Become skilled in auto body painting. You have two entry-level options.
- You can work as an auto body apprentice. With an apprenticeship, you receive a mix of on-the-job training with an experienced auto body painter and classroom instruction.
- You can also choose to work as an auto body painting helper. As a helper, you're responsible for less technical tasks like removing the trim from vehicles and sanding down the surfaces of the vehicles.
Obtain post-secondary education to improve your employment chances.Auto body painting courses are offered at technical, vocational and community colleges and typically have open admission policies.
Look at technical schools that offer training in mixing and using different types of automotive paint and teach auto body painting.
- Apply and obtain admission.
- Learn the auto body painting trade. You may have to take general education courses such as computer science, communications and mathematics.
- You can graduate with an associate's degree that takes 2 years to complete or a certificate that takes approximately 1 year to finish.
Get an auto body painting job. You can either stay at the auto body shop you're working at doing general tasks or you can seek employment at a different shop.
Find a good painter and try to get hired on as a helper. Trade out your hard work for his knowledge of painting. Please listen to everything he says no matter how corny it sounds to you. When you think you are good enough to go out on your own, give it another year with him, then you'll be ready.