National
| Median wages (2008) |
$17.86 hourly, $37,150 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
54,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
15,000 additional employees |
51-9122.00 - Painters, Transportation Equipment
Operate or tend painting machines to paint surfaces of transportation equipment, such as automobiles, buses, trucks, trains, boats, and airplanes.
Sample of reported job titles:
Painter, Auto Painter (Automobile Painter), Paint Prepper, Automotive Painter, Automotive Refinish Technician, Automotive Paint Technician, Finish Painter, Paint Technician, Automotive Spray Painter, Body Man
Tasks
- Dispose of hazardous waste in an appropriate manner.
- Select paint according to company requirements, and match colors of paint following specified color charts.
- Mix paints to match color specifications or vehicles' original colors, then stir and thin the paints, using spatulas or power mixing equipment.
- Remove grease, dirt, paint, and rust from vehicle surfaces in preparation for paint application, using abrasives, solvents, brushes, blowtorches, washing tanks, or sandblasters.
- Pour paint into spray guns, and adjust nozzles and paint mixes in order to get the proper paint flow and coating thickness.
- Monitor painting operations in order to identify flaws such as blisters and streaks so that their causes can be corrected.
- Sand vehicle surfaces between coats of paint and/or primer in order to remove flaws and enhance adhesion for subsequent coats.
- Disassemble, clean, and reassemble sprayers and power equipment, using solvents, wire brushes, and cloths for cleaning duties.
- Spray prepared surfaces with specified amounts of primers and decorative or finish coatings.
- Remove accessories from vehicles, such as chrome or mirrors, and mask other surfaces with tape or paper in order to protect them from paint.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Blow torches |
| Manlift or personnel lift — Manlift buckets |
| Paint robots — Robotic paint equipment |
| Power buffers — Portable buffers |
| Welders — Arc welders |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Calendar and scheduling software — Scheduling software |
| Data base user interface and query software — Data entry software |
| Facilities management software — Maintenance management software |
| Industrial control software — Robotic painting software |
| Inventory management software — Inventory control software |
