignition sources, remove the clothing, and wash the affected skin.

Question 10Workplace communication and occupational health and safety practices

A fire extinguisher marked for class B fires is designed for which type of fire?

  1. Flammable liquids such as solvents and paints Correct answer.
  2. Ordinary combustibles such as paper and wood
  3. Combustible cooking oils
  4. Energised electrical equipment

Explanation

Class B extinguishers are intended for flammable liquid fires such as solvents, thinners, and paints. Using the correct class prevents the fire from spreading or the extinguisher from being ineffective.

Question 11Workplace communication and occupational health and safety practices

Solvent rags are piling up in an open bin at the end of the day. What is the safest practice?

  1. Pile them near the spray booth door
  2. Soak them in water and leave them on the bench
  3. Leave them in the open bin overnight
  4. Store them in a closed, self-closing metal container and remove them from the work area Correct answer.

Explanation

Solvent-soaked rags can self-heat and ignite. They should be kept in a closed metal container with a self-closing lid and removed from the work area.

Question 12Workplace communication and occupational health and safety practices

When should a technician wash their hands after handling body filler or paint materials?

  1. Only at the end of the shift
  2. Once a week
  3. Only when the hands are visibly dirty
  4. Before eating, drinking, smoking, or leaving the work area Correct answer.

Explanation

Hands should be washed before eating, drinking, smoking, or leaving the work area to prevent ingestion of chemicals and contamination of other surfaces.

Question 13Workplace communication and occupational health and safety practices

Which practice best controls dust exposure when sanding body filler in the workshop?

  1. Sweeping the dust with a broom after sanding
  2. Using a sander connected to dust extraction and wearing suitable respiratory protection Correct answer.
  3. Sanding dry in the open bay without extraction
  4. Opening a window only after finishing

Explanation

Dust extraction at the source, combined with appropriate respiratory protection, reduces inhalation of fine particles. It is more effective than relying on general ventilation after the fact.

Question 14Workplace communication and occupational health and safety practices

A technician is asked to enter a spray booth to clean it. Which condition must be confirmed before entry?

  1. That another job is waiting outside
  2. That the booth fan is running at full spray speed
  3. That the booth lights are switched off
  4. That the booth is shut down, isolated, and safe to enter with adequate ventilation Correct answer.

Explanation

Cleaning a booth requires the equipment to be safely shut down and isolated and the atmosphere to be adequately ventilated. This prevents exposure to solvent vapour and accidental start-up.

Question 15Workplace communication and occupational health and safety practices

A drum of thinner is stored on a shelf above a workbench. Why is this practice hazardous?

  1. Thinners should only be stored in glass bottles
  2. The drum may be too heavy to lift safely and may leak or fall onto workers Correct answer.
  3. The shelf blocks the light from the window
  4. The drum will evaporate faster on a shelf

Explanation

Storing heavy containers of flammable liquid above a work area creates a risk of manual handling injury and of a spill or fire if the container falls. Flammable liquids should be stored in designated low-level cabinets.

Question 16Workplace communication and occupational health and safety practices

Which statement best describes the purpose of a workplace emergency evacuation drill?

  1. To satisfy customers that the shop is busy
  2. To check the condition of the fire extinguishers
  3. To practise the escape routes, roles, and assembly procedure so the response is effective in a real emergency Correct answer.
  4. To test the fire alarm sound level only

Explanation

A drill lets workers practise the alarm response, escape routes, assigned roles, and assembly point so the real response is fast and orderly. It is a rehearsal of the whole procedure.

Question 17Workplace communication and occupational health and safety practices

A worker is told to lift a heavy bumper alone, but the load is clearly too heavy. What is the best response?

  1. Lift it quickly to reduce the time under load
  2. Ask a colleague to help or use a lifting aid, and report the issue Correct answer.
  3. Lift it with a twisting motion to reach the bench
  4. Drag it along the floor to save time

Explanation

Loads that are too heavy should be shared or handled with mechanical aids, and the difficulty should be reported so it can be addressed. Twisting or rushing increases the risk of injury.

Question 18Workplace communication and occupational health and safety practices

A technician notices a small leak from a solvent drum. What is the correct first response?

  1. Ignore it because the amount is small
  2. Wash the spill into the floor drain
  3. Cover the spill with a cardboard sheet
  4. Stop the source if safe, contain the spill, ventilate, and report it Correct answer.

Explanation

Even small leaks of flammable liquid should be stopped if safe, contained with absorbent material, ventilated, and reported. This prevents fire, vapour exposure, and environmental contamination.

Question 19Workplace communication and occupational health and safety practices

When a technician does not understand a written work instruction because of technical or language difficulty, what should they do?

