British Columbia - Vancouver & Lower Mainland Southwest
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GearAutomotive Painter Trade Skills

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Occupational Skills

Uses documentation.
Interprets vehicle information.
  • knowledge of industry terminology
  • knowledge of vehicle manufacturers’ makes and models
  • knowledge of vehicle information such as year of vehicle, VIN (vehicle identification number) and production date
  • ability to locate paint codes
  • ability to interpret paint codes
Interprets technical manuals and bulletins.
  • knowledge of types of technical manuals and bulletins
  • knowledge of location of manuals and bulletins in shop
  • knowledge of industry terminology
  • ability to access manuals and bulletins in electronic and printed formats
  • ability to interpret paint codes
  • ability to interpret product information data sheets
Interprets safety and environmental regulations.
  • knowledge of WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System)
  • knowledge of jurisdictional regulations
  • knowledge of VOC (volatile organic compounds) and VOC tracking procedures
  • knowledge of types of paint such as water-borne and high-solids
  • knowledge of storage requirements before and after use
  • knowledge of restrictions on use and handling of hazardous waste
  • ability to locate MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets)
  • ability to locate MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets)
Contributes to development of repair estimate.
  • knowledge of repair techniques such as blending, butt matching and spot repair
  • ability to identify extent of refinishing required
  • ability to identify types of paint finish such as tri-colour, single stage and two-stage
  • ability to communicate with estimator
Interprets work orders.
  • knowledge of work order formats
  • knowledge of industry terminology
  • knowledge of paint refinish procedures
  • knowledge of material required
  • ability to follow work order
Uses tools and equipment.
Uses hand tools.
  • knowledge of types of hand tools such as sanding, cutting, scraping, and trim and accessory removal tools
  • knowledge of limitations of use
  • ability to maintain tools
  • ability to store tools
  • ability to recognize unsafe, worn, broken and defective tools
Uses power tools.
  • knowledge of types of power tools such as pneumatic and electric
  • knowledge of operating procedures
  • knowledge of limitations of use
  • ability to maintain tools
  • ability to store tools
  • ability to recognize unsafe, worn, broken and defective tools
Uses computers.
  • knowledge of computer hardware and software applications such as spectrophotometer, paint mixing, job tracking and data retrieval
  • ability to retrieve information such as colour formula, product information, MSDS and VOC information
  • ability to use applicable industry software
Uses measuring equipment.
  • knowledge of types of measuring equipment such as scales, proportional sticks and containers
  • knowledge of types of scales such as digital and computerized
  • knowledge of viscosity
  • ability to interpret technical manuals
  • ability to operate computers and related software
  • ability to perform basic calculations
  • ability to set up measuring system
  • ability to maintain measuring system
Uses personal protective equipment.
  • knowledge of types of personal protective equipment such as hearing, eye, skin and respiratory protection
  • knowledge of personal protective equipment operation
  • knowledge of workplace safety and health regulations
  • ability to inspect and maintain personal protective equipment
  • ability to store personal protective equipment
  • ability to recognize worksite hazards
Organizes work.
Organizes material.
  • knowledge of types of materials such as abrasives, cleaners and paints
  • knowledge of ordering procedures
  • ability to determine material required
  • ability to store and inventory material
  • ability to dispose of waste material
Communicates with others.
  • knowledge of types of communication methods such as oral and written
  • ability to use conflict resolution techniques
  • ability to explain technical information in layperson’s terms
  • ability to communicate with other related professionals such as tradespeople and appraisers
  • ability to mentor apprentices
  • ability to operate communication equipment such as cellular phones, two-way radios and computers
Maintains safe work environment.
  • knowledge of locations of WHMIS and MSDS
  • knowledge of personal protective equipment
  • knowledge of workers’ rights and responsibilities
  • knowledge of location of safety equipment such as eye wash station, fire extinguishers, spill kits and first aid kit
  • knowledge of emergency procedures
  • knowledge of disposal and recycling procedures
  • ability to recognize fire and explosive hazards
  • ability to recognize personal injury hazards
  • ability to identify potential hazards
  • ability to perform basic first aid
  • ability to operate ventilation systems
Performs inspections.
  • ability to verify tasks listed in repair estimate
  • ability to perform sensory inspection at appropriate times of repair
  • ability to identify paint defects such as runs, dust nibs and mottling

