WHAT DOES AN INDUSTRIAL PAINTER DO?

Published: Sep 04, 2025 - The Industrial Painter applies protective coatings to equipment surfaces using spray equipment, compressors, and other power tools, ensuring compliance with safety and hazardous materials guidelines. This role prepares surfaces through washing, sanding, and scraping, performs color matching per specifications, and maintains paint areas and equipment. The painter also operates lifts up to 40 feet and follows production schedules while coordinating with supervisors on order details and quality issues.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Industrial Painter

1. Industrial Painter Duties

  • Paint Safety: Follow all safety protocols for paint disposal and the safe use and disposal of solvents for cleaning paint guns and components
  • Surface Preparation: Be responsible for the proper preparation of all surfaces to be sprayed, including bare metal areas and proper sanding, and feather edging of previously painted surfaces
  • Coating Process: Soap wash, apply sealer, and blow or air-dry transformers for top-quality surface preparation and adhesion of topcoat to basecoat
  • Masking Knowledge: Know what bushings and associated transformer accessories must be masked to prevent them from being painted
  • Epoxy Application: Epoxy prime bare metal surfaces to ensure proper adhesion of basecoat to metal
  • Rework Painting: Rework and repaint transformers to meet inspection standards
  • Part Painting: Paint small parts and non-standard fabricated materials
  • Color Verification: Check the Bills of Material for the correct color
  • Spray Adjustment: Adjust and periodically check all pump pressures, heater temperatures, air and fluid pressures to maintain the best possible spraying application condition
  • Pressure Maintenance: Check and maintain proper fluid and air pressure in pressure pots used for spraying all special colors
  • Booth Maintenance: Change filters and maintain the cleanliness of the spray booth associates' floor areas on a scheduled basis
  • Crane Operation: Use the crane to move units into the spray booth and use the crane to store painted units in the staging area for inspection
  • Cross-Training: Cross-train and perform duties in other work areas of the assembly team

2. Industrial Painter Responsibilities

  • Spray Application: Use spray guns to apply paint or primer to the product, producing a quality finish
  • Preparation Assistance: Assist in the preparation process, including tacking, masking, and drying
  • Storage Maintenance: Clean and maintain an orderly paint storage building
  • Equipment Cleaning: Clean and maintain the paint gun, pot, and other related equipment
  • Booth Cleaning: Clean and maintain an orderly paint booth, including filtration systems
  • Safety Coordination: Work with the safety department to ensure safe working conditions relative to the painting process
  • Respirator Compliance: Follow respirator procedures
  • Protective Measures: Use a ventilation fan, wear eye protective gear, and close paint booth doors
  • Hazard Reporting: Report any unsafe conditions to the supervisor or safety department
  • Hazard Disposal: Dispose of hazardous materials in compliance with OSHA, EPA, and DNR
  • Work Inspection: Inspect own work and make corrections
  • Schedule Coordination: Work with the supervisor to set and maintain a weekly paint schedule

3. Industrial Painter Accountabilities

  • Work Quality: Be responsible and committed to the quality of one's own work
  • Surface Spraying: Spray prepared surfaces with specified amounts of primers or finish coatings
  • Paint Adjustment: Pour paint into spray guns and adjust nozzles and paint mixes to get the proper paint flow and coating thickness
  • Paint Mixing: Mix and apply paint and coatings
  • System Operation: Be responsible for the start-up and shut-down of paint systems
  • Part Inspection: Inspect parts to ensure they are ready to finish the coat
  • Gauge Reading: Take the mil gauge readings
  • Equipment Maintenance: Maintain maintenance on spray guns, equipment, and paint booth
  • Record Accuracy: Ensure accuracy in maintaining production records, such as quantities and types produced
  • Quality Checking: Check parts against quality control documents
  • Skill Training: Participate in all required training programs to maintain skill levels for continuous improvement
  • Housekeeping Compliance: Maintain good housekeeping practices in the work area and comply with all safety rules and procedures
  • Protective Equipment: Wear and maintain the required protective clothing and equipment, including safety glasses, steel-toe safety shoes, hearing protection, paint suits, and respirators

4. Industrial Painter Details and Accountabilities

  • Paint Application: Paint primer, a premium finish, and clear coat using HVLP and high-pressure airless equipment
  • Paint Mixing: Select and mix coating paints to the desired color and prepare spraying equipment such as cleaning or adjusting spray guns
  • Document Reading: Read and understand technical documents such as paint mixing procedures and maintain sprayer equipment
  • Equipment Cleaning: Clean spraying equipment with solvent or other recommended cleaning solutions daily
  • Room Maintenance: Maintain the paint mix room while following the company safety policies
  • Respirator Operation: Maintain proper respirator care and operation and use the breathing air supply system when spraying epoxy paints
  • Tool Usage: Know and use the tools to identify and assist with continuous improvement
  • Safety Compliance: Comply with safety regulations and maintain clean and orderly work areas
  • Report Writing: Write routine reports and correspondence

5. Industrial Painter Roles

  • Part Processing: Gather and process parts according to the department-specific work schedule, the direction of the department supervisor, and available parts for handling
  • Material Handling: Aid the paint prep persons by scuffing and cleaning parts or support the material handling needs of the department by loading and unloading carts and overhead monorail
  • Plastic Spraying: Spray paint plastic sign faces per approved patterns
  • Film Coating: Spray film coatings to prepare sign faces for further painting
  • Paint Mixing: Mix paints and maintain the equipment necessary for priming and painting
  • Final Coating: Paint or final coat parts to complete departmental units of production in a timely manner
  • VOC Tracking: Complete VOC tracking and record manometer readings
  • Employee Training: Provide on-the-job training for new full-time and temporary employees

