Axle Painter / Finishing Technician in Louisburg, North Carolina at East Coast Gear Supply

Build the Best Axles on the Planet

East Coast Gear Supply is seeking a skilled, dependable Axle Painter / Finishing Technician to join our manufacturing team. This role is responsible for preparing and finishing complete custom axle assemblies to the highest standards of appearance, durability, and quality.

You’ll work hands-on with heavy-duty automotive axles used in off-road, towing, racing, and restoration applications. Every axle leaving our facility represents our brand, so precision, pride in workmanship, and attention to detail are essential.

Key Responsibilities

Surface Preparation & Cleaning

• Move completed axle assemblies into the prep/cleaning area using carts, rails, hoists, or approved material-handling equipment.
• Thoroughly clean housings using solvents, degreasers, pressure washers, and prep tools.
• Remove oils, residue, debris, dust, and contaminants from weld seams, brackets, corners, and hidden surfaces.
• Ensure assemblies are fully dry and ready for masking/paint.

Masking & Protection

• Accurately mask machined surfaces, sealing areas, threads, brake surfaces, vent ports, labels, and other critical areas.
• Use tape, plugs, caps, and protective materials to prevent overspray or contamination.
• Verify masking completeness before primer or paint begins.

Priming & Painting

• Apply primer and topcoat finishes evenly and consistently using approved spray equipment and processes.
• Maintain proper film coverage, finish quality, and color consistency.
• Follow cure times, flash times, and coating specifications.
• Monitor environmental and booth conditions as required.

Inspection & Quality Control

• Inspect painted assemblies for runs, dry spray, missed areas, contamination, thin coverage, and cosmetic defects.
• Confirm critical masked surfaces remain clean and protected.
• Touch up or rework parts when needed.
• Maintain high standards because this is the final visible product delivered to customers.

Workflow & Team Support

• Coordinate with assembly, production, crating, and shipping teams.
• Safely move assemblies through paint, staging, and final handoff processes.
• Keep work area organized, clean, and production-ready.
• Help maintain tools, spray equipment, hoses, and consumables.

Qualifications

Required

• Prior experience in industrial painting, automotive painting, powder coating, body shop finishing, or similar coating environments.
• Strong attention to detail and pride in producing clean, professional work.
• Ability to identify defects before parts move downstream.
• Comfortable using hand tools, masking materials, and spray equipment.
• Ability to stand, bend, lift, and work physically throughout the day.
• Reliable attendance and strong work ethic.

Preferred

• Experience painting automotive frames, axles, suspension, fabricated metal parts, or off-road components.
• Understanding of primers, topcoats, cure times, surface prep, and paint adhesion.
• Forklift or material handling experience.
• Manufacturing or production workflow experience.
• Physical Requirements
• On feet most of the shift.
• Frequent lifting, pushing, pulling, bending, and reaching.
• Handling heavy axle assemblies with proper equipment and team assistance.
• Use of PPE including respirators, gloves, eye protection, and protective clothing.

What Success Looks Like

• Axles are clean, professionally finished, and ready for shipment.
• Minimal rework due to strong prep and inspection habits.
• Consistent production pace without sacrificing quality.
• Pride in craftsmanship and ownership of the final product.

Why Join East Coast Gear Supply?

You won’t be painting generic parts—you’ll be finishing some of the toughest, most capable custom axles in the industry. If you take pride in precision work and want to be part of building premium products, we’d like to hear from you.