External Links

Vehicle Preparation

Performs initial preparation.
Cleans vehicle.
  • knowledge of types of cleaners such as soap, water and degreaser
  • knowledge of cleaning techniques
  • knowledge of types of contaminants
  • ability to select appropriate cleaner for various substrates such as metals and plastics
  • ability to select appropriate cleaner to remove various contaminants
  • ability to dispose of cleaning materials
Removes trim and accessories.
  • knowledge of types of trim and accessories and their method of attachment
  • knowledge of types of fasteners
  • knowledge of effect of temperature on removal of components
  • knowledge of basic vehicle design
  • ability to select appropriate tools
  • ability to identify composition of trim and accessories such as plastic, glass and metal
  • ability to handle and store removed trim and accessories
Prepares surface.
Repairs imperfections.
  • knowledge of types of imperfections such as door dings, rock chips and scratches
  • knowledge of repair techniques such as feather edging, stripping and media blasting
  • ability to identify problems with existing finish
  • ability to identify stripping methods such as chemical and mechanical
  • ability to identify substrate such as metal, plastic and composite
  • ability to identify extent of repair
Masks vehicle.
  • knowledge of types of masking materials such as paper, tape, foam, plastic sheeting and spray mask
  • ability to select size of tape and masking materials best suited to the repair
  • ability to apply spray mask
  • ability to select and apply masking techniques such as edge, reverse, inners and back mask
Strips surface.
  • knowledge of types of stripping methods such as chemical, mechanical and media blasting
  • knowledge of types of media blasting such as sand, soda and plastic beads
  • knowledge of personal protective equipment
  • ability to identify substrate material
  • ability to prepare surrounding area prior to stripping
  • ability to select cleaning procedure for use after stripping
  • ability to handle, store and dispose of stripping material
Sands surface.
  • knowledge of types of abrasives
  • knowledge of sanding techniques such as block, back and final sanding
  • knowledge of adhesion capability of materials to be applied
  • ability to select appropriate grit according to substrate, material being used and repair technique
  • ability to select and perform sanding methods such as wet, dry, machine and hand

External Links

Applies repair materials.
Applies fillers.
  • knowledge of types of fillers such as polyester and glazing putties
  • knowledge of types of substrates such as plastic, composites and metals
  • knowledge of product application techniques
  • knowledge of product curing times
  • knowledge of product working time
  • knowledge of role of environmental conditions on working and curing times
  • knowledge of limitation of use of fillers
  • ability to select repair material for substrate
  • ability to prepare surface prior to application
  • ability to mix fillers as per manufacturers’ specifications
  • ability to estimate quantity of filler
Applies primer and primer surfacers.
  • knowledge of types of primer surfacers such as two part primer surfacers, tintable and UV cure primer
  • knowledge of application techniques such as spray gun, roll-on, spreadable and aerosol
  • knowledge of types of primer such as etch and epoxy
  • knowledge of types of adhesion promoters
  • knowledge of limitations of primers and primer surfacers
  • knowledge of flash-off times, cure times, induction times and pot life
  • ability to select and mix appropriate primer and primer surfacer for substrate and topcoat
  • ability to use flex additives for flexible substrate
  • ability to handle, store and dispose of primer and primer surfacers
Performs final sanding.
  • knowledge of sandpaper grit
  • knowledge of guide coat usage
  • knowledge of uses of sanding paste
  • knowledge of sanding methods such as wet, dry, machine and hand
  • knowledge of sanding materials such as dry and wet sandpaper and scratch pads
  • ability to select grit for topcoat to be applied
  • ability to prepare area for blending
Applies chip guard.
  • knowledge of types of chip guard materials such as water-borne and acrylic
  • knowledge of uses of paintable and non-paintable chip guard
  • knowledge of appropriate drying timeframes for sanding
  • knowledge of limitations of use of chip guard
  • ability to use schutz gun
  • ability to prepare substrate
  • ability to match texture on existing vehicle
  • ability to mask surrounding area

