Craig Kennewell
Andrews Farm,SA
Summary
Detail-oriented Panel Beater with expertise in frame alignment, collision repair, and MIG/TIG welding. Specializes in restoring vehicles to safety standards while ensuring compliance with OEM procedures. Proficient in dent repair, panel replacement, and paint preparation, with a strong focus on accurate repairs and customer-ready results. Proven ability to enhance workflow efficiency and deliver high-quality vehicle restoration.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
Work History
Panel Beater
Smiths Bodyshop
Pt Adelaide, SA
07.2026 - 10.2026
- Removed dents, scratches, and collision damage from customer vehicles.
- Matched replacement parts to ensure compatibility with vehicle specifications and facilitate effective repairs. to repair orders and vehicle specifications.
- Prepared surfaces for paint using sanding, filling, and masking.
- Inspected repair work for alignment, finish, and safety standards.
- Coordinated with paint team on crash repair workflow and handoffs.
- Disassembled and reassembled vehicle components during repairs.
- Replaced damaged body panels with new or recycled OEM parts to restore vehicle structure and enhance overall appearance.
- Welded replacement parts into place using MIG and TIG welding equipment.
- Performed diagnostic tests on vehicles to identify issues and determine root causes for effective resolution.
- Followed workplace safety protocols to prevent injuries, accidents and vehicle damage.
- Repaired structural damage such as broken frames using jacks, hammers, wrenches.
Panel Beater
Drive Group
Pooraka, SA
04.2026 - 06.2026
- Removed dents, scratches, and collision damage from customer vehicles.
- Repaired structural damage, restoring vehicle integrity using jacks, hammers, and wrenches.
- Replaced damaged body panels with new or recycled OEM parts.
- Welded replacement parts into place using MIG and TIG welding equipment.
- Sourced correct replacement parts for repair orders based on vehicle specifications, ensuring timely and accurate repairs.
- Inspected repair work for alignment, finish, and safety standards.
- Inspected completed jobs for quality control, ensuring vehicles met safety and finish standards before customer release.
- Followed workplace safety protocols to prevent injuries, accidents and vehicle damage.
Panel Beater
The Body Repair Shop
Salisbury Plains, SA
01.2025 - 01.2026
- Removed dents, scratches, and collision damage from customer vehicles.
- Replaced damaged body panels with new or recycled OEM parts.
- Welded replacement parts into place using MIG and TIG welding equipment.
- Repaired structural damage such as broken frames using jacks, hammers, wrenches.
- Matched replacement parts to repair orders and vehicle specifications.
- Inspected repair work for alignment, finish, and safety standards.
- Coordinated with paint team on crash repair workflow and handoffs.
- Inspected completed jobs for quality control purposes prior to releasing vehicles back to customers.
Panel Beater
Hanson Road Crash Repairs
Athol Park, SA
05.2010 - 10.2024
- Removed dents, scratches, and collision damage from customer vehicles.
- Replaced damaged body panels with new or recycled OEM parts to ensure vehicle safety and aesthetics.
- Welded replacement parts into place using MIG and TIG welding equipment.
- Repaired structural damage such as broken frames using jacks, hammers, wrenches.
- Inspected repair work for alignment, finish, and safety standards.
- Performed Car-O-Liner chassis repairs on cars and 4WD vehicles, restoring structural integrity and ensuring compliance with safety standards.
- Executed installation and repair of aluminum bodies for trade service vehicles to maintain quality standards.
- Attended advanced training classes to learn new skills and earn certifications for auto body work.
- Collaborated with Ezy Methods Engineers to develop and update OEM procedures, enhancing repair process efficiency.
Panel Beater
Cole Crash City
Adelaide, SA
04.2008 - 05.2010
- Removed dents, scratches, and collision damage from customer vehicles.
- Matched replacement parts for optimal compatibility with vehicle specifications and repair orders. to repair orders and vehicle specifications.
- Inspected repair work for alignment, finish, and safety standards.
