There are plenty of varieties in the career of painting. Of course, there are house painters, metal painters, wood painters, and so on. In this article, we are going to talk about how to be an auto painter. Auto painting is the career that deals with painting tasks in the automotive industry. Since the automotive industry would never die, the profession of auto painters would also never die. So, auto painters would invariably have more and more job opportunities in the times to come. And we are going to focus on all that. In fact, if you want to know how to be an auto painter, and you have an interest, this article is surely a must-read for you.
The Complete Guide to Auto Body Repair, 2nd Edition (Motorbooks Workshop) Paperback – November 9, 2015
We consider it our duty to suggest a good guide for you to make this read on how to be an auto painter. So, here is our suggestion. Through 400 color photos, clear annotations, extensive writing, and step-by-step how-to sequences, this book uncovers the techniques, tricks, and technologies behind automotive painting. Hence, this would be ideal for you to refer to, if you want to know how to be an auto painter. Many readers of this book have commended this. So, we are willingly recommending this book for you.
The Complete Guide to Auto Body Repair, 2nd Edition (Motorbooks Workshop) Paperback – November 9, 2015
And here is another suggestion for you. This book by Dennis W. Parks is an ideal book for you to master in auto painting. Everything you need to know about auto body repair has been updated and reworked in this book to include water-based paints, the most up-to-date panel adhesives, and other body restoration techniques. This book discusses new tools and approaches for dealing with constantly changing vehicle norms and technologies. Therefore, you will get a good understanding of auto painting if you read this book.
What do Auto Painters do?
Before we get to know how to be an auto painter, it would be best to know what auto painters do in the first place. Auto painters are also referred to as automotive painters or transportation equipment painters. Basically, auto painters are the ones who do painting jobs in the automotive industry. But it has a wide variety of tasks. Let us look into them.
Mainly, auto painters are the ones who do cosmetic repairs to vehicles and do repainting jobs. But there is a lot more. The scope of work starts with the preparation of the surfaces of the automotive. Initially, the parts that need no painting must be removed. And next, there would be tasks of applying lacquers, primers, polyurethane, synthetic enamels, and epoxy. An auto painter would generally use spray guns for this task specifically. Of course, most of the work of an auto painter would have a relation to spray paint on the whole. And typically, an auto painter would need to have the abilities such as mixing paints and following the written and oral instructions properly.
The ability to use the necessary tools is mandatory. In fact, the auto painters would have to take good care of the tools too. And of course, auto painters must adhere to the right safety precautions also.
So, these are some of the work that an auto painter would have to do basically. We hope that you have a basic idea by now. Having this much of an understanding is sufficient. Now, we can get to know how to be an auto painter in steps.
SATA Auto Paint from Prep to Final Coat (Motorbooks Workshop) Paperback – Illustrated, July 15, 2014
This is a book by JoAnn Bortles, who is an award-winning custom painter. From the prep coat to the final coat, this covers every aspect of automotive or motorbike restoration and painting. It is a comprehensive reference for anyone considering restoring or painting automobiles, trucks, hot rods, or motorcycles. Of course, it is appropriate for both the novice and the seasoned painter or restorer. So, it is important if you can read this book. Those who have read this book have commended its style of writing and its descriptions. Hence, we can recommend this book to you.
How to Paint Your Car on a Budget (Cartech)
Here is another suggestion by us. This is a complete guide on how to paint an automotive in a rather cheaper way. However, it still would be better for you could read this book and get an idea about this. You must have an idea of every way that is possible to complete a project. Having a good idea of the alternative ways is also surely important. Therefore, you can read this book and understand how you should carry on such projects. This would be a choice for anyone who intends to be an auto painter.
How to be an Auto Painter? – Step by step
Yes, now we are going to tell you how to be an auto painter step by step. And we are pretty sure that if you follow these steps in the way we ask you to, you would be able to succeed in your career life as a professional auto painter. So, here are the steps.