6. Industrial Painter Additional Details

  • Protective Coating: Apply protective coats of paint and other related materials to the interior and exterior surfaces of equipment
  • Surface Preparation: Wash, scrape, sand, torch, and smooth interior and exterior surfaces prior to painting, lacquering, or applying other related materials
  • Area Cleaning: Clean equipment, paint mixing area, and work area
  • Equipment Operation: Operate compressors, stripping machines, spray equipment, and other small power equipment
  • Lift Operation: Operate heavy lift equipment, including scissors and boom swing stage, to heights of 40 feet
  • Material Application: Apply paints, surface preparatory materials, and undercoating materials to a variety of surfaces according to Materials Safety Data Sheets, ensuring compliance with hazardous materials guidelines
  • Color Selection: Determine the appropriate color for new or replacement applications through customer spec requirements
  • Paint Matching: Maintain existing paint surfaces through the matching and tinting of appropriate paint products
  • Hazard Handling: Identify, handle safely, and dispose of paints, stains, preparatory and undercoating materials, and other hazardous materials
  • Schedule Compliance: Follow the production schedule and communicate with the supervisor on order details, delays, or quality issues

7. Industrial Painter Essential Functions

  • Pre-Painting: Perform shot blast and other pre-painting activities on parts in preparation for painting or fabrication
  • Coating Application: Apply a variety of industrial coatings to fabricated metal products
  • Parameter Measurement: Utilize instrumentation to measure painting parameters to ensure compliance with OEM specifications
  • Confined Coating: Be responsible for the application of industrial coatings in confined spaces
  • Rigging Assistance: Assist in appropriately rigging large objects for the purpose of moving them in the process of applying the industrial coatings
  • Tool Suggestion: Suggest tools and equipment to improve the operation of the unit
  • Workplace Safety: Assist in the maintenance of a clean and safe work environment, and observe good safety habits
  • Procedure Compliance: Adhere to all OSHA and HazMat procedures with respect to the storage and handling of materials in the area
  • Malfunction Reporting: Be responsible for reporting malfunctions of equipment or processing to the supervisor

8. Industrial Painter Key Accountabilities

  • Plan Reading: Read and follow plans, material lists, and guidelines and apply necessary timelines
  • Truck Painting: Paint truck equipment and manufactured parts using an air spray system
  • Surface Preparation: Prepare parts and equipment for painting using thinner, an air blower, and sandblasting to ensure a clean painting surface
  • Booth Maintenance: Maintain the paint booth by setting up painting equipment, mixing paint, and adjusting equipment to produce the desired result
  • Drying Management: Manage the drying process and store painted equipment appropriately
  • Area Organization: Maintain work area, equipment, and supplies in a neat, organized manner
  • Final Inspection: Perform final inspection of finished work and complete associated paperwork in a timely manner
  • Team Assistance: Provide assistance to co-workers as directed by department management

9. Industrial Painter Responsibilities and Key Tasks

  • Coating Application: Be responsible for the application of high-performance coatings for aluminum construction, manufacturing, and industrial products
  • Schedule Communication: Communicate with the plant supervisor the status of the department’s schedule and potential changes, inventory level, special considerations regarding production, and any concerns as they arise
  • Equipment Inspection: Inspect and start equipment according to company standards
  • Procedure Compliance: Receive training on and ensure that environmental, safety, and quality control procedures and policies are strictly adhered to per established company standards and guidelines
  • Gun Operation: Operate spray guns to apply primer and finish coating of paint to all types of parts and units for company products
  • Surface Masking: Mask surfaces and attain smooth and even surfaces following specifications
  • Part Handling: Load and unload parts from racks
  • Gun Maintenance: Maintain spray guns in serviceable condition as well as paint booths
  • Document Following: Follow the detailed project documents
  • Surface Preparation: Perform surface preparation, including sandblasting, mechanical cleaning, and pressure washing
  • Undercoat Application: Apply undercoats and finish coats using the full range of application methods, including gravity-fed, pressure pot, and airless spray guns and materials

10. Industrial Painter Roles and Responsibilities

  • Equipment Maintenance: Maintain equipment and perform housekeeping duties
  • Regulation Compliance: Adhere to all environmental, health, safety rules and regulations, and work instructions
  • Team Support: Assist the team in achieving plant and department goals
  • Job Training: Assist with on-the-job training and continuous improvement
  • Teamwork Promotion: Foster an environment that promotes Eaton’s goals and philosophies and encourages continuous improvement through participation and teamwork
  • Quality Knowledge: Have general knowledge of the Eaton Quality Management System (EQMS)
  • Job Reading: Read job sheets and examine surfaces to determine the kind and amount of work necessary
  • Surface Preparation: Prepare products and other surfaces for painting by scraping, chipping, and using sandpaper to remove any spatter
  • Paint Mixing: Mix paint and other materials to prepare the right colour or texture for the required finish
  • Surface Painting: Paint surfaces according to instructions
  • Safety Precautions: Take and adhere to all health and safety precautions