Duties

Painters apply paint, wallcoverings and other finishes to interior and exterior surfaces of buildings and other structures.

In general, painters:

• Estimate the quantity of materials required by measuring surfaces or reviewing a work order
• Remove the old coating by stripping it with solvents, heat, sanding, wire brushing, or water and sand blasting
• Prepare the surface for covering by cleaning it, filling nail holes and cracks, and sanding rough spots
• Apply an undercoat primer or sealer before painting
• Match specified colours by using premixed paints, or mixing colour and pigment, oil, and thinning and drying additives
• Use brushes, rollers or spray guns to apply liquid coatings such as paint, stain or varnish to surfaces of wood, metal, brick, concrete, plaster, stucco or stone
• Sandblast and apply industrial coatings
• Be aware of continual product changes

Working Conditions

Painters try to arrange their work so they will be outdoors in late spring, summer and early fall, and indoors in the late fall and winter. They must stand for long periods of time, often doing work with their arms raised over their heads.

There is some risk of injury from falling off ladders, scaffolds or swingstages, and from working with hazardous chemicals such as paint thinners and removers.