Industrial Spray Painter

Kairehu Ahumahi

Industrial spray painters prepare, paint, powder-coat or resurface industrial parts and machinery and other items used in homes, offices and industries.

Learn about this job

Secondary education
Useful experience
What you will do
Skills and knowledge
Entry requirements
Chances of getting a job
Career progression and specialisations
Working conditions
Physical requirements
Useful personal qualities
Industry
Similar jobs in the industry

Secondary education

No specific secondary education is required for this job, but construction and mechanical technologies, physics and maths are useful.

Study fields

Painting, Decorating, Sign Writing and Other Finishes

Study levels

Up to NCEA Level 3

Useful experience

Useful experience for industrial spray painters includes:

painting and decorating work
vehicle spray painting
work involving metals
factory work.

What you will do

Industrial spray painters may do some or all of the following:

sand and clean surfaces to be painted
decide which products to use for a particular surface
prepare metals by treating them with chemicals or grit-blasting them
apply an undercoat
choose and mix paint
spray paint or powder-coat objects
bake powder-coat onto metal in ovens
polish the finished product
discuss treatment and painting requirements with customers.

Skills and knowledge

Industrial spray painters need to have knowledge of:

paint types and colours
up-to-date coating and preparation methods and technology
spray-gun painting
safety rules and procedures.

Pay

Industrial spray painters usually earn

$49K-$62K

per year

Job opportunities

Average

Chances of getting a job as an industrial spray painter are average for those wanting to enter the role, but good for those with experience.

Industry

Maintenance and Repair

Industrial spray painters prepare, paint, powder-coat or resurface industrial parts and machinery and other items used in homes, offices and industries.

Similar jobs in this industry

Automotive Refinisher

Painter and Decorator

Entry requirements

There are no specific requirements to become an industrial spray painter as you gain skills on the job.

Chances of getting a job

Opportunities strongest for experienced industrial spray painters

Chances are good for experienced industrial spray painters due to New Zealand manufacturers needing people to work on machinery components for export.

Opportunities are more limited for those with with no experience.

Your best chance of getting a job is to work for an industrial spray painting company as a labourer. If you can show you have initiative, they may train you in spray painting.

According to the Census, 1,641 industrial spray painters worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Types of employers varied

Industrial spray painters work for:

specialist paint shops
industrial companies such as metal manufacturers
joinery manufacturing companies, making items such as cabinets and doors
furniture-making companies.

Progression and specialisations

Industrial spray painters may progress to set up their own industrial spray painting business.

Working conditions

Industrial spray painters:

usually work regular business hours
work in paint shops and workshops or on clients' sites, including roads and rail bridges
work in conditions that may be noisy and fumy.

Physical Requirements

Industrial spray painters need to have normal colour vision to select the correct paint. They also should not have breathing problems or allergies, as they work with chemicals.

Useful personal qualities

Industrial spray painters need to be:

accurate, with an eye for detail
able to follow detailed instructions.

Industry

Maintenance and Repair

Industrial spray painters prepare, paint, powder-coat or resurface industrial parts and machinery and other items used in homes, offices and industries.

Similar jobs in this industry

Automotive Refinisher

Painter and Decorator

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