Industrial Spray Painter / Composite Finisher

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). Compensation / Pay Rate (Up to): $25.00 - $32.00