Paint Prep Technician

Total Recon Auto Center; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 24,796 - 34,440; Full time

Job summary

Total Recon Auto Center in Rockville, MD is seeking a Paint Prep Technician who takes pride in prep work that leads to high-quality finishes. The role focuses on masking, sanding, priming, and surface preparation in a fast-paced shop alongside skilled painters.

You will prepare vehicle surfaces, apply primers, inspect for flaws, protect trim, and maintain a clean prep area while meeting OEM standards and production schedules.

Qualifications

• Experience as Paint Prep Technician or Auto Body Prep preferred.
• Knowledge of automotive surface prep, sanding, masking, and primer application.
• Familiarity with OEM repair procedures and automotive refinishing.
• Strong attention to detail with ability to produce paint-ready surfaces.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work in a fast-paced production environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare vehicle surfaces for painting by washing, sanding, feather-edging, filling minor imperfections, masking, and cleaning per specifications.
• Apply primers, sealers, and other preparatory coatings to ensure proper adhesion and finish quality.
• Inspect repaired panels for imperfections and perform final surface prep before the paint booth.
• Remove or protect trim, glass, moldings to prevent overspray and damage.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of prep areas and equipment to support workflow.
• Assist Auto Painters with staging, material prep, and movement through refinishing process.
• Follow OEM repair procedures, shop quality standards, and production schedules.
• Safely handle sanding equipment, power tools, primers, solvents, and related materials with PPE.

Skills

Surface preparation

Sanding methods

Masking procedures

Primer application

Attention to detail

Tools

Pneumatic tools

Power tools

Job description

Are you the technician who makes every paint job possible? The one who knows that a flawless finish starts long before the paint gun comes out? If you're the person who can block a panel perfectly, mask with precision, and prep every vehicle to paint-ready standards, we want to talk to you.

We're looking for a Paint Prep Technician who takes pride in the details. This isn't just sanding and masking—it's preparing vehicles for high-quality refinishing while working alongside a team that values craftsmanship, efficiency, and attention to detail.

If you're ready to be part of a shop where your work is recognized as a critical step in delivering exceptional results, we'd love to meet you.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

(include, but are not limited to the following):

• Prepare vehicle surfaces for painting by washing, sanding, feather-edging, filling minor imperfections, masking, and cleaning according to manufacturer specifications.
• Apply primers, sealers, and other preparatory coatings as directed to ensure proper paint adhesion and finish quality.
• Inspect repaired panels for imperfections and perform final surface preparation before vehicles enter the paint booth.
• Remove, mask, or protect vehicle trim, glass, moldings, and other components to prevent overspray and damage.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of prep areas, tools, and equipment to support an efficient workflow.
• Assist Auto Painters with vehicle staging, material preparation, and movement of vehicles through the refinishing process.
• Follow OEM repair procedures, shop quality standards, and production schedules to ensure timely completion of repairs.
• Safely handle sanding equipment, power tools, primers, solvents, and related materials while complying with all environmental and safety regulations.
• Perform final cleaning and tack-off procedures before vehicles are transferred into the paint booth.

Qualifications Required

• Previous experience as a Paint Prep Technician, Auto Body Prep Technician, or in an automotive collision repair environment preferred.
• Knowledge of automotive surface preparation techniques, sanding methods, masking procedures, and primer application.
• Familiarity with OEM repair procedures and automotive refinishing processes.
• Strong attention to detail with a commitment to producing paint-ready surfaces.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced production environment while maintaining quality standards.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and perform hands-on work in a shop environment.

Salary: $18.00–$25.00 per hour, depending on experience.

This role involves standing for extended periods, sanding and preparing vehicle surfaces, operating pneumatic and power tools, and working around automotive paints, primers, solvents, and related materials. The environment can be noisy and fast-paced, requiring strict adherence to safety protocols and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Physical Demands

• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing, using virtual meeting and communication tools such as email, Google Meet, and Slack.
• Ability to stand, bend, kneel, reach, and perform repetitive movements throughout the workday.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, if required.
• Ability to use hand tools, power sanders, and masking equipment for extended periods.