7 replies to this topic

[thevinnyofoz]

Hi all,

I would be grateful for your advice....

Car paint spraying is something i´d like to gain a qualification in but i´m a little overwhelmed by how many courses are out there.

So my question is Which qualification do I need to study, Tech Cert ? NVQ ?

I need something that will help me into the trade. I´m 30 and work full time so i´m too old for an apprenticeship, (

Thanks for your time

[MiniMonty]

There is a forum (similar to this one) for car detailers.
I bet you could get some good advice from there.

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/

best wishes
Monty

[jack_marshall]

Ive started NVQ in body repair and refinish.

Id been doing the job already for around 18 months full time and a couple years part time previous.

To be honest I found it a waste of time. Ive no doubt the second or third year maybe more interesting but the first year stuff is rubbish.

But if you've never done bodywork or refinishing its probably quite alrite.

[panelbeaterpeter]

Me too, I have no qualifications, went to college and I knew more than the tutors. A piece of paper doesn't mean you can spray! I can say the same for most other people I work with, I think showing you can do the job and having references is better than anything. Try and get a job with a bodyshop and work your way up. If you're any good, you'll soon find out and you'll move up quicker than you would being at college. I started at a garage with no experience at 18, and by the time I was 20, I was in the booth painting all day.

[projectjordan]

I started my body shop career at the age of 26 - the oldest apprentice in town.

I've been dabbling in bodywork since i bought my first mini at 18...but i've always had desk jobs...

but a highly reputable bodyshop were looking for apprentices and were paying minimum wage, more than £4 if you're 26! By showing a keen interest, and the maturity lacking in most apprentices that had been there, i had worked my way up to full time painter within 2 years.

i'm still only in my 'final year' of my apprentiship (4 yrs if you believe the hype), and i'm now the sole painter in a smaller but more prestige bodyshop.

Basically, if its something you want to get into, even at 30, go for it, and dont be afraid to start at the bottom.

[mini_lad_1990]

im in my level 2 at college in paint hen got 1 more year after this one to do level 2 body but what my college does is do level 2 and 3 in the same year

but as other say a piece of paper dont show you can spray and do the job your being asked to do!!

i may be wrong but every 3 years you have to do a refresher course to keep up to scratch cause we get them in college every tuesday does our heads in lol

cheers

[koomey]

hey thevinnyofoz
any news on this ? would like to do sumat similar myself, im 30 too !

[rozzer!]

i have a level 3 imi qualification. i dont paint tho. my old guvnor continuously put my work down, to the point i refused to do it anymore. showed him up as he made all the mistakes i made as a junior and he had 30 years experience. i now work else where and have kinda started at the bottom again. i still do small private jobs tho. and my own minis