Crossword Genius

Mechanic strips paint regularly, underneath vehicle topless (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

artisan

'mechanic' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'strips paint regularly underneath vehicle topless' is the wordplay.
'regularly' means one should take alternating letters (regularly take one letter, leave next etc.).
'underneath' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (in a down clue, some letters go under others).
'vehicle' becomes 'car' (car is a kind of vehicle).
'topless' means to remove the first letter.
'strips'+'paint'='stripspaint'
The alternate letters of 'stripspaint' are 'tisan'.
'car' with its initial letter taken away is 'ar'.
'tisan' after 'ar' is 'ARTISAN'.

(Other definitions for artisan that I've seen before include "one in command of craft?" , "Skilled craftsperson" , "Skilled tradesman" , "Skilled worker at craft or trade" , "craftsman of his trade" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app