Engineering and manufacturing

Vehicle damage paint technician

Preparing, spraying and finishing vehicles that have been involved in collisions and other incidents.

Summary

A Vehicle Damage Paint Technician works in the vehicle body repair sector of the motor industry. The role is to prepare, spray and finish vehicles that have been involved in collisions and other incidents in an efficient manner. The vehicles can include Cars/Light Commercial Vehicles. This includes ensuring correct colour match and final finish to the company and customers exacting standards. This is usually within a collision repair workshop or smart repair workshops/mobile repair micro business and working alongside another fully qualified Paint Technician. They understand the general principles of spray painting technology, paint composition, paint mixing and the various methods of paint spraying vehicles. They prepare vehicles fully before painting to include masking, sanding and other necessary preparation work. They are also responsible for keeping all company tools and equipment safe and in a clean, workable condition paying particular attention to the reduction of any fire hazards. Their role includes repair, surface preparation and painting to the manufacturer paint specification. A technician is able to follow defined processes to restore the vehicle to a high-quality paint finish. This includes being able to demonstrate colour identification and select the correct materials such as primers, base coats and lacquers applied using spray equipment and utilising modern drying/curing techniques such as Ultra Violet (UV), Infrared and catalytic solutions used in the refinishing of vehicles. Create a safe environment working efficiently and reducing waste. They usually work as part of a team and under supervision.

Typical job titles include

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)

K1:

Expert working knowledge & understanding of Automotive refinishing materials such as paint and fillers and their application techniques to deliver quality results

K2:

Drying and curing techniques use in the finishing of vehicles

K3:

Body Paint Repair tools, equipment and devices used in the process e.g. mixing systems, spray guns and nozzles, paint

K4:

Substrates such as metal (Steel/Alloy) along with carbon fibre & glass reinforced plastic to select the correct refinish process and materials

K5:

Safe handling and risks in the management of solvents, high voltage components, conventional and alternate fuelled vehicles and other areas of significant risk

K6:

Calculation / estimation of paint volume requirements per job

K7:

Health & Safety and compliance requirements of a collision repair business, such as control of substances

K8:

Their direct commercial productivity and efficiency impact of their role within the whole repair process such as understanding causes for paint defects to reduce waste and the techniques required to prevent these e.g. paint runs. The impact of rework on resources and reputation

K9:

Quality control process and the implications of poor quality repairs

Technical Educational Products

ST0448
ST0448: Vehicle damage paint technician (Level 3) Approved for delivery
Reference:
OCC0448
Status:
Approved occupation imageApproved occupation
Average (median) salary:
£33,232 per year
SOC 2020 code:
5233 Vehicle paint technicians
  • SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
    • 5233/00 Vehicle paint technicians
    • 3541/05 Vehicle damage assessors
    • 5232/00 Vehicle body builders and repairers
S1:

Ability to undertake appropriate job preparation prior to commencing repair e.g. substrate surface preparation, paint volume calculation etc

S2:

Ability to correctly identify the substrate materials to be refinished e.g. plastic, steel, aluminium etc

S3:

Ability to interpret relevant technical data and methods to create paint manufactures specified application

S4:

Ability to use refinishing materials following paint manufacturer specifications to reinstate vehicle finish back to high quality

S5:

Ability to identify and operate the correct repair tools, equipment and devices used in the process e.g mixing systems, paint booths, UV lamps and spray equipment

Technical Educational Products

ST0448 image
ST0448: Vehicle damage paint technician (Level 3) Approved for delivery
Reference:
OCC0448
Status:
Approved occupation imageApproved occupation
Average (median) salary:
£33,232 per year
SOC 2020 code:
5233 Vehicle paint technicians
  • SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
    • 5233/00 Vehicle paint technicians
    • 3541/05 Vehicle damage assessors
    • 5232/00 Vehicle body builders and repairers
B1:

Use all the knowledge and skills developed to carry out tasks in a safe and efficient manner, complying with all business operating procedures and policies

B2:

Operate as an effective team member and take responsibility, be honest and accountable when things go wrong, tracking their own progress and informing others if deadlines are at risk

B3:

Proactively find opportunities to learn about the wider business

B4:

Commitment to customer service and meeting deadlines by being flexible with their time and willingness to take on tasks outside of their job role to ensure goals are met

B5:

Take responsibility for personal and professional development, keeping knowledge and skills up to date with emerging technology to perform the role effectively

B6:

Anticipate problems and put steps in place to avoid them, where problems do occur explore and address the cause

B7:

Effectively communicate with customers and colleagues

Technical Educational Products

ST0448 image
ST0448: Vehicle damage paint technician (Level 3) Approved for delivery
Reference:
OCC0448
Status:
Approved occupation imageApproved occupation
Average (median) salary:
£33,232 per year
SOC 2020 code:
5233 Vehicle paint technicians
  • SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
    • 5233/00 Vehicle paint technicians
    • 3541/05 Vehicle damage assessors
    • 5232/00 Vehicle body builders and repairers