The Auto Painter Industry Today — Jobs, Demand and Future
Where does a car painter work, what does the market demand, and what does new technology mean for the trade?
When you have the journeyman's certificate in hand several paths open. Auto painting is a craft in demand as long as there are vehicles needing repair maintenance or new surfaces — and there will be for many years yet.
§Where does a car painter work?
Most car painters work in paint shops and damage centers where they repair cars after damage and give them new paint. You can also find work at larger car repair shops, at preparation centers that make used cars sale-ready, or in industry where surface treatment of metal is part of production.
- 01Auto Painting and Damage Workshops
- 02Preparation centers for used cars
- 03Workshops with cars, trucks and motorcycles
- 04Industry with surface treatment of metal
§What drives demand?
As long as cars are driven, damage occurs and paint fades and wears. Insurance damage, scratches, dents and general maintenance provide a steady flow of work for the trade. At the same time it's a craft that can't easily be moved abroad — the car must physically be where it's repaired.
§New technology and new materials
The craft doesn't stand still. Water-based coatings have over the years replaced many of the more solvent-heavy products for environmental and work environment reasons, and it puts new demands on technique and drying. Modern cars have advanced paint systems and sensors behind bumpers and windows that you must account for when you repair.
Electric cars are changing the everyday life of car workshops, but bodywork and paint must still be repaired — a dent is a dent regardless of what drives the car. For the painter trade, the transition to electric is therefore less dramatic than for some of the purely mechanical trades, although knowledge of the new vehicles' construction becomes more important.
§A trade with competition and pride
Auto painting is also a trade where craftsmanship is celebrated — among other things through professional competitions where young painters compete in precision and finish. It says something about an industry that is proud of its craftsmanship and of training skilled people.
“A car can be repaired mechanically anywhere — but it is the paint people see first. So there will always be a need for someone who can make it look new.”