  1. Skip that step and continue with the next one
  2. Guess the meaning and proceed
  3. Ask a supervisor or qualified colleague to clarify before starting Correct answer.
  4. Sign the instruction sheet to show it was read

Explanation

Work must not proceed on assumptions when instructions are unclear. Asking for clarification before starting prevents errors and injuries.

Question 20Workplace communication and occupational health and safety practices

A shop has a written policy that all accidents, however minor, must be recorded. A worker cuts a finger and considers not reporting it. What is the best analysis of this situation?

  1. The worker should report it only if a supervisor saw the cut
  2. The cut must be recorded and treated, because records support treatment and prevention of recurrence Correct answer.
  3. The cut is minor, so reporting can wait until the next inspection
  4. Only injuries requiring hospital treatment should be recorded

Explanation

Recording and treating even minor injuries allows first aid to be given and helps identify hazards that could cause a more serious injury later. Reporting requirements apply regardless of severity.

Question 21Use of hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments

Which measuring instrument is best suited for checking the depth of a dent or the thickness of a panel?

  1. Vernier caliper
  2. Depth micrometer Correct answer.
  3. Feeler gauge
  4. Steel rule

Explanation

A depth micrometer uses a calibrated spindle with a base that sits on the surface, allowing precise measurement of recess depth or material thickness. It reads to hundredths of a millimeter, which a steel rule cannot.

Question 22Use of hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments

What is the primary purpose of a body hammer and dolly used together?

  1. To planish and shrink stretched metal Correct answer.
  2. To cut replacement panels
  3. To stretch the metal outward
  4. To remove paint from the panel

Explanation

The dolly is held behind the panel while the hammer strikes the outer surface, compressing and planishing the metal back to shape. This controlled hammer-on-dolly work restores stretched areas rather than adding more stretch.

Question 23Use of hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments

A torque wrench should be returned to its lowest setting after use mainly to:

  1. Reset the calibration to zero
  2. Make the scale easier to read
  3. Prevent the internal spring from taking a set Correct answer.
  4. Lubricate the ratchet mechanism

Explanation

Leaving a torque wrench under load keeps the spring compressed, which can cause it to lose accuracy over time. Backing it off to the lowest setting relieves that stress and preserves calibration.

Question 24Use of hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments

Which power tool is the correct choice for cutting a straight line through a replacement quarter panel?

  1. Random orbital sander
  2. Air body saw Correct answer.
  3. Reciprocating saw
  4. Angle grinder with a grinding disc

Explanation

An air body saw has a fine-tooth blade and low vibration, giving controlled straight cuts in sheet metal. It is the standard tool for trimming panels in collision repair.

Question 25Use of hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments

The main safety reason for wearing eye protection when using a die grinder is to:

  1. Protect against flying debris and sparks Correct answer.
  2. Reduce noise exposure
  3. Improve visibility of the work
  4. Prevent dust from entering the lungs

Explanation

High-speed abrasive tools throw metal chips, abrasive fragments, and sparks toward the operator. Safety glasses or goggles block these particles from the eyes.

Question 26Use of hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments

Which instrument is used to check whether two mating panel surfaces are flat and even with each other?

  1. Straightedge Correct answer.
  2. Dial indicator on a magnetic base
  3. Micrometer
  4. Spring divider

Explanation

A straightedge laid across a seam reveals high and low spots by showing where light passes underneath. It is the standard hand check for panel flushness.

Question 27Use of hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments

When using an angle grinder, the guard should be positioned so that it:

  1. Is locked fully open
  2. Faces away from the operator
  3. Sits between the operator and the spinning disc Correct answer.
  4. Is removed for better access

Explanation

The guard is designed to deflect sparks, debris, and fragments away from the operator. It must remain fitted and oriented toward the user's side of the wheel.

Question 28Use of hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments

A technician needs to remove a spot weld without damaging the surrounding panel. The correct tool is a:

  1. Spot weld drill bit Correct answer.
  2. Cold chisel
  3. Slide hammer
  4. Body file

Explanation

A spot weld drill bit has a flat center point that pilots into the weld nugget and cuts only the weld, leaving the base panel intact. This is the controlled method for separating spot-welded panels.

Question 29Use of hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments

What does a reading of 1.20 mm on a vernier caliper indicate when measuring panel thickness?

  1. One and twenty hundredths of a millimeter Correct answer.
  2. One and twenty thousandths of a millimeter
  3. One hundred twenty millimeters
  4. Twelve millimeters

Explanation

On a metric vernier caliper, the main scale reads whole millimeters and the vernier reads hundredths of a millimeter. A reading of 1.20 mm is therefore one whole millimeter plus twenty hundredths.

