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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.

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Secondary education

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

Study fields

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

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

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