About Finch Restorations

Finch Restorations was established in 1965 and is Australia’s longest-established specialist vehicle restoration business.

We undertake comprehensive restorations of vehicles spanning more than a century of motoring, from rare European marques and Australian classics to vintage trucks and other significant vehicles.

Our new flagship workshop in Hindmarsh, housed within a c1940 historic industrial building just minutes from the Adelaide CBD, is becoming the centre of our expanding restoration operations.

We are now seeking an experienced Automotive Spray Painter / Body Surfacer to join our Body and Paint team.

This is not a production crash-repair role. Our work frequently requires considerably more time and care in surfacing, preparation, panel alignment and refinishing than would normally be practical in a high-volume repair environment.

About the Role

Our immediate priority is to find someone with exceptional ability in body surfacing and preparation.

You may come from a spray painting, panel beating, body finishing or restoration background. What matters most is your ability to see and feel subtle imperfections, develop accurate contours, and prepare vehicle bodies to the standard required for high-quality restoration paintwork.

For applicants with strong refinishing skills, the role can also include priming, colour preparation, spray painting, polishing and final finishing.

You will work closely with our panel, coachbuilding and paint teams to take restored vehicle bodies from completed metalwork through to a surface ready for premium refinishing.

Duties & Responsibilities

Depending upon your skills and experience, responsibilities may include:

- Assess body surfaces and identify contour, alignment and preparation requirements

- Surface and block vehicle bodies to achieve accurate contours and transitions

- Apply and shape appropriate surfacing materials and high-build primers

- Carry out repeated guide coating, blocking and inspection processes

- Identify highs, lows, ripples and other surface imperfections





- Work with panel beaters and coachbuilders where further metal correction is required

- Assist with panel alignment, gap-setting and final fitment where appropriate

- Prepare restored panels and bodies for premium paint finishes

- Undertake masking, priming and final preparation

- Mix and match colours where appropriately qualified and experienced

- Apply basecoat, solid colour and clearcoat paint systems

- Wet sand, polish and finish painted surfaces

- Inspect completed work and maintain a consistently high standard of finish

- Maintain photographic and written records of work undertaken

- Contribute to project planning, progress reporting and quality control

- Maintain equipment and a clean, orderly and professional work area

Skills & Experience

We are interested in hearing from applicants who can demonstrate:

- Extensive practical experience in automotive body preparation, surfacing, refinishing or a closely related trade

- An exceptional eye and feel for contour, symmetry and surface quality

- High-level blocking and surfacing skills

- The patience required to achieve restoration-quality results rather than production repair outcomes

- Experience with automotive primers, fillers, sealers and paint systems

- Strong attention to detail and pride in the quality of finished work

- The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with other specialist trades

Experience with classic, vintage, prestige or high-value vehicles is highly regarded but is not essential.

A Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology, Automotive Body Repair Technology or an equivalent relevant qualification is desirable,



but substantial proven industry experience will also be considered.

Particularly of Interest

We would especially like to hear from tradespeople who have developed strong skills in areas such as:

- Long-board surfacing and blocking

- Restoration body preparation

- Show-quality or prestige refinishing

- Complex panel contours and transitions

- High-level panel fit and gap consistency

A highly capable Body Surfacer who does little or no final spray painting may be just as interesting to us as an experienced Spray Painter with exceptional preparation and surfacing skills.

What We Offer

- Full time employment

- A nine-day fortnight option available

- Varied work across unusual and significant vehicles

- An environment where quality takes precedence over production volume

- The opportunity to work alongside experienced coachbuilders, panel beaters, painters, mechanics and other restoration trades

- Modern facilities within our expanding Hindmarsh flagship workshop

- A long-term role within an established South Australian restoration business

- A workshop located approximately five minutes from the Adelaide CBD

How to Apply:

Apply through SEEK, preferably including photographs or examples of your previous body preparation, surfacing or refinishing work.

Alternatively, applications may be sent to *******@finchmc.com.au.

About the Video Below

The video showcases a replica SS100 Jaguar, a stunning 1938 classic that our team built from the ground up using traditional coachbuilding techniques, and that was exported to Florida. This project is a perfect example of the meticulous craftsmanship, metal fabrication, and panel beating that goes into our restorations.

At Finch Restorations, no two projects are the same and span 120 years of motoring history — some vehicles require expert repairs, while others, like the SS100, are completely reconstructed to exacting standards. If you’re a passionate tradesperson who takes pride in precision metalwork and vehicle restoration, we’d love to hear from you.

📌 Automotive Spray Painter / Body Surfacer - Classic Vehicle Restoration (Hindmarsh)
🏢 Finch Restorations
📍 Hindmarsh