New required adhesives course for technicians at authorized Audi and Volkswagen shops

A new three-module course on adhesives is required for technicians at authorized Audi and Volkswagen collision repair shops, and must be completed by Dec. 31.

Mark Allen, Audi of America collision programs manager and workshop equipment specialist, says the online course is available in the Audi learning management system. The modules are “Bonding Basics,” “Adhesive Types,” and “Surface Preparation and Bonding.”

“There are adhesives that are called out in the original training that cannot be used here in the U.S.,” Allen said. “We had to pare that down to relevant adhesives in the market.

“People don’t really think of why an adhesive is important. It’s glue… There’s a lot more to adhesives. There’s got to be some flexibility built into them. And though yes, you can have that almost weld-like quality that takes away repairability. We get into the descriptions of why and how it works together with riveting and welding to form a bond, but also is an anti-corrosion material as well as something that sticks two pieces together.”

He added that the course provides explanations of appropriate adhesive use, which can then be relayed to insurers and customers during the repair process.

The course used to be in person over four days.

“In a four-day course, it was too much,” Allen said. “I think in three segments where you can learn/apply, learn/apply, learn/apply, and then always have that reference material to go back to is a much easier way and better way to get it out… It calls out the specific products so that you’re not floundering around trying to find the right thing.”

The course is open to other shop team members for optional education. An email notification has already been sent out about the requirement for technicians.

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