- Disassembled and reassembled vehicle components during repairs.
- Replaced damaged body panels with new or recycled OEM parts.
- Followed workplace safety protocols to prevent injuries, accidents and vehicle damage.
- Conducted preliminary inspections to accurately assess and document vehicle damage.
Panel Beater
Adelaide Collision
West Croydon, SA
09.2006 - 04.2008
- Restored customer vehicles by removing dents, scratches, and collision damage.
- Inspected repair work for alignment, finish, and safety standards.
- Disassembled and reassembled vehicle components during repairs.
- Replaced or repaired parts to complete daily work orders on vehicles.
- Performed diagnostic tests on vehicles to detect issues and root causes.
- Followed workplace safety protocols to prevent injuries, accidents and vehicle damage.
- Repaired minor dents, dings, scratches, tears, and rips in vehicle upholstery.
- Repaired structural damage on vehicles using jacks and hammers to ensure safety and integrity.
- Fabricated and smoothed vehicle bodies by welding broken parts and filling in dents.
Sheet Metal Worker
Fielders
Mile End, SA
09.2006 - 12.2006
- Measured, cut, and folded metal sheets to match Fielders product specifications.
- Fabricated Fielders steel roofing and wall cladding components from workshop drawings.
- Inspected finished cladding pieces for alignment, finish, and dimensional accuracy.
- Read blueprints and job sheets to plan sheet metal fabrication tasks.
Panel Beater
David Smash
Queenbeyan
10.2005 - 08.2006
- Restored customer vehicles by removing dents, scratches, and collision damage to enhance appearance and safety.
- Replaced damaged body panels with new or recycled OEM parts.
- Welded replacement parts into place using MIG and TIG welding equipment.
- Repaired structural damage such as broken frames using jacks, hammers, wrenches .
- Disassembled and reassembled vehicle components during repairs.
- Identified and matched replacement parts to specific vehicle repair orders. to repair orders and vehicle specifications.
- Inspected repair work for alignment, finish, and safety standards.
- Inspected and ensured quality of completed repairs before returning vehicles to customers for satisfaction assurance. for quality control purposes prior to releasing vehicles back to customers.
- Followed workplace safety protocols to prevent injuries, accidents and vehicle damage.
Panel Beater
Ridgehaven Crash Repairs
Ridgehaven , SA
10.2001 - 02.2004
- Removed dents, scratches, and collision damage from customer vehicles.
- Used hand tools and body repair equipment for panel restoration.
- Replaced damaged body panels with new or recycled OEM parts.
- Welded replacement parts using MIG and TIG equipment to restore vehicle integrity.
- Performed welding to repair vehicle frames and bodies.
- Restored structural integrity of broken frames using jacks, hammers, and wrenches.
- Disassembled and reassembled vehicle components during repairs.
- Ensured accuracy of replacement parts against repair orders and vehicle specifications.
- Examined repair work for alignment and finish quality for alignment, finish, and safety standards.
- Installed and aligned vehicle body parts and panels.
- Coordinated with paint team on crash repair workflow and handoffs.
- Followed workplace safety protocols to prevent injuries, accidents and vehicle damage.
Spray Painter / Panel Beater
BBA Crash Repairs
Windsor Gardens, SA
05.1995 - 10.2001
- Matched automotive paint colors to achieve seamless vehicle refinishing
- Prepared panels through sanding, cleaning, and masking for spray work
- Applied primer, basecoat, and clearcoat using spray booth equipment
- Inspected finishes for dust, runs, and surface defects
- Maintained a safe working environment by following OSHA standards at all times.
- Inspected damaged panels and determined needed body repairs.
- Replaced panels, bumpers, and other exterior components.
- Adjusted vehicle frames for precision alignment, ensuring accurate body measurements to meet quality standards.
- Replaced damaged body panels with new or recycled OEM parts.
- Welded replacement parts into place using MIG and TIG welding equipment.