- Get a high school diploma or an equivalent
- Go through a training program
- Get work experience
- Gain certifications
- Advance as a professional
Well, these are the main steps to be an auto painter. If you follow these steps, you can become a successful auto painter. Excited to know more about these? Keep reading!
Automotive Body Repair & Painting Haynes Techbook (USA) Paperback – October 15, 1989
This is a book by John Haynes. And anybody who has a keen interest in automotive painting should surely go through this book and get an understanding. This book provides the most comprehensive coverage for today’s automobiles, trucks, vans, SUVs, and motorbikes. Each guidebook includes step-by-step instructions with hundreds of images and diagrams. So, you can get a good idea of auto painting if you read this. And we hope that this comprehensive description would be a great help for you.
How to Paint Muscle Cars & Show Cars Like a Pro Paperback – Illustrated, July 2, 2018
Here is another suggestion from us. This book will surely provide you with informative descriptions of auto painting. And you can pave the pathway to become a pro in this field by taking the first step of reading this. The authors of this book are Tony Thacker and Mick Jenkins. Of course, they are experts in this field. There are lots and lots of people who have learned a lot from reading this book. The positive reviews this book has received on Amazon bear testimony to the fact. This book has received plenty of positive ratings as well.
1. Get a high school diploma or an equivalent
Just like for most other professions of this sort, it is necessary to get a high school diploma or an equivalent. You would not possibly get the knowledge that you would need for your career through high school diplomas. That is for sure. Yet, you need to have this basic requirement completed just to make sure that you have the ability to understand technical elements. By the word an equivalent, we refer to a GED diploma which means a General Education Development diploma.
So, you would basically have the ability to perform simple mathematical calculations. You must have the ability to think creatively and arrive at the right decisions. Also, you must have the ability to scientifically analyze a simple scenario. Yet, none of these means that you must have the capability to the maximum. What this means is that you must have a basic understanding of all these. And that ensures that you have the capability to go ahead in the profession of auto painting.
So, do not consider having a high school diploma unimportant. This is where you can lay the foundation of your career life in the initial stage. Therefore, do go for a high school diploma or a GED if you wish to be an auto painter. This is how you must proceed if you want to be an auto painter.
2. Go through a training program
To get into the profession of auto painting, you need to learn the trade. Therefore, you need to go through a training program to learn the trade. This is how your learning for your professional life starts. So, you need to master all the skills that you would require in this regard.
In terms of the skills that you can master in a program like this, you can specifically master the skills like sanding, masking, and refinishing paint. Also, you would learn paint-mixing techniques. In addition, you would be able to learn all the measures that you have to take in terms of on-the-job training. And you can learn to handle the tools that you have to use in the industry.
Of course, it is mostly through the practical lessons that you would get, you would be able to learn the art of auto painting. Yet, you would need to have the theoretical knowledge for all that as well. So, it is pretty important that you learn the trade both ways. You need to have both theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills. Do not forget that auto painting is a physically demanding job. So, you need to have that capability if you wish to be an auto painter.
For instance, we can suggest the San Diego College of Continuing Education for you to get a good training program for this industry.
Of course, this is how you should proceed in the second step in order to be an auto painter. Alright. Let us move onto the third step.
3. Get work experience
And here is another very important thing. You must definitely have work experience. We were trying to tell you how to be an auto painter. And now we have told you. But this procedure is not complete yet. You surely need to get certifications in order to get a reputation as a professional auto painter. But you just cannot get certifications. For that, you definitely need to have work experience of about 2 years. So, because of this, getting work experience is very important.
And of course, while you get work experience, you can surely learn the trade more and more. It is basically through your experience that you can learn how you should engage in this profession. Doubtlessly, experience is something that really matters when it comes to a profession like this. Do not forget.
And you should learn to work like a professional during this stage. You should learn how to engage in effective communication. In fact, you should learn many skills like time management, organizational skills, and many more. No doubt, you can surely develop all these requisite skills over time.
