Vehicle spray painter
Career outlook for vehicle spray painter
UK Salary Ranges
Entry-level
£19,000
£19,000
Experienced
£30,000
£30,000
Currently employed in Scotland
Information is unavailable
Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You would apply the right colour and finish to cars and other vehicles to cover repairs or remove scratches and minor damage.
You’d make sure that the newly-painted areas match the rest of the car so people cannot see the difference.
You would:
- Set up the spray equipment
- Mix paint by eye or using computer technology to ensure the best colour match
- Clean and prepare the surfaces to be painted
- Mask areas that are not going to be painted
- Apply coats of primer
- Apply the main paint, followed by the finish
- Check finished jobs as part of quality control
- Clean and maintain spray equipment
- Treat vehicles with rust-proofing chemicals.
You’d use specialist equipment like a manual spray gun or automated equipment. You’d need to follow strict safety procedures for using hazardous materials, and be careful not to contaminate the work area.
The type of vehicles you'd work on could include light vehicles like cars, vans and motorcycles or heavy vehicles like lorries, trucks, buses and coaches.
You'd need to maintain the quality of your work under pressure.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
UK employment status
Full-time
82%
Part-time
0%
Self employed
18%
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- Resourceful
- Observation
- Attention to detail
- Implementing ideas
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Qualifications
Many people enter through a Modern Apprenticeship.
You do not need formal qualifications to enter this job but many employers look for a good general education (SCQF level 4-5) to enter an Modern Apprenticeship.
You may have to pass an aptitude and/or colour visions test when applying to enter Modern Apprenticeship jobs.
There may be a medical test as any breathing problems you may have could be affected by paint fumes.
Once in a Modern Apprenticeship you will work towards relevant qualifications such as the Scottish Vocational Qualification in Automotive, Vehicle Paintwork Repair ( SVQ Level 2/3).
Useful subjects
- Maths
- English
- Science subjects
- Technologies subjects such as practical metalwork
Helpful to have
Qualifications that show physical fitness/strength and practical skills such as Skills for Work Automotive Skills (SCQF level 4).