Collision Painter Helper - Paint Prepper

Quality Collision Group; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Paid Holidays, Vacation & Sick Days

401(k) with employer match

Paid Training

Job summary

Quality Collision Group LLC is seeking a Painter Prepper / Buffer to prepare collision-repaired vehicles and body panels for refinishing. This role involves sanding, masking, priming, surface prep, buffing, and supporting the paint department to achieve a high-quality finish.

You will work closely with painters and production teammates, maintain a clean, safe prep area, and follow manufacturer and collision-industry standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of professional automotive refinish, paint preparation, or collision repair experience.
• Hands-on experience sanding, masking, priming, and preparing automotive panels for paint.
• Knowledge of automotive refinish procedures, paints, coatings, abrasives, and finishing compounds.
• Experience buffing and polishing freshly painted automotive surfaces.
• Attention to detail and ability to work in a team.
• Valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Prepare repaired panels and vehicles for refinishing through sanding, feathering, masking, and cleaning.
• Apply primer and perform block sanding and final surface preparation as assigned.
• Assist with paint application and refinish processes within demonstrated skill level.
• Buff and polish finished surfaces to correct minor finish imperfections and achieve delivery-ready quality.
• Use refinish products, abrasives, compounds, and materials according to manufacturer instructions.
• Support color tinting and paint-material organization as assigned.
• Inspect prepared surfaces and communicate defects or additional repair needs before paint.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized paint-preparation area and follow PPE requirements.

Skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Manual dexterity

Tools

Refinish equipment

Abrasives & finishing compounds

Job description

Job Description

Why Join Schaefer Autobody, a Quality Collision Group brand? Top-5% Benefits Plan in America: Our team is our heartbeat. We invest in benefits that support your health, financial well-being, and future. Earning Potential: Competitive compensation with six-figure earning potential in select roles. Career Growth: Ongoing training, certifications, and advancement opportunities to support your professional development. Supportive Team Culture: Work with a team that values integrity, customer-focused service, and continuous improvement.

Job Summary The Painter Prepper / Buffer prepares collision-repaired vehicles and body panels for refinishing and supports the paint department through final finish work. This role performs sanding, masking, priming, surface preparation, buffing, and related refinish operations to help achieve a high-quality paint finish. The Prepper works closely with painters and production teammates to ensure vehicles are prepared safely, accurately, and on schedule according to manufacturer and collision industry standards.

Responsibilities / Essential Functions

• Prepare repaired panels and vehicles for refinishing through sanding, feathering, masking, and cleaning.
• Apply primer and perform block sanding and final surface preparation as assigned.
• Assist with paint application and refinish processes within demonstrated skill level.
• Buff and polish finished surfaces to correct minor finish imperfections and achieve delivery-ready quality.
• Use refinish products, abrasives, compounds, and materials according to manufacturer instructions.
• Support color tinting and paint-material organization as assigned.
• Inspect prepared surfaces and communicate defects or additional repair needs before paint.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized paint-preparation area and follow PPE requirements.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of professional automotive refinish, paint preparation, or collision repair experience required.
• Hands-on experience sanding, masking, priming, and preparing automotive panels for paint required.
• Working knowledge of automotive refinish procedures, paints, coatings, abrasives, and finishing compounds.
• Experience buffing and polishing freshly painted automotive surfaces.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing a high-quality finish.
• Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination required to safely operate refinish equipment.
• Ability to work efficiently as part of a skilled collision repair team.
• Valid driver's license required.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Paid Holidays, Vacation & Sick Days
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid Training

About Quality Collision Group LLC

BE AN ORIGINAL At Quality Collision Group, our people are as unique as our approach to our industry. Our teams offer more than a job; we provide a chance to be your best, make friends, and have fun. We're passionate about repairing vehicles the right way.