Machine Setters & Operators: Coating, Painting, Spraying

Also called: Abrasive Coating Machine Operator, Abrasive Coating Machine Set-up Operator, Air Drier, Air Drier Machine Operator, Aircraft Painter

Machine Setters & Operators: Coating, Painting, Spraying

Varies

estimated salary

Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders set up, operate or tend to spray or rolling machines to coat or paint any of a wide variety of products, including glassware, cloth, ceramics, metal, plastic, paper, or wood, with lacquer, silver, copper, rubber, varnish, glaze, enamel, oil, or rust-proofing materials. Includes painters of transportation vehicles such as painters in auto body repair facilities.

  • Hold or position spray guns to direct spray onto articles.
  • Fill hoppers, reservoirs, troughs, or pans with material used to coat, paint, or spray, using conveyors or pails.
  • Start and stop operation of machines, using levers or buttons.
  • Determine paint flow, viscosity, and coating quality by performing visual inspections, or by using viscometers.
  • Attach hoses or nozzles to machines, using wrenches and pliers, and make adjustments to obtain the proper dispersion of spray.
  • Turn dials, handwheels, valves, or switches to regulate conveyor speeds, machine temperature, air pressure and circulation, and the flow or spray of coatings or paints.
  • Observe machine gauges and equipment operation to detect defects or deviations from standards, and make adjustments as necessary.
  • Examine, measure, weigh, or test sample products to ensure conformance to specifications.
  • Thread or feed items or products through or around machine rollers and dryers.
  • Weigh or measure chemicals, coatings, or paints before adding them to machines.
  • Operate auxiliary machines or equipment used in coating or painting processes.
  • Remove materials, parts, or workpieces from painting or coating machines, using hand tools.
  • Record operational data on specified forms.
  • Prepare and apply stencils, computer-generated decals, or other decorative items to finished products.
  • Adjust controls on infrared ovens, heat lamps, portable ventilators, or exhaust units to speed the drying of surfaces between coats.
  • Apply primer over any repairs made to surfaces.
  • Apply rust-resistant undercoats and caulk and seal seams.
  • Buff and wax the finished paintwork.
  • Clean equipment and work areas.
  • Disassemble, clean, and reassemble sprayers or power equipment, using solvents, wire brushes, and cloths.
  • Dispose of hazardous waste in an appropriate manner.
  • Fill small dents or scratches with body fillers and smooth surfaces to prepare for painting.
  • Mix paints to match color specifications or original colors, stirring or thinning paints, using spatulas or power mixing equipment.
  • Monitor painting operations to identify flaws, such as blisters or streaks, and correct their causes.
  • Operate lifting or moving devices to move equipment or materials to access areas to be painted.
  • Remove grease, dirt, paint, or rust from surfaces in preparation for paint application, using abrasives, solvents, brushes, blowtorches, washing tanks, or sandblasters.
  • Sand and apply sealer to properly dried finish.
  • Set up portable equipment, such as ventilators, exhaust units, ladders, or scaffolding.
  • Spray prepared surfaces with specified amounts of primers and decorative or finish coatings.
  • Use brush to hand-paint areas in need of retouching or unreachable with a spray gun.
Work Context

Work Context information for this career will be available soon.

Work Activities
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
  • Inspect finishes of workpieces or finished products.
  • Measure ingredients or substances to be used in production processes.
  • Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products.
  • Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
  • Operate painting or coating equipment.
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Knowledge

Knowledge information for this career will be available soon.

Skills

Operation Monitoring
  • Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Quality Control Analysis
  • Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring
  • Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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Abilities

Near Vision
  • The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Visual Color Discrimination
  • The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
Control Precision
  • The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Arm-Hand Steadiness
  • The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Data base user interface and query software
  • Data entry software Hot Technology
Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
Electronic mail software
  • Microsoft Outlook Hot Technology
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