Manufacturing Painters use spray guns, brushes, airbrushes, and other painting equipment to apply paint, lacquer, varnish, and other finishes to machines and other manufactured products.

JOB DUTIES

Manufacturing Painters may:

Clean items before painting them

Apply masking tape and paper to keep different colors from overlapping

Use arithmetic to figure the size of areas to be painted and the amount of paint to be mixed

Mix paint

Use viscosity meters to make sure the paint is the right consistency

Adjust spray gun nozzles and other controls so the paint will be applied evenly

Clean and maintain spray guns and other equipment

Tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Manufacturing Painters may specialize in these areas:

741.684-018 AIRBRUSH PAINTERS use airbrushes to coat, decorate, glaze, retouch, or tint articles such as fishing lures, toys, pottery, and household appliances.

599.682-010 ELECTROSTATIC PAINTERS spray negatively charged paint particles on positively charged parts using electrostatic painting equipment. They may apply paint or rust preventative to parts.

599.685-074 PAINTING-MACHINE OPERATORS operate machines equipped with compressed air spray nozzles that coat products with oil, paint, lacquer, varnish, or rust proofing agents.

741.684-026 SPRAY PAINTERS use spray guns to spray surfaces of machines, manufactured products, or working areas with paint, lacquer, varnish, or other finishes. On automated production lines, spray painters are responsible for painting parts of items that the automated machinery may miss.

742.684-014 STAINERS use brushes, pads, or spray guns to stain parts of furniture, mirrors, or picture frames.

749.684-038 TOUCH-UP PAINTERS brush or spray paint to cover scratches, chips, or repairs in the painted finish of items such as appliances and automobile bodies.

741.687-018 ROUGH PAINTERS spray materials such as waterproofing, adhesive, foam, or paint onto surfaces of articles where a coating is required without the need for a finished appearance.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

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WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Manufacturing Painters usually work on assembly lines with other manufacturing workers. The work is repetitive, and they may have to stand for long periods. They may be exposed to fumes from paint and paint-mixing ingredients and to factory noise. The job may be strenuous and may require the lifting of objects. When painting large objects, Manufacturing Painters sometimes work in awkward or cramped positions.

Manufacturing Painters work a 5-day, 40-hour week. Depending on the employer and industry, they may be required to work day, evening or night shifts. Overtime and weekend work may be necessary depending on production schedules.

Safety equipment such as protective clothing and masks that cover the nose and mouth is usually supplied by the employer.

Manufacturing Painters belong to unions, such as The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW); The United Furniture Workers of America; and The United Steelworkers of America. Manufacturing Painters who belong to unions must pay periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Doing routine work

• Working with machines and equipment

• Using special processes or methods

You Should Be Able To:

• Repeat activities or tasks of short duration

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Compare differences in the size, shape, and shading of objects

• Work easily and skillfully with your hands

• Rate information by using personal judgment

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

You are asked to paint an object that is 4'x 7'. How do you determine how much paint you will need to order?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Ingredients and chemicals used in paints and solutions.

"This coating complies with Federal VOC/VOS requirements and is free of lead, mercury, and formaldehyde."

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You are asked to start a paint job but you do not have all of the proper equipment. Prepare a written order explaining the supplies and equipment you will need.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You will need to make decisions about the consistency of the paint you are using, deciding whether the paint is the correct consistency for the product you are painting, the environment and the temperature.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OP PORT UNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent or a High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0200 ART , 0300 AUTO MOTIVE , 0500 BUILDING TRADES , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMM UNICATIONS , 2200 MATH , 2300 METALS , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

029 MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Approved vocational education programs in Manufacturing Technology prepare students for one or more occupations in manufacturing. The cluster of courses provides for occupational competence that can be applied to many job titles in manufacturing. Courses in other trade and industrial programs may be required for completion of this program.

042 AUTOMOTIVE BODY REPAIR

Approved vocational education programs in Automotive Body Repair prepare students to repair or replace fenders and other body parts of automobiles. Instruction includes body preparation for painting and finishing.

Courses in other trade and industrial programs may be required for completion of this program.

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration Script.

***MILITARY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Military Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

E-Learning Courses and Programs    

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Summer and part-time jobs with manufacturing firms provide experience. Secondary vocational education programs in auto body repair, manufacturing technology, or transportation services and technology may provide experience also.

            School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Manufacturing Painter employer

internships

volunteer work with a Manufacturing Painter employer

community service work with an agency

Most Manufacturing Painters enter this occupation through direct application to employers. Assistance may be obtained from school placement offices, local unions, and local offices of Michigan Works!. In addition, newspaper want ads may list openings in this occupation.  In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Manufacturing Painters depend on the employer, extent of unionization, and type of industry. Manufacturing Painters might be paid an hourly or piecework rate. Those employed by large companies usually earn higher wages than those working for small firms.

Nationally, the median weekly wages of all manufacturing production workers (including manufacturing painters) were $680 or $17.00 per hour in late 2005. The median weekly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $651 or about $16.27 per hour in 2005.

In Michigan (2005), Manufacturing Painters employed by companies in Grand Rapids and doing routine production painting earned an average hourly wage of $15.93. Most earned between $13.10 and $16.02 per hour.

Manufacturing Painters employed by automobile manufacturers in Michigan earned from $18.88 to $25.88 hourly in late 2005. These workers also receive a cost-of-living allowance. Utility relief Painters might earn up to 10 cents per hour more than the wages of the workers they relieve.

Most Manufacturing Painters receive life, accident, disability, and health insurance; pensions; and paid vacations and holidays. Auto manufacturers also provide dental and optical plans. In some cases, employers and employees may contribute jointly to a union-sponsored trust fund that is used to pay for certain benefits specified by union contracts.

Newly hired Manufacturing Painters usually start out loading and unloading items from conveyor lines. Once familiar with production processes, they learn to paint by helping experienced Painters. Promotions represent more complex skills, equipment, and processes. Because of limited opportunities at the top, only a few Painters advance to supervisory positions.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, about 129,000 production Painters were employed in 2004. Employment of Manufacturing Painters is expected to decline through the year 2014.  The decline can mostly be attributed to changes in the industry due to technological advances in robotics.  (View video, click here.)

Modest growth is expected in the domestic automotive, furniture, and household appliance industries. However, all of these industries are being adversely affected by foreign competition. At the same time, many firms are using robotic sprayers to apply paint to their products. Together, these factors will continue to reduce the total number of Manufacturing Painters. Some openings are also expected each year as workers retire, die, or transfer to other lines of work.

There are about 1,825 Manufacturing Painters employed in Michigan . Most worked for firms that made automobiles, machinery, furniture and other wood products, home appliances, and manufactured metal products.

The overall employment of Manufacturing Painters in Michigan is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2012. Although a decline in growth is expected in the employment of vehicle painters, modest employment growth is expected among machine operators and tenders.  An average of 90 openings is expected annually, with 40 due to growth and 50 due to replacement of workers who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers transfer to other jobs or occupations. The use of more industrial robots (machines programmed to perform several functions) in spray painting and automatic painting processes and other labor-saving innovations will reduce the need for Painters.

The employment of Manufacturing Painters is also very sensitive to changes in the economy. An example of this change can be found in the automotive industry. The automotive industry is constantly changing with the closing of automotive plants due to downsizing and layoffs from the industry opting for cheaper labor overseas and Mexico . As a result, the need for positions such as manufacturing painters will be in less demand.

MICHIGAN 'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2012

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SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFO RMATION

Printed occupational information is available upon written request from sources below:

Copyright © 2006 Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth