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47-2141.00 · Task explorer

Painters, Construction and Maintenance: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Paint walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structural surfaces, using brushes, rollers, and spray guns. May remove old paint to prepare surface prior to painting. May mix colors or oils to obtain desired color or consistency.

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This source lists 17 tasks, including 15 marked Core and 2 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2025.

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17 tasks shown

Core · Task 11511 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Cover surfaces with dropcloths or masking tape and paper to protect surfaces during painting.

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Core · Task 11516 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Read work orders or receive instructions from supervisors or homeowners to determine work requirements.

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Core · Task 11514 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Apply paint, stain, varnish, enamel, or other finishes to equipment, buildings, bridges, or other structures, using brushes, spray guns, or rollers.

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Core · Task 11512 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Fill cracks, holes, or joints with caulk, putty, plaster, or other fillers, using caulking guns or putty knives.

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Core · Task 11523 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Smooth surfaces, using sandpaper, scrapers, brushes, steel wool, or sanding machines.

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Core · Task 11517 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Erect scaffolding or swing gates, or set up ladders, to work above ground level.

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Core · Task 11519 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Wash and treat surfaces with oil, turpentine, mildew remover, or other preparations, and sand rough spots to ensure that finishes will adhere properly.

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Core · Task 11513 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Apply primers or sealers to prepare new surfaces, such as bare wood or metal, for finish coats.

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Core · Task 11515 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Calculate amounts of required materials and estimate costs, based on surface measurements or work orders.

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Core · Task 11521 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Remove old finishes by stripping, sanding, wire brushing, burning, or using water or abrasive blasting.

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Core · Task 11518 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Remove fixtures such as pictures, door knobs, lamps, or electric switch covers prior to painting.

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Core · Task 11525 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Use special finishing techniques such as sponging, ragging, layering, or faux finishing.

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Core · Task 11526 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Waterproof buildings, using waterproofers or caulking.

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Core · Task 11522 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Select and purchase tools or finishes for surfaces to be covered, considering durability, ease of handling, methods of application, and customers' wishes.

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Core · Task 11520 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Mix and match colors of paint, stain, or varnish with oil or thinning and drying additives to obtain desired colors and consistencies.

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Supplemental · Task 11524 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Polish final coats to specified finishes.

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Supplemental · Task 11527 · 08/2025 · Incumbent

Cut stencils and brush or spray lettering or decorations on surfaces.

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Make the shortlist useful

Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

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Download before leaving this page. Unsaved writing remains only in the page and is cleared on refresh. Notes and learning actions are not sent to a server. This guide describes an occupation and supports study planning; it does not provide clinical, legal or equipment-operating procedures.

Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.