Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

Personal tools

Navigation

You are here: Home › Careers › Australian Careers › Careers Descriptions › Automotive Engineering Careers › Automotive Refinisher

Automotive Refinisher

Automotive refinishers repaint vehicles after panelbeating repairs to protect them from rust or to make them look more attractive.

 

Tasks & duties

Refinisher.jpg

Automotive refinishers may do some or all of the following:

  • discuss vehicle painting options with customers or managers
  • remove wax, grease and dust from vehicles before painting
  • cover the parts of the vehicle that are not to be painted
  • apply primer over repairs
  • find the right colour to apply to the vehicle body
  • mix the paint to make the right colour
  • sand the vehicle during the painting process
  • apply the paint
  • apply blending thinners to any dry edges
  • set the oven to dry the paint
  • buff and polish the finished paintwork
  • ensure hazardous waste is disposed of appropriately
  • paint plastic bumpers

 

Skills & knowledge

Refinisher2.jpg

Automotive refinishers need to have:

  • knowledge of how to prepare a vehicle for painting
  • knowledge of vehicle painting techniques
  • knowledge of paint types and colours
  • knowledge of effective use of colours and texture
  • colour-matching and spray-painting skills
  • good communication and listening skills
  • skill in making calculations

 

Entry requirements

To become an automotive refinisher you need to complete an apprenticeship. 

 

Secondary education

Many employers prefer apprentice automotive refinishers to have three years of secondary education. Useful subjects include English and maths.

Tertiary education

It is an advantage to have completed aCertificate II in Automotive Body Repair Technology before beginning an apprenticeship. This qualification is part of the Automotive Industry Retail, Service and Repair Training Package. It reflects the role of individuals who perform a range of tasks on vehicle bodies in the automotive retail, service and repair industry.

 

Training on the job

Automotive refinishers can attend courses on new products and how to use them.

 

Useful experience

Useful experience includes working in an automotive workshop or in panelbeating. Work as a signwriter or industrial spray-painter may also be useful.

 

Related courses

Automotive Engineering
Automotive Vehicle Refinishing
Panel Beating

 

For more information, please refer to myfuture.

Document Actions