The Decorator - April-May 2022

THE

DECORATOR

The official journal of the Painting and Decorating Association • April-May 2022

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Dear Members, I’m sure that you, like me, have been thinking about the desperate situation in which the people of Ukraine find themselves. After weeks of bombardment, injuries, deaths and the displacement of 10 million people

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inside Ukraine and beyond, questions remain about the purpose of the war and how it can be stopped.

The Government has announced further economic sanctions, these include an additional 35% tariff on

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a number of products imported from Russia including steel, iron, wood, cement, copper, aluminium, silver, lead and iron ore. This is expected to have a further impact on availability and price inflation for the whole

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construction supply chain. The CLC’s Product Availability Group is meeting fortnightly to collate and share information across the industry.

On a positive note, I have recently spent two days hosting the first heat of our Apprentice of the Year competition at Accrington and Rosendale College. We had 16 entrants for this heat and what a fine panoply of skills were displayed by our fine young painters and decorators. Each year I say that I’m astounded by their professionalism, but this first heat truly was very impressive. As well as expertise in their craft, the participants all evinced positive attitudes in abundance.

I look forward to hosting both the Coventry and Kent heats in the coming weeks, and welcoming the respective winners on stage to receive their prizes at Plaisterers’ Hall, London on 7 July. I would like to offer sincere thanks to my fellow judge, Mrs Ann Cook of Ann Cook Associates, who is also an APCT representative. It’s an absolute pleasure working alongside you.

On 6 June I will host the Apprentice Paperhanger of the Year competition at Doncaster Hub College which looks set to be another showstopping day.

Our Clerks of Works judges are currently examining shortlisted projects for this year’s Premier Trophy Awards.

We had such a wide variety submitted across all seven categories. Once again, I’m looking forward to meeting all the winners on 7 July and being able to have a more in-depth chat with them at the networking event afterwards. Good luck everyone!

In relation to your 2022 Membership request for payment documents which were sent out in December, to those of you who have already paid, I thank you. We trust that those yet unpaid will reflect on the value of continued Membership and renew as soon as possible. Clearly, we need to retain Members if the Association is to grow and thrive. We believe that our membership offers great value for money, and we are always striving to improve our offer to you. For example, if you take advantage of the discounted rates offered by our Associate Partners, that could easily offset a chunk of your yearly Membership fee. Please renew as soon as you can as we really don’t want to lose you.

We do appreciate that with increasing inflation rates and rising household and vehicle costs, you may be having difficulty paying your subscription. If so, simply call the office on 024 7635 3776 and ask to speak to Denice Harper, our Membership Services Manager who will be happy to discuss payment options.

We look forward to hearing from you shortly and hope to be able to continue to represent and support your business in 2022 and beyond.

Until the next time, take care everyone.

Neil Ogilvie Chief Executive neil@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

elsewhere in this issue...

4 Association News 14 Members News 16 Training and Education 18 Industry News 24 The Gallery 26 Health and Safety 28 Better Business 30 Case studies 38 Trends from Crown Paints 40 Tooltalk with Wayne de Wet 42 Products and services

THE

DECORATOR

Painting & Decorating Association 32 Coton Road, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11 5TW Telephone: 024 7635 3776 e-mail: info@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk web: www.paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk Chief Executive Officer Neil Ogilvie neil@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

April-May 2022 — Volume 91 No 2 The Decorator is published by Catherine Saint Publicity on behalf of the Painting & Decorating Association

Advertising and Editorial Catherine Saint Publicity Telephone: 07941 590183 e-mail: catherine.saint@yahoo.co.uk

PDA Editorial Neil Ogilvie Telephone: 07796 942474 e-mail: neil@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

Artworking and Design empathicVisions Telephone: 07789 725074 e-mail: info@empathicvisions.co.uk

The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those held by the Association. Editorial items in this publication and the statements and opinions expressed thereon are published on the understanding that the author of the contribution is solely responsible for the opinions so expressed. Although every care is taken with advertising, no responsibility can be accepted by the published for their products, services and other matters advertised. The publisher will not be liable for any loss or damage consequential or otherwise occasioned by error, late publication or the failure of an advertisement to appear in any cause whatsoever.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

takeNOTICE

@thePDA facebook.com/thePDA

The latest news and updates about the PDA and wider issues across our industry.

If you have something to contrubite email info@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

MARKETING WITH YOUR ONLINE PDA MEMBER PROFILE Every Member of the PDA has a profile automatically created on www.paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk – This is an great and easy way to market your business to potential customers in your area.

We are seeing a significant increase in searches for decorators, and your Member profile is the showcase of your work and contact details, so it’s important to make sure your details are all upto date.

As well as listing all your specialities, you can also upload photos of your work to show off to prospective clients, along with links to your social media pages and website.

We also run advertising campaigns to consumers which encourage the public to look for painters and decorators using the PDA Member Profiles, so make sure you make a great first impression!

