Painter General

ITI Painter General Trade Syllabus

The ITI Painter General trade is a two-year vocational training program under the Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS), governed by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT). This non-engineering trade trains individuals in surface preparation, application of primers, paints, varnishes, and specialized coatings, and decorative techniques for walls, furniture, vehicles, and industrial structures. It covers tools, materials, painting methods, safety practices, and basic estimation. The syllabus integrates theoretical knowledge, practical painting skills, and employability skills to prepare students for roles such as house painters, industrial painters, or automotive painters in construction, manufacturing, or automotive industries, or as self-employed painting contractors.

Course Overview

• Duration: 2 years (4 semesters, each 6 months)
• NSQF Level: Level 4
• Eligibility: Minimum 8th grade pass (or equivalent)
• Objective: To equip trainees with skills to prepare surfaces, apply coatings, and execute decorative finishes, ensuring durability and aesthetics while adhering to safety and industry standards.

Detailed Syllabus Breakdown 

1. Trade Theory (Theoretical Knowledge)

Covers painting materials, techniques, and safety practices.

• Semester 1
  
  • Introduction to Painting
    
    • Overview: types (house, industrial, decorative), painter’s role in construction, automotive, manufacturing.
    • Scope: residential, commercial, industrial painting, job opportunities.
    • Safety: handling paints, solvents, ladders, PPE (masks, gloves, goggles).
  • Painting Materials
    
    • Types: primers, emulsions (oil-based, water-based, enamel, epoxy, acrylic).
    • Components: pigments, binders, solvents, additives, their properties.
    • Others: varnishes, lacquers, stains, thinners, putty, their uses.
  • Surface Preparation
    
    • Methods: cleaning, scraping, sanding, chemical stripping, sandblasting.
    • Substrates: wood, metal, concrete, plaster, drywall, their characteristics.
    • Repairs: filling cracks, patching holes, caulking joints.
  • Tools and Equipment
    
    • Hand Tools: brushes, rollers, scrapers, putty knives, sandpaper.
    • Power Tools: spray guns, sanders, pressure washers, heat guns.
    • Accessories: ladders, scaffolds, drop cloths, masking tapes.
  • Basic Painting Techniques
    
    • Brush Painting: strokes, loading, cutting-in, blending for even finish.
    • Roller Painting: patterns, coverage, avoiding lap marks.
    • Spray Painting: airless, HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure), nozzle selection.
  • Color Theory and Mixing
    
    • Basics: primary, secondary, tertiary colors, color wheel, harmony.
    • Mixing: tinting, shade adjustment, matching existing colors.
    • Effects: gloss, matte, satin, eggshell finishes, their applications.
  • Health and Safety
    
    • Hazards: solvent fumes, dust, falls, skin irritation, fire risks.
    • Precautions: ventilation, respirators, grounding spray equipment.
    • Regulations: handling VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), waste disposal.
• Semester 2
  
  • Advanced Surface Preparation
    
    • Techniques: degreasing metals, etching concrete, priming porous surfaces.
    • Treatments: rust removal, mildew control, anti-slip coatings.
    • Inspection: checking adhesion, moisture content, surface defects.
  • Painting Systems
    
    • Multi-Coat Systems: primer, undercoat, topcoat, their roles.
    • Specialty Paints: anti-corrosive, fire-retardant, waterproof coatings.
    • Applications: wood staining, metal galvanizing, masonry sealing.
  • Decorative Painting
    
    • Techniques: sponging, rag-rolling, stippling, marbling, graining.
    • Finishes: faux wood, stone, metallic, textured effects.
    • Tools: stencils, combs, sponges, specialty brushes for patterns.
  • Spray Painting Technology
    
    • Equipment: compressors, turbines, gravity-feed guns, pressure pots.
    • Setup: adjusting pressure, nozzle size, spray distance.
    • Maintenance: cleaning guns, unclogging nozzles, replacing filters.
  • Wall Coverings
    
    • Types: wallpapers, vinyl, fabric, textured panels, their installation.
    • Preparation: sizing walls, aligning patterns, trimming edges.
    • Adhesives: paste types, application, curing times.
  • Estimation and Costing
    