External Links

Refinishing

Prepares equipment.
Performs spray gun setup.
  • knowledge of types of refinish products
  • knowledge of types of refinish equipment
  • knowledge of air pressure and air volume and their effects
  • knowledge of paint gun components
  • knowledge of pneumatic components such as regulators, air transformers and separators
  • knowledge of product viscosity
  • knowledge of lubricants
  • ability to select equipment for application
  • ability to perform setup procedures as per manufacturers’ specifications
  • ability to troubleshoot equipment problems
Prepares spray booth.
  • knowledge of booth types and construction
  • knowledge of operating temperatures and their effect on topcoat quality
  • knowledge of effect of positive and negative booth pressures
  • ability to adjust air makeup unit
  • ability to ensure spray booth is clean and dust-free
  • ability to set up booth based on job requirements
  • ability to utilize booth space
  • ability to adjust air flow in spray booth
Prepares refinishing materials.
Mixes paint.
  • knowledge of scale and ratios
  • knowledge of viscosity scales
  • knowledge of low and high strength colours
  • knowledge of safety procedures
  • ability to use paint mixing equipment such as agitators and scales
  • ability to select solvents and activators according to ambient conditions (humidity/temperature) and job size
  • ability to determine quantity of paint required for the job
  • ability to mix paint according to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) paint code
Performs colour matching.
  • knowledge of colour theory such as chroma, hue and value
  • knowledge of metamerism (role of light in colour perception)
  • knowledge of face, pitch and flash of a colour
  • knowledge of role of air pressure, temperature and solvent selections on colour matching
  • knowledge of paint components such as pearls, mica and metal flakes
  • knowledge of three-stage technology
  • knowledge of paint code variances
  • knowledge of methods to obtain formulas
  • ability to use variant cards, spectrophotometer and technical support to obtain formulas
  • ability to mix colour with an intermix system
  • ability to perform test panels
  • ability to adjust paint to match vehicle colour
  • ability to use spray technique to alter the mixed colour
  • ability to set up gun
Applies refinishing materials.
Applies sealers.
  • knowledge of types of sealers such as tintable, non-tintable and plastic
  • knowledge of types of seam sealers such as brush-on, ribbon and sprayable
  • knowledge of flash-off times
  • knowledge of types of additives
  • knowledge of the role of sealers in the refinishing process
  • ability to select sealers according to compatibility with substrate materials
  • ability to spray sealer in an even and consistent pattern
  • ability to use personal protective equipment such as personal fresh air system, gloves and paint suits
Applies topcoat materials.
  • knowledge of types of topcoats such as enamels, water-borne, acrylic enamel, urethanes and basecoats
  • knowledge of types of additives and their applications
  • knowledge of spray gun techniques and setups
  • knowledge of types of substrates
  • knowledge of reducers, activators and accelerators and their application
  • knowledge of forced curing
  • knowledge of drying times of materials for two-toning and denibbing
  • knowledge of contaminants
  • knowledge of blending techniques such as drop coat, fan coat and orientation coat
  • ability to diagnose and correct paint faults such as fish-eyes, dry spray, tiger stripes and mottling
  • ability to use personal protective equipment such as respirators, gloves and paint suits
  • ability to use cleaning materials such as tack cloths and low-static solvents
  • ability to pre-wash vehicle
  • ability to determine coverage of topcoat materials
  • ability to use computers and programs
Maintains refinishing equipment.
Maintains spray booth.
  • knowledge of maintenance procedures such as changing filters, changing lights and cleaning glass
  • knowledge of types of booth coatings
  • knowledge of spray booth design
  • knowledge of different lighting types
  • knowledge of personal protective equipment
  • ability to apply booth coatings
  • ability to follow regular booth maintenance schedule
  • ability to troubleshoot problems
  • ability to apply safe working practices
Maintains spray equipment.
  • knowledge of types of spray equipment such as pressure pot, conventional and HVLP
  • knowledge of spray gun components such as air caps, packings, fluid needles and fluid tips
  • knowledge of cleaning products and equipment
  • knowledge of personal protective equipment
  • knowledge of spray equipment cleaning procedures
  • knowledge of contaminants such as silicone and their possible negative effect
  • knowledge of spray equipment storage procedures
  • ability to troubleshoot spray faults such as fluttering and inconsistent spray patterns
  • ability to apply safe working practices
  • ability to identify contaminants
  • ability to replace worn or damaged parts
  • ability to service spray gun
  • ability to maintain compressors, moisture traps and air makeup system

External Links

Pre-delivery

Removes surface imperfections.
Removes surface imperfections.
  • knowledge of surface imperfections such as runs, sags, dust nibs, dry spray and orange peel
  • knowledge of types of topcoat and their limitations of repair
  • knowledge of types and grits of polish
  • knowledge of process to remove imperfections
  • ability to identify imperfections
  • ability to select technique for removal
  • ability to determine cure times of finish prior to topcoat repair
  • ability to restore lustre of finish
Removes masking materials.
  • knowledge of types of masking materials
  • knowledge of application techniques
  • knowledge of removal techniques
  • knowledge of when to remove masking materials
  • knowledge of contaminants such as silicone and their possible negative effect
  • ability to remove masking materials without damaging refinished surface
Performs detailing.
Installs trim and accessories.
  • knowledge of types of trim and accessories
  • knowledge of types of fasteners
  • knowledge of basic vehicle construction
  • ability to install trim in proper location and sequence
  • ability to use adhesives and two-sided tape
  • ability to clean trim and accessories prior to applications
  • ability to install components and accessories without damaging vehicle finish
Applies decals and striping.
  • knowledge of types of decals and striping such as vinyl graphics and name plates
  • knowledge of installation methods
  • ability to clean surface prior to application
  • ability to use heating equipment
  • ability to use detergent, water and squeegee to install decals and vinyl graphics
  • ability to remove air bubbles
  • ability to install decals and striping in proper location
  • ability to install decals and striping without damaging refinished surface, decals and striping
Applies anti-corrosive material.
  • knowledge of types of anti-corrosive materials such as undercoating and rustproofing
  • knowledge of types of application equipment such as aerosol and pressure pot
  • ability to access hidden areas for application of anti-corrosive material
  • ability to apply material to repaired locations
  • ability to protect surrounding areas
Performs final check.
  • knowledge of new paint care
  • knowledge of vehicle’s pre-existing condition
  • knowledge of industrial quality standards
  • ability to remove spray mask
  • ability to remove overspray
  • ability to clean vehicle such as vacuuming, wiping interior and cleaning glass
  • ability to check operation of electronic components and lights
Provided by the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program National Occupational Analysis (NOA) http://www.red-seal.ca