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I don't think it's a man's profession, but that's how it's portrayed!

June 23, 2025
Femke Zant, student 1st car painter Summa Automotive
When you think of a car painter, you probably picture a man in overalls. But Femke Zant (26) from Montfort has been proving for years that this image is in dire need of replacing.

With her fiery red hair, perfectly painted nails, and an unparalleled passion for color and technique, Femke Zant, a Summa Automotive student and soon-to-be-graduated first-class car painter, proves she's no match for the men in the spray booth. "We have an eye for detail and work incredibly precisely. That's a real plus in this profession." Femke also shares this message online. Social media coordinator en TikTok She shows off the beauty of her craft, with photos of gleaming paint jobs and the most colorful creations. And with success: more and more girls who follow her are signing up for the car painting course. "At school, I already see more girls in the first year. I know some of them who decided to take the course because of my posts. That's fantastic! If my enthusiasm makes someone think: I want to do that too! – then my mission has more than succeeded."

Skills Heroes: Femke Zant in the final

A first-time car painter ensures that cars, often after an accident or minor collision, look pristine and as good as new. This means sanding, filling, masking, spraying, and giving the paint a perfect finish.

The men at work often call me over when they're masking something off. They can barely reach it with their fingers, haha. My long nails come in handy then! More proof that women bring something extra to the spray booth!

The fact that Femke Zant is an absolute professional is proven by her place in the final of Skills HeroesThe Dutch Championships for vocational students. "In the final, I'll be competing against nine other students. And you know what's great? There's another woman in the final! We're on the right track! And that final? We're going to rock it!"

Those golden oldies

Her ultimate dream? “I want to have the Low Riders style in my own business (lots of surfaces, lots of colours and even more metallics and mother of pearl, ed.) "I'm bringing it to the Netherlands. Beautiful special paint on real showpieces. Classic cars, those old golden oldies, haha. I can really express my creativity there." Will it work? When you hear Femke speak enthusiastically, you don't hesitate for a second. With her courage, talent, and active sharing of her passion on social media, she proves that you can claim your place in any industry, as long as you dare to dream and make those dreams come true.

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