4. Gain certifications
Yes, this is what you had to gain work experience for a short period of time. It is to gain certifications. Getting certifications is of immense importance. You may have all the skills that an auto painter would need to have. And you may have all the qualities like time management and so. Yet, other people would not know that. If you need to get a job in this field, you need to have paper qualifications to show off. They are the certifications that you can gain.
So, you would probably have a question about where you would be able to get a suitable certification for you. We can suggest the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. You can get a painting and refinishing certificate from here. And that would really be worth it. This certification requires you to have work experience of 2 years. You further have to pass an exam. This exam would typically consist of 65 questions for which you would only get one and a half hours.
So, all that we need to tell you in this regard if you need to know how to be an auto painter is that you should definitely get the certifications. Without them, your professional competence would really have no value to be frank.
5. Advance to higher positions
Of course, now we have told you how to be an auto painter. You probably know all the steps. Yet, there are lots of things that you can achieve in your life even after you become an auto painter by profession. You can possibly move ahead in the same company that you are working for. Perhaps, you can advance to higher positions. These might be positions of supervisors. If you have the necessary knowledge and experience, you can even advance to managerial positions.
Also, you can be self-employed if not. You can start your own business. And through your business, you would be able to earn a lot of money if you work hard for your dreams after you start your own business. So, if you have the interest to have your own business, well that is totally a different topic. You would need to be so focused on your business. In fact, you must have plans and goals for all you do. You must plan out your strategies as well as your operations. With proper business knowledge, you can develop your company into a highly profitable company if you have the
So, this is just a piece of advice from us. Do not stop at the position of an auto painter. Advance further. The way that you choose to advance might be different. But do not become stagnant professionals. Keep moving forward.
Important Qualities you need to have
It is not just your skill that matters. You may have understood this by now. And having just the certifications would not do anything for you either. You probably need to have certain important qualities in order to excel in this profession. What are such important qualities? Let us take a look now.
- Physical strength
- Ability to handle the tools
- Physical stamina
- Communication skills
- Detail-oriented
So, these are the basic qualities that you need to have. And now, we are going to take a look at each of them in detail.
1. Physical strength
Physical strength is quite an important factor. If you are not physically strong enough, you just cannot engage in a profession like auto painting. To become a successful auto painter, you just need to be physically strong. Basically, this is a physically demanding profession. Your physical fitness is of utmost importance.
Of course, you may have to carry weights at times in order to get them to a convenient position to paint. So, if you cannot lift them, you would not suit this profession. If you feel that you are not such a physically sturdy person, you would have to choose a profession that does not require much physical effort.
Strength Training Past 50 Paperback – Illustrated, May 4, 2015
As you have read this article on how to be an auto painter up to now, you would surely have understood the importance of physical strength. So, if you feel that you are not strong enough for this profession, you must definitely increase your physical strength. For that, you need to engage in strength training exercises. This is a book by Wayne L. Westcott. The author is a professional in this field. And surely, you would be able to gain a good understanding by reading this book. So, we are straightforwardly suggesting you read this book.
Body for Life: 12 Weeks to Mental and Physical Strength Hardcover – June 10, 1999
Physical strength is quite important for an out painter, as we already stated. And if you believe your physical strength is insufficient, you must take steps to develop your physical strength as we told you. Here is another suggestion that we came up with. You can use Bill Phillips’ book as a guide and do the exercises and workouts he recommends. With these workouts, you will surely be able to increase your physical strength. This would help you become a successful auto painter.
2. Ability to handle the tools
There are particular tools that you may have to use as an auto painter. And you must know how to use them in the right manner. Of course, each of those tools is for a specific purpose. You need to use the exact tool to fit that purpose. That is how you can get something right. And you must know how to make use of the tools as well. Of course, you would learn all these during the training programs that you would go through. So, make sure that you make use of all of them.