Question 30Use of hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments

A dial indicator reads 0.05 mm of runout on a wheel hub face. This measurement most directly indicates:

  1. Wheel bolt torque
  2. Brake pad thickness
  3. Lateral or radial variation of the hub surface Correct answer.
  4. Tire tread depth

Explanation

A dial indicator with its plunger on the hub face records how much the surface deviates as the hub rotates. That deviation is runout, which can cause vibration or uneven wheel seating.

Question 31Use of hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments

Which tool should be selected to remove paint and body filler from a large flat panel quickly while keeping the surface level?

  1. Random orbital sander with coarse paper Correct answer.
  2. DA sander with fine paper
  3. Die grinder with a carbide burr
  4. Hand sanding block with 400-grit

Explanation

A random orbital sander with coarse abrasive removes material rapidly and its orbital action helps keep the surface flat. Coarse grit is appropriate for stripping, then finer grits follow for finishing.

Question 32Use of hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments

The correct procedure for checking a feeler gauge gap between a door and its frame is to:

  1. Force the thickest leaf that will fit
  2. Measure with the door fully open
  3. Use only one leaf at a time
  4. Insert leaves until a slight drag is felt Correct answer.

Explanation

Leaves are added until the stack slides with a slight drag, which gives the true gap size. Forcing a leaf distorts the reading and can damage the gauge.

Question 33Use of hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments

A technician is choosing between a body file and a Surform-type file for shaping plastic filler. The body file is preferred because it:

  1. Works only on metal
  2. Requires no maintenance
  3. Cuts faster on cured filler and stays flatter Correct answer.
  4. Leaves a smoother finish than sandpaper

Explanation

A body file has a wide, rigid blade that planes cured filler flat and removes high spots quickly. Its flatness helps avoid the waviness that a flexible tool can create.

Question 34Use of hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments

Which measuring tool is most appropriate for verifying that a replacement door gap is uniform along its full length?

  1. Outside micrometer
  2. Feeler gauge Correct answer.
  3. Vernier height gauge
  4. Telescoping gauge

Explanation

A feeler gauge is inserted into the gap at several points to confirm the clearance is consistent. Micrometers and height gauges measure solid dimensions rather than open gaps.

Question 35Use of hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments

When using a pneumatic cut-off tool, the recommended practice for the air line is to:

  1. Drain moisture and oil the tool as specified Correct answer.
  2. Disconnect the safety coupler
  3. Use the smallest hose available
  4. Run the tool above its rated pressure

Explanation

Moisture in the air line corrodes air tools and oil keeps the motor lubricated, so both must be managed per the tool's specification. Correct air pressure and a safety coupler also protect the operator.

Question 36Use of hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments

A technician measures a panel with a micrometer and gets three slightly different readings on repeated tries. The most likely cause is:

  1. The micrometer is out of calibration or the measuring force varies Correct answer.
  2. The panel thickness is changing
  3. The panel is too thin to measure
  4. The micrometer scale is metric

Explanation

Inconsistent readings usually point to a calibration error or to varying pressure on the thimble, which compresses the part or the instrument. Checking zero and using the friction thimble or ratchet stop gives repeatable results.

Question 37Use of hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments

Which hand tool is designed specifically to shrink stretched sheet metal by controlled heat and hammering?

  1. Rubber mallet
  2. Shrinking hammer with a shrinking dolly Correct answer.
  3. Sandbag and slapper
  4. Pick hammer

Explanation

A shrinking hammer has a serrated or crowned face that gathers metal when struck against a shrinking dolly, counteracting stretch. This restores tension to an overstretched panel.

Question 38Use of hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments

During a panel repair, a technician finds the door gap is tight at the top and wide at the bottom. The best first step using measuring tools is to:

  1. Replace the door hinges immediately
  2. Loosen all body bolts at once
  3. Measure the gap at several points and compare to specification Correct answer.
  4. Sand the door edge to increase clearance

Explanation

Systematic gap measurement at multiple points against the manufacturer's specification identifies whether the misalignment is in the hinge, the frame, or the panel itself. Diagnosis should precede any adjustment.

Question 39Use of hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments

A technician must verify that a repaired frame section is square before reassembly. The most appropriate measuring approach is to:

  1. Compare diagonal measurements between symmetrical reference points Correct answer.
  2. Measure paint thickness with a gauge
  3. Use a feeler gauge on the door seal
  4. Check panel thickness with a micrometer

Explanation

Comparing cross-diagonal distances between matched reference points on both sides reveals whether the structure is square; equal diagonals indicate a true rectangle. This is a standard tram or tape measuring technique in structural repair.

