Industrial Painter – Structural Steel

Red Dot Corp; Mineola (TX); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Red Dot Corp is seeking an Industrial Painter to prepare steel surfaces and apply industrial primers in a fabrication shop environment. The role focuses on surface preparation, spray coating, inspection, and maintaining coating equipment to meet project specifications and production schedules.

The ideal candidate will understand industrial coating processes, be capable of safely operating spray equipment, and take pride in delivering consistent, high-quality finished steel.

Qualifications

• Experience applying industrial coatings or primers preferred.
• Structural steel/fabrication shop experience preferred.
• Experience operating airless spray equipment preferred.
• Ability to understand coating specifications and manufacturer data.
• Ability to mix and prepare primers accurately.
• Understanding of wet-film and dry-film thickness requirements.
• Ability to recognize coating defects and adjust accordingly.
• Safe operation around large structural steel members and equipment.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Strong attention to quality and dependability as part of a production team.

Responsibilities

• Prepare structural steel members for primer application.
• Inspect surfaces to ensure cleanliness and proper prep.
• Remove contaminants such as dirt, oil, grease, and dust.
• Mask surfaces not receiving primer.
• Mix primers per specifications and verify ratios and pot life.
• Apply primers with airless spray and other approved methods.
• Maintain correct spray patterns and coverage.
• Monitor wet-film and dry-film thicknesses.
• Identify and correct coating defects; touch up as needed.
• Coat assemblies and read work orders, specs, and data sheets.
• Coordinate with production and quality to maintain workflow.
• Clean and maintain spray equipment and area.
• Follow all safety procedures for coatings, solvents, and PPE.

Skills

Coating application

Surface prep

Coating inspection

Safety procedures

Read specs

Teamwork

Quality attention

PPE compliance

Physical stamina

Communication

Tools

Airless spray equipment

Forklifts/Overhead cranes

Spray equipment maintenance

Job description

The Industrial Painter is responsible for preparing and applying industrial primer coatings to structural steel components in accordance with project specifications, quality standards, and production schedules. This position works within a structural steel fabrication environment and is responsible for proper surface preparation, coating application, inspection, material handling, and maintenance of coating equipment.

The ideal candidate understands industrial coating processes, can safely operate spray equipment, and takes pride in producing consistent, high-quality finished steel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepare structural steel members and fabricated components for primer application.
• Inspect steel surfaces prior to coating to ensure they are clean and properly prepared.
• Remove dirt, oil, grease, loose scale, weld spatter, dust, and other contaminants as required.
• Mask or protect surfaces that are not to receive primer.
• Mix and prepare primers according to manufacturer requirements and project specifications.
• Verify proper mixing ratios, induction times, thinning requirements, and pot life when applicable.
• Apply industrial primers using airless spray equipment and other approved application methods.
• Maintain proper spray patterns, gun distance, overlap, and application techniques to achieve uniform coverage.
• Monitor and achieve required wet-film and dry-film thicknesses.
• Identify and correct coating defects such as runs, sags, misses, excessive buildup, overspray, or inadequate coverage.
• Touch up damaged or missed areas as required.
• Properly coat structural steel assemblies, beams, columns, braces, plates, and miscellaneous fabricated steel.
• Read and follow shop paperwork, coating specifications, product data sheets, and production instructions.
• Verify correct primer type and coating requirements before beginning work.
• Coordinate with production, material handling, and quality personnel to maintain workflow through the coating area.
• Properly identify and stage completed material for movement to the next production or shipping operation.
• Clean spray guns, pumps, hoses, filters, tips, and other coating equipment.
• Perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting of coating equipment.
• Maintain a clean and organized paint/coating area.
• Properly handle, store, and dispose of coatings, solvents, and related materials.
• Follow all company safety procedures and requirements related to coatings, solvents, ventilation, respiratory protection, PPE, and hazardous materials.
• Complete required production and quality documentation accurately.
• Assist with loading, unloading, staging, or moving structural steel when required.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support shop production.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Experience applying industrial coatings or primers preferred.
• Structural steel, fabrication shop, manufacturing, or industrial painting experience strongly preferred.
• Experience operating airless spray equipment preferred.
• Ability to understand coating specifications and manufacturer product data.
• Ability to properly mix and prepare industrial primers.
• Basic understanding of wet-film and dry-film thickness requirements.
• Ability to recognize coating defects and make necessary adjustments.
• Ability to safely work around large structural steel members and material-handling equipment.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Strong attention to quality and detail.
• Dependable attendance and ability to work effectively as part of a production team.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with industrial primers commonly used in structural steel fabrication.
• Experience using wet-film gauges and dry-film thickness gauges.
• Knowledge of surface-preparation requirements and coating inspection procedures.
• Experience operating forklifts, overhead cranes, or other material-handling equipment.
• Familiarity with SDS documentation and hazardous-material handling.
• Knowledge of OSHA requirements related to industrial coating operations and respiratory protection.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, and reach as required.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to handle spray guns, hoses, and coating equipment for extended periods.
• Ability to work around large structural steel members and fabrication equipment.
• Ability to wear required PPE, including respiratory protection when required.
• Ability to work in areas where industrial coatings, solvents, dust, fumes, and noise may be present.

This position is performed primarily in an industrial structural steel fabrication and coating environment. Employees may be exposed to varying temperatures, noise, dust, fumes, coatings, solvents, moving equipment, overhead cranes, and large fabricated steel components.

Required PPE may include safety glasses, steel-toed boots, gloves, hearing protection, protective clothing, fall protection, and respiratory protection depending on the task and coating being applied.

Safety Responsibilities

Safety is an essential function of this position. The Industrial Primer Coater is expected to:

• Follow all company safety policies and procedures.
• Properly use required PPE and respiratory protection.
• Follow coating manufacturer safety requirements and SDS instructions.
• Maintain proper ventilation and safe work practices when handling coatings and solvents.
• Immediately report unsafe conditions, equipment problems, spills, or injuries.
• Maintain good housekeeping in the coating and material-staging areas.
• Never operate equipment without proper training and authorization.

Quality Expectations

The Industrial Painter is responsible for ensuring that coated structural steel meets company, customer, and project requirements before material leaves the coating area. Quality expectations include proper surface condition, correct coating material, complete coverage, specified coating thickness, acceptable appearance, and proper touch-up of damaged or deficient areas.

Performance Expectations

Successful employees in this position consistently demonstrate:

• Quality coating application
• Attention to coating specifications
• Proper care of equipment
• Dependability and attendance
• Effective communication with production and quality personnel
• Ownership of work quality and completed material