“The practical skills acquired while working in the USA turned out to be extremely effective in improving automotive painting processes in my daily activities,” says Serhii Zhartovskyi, an automotive painting specialist. “Despite 30 years of professional experience, here I discovered new approaches to work that significantly increase productivity. For example, the use of fast varnishes in painting, which accelerate the process and make it possible to return the vehicle to the customer just an hour after the painting is completed. This is one of the most effective methods that I saw in America, adopted and actively used in my practice.”
He began his professional career by working at local service stations in Ukraine. Over time, he gained experience in automotive painting in official dealer services, such as Škoda, Peugeot and Bosch Service. Now Serhii Zhartovskyi works in the USA, shares his many years of professional experience and continues to gain new experience.
Beginning a Career in the USA
The automotive painter began his professional career in the United States by looking for work opportunities and potential collaborators. Serhii aimed to establish himself as a qualified specialist in the field of automotive painting.
“At the initial stage, I tried to work in several places. However, I was forced to refuse some positions because the working conditions did not meet the required quality standards,” says the master. “These enterprises lacked proper equipment, high-quality materials and the necessary conditions for professional painting. It was always fundamentally important for me to do my job as best as possible, so I could not continue working where maintaining high-quality standards was impossible.”
Later, Serhii found a workplace where high-quality products are used, appropriate equipment is available, where work processes are properly organized and all the necessary conditions for professional work are created.
“This gave me the opportunity to fully realize my professional potential, adhering to high quality standards and continuing to develop in my field,” says the automotive painter.
First difficulties
He says that the first major challenge in adapting to work in the United States was his lack of knowledge of the language. This significantly complicated communication with customers and colleagues. Serhii actively studied English, improved his language skills through constant practice, so now it is much easier for him to interact with customers.
“I immediately understood that I was working in new conditions, but professional standards generally remain the same in both Europe and the USA,” says the automotive painter. “The main principle of work in any field, and the automotive painting industry is no exception, is a satisfied customer. Therefore, it is necessary to perform high-quality work, in compliance with all technologies and requirements, to achieve the best possible results.”
American car service market
According to Serhii, there are no fundamental differences in quality standards between the American and Ukrainian car service markets. The main professional requirements remain the same regardless of the country.
“Without compliance with painting technology, flawless paint finish, precise color selection, quality control, professional responsibility and compliance with safety standards, flawless painting is impossible,” says the specialist.
He adds that it is also mandatory to follow the technical regulations and recommendations of material manufacturers, which clearly define how certain works should be performed.
“In my work, I use the same materials that I worked with before in Ukraine. Most modern paint coatings are international and are widely used both in Europe and in the USA,” says the automotive painter. “I also use professional-grade abrasives (sandpaper), painting tapes and other materials and consumables that are used in the process of preparing and painting cars. They are considered one of the best in the world, meet high quality standards and modern requirements of the automotive industry. That is why, regardless of the country, I continue to work with proven manufacturers who help me perform my work with high quality, achieve stable and professional results.”
Safety regulations
Serhii says that in the USA, as well as in Ukraine and other countries, the most important principle is worker safety.
“In the automotive painting sector, this is of particular importance due to the use of chemical materials and the formation of dust during surface treatment. Therefore, the use of personal protective equipment is mandatory including respirators or protective masks to prevent inhalation of paint fumes and sanding dust, as well as protective gloves to avoid skin contact with aggressive substances and solvents,” says the specialist.
In addition to personal safety, Serhii also pays attention to the correct organization of the work process in order to create reliable working conditions for all participants. Quality control of work is no less important, since compliance with technology directly affects the result and safety of the process itself.
“In American auto repair shops, inspections are organized systematically and include an inspection of the work performed before the vehicle is returned to the customer. The main role in this process is played by the service advisor, who verifies that the work meets established standards and only after that the vehicle is returned to the customer,” says the automotive painter.
An important component is compliance with production processes. Any violation or deviation from technology can lead to poor-quality repairs.
“Defects may become visible both immediately after the work is performed and over time, which can later lead to negative feedback from customers and loss of trust in the service.”
Serhii says that American auto repair shops evaluate work speed, paint quality, the ability to avoid paint runs and surface contamination, as well as the correct application of orange peel texture in the clear coat finish. Each vehicle requires an individual finishing approach. All these nuances are taken into account in the USA, as well as in Europe, and are important when assessing the professionalism of the specialist.
That is why the requirements for the quality of work in Europe and the USA are practically the same. If a specialist works at a high level, the customer remains satisfied in any country.
Adaptation to work in the USA
Since the basic professional principles are unchanged, the process of integrating an automotive painter into the American car service system was not too long. The many years of experience gained by Serhii during his years of work in official dealerships in Ukraine, his mentorship for younger colleagues, helped him adapt quickly and easily in the US.
“One of the key professional skills that I gained while working in Ukraine and which is especially valuable in the USA is the speed of work without loss of quality. This applies to the processes of car preparation and painting. While another specialist may spend an entire workday completing a similar workload, I can complete the same tasks within a few hours,” says the automotive painter. “This became possible thanks to more than 30 years of professional experience. During this time, I have developed my own efficient workflows and approaches that allow me to significantly optimize the process.”
The most important thing is that speed does not affect quality, all work is performed in accordance with professional standards and requirements.
“In the USA, the professional level of an automotive painter is assessed according to several criteria. A specialist is expected to have a professional attitude to his work and discipline. A professional must understand that his decisions and actions directly affect the reputation of the entire car service, customer trust and the competitiveness of the company in the market. Therefore, it is important to be attentive to details, be able to anticipate possible problems, eliminate defects during the repair process and apply your knowledge and experience to achieve the best result. It is this deep professional commitment that distinguishes a highly skilled professional from an ordinary technician and affects the success of a car service.”