    • Measurements: calculating surface area, paint quantity, labor hours.
    • Factors: surface condition, paint type, number of coats, accessibility.
    • Records: job cards, material lists, client quotations.
  • Environmental Practices
    
    • Eco-Friendly Paints: low-VOC, natural, water-based options.
    • Waste Management: recycling cans, proper solvent disposal, spill control.
    • Standards: green building norms, LEED certification basics.
• Semester 3
  
  • Industrial Painting
    
    • Applications: machinery, pipelines, storage tanks, bridges.
    • Coatings: epoxy, polyurethane, zinc-rich primers, their durability.
    • Techniques: electrostatic spraying, powder coating, dip coating.
  • Automotive Painting
    
    • Processes: basecoat, clearcoat, color sanding, polishing.
    • Materials: urethane, acrylic, metallic, pearl finishes.
    • Environment: dust-free booths, controlled temperature, humidity.
  • Protective Coatings
    
    • Types: anti-fouling (marine), chemical-resistant, UV-resistant.
    • Applications: ship hulls, factory floors, swimming pools.
    • Testing: adhesion, abrasion, corrosion resistance standards.
  • Wood Finishing
    
    • Techniques: staining, varnishing, shellacking, waxing, oiling.
    • Tools: spray guns, pads, brushes for uniform finish.
    • Effects: distressing, antiquing, high-gloss, satin finishes.
  • Paint Failures and Remedies
    
    • Issues: blistering, peeling, chalking, alligatoring, fading.
    • Causes: moisture, improper prep, incompatible paints, UV exposure.
    • Solutions: re-preparation, recoating, using corrective primers.
  • Quality Control
    
    • Inspection: checking film thickness, gloss level, color consistency.
    • Tools: wet film gauges, dry film testers, gloss meters.
    • Standards: BIS, ASTM, ISO for paint performance, durability.
  • Workshop Management
    
    • Planning: job scheduling, crew coordination, material stocking.
    • Safety: fire extinguishers, first aid, emergency exits in shops.
    • Records: inventory logs, safety audits, client feedback.
• Semester 4
  
  • Advanced Decorative Techniques
    
    • Methods: murals, trompe-l’oeil, gilding, Venetian plaster.
    • Tools: airbrushes, projectors, templates for intricate designs.
    • Projects: feature walls, themed interiors, heritage restoration.
  • Specialty Finishes
    
    • Types: metallic, pearlescent, luminescent, anti-graffiti coatings.
    • Applications: retail spaces, vehicles, public art installations.
    • Techniques: layering, burnishing, multi-color blending.
  • Maintenance and Repainting
    
    • Assessment: inspecting wear, fading, structural damage.
    • Processes: spot repairs, overcoating, full repaints.
    • Planning: minimizing downtime, matching existing finishes.
  • Business and Entrepreneurship
    
    • Business: starting a painting firm, marketing, client contracts.
    • Skills: bidding, negotiation, project management, invoicing.
    • Trends: smart paints, nanotechnology, eco-friendly solutions.
  • Digital Tools in Painting
    
    • Software: color visualization apps, estimation tools, CAD for murals.
    • Equipment: digital mixers, laser-guided stenciling, drone painting basics.
    • Applications: virtual mockups, client presentations, inventory tracking.
  • Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE)
    
    • Standards: OSHA, pollution control, hazardous material handling.
    • Practices: ergonomic ladders, respiratory protection, spill kits.
    • Training: confined space entry, scaffold safety, chemical awareness.
  • Industry Practices
    
    • Certifications: painting contractor licenses, NACE coating inspector basics.
    • Networking: trade associations, supplier tie-ups, exhibitions.
    • Ethics: fair pricing, quality assurance, client satisfaction.

2. Trade Practical (Hands-On Skills)

Focuses on surface preparation, painting, and finishing in workshop and simulated settings.

