When Joe Amabile was 12 years old, his father handed him a spray gun and a chance to help. His sister’s first car, a battered Mustang, needed a fresh coat of paint. Amabile eagerly took the challenge. What started as a simple father-son project turned into a lifelong passion.
“He gave me the spray gun, and I never put it down,” Amabile recalled. “I loved taking something ugly and turning it into beauty.”
From that moment on, cars became his canvas. He spent his teenage years painting vehicles for friends, neighbors and anyone who’d trust a determined kid with a steady hand and a sharp eye for detail. Those early experiences paved the way for a career that would evolve from painter to shop owner and ultimately, to teacher and mentor shaping the next generation of collision repair professionals at Thomas A. Edison Career & Technical Academy in Elizabeth, NJ.
A Leap of Faith and a Life in Paint
After high school, Amabile dove straight into the collision repair world. He worked his way up through local shops, mastering refinishing and quickly earning a reputation as a skilled painter. For years, he served as a head painter before deciding to take his career in a new direction, helping others through product knowledge and technical expertise.
He became a paint representative and salesperson for Keystone Auto Parts, visiting shops daily and offering advice on products and techniques. One of those visits changed his life.
“One of the shops on my route was selling,” Amabile said. “I took a leap of faith and bought it.”
That leap became Like New Auto Body, a thriving business he owned and operated for 17 years. He poured his energy into the shop, restoring vehicles with precision and pride.
For Amabile, the most rewarding part of those years wasn’t the financial success — it was the emotional impact of the work.
“When a customer brought in a car that had sentimental value, and I could return it to its former glory, the look on their face made it all worth it,” he said. “Seeing that joy and even tears — it was the best feeling in the world.”
From the Booth to the Classroom
Even while running his shop, Amabile felt a pull toward teaching. The idea of giving back to the industry that had given him so much stayed in the back of his mind for years. Then, one day, a conversation in his shop opened the door.
“I was talking with one of my customers about wanting to teach,” he recalled. “It turned out he oversaw job placement in high schools. He said, ‘I have a job for you.’”
That encounter led Amabile to Thomas A. Edison Career & Technical Academy, where he now serves as auto collision technology instructor. Today, instead of painting cars himself, he’s teaching students how to do it, passing on both the technical skills and the deeper appreciation for craftsmanship that first drew him to the trade.
“The reward now is when my students get that ‘ah-ha’ moment,” he said. “When I see that spark in their eyes — the same one I had at their age — that’s everything.”
His classroom is both a learning space and a launching pad. Amabile’s students participate in SkillsUSA competitions, and two of his female students are currently preparing to compete, one in refinishing and the other in estimating.
“The misconception that collision repair is just for men couldn’t be further from the truth,” he said. “Women have incredible attention to detail and a great eye for color. This industry needs more of them.”
Lessons Beyond the Paint Booth
Over the years, Amabile has collected a toolbox full of lessons, both technical and personal. The one that stuck the most came from his father: “He always said, ‘You need the right tool for the right job.’”
At first, it was literal advice — don’t use a ratchet as a hammer or socks as a paint strainer — but the older Amabile got, the more he realized its broader truth.
“Everything in life has its purpose,” he says. “If you use things the right way — your tools, your time, your opportunities — life goes smoother.”
That philosophy has guided him through decades of changes in the collision repair field. And as an educator, he’s helping students navigate a rapidly evolving industry where technology plays an ever-growing role.
“Our industry is changing fast with ADAS and new repair methods,” he said. “My job isn’t just to teach what I knew when I owned a shop — it’s to prepare them for what’s next.”
Amabile encourages his students to dive deep into learning, embracing both successes and mistakes.
“Give it 1,000%,” he tells them. “Watch videos, read articles, take classes, and don’t be afraid to fail. Every mistake is a learning opportunity. I’m still learning after all these years.”
Still Driven by Curiosity and Courage
While cars are at the center of his professional life, Amabile’s curiosity stretches far beyond the garage. He’s an adventurer at heart, drawn to the thrill of extreme sports — surfing, kiteboarding, snowboarding, skydiving and scuba diving all make his list.
“One thing on my bucket list is to cage-dive with great white sharks,” he said. “I guess I like a little adrenaline.”
That same sense of daring has guided him from his first paint job to the classroom, where he’s helping young technicians find their own footing in a fast-changing field. His journey, like the cars he restores, is about transformation, turning raw potential into something strong, beautiful and built to last.
“I’ve loved every part of this industry,” he said. “Now, my mission is to pass that love on — to give students the spark that will ignite their future.”
Leona Scott