A Simple Guide To Becoming a Commercial Painter
The artistic realm is not limited to easels, brushes, and canvases. It also extends to structures, bridges, and commercial properties – the areas painted by commercial painters.
But how can a person start a career as a successful commercial painter? Well, let’s dive into this colourful world to find out.
The difference between a commercial and a residential painter
To begin with, let’s first determine the difference between a commercial and a residential painter. Unlike the residential painter who focuses on homes and small-scale projects, a commercial painter works on large-scale projects, including offices, retail stores, and public buildings—to name a few.
The role of a commercial painter requires specialized skills, proper tools and equipment, and a broad understanding of materials and methods suitable for varied surfaces and settings.
Steps to becoming a professional commercial painter
1. Education
Like most careers, education plays a crucial role in becoming a commercial painter. No specific degree is required, but a high school diploma or equivalent is often preferred by employers if you decide to work for a company.
Coursework in mathematics, shop, and drawing can be beneficial for understanding the technical aspects of the job and some colleges offer programs in construction and painting that provide a more comprehensive understanding of the field.
2. Vocational Training
While traditional education builds a foundation, vocational training provides a hands-on experience. Several vocational schools and community colleges offer painting courses that delve into color theory, surface preparation, application techniques, and safety protocols.
Training also involves learning about different types of paints, brushes, rollers, and spray equipment.
3. Apprenticeship
An apprenticeship is a crucial step in the journey of becoming a commercial painter. It provides real-world experience under the guidance of a seasoned professional.
Over one to four years, apprentices learn about the full gamut of proper painting. Things like color mixing, application techniques, and how to use various painting tools all come into play. An apprenticeship also learns critical aspects of the trade, like safety practices, blueprint reading, and cost estimation.
4. Certification
Although it’s not mandatory, obtaining a certification can improve your job and career prospects, and demonstrate commitment to the profession.
The Painting Contractors Association (PCA) offers a painting certification program that provides advanced training that literally sets painters apart from the competition and those without any formal training.
If you want to get started in a career of commercial painting – going solo or with a company, we’d highly advise that you do take a course or certification program and learn the skills needed by the professionals.
5. Work Experience
After completing an apprenticeship, gaining work experience is essential. Many commercial painters start as helpers or assistants on construction sites or with painting crews.
With this type of experience, they can move on to more complex tasks, and eventually handle independent projects.
This will help build a strong portfolio over time, and aid you in acquiring larger, more lucrative jobs or contracts.
6. Obtaining Painter’s Tools
The journey from a novice to a professional commercial painter is not just about gaining experience and certifications; it’s also about understanding the tools of the painter’s trade.
A good painter knows that the quality of their work heavily relies on the quality of their tools and equipment.
The professional painter’s list of tools and equipment is extensive. It ranges from different types of brushes and rollers to sprayers, each catering to a specific task. Scrappers, sanders, caulking guns, and masking tools are also part of this kit, and facilitate tasks like surface preparation and detailing.
A commercial painter needs to master the usage of each of these tools to deliver professional-level work.
7. Business Acumen
There’s one last thing. If you’re considering running your own painting business, developing business acumen is vital. This includes understanding marketing, customer service, and basic accounting. Joining a business course or acquiring a mentor from the industry can significantly help in this regard. The PCA also provides a business training program so if you want to start a painting business yourself, that is a good place to start [source].
The take home
Being a commercial painter demands a lot more than just skill with a brush. It requires patience, precision, business acumen, and an understanding of the wide array of tools and materials involved. As you embark on this career path, remember that every masterpiece was once a blank canvas. With hard work, dedication, and a continual desire to learn, you too can transform your canvas into a successful career as a commercial painter.
