As a full time Vehicle Painter at Cairns Refinishing and Smash Repairs, you will perform the following duties as required:

Surface Preparation: Prepare vehicle surfaces for painting by removing rough spots, sanding, priming, and masking areas not to be painted.
Color Matching and Mixing: Mix and match paint colors to achieve the desired shade, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
Painting: Apply primer, base coats, and finishing coats using spray guns or brushes. This includes painting entire vehicles or specific parts, such as panels or bumpers.
Quality Control: Inspect painted surfaces for quality, identifying any flaws such as runs or sags, and correcting them as necessary.
Finishing Touches: Perform finishing processes like buffing, waxing, and polishing to ensure a high-quality finish.
Maintenance: Maintain painting equipment and tools, ensuring they are clean and in good working condition.

We may also assign you other duties, where reasonable for your position, training and experience.

Benefits

Competitive salary range of $75,000 - $85,000 per annum.
Full‑time, permanent role with consistent workflow across smash repairs, repaints and refinishing projects.
Ongoing professional development and training opportunities in the automotive refinishing industry.
Supportive team environment with mentorship from experienced professionals.
Tools and materials provided.
Safe and modern workshop facilities.
Opportunity for career progression within the organisation.

Task & responsibilities

The Vehicle Painter will be responsible for preparing vehicle surfaces and applying high-quality paint finishes. Key responsibilities include surface preparation through sanding and priming, color matching and paint mixing, applying coats using spray guns and brushes, quality control inspections, finishing and polishing, and maintenance of painting equipment.

This position requires attention to detail, manual dexterity, and a commitment to producing professional results.

Key Tasks

Prepare vehicle surfaces for painting by removing rough spots, sanding (by hand or power tools), applying body filler as needed, and masking non-paint areas.
Mix and match paint colours using manufacturer codes and tinting methods for precise, consistent results.
Apply primers, base coats, and clear coats with spray guns for full resprays or panel repairs, sanding between coats where required.
Inspect finishes for defects like runs, sags, or colour mismatches, then fix them to meet quality standards.
Perform final touches including denibbing, buffing, waxing, and polishing for a high-gloss, durable result.

Additional Responsibilities

Remove masking, clean workspaces, and prepare vehicles for delivery—free of overspray and dirt.
Maintain and clean spray guns, booths, and equipment for safe, efficient use.
Comply with workplace health and safety, using PPE correctly and handling chemicals safely.

Qualification & experience

Qualifications and Requirements:

Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing or equivalent (desirable)
Previous experience as a Vehicle Painter or in automotive refinishing (preferred but willing to train suitable candidates)
Valid Australian driver's license - Class C (Cars)
Strong attention to detail and quality focus
Ability to follow instructions and work as part of a team
Good physical fitness for standing and manual work
Excellent color matching and visual perception
Technical knowledge of paint types, primers, and finishing systems
Familiarity with spray guns and painting equipment
Safe work practices and commitment to workplace health and safety

Desirable Skills:

Experience with modern paint technology
Knowledge of environmental safety standards for paint disposal
Previous apprenticeship in the automotive trades
Multi-coat spray application experience