BOOK YOUR AWARDS LUNCHEON TICKETS The Trophy Awards for 2022 is well underway with the judges going the length and breadth of the country taking a look at this year's shortlisted projects. The Awards Ceremony and Luncheon at Plaisterers' Hall on 7 July is always a fantastic event.

Tickets are now available – email Yvonne Dominey-Tay yvonne@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk to secure your place for the event!

The Member profiles are also used by our head office staff to get in touch, so it’s important that we have all your details correct. Make sure you let us know of any change in details suchs as; Change of address, Change of business name, Change of email address, or Change of telephone numbers.

If you have any issues or are unable to make the changes, please email sam@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

TRAINED CONTRACTOR COURSE With over 30 years in the industry, Repair Care has been acknowledged as the market leader in providing the solution for timber repairs. To ensure that users understand the working methods and how to get the best results with their products every time, they provide a one-day training course. Having trained over 5,000 certified professionals, the trained contractor course is designed to provide you with hands-on experience and the confidence to take away their full product and system information.

During the course you will be able learn the seven steps to identifying and assessing existing damage and what products to use to complete the repair, preventing further wood rot and extending the maintenance cycle. After successful completion of the course, you are issued with a certificate and a personal Repair Care trained contractor card which most specifiers now request. These certificates are valid for four years, after which half price Refresher Courses are available. On completion of the course, contractors can also provide a 10-year guarantee on their repair.

All PDA Members are offered a 30% discount for a limited time only, quote ‘PDA’ on booking for discount.

For further information call 01827 302 517 or visit www.repair-care.co.uk

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H&S IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND We've replaced the outdated, printed PDA Health & Safety Handbook with a progressive web app, which is available to ALL current PDA Members.

The easy to navigate online version of the guide means the latest health and safety advice is just a click away. Plus, the content can be updated easily, ensuring that it is always current.

Visit https://handbook.paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk and enter the email address and password you use to log in to the PDA website. On tablets and smartphones, you can even add a shortcut to the web app on your home screen. Visit the above link, tap ‘install’ as prompted and follow the instructions.

ASSOCIATION NEWS

BCF TAKES ACTION ON GREENWASH CLAIMS THE BRITISH COATINGS Federation (BCF) have launched a new online guide called Green Claims Guide to Decorative Paints to tackle the rising number of green claims emerging in the decorative paints industry.

According to the UK Government’s website, green claims, sometimes called ‘environmental claims’ or ‘eco-friendly claims’, are ‘claims that show how a product, service, brand or business provides a benefit or is less harmful to the environment’.

In an ever more competitive marketplace, the makers of decorative paints often rely on unique selling points to make their products stand out. Some companies, however, may be misleading consumers with unsubstantiated green claims about their products. A recent international analysis of websites conducted by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found that 40% of green claims made online could be misleading.

‘Non-Toxic’, ‘Natural’, ‘Vegan’, ‘Child and Pet-safe’, Eco-friendly’ and ‘Organic’, are just some of the claims that businesses are using to market decorative paint products to consumers. The BCF, the UK’s Trade Association representing decorative paint manufacturers, are urging consumers to consult BCF’s guide when faced with claims in order to validate them.

BCF Chief Executive Officer Tom Bowtell said, “With consumers becoming increasingly more inclined to make more sustainably conscious purchases, BCF are recording increasing numbers of news articles around the subject of ‘eco-paints’, as well as reports from our members in the decorative paints industry of emerging companies making unsubstantiated claims. Such claims, if unproven, can be damaging to the decorative paints industry’s reputation, as well as misleading consumers.”

BCF’s green claims guide breaks down the definitions of some of the most commonly used phrases and buzzwords when marketing decorative paints to consumers. The aim is to create a level playing field within the industry, ensure businesses are complying with the law and that consumers are not being misled.

Possibly the most used consumer product claim is ‘ecofriendly’ or ‘green’ which are often made as broad statements with no scientific proof to back them up. As descriptors for paint products, these words, often misappropriated from the food industry, are too vague to adequately describe paint. These buzzwords may attract the attention of consumers but are meaningless and often signal little but greenwash.

Another key greenwashing issue the industry faces is ‘Zero Volatile Organic Compounds’ (VOCs). BCF takes the position that the use of the terms ‘Zero-VOC’ and ‘VOC-free’ are false claims and should not be used in the paint industry.

BCF members have now adopted the use of the statement ‘TRACE’ VOC to improve communication to consumers highlighting which products have the lowest levels of VOCs. As the license holders of the industry-wide standard VOC Globe scheme, BCF are promoting the new ‘TRACE’ globe in the coming months as an alternative to ‘Zero VOCs’.

To help businesses understand how to communicate their green credentials while reducing the risk of misleading shoppers, the CMA have published the Green Claims Code. This focuses on six principles that are based on existing consumer law and make clear that businesses ‘must not omit or hide important information’ and ‘must consider the full life cycle of the product’.

