new painter here need some advice
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Well some history about me I’m 25 and been in the auto field since I was 18 but as a mechanic just recently 4 months I started at a mom and pop auto body shop my first project was a 73 gmc rv with 5 repaint jobs of enamel on it vinyl graphics on it I had to sand it with a 6 inch finishing DA sander guide coat it then hand sand the whole thing and that’s it took me a couple of weeks and long days but after that my boss handed me a paint gun and told me spray so my first time using a gun I was spraying a whole car single stage white I only had 2 runs then from then I just started painting everyday until I quit cause I wasn’t being paid anymore and have a family to support. But anyways can anybody give any advice how to get into another shop wat should I tell them I’ve been only painting for a couple of months I know filler work primer prep etc and I have my own paint gun but no schoolin for auto body under my belt
I’d suggest you get in as a prepper. In my shop preppers take rough bodywork and get it ready for paint. Block, prime, putty, tapeing etc. But let them know your goal is to paint. Most shops already have a painter so you have to earn your stripes first. But always remind them you wanna paint. If you are on break watch the painter show you are ready and eager to learn. Go to all the jobber classes. Ask If you can edge out pannels for the body men. Take lots of pictures of anything you paint. And last ask others if you have questions and always look up the advice for yourself to ensure that you stay on the right path. Good luck. I think painting is the best part!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree with strawberry. A painters positioned is earned. One thing that I can say is if you care about your work and you care about doing a honest quality job, the rest will take care of itself. Another important bit is good shops run well as a team. What I mean by that, make friends avoid people who are the center of drama, they are cancerous! do a little more than the next guy. Center yourself around good people.
you will see a difference in a guy who is in the trade for a paycheck, rather than the guy who is in it for the career and passion. This trade really needs good people.
Best of luck
Strawberry has it exactly right. A shop that would hire a person with little experience to be head painter is not a place I would want to be a part of. Experience is a very good teacher. You may be able to paint great but you need to be able to handle any and all problems that come along.That’s where a seasoned professional really shines (so to speek). So yes you need to have a passion to paint but start out under a painter with lots of experience and respect that person, be open minded,willing to listen and learn, and stay on this site. Best of luck!
Thank you everybody for the advice and I think I’m just guna paint on my own made 1600 this week for just two cars talk to some ppl said I’d paint there car for 800 bucks so I bought ss from my local supplier fix some minor dings removed trim headlights etc and shot the cars in my old boss paint booth gave him 200 bucks for letting me use his booth then I prepped a 2012 Mazda 6 for him so next time I get to use his booth for free ain’t a bad deal I guess and I did tell the ppl that is gonna be shot in ss and etc and they understood.
Well that is a good idea and definately handy to have access to a booth.I would still urge you to get into another shop just to get some experience in the day to day operations of a good shop,the experience would help you immensely.Keep doing your stuff on the side as well.
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