ASE Task Lists › B2
The ASE B2 Task List
All 62 official tasks on the Painting and Refinishing test, as ASE publishes them. This is exactly what you are graded on.
What is actually on the ASE B2 test
ASE publishes a task list for every certification: the specific jobs a technician is expected to be able to do. The test is built from that list, and the number of questions in each content area is fixed. Below is every task on the official list, together with how many questions each content area carries so you can see where your study time pays off.
55 scored questions across 6 content areas and 62 tasks. The live test also includes a small number of unscored pilot questions that do not count toward your result.
Jump to a content area
Surface Preparation
Identify and remove surface corrosion.
Remove dirt, road grime, wax, adhesive residue, mold release agents, tree sap, markings or other contaminants from the area to be refinished and any adjacent vehicle surfaces.
Inspect and identify substrate, substrate condition, type of finish, film thickness and surface condition; develop a plan for refinishing.
Remove paint finish.
Sand areas to be refinished.
Featheredge areas to be refinished.
Identify type of substrate and apply suitable treatment or undercoat.
Mask and protect areas that will not be refinished.
Mix and apply primer-surfacer.
Apply finishing filler to minor surface imperfections.
Block sand area to which primer-surfacer and/or finishing filler have been applied.
Remove dust residue from area to be refinished.
Clean area to be refinished using proper cleaning solutions.
Remove, with a tack cloth, any dust or lint particles from the area to be refinished.
Apply primer-sealer and/or adhesion promoter.
Remove imperfections from primer-sealer.
Prepare the adjacent areas for blending.
Apply stone-chip resistant coating.
Apply corrosion resistant coatings to repaired areas.
Remove and apply decals, transfers, tapes, and pinstripes (painted and/or taped).
Take appropriate measures to eliminate static electricity.
Prepare surfaces for seam sealer application; evaluate the application of seam sealers prior to refinishing.
Identify pin holes; determine the cause(s) and correct the condition.
Spray Gun Operation and Related Equipment
Adjust spray gun, air pressure, fluid, and pattern control valves.
Select correct spray gun, needle, fluid tip, and air cap for material being sprayed.
Force-dry sprayed materials (bake, infrared, UV lamps, airflow, etc.).
Paint Mixing, Matching, and Applying
Determine the color, code, and type of finish on the vehicle.
Identify paint color formula and the use of mixing equipment and materials.
Mix, strain, and test viscosity (if necessary) of refinish material.
Use appropriate spray gun technique (arc, angle, distance, speed, and spray pattern overlap) for the finish being applied.
Apply selected product on test panel or let-down panel.
Check color match; adjust as necessary.
Apply basecoat or multi-stage (mica, pearl, etc.) coats for spot, panel, blending, and overall refinishing.
Apply clearcoat.
Refinish interior and exterior trim components.
Solving Paint Application Problems
Identify dirt or other foreign objects in the refinished surface; determine the source(s) and correct the condition.
Identify a dry spray appearance in the refinished surface; determine the cause(s) and correct the condition.
Identify the presence of fish-eyes (crater like appearance); determine the cause(s) and correct the condition.
Identify lifting (surface distortion or wrinkling) of the refinished surface; determine the cause(s) and correct the condition.
Identify mottling or streaking in metallic, mica, and effect paint finishes; determine the cause(s) and correct the condition.
Identify excessive or lack of texture (orange peel); determine the cause(s) and correct the condition.
Identify an overspray condition; determine the cause(s) and correct the condition.
Identify sags and runs; determine the cause(s) and correct the condition.
Identify tape tracking/marking; determine the cause(s) and correct the condition.
Finish Defects, Causes, and Cures
Identify delamination (poor adhesion, peeling); determine the cause(s) and correct the condition.
Identify finish cracking (crow’s feet or line-checking, micro-checking, etc.); determine the cause(s) and correct the condition.
Identify sags and runs in the refinished surface; determine the cause(s) and correct the condition.
Identify blistering in the finished surface; determine the cause(s) and correct the condition.
Identify water spotting on the finished surface; determine the cause and correct the condition.
Identify finish damage caused by bird droppings, tree sap, and other causes; correct the condition.
Identify finish damage caused by airborne contaminants (acids, soot, rail dust, chemicals, and other industrial-related causes); correct the condition.
Identify chalking (oxidation); correct the condition.
Identify bleed-through or staining; determine the cause and correct the condition.
Identify damage caused during buffing/polishing painted surfaces; correct the condition.
Identify minor surface imperfections; determine the cause and correct the condition.
Identify color coat blend issues; determine the cause(s) and correct the condition.
Identify solvent popping; determine the cause(s) and correct the condition.
Identify shrinking, swelling, or splitting while the finish is curing; determine the cause(s) and correct the condition.
Identify die-back (dulling of the paint film); determine the cause(s) and correct the condition.
Safety Precautions
Identify and take necessary precautions with hazardous operations and materials.
Identify and correct vehicle, equipment and material hazards to employee health and safety.
Select personal protection equipment (PPE); inspect to insure fit, operation, and maintenance.
Practice every one of these tasks
The simulator draws from a bank built against this exact task list, in the real Prometric format, and tells you which content areas you are weakest in.
Task lists for the other ASE tests
Every B-Series collision certification, explained the same way.
Task descriptions above are quoted from the task list published by ASE for this certification, reproduced here as a study reference. ASE® is a registered trademark of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, which does not endorse, is not affiliated with, and has not reviewed this site. Always confirm the current task list at ase.com before you sit the test.