Vehicle spray painter
Apply the right colours and finish to cars and other vehicles to remove scratches and cover repairs.
Also known as: paint technician, paint sprayer
About the job
What it's like
You would apply the right colour and finish to cars and other vehicles to cover repairs or remove scratches and minor damage.
You’d make sure that the newly-painted areas match the rest of the car so people cannot see the difference.
You would:
Set up the spray equipment
Mix paint by eye or using computer technology to ensure the best colour match
Clean and prepare the surfaces to be painted
Mask areas that are not going to be painted
Apply coats of primer
Apply the main paint, followed by the finish
Check finished jobs as part of quality control
Clean and maintain spray equipment
Treat vehicles with rust-proofing chemicals.
You’d use specialist equipment like a manual spray gun or automated equipment. You’d need to follow strict safety procedures for using hazardous materials, and be careful not to contaminate the work area.
The type of vehicles you'd work on could include light vehicles like cars, vans and motorcycles or heavy vehicles like lorries, trucks, buses and coaches.
You'd need to maintain the quality of your work under pressure.
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Engineering and manufacturing
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- spray painting
- painting
- paint sprayers
- refinishing
- polishing
- proofreading
- rust removal
- paint matching
- showrooms
- metal coating
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- implementing ideas
- attention to detail
- observation
- resourceful
- listening
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Art and Design (Design)
Practical Craft Skills
Practical Metalwork
Skills for Work: Automotive Skills
Many people enter through a Modern Apprenticeship.
You do not need formal qualifications to enter this job but many employers look for a good general education (SCQF level 4-5) to enter an Modern Apprenticeship.
You may have to pass an aptitude and/or colour visions test when applying to enter Modern Apprenticeship jobs.
There may be a medical test as any breathing problems you may have could be affected by paint fumes.
Once in a Modern Apprenticeship you will work towards relevant qualifications such as the Scottish Vocational Qualification in Automotive, Vehicle Paintwork Repair ( SVQ Level 2/3).
Qualifications that show physical fitness/strength and practical skills such as Skills for Work Automotive Skills (SCQF level 4).
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