10 Must-Have Tools in Every Auto Body Refinishing Kit
Walk into any well-run collision shop and you will see the same thing: the painters who get clean, consistent results are the ones who never have to hunt for the right tool. A stocked refinishing kit is not about having more stuff. It is about having the right stuff, made well, so your prep and paint work goes smoothly every time. At GL Enterprises, we have been manufacturing that gear in Ogden, Utah since 1976, all made in the USA under our own roof. Here are the ten tools we would put in every kit.
Ratio Mixing Cups
Nothing matters more than an accurate mix, and that starts with a good cup. Our Quick Mix ratio mixing cups come in everything from 2oz to the 174oz five-quart, with printed ratio markings that stay legible through the pour. The 40oz Monster Quart and 80oz 2.5-quart sizes are shop favorites for batch work. Pick the size that matches the job and you waste less material.
Cup Lids
A mixed cup without a lid is a spill waiting to happen. Snap a matching lid on top and you can set material aside, move it across the shop, or save a batch for touch-up without contaminating it or losing solvent to evaporation. Lids are the cheapest insurance in the booth.
Plastic Coster Spreaders
For filler and glaze work, a good plastic spreader lays material flat and clean. Our Coster spreaders come in 4-inch, 5-inch, 6-inch, junior, large, giant, double-edge, and the flexible Swizz, plus 12-packs so you always have a fresh edge. Different jobs want different sizes, so keep a range on the bench.
Steel Coster Spreaders
When you need real control on body filler over larger panels, steel is the answer. Our steel Coster spreaders run from 1-inch to 6-inch and come in 25-count sets, giving you the stiffness to pull filler tight and flat. They clean up and last, which is exactly what you want in a daily driver tool.
Premium Spray Sock
Contamination control starts at the top. The 18-inch Premium Spray Sock keeps hair and skin flakes out of your fresh clear, protecting both the finish and the painter. It is a small step that saves you from chasing dirt nibs later.
Panther Felt Welding Blanket
Sparks and heat do not belong on finished panels or shop surfaces. The Panther Felt Welding Blanket measures 60 by 54 inches in non-flammable felt, giving you a dependable barrier during cutting and welding near paintwork. Keep one within arm’s reach of every welder.
Painter’s Protection Coveralls
A clean painter makes a clean paint job. Our nylon painter’s protection suits and coveralls, along with matching jackets, pants, and sleeve protectors, keep lint and contaminants off you and out of the booth. Comfortable, breathable coverage means your crew actually wears them.
Goop Scoop
Every gallon and quart of material has product left clinging to the can walls, and that is money you already paid for. The patented Goop Scoop scrapes it out cleanly in both gallon and quart sizes, so you use what you bought instead of throwing it away.
Mix Boards and Sheets
For filler and small mixes, a flat working surface beats improvising. Choose the reusable Plastic Mix Board, the Mix Board Combo, or disposable tear-off Quick Mix Sheets when you would rather peel and toss. Having both the reusable and disposable options covers every station.
Paint Paddles
Proper stirring is not optional, especially with today’s coatings. The Water-Borne Paint Paddle is shaped to fully blend waterborne material, and Touch-Up Paint Dabbers make small repairs quick and neat. Good agitation up front prevents color and performance problems down the line.
Build your kit around tools that are made to hold up, and your shop runs smoother from prep to final clear. Every product above is manufactured in-house in Ogden, Utah, from injection molding to pad printing to packaging, because we believe the gear you rely on every day should be built right here at home.
Ready to stock up? Shop the full line of GL Enterprises tools, made in the USA in Ogden, Utah since 1976, and reach out to our team anytime for help with sizes, bulk orders, or private-label options for your shop.
