WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 World-class performance in Car Painting

The competition area shortly before the start. Masking, workstation organisation and time limits formed part of the challenge.

Four days under close scrutiny

From 22 to 27 September 2026, the 48th WorldSkills Competition brought around 1,400 young professionals from 68 countries and regions to Shanghai. They competed across 64 skills, demonstrating vocational excellence under international competition conditions. Car Painting took place from 23 to 26 September in Hall 5.1H of the National Exhibition and Convention Center.

Car Painting featured 24 competitors from 24 countries and regions. The tasks remained confidential until the competition began. Competitors then had to plan, prepare and complete their work within tight time limits. Judges assessed more than the visible finish. Colour management, surface preparation, paint application, process quality, material use and productivity all contributed to the score.

The task starts long before the topcoat

Competition reports describe damaged doors, wings and bumpers that had to be filled, sanded, primed and refinished. Competitors also faced precise masking, specified coating thicknesses and demanding custom paintwork. Some tasks allowed only 90 minutes. Success required technical skill, a clear sequence and composure under time pressure.

The Car Painting results

Libo Duan from China won gold with 774 points. Pawaret Wohanluek from Thailand took silver with 730 points, while Oisin McKerr from the United Kingdom secured bronze with 725. Germany’s Noah Seiler finished tenth with 711 points and received a Medal for Excellence, recognising performance at a world-class standard.

The competition also recognised efficient and responsible material use. Pei-Jen Yu from Chinese Taipei placed first in the Sustainable Practice Excellence Award, followed by Shota Sugata from Japan and Haziq Syahmi Bin Nazri from Malaysia.

IONSTAR in the competition environment

Herrmann Innovations supported the Car Painting Competition as a Bronze Sponsor. The official event website lists IONSTAR as a Skill Sponsor. According to Herrmann Innovations, every car painting team had access to an IONSTAR set, enabling each competitor to neutralise electrostatic charge on prepared surfaces immediately before coating.

The equipment does not explain any subsequent placing. It does, however, show the importance of controlled preparation in a competition where small deviations are visible and every stage is assessed. IONSTAR does not replace cleaning, sanding, masking or the use of a tack cloth. It complements this work as the final preparation step immediately before coating.

What Shanghai showed

WorldSkills makes the demands of modern vehicle refinishing visible. A completed panel is the result of a long sequence of controlled decisions. This is where IONSTAR fits: electrostatic charge cannot be seen, yet it can affect preparation. Controlling this condition before coating creates a more stable starting point for the painter’s work.