| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Automobile Dealership |
| Level | Entry level |
| Reports to | Body Shop Supervisor |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | 2 to 5 years in automobile painting |
Auto Body Painter job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Auto Body Painter
Department: Automobile Dealership
Reports to: Body Shop Supervisor
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
An Auto Body Painter refinishes repaired panels so a damaged vehicle looks like new again. They prepare surfaces, match colour, spray in the booth and finish to a smooth, even shade that blends with the rest of the body. The role reports to the Body Shop Supervisor. A good auto body painter matches paint accurately, gets a clean finish without runs or dust, keeps paint and material use tight, works safely in the booth, and turns out panels that pass quality the first time so vehicles are delivered on the promised date.
Key responsibilities
- Prepare panels for painting by sanding, filling, masking and priming.
- Match the vehicle colour using the paint mixing system and shade cards.
- Spray base and clear coats in the booth to an even, smooth finish.
- Blend new paint into surrounding panels so the repair is not visible.
- Control paint, thinner and consumable use to keep material cost tight.
- Check the finish for runs, dust, orange peel and shade mismatch and correct it.
- Maintain the spray booth, guns and filters in clean working order.
- Follow safety and PPE rules for paint and chemical handling.
- Work to the promised delivery time and flag delays early.
- Keep the paint area clean and materials properly stored.
Requirements
- ITI in painting or a related trade
- Manufacturer paint training is an advantage
- Hands on spray painting experience
- 2 to 5 years in automobile painting
KRAs and KPIs for a Auto Body Painter
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Paint quality | Panels passing finish quality the first time above the agreed level |
| Colour match | Shade mismatch rework kept below the agreed level |
| Output | Panels painted per day against the agreed target |
| Material control | Paint and consumable use per panel within the agreed limit |
| Safety | Zero reportable safety incidents in the paint area |
| On time | Panels finished by the promised time above the agreed level |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Spray guns, Paint mixing system, Spray booth, Sanders, Paint thickness gauge.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Body Shop Supervisor, Senior Painter, Body Shop Manager
Interview questions for a Auto Body Painter
- How do you match a vehicle colour accurately for a repair?
- How do you blend new paint so the repair is invisible?
- How do you avoid runs, dust and orange peel in the finish?
- How do you keep paint and consumable use tight?
- How do you stay safe working with paint and chemicals in the booth?
- A panel comes out with a shade mismatch. What do you do?
Managing a Auto Body Painter in ZeniaHR
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Book a free demoSee pricingFrequently asked questions
What does an Auto Body Painter do?
An Auto Body Painter refinishes repaired vehicle panels. They prepare surfaces, match the colour, spray base and clear coats in the booth and blend the paint so the repair is invisible. They control material use, check the finish and work safely, turning out panels that pass quality on time.
What is the difference between a Denter and an Auto Body Painter?
A Denter reshapes and repairs damaged metal panels back to their original form. An Auto Body Painter then prepares and paints those panels to match the vehicle colour and finish. Denting comes first to fix the shape; painting follows to restore the look.
What qualifications does an Auto Body Painter need?
Most roles ask for an ITI in painting or a related trade with hands on spray painting experience. Manufacturer paint training and skill with the paint mixing system are strong advantages, since accurate colour matching and a clean, even finish are what set a good painter apart.