Role summary
The Finesse Technician is responsible for the final inspection and surface correction of painted vehicle bodies after the clearcoat process. This role ensures that all vehicles meet OEM appearance standards before release to assembly by identifying and correcting minor paint defects while maintaining production throughput, safety, and quality requirements. The Finesse Technician plays a critical role in achieving first-pass yield, customer-visible quality, and final paint appearance excellence.
Responsibilities
- Perform detailed visual inspection of painted vehicle bodies under defined lighting conditions
- Identify defects such as dust nibs, sags, thin paint, orange peel, scratches, craters, and other paint film issues
- Classify defects by severity and required repair method
- Mark repair areas according to standard procedures
- Perform spot sanding, polishing, and buffing operations
- Use approved abrasives, compounds, pads, and tools
- Ensure defect removal without damaging surrounding paint, causing gloss variation, or creating edge burn-through
- Rework only within defined repair limits and SOPs
- Ensure repaired areas are visually indistinguishable from the original finish
- Escalate defects beyond repair capability to Team Leader or Quality
- Support appearance audits and quality checks
- Maintain zero repeat defects and minimize rework cycle time
- Maintain accurate records of repairs performed
- Follow all safety procedures related to polishing, sanding, and tool operation
- Use required PPE including gloves, masks, eye protection, and hearing protection
- Handle polishing materials and chemicals according to safety guidelines
- Proper use and care of polishing machines, sanding tools, and accessories
- Inspect tools before use and report abnormalities or damage
- Maintain clean, organized workstations and support 5S activities
- Achieve assigned takt time and repair targets
- Follow standard work instructions and repair matrices
- Participate in shift handovers and production communication
- Support CI activities and defect-reduction initiatives
Qualifications
- Diploma certificate or technical qualification preferred
- 2–3 years of experience in automotive paint finish, finesse, or repair operations
- Experience in clearcoat inspection and correction is mandatory
- Basic understanding of paint shop safety and quality standards
- Willingness to work shifts and follow production schedules
Education
Diploma or technical qualification
Experience
2–3 years in automotive paint finish, finesse, or repair operations
Skills
- Strong understanding of automotive paint defects and repair techniques
- Knowledge of clearcoat behavior, gloss, texture, and appearance standards
- Skilled in denibbing, sanding, polishing, and buffing operations
- Ability to judge gloss, texture, and color uniformity
- High precision and strong hand-skill control
- Strong focus on customer-visible quality
- Good communication and collaboration with production and quality teams
- Strong compliance with standards and procedures
- Ability to perform repetitive manual work in a production environment
Education · Experience · Type
DiplomaRequires 2+ yearsSalary not stated