Painters, Transportation Equipment

Career Description: Operate or tend painting machines to paint surfaces of transportation equipment, such as automobiles, buses, trucks, trains, boats, and airplanes.

Industry: Production

Other Job Titles for Painters, Transportation Equipment:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Dispose of hazardous waste in an appropriate manner.
• Select paint according to company requirements, and match colors of paint following specified color charts.
• Mix paints to match color specifications or vehicles' original colors, then stir and thin the paints, using spatulas or power mixing equipment.
• Remove grease, dirt, paint, and rust from vehicle surfaces in preparation for paint application, using abrasives, solvents, brushes, blowtorches, washing tanks, or sandblasters.
• Pour paint into spray guns, and adjust nozzles and paint mixes in order to get the proper paint flow and coating thickness.
• Monitor painting operations in order to identify flaws such as blisters and streaks so that their causes can be corrected.
• Sand vehicle surfaces between coats of paint and/or primer in order to remove flaws and enhance adhesion for subsequent coats.
• Disassemble, clean, and reassemble sprayers and power equipment, using solvents, wire brushes, and cloths for cleaning duties.
• Spray prepared surfaces with specified amounts of primers and decorative or finish coatings.
• Remove accessories from vehicles, such as chrome or mirrors, and mask other surfaces with tape or paper in order to protect them from paint.
• Allow the sprayed product to dry, and then touch up any spots that may have been missed.
• Apply rust-resistant undercoats, and caulk and seal seams.
• Select the correct spray gun system for the material being applied.
• Apply primer over any repairs made to vehicle surfaces.
• Adjust controls on infrared ovens, heat lamps, portable ventilators, and exhaust units in order to speed the drying of vehicles between coats.
• Fill small dents and scratches with body fillers, and smooth surfaces in order to prepare vehicles for painting.
• Apply designs, lettering, or other identifying or decorative items to finished products, using paint brushes or paint sprayers.
• Paint by hand areas that cannot be reached with a spray gun, or those that need retouching, using brushes.
• Sand the final finish, and apply sealer once a vehicle has dried properly.
• Buff and wax the finished paintwork.
• Lay out logos, symbols, or designs on painted surfaces, according to blueprint specifications, using measuring instruments, stencils, and patterns.
• Set up portable equipment such as ventilators, exhaust units, ladders, and scaffolding.
• Verify paint consistency, using a viscosity meter.
• Operate lifting and moving devices in order to move equipment or materials so that areas to be painted are accessible.
• Perform maintenance work such as cleaning and oiling machines.
• Repair or replace damaged molds, pipes, belts, chains, or other equipment, using hand tools, hand-powered presses, or jib cranes.
• Maintain inventories of materials.
• Select coolants and lubricants, and start their flow.
• Assemble shell halves, patterns, and foundry flasks, and reinforce core boxes, using glue, clamps, wire, bolts, rams, or machines.
• Pull level and toggle latches to fill molds, to regulate tension on sheeting, and to release mold covers.
• Select and install blades, tools, or other attachments for each operation.
• Shape molds to specified contours, using sand, and trowels and related tools.
• Clamp metal and plywood strips around dies or patterns to form molds.
• Build sand molds in flasks, following patterns and heat flasks to dry and harden molds, using furnaces or torches.
• Rotate molds in order to distribute molten material and prevent formation of air pockets.
• Remove molds from cast articles, clean them, and apply shellac and powder to preserve them for reuse.
• Immerse gemstones in chemical solutions to determine specific gravity and other key properties necessary for identification and appraisal.
• Burn grooves or crevices in molds in order to correct defects, using soldering guns.
• Press models into clay, and build up clay around exposed parts of models to retain plaster.
• Chase decorative designs on silver blanks that are to be used as models for steel production dies.

Emerging Tasks

• Clean equipment and work areas.
• Keep official logs by documenting all events and activities for each shift.
• Prepare and implement clearance orders, ensuring system is properly tagged for maintenance safety.
• Provide training to new operators.
• Perform minor repairs and maintenance of presses and printers, including lubricating moving parts.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• 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.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• apply adhesives, caulking, sealants, or coatings
• apply cleaning solvents
• clean equipment or machinery
• control operation of compressors
• distinguish colors
• mask vehicle body in preparation for painting
• mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
• operate mix or blending machine
• operate sandblasting equipment
• prime or paint vehicle or transportation equipment surfaces
• read blueprints
• read technical drawings
• read vehicle manufacturer's specifications
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• understand service or repair manuals
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use auto or vehicular body repair equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use lifting equipment in vehicle repair setting
• use pneumatic tools
• use precision measuring devices in mechanical repair work
• use spray paint equipment
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• set up production equipment or machinery
• solder metal parts or components together
• test manufactured products or materials
• understand machine setup instructions
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use soldering equipment
• use spray paint equipment
• use hand or power woodworking tools
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use spray application production equipment
• use non-destructive test equipment
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use robotics systems technology
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• use x-ray or magnetic inspection techniques
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures
• read specifications
• read technical drawings
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• recognize characteristics of alloys
• recognize characteristics of metals
• recognize characteristics of pulps
• recognize wood species characteristics
• record test results, test procedures, or inspection data
• sort manufacturing materials or products
• test manufactured products or materials
• understand engineering data or reports
• understand measuring devices
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use hazardous materials information
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use knowledge of metric system
• use long or short term production planning techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use quality assurance techniques
• use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce
• use spreadsheet software
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• use x-ray or magnetic inspection techniques

Overall Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a teller might benefit from experience working directly with the public, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be a teller with little difficulty.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.

Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Examples
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, pharmacy technicians, salespersons (retail), and tellers.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$17.31
• Average annual wage (2007) - $36,000.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 8.40%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 4,562
• Employment (2006): 54,322

• Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
• Log Graders and Scalers
• Nursery Workers
• Solderers and Brazers
• Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Sewing Machine Operators
• Printing Machine Operators