Also, it is important to maintain your tools properly. Needless to say, without proper repair and maintenance, you would never be able to use a specific tool for a long time. Therefore, learn everything right, especially how you must use the tools that you may need and how to take care of them.
3. Physical stamina
Physical stamina refers to the ability to keep doing something of the same nature for a long period of time. Of course, painting is a bit uniform. You would have to keep doing the same thing for a long period of time continuously. Because of that, you need to have the physical stamina to engage in a profession of this sort.
If you cannot sustain physical effort for a long time, that would make you fatigued and exhausted. You cannot work as an auto painter that way. Obviously, you must be physically active. And for this, you would understand that you need to have physical stamina.
4. Communication skills
For the most part, you would forget this type of skill simply because you choose a profession like painting. But the obvious fact is that without effective communication, you would not be able to succeed in a career like this. Perhaps, you need to understand your task properly. You need to know what you would have to do precisely. If not, you would do something else and not what you have to do.
If there is anything unclear, you would have to clarify it then and there. And you always need to concentrate on what you have to do. With proper communication done between you and your client, both parties can reach satiety as the work comes to an end in a successful manner.
Communication Skills Training: How to Talk to Anyone, Connect Effortlessly, Develop Charisma, and Become a People Person Paperback – May 23, 2020
You already know how important effective communication is, for the profession of auto painting. If you feel that you need to improve your communication skills, here is an ideal choice for you. You can read this book by James W. Williams and learn how to improve your communication skills in order to indulge in your profession with convenience. So, if you seriously need to improve your communication skills, there is actually nothing much for you to do. All you have to do is referring to the techniques that this book tells you and putting them into use. You will gradually sense your improvement.
Communication Skills: A Practical Guide to Improving Your Social Intelligence, Presentation, Persuasion and Public Speaking (Positive Psychology Coaching Series Book) (Volume 9) Paperback – July 11, 2015
And here is another suggestion by us. This book by Ian Tuhovsky is ideal for you to read in order to improve your communication skills. In fact, this book helps you improve dozens of skills pertaining to communication. Of course, you would be able to improve your presentation skills, public speaking skills, as well as social intelligence if you refer to this book. Basically, effective communication is the best way to get the maximum out of you in your profession. So, all that you need to do is read this book, understand what it says, and relate its techniques to your professional life.
5. Detail-oriented
All the same, a professional like an auto painter would definitely have to be detail-oriented. What does it mean to say being detail-oriented? Well, it means that you pay close attention and concentrate on even the slightest detail. For a profession like auto painting, even the smallest detail and data are important. It is because it is such small things that ultimately make a huge output. So, make sure that you pay attention even to the very tiny little things. That would eventually have a huge impact on your career and would make you really successful.
Improve Attention To Detail: A straightforward system to develop attention to detail in yourself, employees, and across an organization. Paperback – April 17, 2019
As we told you, being detail-oriented is of immense importance if you wish to go ahead in the career of automotive painting. And this book by Chris Danny is one of the best books that we can recommend to you to read and understand. This book will alter your perspective on personal and interpersonal attention to detail. Consequently. this will help you increase your attention to detail. This book has got good customer ratings and reviews. Hence, we are not reluctant in recommending this book to you.
The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right Paperback – December 1, 2010
Here is another suggestion by us. This also will help you to make you more and more detail-oriented. The author of this book is Atul Gawande. In this book, you will find a lot of interesting and fascinating stories. They will help you change the angle you look at things. Also, they will be a great help to take you to the next level in this regard. In general, this book has received good reviews and ratings. So, we are not hesitant to suggest this book.
Final Thoughts
Of course, now you know all about how to be an auto painter. Becoming an auto painter is a perfect career, no doubt. And you would have to become efficient in your career. That is the key to success. And if you need to know about certain other careers in the field of construction, you can probably read about them. You can read about the pathway to become a plumber, masonry worker, HVAC technician, ironworker, glazier, solar installer, boilermaker, flooring installer, marine mechanic, and so on.
