Position Overview
Our client is seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Composite Finishing Painter to join our production team in Poway, California. In this role, you will be responsible for surface preparation, primer application, and high-quality spray painting of composite parts, structures, and assemblies (such as fiberglass, carbon fiber, and advanced resin systems).
The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with HVLP spray equipment, polyurethane/epoxy coatings, cosmetic body filling, and sanding to meet strict cosmetic and structural tolerances.
Key Responsibilities
- Surface Preparation & Fairing: Inspect, clean, degrease, sand, and mask raw composite components. Apply body fillers, glazes, or gel coats to smooth pinholes, weave patterns, parting lines, and cosmetic flaws.
- Paint Mixing & Setup: Calculate ratios, mix multi-part coatings (epoxy primers, topcoats, urethanes, clear coats), and adjust viscosities according to technical data sheets (TDS) and customer specifications.
- Spray Application: Operate HVLP, conventional spray guns, and pressure pots in a regulated spray booth environment. Maintain uniform Mil thickness (wet/dry film thickness) without runs, sags, orange peel, or fisheyes.
- Curing & Post-Finish Detailing: Manage flash-off times, cure cycles (air dry and bake booth ovens), and execute final finishing tasks including wet sanding, compounding, buffing, and polishing.
- Equipment Maintenance: Clean, disassemble, rebuild, and maintain spray guns, fluid lines, booth filters, and breathing apparatuses.
- Quality & Compliance: Conduct visual and instrumental inspections (adhesion testing, gloss levels, Mil thickness gauges). Maintain hazardous waste logs, monitor paint usage, and follow San Diego Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD) / California Cal/OSHA environmental standards.
Qualifications & Requirements
Experience: 2+ years of industrial spray painting, automotive refinishing, marine painting, or aerospace composite finishing.
Technical Skills:
- Proficiency in prepping and painting composite materials (carbon fiber, fiberglass, prepregs, or resin-infused parts).
- Working knowledge of single-stage, base/clear, polyurethane, epoxy, and conductive/specialty coatings.
- Experience using dual-action (DA) sanders, spray equipment, and film thickness gauges.
Safety & Physical Requirements:
- Must be able to pass a respirator medical clearance evaluation and fit test.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and stand, bend, or crouch for extended periods.
- Familiarity with chemical handling, SDS protocols, and proper PPE usage.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience working in an ISO 9001, AS9100, or aerospace/defense composite manufacturing facility.
- Experience with custom color matching, tinting, and stencil/marking applications.
- Familiarity with composite repair processes (fiberglass patch/resin fill).
You should be proficient in:
- Mixing
- Deburring Experience