• Semester 1
  
  • Safety Practices
    
    • Practicing: wearing PPE, handling solvents, setting up ladders in workshops.
    • Checking: ventilation, fire extinguishers, spill kits in labs.
    • Simulating: emergency response, chemical spill cleanup.
  • Surface Preparation
    
    • Cleaning: washing walls, degreasing metals, removing mildew in labs.
    • Sanding: hand sanding, orbital sanding for wood, plaster surfaces.
    • Repairing: filling cracks, patching drywall, applying putty in mock setups.
  • Tool Handling
    
    • Using: brushes, rollers, scrapers for even application in workshops.
    • Maintaining: cleaning brushes, storing rollers, sharpening blades.
    • Setting up: ladders, scaffolds, drop cloths for safe work areas.
  • Basic Painting
    
    • Brush Painting: cutting-in edges, painting trim, avoiding drips in labs.
    • Roller Painting: covering walls, ceilings, using extension poles.
    • Testing: checking uniformity, correcting streaks, lap marks.
  • Color Mixing
    
    • Mixing: tinting white paint, creating shades, matching samples in labs.
    • Testing: applying test patches, checking under different lights.
    • Documenting: color formulas, finish types in job logs.
  • Priming
    
    • Applying: primers on wood, metal, masonry using brushes, rollers.
    • Checking: adhesion, coverage, drying time in mock projects.
    • Selecting: oil-based, latex, shellac primers for substrates.
  • Project Work
    
    • Task: painting a small room (walls, trim) with primer, topcoat.
    • Output: achieving smooth finish, documenting steps in labs.
    • Report: listing materials, tools, challenges faced.
• Semester 2
  
  • Advanced Preparation
    
    • Stripping: removing old paint with chemicals, heat guns in workshops.
    • Treating: applying rust converters, mildew removers in mock setups.
    • Priming: etching primers for concrete, galvanized metal in labs.
  • Spray Painting
    
    • Setting up: airless sprayers, HVLP guns, adjusting pressure in labs.
    • Spraying: coating walls, furniture, maintaining even distance.
    • Cleaning: flushing guns, unclogging nozzles post-use in workshops.
  • Decorative Techniques
    
    • Practicing: sponging, rag-rolling, stippling on practice boards.
    • Creating: faux marble, wood grain effects in lab projects.
    • Using: stencils, combs for patterns, checking alignment.
  • Wall Covering Installation
    
    • Preparing: sizing walls, cutting wallpaper, mixing paste in labs.
    • Applying: hanging vinyl, fabric, aligning patterns, smoothing bubbles.
    • Trimming: cutting edges, corners, outlets in mock setups.
  • Multi-Coat Systems
    
    • Painting: primer, undercoat, topcoat on wood panels, metal frames.
    • Testing: inter-coat adhesion, dry time, film thickness in labs.
    • Selecting: anti-corrosive, waterproof systems for substrates.
  • Estimation Practice
    
    • Measuring: calculating paint, labor for mock rooms, structures.
    • Preparing: material lists, cost sheets for client quotes in labs.
    • Adjusting: factoring surface type, access, prep needs in estimates.
  • Project Work
    
    • Task: painting a mock exterior (walls, doors) with decorative effects.
    • Output: applying multi-coat system, presenting finish in labs.
    • Portfolio: photos, material lists, technique notes.
• Semester 3
  
  • Industrial Painting
    
    • Coating: pipelines, tanks with epoxy, zinc primers in workshops.
    • Spraying: electrostatic, powder coating on metal parts in labs.
    • Testing: adhesion, corrosion resistance using gauges, salt spray.
  • Automotive Painting
    
    • Preparing: sanding, masking car panels, applying filler in mock booths.
    • Painting: basecoat, clearcoat, blending metallic finishes in labs.
    • Finishing: color sanding, polishing for mirror finish in workshops.
  • Wood Finishing
    
    • Staining: applying oil, water-based stains on furniture in labs.
    • Varnishing: brushing, spraying polyurethane, shellac for durability.
    • Distressing: creating aged, worn effects on wood samples.
  • Paint Failure Correction
    
    • Identifying: blisters, peeling, chalking on mock surfaces in labs.
    • Repairing: scraping, re-priming, recoating affected areas.
    • Testing: ensuring corrected finish matches original in workshops.
  • Quality Checks
    