BCF’s new guide aligns with the CMA’s Green Claims Code and welcomes the increased initiative being taken by UK regulators. More action will likely be brought against those not complying with the CMA’s Code, ASA’s Advertising Codes and applicable consumer protection legislation. www.coatings.org.uk/greenclaims

THE EARLY BIRDS GET THE GRACO! WELL DONE TO Artistic Interiors from Stoke on Trent who were the lucky winners of the Graco Ultra Max handheld spray machine in the Early Bird Renewal Prize Draw.

The firm have been Members of the PDA for three years having joined when whilst at the P&D Show in Coventry.

They are no strangers to spraying, as of lot of their work is done using this technique.

The Graco Ultra Max machine will be a welcome addition to their current spray equipment as they will use it for smaller jobs and finishing off both indoor and outdoor jobs.

Darren of Artistic Interiors said, “It’s great to be a winner and we’re looking forward to putting this through its paces on some of our up and coming projects.”

Neil Ogilvie CEO, of the PDA joined Callum Merriman, End user Support Specialist from Graco to meet up with Artistic Interiors and deliver the machine.

Left to right: James and Kris from Artistic Interiors, Callum Merriman from Graco, PDA CEO Neil Ogilvie, and Darren also from Artistic Interiors.

Some finished spray work completed by Artistic Interiors.

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Neil said, “It was a pleasure to meet the Artistic Interiors crew, along with our representative from Graco. When we told them that they had won, they were both astounded, but at the same time thrilled to be the recipients of this useful piece of equipment which was generously donated by Graco. Enjoy gentlemen, I’m sure you will put it to great use!”

The PDA wishes to thank everyone who did their renewal and entered into the prize draw. Winners of the the additional prizes were as follows: Costa Decoration Ltd – Two Night Blissful Breaks Gift Box Sprayform Painting & Decorating – Glamping Breaks Gift Box Paul Hollands – Action and Adventure Gift Box

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

e m o c l e W TO THE ASSOCIATION...

DENO KALIMANO LTD was founded in 2019 by Dobrin Chehlarov.

Real professional challenges inspire them to design new products, on a mission to create solutions for efficient, effortless, and safe ways of work for the painting and decorating trade.

Their DK Rolls painter’s workstation is designed for professional painters and decorators, it dramatically reduces one of the biggest time-consuming and non-productive tasks – holding, moving, and finding all necessary painting tools and materials needed for a given job.

Their patented design helps keep the workspace clean, accessible, clutter-free, and facilitates the health and safety requirements on sites. DK Rolls painter’s workstation is easily customisable according to all everyday tasks and needs.

DK care deeply about the planet and community, so the highest standards of quality and usability are their top priority.

That is why their workstation is made and assembled in the EU and the UK, with over 90% recyclable materials using as little plastic as possible making it sturdy and long-lasting.

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THE HIDDEN COST OF POOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION

When employers have to hire replacement employees: - The cost of recruiting replacements each year is £5,433 per employee - The cost of lost productivity as new employees get up to speed is £25,181 per employee - This totals £14.9bn each year

900,000

took time off work, nearly half a million resigned and more than 300,000 were dismissed Over

5 million employees experienced stress, anxiety or depression

874,000 employees are estimated to take sickness absence each

year UK businesses around £2.2bn

Presenteeism has a negative impact on productivity, costing between

£0.59bn and £2.3bn annually

SO, HOW DO YOU KEEP THE COSTS OF CONFLICT DOWN? Contact our team of HR and Employment Law experts to discuss how your business can minimise the cost of conflict. From how to go about informal proceedings, to how to reduce the chance of conflict occurring at work, our experts are here to help.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

ADVICE for

our Members DON’T LEAVE YOUR BUSINESS EXPOSED WE ALL LOVE to make cost savings, but did you know that cutting costs on your insurance could lead to your business not having the levels of cover that you need?

Insurance is there to protect you in the event something unexpected happens, and it can be hard to see its value when you typically only speak to your insurance provider once a year. However, insurance is there to give you peace of mind and financial security should something go wrong.

It’s therefore important to have the right cover in place to fully protect your business activities and your livelihood.

Premierline, the insurance broker partner to PDA Members, can provide a package which is right for you.

Under estimating your worth It is estimated that 40% of businesses in the UK are under insured, which means that their insurance won’t cover the total cost in the event a claim is made against their business.

Just one of the reasons that businesses are underinsured is that they are not aware of some of the more specialist covers required, such as Tools Cover, Contract Works or Professional Indemnity which may be required to cover your business activities.

It may be that you haven’t reviewed your insurance cover for some time and simply renewed the policy each year.

Over this period you may have invested in additional tools, have more employees, increased your turnover or changed how you operate. This could mean that the policy you have in place may not be reflective of your requirements today leaving you at risk of under insurance.

Recent research undertaken by Aviva, stated that 1-in-4 SME business owners have not made a material change to at least one sum insured within the last four years. Aviva also found that the rising threat of under insurance was particularly high in the construction and industrial sectors.

The Federation of Small Businesses found that under insurance is a growing issue as more businesses purchase their policy online. Smaller firms often are working on quite a tight cash flow, and if you make a £50,000 claim, even if you are only 20% under insured, then that's going to cost you £10,000, that’s a lot of money to find.

