What You'll Do

  • Observe machine gauges and equipment operation to detect defects or deviations from standards, and make adjustments as necessary.
  • Determine paint flow, viscosity, and coating quality by performing visual inspections, or by using viscometers.
  • Weigh or measure chemicals, coatings, or paints before adding them to machines.
  • Turn dials, handwheels, valves, or switches to regulate conveyor speeds, machine temperature, air pressure and circulation, and the flow or spray of coatings or paints.
  • Start and stop operation of machines, using levers or buttons.
  • Record operational data on specified forms.
  • Operate auxiliary machines or equipment used in coating or painting processes.
  • Fill hoppers, reservoirs, troughs, or pans with material used to coat, paint, or spray, using conveyors or pails.
  • Thread or feed items or products through or around machine rollers and dryers.
  • Attach hoses or nozzles to machines, using wrenches and pliers, and make adjustments to obtain the proper dispersion of spray.

Essential Skills

Operations Monitoring 3.62/5
Monitoring 3.12/5
Operation and Control 3.12/5
Quality Control Analysis 3.12/5
Equipment Maintenance 3.0/5
Repairing 3.0/5
Coordination 2.88/5
Complex Problem Solving 2.88/5
Equipment Selection 2.88/5
Troubleshooting 2.88/5
Time Management 2.88/5
Critical Thinking 2.75/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Artist: Creating original work and expressing ideas feels natural.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Dependability, Self-Control, Adaptability/Flexibility, Persistence

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Near Vision 3.88/5
Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.75/5
Control Precision 3.75/5
Visual Color Discrimination 3.75/5
Manual Dexterity 3.62/5
Finger Dexterity 3.25/5
Far Vision 3.25/5
Flexibility of Closure 3.12/5

Technologies & Tools

Inventory control software Inventory management systems Maintenance management software Materials requirement planning MRP software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Word Robotic painting software Scheduling software Time recording software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.35/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.29/5)
  • Self-Control (High importance: 4.0/5)
  • Adaptability/Flexibility (High importance: 3.97/5)
  • Persistence (High importance: 3.97/5)

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How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Abrasive Coating Machine Operator Abrasive Coating Machine Setup Operator Air Drier Air Drier Machine Operator Aircraft Painter Auto Body Painter (Automotive Body Painter) Auto Painter (Automobile Painter) Auto Refinisher (Automobile Refinisher) Auto Striper (Automotive Striper) Automatic Paint Sprayer Operator Automobile Body Painter Automotive Paint Prepper (Auto Paint Prepper) Automotive Paint Technician (Auto Paint Tech) Automotive Painter (Auto Painter) Automotive Refinish Technician (Auto Refinish Tech) Automotive Spray Painter (Auto Spray Painter) Black Off Worker Blackener Blacker Boat Painter Body Painter Bonderite Operator Bonderizer Bonderizer Operator Brake Linings Coater Bronzer Browner Buckle Strap Drum Operator Calender Operator Car Finish Man Car Painter Carbon Coating Machine Operator Carbon Paper Coating Machine Setter Cast Iron Dipper Cathode Maker Coater Coater Operator Coating Machine Operator Coating Operator Colorman Dagger Depositing Machine Operator Dip Filler Dip Painter Dipper Dipper Operator Disintegrator Dixonac Operator Dope Sprayer Dopeman Doper Drier Operator Drum Sprayer Duco Polisher Electrostatic Paint Operator Electrostatic Powder Coating Technician Embossing Unit Operator Emulsion Coater Enamel Dipper Enamel Machine Operator Enameler Enrobing Machine Operator Finish Painter Finisher Operator First Calender Worker Foam Machine Operator Four Roll Calender Operator Foxing Painter Furniture Dipper Furniture Painter Furniture Sprayer Getter Filler Getter Operator Gettering Operator Glazing Machine Operator Glue Size Machine Operator Hand Sprayer Hardboard Coating Machine Operator Hot Dipper Icer Machine Operator Impregnating Tank Operator Impregnation Operator Impregnator Industrial Painter Industrial Spray Painter Insulation Board Calender Operator Lacquer Spray Booth Operator Laminating Press Operator Latexer Machine Heel Sprayer Machine Icer Machine Operator Machine Sprayer Marbleizer Mastic Sprayer Mechanical Striper Mobile Paint Specialist Ornamental Machine Operator Paint Dipper Paint Line Operator Paint Operator Paint Preparation Technician (Paint Prep Tech) Paint Prepper Paint Specialist Paint Spray Tender Paint Technician (Paint Tech) Painter Painting Machine Operator Paper Coater Paper Coating Machine Operator Paraffin Machine Operator Paraffiner Pill Coater Powder Coater Prefinish Operator Pressure Washer Primer Waterproofing Machine Adjuster Printed Circuit Boards Coating Equipment Operator (PCB Coating Equipment Operator) Production Finisher Production Painter Railroad Car Letterer Railroad Car Painter Recoating Machine Operator Redipper Reed Dipper Refinish Technician Ribbon Inker Roofing Machine Operator Rust Proofer Sandblaster Sandblaster Paint Sprayer Sanding Machine Operator Saturator Tender Screen Tender Sensitizer Shipyard Painter Shot Coat Tender Silk Screen Operator Silvering Applicator Sizing Machine Operator Smoking Pipe Coater Spray Foam Applicator Spray Machine Operator Spray Painter Spray Painting Machine Operator Spray Technician (Spray Tech) Spraying Machine Operator Spreading Machine Operator Stain Applicator Staining Machine Operator Supercalender Operator Tablet Coater Tactical Vehicle Painter Tape Coater Tarring Machine Operator Tinner Tip Bander Top Coater Touch Up Painter Transportation Equipment Painter Tumbling Barrel Painter Varnisher Varnishing Machine Operator Varnishing Unit Tool Setter Vehicle Painter Wad Impregnator Waterproofing Technician (Waterproofing Tech) Wax Machine Operator Waxing Machine Operator Whiting Machine Operator Wire Coater Wire Coating Machine Operator