A structured model for estimation of automotive paint labour times

Abstract

As the old system known in the smash repairs industry as ``funny time, funny money" is being replaced by fairer systems based on empirical evidence, there is lack of rigorous analysis based on observed data and sound statistical methods. This paper proposes and calibrates a statistical model for estimating paint labour times. The model considers terms proportional to paint area such as sanding and spray time, and terms proportional to the perimeter of the panel representing panel masking and other panel boundary related work. Fine details such as `flash off' time, the number of paint layers and the number of coats per layer are also included into the model. The proposed model can be extended and calibrated for real commercial applications. References

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