Speak to a professional By speaking to an insurance professional at Premierline, you’ll be able to discuss your insurance needs and get

Rest easy knowing your insurance needs have been fully assessed by the experienced advisors at Premierline...

Contact your dedicated team on 0330 102 2173 or by emailing pda@premierline.co.uk advice on the different insurance covers that can protect all aspects of your business. They’ll be on hand to assist with any queries you have whilst keeping the terms and conditions of your policy easy to understand. Just some of the specific covers Premierline can advise on include: • Public liability • Contract Works • Defective workmanship cover • Financial loss • Professional Indemnity cover • Employers’ liability to £10m (or up to £25m) • Commercial Vehicle or Motor Fleet

Be prepared to do some digging When speaking with Premierline, it’s your responsibility to make sure you make a fair presentation of the risk before you take out an insurance policy. Tell them about any additional measures you’ve implemented in your business, for instance, further safety training or qualifications your staff have passed to demonstrate how low risk you are as a business.

PPE REGULATIONS EXTENDED FROM APRIL PPE OR PERSONAL Protective Equipment is the essential equipment needed to protect you against health and safety risks that cannot be adequately controlled by other means, when carrying out painting and decorating work.

PPE can include equipment designed to protect the worker from product spills or wood shavings using safety googles, respirators and overalls, as well as when working on larger commercial sites, when facing on-site dangers such as vehicles, by increasing your visibility with a reflective hi-vis vest and safety helmet.

For sanding, painting or varnishing protective equipment is recommended, whilst some tasks may require cut or abrasion protection for your hands. What is required in terms of PPE will be determined by the risk assessment for the job or task.

The difference between a ‘worker’ and an ‘employee’

What has changed in relation to PPE?

Employers’ and employees’ obligations

On 6 April 2022 the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022 come into force in Great Britain and extend employers’ and other organisations’ duties. The duties and obligations for employers and employees in respect of PPE remain the same as before, but have been extended in terms of who they protect, so that there is now an obligation to provide PPE to all workers (including casual workers), rather than employees only from this date.

While employers have been required to supply PPE for their employees for some time, this will be the first time they have had to do this for those working under a contract for service, who also meet the legal definition of ‘worker’.

These new Regulations mean that by 6 April, employers will need to assess the risk and ensure suitable PPE is provided free of charge, when needed, to all people that fall under the definition of worker (as well as those they hire as employees). If PPE is required, employers must ensure their workers have sufficient information, instruction and training on the use of PPE. Workers who are provided with PPE must use the PPE provided and are required to use it in accordance with the training and instruction given to them. They must also ensure it is returned to the storage area provided by their employer, and must report to their employer if the PPE provided is lost or becomes defective.

It must be remembered that the provision and use of PPE is not a substitute for managing risks by other means. PPE should be regarded as the last resort to protect against risks to health and safety. Engineering controls and safe systems of work should be considered first under the employer’s risk assessment.

HSE inspectors already include assessment of PPE as part of their routine inspections.

Enforcement action can range from verbal or written advice to enforcement notices and, in the most serious cases, prosecution of dutyholders.

To access the Law Hub where PDA Members will find additional practical DIY templates and guidance around topics such as employment and health and safety law, get a token code from the PDA office and sign up for free on www.markellaw.co.uk/registration

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Employees are those who are employed under a contract of employment (either a verbal or written contract). Workers (as opposed to those who are genuinely self-employed) only have a limited right to send someone else to do the work, for example, by swapping shifts with someone on a pre-approved list and are entitled to certain statutory worker protections (rather than full employment rights), such as rest breaks, holiday pay and statutory sick pay.

Those who are genuinely self-employed remain responsible for providing their own PPE at their own cost, and there is no change to this. Guidance on employment status can be found at www.gov.uk/employment-status

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

CRYPTOCURRENCY DECYPHERING YOUR TAX LIABILITY IN OCTOBER 2021, HMRC was reportedly planning to send out ‘nudge letters’ to holders of cryptocurrency (also called cryptoassets or just crypto), reminding them to check that they were reporting correctly and paying the required amount of tax.

Obviously, HMRC wants to prevent tax underpayment by the 2.3m people in the UK now believed to have crypto holdings. You may be among them and want to be sure that you’re reporting properly and paying the right amount of tax, or you could be thinking about investing in cryptocurrency and want to know what your obligations would be regarding reporting and paying tax.

What are cryptoassets?

HMRC defines them as, “Cryptographically secured digital representations of value or contractual rights that can be transferred, stored and traded electronically.”

Chances are you’ve heard of Bitcoin, the world’s best-known and most widely held cryptocurrency. More than 60% of UK cryptocurrency investors have Bitcoin holdings, but other examples include Ether, Litecoin and Ripple.

Cryptocurrencies are digital assets, they’re not physical currency. You can’t buy things in the shops with them and they have no inherent value, they’re worth whatever someone is willing to pay for them. A cryptotoken is a denomination of a particular cryptocurrency and they each have different values. As with other assets, cryptocurrency value can go up or down.