- Followed workplace safety protocols to prevent injuries, accidents and vehicle damage.
Spray Painter / Panel Beater
Les March Daihatsu
St Peters, SA
01.1993 - 04.1995
- Mixed paint materials to match repair orders and color codes for accurate color application
- Applied multiple coats of paint for complete coverage without runs or drips.
- Prepared surfaces for painting by sanding, washing and cleaning with solvents.
- Inspected vehicles before painting to identify and address damage or rust spots for optimal finish.
- Performed touch-up repairs on damaged body panels and trim
- Removed damaged panels and bumpers from vehicles for replacement.
- Installed new or recycled OEM parts to replace damaged body panels.
- Installed new fenders, grills, and panels to replace damaged components on vehicles.
- Executed replacements and repairs of vehicle parts, ensuring compliance with daily work orders.
- Welded replacement parts into place using MIG and TIG welding equipment.
- Maintained a safe working environment by following OSHA standards at all times.
Spray Painter
CMV Trucks
Regency Park, SA
05.1986 - 11.1993
- Applied spray coatings to tractor cabs, panels, and chassis parts.
- Mixed coatings and matched colors for CMV Trucks vehicle refinishing work.
- Prepared truck surfaces for primer and paint at CMV Trucks service bay.
- Masked trim, glass, and hardware before painting CMV Trucks vehicles.
- Inspected finished surfaces for runs, streaks, and coverage flaws.
- Determined best methods for surface preparation including sandblasting, masking, taping.
- Used tools such as needle guns, surface grinders and wire wheels to prepare painted and unpainted surfaces for coats of paint.
- Trained newer painters on CMV Trucks finish standards and workflow.
- Followed safety rules for respirators, solvents, and paint booth operations.
- Adhered to OSHA and Hazmat procedures for storing and handling materials.
Education
WCS-A3 Welding - Automotive Repair
MTTA
Royal Park, SA05-2021
Certificate of Technical Studies - Automotive Spray Painter
Tafe SA
Croydon, SA10-1991
High School
NorthField High School
Northfield, SA05-1986
Skills
- Collision repair
- Panel replacement
- Dent repair
- Body panel repair
- Frame alignment
- Frame straightening
- Welding
- MIG welding
- Spot welding
- Aluminum repair
- Fiberglass repair
- Auto body repair
- Auto body fabrication
- Vehicle inspection
- Parts matching
- OEM standards
- Vehicle disassembly
- Vehicle reassembly
- Suspension repair
- Paint preparation
- Automotive painting
- Sanding techniques
- Body filler application
- Seam sealing
- Plastic repair
- Damage assessment
- Repair assessment
- Vehicle diagnostics
- Headlight restoration
- Power tool operation
- Hand tool proficiency
- Clear communication
- Team collaboration
- Time management
- Problem solving
- Safety regulations
- Seam sealing
- Body panel repair
- Hand tool proficiency
- Frame assessment
Timeline
Panel Beater
Smiths Bodyshop
07.2026 - 10.2026
Panel Beater
Drive Group
04.2026 - 06.2026
Panel Beater
The Body Repair Shop
01.2025 - 01.2026
Panel Beater
Hanson Road Crash Repairs
05.2010 - 10.2024
Panel Beater
Cole Crash City
04.2008 - 05.2010
Panel Beater
Adelaide Collision
09.2006 - 04.2008
Sheet Metal Worker
Fielders
09.2006 - 12.2006
Panel Beater
David Smash
10.2005 - 08.2006
Panel Beater
Ridgehaven Crash Repairs
10.2001 - 02.2004
Spray Painter / Panel Beater
BBA Crash Repairs
05.1995 - 10.2001
Spray Painter / Panel Beater
Les March Daihatsu
01.1993 - 04.1995
Spray Painter
CMV Trucks
05.1986 - 11.1993
WCS-A3 Welding - Automotive Repair
MTTA
Certificate of Technical Studies - Automotive Spray Painter
Tafe SA
High School
NorthField High School