Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Onet SOC Code 51-9121.00 Career Description: Set up, operate, or tend machines to coat or paint any of a wide variety of products including food, glassware, cloth, ceramics, metal, plastic, paper, or wood, with lacquer, silver, copper, rubber, varnish, glaze, enamel, oil, or rust-proofing materials. Related Clusters: Architecture and Construction Manufacturing

Career Summary:

• Perform test runs to ensure that equipment is set up properly.
• Clean machines, related equipment, and work areas, using water, solvents and other cleaning aids.
• Thread or feed items or products through or around machine rollers and dryers.
• Attach hoses or nozzles to machines, using wrenches and pliers, and make adjustments to obtain the proper dispersion of spray.
• Remove materials, parts, or workpieces from painting or coating machines, using hand tools.
• Transfer completed items or products from machines to drying or storage areas, using handcarts, handtrucks, or cranes.
• Attach and align machine parts such as rollers, guides, brushes, and blades, using hand tools.
• Examine, measure, weigh, or test sample products to ensure conformance to specifications.
• Hold or position spray guns to direct spray onto articles.
• Place items or products on feedracks, spindles, or reel strands to coat, paint, or spray them, using hands, hoists, or trucklifts.
• Prepare and apply stencils, computer-generated decals, or other decorative items to finished products.
• Paint small items and perform touch-up painting, using paint brushes.
• Spray coated products with salt solutions to determine how they will resist corrosion.
• Observe machine gauges and equipment operation to detect defects or deviations from standards, and make adjustments as necessary.
• Determine paint flow, viscosity, and coating quality by performing visual inspections, or by using viscometers.
• Weigh or measure chemicals, coatings, or paints before adding them to machines.
• Select appropriate coatings, paints, or sprays, or prepare them by mixing substances according to formulas, using automated paint mixing equipment.
• Set up and operate machines to paint or coat products with such materials as silver and copper solution, rubber, paint, glaze, oil, or rustproofing materials.
• Turn dials, handwheels, valves, or switches to regulate conveyor speeds, machine temperature, air pressure and circulation, and the flow or spray of coatings or paints.
• Start and stop operation of machines, using levers or buttons.
• Record operational data on specified forms.
• Start pumps to mix solutions and fill tanks.
• Operate auxiliary machines or equipment used in coating or painting processes.
• Fill hoppers, reservoirs, troughs, or pans with material used to coat, paint, or spray, using conveyors or pails.

• Painting and spraying machine operators acquire their skills on the job, usually by watching and assisting experienced workers. For most operators, training lasts from a few days to several months. Painting machine operators who modify the operation of computer-controlled equipment during the process may require additional training in computer application and programming. Some employers sponsor training programs to help their workers become more productive. The training may be provided by manufacturers of chemicals or paints. For related information and recommended courses to prepare for this occupation, Tennessee high school students may visit the Trade and Industrial Education Standards, Competency Profiles, and Resource Links online.

• Visual Color Discrimination - The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.

• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

• Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Second Interest High-Point - Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.

• Moral Values - Workers on this job are never pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
• Activity - Workers on this job are busy all the time.
• Independence - Workers on this job do their work alone.
• Company Policies and Practices - Workers on this job are treated fairly by the company.
• Supervision, Human Relations - Workers on this job have supervisors who back up their workers with management.
• Support-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
• Supervision, Technical - Workers on this job have supervisors who train their workers well.
• Security - Workers on this job have steady employment.

Wage and salary data provided by:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee Department of Labor website
• TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development website
• Bureau of Economic Analysis website