Vehicle Painters

Career summary

Vehicle painters may also be called transportation equipment painters.

Before painting a vehicle, painters prepare the surface. They take off mirrors and trim and apply tape, plastic, or paper to surfaces that should not be painted. They apply solvents to remove grease and dirt from the surfaces to be painted.

They use power sanders, sandblasters, or brushes to remove rust and unwanted paint. They smooth the surface by filling small dents and scratches with body filler. Once the filler is dry, they sand the surface so it is smooth. Painters may apply rust resistant undercoats or caulk and seal seams.

Painters use equipment such as:

• Portable ventilators
• Ladders
• Scaffolds
• Spray guns

Painters apply several coats of primer, paint, and sealer. After each coat is applied, they sand the surface to remove flaws and to improve the bond of the next coat.

Between coats of paint, painters may move vehicles to infrared ovens to speed the drying process. Sometimes, they put heat lamps around the vehicles.

After the final coat of paint is applied and has dried, painters polish vehicles.

Some tasks require painters to use paintbrushes instead of paint sprayers. For example, certain areas of vehicles cannot be reached with spray guns. Some lettering or designs require hand painting or stenciling.

Painters maintain their equipment and work areas. They take apart sprayers and power equipment to clean and maintain them. They clean their hand tools using solvents, wire brushes, and cloths. Painters clean their work areas to control dust that can settle on fresh paint.

Related careers

This career is part of the Manufacturing cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Airplane Assemblers
• Auto Body Repairers
• Bookbinders and Bindery Workers
• Furniture Finishers
• Painters
• Painting and Coating Machine Operators
• Vehicle Cleaners
• Welders and Solderers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to vehicle painters.

• Remove trim and mirrors from vehicles. Cover other surfaces that should not be painted with tape or paper.
• Set up portable ventilators, exhaust units, ladders, and scaffolding.
• Strip grease, dirt, paint, and rust from vehicle surface. Use power sanders, sand blasters, solvents, and brushes.
• Fill small dents and scratches with body filler and smooth surface.
• Select or mix paint to meet customer needs or to match existing paint color.
• Select the correct spray gun system for the material being applied.
• Mix, stir, and thin paint or other coatings. Use spatula or power mixing equipment.
• Pour paint into spray gun. Adjust nozzle and paint mix to get the proper paint flow and coating thickness.
• Hold and position the spray gun to direct the paint onto the surface.
• Apply powder coatings, acrylics, lacquers, enamels, or water-based primers.
• Identify application flaws, such as blisters and streaks. Correct the causes.
• Sand surface between coats to remove flaws and ensure the next coat sticks.
• Polish final enamel coat.
• Lay out logos, symbols, or designs on painted surfaces. Follow blueprints and use measuring instruments, stencils, and patterns.
• Paint designs, lettering, or other identifying information on vehicles. Use paintbrush or paint sprayer.
• Paint areas by hand that cannot be reached with a spray gun or retouch painted surface.
• Apply rust-resistant undercoats. Caulk and seal seams.
• Adjust controls on infrared oven, heat lamps, portable ventilators, and exhaust units to filter air, and cure and dry paint or other coatings.
• Take apart, clean, and put sprayer and power equipment back together. Use solvents, wire brushes, and cloths to clean equipment.

Common work activities

Vehicle painters perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Get information needed to do the job
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Think creatively
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Schedule work and activities
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Handle and move objects
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Repair and maintain mechanical equipment
• Control machines and processes
• Document and record information
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Evaluate information against standards
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Teach others
• Process information
• Monitor and control resources
• Analyze data or information
• Develop goals and strategies

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, vehicle painters:

Interpersonal relationships

• Communicate with others mostly by face-to-face discussions. They also talk to clients on the telephone.
• Have a medium level of social contact. They speak to coworkers and clients, but spend most of their time alone.
• Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of others.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by others.
• May work as part of a team of painters.

Physical work conditions

• Always wear protective attire, such as gloves and respirators.
• Are often exposed to contaminants such as solvents and paint fumes.
• Often work indoors in paint shops. They occasionally work outdoors, although this is becoming less common due to environmental protection rules.
• Sometimes work in cramped spaces and awkward positions when painting.
• Are occasionally exposed to hazardous conditions, situations, and equipment that may result in minor cuts and scrapes.
• Are sometimes exposed to high noise levels from equipment or nearby repair work.
• Are sometimes exposed to very hot or cold temperatures.

Work performance

• Must be exact in their work and be sure all details are done to ensure an attractive and lasting paint job.
• Must keep pace with the speed of equipment.
• Make decisions on a frequent basis. These decisions affect the appearance of a customer's car.
• Usually set their daily tasks and goals under the direction of a supervisor.
• Must meet strict daily deadlines.
• Repeat the same tasks.

Hours/travel

• Usually work 40 hours per week. Occasionally work overtime during busy periods.
• Generally work a set schedule.

Physical demands

Vehicle painters frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.
• Bend or twist their body.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl.

It is important for vehicle painters to be able to:

• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for vehicle painters to be able to:

• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.

Skills and abilities

Vehicle painters need to:

Reason and problem solve

• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Work with things

• Operate and control equipment.
• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Auto Body Repair

Training

To work as a vehicle painter, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required beyond high school. You typically need a driver's license so you can move vehicles.

On-the-job training

Vehicle painters usually learn their skills on the job from an experienced worker. During training you begin as a helper. You help sand and remove paint. As you get more experience, you learn how to set and operate painting machines. You also learn to mix and match paints. Training may last up to one year.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Auto Collision Technology
• Auto Detailing and Reconditioning
• Auto Repair Technology

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers require applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Employers also prefer applicants who have taken courses in vehicle painting. Many employers promote shop helpers who have shown that they are reliable.

Employers look for vehicle painters who have an ability to do careful, precise work.

Workers may also need to pass a drug and light physical ability test.

#Ad for vehicle painters at company in Chehalis requires drug and physical ability testing, 2/27/17 cj.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Painters, Transportation Equipment 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by employer and the type of vehicle painted. The painter's level of experience, training, and responsibility also affect wages. In addition, painters who are members of a union often receive higher wages.

Vehicle painters who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. Some employers also provide a retirement plan.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Auto body repair shops
• Motor vehicle manufacturers
• Motor vehicle dealers
• Ship and boat manufacturers and repairers

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is steady. The number of jobs for painters in auto body repair shops is expected to grow. Thus, many jobs will continue to be created as the number of cars and accidents increases.

Job opportunities are good as employers report not being able to find enough qualified applicants. Job openings occur as people leave the occupation.

Other resources

Automotive Service Association Northwest 
7403 Lakewood Drive West, Suite 7
Lakewood, WA 98499
877.257.2100
253.473.6970

Washington Business Week 
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

References

Career cluster

• Manufacturing

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Painters, Transportation Equipment (51-9122.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupations

• Paint Sprayer, Sandblaster (845.381-018) 
• Painter Apprentice, Transportation Equipment (845.381-010) 
• Painter, Transportation Equipment (845.381-014) 
• Railroad-car Letterer (845.681-010) 

Holland occupational clusters

• Realistic/Conventional/Artistic
• Realistic/Conventional/Investigative

COPSystem

• Technology Skilled