Spray Painter Apprenticeship » Careers

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Autobody Apprenticeships

If you’re passionate about cars, love hands-on work, have an eye for detail and precision, and enjoy being creative with colours, an Apprenticeship in Vehicle Spray Painting could be your perfect career path!

The role goes by several names—Spray Painter, Vehicle Refinisher, or Vehicle Painter—but they all refer to the same role.

From repainting cars after accident repairs to restoring & respraying classic and JDM vehicles, the projects you work on will depend on the workshop you join. As an Apprentice Spray Painter, you’ll master painting techniques and learn the full vehicle refinishing process. Keep reading to learn more!

What you will Learn & Do

As an apprentice spray painter, you’ll gain hands-on experience and training to master the art of vehicle refinishing. Your learning will build progressively as you develop confidence and skills under the guidance of experienced Tradesmen. Here’s what you can expect:

Preparing Vehicles for Painting:

Sanding rough surfaces using power sanders or by hand.
Applying masking tape and paper to protect areas not being painted.
Preparing surfaces with primer to ensure smooth paint application.

Mixing and Matching Paint:

Learn how to mix colours, tints, and sparkles to achieve perfect colour matches.
Create custom paint colours to suit specific vehicle designs.

Applying Paint Coatings:

Using spray guns to apply base coats, colour layers, and top coats for a flawless finish.
Sanding surfaces between coats for smooth, seamless results.

Polishing and Finishing:

Applying protective seals and polishing vehicles with power buffers to achieve a showroom-quality shine.

Safety and Precision:

Adhere to industry safety standards when handling tools, chemicals, and equipment.
Wear protective gear such as steel-capped boots, air-fed masks, and gloves, depending on the task.
Maintain a meticulous and detail-oriented approach to every job to ensure high-quality results.

Expected salary as a Spray Painter

As an Apprentice, you’ll work towards the nationally recognised Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology, gaining the skills required to become a fully qualified vehicle spray painter.

One of the great things about an apprenticeship is that you’ll be paid while you learn—both in the workshop and during your time at TAFE. Your employer will also cover your TAFE fees, which means you’ll be earning money while gaining valuable skills.

Once qualified and after several years of experience, spray painters typically earn between $80,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on skill level, years of experience, and the type of work involved. SEEK is a great resource to explore job listings and salary insights. If a job posting doesn’t mention the salary, don’t hesitate to reach out directly to the employer for clarification.

Career Pathways

Completing a Vehicle Refinishing Apprenticeship opens multiple doors to a range of opportunities:

Qualified Spray Painter

Work on a variety of vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, and trucks. You can also branch out into different industries such as military or industrial painting.

Vehicle Restoration or Customisation

Focus on restoring classic cars or high-end imports and exotic vehicles, or create unique designs and finishes for clients.

Career Progression

There are great progression opportunities as you become more experienced, you can move into supervisory roles, such as Workshop Manager or Foreman. If you want to step away from hands-on work, you can also pursue positions like an Autobody Estimator where you will assess vehicles and prepare quotes. Depending on how driven you are, you may even want to open & run your own Panel shop one day!

What You Need to Succeed

To succeed as a spray painting apprentice, it's important to have the right attitude and mindset. Here’s what we’re looking for:

Passion for Cars

Genuine interest in cars, vehicle restoration, and the automotive trade will keep you motivated. The apprenticeship journey is hands-on and challenging. Your passion will help you stay focused and motivated to gain your trade qualification.

Manual Dexterity

You will develop fine motor skills, such as gripping, manipulating, and controlling small objects, which are crucial for using your spray gun tools effectively. These skills will also help you perform detailed tasks with precision, such as masking a vehicle for painting.

Learn & make mistakes

Be open to receive guidance and patient with the learning process. Understand that mistakes are a natural part of growth, and approach feedback with positivity and a willingness to improve.

Attention to Detail

Spray painting requires precision and a keen eye for detail to ensure high-quality finish.

Creativity & Patience

You’ll be working with colours and finishes, so creativity & problem solving is important. Patience with yourself and the process is essential to achieving the best outcomes.

How to Get Started

If you think you have the right qualities and are ready for a rewarding challenge, why not take the first step towards an exciting career in spray painting?

Whether you’re interested in work experience to get a feel for the job or want to start your apprenticeship as a Vehicle Refinisher, we’d love to hear from you! Just send us an email at accounts@dynamicautobody.com.au and let us know what you’re looking for.

Get Started