How to hire a paint prepper

How to hire a paint prepper, step by step

Here's a step-by-step paint prepper hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a paint prepper job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new paint prepper
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the paint prepper you need to hire. Certain paint prepper roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a paint prepper to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a paint prepper that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of paint prepper salaries for various roles:

   Type of Paint Prepper	Description	Hourly rate
   Paint Prepper	Automotive body and glass repairers restore, refinish, and replace vehicle bodies and frames, windshields, and window glass.	$13-27
   Auto Body Technician	An auto body technician is responsible for assessing vehicle damage and conducting repairs after evaluating the cost estimates. Auto body technicians' duties include replacing auto parts, which caused malfunctions, determining the extent of damage, and testing the engine performance to ensure that it is safe for use after the appropriate modifications... Show more	$12-26
   Body Shop Technician	A body shop technician specializes in repairing and restoring the exteriors of vehicles. It is their responsibility to assess vehicle damage reports, conduct inspections, develop plans, provide cost estimates, remove damaged parts and attach new ones, realign frames and structures, perform installations and upgrades, and refinish surfaces... Show more	$12-31

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Body Shop
   • Hand Tools
   • Windows
   • Coats
   • Painting Process
   • Mixers
   • Vehicle Surfaces
   • Primer
   • Auto Body Repair
   • Chrome
   • Prep Vehicles
   • I-Car
   • Painting Equipment
   • R

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Paint primer, undercoats, top layer and clear coats as needed.
   • Operate compress air equipment and gun to apply prime and final coats of paint.
   • Wait for the primer surface to dry then proceed to sand and wash the vehicle.
   • Spray different finishes inside and out, this include primer, flat, eggshell, semi-gloss, high-gloss, lacquer and stain
   • Perform minor bumper repair jobs using bondo and hardener
   • Install, repair and fabricate fiberglass components within specifications dictate by military contracts.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your paint prepper job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A paint prepper can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, paint preppers' average salary in indiana is 39% less than in maine.
   • Seniority. Entry-level paint preppers 50% less than senior-level paint preppers.
   • Certifications. A paint prepper with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a paint prepper's salary.

   Average paint prepper salary

   $41,414yearly

   $19.91 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level paint prepper salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 25, 2025

4. Writing a paint prepper job description

   A job description for a paint prepper role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a paint prepper job description:

   Paint prepper job description example

   Are you looking to advance your career and learn new skills with a rapidly growing company?
   
   Vacutech, a member of the National Carwash Solutions family, has grown over the past 45 years to become North America's largest equipment, service, and cleaning solutions provider in the car wash industry!
   
   At National Carwash Solutions, our employees are provided with extensive on-site training, flexibility and ample opportunities for advancement. We offer competitive wages and benefits including comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage, matching 401(k), paid time off and more.
   
   Job Duties:
   
   * Follow detailed assembly instructions and blueprint specifications to perform a series of operations to construct assemblies
   * Gather necessary parts, sub-assemblies, tools, and materials
   * Safely operate a variety of hand and power tools, components and fixtures
   * Adept at interpreting paint codes, and able to learn new processes and technologies
   * Document actions by completing production and quality forms, while meeting production deadlines
   * Maintain a clean and organized work area to facilitate manufacturing functions
   * Comply with all applicable OSHA, EPA, local regulatory laws, and company safety policies
   * Management retains the discretion to add or change the duties of this position at any time
   
   Physical Requirements:
   
   * Ability to lift light to medium weight up to 50 lbs.
   * May sit and stand for prolonged periods of time
   * May stoop, bend, reach, walk; perform repetitive motions using hands to grasp, push, pull or do fine manipulations
   * Required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel
   
   Qualifications:
   
   * High school diploma or equivalent
   * Forklift driver, preferred
   * Experience with data entry and general use on computer systems
   * Ability to speak, write, read and comprehend procedures in English
   * Ability to work assigned hours plus overtime as needed
   
   National Carwash Solutions is a proud equal opportunity employer. We are a drug free, EEO employer committed to a diverse workforce. We will consider all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, sex age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity, family responsibilities, disability, education, political affiliation or veteran status.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right paint prepper for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with paint preppers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit paint preppers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your paint prepper job on Zippia to find and recruit paint prepper candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting paint preppers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new paint prepper

   Once you've decided on a perfect paint prepper candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new paint prepper. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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