Painter / Construction / Maintenance

Paint walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structural surfaces, using brushes, rollers, and spray guns. May remove old paint to prepare surface prior to painting. May mix colors or oils to obtain desired color or consistency.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Building Trades Painter; Commercial Painter; Facilities Painter; Highway Painter; House Painter; Industrial Painter; Maintenance Painter; Painter; Professional Painter; Texturer

Tasks

• Cover surfaces with dropcloths or masking tape and paper to protect surfaces during painting.
• Read work orders or receive instructions from supervisors or homeowners to determine work requirements.
• Apply paint, stain, varnish, enamel, or other finishes to equipment, buildings, bridges, or other structures, using brushes, spray guns, or rollers.
• Fill cracks, holes, or joints with caulk, putty, plaster, or other fillers, using caulking guns or putty knives.
• Smooth surfaces, using sandpaper, scrapers, brushes, steel wool, or sanding machines.
• Erect scaffolding or swing gates, or set up ladders, to work above ground level.
• Wash and treat surfaces with oil, turpentine, mildew remover, or other preparations, and sand rough spots to ensure that finishes will adhere properly.
• Apply primers or sealers to prepare new surfaces, such as bare wood or metal, for finish coats.
• Calculate amounts of required materials and estimate costs, based on surface measurements or work orders.
• Remove old finishes by stripping, sanding, wire brushing, burning, or using water or abrasive blasting.
• Remove fixtures such as pictures, door knobs, lamps, or electric switch covers prior to painting.
• Use special finishing techniques such as sponging, ragging, layering, or faux finishing.
• Waterproof buildings, using waterproofers or caulking.
• Select and purchase tools or finishes for surfaces to be covered, considering durability, ease of handling, methods of application, and customers' wishes.
• Mix and match colors of paint, stain, or varnish with oil or thinning and drying additives to obtain desired colors and consistencies.

Knowledge

• Customer and Personal Service
• Building and Construction

Skills

• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking

Abilities

• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Near Vision
• Manual Dexterity
• Trunk Strength
• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Multilimb Coordination
• Extent Flexibility
• Gross Body Coordination
• Gross Body Equilibrium
• Visual Color Discrimination
• Speech Clarity