Spray Painter – Engineering / Automotive Manufacturing

SUMMARY:
Spray Painter – Engineering / Automotive Manufacturing

Location: Gauteng
Industry: Automotive / Engineering / Manufacturing
Employment Type: Permanent
Department: Production / Manufacturing
Reporting To: Production Manager / Workshop Manager
Position Overview
An established engineering and manufacturing company specialising in automotive, chassis, powertrain and related engineered products is seeking an experienced Spray Painter to join its production team.
The successful candidate will be responsible for the preparation, priming, spray painting and finishing of manufactured components, assemblies and fabricated parts to the required quality and production standards.
The position requires an individual with proven experience working in an industrial, engineering, automotive, truck, trailer, body-building or manufacturing environment, with excellent knowledge of surface preparation, paint mixing, spray-painting techniques and final finishing.

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities Surface Preparation Prepare metal components, fabricated parts and assemblies prior to painting. Clean, degrease and remove contaminants from surfaces. Sand, grind and prepare surfaces to achieve the required finish. Remove rust, scale, old coatings and imperfections where required. Apply body filler and perform minor surface repairs when necessary. Mask components and areas that must not be painted. Ensure surfaces are properly prepared before primer or paint application. Spray Painting Apply primers, base coats, topcoats and protective coatings using appropriate spray-painting equipment. Mix paints, primers, hardeners, thinners and other coatings according to manufacturers' specifications. Select the correct paint mixture, colour and coating system for each job. Operate spray guns and related painting equipment safely and effectively. Achieve consistent paint coverage, colour matching and required coating thickness. Apply paint to fabricated steel components, automotive components, chassis-related components, brackets, panels, housings and other manufactured products. Ensure painted components meet required visual and technical specifications. Finishing & Quality Control Inspect painted surfaces for defects such as: Runs and sags Orange peel Dust contamination Uneven coverage Colour variations Pinholes Poor adhesion Overspray Rectify paint defects and perform touch-ups where required. Polish, buff or finish painted components where applicable. Ensure completed work complies with company quality requirements before release to the next production stage. Maintain a consistently high standard of workmanship. Equipment & Paint Shop Responsibilities Operate and maintain spray guns, pressure pots and associated equipment. Clean spray-painting equipment after use. Maintain spray booths and painting areas in a clean and organised condition. Monitor spray gun settings, air pressure and paint flow. Report faulty equipment to the relevant supervisor. Ensure paint products and consumables are stored correctly. Minimise paint wastage and unnecessary material usage. Health, Safety & Environmental Compliance Adhere to all company Occupational Health and Safety requirements. Use appropriate PPE, including respiratory protection, gloves, safety footwear and protective clothing. Follow correct procedures when handling paints, solvents, thinners and other chemicals. Maintain adequate ventilation when working with coatings and solvents. Follow fire-prevention procedures applicable to spray-painting operations. Dispose of paint waste, chemicals and contaminated materials according to company and environmental requirements. Maintain excellent housekeeping within the paint shop and production areas. Minimum Requirements Applicants should meet the following requirements: Grade 10 / Grade 12 or equivalent qualification. Relevant Spray Painting / Automotive Spray Painting qualification or trade-related training will be advantageous. Minimum 3 years' practical spray-painting experience within an automotive, truck, trailer, engineering, manufacturing, body-building or metal fabrication environment. Proven industrial spray-painting experience is essential. Experience painting steel and fabricated metal components. Sound knowledge of surface preparation techniques. Experience applying primers and industrial paint coatings. Good knowledge of paint mixing ratios, hardeners and thinners. Ability to use professional spray guns and related equipment. Ability to identify and correct common spray-painting defects. Ability to work from production instructions and quality specifications. Good understanding of workshop and paint-shop safety procedures. Preferred Experience Preference may be given to applicants with experience in one or more of the following environments: Automotive manufacturing Commercial vehicles Trucks and trailers Vehicle body building Chassis manufacturing Engineering fabrication Steel fabrication Component manufacturing Heavy engineering Industrial equipment manufacturing Experience with 2K automotive or industrial paint systems, epoxy primers, polyurethane coatings and corrosion-protection coatings will be advantageous. Skills & Competencies The successful applicant should demonstrate: Excellent attention to detail. High standards of workmanship. Good colour perception. Strong understanding of surface preparation. Ability to produce consistent high-quality finishes. Ability to work accurately under production deadlines. Good hand-eye coordination. Ability to work independently and as part of a production team. Strong safety awareness. Good housekeeping and organisational skills. Reliability and punctuality. Ability to follow instructions and production procedures. Physical Requirements The position requires the ability to: Stand for extended periods. Work in a manufacturing and workshop environment. Bend, reach and work around large manufactured components. Wear respiratory and other required protective equipment. Safely handle spray-painting equipment and materials. Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate will be a hands-on industrial Spray Painter who takes pride in producing a professional, durable and visually consistent finish. Candidates with experience specifically within automotive, truck, chassis, trailer, engineering or manufacturing environments will be strongly preferred.