Paint Prep/Painter

About the Role

A Paint Helper/Prepper prepares sign components and surfaces for painting and assists painters to ensure a high-quality finish for electrical signs.

Responsibilities

• Clean and degrease sign components to ensure proper paint adhesion.
• Sand surfaces to remove imperfections, rust, or old paint.
• Fill dents and scratches with appropriate fillers and sand them smooth.
• Mask off areas that are not to be painted (e.g., electrical components, lighting fixtures).
• Apply primers and sealers as needed to prepare the surface for painting.
• Assist sign painters with the application of paint, coatings, or other finishes using brushes, rollers, or sprayers.
• Mix paints and match colors as required.
• Transport and set up equipment and materials needed for painting.
• Identify and report any issues or imperfections to the painters or supervisor.
• Clean and maintain tools, equipment (e.g., spray guns, sanders), and the work area.
• Follow safety protocols, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and handling hazardous materials appropriately.
• Dispose of waste materials in accordance with company policies.
• Work effectively as part of a team, coordinating tasks and communicating with painters and other team members.
• Assist with other duties as assigned by the supervisor or management.

Requirements

• 1 to 3+ years of industrial, automotive, or sign painting experience.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to spot imperfections.
• Experience with sanding and masking techniques.
• Knowledge of surface preparation techniques (e.g., cleaning, priming).
• Ability to follow instructions and work according to established procedures and safety guidelines.
• Physical stamina and strength to lift and move materials (up to 50 lbs.).
• Good hand-eye coordination.
• Troubleshooting skills to identify and resolve basic painting-related issues.
• Ability to operate professional spray equipment to apply evenly coated finishes on channel letters, cabinets, and pylons.
• Experience mixing paints and matching exact brand color codes or blueprints.
• Knowledge of how to use paint sprayers and read work orders or blueprints.
• Ability to stand for long shifts.
• Willingness to wear proper protective gear (PPE) and follow hazardous material safety protocols.

Skills

• Expert paint mixing to match precise corporate brand colors using advanced computer mixing systems.
• Application of high-end polyurethane, metallic, and clear-coat finishes flawlessly.
• Complex masking for multi-colored layouts, detailed vinyl masking, and intricate corporate logo paint schemes.
• Quality assurance to inspect final sign parts for runs, dust, or uneven thickness before assembly.