PAINTERS AND PAPERHANGERS California Occupational Guide Number 148 Interest Area 5-B 1997
THE JOB
PAINTERS are skilled workers who paint and varnish new and old buildings. Many kinds of surfaces are painted, including wood, metal, concrete, masonry, and plastic.
There are three steps to a good paint job: surface preparation, priming or undercoating, and the finishing coats. There are different kinds of surface preparation. Some surfaces need no special preparation, while others need sanding, filling of cracks and holes with spackling, and cleaning the surface. Some painted surfaces need partial or complete removal of the old finish. The Painter may use a scraper, wire brush, chemicals, sandpaper, or sandblasting equipment to take off an old finish. When the surface is ready, the Painter primes the bare wood or metal with special paint, if needed. If the old paint is in good condition, new paint can be put directly over it.
Finished coats are put on with spray guns, rollers or brushes, depending on the type of surface. Rollers are most often used on even surfaces such as walls and ceilings. On surfaces that are hard to paint with a brush or roller, such as cinder block and metal fencing, a spray gun may be used. Spraying equipment can be a lot faster than painting with a brush or roller, although a lot of time is needed to mask areas that are not going to be painted.
Painters not only have to be skilled in handling painting tools, they also have to know which tools and materials to use. When choosing paints and finishes, Painters have to consider whether they're right for the job, their cost, and how long they'll last. Although finishes usually come ready-mixed in almost any color, Painters must know about paint composition and color harmony to get the texture, tint, and shade the customer wants.
PAPERHANGERS cover walls and ceilings of rooms with decorative wallpaper, fabric, vinyl or other wall coverings to make rooms more attractive and soothing to the eye. Their first job is to prepare and clean the surface. Rough spots must be smoothed, holes and cracks must be filled, and old paint in bad condition, varnish and wall paper have to be taken off. Sometimes, wallpaper has to be soaked or steamed to be taken off. Paperhangers put "sizing" on new surfaces to make the paper stick better.
Paperhangers set up pasteboards, put up scaffolds if needed, measure surface areas to figure the amount of wallcovering needed, and cut paper strips to size. They put paste on the back of the paper strip, or when the wallcovering is prepasted, dunk strips in water to wet the paste. They put the wallpaper directly on prepared surfaces and smooth them into place with brushes or rollers. In putting the paper on the wall, Paperhangers must make sure that they match the patterns correctly, cut overlapping ends, and smooth seams between strips.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Painters and Paperhangers often work with their arms stretched over their heads for long periods of time. They stand, climb and bend, working from ladders, scaffolds, and swing stages. They risk injury from slips or falls. The job may also take Painters into places where air circulation is poor, in which case respirators, air hoods, and fans are used. Painters can also come into contact with poisonous chemicals when mixing paints, and airless spray painting can give off toxic fumes or the strong spray can cut a worker. Paperhangers are exposed to chemical removers and steam machines.
Painters have to work indoors and outdoors, unlike Paperhangers who do all of their work indoors in fairly clean, well-lit, and ventilated areas. When doing exterior painting, workers are out in nearly all kinds of weather.
Painters and Paperhangers may work alone when putting up wallpaper or painting in homes, or they may work with others when the job site is a big commercial building. Those who work for contractors may belong to the International Brotherhood of Painters and Allied Trades.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
The California Projections of Employment, published by the Labor Market Information Division of the Employment Development Department, estimates that the number of Painters and Paperhangers in California will reach 36,640 by 2005, an increase in new jobs of 11,310 over the number there was in 1993. There will also be an estimated 7,940 job openings due to people retiring or leaving the occupation. Added to the 11,310 new jobs expected, this makes for an estimated total of 19,250 job opportunities through 2005.
(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)
Nearly all Painters work in the construction industry. They are usually laid off during periods of damp or rainy weather, as are many other workers in construction. In some areas of California, they may be out of work for three months, or longer, each year because of poor weather. Employment is also depends on good economic conditions which boost construction activity. Employment in most of the State is highest during the spring, summer and early fall when construction activity is at its peak.
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Painters and Paperhangers are paid at different rates based on experience, training and skill level, type of employer and geographic location. Entry or apprentice workers earn hourly wages of minimum wage to $15.00. Workers with less than three years experience earn from $7.00 to $15.00 hourly, while those with at least three years experience can earn up to $26.00.
Those who belong to a union usually make a higher wage.
Most employers offer paid vacation, sick leave and medical insurance. Many offer retirement plans and dental, vision and life insurance.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
The minimum education for entry into the painting or wallpapering trade is the ability to read, write and do simple arithmetic. Although it is not required, employers reported that most recent hires were high school graduates.
The formal way to journey-level status is through an apprenticeship program, which consists of three and one half years of supervised, on-the-job training and 144 hours of related school instruction. Related work experience can be credited to apprentices by examination and evaluation by the Joint Apprenticeship Committee. Apprenticeship applicants must be at least 16 years old. The work requires color and depth perception, ability to lift and carry 50 pounds and the temperament to work while standing on ladders or scaffolding.
ADVANCEMENT
Promotion for Painters and Paperhangers is usually by going through the regular skill levels to reach journey-level. Some workers advance to supervisor, superintendent, cost estimator or sales associate. Many become self-employed, but the competition for jobs is tough. Most self-employed workers must obtain a painting and decorating license, issued by their local State Contractor's Board, by passing a three-hour trade test and a three- hour business operation test. Workers must have four years of journey-level experience in the past 10 years to qualify for the contractor test.
FINDING THE JOB
Painters and Paperhangers find work through the union local and by applying directly to employers or the California Employment Development Department Job Service. Painters can get information on government job opportunities from city and county personnel offices, Federal Job Information Centers, and the California State Personnel Board. Persons looking for an apprenticeship can contact the nearest local of the Painter's union, prospective employers, Division of Apprenticeship Standards, or the local Joint Apprenticeship Committee.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
California Department of Industrial Relations Division of Apprenticeship Standards 45 Fremont Street, Suite 1050 San Francisco, CA 94105 (415) 975-2035
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Plasterers and Stucco Masons No. 249
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1) Painter 840.381-010 Paperhanger 841.381-010
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System Painters and Paperhangers, Const. 874020
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
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