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Whenever an automobile has been in an accident, or the paint has faded on an older vehicle, it is the job of an automotive spray painter to restore the car to its original lustre. They are found working in smash repair and panel beating businesses, motor vehicle retailing or on new automobile production lines.
Stripped Clean
Before the automotive spray painter begins the task of painting, he or she must first prepare the body of the vehicle so that it is a perfect canvas for the colour. They use sanding machines to remove old paint or rust and apply a filling primer (by spray gun) to fill in any scratches or irregularities.
The parts of the vehicle that must be protected, such as the windows, mirrors and headlights, are masked. Next, the primer is rubbed down using a sanding machine and finished by hand with very fine abrasive paper.
''The whole object is to smooth the surface down in preparation for the top coat. What the primer looks like affects the final finish of the car,'' says Klaus Lochmuller, a senior automotive spray painter at Romano's Smash Repairs.
Eye For Detail
The vehicle is cleaned down and remasked before the top coat is applied by spray gun. The colour is mixed from a formula to match the existing colour. There is a manufacturer's colour code located on the vehicle, but the colour is also eye matched.
When sprayed, the vehicle is put in a spray bake oven, which is essentially a giant box with a couple of windows and doors. Drying the top coat usually takes 30 to 50 minutes, after which the car is demasked, and the body work rubbed using fine abrasive paper and a hard rubber block. This procedure helps locate any blemishes in the paint work.
''It can be frustrating sometimes when you've sprayed a car and it looks great, only to have a fly land on it!'' says Klaus.
The final process is to buff the vehicle using a nine inch (23 cm) buffing machine, resulting in a beautiful, polished finish.
The Car Aficionado Within
Having a good eye for matching colour is important in this work, although the advent of computer technologies may lessen the need for this skill. With so many variations in products on the market, it is essential that automotive spray painters keep up to date with paint manufacturers' literature and best practice by using the various products.
Working closely with paint products could pose a difficulty for people with respiratory problems or skin conditions, even though protective equipment is used such as gloves and air is fed through charcoal respirators. It can also be repetitive work if you treat every job the same, according to Klaus. However, if pride in great workmanship and a passion for cars is your focus, then go for it!
''This is a great job for the car enthusiast. If you love to see a car restored, and you love cars in general, don't be a mechanic. Be a spray painter,'' advises Klaus.
So Far, So Good
Most automotive spray painters work in panel beating or smash repair businesses; hence, demand is based on the number of vehicles needing repair. The number of accidents, seasonal variations and the influence of insurance companies having agreements with preferred repairers all play a part in employment opportunities.
''Nowadays there is greater external pressure from insurance companies for the quality of workmanship to be higher. We need to upgrade the skills of existing painters as well as effectively training young people,'' says Ross Goodlet, formerly of the Automotive Industry Training Advisory Board.
Other avenues of employment include working as paint manufacturing representatives, managing automotive businesses, owning one's own business or lecturing in painting techniques at a College. The promising news is that there are sound employment opportunities for people interested in this line of work.
Starting out, expect to earn around $26,000 per year, with earning potential exceeding $60,000 for those experienced workers who receive a percentage of the job's worth. For more information regarding salaries you can look at the Australian Government Workplace Authority website below or contact one of the related organisations below.
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