Cryptocurrency is bought and sold via secure peer-to-peer online networks or exchanges. According to HMRC, the tax treatment of cryptocurrency depends on its nature and use. Basically, if you’re given crypto or earn income from crypto trading, it can be subject to Income Tax. If you dispose of crypto by selling, exchanging or giving it away, it can be subject to Capital Gains Tax.

When is cryptocurrency subject to Capital Gains Tax? Obviously, people invest in cryptocurrency hoping that its value will increase over time.

If it does, you make a gain, that’s why Capital Gains Tax can be payable if you dispose of cryptocurrency tokens by: • selling them • exchanging them for other cryptoassets • using them to pay for good or services • giving them away (unless it’s to your spouse or partner) or • donating them to charity.

Your gain is the difference between how much you bought the crypto for (including any transaction fees) and sold it for. If someone gives you cryptocurrency tokens upon which you later need to pay tax, to work out your gain, you must find out their market value when they became yours.

How much CGT is payable on cryptocurrency?

After your total taxable gains go over the Capital Gains Tax tax-free allowance threshold, £12,300 for the 2021-22 tax year, you’ll be taxed as follows: • If you’re a basic rate Income Tax payer (ie with taxable earnings of £12,571£50,270 a year) you’ll pay Capital Gains Tax of 10%, then 20% on gains that take you above £50,270 in taxable earnings.

• If you’re a higher or additional rate Income Tax payer (ie with taxable earnings of more than £50,270 a year) you’ll pay 20% CGT on your crypto gains over and above the CGT threshold.

To find out whether Capital Gains Tax is payable after selling cryptocurrency, you need to calculate your gain for each transaction.

Some allowable expenses are deductable for Capital Gains Tax, including (according to HMRC): • transaction fees paid before the transaction is added to a blockchain • advertising for a buyer or seller • drawing up a contract for the transaction • making a valuation so you can work out your gain for that transaction • a proportion of the pooled cost of your tokens when working out your gain Need to know!

• Capital Gains Tax is obviously not due on crypto losses, but you can use these to reduce other crypto gains and any tax liability, providing you first report them to HMRC. Losses aren’t capped.

Report and pay Capital Gains Tax on cryptocurrency To report and pay Capital Gains Tax on cryptocurrency you can either complete a Self Assessment tax return following the end of the tax year or use the real-time Capital Gains Tax service to report and pay straight away.

You must keep separate records for each cryptocurrency transaction detailing: • token type • number of tokens disposed of • value of the tokens in pound sterling • disposal date • bank statements and wallet addresses • tokens remaining • pooled costs before and after disposal Need to know!

• HMRC can ask to inspect your cryptocurrency records and carry out a compliance check.

When is Income Tax rather than CGT payable?

Income Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs) can be payable on cryptocurrency if your employer gives you them as a non-cash bonus or benefit, this could apply to those who mix employment with self-employment. If you need to pay Income Tax on income from crypto for this or other reasons, you’ll need to register for Self Assessment, if you’re not already registered.

If you occasionally dabble in crypto, you’ll probably only have to pay Capital Gains Tax on disposal. However, if you trade regularly, HMRC will consider you to be a crypto trader and you’ll need to report your income via Self Assessment and pay any Income Tax and National Insurance that’s due.

If you’ve paid Income Tax on crypto, Capital Gains Tax isn’t payable unless you later dispose of your tokens, when CGT will be due on the gain made since you reported for Income Tax. Many cryptoassets are traded on exchanges that don’t use pounds sterling. If so, the value of any gain or loss must be converted into pounds sterling when you’re completing your SelfAssessment tax return. You’ll need to use supplementary page SA108 to detail crypto capital gains/income and losses claimed within your SA100 tax return.

Need to know!

• Fail to report cryptocurrency gains or income to HMRC and it can lead to penalties, while you’ll still have to pay tax you owe plus interest.

More information Visit government website www.GOV.uk to download HMRC’s Cryptoassets Manual. It sets out the tax rules for both individuals and businesses that invest in cryptocurrency.

All PDA Members get 30% discount on GoSimpleTax! Log into the Member’s area of the PDA website and navigate to Tax Advice, for a special link to GoSimpleTax

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NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS

BELL GROUP HELPS SAVE 110 JOBS BELL GROUP RECENTLY completed the acquisition of Mi-space (UK) Ltd, the property services division of the Midas Group, growing Bell’s already strong presence in the South West and Wales.

Bell is a market leader in the sector and already has offices across the South West in Plymouth, Taunton, Bristol, and South Wales, with plans to open up a new office in Exeter in 2022.

The family-owned firm now has more than 2,200 employees nationally, with 312 of those in the South West, where it also supports a further 220 supply chain jobs.

The deal to purchase the Mi-space business, along with some of its assets out of administration, secures economic activity valued at up to £20m annually to the local economy, significant supply chain links and indirect employment.

Mi-space has worked for many years in communities across the South West and Wales on a wide range of property improvement, energy efficiency upgrades and retrofitting to homes, benefiting thousands of families and supporting clients which currently include, Vale of Glamorgan Council, Cornwall Housing Association, Curo Places Ltd, Bristol City Council, Exeter City Council, Ovo Energy, and Sanctuary.

