Auto Painter

As a car painter you give vehicles new surfaces and perfect finish. You repair damage from accidents, sand, putty and spray paint so the varnish sits smoothly and the colour is exactly right. You become a craftsperson with an eye for detail where the difference between good and excellent lies in the last few micrometres of varnish.

§What do you do in everyday life?

You work at a car workshop or metalwork shop, often together with metalworkers. A job starts by assessing the damage, preparing the surface and masking what should not be painted. Then you mix the paint exactly according to the car's code, spray in the cabin and check the result in the right light. Cleanliness and patience are crucial.

• 01You learn to sand, filler, and prepare surfaces for painting.
• 02You learn to mix and match colors precisely according to color code.
• 03You learn spray technique and the use of a paint booth
• 04You learn to work safely with chemicals, respiratory protection, and extraction.
• 05You learn polishing, finishing and quality control of the finished result
• 06You learn to assess damage and plan a repair.

§How do you get started?

You start with a basic course at a vocational college and then find an apprenticeship at a car paint or repair workshop. You alternate between school and practical training and receive an apprentice wage throughout the programme, so you earn while you learn the trade in practice.

§The way forward

As fully trained you can work at damage and painting workshops or with car dealers. Over time you can specialise in specialty colours and effect varnish become a workshop foreman or start your own workshop. The trade also extends to industrial painting and other surface industries.

“A good LCP is 2.5 seconds or less; above 4 seconds is considered poor.”