| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Automobile Dealership |
| Level | Entry level |
| Reports to | Body Shop Supervisor |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | 2 to 5 years in body repair or denting |
Denter job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Denter
Department: Automobile Dealership
Reports to: Body Shop Supervisor
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Denter, also called a body repair technician, reshapes damaged vehicle panels back to their original form before painting. They straighten dents, replace panels, fill and sand, and get the body straight and true. The role reports to the Body Shop Supervisor. A good denter reads damage well, repairs rather than replaces where possible, gets panel gaps and lines right, prepares a smooth surface for the painter, keeps rework low, and turns crashed metal back into a straight body so the vehicle looks factory finished after paint.
Key responsibilities
- Assess panel damage and decide whether to repair or replace each panel.
- Straighten dents and reshape panels using hammers, dollies and pulling tools.
- Replace panels that cannot be repaired and weld or fit them correctly.
- Fill, sand and level surfaces so panel gaps and lines are true.
- Prepare the surface smooth and clean for the painter to finish.
- Correct alignment of doors, bonnet and boot for even gaps.
- Use body straightening equipment for structural damage where needed.
- Keep rework low by getting the shape right before it goes to paint.
- Work to the promised delivery time and flag delays early.
- Follow safety rules for welding, grinding and tool use.
Requirements
- ITI in body repair or a related trade
- Manufacturer body shop training is an advantage
- Hands on denting experience
- 2 to 5 years in body repair or denting
KRAs and KPIs for a Denter
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Repair quality | Panels passing shape and gap check the first time above target |
| Repair over replace | Panels repaired rather than replaced above the agreed level where possible |
| Output | Panels completed per day against the agreed target |
| Rework | Panels returned from paint for rework kept below the agreed level |
| Cycle time | Denting completed within the agreed time per job |
| Safety | Zero reportable safety incidents during denting work |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Hammers and dollies, Panel pulling tools, Welding machine, Body straightening bench, Sanders.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Body Shop Supervisor, Senior Denter, Body Shop Manager
Interview questions for a Denter
- How do you decide whether to repair or replace a damaged panel?
- How do you get panel gaps and lines true after a repair?
- How do you prepare a surface so the painter gets a clean finish?
- How do you handle structural damage that needs body straightening?
- How do you keep rework low so panels do not come back from paint?
- How do you stay safe while welding and grinding?
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What does a Denter do?
A Denter reshapes damaged vehicle panels back to their original form before painting. They straighten dents, replace panels that cannot be saved, fill and sand surfaces, and correct alignment so gaps and lines are true. They prepare a smooth surface for the painter and keep rework low.
What is the difference between a Denter and a Painter?
A Denter repairs the shape of the metal: straightening dents, replacing panels and preparing the surface. A Painter then colours and finishes those panels to match the vehicle. Denting fixes the form; painting restores the look. Both must be right for a repair to look factory finished.
What qualifications does a Denter need?
Most denter roles ask for an ITI in body repair or a related trade with hands on denting experience. Manufacturer body shop training helps. Employers value a good eye for form, skill with hammers, dollies and pulling tools, and the ability to get panel gaps and lines true.