Craig Bell, Bell Group Chief Executive, said, “We are very pleased to have been able to complete this acquisition which will be protecting some of the jobs and a significant part of the Midas Group business.

“The expertise and enthusiasm within Mi-space is an excellent fit for Bell Group as we continue to grow our business based on true family values, excellent customer service and our support for our employees and for local communities.

“We look forward to welcoming the team and we would also like to thank current Mi-space customers for working with us and helping us support local jobs and local supply chains.” www.bellgroup.co.uk

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Ian Williams’ MD Andy Havard (right) hands over the £75,000 donation to The Trussell Trust’s Chris Woo (centre) and Accent Group’s Paul Dolan which will be used to support foodbanks nationally.

DONATION A FITTING END TO 75TH ANNIVERSARY FUNDRAISING IAN WILLIAMS WAS delighted to present a £75,000 donation to The Trussell Trust, the charity that is working to end food poverty by supporting a network of over 1,200 food bank centres, as part of the More Than Homes campaign.

A social housing sector initiative, the More Than Homes campaign, is looking to raise £1million to support food banks as they come under increasing pressure to feed more and more people. With backing from the National Housing Federation, Chartered Institute of Housing and the Northern Housing Consortium, Ian Williams’ £75,000 is the largest single donation to date.

Andy Havard, Ian Williams’ Managing Director said, “Words cannot express how proud I am to represent everyone in the business who has contributed over the last 12 months. As part of our 75-year celebrations, we wanted to do something exceptional and for us, that always means giving something back to the customers, communities and individuals we work with.

“So, this time last year, the entire organisation embarked on our most ambitious fundraising campaign to date, the IW75 in 75 Mission, which saw teams virtually cycle, swim, run and walk around the globe to clock up miles over 75 days to raise £75,000 for More Than Homes.

“During the rest of 2021, despite the challenge of fundraising during various lockdowns, the Ian Williams’ Foundation and individuals across the business, managed to hold other events, competitions, raffles etc to contribute to the final total.

“There has never been a more appropriate time for us to come together as a collective and I’m so proud that as a business we have been able to demonstrate the social purpose that has underpinned our brand since 1946. I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone and we hope our donation goes someway to alleviating the current crisis of heat or eat facing so many people.”

Paul Dolan, CEO of Accent Group, one of the key advocates of More Than Homes and Ian Williams’

customer adds, “The team at Ian Williams have shown incredible support for the More than Homes campaign over the last 12 months and I’d like to thank them for their considerable efforts.

“Their dedication to go above and beyond to support those facing food poverty mirrors their customer-centric work ethos and strong company culture. Harnessing the power of partnership working is key in making an impact to those most in need across our communities.”

Chris Woo at Trussell Trust comments, “Everyone in the UK should be able to afford the essentials, to buy their own food and heat their homes. Yet food banks in our network continue to see more and more people facing destitution with an increase in food parcels going to children.

“We are so grateful to all the staff at Ian Williams, and the wider More than Homes campaign, for their amazingly generous support which will support our food banks throughout the UK.” www.ianwilliams.co.uk

To mark the official opening of Ian Williams and Accent Group’s new joint Peterborough office, and the completion of their IW75Mission, Ian Williams completed a food drop of 75 emergency food parcels to the local foodbank.

TRAINING AND EDUCATION

TACKLE SKILLS SHORTAGES AND RECRUIT NEW TALENT

COMPETITIONS GET UNDERWAY IT WAS GREAT to see the Premier Trophy Award Apprentice Competition 2022 get underway at Accrington and Rossendale College on 24 March.

The first heat brought together 16 entrants keen to show off their painting and decorative skills against a demanding design brief. The first heat will be be followed by heat two on 7 April at Coventry College and heat three on 5 May at North Kent College.

The competition will be judged this year by PDA CEO Neil Ogilvie and painting and decorating specialist Ann Cook of Ann Cook Associates. The finalists will go to the Premier Trophy Awards ceremony on 7 July at Plaisterers’ Hall for their awards.

Ahead of the first heat Neil said, “It’s great to be back again holding the Apprentice Competitions, and with a record number of entrants for 2022. Everyone is so enthusiastic about the event and we are looking forward to seeing all of the finished designs.”

The PDA extends its thanks to the three colleges for hosting the events. In addition to a big thank you to event sponsor Brewers who have supplied their Albany Trade paint for the competition.

Also thank you to Purdy Brushes for providing a box set of brushes to each competitor and tesa for awarding each apprentice with a rucksack full of products and goodies.

Good luck to all!

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TALENTVIEW IS A completely free online hub that is now available for individuals looking for a career, work experience or an apprenticeship construction, and also for employers looking to find more new talent, new trainees or apprentices.

Employers can showcase their business to talented new recruits, and provide details of all your early career vacancies, including traineeships, apprenticeships and graduate jobs.

