Automotive Painter Career Guide and Counseling

Question: Can an automotive painter with 10 years experience earn a good living in Australia? I'm an automotive paint technician with over 10 years experience as well as body repair skills from the US and I would like to move to Australia. My question is what kind of salary could I expect to make there? Here in the US I can earn between $40,000 and $65,000 a year. I have a wife and young daughter so I need to make sure I would be able to support our family on the average pay there. Thank you!

Answer: Hi, I don't think you can make it there w/ the same earnings. I've have a relative working there, with same job as you are, whose salary is approximately from $1,500 to $2,000/month.

Question: who here is a automotive spray painter? anyone know of any jobs going in geelong? im looking for a aprenticship.

Answer: Look in the phone book for a shop you would like to work at, and show up on Monday morning ready to work, and you will be surprised how many call in sick on Monday and the boss might hire you o the spot.

Question: Apprentership in automotive painting or automotive panel beating? Hello everyone I am looking at becoming a automotive painter or panel beater, But im not sure witch one would be better to look into and sites with info on eaither would be great :) witch one would be better in the longrun? thank you so much yes im looking for working i a local shop but i dont no witch trade to get into

Answer: I attended Nashville Auto Diesel College in Nashville, Tenn. several years ago & they have a really good program. The people there could probably help answer your questions & give good advice on the market.

Question: Job as I automotive painter? What do you have to do to become that, my boyfriend wants to do that

Answer: go to a spray shop and see if he can gain some experience.

Question: Best lotion for people in automotive customization/ painters? My friend has really dry, chapped, flaky skin from use over time of chemicals from paints and things while working with cars. Can anyone recommend a good lotion to help repair the skin on his hand?

Answer: My father is a custom fabricator and painter, I use to be in the industry. We use corn huskers lotion, then Vaseline for men. This seems to work well for us!

Question: Calling automotive painters??? Need to know about lead in paint.? How much lead is dangerous???????? My husband and i have been working on a 1972 Valient Charger. We have been taking it back to bare metal and have been warned that there is lead in the paint. We have been wearing a dust mask, but there were a few occasions we ran out. No protective body suits as this is a home garage d.i.y. restoration, funny thing is i know plenty of people who have done this themselfs and not so much wear a dust mask and never had a prob. Now i know painters get a thing called painters colic wich is lead poisening, so obviously it happens often in that trade of work but , my husband has been feeling light headed and weird could he have lead poisening and is there a cause for concern? How much is deadly? And how do u treat it?

Answer: Your chances of lead poising are slip you have to eat a whole bucket of lead paint to get poisned now little kids are different they dont need much of an exposure to be affected but working in a garage the last 5 years or so i havent had any trouble and i dont wear a mask but each person is different what i can suggest is that if you are worried please go seek some medical advice they can tell you more than any of us on here can

Question: How do I find a job as an automotive painters helper in nashville? I am a recent graduate of NADC in the collision repair and refinishing course, my main point of intrest is the painting and custom painting feild, I already own an Iwwata eclipse cs airbrush and I am airbrushing as a hobby-practice in my free time. I have not purchased my cup guns yet but will as soon as I find employment. Since my graduation on May 9th I have been trying to find a job as a painters helper in either a body shop or a custom shop, and Im realizing quickly that past graduates of my school have made a bad name for the rest of us who truely are interested in making a career out of refinishing in the Nashville area. I am the first one to admit that after obtaining my degree there is still much I can and want to learn, in other words Im not like the people who gave us a bad name. I want to work my way up to being regarded as one of the greats like Craig Frasier or John Kosmoski. How do I find a painters helper job in nashville with an NADC degree?

Answer: body shops

Question: anyone work as a spray painter? i might be getting a job in automotive spray painting.at a smash repairs shop.just wondering what its like the good and the bad points about it.some info would be appreciated.

Answer: Some bad points: Dealing with toxic chemicals [I have cancer],demanding deadlines ,unreasonable expectations from customers,spoiled results from contamination,hard and dirty work. Some good points:It's gratifying to work with your hands and see the results,with experience the pay can be exceptional,a good painter has job security.the exercise keeps you strong and trim,you can do work on the side for cash. Good luck to you,I've been in auto body for 40 years and never regretted it.

Question: Can you paint a driver? I want to get my driver painted with a custom design. Can an automotive painter do this?

Answer: Driver as in Golf Club? Sure, I suppose an automotive body painter could do it. If it's an intricate design on that small an area, you'll probaby need somebody who airbrushes, and pinstipes....etc. Could get expensive pretty quick.

Question: Airbrush painter looking for a job.? Im a airbrush artist trying to look for a job in custom automotive painting. Im trying to find a internship or aprenticeship so that I can learn while on the job. Dont have enough money for school,(25,000$) and would have to relocate. Having trouble even finding local shops. Do you know of any websites that help you find this type of work, or offer any training? Any ideas on how to find this type of work would be helpful.Thanks.

Answer: Hey Ken, I feel your pain. First, however, you need a portfolio before you can really start hitting shops in search of work. Do check out that auto air site listed by the other answerer. It's a waterbased automotive paint (still needs to be urethaned to be durable) and on the site are classes that travel around the country. I recommend the hands on one day class...you'll be working with top airbrush artists, and it'll help you network as well, not to mention boost your confidence. The day class runs 150 bucks. Also check out AirbrushAction's classes, it's 3 1/2 days, intense, and teachers like Dru Blair, John Harris, and Blake McCully. It;s more expensive, 500!! but working with these guys is great. The A/Action class is in different locations, Las Vegas, Charlotte, NC, and sometimes Atlantic City. Once you have a portfolio that you think rocks (15 strong pieces) you can start soliciting work via body shops, custom houses, etc.