Abrasive
Material such as sand, aluminum oxide, crushed steel grit, etc...used for cleaning or surface roughing.
Accelerator
Fast-evaporating thinner or reducer used to speed up drying time; used in very cold weather.
Access Time
Time required to remove extensively damaged collision parts by cutting, pushing, pulling, & so on.
Accident Report
Summary of what happened during the collision; lists information about the drivers, their insurance companies, & their vehicles.
Acid Rain
An air pollutant that can cause damage to an automotive finish, created when sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide is released into the atmosphere.
Active Restraint System
One that the occupants must make an effort to use.
Actuators
Devices that move when responding to electrical signals romantic the computer.
Adapter
A connection that is male on one end & female on the other end; used to covert the connections on a hose & other equipment from one thread size to another.
Adhesion
Ability of one substance to stick to another.
Adhesion Promoter
A clear, ready-to-spray material that provides a chemical etch to OEM finishes.
Adhesives
Special glues used to bond pats together.
Adjustable Wrench
A wrench with one fixed jaw & one moveable jaw for fitting different size fasteners.
Aerodynamic
Shape with low wind resistance.
Aftercooler
Used to reduce the temperature of compressed air. Heat & other impurities can be removed with an aftercooler.
Aftermarket Replacement Panels
Manufactured by smaller companies, not OEM.
Air Bag Controller
Analyzes inputs from the sensor to determine whether air bag deployment is needed.
Air Bag Igniter
Produces a small spark when an electrical signal is sent from the electronic control unit; also called a squib.
Air Bag System
System that uses impact sensors, vehicles's on-board computer, an inflation module, & a nylon bag in the steering column & dash to protect the driver & passenger during a head-on collision.
Airbrush
A small spray gun with a tiny cup for holding a small amount of material that operates like a conventional siphon gun; also called a door jamb gun.
Air Compressor
Used to raise the pressure of air from normal to some higher pressure, up to 200 psi.
Air Drill
A drill that applies shop air pressure to spin a drill bit out. It is smaller, lighter, & more compact than an electric drill.
Air File
A long thin air sander for working large flat surfacescreen on panels; also called a long air sander.
Air Leaks
Cause a whistling or hissing noise in the passenger compartment while the vehicle is being driven.
Air Line Lubricator
Installed on the leg or branch line furnishing air to air-powered tools to help maintain them & keep them running smoothly.
Air Polisher
A tool that uses a soft buffing pad for smoothing & shining painted surfaces.