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- Spray paint cars, other vehicles, and other objects
- You'll need a keen eye for detail and thoroughness
- Opportunities to become a paint technician or specialise in car customisation
As a paint sprayer, you'll usually work in a body repair workshop or on a vehicle manufacturing production line.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Setting up painting equipment
- Sanding down and preparing the bodywork
- Selecting, matching and mixing colours
- Applying primer coats, main coats and finishes
- Carrying out quality checks
- Cleaning and maintaining equipment
You'll work under strict safety procedures.
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You could work in a workshop, and you may need to wear protective clothing.
You'll need
To be a paint sprayer, you'll need thoroughness and attention to detail, persistence and determination, ambition and a desire to succeed, the ability to work well with others, good initiative, the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools, and excellent verbal communication skills.
There are no set requirements to become a vehicle paint sprayer, so you can apply directly if you've got experience and a qualification in vehicle accident and repair, motor manufacturing or engineering.
You can take a college course such as a Level 1 Diploma in Accident Repair Paint, or a Level 2 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Paint Principles.
A common way into this job is through an advanced apprenticeship in vehicle body and paint. You could also do an accident repair technician or vehicle damage paint technician advanced apprenticeship.
CAREER PROSPECTS
Your employer may offer you the chance to work towards IMI Accreditation. This allows you to move up to paint technician and senior paint technician roles. You could also become a shift supervisor, quality control inspector or workshop manager. You may be able to set up your own paint spraying business or specialise in car customisation.
Other industries use spraying such as model making for special effects, and the building trade.