Build Your Future in the Finishing Trades

Paint and wall coverings make surfaces clean, attractive, and bright. In addition, paints and other coatings protect outside walls from wear caused by exposure to the weather. Although some painters do both, they require different skills.

Painters apply paints, stains, varnish, and other finishes to buildings and other structures. They apply the correct products to the surface, taking into account durability, ease of handling, method of application, and the finish the customer wants. Painters also prepare the surface for painting. This may require removing the existing coating by stripping, sanding, burning, or blasting it off. Painters also wash walls and trim to remove dirt and grease, fill nail holes, repair cracks, and smooth out rough areas on existing surfaces. On new surfaces, they apply primers and sealers to prepare the surface for the finish coat.

There are many ways to apply coatings. Painters must be able to choose the correct application for each job depending on the surface to be covered, what type of finish is being applied and other factors which could present themselves. Some different types of applicators include various brushes, rollers, or paint sprayers. Many jobs will use more than one method, so it is good to know all types of applications. The right tools not only expedite the painters work, but also produce the most attractive finishes.

Paperhangers cover walls and ceilings with decorative wall coverings made of vinyl, paper, and fabrics. They first prepare the wall by sealing the surface which helps the wallcovering adhere to the wall. When redecorating, they will first remove the old wallcoverings, repair holes and fix any other imperfections on the surface before applying the new wallcovering.

Glass serves many uses in modern buildings. Insulated and specialty treated glass keeps in warm or cool air and provides good condensation and sound qualities; tempered and laminated glass make doors and windows more secure. In large commercial buildings, glass panels give office buildings a distinctive look while reducing the need for artificial lighting. The creative use of large windows, glass doors, skylights, and sunroom additions make homes bright, airy, and inviting.

Glaziers are responsible for selecting, cutting, installing, replacing, and removing all types of glass. They generally work on one of several types of projects. Residential glazing involves work such replacing windows, installing mirrors, shower doors, and bathtub enclosures. On interior commercial projects, glaziers install items such as room dividers or security windows. Glazing projects also involve the replacement of storefront windows for places like supermarkets, strip malls, and banks.

In the construction of large commercial buildings, glaziers build metal framework extrusions and install glass panels or curtain walls. Besides working with glass, they also work with plastics, Plexiglas, and other materials used as glass substitutes. They also mount steel and aluminum sashes and attach locks and hinges to glass doors.

Some people call this area of our craft "taping" but it is correctly termed drywall finishing. This process involves filling the joints between drywall wallboards. When accomplished correctly, the wall or ceiling will appear to be one continuous surface instead of many pieces of wallboard butted together. The work is performed with knives or trowels utilizing semi-liquid joint compound.

After the drywall is installed, Finishers immediately use a specialty knife to press a paper tape (used to reinforce the drywall and to hide imperfections) into the wet compound and to smooth away excess material. Nail and screw depressions are also covered with this compound, as are any imperfections caused by the installation of any fixtures. On large commercial projects, finishers may use automatic taping tools that apply the joint compound and tape in one step.

Finishers apply second and third coats using automatic coating tools then sand the treated areas after each coat to make them smooth as the rest of the wall surface. This results in a very smooth and almost perfect surface. Some finishers apply textured materials to walls and ceilings with trowels, brushes or spray guns. Finishers also apply some decorative finishes and Venetian plasters.

Industrial coatings specialists apply protective and decorative finishes to manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and heavy equipment. This specialized trade requires expertise in surface preparation, application techniques, and knowledge of high-performance coating systems for demanding industrial environments.

Work environments include power plants, refineries, water treatment facilities, bridges, and large-scale manufacturing operations. Industrial coatings protect structures from corrosion, chemical exposure, extreme temperatures, and heavy wear. Specialists must understand coating chemistry, environmental regulations, and safety protocols for working in confined spaces and at heights.

Training covers spray application systems, abrasive blasting, protective equipment usage, and quality control testing. Industrial coatings specialists are in high demand as infrastructure maintenance and industrial construction continue to grow.