House Painter
by Melanie Joy Douglas, Monster.ca 
House painters apply paint, stain, varnish and other finishes to homes. They choose the right paint or finish for the surface to be covered, taking into account durability, ease of handling, method of application and the customers’ wishes.
Painters prepare the surfaces to be covered so the paint will adhere properly, requiring the removal of the old coat by stripping, sanding, wire brushing, burning, or water and abrasive blasting. They wash walls and trim to remove dirt and grease, fill nail holes and cracks, sandpaper rough spots and brush off dust. They also have to mix paints and match colours.
Skills
- House painters should be in good physical condition, have good manual dexterity and good colour sense.
- Making effective decisions by analyzing information and considering priorities, and seizing opportunities to initiate and take ownership of projects and improvements are key skills.
- Additionally, supply management, basic safety, equipment maintenance, thoroughness, independence and good communication skills are important for a good painter.
Education
- Painting is learned through apprenticeship or informal, on-the-job instruction. Although training authorities recommend completion of an apprenticeship program as the best way to become a painter, most opt for informal training.
- The apprenticeship for painters consists of three to four years of on-the-job training, in addition to 144 hours of related classroom instruction each year. Apprentices receive instruction in colour harmony, use and care of tools and equipment, surface preparation, application techniques, paint mixing and matching, characteristics of different finishes, blueprint reading, wood finishing and safety.
- Apprentices or helpers generally must be at least 16 years old. A high school education or its equivalent is usually required to enter an apprenticeship program.
Outlook
- Employment of painters is expected to grow about 9 percent through the year 2008 as the level of new construction increases slowly and the stock of buildings and other structures that require maintenance and renovation grows.
- In addition to job openings created by the rising demand for the services of these workers, thousands of jobs will become available each year as painters transfer to other occupations or leave the labour force.
- Because there are no strict training requirements, prospects for jobs as painters should be favourable. However, job seekers should expect some periods of unemployment, especially until they become fully skilled. The most versatile painters generally are most able to keep working steadily during downturns in the economy.
Related Careers
- Billboard posterers
- Contractor
- House painter
- Metal sprayers
- Paper hanger
- Undercoaters
Keywords for Job Search
- Billboard
- House painter
- Painter
- Paper hanging
- Undercoater
Interesting Facts
- Oil-based paints have five times as many polluting solvents as water-based, and they are more difficult to clean up.
- John Rand patented a collapsible tube for oil paints 1841.
- The Eiffel Tower is painted approximately once every seven years and requires nearly 50 tons of paint each time.
Sources: Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics; UselessKnowledge.com