2

Entry Level Paint Prepper Jobs (NOW HIRING)

As an Entry-level Auto Body Repair Technician, you'll be expected to prep vehicles for paint ... Paint Prepper (min 6 months professional experience): prepare vehicles for cosmetic paintwork ...

As an Entry-level Auto Body Repair Technician, you'll be expected to prep vehicles for paint ... Paint Prepper (min 6 months professional experience): prepare vehicles for cosmetic paintwork ...

As an Entry-level Auto Body Repair Technician, you'll be expected to prep vehicles for paint ... Paint Prepper (min 6 months professional experience): prepare vehicles for cosmetic paintwork ...

As an Entry-level Auto Body Repair Technician, you'll be expected to prep vehicles for paint ... Paint Prepper (min 6 months professional experience): prepare vehicles for cosmetic paintwork ...

New

As an Entry-level Auto Body Repair Technician, you'll be expected to prep vehicles for paint ... Paint Prepper (min 6 months professional experience): prepare vehicles for cosmetic paintwork ...

New

As an Entry-level Auto Body Repair Technician, you'll be expected to prep vehicles for paint ... Paint Prepper (min 6 months professional experience): prepare vehicles for cosmetic paintwork ...

As an Entry-level Auto Body Repair Technician, you'll be expected to prep vehicles for paint ... Paint Prepper (min 6 months professional experience): prepare vehicles for cosmetic paintwork ...

As an Entry-level Auto Body Repair Technician, you'll be expected to prep vehicles for paint ... Paint Prepper (min 6 months professional experience): prepare vehicles for cosmetic paintwork ...

As an Entry-level Auto Body Repair Technician, you'll be expected to prep vehicles for paint ... Paint Prepper (min 6 months professional experience): prepare vehicles for cosmetic paintwork ...

As an Entry-level Auto Body Repair Technician, you'll be expected to prep vehicles for paint ... Paint Prepper (min 6 months professional experience): prepare vehicles for cosmetic paintwork ...

New

As an Entry-level Auto Body Repair Technician, you'll be expected to prep vehicles for paint ... Paint Prepper (min 6 months professional experience): prepare vehicles for cosmetic paintwork ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Entry Level Paint Prepper information

See salary details

$10

$17

$24

How much do entry level paint prepper jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level paint prepper in the United States is $17.92, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.
Infographic showing various Entry Level Paint Prepper job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Locum Tenens, and 67% Full Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,281 per year, or $17.9 per hour.
Automotive Paint Prepper - Entry Level - Trainee

Automotive Paint Prepper - Entry Level - Trainee

Dent Wizard

San Jose, CA

$24.15/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago


Dent Wizard rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

148th of 332 rated vehicle maintenance


Job description

For a quick application text APPLY1 to 82174

About Dent Wizard

Dent Wizard is the nation's undisputed leader in automotive reconditioning services and vehicle protection products - and our success is the result of the great people who serve our customers. We're stable, growing and have a strong business model, with opportunities in 43 states, 2.5 million vehicles repaired every year and more than 3,000 highly skilled employees. Help us reach new heights and receive the respect, rewards and recognition you deserve.

As a Tech - Paint Prepper, your essential job functions include:

Supporting one or more of our Paint Technicians, you will wash vehicles,locate, and remove imperfections on panels and treat scratches and chips with plastic or liquidfiller.You'lltape up the cars, so we paint only the parts of the car that are intended, and smooth rough spots. After painting,you'llremove the tape, clean the vehicle, and prepare it for buffing.

Perform the following items (60%)

Surface Preparation:

  • Thoroughly inspect wheels for damage, cracks, bends, or other issues.

  • Evaluate the extent of damage todeterminethe repair or refurbishmentrequired.

  • Inspect surfaces to be painted and assess their condition.

  • Remove dirt, dust, and contaminants from surfaces using cleaning agents, solvents, and otherappropriate methods.

Sanding and Smoothing:

  • Sand surfaces create a smooth and uniform texture, ensuring proper adhesion for paint.

  • Repair minor imperfections or damageinsurfaces, such as dents or scratches.

Masking and Taping:

  • Apply masking tape, paper, or other protective materials to areas that should not be painted.

  • Cover windows,trim, or any parts that need to be shielded from paint.

Priming:

  • Apply primer to surfaces to enhance paint adhesion and corrosion resistance.

  • Sand primedsurfaces to achieve a smooth finish.

Quality Control and Service Excellence (30%)

  • Clean andmaintainpainting equipment, including spray guns, paint booths, and related tools.

  • Follow safety protocols, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure a safe work environment.

  • Handle and dispose of hazardous materialsin accordance withsafety regulations.

Serve as SME Technician for the Division (10%)

  • Maintain records of preparation processes, materials used, and any issues or defectsencountered.

Other Duties as Assigned

Competencies Required

  • Teamwork and Collaboration

  • Customer Focus

  • Communication Skills

  • Process and Planning Orientation

Position Requirements

  • High school diploma or equivalent

  • Previousexperience in wheel refurbishing or automotive repair is preferred but notrequired

  • Previousexperience inpaintpreparation, automotive refinishing, or a related field isadvantageous.

  • Knowledge of painting and surface preparation techniques.

  • Proficiencywith hand and power tools.

  • Strong work ethic, self-motivationand the ability to work independently

  • Toughness and grit to work outside in all kinds of weather

  • Valid driver's license andgood drivingrecord

Physical Job Requirements

  • Work in well-ventilated automotive repair shops or refurbishing facilities

  • Physical stamina tofrequentlykneel, bend and squat, as well aslift upto 45 pounds

Drug Policy

  • All applicants being considered for employment must pass a pre-employment drug screening and background check.

The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and geographic location.

The starting compensation is expected to be:

$24.15/Hour

We offer a competitive & comprehensive benefit package including: paid time off, medical, dental, vision, and 401k match (50% on the dollar up to 7% of employee contribution). For more information on our benefit offerings, please visit our Dealer Tire Family of Companies Benefits Highlights Booklet.

EOE Statement: Dent Wizard is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act*), or any other legally protected status, with respect to employment opportunities.

*ADA Disclosure: Any candidate who feels that they may need an accommodation to complete this application, or any portions of same, based on the impact of a disability should contact Dent Wizard's Human Resources Department to discuss your specific needs. Please feel free to contact us at recruiting@dentwizard.com.


What Dent Wizard employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom