Paint Prep Tech

Xcite Automotive; Town of Florida (NY); On-site; USD 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Xcite Automotive in Pinellas Park, FL is seeking a Paint Prep Tech to prepare vehicle surfaces for primer and paint, and to support the paint operations in a fast-paced body shop.

You will wash, sand, mask, and apply primers, while maintaining a clean, organized workspace and ensuring safety.

The ideal candidate has automotive body shop experience with a strong eye for quality and a focus on efficient vehicle turnaround.

Qualifications

• Experience in automotive body shop, collision repair, or related environment.
• Experience cleaning, sanding, masking, and preparing vehicle surfaces for primer and paint application.
• Working knowledge of automotive paints, primers, fillers, cleaners, and surface preparation materials.
• Ability to identify surface imperfections and properly address preparation issues before paint application.
• Strong attention to detail and pride in quality workmanship.
• Ability to safely operate automotive refinishing tools and equipment, including sanders and spray equipment.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced body shop or reconditioning environment with production and turnaround expectations.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, crouch, reach, and work around vehicles for extended periods.
• Strong work ethic with the ability to follow instructions and work independently or as part of a team.
• Commitment to maintaining a clean, organized, and safe work environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare vehicle surfaces for primer and paint application by washing, sanding, cleaning, and masking areas as required.
• Sand surfaces to remove old paint, rust, imperfections, and other contaminants prior to refinishing.
• Inspect prepared surfaces for imperfections and ensure all necessary corrections are completed before primer or paint application.
• Complete all preparation work according to required quality standards and specifications.
• Mask and protect vehicle components, trim, glass, and surrounding areas to prevent paint or primer overspray.
• Apply primer to properly prepared surfaces to promote paint adhesion and provide a smooth foundation for the topcoat.
• Assist with paint preparation and application as needed while following proper procedures and quality standards.
• Operate and maintain detailing and refinishing tools and equipment, including sanders, spray guns, mixing equipment, and other specialty tools.
• Use automotive paints, primers, fillers, cleaners, and other refinishing materials safely and according to manufacturer and company guidelines.
• Identify and report surface imperfections, paint defects, or other issues that may affect the final finish.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and contamination-free work area throughout the preparation and painting process.
• Keep work areas, tools, and equipment clean and properly maintained.
• Accurately track prep work, materials, and supplies used as required.
• Follow all company safety procedures and immediately report safety concerns or equipment issues to management.
• Work efficiently to meet production schedules and vehicle turnaround expectations.
• Assist other team members as needed to maintain workflow and consistent quality standards.
• Ensure vehicles are properly prepared and meet company quality expectations before moving to the next stage of the refinishing process.

Skills

Surface preparation

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Standing for long periods

Tools

Sanding tools

Spray guns

Masking tools

Job description

Xcite Automotive is hiring a Paint Prep Tech at our partner dealership in Pinellas Park, FL!

As a Paint Prep Tech at Xcite Automotive, you will play a key role in preparing vehicles for high-quality primer and paint application while helping deliver professional, dealership-ready finishes. This position is responsible for properly preparing vehicle surfaces, applying primers, and supporting paint operations in a fast-paced automotive body shop and reconditioning environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare vehicle surfaces for primer and paint application by washing, sanding, cleaning, and masking areas as required.
• Sand surfaces to remove old paint, rust, imperfections, and other contaminants prior to refinishing.
• Inspect prepared surfaces for imperfections and ensure all necessary corrections are completed before primer or paint application.
• Complete all preparation work according to required quality standards and specifications.
• Properly mask and protect vehicle components, trim, glass, and surrounding areas to prevent paint or primer overspray.
• Apply primer to properly prepared surfaces to promote paint adhesion and provide a smooth, uniform foundation for the topcoat.
• Assist with paint preparation and application as needed while following proper procedures and quality standards.
• Properly operate and maintain detailing and refinishing tools and equipment, including sanders, spray guns, mixing equipment, and other specialty tools.
• Use automotive paints, primers, fillers, cleaners, and other refinishing materials safely and according to manufacturer and company guidelines.
• Identify and report surface imperfections, paint defects, or other issues that may affect the final finish.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and contamination-free work area throughout the preparation and painting process.
• Keep work areas, tools, and equipment clean and properly maintained.
• Accurately track prep work, materials, and supplies used as required.
• Follow all company safety procedures and immediately report safety concerns or equipment issues to management.
• Work efficiently to meet production schedules and vehicle turnaround expectations.
• Assist other team members as needed to maintain workflow and consistent quality standards.
• Ensure vehicles are properly prepared and meet company quality expectations before moving to the next stage of the refinishing process.

Minimum Qualifications / Must-Haves

• Previous experience in an automotive body shop, collision repair, automotive refinishing, or related environment.
• Experience cleaning, sanding, masking, and preparing vehicle surfaces for primer and paint application.
• Working knowledge of automotive paints, primers, fillers, cleaners, and surface preparation materials.
• Ability to identify surface imperfections and properly address preparation issues before paint application.
• Strong attention to detail and pride in quality workmanship.
• Ability to safely operate automotive refinishing tools and equipment, including sanders and spray equipment.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced body shop or reconditioning environment with production and turnaround expectations.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, crouch, reach, and work around vehicles for extended periods.
• Strong work ethic with the ability to follow instructions and work independently or as part of a team.
• Commitment to maintaining a clean, organized, and safe work environment.

Preferred Qualifications / Nice-to-Haves

• Previous experience as an Automotive Prepper, Automotive Painter, or Collision Repair Technician.
• Experience with primer application, paint mixing, spray-gun operation, or automotive refinishing.
• Familiarity with paint correction, color matching, blending, or finish-quality inspection.
• Experience working in a high-volume dealership, collision center, or automotive reconditioning facility.
• Knowledge of proper masking and overspray prevention techniques.
• Strong time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple vehicles throughout the preparation process.
• Team-oriented mindset with good communication skills.
• Experience maintaining shop cleanliness and supporting overall operational efficiency.

Beneficial Types of Previous Experience

• Automotive Prepper
• Automotive Painter
• Collision Repair Technician
• Body Shop Assistant
• Automotive Detailer
• Automotive Reconditioning
• Auto Technician
• Auto Body Technician
• Paint Prep Technician
• Customer Service

AboutXcite Automotive

Xcite Automotive is a fast-growing automotive service and a software-based company that helps dealers get vehicles frontline-ready quickly and efficiently. Since 2007, Xcite Automotive has been on a mission to make the automotive industry faster, more innovative, and more profitable. Over 1,300 automobile dealers nationwide rely on Xcite's team of 1000+ employees to provide on-site vehicle marketing and reconditioning solutions.

Additional Information

Xcite Automotive provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or orientation. In addition to federal law requirements, we comply with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.