    • Measuring: wet/dry film thickness, gloss with meters in labs.
    • Inspecting: color consistency, coverage, defects visually.
    • Documenting: quality reports, corrective actions in job logs.
  • Workshop Tasks
    
    • Organizing: storing paints, cleaning tools, arranging scaffolds in shops.
    • Simulating: crew coordination, job scheduling for mock projects.
    • Maintaining: checking sprayers, ladders, PPE for safety.
  • Project Work
    
    • Task: painting an industrial component (tank, frame) with protective coating.
    • Output: achieving specified thickness, presenting in labs.
    • Portfolio: coating specs, inspection sheets, photos.
• Semester 4
  
  • Advanced Decorative Projects
    
    • Creating: murals, faux stone walls using airbrushes, stencils in labs.
    • Applying: Venetian plaster, gilding on feature walls in mock setups.
    • Presenting: themed room designs to mock clients in workshops.
  • Specialty Finishes
    
    • Painting: luminescent, anti-graffiti coatings on panels in labs.
    • Layering: metallic, pearlescent effects for retail mockups.
    • Testing: durability, cleanability of specialty finishes in workshops.
  • Repainting Tasks
    
    • Assessing: faded, cracked surfaces in mock buildings, vehicles.
    • Repairing: spot priming, overcoating, matching colors in labs.
    • Planning: scheduling repaints to minimize disruption in workshops.
  • Digital Tools Practice
    
    • Using: color apps for visualization, estimation software in labs.
    • Creating: virtual room mockups, CAD mural designs for clients.
    • Managing: digital inventory, job tracking for mock projects.
  • Field Exposure
    
    • Visiting: construction sites, paint shops, automotive units for insights.
    • Assisting: surface prep, painting tasks during 4-week training.
    • Reporting: linking observations to syllabus skills in labs.
  • Safety Drills
    
    • Practicing: scaffold setup, confined space protocols in workshops.
    • Simulating: chemical spill response, ladder fall prevention.
    • Documenting: safety checklists, incident reports in labs.
  • Project Work
    
    • Task: designing and painting a themed interior (restaurant, office).
    • Output: combining decorative, specialty finishes, presenting in labs.
    • Portfolio: design sketches, photos, client feedback, cost sheets.

3. Workshop Calculation and Science

Supports painting with technical calculations and science.

• Semester 1: Arithmetic (area, volume), chemistry (paint composition, solvents).
• Semester 2: Measurements (paint coverage, drying times), physics (adhesion, viscosity).
• Semester 3: Geometry (patterns, stencils), chemistry (corrosion, VOCs).
• Semester 4: Algebra (costing, mixing ratios), physics (spray dynamics, evaporation).

4. Engineering Drawing

Focuses on drafting for painting projects.

• Semester 1: Sketches of room layouts, surface details, tool diagrams.
• Semester 2: Elevation views, wallpaper patterns, stencil designs.
• Semester 3: Sectional views, coating layers, industrial blueprints.
• Semester 4: Decorative layouts, mural plans, 3D mockups.

5. Employability Skills

Enhances job readiness and interpersonal skills.

• Semester 1: Communication (client queries), basic IT (estimation tools).
• Semester 2: Teamwork (crew tasks), time management (job scheduling).
• Semester 3: Problem-solving (paint failures), leadership (site supervision).
• Semester 4: Entrepreneurship (painting business), ethics (fair pricing).

Assessment and Certification

• Examinations: Semester-wise (theory + practical).
• Certification: National Trade Certificate (NTC) from NCVT, recognized nationally.
• Evaluation: Based on painting quality, technique accuracy, project creativity, and documentation.

Career Opportunities

• Employment: House painter, industrial painter, automotive painter in construction, manufacturing, or automotive sectors.
• Self-Employment: Starting a painting contractor business, decorative painting studio, or consultancy.
• Further Studies: Diploma in Painting Technology, certifications in NACE Coating Inspector, or interior design courses.

Note

• This syllabus aligns with NCVT guidelines but may vary slightly by institution or state.
• For the latest version, refer to the Directorate General of Training (DGT) or local ITI.
• Source: Adapted from NCVT CTS framework and painting industry standards.