Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

The Work

As a paint sprayer, you would normally work in one of four sectors

• manufacturing,
• engineering,
• construction or the
• automotive industry.

On a manufacturing production line you would apply finishes to white goods (ovens, fridges and dishwashers), furniture and other consumer items.

On a construction or engineering site, you would work on buildings or large structures, for example ships and bridges. Paint spraying can also be used in the finishing of timber products which are manufactured in the shopfitting industry before being fixed on site.

Your duties could include:

• setting up the spray equipment
• making sure all the materials are mixed correctly to get the right colour and consistency
• preparing the surfaces to be covered
• applying primer coats
• applying main coats, followed by the finish
• checking finished jobs as part of quality control
• cleaning and maintaining spray equipment.

You would follow strict safety procedures covering the use of hasardous materials, taking care to avoid contaminating the coatings and work area.

Car Paint Sprayer

The spray painter receives the vehicle from the body repairer, who will have replaced or repaired any damaged body panels. They inspect the repaired area and think about what they need to do to complete the repair. Spray painters need to smooth the surface of the metal. They can do this by hand, with special types of sandpaper, or by using a machine. Next, the spray painter checks the surface by looking at it and touching it.  
 
The next task is to prepare and apply the paint. It is very important that the colours and tints exactly match the existing surfaces. Painters use a hand-held spray gun that applies the paint in a fine spray. They usually need to apply several coats to prevent the metal from rusting. When the paint is dry, painters polish the surface so that it blends with the rest of the vehicle.  
 
The work can be noisy and dirty. Painters need to wear protective clothing, including masks and goggles.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• File, grind, sand, and smooth filled or repaired surfaces, using power tools and hand tools.
• Inspect repaired vehicles for proper functioning, completion of work, dimensional accuracy, and overall appearance of paint job, and test-drive vehicles to ensure proper alignment and handling.
• Fit and weld replacement parts into place, using wrenches and welding equipment, and grind down welds to smooth them, using power grinders and other tools.
• Prime and paint repaired surfaces, using paint sprayguns and motorised sanders.
• Follow supervisors' instructions as to which parts to restore or replace and how much time the job should take.
• Sand body areas to be painted and cover bumpers, windows, and trim with masking tape or paper to protect them from the paint.
• Chain or clamp frames and sections to alignment machines that use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components.
• Position dolly blocks against surfaces of dented areas and beat opposite surfaces to remove dents, using hammers.
• Cut and tape plastic separating film to outside repair areas to avoid damaging surrounding surfaces during repair procedure and remove tape and wash surfaces after repairs are complete.
• Review damage reports, prepare or review repair cost estimates, and plan work to be performed.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

There are many applications of a career in spray painting. Vehicles & Aircraft trades. Employers may offer general operative work based training programmes. Some employers offer on-the-job training. Routes and time spent in training will vary depending on whether you are pursuing automobile, building or aircraft spray painting. 

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Aircraft Spary & Aircraft maintenance, Engineering, Motor Technology Skills Traineships at NFQ level 5 Search our FET Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Vehicle Body Repairer This is an up to 4 year NFQ Level 6 program search apprenticeships

Last Updated: March, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €44k

Salaries Vary by employer, location, role, duties, shift pattern, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed/ Glassdoor/ Salaryband/ CIF rates

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels have seen little change in recent years resulting in a below average annual growth rate over the five-year period. Census data shows that although employment is spread across a range of roles, the majority are employed as vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians.

There was a higher-than-average share of non-Irish citizens employed (25% compared to 19% nationally). Employment permits issued for this occupation were mainly for vehicle roadworthiness testers with a small number for aircraft engineers. Vacancies advertised through DSP Jobs Ireland included various mechanics (aircraft, HGV, motor) and vehicle inspectors. There was a relatively high volume of jobseekers registered with the DSP in December 2022 who had previously been employed in vehicle trades roles.

New apprenticeship registration numbers for both HGV and motor mechanics declined in 2022 when compared to the previous year but were relatively on a par with 2019 levels. The decline in new diesel and petrol car registrations along with the increased uptake of electric and hybrid vehicles is likely to result in an increased demand for electric vehicle (EV) mechanics and a gradual decline in demand for traditional motor mechanic skills.

In 2022, there were 15,462 EV cars licensed for the first time in Ireland, representing a 3.5-fold increase (+349%) on 2019 numbers. Growth is expected to continue, as in the first five months of 2023 numbers had already reached nearly 12,000, a 52% increase on the same period in the preceding year. Although no shortages have been identified, upskilling/reskilling in digital skills will be required for the current vehicle mechanic workforce. 

• Society of the Irish Motor Industry

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