Best place to start is to purchase the MECP certification study guide.
There are video sets available that cover basic electronics/fiberglass/enclosure fabrication etc as well.
There are also seminars (schools) for beginners and advanced at the various installer schools...
Mobile Dynamics Fishman Installer School Acoustic Edge RITOP The Snake Pit (by DEI) Installer Institute And many more.
CLICK HERE for listing of some links. CLICK HERE for a good rundown of what is involved.
I started as an installer with only the MECP study guide in the early 90's before it became so popular.
I learned many techniques by watching and reading everything I could about different cars/mediums/ and concepts.
Finally hanging out at a local shop soaking in info - doing free installs for the owner - and now Own my own small shop.
It requires hard work, and a little talent. Once you have the basics down - great work comes with your experience. If you think of it as a hobby - the WORK involved wont be as overwhelming. Car Audio is not a job - it's a passion.
Key Traits of a Successful Installer
Work Ethic - Show up early for work and stay late. Don't come in tired or hung over. Go the extra mile without being asked. Do a check-in and check-out of every car, every time.
Abilities - Installing isn't just about turning screws and crimping wires. You're a craftsman, an upholstery expert, fiberglass expert, Plexiglas expert and an expert troubleshooter. You need to keep current with trends and make sure you have the skills to handle them. And you need to be able to work quickly. Anyone can do the job in an eight hour day but you have to do it in two hours because you've got two more right behind it.
Team Player - Do you play well with others? If not you'd better learn. You're part of a team and it's not a team of one. Help out even if it's not your job. You're going to need help too.
Attitude - No one likes a whiner, especially your boss. No one cares if it's tough or if you can't figure out how to do it. You have to have the attitude that you can do it. If you can't figure it out by yourself then ask someone else. You aren't getting paid extra if you do it without asking. You get bonuses if you finish it quickly.
Motivation - When things are slow in the bay you'd better not be goofing off. There's always something to do. Sweep up. Stock shelves. Help the sales people. Make speaker rings for the next custom install. Your boss is paying you to make money for the shop. Do something productive.
Creative - Don't get stuck in the same routine. If you've mastered fiberglass then move on to working in Plexiglas or metal. Combine different materials into the same piece. Use your imagination. That's what makes being an installer fun.
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Answers & Comments
Best place to start is to purchase the MECP certification study guide.
- Work Ethic - Show up early for work and stay late. Don't come in tired or hung over. Go the extra mile without being asked. Do a check-in and check-out of every car, every time.
- Abilities - Installing isn't just about turning screws and crimping wires. You're a craftsman, an upholstery expert, fiberglass expert, Plexiglas expert and an expert troubleshooter. You need to keep current with trends and make sure you have the skills to handle them. And you need to be able to work quickly. Anyone can do the job in an eight hour day but you have to do it in two hours because you've got two more right behind it.
- Team Player - Do you play well with others? If not you'd better learn. You're part of a team and it's not a team of one. Help out even if it's not your job. You're going to need help too.
- Attitude - No one likes a whiner, especially your boss. No one cares if it's tough or if you can't figure out how to do it. You have to have the attitude that you can do it. If you can't figure it out by yourself then ask someone else. You aren't getting paid extra if you do it without asking. You get bonuses if you finish it quickly.
- Motivation - When things are slow in the bay you'd better not be goofing off. There's always something to do. Sweep up. Stock shelves. Help the sales people. Make speaker rings for the next custom install. Your boss is paying you to make money for the shop. Do something productive.
- Creative - Don't get stuck in the same routine. If you've mastered fiberglass then move on to working in Plexiglas or metal. Combine different materials into the same piece. Use your imagination. That's what makes being an installer fun.
There are video sets available that cover basic electronics/fiberglass/enclosure fabrication etc as well.
There are also seminars (schools) for beginners and advanced at the various installer schools...
Mobile Dynamics
Fishman Installer School
Acoustic Edge
RITOP
The Snake Pit (by DEI)
Installer Institute
And many more.
CLICK HERE for listing of some links.
CLICK HERE for a good rundown of what is involved.
I started as an installer with only the MECP study guide in the early 90's before it became so popular.
I learned many techniques by watching and reading everything I could about different cars/mediums/ and concepts.
Finally hanging out at a local shop soaking in info - doing free installs for the owner - and now Own my own small shop.
It requires hard work, and a little talent. Once you have the basics down - great work comes with your experience. If you think of it as a hobby - the WORK involved wont be as overwhelming. Car Audio is not a job - it's a passion.
Key Traits of a Successful Installer
Thanks for using FixYa - a FixYa rating is appreciated for answering your FREE question.