It is also posible to search for suitable candidates and directly contact students and apprentices, as well as connecting more closely with schools, universities and construction colleges.

Head over to www.talentview.org/construction to find out more and sign-up for free!

TIME TO SHINE REGISTRATION OPENS FOR SKILLBUILD THE LARGEST AND longest-running construction skills competition in the UK returns, as registration opens for SkillBuild 2022.

SkillBuild is delivered by CITB and forms a part of WorldSkills UK, often dubbed the ‘skills Olympics.’ As preparations for another year get underway, WorldSkills UK are on the look-out for talented construction trainees to go head-to-head in a bid to be crowned the winner of their chosen trade.

The regional qualifiers run UK-wide, from April to June each year. During the one-day event, competitors will be tested not only on their technical abilities, but on their time management, problem solving and skills working under pressure.

Across WorldSkills as a whole, there are more than 60 competitions available. Included in this are nine Foundation Skills competitions aimed at learners with special educational needs and disabilities, additional learning needs, or who need additional support for learning. Those who excel in the qualifiers will be invited to take part in the national finals, in November 2022.

CITB’s recent Rethinking Recruitment report highlights the need to attract more individuals into construction, as well as encourage more employers to consider alternative recruitment methods. The report states that only a third of the research respondents said construction is for someone like them. Covering 11 different trades,

SkillBuild is a fantastic opportunity to alter perceptions and promote the diverse range of roles available.

Tim Balcon, CITB Chief Executive, said: “We have a big challenge on our hands with the current skills gap and demand for more workers. It’s clear, now more than ever, we should be nurturing new talent and encouraging those individuals to pursue a career in the construction industry.

“SkillBuild is a wonderful initiative that not only helps young people grow personally, increasing their confidence and social skills, but it’s also proven to assist them professionally by developing their technical and employability skills.”

If you would like to take part or know someone whose skills should be showcased, more information can be found at www.goconstruct.org/skillbuild/ Register for WorldSkills UK ’s national painting and decorating skills competition until 1 April 2022 at https://tinyurl.com/wsukpnd

Do you have w h a t i t t a ke s?

PAPERHANGER 2 0 2 2

APPRENTICE

ON I N A S S O C I AT I

WITH

7 June 2022

Download the entry form at www.paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk or request a copy by emailing yvonne@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk Deadline for entry 22 April 2022

SECTOR NEWS

P&Dnews THE BRADITE ROADSHOW – COMING YOUR WAY BRADITE’S ONE CAN roadshow got off to an impressive start earlier this year with visits to builders’ and decorators’ merchants in London and the South West. Supported by the brand’s Wally One Can mascot, the one-day events introduced trade customers to the many advantages of using the quick-drying coating.

Launching the roadshow at Winterstoke Decorators Supply in Weston-super-Mare were Bradite’s James Burton and Matt Tomkins, the day included technical demonstrations and visitors left with a free sample.

“It was a very successful event and we were pleased by the number of customers that turned up,” said Winterstoke owner Debra Knapp, “The product has some unique attributes. The quick drying saves time, and stain blocking is also popular for those repainting rental properties.”

James Burton, Bradite’s Technical Sales Manager comments, “The plan is to make up for lost time. Having been in and out of lockdown for the past two years it has been difficult to see customers face to face. Both Matt and I are making plans for further events over the next 12 months and hope to be introducing the Bradite products to new customers and meeting up with existing users.

“Wally One Can will be joining us on the trip for photo opportunities and to give away samples and goodies.”

One Can is a single pack, quick drying, low odour, water thinned primer/finish coat, available in BS, RAL and NCS colours in Eggshell or Matt finish. Excellent adhesion properties to previously painted gloss or varnish, stained timber, Upvc, MDF, Formica, Melamine, Plastisol cladding and new galvanised metal. www.bradite.com

SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON BRITISH MANUFACTURING

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Manchester based paint manufacturer HMG Paints have been featured in the latest Spotlight by Made in Britain, which highlights the best of British manufacturing with its members products carrying its iconic mark.

Made in Britain CEO John Pearce said, “We were delighted to visit HMG Paints for this video, as the company embodies several of our organisation’s core values of British provenance, innovation and longevity.

HMG is one of many family businesses within our community, and we play a vital role in bringing more public awareness to the stories of how these companies evolve as they pass from generation to generation.”

The Made in Britain feature explores HMG and the Manchester home of the fifth-generation family-run business that has coined the catchy phrase ‘One name that covers everything’. Not only does the showcase discuss the world of paint, it highlights the values of the business in interviews with Jonathan and Rebecca Falder whose great-grandfather founded the company in 1930.

In the third annual report into ‘Buying British’, 90% of respondents believed it is important to buy British Made products. Additionally, 46% believe that their purchasing habits will change post-Covid-19 and they will look to buy more British made products, the 2021 ‘Buying British’ Survey was conducted by Made in Britain and OnePoll.

