Applying finishes to vehicle composite mouldings
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to apply finishes to vehicle composite mouldings (body mouldings, structural sections, cover panels, trim panels), in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to use appropriate drawings, specifications and documentation to apply finishes, using the correct techniques.
You will apply finishes to composite mouldings using a range of techniques and processes. A variety of finishes will be applied to a range of resin and fibre materials.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the finishing activities undertaken, and to report any problems with the finishing activities, equipment or materials that you cannot personally resolve, or that are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work with a minimum of supervision, taking personal responsibility for your own actions and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you produce.
Your underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of your work, and will provide an informed approach to applying finishing techniques and procedures to vehicle composite mouldings. You will understand the finishing techniques used, and their application, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities, correcting faults and ensuring that the work output is to the required specification.
You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the finishing operations and when using the associated tools and equipment. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout, and will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and others in the workplace.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
- ensure the material surfaces to be treated are prepared for the finishing operations to be carried out
- check that the finishing equipment and treatment solutions are set up and maintained at satisfactory operating conditions and levels
- carry out the treatment process in accordance with operating procedures and the component specification requirements
- ensure that the treated workpiece achieves the required characteristics and meets the finishing specification
- deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved
- dispose of waste and excess materials in line with agreed organisational procedures
- ensure that work records are completed, stored securely and available to others as per organisational policy
- leave the work area in a safe condition on completion of the activities, as per organisational and legal requirements
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- health and safety precautions to be taken, and procedures to be used, when working with composite materials, consumables, tools and equipment in the specific work area
- the hazards associated with finishing composite mouldings and with the materials, consumables, tools and equipment used, and how to minimise these and reduce any risk in the work area
- protective equipment that is needed for personal protection (PPE) and where required, the protection of others
- the application of current regulations in relation to the storage, use and disposal of composite materials and consumables
- the specific workshop environmental conditions the must be observed when applying finishes to vehicle composite mouldings (such as temperature, humidity, styrene levels to threshold limits, fume/dust extraction systems and equipment)
- how to extract and use information from engineering drawings and related specifications (to include symbols and conventions, current industry standards and codes of practice) in relation to work undertaken
- quality procedures used in the workplace to ensure production control (in relation to currency, issue, meeting specification)
- conventions and terminology used for applying finishes (such as surface keying, finish thickness, matt finish, gloss finish, treatment reactions)
- different types of composite resin systems, fibres, reinforcements, and their merits
- different finishes applied to composites, and their merits
- correct methods of storage, handling and disposal of finishing materials
- methods of preparation for applying different finishes
- mixing ratios for two-part finishes, and their associated working times
- methods of application for different finishes
- the problems that can occur during the finishing process (including defects such as contamination)
- how defects can be overcome during the finishing activity
- tools and equipment used in finishing activities, and their care, preparation and control procedures
- the extent of your own responsibility and to whom you should report if you have problems that you cannot resolve
- how to access, use and maintain information to comply with organisational requirements and legislation
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Carry out all of the following during the finishing activities:
- obtain and use the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, planning and quality control documentation, material data sheets, specifications, )
- adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, hazardous substances, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations and procedures to realise a safe system of work
- provide and maintain a safe working environment for the composite finishing activities
- obtain the correct tools and equipment for the activity, and check that they are in a safe, tested and usable condition
- follow safe practice/approved mould finishing techniques and procedures at all times
- return all tools and equipment to the correct location on completion of the mould finishing activities
- dispose of waste materials in accordance with approved procedures
- leave the work area in a safe and appropriate condition on completion of the activities
Prepare for finishing activities:
- check that mouldings are correct and complete
- select the correct equipment for the activity
- check for any defects in the mouldings
- check that equipment is suitable for use
- check availability of ancillary materials required
- identify and protect the moulding in the work area
Apply finishes to composite mouldings using two of the following techniques:
- cloth application
- brush
- spray
- laying films
- roller
Prepare surfaces of composite mouldings, using two of the following methods:
- abrading
- bead blasting
- water cleaning
- solvent cleaning
- priming
Apply two types of finishes to composite mouldings from the following:
- surface sealers
- top coats
- UV coatings
- speciality coatings
- primers
- adhesive films
- heatproof coatings
- flexible coatings
Apply finishes to composite mouldings, using three of the following:
- one-part finishes
- multiple coatings
- solvent based
- water based
- single coatings
- two-part finishes
- combination coats
- adhesive based
Apply finishes to composite mouldings, using four of the following consumable materials:
- abrasives
- masking films
- thinners
- stoppers
- sealers
- cutting compounds
- masking tapes
- polishes
- solvents
- fillers
- primers
- cleaning agents
Apply finishes to composite mouldings suitable for two of the following resin types:
- polyester
- vinyl ester
- epoxy
- phenolic
- bismaleimide
- cyanate ester
Apply finishes to composite mouldings suitable for two of the following fibre types:
- polyethylene
- glass
- aramid
- carbon
Check finishes to mouldings comply with one of the following quality and accuracy standards:
- company standard and procedure
- customer standard and requirements
- have an appropriate surface finish and are free from defects or surface blemishes