Aluminium Bodywork Course: Techniques and Care
Online 300-hour course in aluminium bodywork: techniques and care. 6 modules covering EN 573-3 (chemical composition of aluminium alloys), EN 485-2 (aluminium sheet: mechanical properties) and Fusion 360. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Aluminium Bodywork Course: Techniques and Care — studying from South Africa
Classic vehicle restoration is a niche but active interest in South Africa, supported by owners' clubs, specialist workshops and historic motorsport events. Restoration work draws on skills in mechanical engineering, materials and heritage conservation. Specialists source parts, rebuild engines and conserve bodywork for vintage and classic cars and motorcycles. Clubs and heritage organisations help maintain the community and promote conservation practice.
Fees for South Africa: R 14 900 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the professional bodies in South Africa for this area?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by any South African body, so they are not official state degrees. Restoration work is not generally a regulated title, though ECSA registration applies to engineering roles and the SABS covers relevant standards. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by clients, employers or the relevant body, so check with them first.
How might this qualification be used by employers in South Africa in restoration and classic vehicles?
The classic vehicle sector is largely made up of specialist workshops, collectors and small firms that value demonstrable craftsmanship and reputation over formal credentials. A private qualification may add technical depth to your profile, but its impact depends on individual clients and employers. Speak to people in the field to see how they would regard it.
Can I study this programme alongside full-time work from South Africa, and is there a time zone or language issue?
The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours. You get an assigned technical tutor, can pay in instalments, and may seek employer sponsorship. Ask SEIUM about time-zone and workload details before committing.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Describe the aluminium alloys used in bodywork and their properties.
Form aluminium panels using hand tools and the English wheel.
Carry out welded, riveted and adhesive joints in aluminium.
Repair damage while avoiding steel contamination and galvanic corrosion.
Prepare and protect aluminium surfaces before finishing.
Apply workplace safety measures when working with aluminium.
Plan an aluminium repair or fabrication project.
Who it's for
- Aluminium panel beater who wants to specialise in Aluminium Bodywork: Techniques and Care.
- Artisan coachbuilder who wants to specialise in Aluminium Bodywork: Techniques and Care.
- Aluminium TIG welder who wants to specialise in Aluminium Bodywork: Techniques and Care.
- Classic vehicle restorer who wants to specialise in Aluminium Bodywork: Techniques and Care.
- Bodywork repair technician who wants to specialise in Aluminium Bodywork: Techniques and Care.
- Body shop manager who wants to specialise in Aluminium Bodywork: Techniques and Care.
- Graduates in engineering or science looking to enter classic vehicle restoration.
What you'll work with
- EN 573-3 (chemical composition of aluminium alloys)
- EN 485-2 (aluminium sheet: mechanical properties)
- EN ISO 9606-2 (qualification of aluminium welders)
- EN ISO 18273 (welding consumables for aluminium)
- EN 1090-3 (execution of aluminium structures)
- ISO 2409 (adhesion by cross-cut test)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1History: from the Superleggera to British sports cars1.2Alloys 1050, 3003, 5052 and 60611.3Tempers and supply conditions1.4Properties compared with steel1.5Natural oxidation and alumina layer1.6Work hardening1.7Typical bodywork thicknesses1.8Identifying alloys in older parts1.9Aluminium dust hazards1.10Practice: alloy identification
2.1Flame annealing and soot marker2.2Wooden mallet and sandbag2.3English wheel on soft aluminium2.4Shrinker and stretcher2.5Forming over a buck2.6Flanging and edge flanges2.7Thinning control2.8Avoiding cracks in stretched areas2.9Tools specific to aluminium2.10Workshop: forming a panel over a buck
3.1TIG welding with alternating current3.2Oxy-acetylene welding with flux3.3Cleaning and edge preparation3.4Riveting and seaming3.5Structural adhesives3.6Joints with steel structure3.7Galvanic isolation3.8Welding defects in aluminium3.9Weld bead flattening3.10Practice: 1 mm aluminium butt weld
4.1Dent removal in aluminium without cracking4.2Shrinking with controlled heat4.3Repairing fatigue cracks4.4Panel grafts in aluminium4.5Corrosion in contact with steel4.6Filiform corrosion under paint4.7Repairing edges and seams4.8Tools and dedicated workshop4.9Fire safety aspects4.10Practical case: repairing an aluminium bonnet
5.1Pre-treatment for painting5.2Etch primers5.3Polished unpainted aluminium5.4Anodising and its use on accessories5.5Maintenance of exposed aluminium5.6Cavity protection5.7Cleaning without damaging the protective layer5.8Panel storage5.9Periodic inspection5.10Laboratory: preparation and adhesion testing
6.1Panel selection6.2Choice of alloy and thickness6.3Pattern making and cutting6.4Forming6.5Joining and welding6.6Surface finishing6.7Quality control6.8Process documentation6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Fusion 360, SolidWorks Sheet Metal, AutoCAD, Advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real English-wheel forming procedures, aluminium TIG welding and dent repair on panels. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Describe the aluminium alloys used in bodywork and their properties.
Form aluminium panels using hand tools and the English wheel.
Carry out welded, riveted and adhesive joints in aluminium.
Repair damage while avoiding steel contamination and galvanic corrosion.
Prepare and protect aluminium surfaces before finishing.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical standards reading.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours a week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
The course works with Fusion 360, SolidWorks Sheet Metal, AutoCAD and Advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own SEIUM diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when enrolling.
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