51-9124.00 · Task explorer
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders: reported tasks and exploration worksheet
Set up, operate, or tend spraying or rolling machines to coat or paint any of a wide variety of products, including glassware, cloth, ceramics, metal, plastic, paper, or wood, with lacquer, silver, copper, rubber, varnish, glaze, enamel, oil, or rust-proofing materials. Includes painters of transportation vehicles such as painters in auto body repair facilities.
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Read the task inventory
This source lists 29 tasks, including 16 marked Core and 7 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: 08/2022, 11/2020.
29 tasks shown
Core · Task 23656 · 08/2022 · Incumbent
Dispose of hazardous waste in an appropriate manner.
Core · Task 12522 · 08/2022 · Incumbent
Hold or position spray guns to direct spray onto articles.
Core · Task 23664 · 08/2022 · Incumbent
Spray prepared surfaces with specified amounts of primers and decorative or finish coatings.
Core · Task 23659 · 08/2022 · Incumbent
Monitor painting operations to identify flaws, such as blisters or streaks, and correct their causes.
Core · Task 23655 · 08/2022 · Incumbent
Disassemble, clean, and reassemble sprayers or power equipment, using solvents, wire brushes, and cloths.
Core · Task 12513 · 08/2022 · Incumbent
Fill hoppers, reservoirs, troughs, or pans with material used to coat, paint, or spray, using conveyors or pails.
Core · Task 23654 · 08/2022 · Incumbent
Clean equipment and work areas.
Core · Task 23652 · 08/2022 · Incumbent
Apply rust-resistant undercoats and caulk and seal seams.
Core · Task 12509 · 08/2022 · Incumbent
Start and stop operation of machines, using levers or buttons.
Core · Task 12504 · 08/2022 · Incumbent
Determine paint flow, viscosity, and coating quality by performing visual inspections, or by using viscometers.
Core · Task 12517 · 08/2022 · Incumbent
Attach hoses or nozzles to machines, using wrenches and pliers, and make adjustments to obtain the proper dispersion of spray.
Core · Task 12508 · 08/2022 · Incumbent
Turn dials, handwheels, valves, or switches to regulate conveyor speeds, machine temperature, air pressure and circulation, and the flow or spray of coatings or paints.
Core · Task 12503 · 08/2022 · Incumbent
Observe machine gauges and equipment operation to detect defects or deviations from standards, and make adjustments as necessary.
Core · Task 12521 · 08/2022 · Incumbent
Examine, measure, weigh, or test sample products to ensure conformance to specifications.
Core · Task 23653 · 08/2022 · Incumbent
Buff and wax the finished paintwork.
Core · Task 23665 · 08/2022 · Incumbent
Use brush to hand-paint areas in need of retouching or unreachable with a spray gun.
Supplemental · Task 12516 · 08/2022 · Incumbent
Thread or feed items or products through or around machine rollers and dryers.
Supplemental · Task 12505 · 08/2022 · Incumbent
Weigh or measure chemicals, coatings, or paints before adding them to machines.
Supplemental · Task 12512 · 08/2022 · Incumbent
Operate auxiliary machines or equipment used in coating or painting processes.
Supplemental · Task 12518 · 08/2022 · Incumbent
Remove materials, parts, or workpieces from painting or coating machines, using hand tools.
Supplemental · Task 12510 · 08/2022 · Incumbent
Record operational data on specified forms.
Supplemental · Task 23660 · 08/2022 · Incumbent
Operate lifting or moving devices to move equipment or materials to access areas to be painted.
Supplemental · Task 23663 · 08/2022 · Incumbent
Set up portable equipment, such as ventilators, exhaust units, ladders, or scaffolding.
Unspecified · Task 23650 · 11/2020 · Analyst
Adjust controls on infrared ovens, heat lamps, portable ventilators, or exhaust units to speed the drying of surfaces between coats.
Unspecified · Task 23651 · 11/2020 · Analyst
Apply primer over any repairs made to surfaces.
Unspecified · Task 23657 · 11/2020 · Analyst
Fill small dents or scratches with body fillers and smooth surfaces to prepare for painting.
Unspecified · Task 23658 · 11/2020 · Analyst
Mix paints to match color specifications or original colors, stirring or thinning paints, using spatulas or power mixing equipment.
Unspecified · Task 23661 · 11/2020 · Analyst
Remove grease, dirt, paint, or rust from surfaces in preparation for paint application, using abrasives, solvents, brushes, blowtorches, washing tanks, or sandblasters.
Unspecified · Task 23662 · 11/2020 · Analyst
Sand and apply sealer to properly dried finish.
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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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.
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