Slattery secured a second place in the national competition.

The competition was held at TAFE S.A. Regency Campus in Adelaide.

Nathan was one of seven final year apprentices who took part in the event.

Each apprentice previously competed in the state competitions to earn their place at the national level.

Nathan completed his spray painting training at Fyshwick, therefore representing the ACT.

He said the 2016 competition marked a significant change moving away from traditional solvent based paints to the latest waterborne paint technologies.

“Each contestant was allocated their own work station which included the equipment and paint tinters necessary to match each colour.

“Each contestant was also given a ‘master colour card’ of the colour they needed to replicate plus five different colour tinters that needed mixing in various proportions to achieve the final colour.

The competition consisted of two rounds of colour matching.

The first round consisted of matching a ‘solid colour’ using no metallics.

The second round consisted of matching a metallic colour.

“In both rounds we had to spray our finished colours onto a card where it was compared to the original ‘master colour card,’ the colour we were trying to achieve,” Slattery said.

“The colour, darkness and lightness of automotive paint will change when it is viewed at different angles.”

The contestants had to replicate the lightness or darkness when viewed at the different angles, as well as the main body of colour.

The spray technique of the contestant can have an impact on the final colour submitted.

“I was quite relaxed with my first colour and felt that I had done well.

“My second colour was a little more difficult but I was quite happy with the way it turned out.

The contestants were unaware of the final placements until the presentation dinner that evening.

Slattery was placed second overall.

“I was ecstatic about that.” he said.

“I was very grateful for the experience and that I was able to meet several industry leaders.

“I walked away with some new ideas to implement into the business in Crookwell.”

Slattery grew up in Crookwell before leaving for Sydney gaining a qualification as a fitter and machinist.

When he married Brooke, his father-in-law Tony Evans, asked him if he was interested in joining the bodywork business.

He then became a qualified panel beater and furthered his qualifications as a spray painter.

“I now have a thorough understanding of all aspects of the repair business having worked in the industry for 12 years.” he said.

Evans Bodyworks owned by Tony and Desley Evans has been operating for close to 30 years in Crookwell.