These businesses are concentrated in metropolitan areas. Helpers and maskers earn less. Many painters receive a commission based on the number of vehicles painted. Under this method, the employer frequently guarantees commissioned employees a minimum weekly salary. Painters usually work a 40-hour week.
Fringe benefits vary.
Firms may offer profit-sharing, bonuses, uniforms, vacation, holidays, sick leave, retirement, and health insurance benefits. Many Automotive Painters start as helpers and gain their skills informally by working with experienced painters. Beginning helpers usually remove trim, clean and sand surfaces to be painted, mask surfaces that are not to be painted, and polish finished work. As helpers gain experience, they progress to more complicated tasks, such as mixing paint to achieve a good match and using spray guns to apply primer or final coats to small areas. Some painters are enrolled in apprenticeship programs, which generally last four years.