Take high school courses in the areas of auto shop, physics, math and chemistry. These classes will prepare you for the auto body painting field by giving you the background you need to mix paints and understand pressure controls in paint spray guns, according to CollegeBoard.com. In addition, focus on English class so that you will have strong reading and writing skills. If your high school offers an automotive collision repair program, take advantage of it.
Search for post-secondary auto body repair training programs that include instruction in painting, which are available at vocational/technical schools and community colleges. Both two-year associate degree programs and certificate programs that last six months to a year offer training in this field, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. To get into these programs, you will need to submit your high school diploma or GED.
Be prepared to learn both in the classroom and in the laboratory setting while in an auto body painting program. Learn how to use hand and power tools to prepare car surfaces for paint. According to the College of Alameda in California, it also is advisable to take courses about the ethics of the trade, Also, practice performing detailed and intricate work on cars using automotive finishes. Concentrate on mastering how to match new paint to faded paint on a vehicle.
Prepare to learn other aspects of auto-collision repair, such as removing car scratches and performing other metal work, as part of your training. You might need these skills if working in a shop that performs both painting and repair jobs. If you are in an associate degree program, also be ready to take general education classes in science, English and the humanities.
Complete an internship at a local auto body shop to gain hands-on experiences in auto body painting, according to Maui Community College in Hawaii. Having an internship under your belt will make you more competitive when you look for jobs. Also, pursue voluntary certification through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, which offers four collision repair and refinish exams that lead to the credential of a master technician.