“Automotive Refinishing Technician” is this trade’s official Red Seal occupational title approved by the CCDA. Prior to October 2018, the trade name was Automotive Painter. This standard covers tasks performed by automotive refinishing technicians whose occupational title may vary across provinces and territories of Canada. For official provincial or territorial names, please refer to the Ellis Chart.
Automotive refinishing technicians work on the surfaces of motor vehicles, primarily in restoring vehicle finishes once body work has been completed. Some of the duties that an automotive refinishing technician completes include: removing layers of old coatings; matching colours and mixing paints; preparing surfaces for painting by spot filling, sanding, and masking; applying primers, primer surfacers, sealers, base coats, single-stage and clear coats; cleaning and polishing painted surfaces; and applying protective coatings.
Automotive refinishing technicians use hand and power tools and automotive refinishing equipment in their work. Computers and related software are used for computerized paint colour reading, generating paint formulas and tinting recommendations, and documentation.
Journeypersons in this trade usually work indoors and can expect a work environment that includes paint fumes, dust and noise. Health and safety are important issues for automotive refinishing technicians, as they are exposed to chemical hazards such as paints and solvents, and physical hazards such as shop equipment, power tools and lifting equipment. Automotive refinishing technicians are exposed to repetitive movements, bending, lifting and reaching on a daily basis. Ongoing safety training and a good knowledge of government safety standards and regulations are important in providing a safer working environment as well as addressing environmental concerns.
Many automotive refinishing technicians work in close contact with auto body and collision technicians who tend to work in multi-shop companies, independent or dealership auto body and collision shops. Automotive painting duties may overlap with auto body and collision technicians’ duties, particularly in small shops. In larger places of employment, automotive refinishing technicians likely work as specialists, after body repairs have been completed. They may also work with estimators, partspersons, detailers, preppers, glass installers and production managers. While they may work as part of the repair team, automotive refinishing technicians tend to work independently. They may work in the automotive, truck and transport, commercial transport, heavy equipment, motorcycle, specialty vehicle, aviation and aerospace sectors.
Key attributes for people entering this trade include: mechanical aptitude; manual dexterity; good colour vision; the ability to do precise work that requires attention to detail; and, problem solving and multitasking skills. Good physical condition and agility are important because the work often requires considerable standing, bending, crouching, kneeling and reaching.
Being an automotive refinishing technician is very rewarding. With experience, journeypersons have a number of career options, including supervisory or teaching/training in the field, insurance appraiser, estimator and manufacturers’ representative.
For more information, see Red Seal Trades – Automotive Refinishing Technician
