Buffer - Kearny Mesa Chevrolet

Sunroad Enterprises; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

Employer Paid Life Insurance

Employer Paid AD&D

401k (with Employer match)

Vacation Package

Tenure recognition and awards

Vehicle Purchase Discount Program

Vehicle Service Discount Program

Golf Benefits at Maderas Golf Club (s​

Job summary

Sunroad Enterprises in San Diego is seeking a detail-oriented automotive detailer to buff and polish freshly painted vehicles, ensuring a smooth, glossy finish and dealership-ready quality. You will inspect surfaces for imperfections, apply the correct polishing compounds and pads, keep buffing equipment clean, and coordinate with painters and technicians to maintain workflow and safety.

This is a non-exempt, full-time position offering medical and vision insurance, 401k with employer match,

Qualifications

• 1 year of buffing or polishing experience, preferably in an automotive body shop
• California driver’s license within 30 days of hire
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds
• Ability to perform all essential job duties

Responsibilities

• Use buffing machines to polish surfaces for a smooth, glossy finish
• Inspect painted surfaces for imperfections and buff accordingly
• Choose and apply polishing compounds and pads based on paint and finish
• Perform detailing tasks to enhance vehicle appearance
• Ensure buffed areas meet dealership quality standards
• Coordinate with painters and body shop staff to maintain workflow
• Maintain and organize buffing equipment and tools
• Relocate vehicles within the shop to support repairs and workflow
• Adhere to safety protocols and maintain a safe work environment

Skills

Buffing

Polishing

Attention to detail

Safety awareness

Manual dexterity

Tools

Polishing machines

Buffers

Job description

Job Description

Posted Monday, August 3, 2026 at 10:00 AM

Non-Exempt

Job Summary

Essential Functions

• Use buffing machines to polish the surfaces of freshly painted vehicles, ensuring a smooth, glossy finish.
• Inspect painted surfaces for imperfections, such as orange peel, swirl marks, or scratches, and address them through appropriate buffing techniques.
• Choose and apply the correct polishing compounds and pads based on the type of paint and desired finish.
• Perform detailing tasks as needed, including cleaning and polishing trim, chrome, and other surfaces to enhance overall vehicle appearance.
• Conduct thorough inspections to ensure that all buffed areas meet dealership quality standards before the vehicle is released to customers.
• Work closely with painters and body shop technicians to understand the specifics of each job and ensure smooth workflow.
• Maintain buffing equipment, ensuring it is clean, properly adjusted, and in good working condition.
• Relocate vehicles within the shop to ensure proper functionality after repairs and to facilitate workflow and organization throughout the facility.
• Adhere to safety protocols and guidelines to maintain a safe work environment and handle all materials responsibly.
• Maintain satisfactory attendance.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of experience in buffing or polishing, particularly in a body shop or automotive environment.
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record; required to have California driver’s license within 30 days following date of hire.
• At least one year of verifiable driving experience.
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to perform all essential functions of the job description.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to achieving high-quality results.
• Familiarity with various polishing techniques and products.
• Skilled in the safe and effective operation of buffing machines
• Ability to identify imperfections and determine the best methods for correction.
• Knowledge of safety protocols and proper handling of chemicals and equipment.
• Willingness to collaborate with painters and technicians to ensure high-quality results.
• Dependability in attendance and completing tasks in a timely manner.
• Relevant certifications in automotive refinishing or detailing (e.g., I-CAR certifications).

Physical Demands

• Frequently stands, walks, sits; uses hands; reaches with hands and arms; talks and hears. Occasionally climbs or balances; bend, stretch, stoops, kneels, crouches, squats or crawls to perform repairs and inspections; must lift up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to bend, stretch, kneel, and squat to perform repairs and inspections.
• Manual dexterity to handle tools and small parts.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines.
• Must be able to work in tight spaces.Stand for prolonged periods of time.

  Employee Benefits Include

  • Medical Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Employer Paid Life Insurance
  • Employer Paid AD&D
  • 401k (with Employer match)
  • Vacation Package
  • Tenure recognition and awards
  • Vehicle Purchase Discount Program
  • Vehicle Service Discount Program
  • Golf Benefits at Maderas Golf Club (subject to qualification)

  If you receive an offer of employment, it will be a conditional offer contingent on the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen and background check.

  Sunroad is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to ensure equal employment opportunities and access to all programs, services, and activities. If you require accommodations to participate in the application process or to perform the essential functions of the job, please contact the HR Department to discuss your needs confidentially. We will work with you to identify appropriate accommodations based on your specific circumstances and in compliance with applicable laws.

  We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V) and maintain a drug-free workplace. If you receive an offer of employment, it will be a conditional offer contingent on the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen and background check.

  Sunroad is an Equal Employment opportunity and Aff…
  We are committed to providing equal opportunity in all of our employment practices, including selection, race (including traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); religion; religious creed; religious dress/grooming; color; age (40 and over); sex; sexual orientation; gender; gender identity (meaning a person’s identification as male, female, a gender different from the person’s sex at birth, or transgender); gender expression (including a person’s gender-related appearance or behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s sex at birth); national origin; ancestry; citizenship status; uniform service member status; military or veteran status; marital status; pregnancy; childbirth; medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breast feeding; medical condition (including cancer related or HIV/AIDS related); handicap; physical disability; mental disability; genetic characteristics; genetic information; or any other protected status in accordance with the requirements of all federal, state and local laws. Our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy applies equally to interns and volunteers.