How to become a Vehicle Painter
Vehicle painters prepare surfaces of vehicles, match and mix colours, and apply primer and finishing coats of paint.
Personal requirements for a Vehicle Painter
- Enjoy practical and manual activities
- Good hand-eye coordination
- Normal colour vision
- No breathing-related problems
- No allergies to thinners or paints
- Able to stand or bend for lengthy periods
Education & Training for a Vehicle Painter
To become a vehicle painter you usually have to complete an apprenticeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.
Duties & Tasks of a Vehicle Painter
Vehicle painters:
- Prepare surfaces to be painted by hand or machine
- Mix and match paint by eye or by using computer technology to ensure correct colour match
- Apply primer and finishing coats using spray guns and rub down surfaces between coats
- Touch up paintwork and apply polish to vehicles
- Remove masking papers before waxing and polishing finished paintwork
- Paint signs or artwork on vehicles
- Treat vehicles with rust-proofing chemicals.
Tasks
- Touching up paintwork and applying polish to vehicles
- Applying primer and finishing coats using spray-guns, and sanding surfaces between coats
- Colour matching and mixing paints to match paint shades, and selecting pre-mixed paint
- Removing masking papers, and waxing and polishing finished paintwork
- Removing rough spots on vehicle panels
- Painting signs and artwork on vehicles
- Treating vehicles with rust-proofing chemicals
- Sanding surfaces by hand and with power sanders
- Masking areas not to be painted with tape and paper
Working conditions for a Vehicle Painter
Vehicle painters wear protective clothing and face masks.
Employment Opportunities for a Vehicle Painter
Vehicle painters work for crash repair firms and motor vehicle manufacturers. Some are self-employed, usually in partnership with panel beaters. Experienced vehicle painters may become representatives for paint manufacturers or assessors with insurance companies.
Specializations
Vehicle Painter
Vehicle painters prepare surfaces of vehicles, match and mix colours, and apply primer and finishing coats of paint.
Average age
43
Future Growth
Positive
Gender Share
5% female
Average full-time
42 hours
Weekly Pay
$1,660
Skill level rating
Medium skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
94%
Employment Size
10,400
Employment by state
ACT: 1.0%
NSW: 29.3%
NT: 0.8%
QLD: 20.1%
SA: 8.6%
TAS: 2.1%
VIC: 26.2%
WA: 11.9%
Age brackets
15-19: 4.7%
20-24: 13.5%
25-34: 27.4%
35-44: 23.3%
45-54: 19.7%
55-59: 6.1%
60-64: 3.7%
65 and Over: 1.7%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 1.7%
Bachelor degree: 1%
Certificate III/IV: 73.1%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 0%
Year 10 and below: 12.1%
Year 11: 4%
Year 12: 8%
