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Coach Painting and Preparation

These days, many vehicles are spray painted or airbrushed, but the depth of colour and shine that can be achieved with traditional coach painting is second to none. In this one-day course, Joby Carter will share his 30 years worth of knowledge and experience giving insight into how he has kept his iconic fleet of vintage vehicles in immaculate decorative order. He will share all the tips and tricks he has learned throughout his career, which will help you achieve premium results while avoiding simple mistakes which can be costly in time and materials.
The course provides plenty of insider tips about materials and techniques that would typically only be passed down through an apprenticeship.
This course is ideal for someone that has a vintage vehicle or project that wants to paint it in the way that it would have been painted when original. If you are a signwriter needing to hand paint the background of your signs rather than roll or spray them, this course is for you.

Upcoming Courses

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What will you learn on the course?

  • The professional materials required including the different ways coach paint and enamel paint behave.
  • Using the correct filler and tips for creating a dust and grease free surface
  • Working with the right primer for steel, fiberglass or wood and ensuring it is free of brushstrokes to ensure a premium finish
  • Essential preparation techniques including removing unstable paint from your surfaces
  • Selecting the right brushes and using the right brushstrokes in the right direction will make a huge difference to your finished result
  • Achieving the right coverage and ‘laying off’ as well as avoiding paint ‘flashing off’ too quickly
  • Planning your painting projects to ensure you time the application correctly to have a wet edge to enable seamless blending of adjacent areas
  • Knowing how many coats to apply and how long to leave in between coats
  • When to rub down and with what type of paper
  • How to ensure your brushwork creates a perfectly smooth surface for you to add additional decoration such as signwriting or decorative painting
  • Overall you will leave with a great understanding of how to avoid common mistakes which can be costly both in terms of materials and time
Who teaches this course?

Joby Carter hosts this one day course and he will share a wealth of professional experience having restored many vintage vehicles throughout his career.

One of the most frequently asked questions on Joby’s courses is about preparing surfaces for professional results so he has created this course to talk through and demonstrate the correct materials and techniques to use for a professional looking result.

He will share lots of hands-on practical tips and professional knowledge that you can’t easily find in books or on the internet.

Who is this course for?

This course is ideal for someone that has a vintage vehicle or project that wants to paint it in the way that it would have been painted when original or someone who wants to hand paint their signs rather than roll it or spray the background.

If you have an item you are painting (that is easily transportable!), you are welcome to bring it with you to the course and and Joby will be able to discuss the project with you.

Where is the course held?

The courses are held in a restoration workshop known as ‘Joby’s paintshop’ at his restoration yard in White Waltham near Maidenhead, Berkshire. 

Carters Yard, Grove Park Industrial Estate, Waltham Road, White Waltham,
Maidenhead, SL6 3JF

What is included in the course price?

Any materials you use during the day are included in the course price as well as lunch and hot drinks.

You are welcome to bring your own mug if preferred.

You have the opportunity to buy your own equipment including paints, brushes and mahl sticks at the end of the day – cash and card payments accepted.

How many places are there on the course?

There are 15 places on the course to ensure everyone can watch the demonstrations and ask questions.

What happens when I book my course?

When you place your order you will be emailed an e-ticket, which is your course booking confirmation.

What equipment do I need and what should I wear?

You do not need to bring any materials or equipment with you, as we provide everything you need on the course.
Please remember to wear clothes that are comfortable, and you don’t mind getting messy, please wear sturdy closed toe footwear, no flip flops or sandals.
We provide food and hot drinks, but you might like to bring a mug or travel mug and your own spoon. If you want to bring any additional snacks you are welcome to do so.

Surfaces prepared for a smooth paint finish in Joby Carters workshop
Lining wagon coach painted for shiny finish
Joby Carter coach painting course

Apply for funding for your course

Signwriting, gilding, fairground art and coach painting are heritage skills and some organisations offer funding to those interested in learning these traditional skills.

We encourage you to research funding opportunities with QEST, Heritage Crafts and the Crafts Council.