Question 40Use of hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments

A technician is selecting abrasive grit for feather-edging a repaired area before primer. The correct choice is a:

  1. Very fine polishing pad
  2. Coarse 36-grit disc on a grinder
  3. Wire wheel on a drill
  4. Medium-fine grit on a DA sander to blend the edge Correct answer.

Explanation

Feather-edging requires a medium-fine grit on a DA sander to taper the old finish smoothly into the repaired area without gouging. Coarse grit would leave deep scratches that show through the topcoat.

Question 41Panel preparation, damage assessment, and metal finishing

Which tool is used to restore the original contour of a dented steel panel by applying controlled pressure from behind?

  1. A ball-peen hammer
  2. A body spoon
  3. A dolly block
  4. A pick hammer Correct answer.

Explanation

A pick hammer has a pointed face that concentrates force so the metal can be worked back into shape from the back side of a dent. Dollies and spoons support the panel from the opposite side rather than driving it outward.

Question 42Panel preparation, damage assessment, and metal finishing

What is the main purpose of applying a guide coat during panel preparation?

  1. To reveal low and high spots while sanding Correct answer.
  2. To increase the thickness of the primer
  3. To speed up the curing of filler
  4. To seal bare metal against rust

Explanation

A guide coat is a thin contrasting mist that is sanded away; any remaining specks show where the surface is still low or uneven. It is a visual aid for leveling, not a protective or structural layer.

Question 43Panel preparation, damage assessment, and metal finishing

Which abrasive grit is most appropriate for rough shaping of cured body filler?

  1. P40 Correct answer.
  2. P180
  3. P400
  4. P800

Explanation

Coarse grits such as P40 remove filler quickly during the rough shaping stage. Finer grits are reserved for leveling primer and final finishing.

Question 44Panel preparation, damage assessment, and metal finishing

What does a magnetic gauge measure on an automotive panel?

  1. Paint film thickness Correct answer.
  2. Surface roughness
  3. Hardness of the clear coat
  4. Metal panel thickness

Explanation

Magnetic and eddy-current gauges measure the thickness of coatings applied over a steel or aluminum substrate. This reading helps decide whether existing finish can be feathered or must be stripped.

Question 45Panel preparation, damage assessment, and metal finishing

When mixing body filler, what is the effect of adding too much hardener paste?

  1. The filler becomes porous and may crack Correct answer.
  2. The filler sets too slowly
  3. The filler changes color only
  4. The filler stays permanently soft

Explanation

Excess hardener accelerates the reaction and traps air, producing a porous, brittle film that can crack or shrink. The correct ratio is a uniform streak of hardener through the filler.

Question 46Panel preparation, damage assessment, and metal finishing

What is the correct term for the process of gradually sanding the edge of an existing finish so it blends into bare metal or primer?

  1. Masking
  2. Scuffing
  3. Blocking
  4. Feather edging Correct answer.

Explanation

Feather edging tapers the old finish edge so no ridge remains under new primer and paint. Blocking is flat sanding with a rigid pad, scuffing is light abrasion for adhesion, and masking protects adjacent areas.

Question 47Panel preparation, damage assessment, and metal finishing

Which condition most commonly causes a dent to be described as "oil canning"?

  1. The metal has been stretched and pops in and out Correct answer.
  2. The panel has been painted twice
  3. The panel is made of aluminum
  4. The seam sealer has failed

Explanation

Oil canning occurs when stretched metal has lost its rigidity, so the panel snaps between two positions when pressed. The fix involves shrinking the stretched area rather than simply filling it.

Question 48Panel preparation, damage assessment, and metal finishing

What safety item must be worn when sanding body filler to protect the respiratory system?

  1. Safety glasses only
  2. Ear plugs
  3. A dust respirator Correct answer.
  4. A face shield only

Explanation

Sanding filler and primer produces fine dust that must not be inhaled, so a suitable particulate respirator is required. Eye protection is also needed but does not protect the lungs.

Question 49Panel preparation, damage assessment, and metal finishing

A technician finds a low spot after block sanding primer. What is the most appropriate next step?

  1. Increase air pressure on the spray gun
  2. Apply topcoat immediately
  3. Apply glaze putty and re-block Correct answer.
  4. Wet sand the area with P1200

Explanation

A low spot needs to be filled and leveled before topcoat, and a thin glaze putty is suited to small imperfections over primer. Topcoat over a low spot will telegraph the defect.

Question 50Panel preparation, damage assessment, and metal finishing

Which hammer face is best suited for initial rough shaping of a large, shallow dent in a relatively flat panel?

  1. A cross-peen hammer
  2. A pick hammer
  3. A shrinking hammer
  4. A flat face hammer Correct answer.

Explanation

A flat face hammer spreads force over a wider area and is suited to general bumping of broad, shallow damage. Pick hammers concentrate force for small, sharp dents.