Company Overview
Gardner Glass Products has a rich history dating back to 1962, evolving from a small mirror manufacturer to one of the leading independent glass product producers in the country. With manufacturing facilities across multiple locations, the company is dedicated to delivering high-quality glass and coating solutions to meet diverse customer needs.
Position Overview
The Paint Room Technician operates, monitors, and maintains the automated machinery used to apply and cure protective basecoats and topcoats onto mirror glass. This role requires strong mechanical aptitude, strict adherence to safety protocols for handling industrial coatings, and close attention to quality control to ensure total mirror longevity.
Key Responsibilities
1. Coating Line Operation
- Equipment Setup: Set up and operate automated roller coaters, curtain coaters, or spray booths to apply uniform paint layers onto the back of silvered glass.
- Oven Monitoring: Monitor and regulate infrared (IR) or convection curing ovens to ensure the paint dries and bonds at precise temperature curves.
- Line Regulation: Adjust computerized control panels (PLC) to manage conveyor speeds, paint pump pressures, and application thickness.
2. Paint Preparation & Management
- Mixing & Thinning: Mix raw industrial backing paints and solvents according to strict factory formulations to achieve proper viscosity.
- Viscosity Testing: Use Zahn cups or viscometers to measure and log paint thickness before and during production runs.
- Supply Management: Monitor paint levels and change out drums, pumps, and filters to maintain an uninterrupted production flow.
3. Quality Control & Inspection
- Thickness Verification: Use wet-film and dry-film thickness gauges to verify the protective coating meets engineering tolerances.
- Defect Detection: Inspect finished backing for pinholes, bubbles, runs, or uncured sections that could allow moisture to ruin the silver underneath.
- Adhesion Testing: Perform routine cross-hatch or tape-adhesion tests to ensure the paint bonds permanently to the silver/copper layers.
4. Maintenance & Safety Protocols
- Line Cleaning: Clean coating rollers, spray nozzles, and paint lines daily using hazardous solvents to prevent buildup and blockages.
- Safety Adherence: Wear full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including organic vapor respirators, chemical gloves, and protective suits.
- Hazardous Waste Handling: Safely collect, label, and dispose of paint sludge, spent filters, and cleaning solvents in compliance with OSHA and environmental laws.
Required Qualifications & Skills
- Education: High school diploma or GED equivalent; vocational training in industrial painting, automotive refinishing, or manufacturing technology is a plus.
- Experience: 1–3 years of experience operating automated painting, curtain coating, or roller coating lines in a manufacturing environment.
- Technical Skills: Comfortable using precision gauges, mixing math (ratios), and operating digital manufacturing control screens.
- Physical Demands: Ability to work in hot, noisy environments, stand for long shifts, and safely lift up to 50 lbs.
- Visual Acuity: Sharp eye for color consistency, texture variations, and surface defects. [1, 2, 3]
Pay: From $14.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) 2% match
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: In person