“2021 saw us working with a number of companies and customers who’ve been impacted by the pandemic and Brexit. Many have struggled to acquire paints and coatings which were previously imported from abroad due to supply chain disruptions”, commented Paddy Dyson at HMG, “We’re exceptionally proud to be a British paint manufacturer in an industry dominated by Multi-National Enterprises. All of our products are made right here in Manchester, and this allows us to quickly service our customers paint and coatings requirements.”

People and paint are at the heart of what HMG does.

This was recognised by a number of recent awards in recognition of HMG’s support of key workers and essential services during the pandemic. HMG was recognised with awards from the British Chamber of Commerce, British Coatings Federation and Family Business United.

“We supply market leading products across a number of industries and believe our agile production facilities, high quality products and superior technical support are exactly what our customers are looking for.” added Paddy Dyson, “Made in Britain has opened up a host of opportunities for HMG to work with other inspiring British manufacturers and suppliers, and we’re excited to develop some long-term partnerships that benefit the whole community.”

With HMG’s unique position as a British based coatings

manufacturer, they are able to supply products quickly to customers. Uniquely HMG also develop new and bespoke products, whether that be toll manufacturing or completely new formulations for white label customers.

All products manufactured by HMG can be produced quickly with flexible batch sizes. Throughout its 90 years history HMG has also grown its colour library to over 96,000 different formulations which are available to its customers in a range of 1K and 2K paint systems.

The Spotlight on HMG Paints can be found at https://youtu.be/orwUwEFy4hM The full Buying British Report can be found at www.madeinbritain.org

www.hmgpaint.com

SECTOR NEWS

DDC COMMITS TO CARBON REDUCTION PLAN

BACK ON THE ‘BOOK VALSPAR TRADE IS excited to announce the relaunch of its Facebook page, reinvigorated to provide the painting and decorating industry with a valuable community and hub space.

PDA Associate Partner, Valspar Trade brings with it the legacy of high-quality products and excellent colour options. As part of its commitment to supporting the painting and decorating industry, the relaunched and reinvigorated page is designed to be the place to go for the latest product information, colour advice, industry news, special offers, competitions and much more.

Speaking on the launch, Laura Hettenbach, said, “Here at Valspar Trade, we decided that it was high time to inject a new sense of life and energy into our Facebook page. We’re really keen to build a community for our customers, a space where they can exchange tips and tricks with their fellow industry colleagues.” www.facebook.com/ValsparTrade

DULUX DECORATOR CENTRE is strengthening its commitment to providing the ultimate choice of sustainable products and services, so the trade can be kinder to the planet without compromising on quality.

Already a driving force in offering stand-out green solutions for the industry, from paint made with 35% recycled content to collapsible foil packaging for caulk, the retailer is determined to continue to push boundaries to help bring positive environmental change.

Recent innovations added to the DDC range include the introduction of the Dulux Trade Airsure range which are solvent-free and 99.9% free of VOCs. Through a partnership with waste management expert Veolia, the ground-breaking Dulux Trade Evolve Matt paint is made from 35% recycled paint - resulting in the carbon footprint being lower than a standard emulsion. DDC also has a range of accessories made from recycled and sustainably sourced materials to reduce the environmental impact of day-to-day work.

In addition, the Dulux Decorator Centre in-store can recycling scheme has to-date successfully diverted more than half a million cans of paint away from landfill since its launch. The initiative allows professional decorators to safely and simply dispose of cans of both solvent and water-based paint and provides them with an annual certificate detailing how much they have recycled over the year.

Duncan Lochhead, Commercial Sustainability Manager at Dulux Decorator Centre, said, “We’re immensely proud of our sustainability credentials. We have a responsibility to facilitate and encourage responsible, sustainable behaviour and will do as much as we can to make sure that happens.

“It’s demonstrated in our commitment to driving innovation across all our products and services.

“Society continues to change at a rapid pace with the impact we have on the environment being an increasing concern for more and more people.

“This is shared by painters and decorators who are reflecting on their own impact and how they can drive it down, as well as the benefit these sustainable credentials can have on their businesses.

“We are determined to continue building on the solid foundations we already have in place, by continuing to drive change in the sector, and ultimately developing and providing the products, solutions and services that make it straightforward and the natural choice to be more sustainable.” www.duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk/our-sustainability-story

19

INDUSTRY NEWS

ACADEMY EXPANDS INTO SCUNTHORPE A BRAND-NEW Dulux Decorator Centre store and Dulux Academy have opened in Scunthorpe, with the renowned Dulux dog there to give attendees a chance to snap a shot with the canine-star.

The newly relocated store is much bigger than the previous location, allowing customers to browse the range easier, access and parking is also more convenient for customers plus the new purpose-built Dulux Academy training facility offers an opportunity for professional painters and decorators to access face-to-face industry leading training courses, helping them improve and learn new skills.

Dulux Academy will allow professionals from the surrounding area to benefit from the expert training which is delivered by experienced Dulux Academy Skills Development Consultants, providing attendees with knowledge and expertise that gives them a meaningful competitive advantage. The new facilities will offer a full range of courses from professional application techniques like wallpapering and spraying, to building colour confidence.

Along with greater access to training, local traders and residents will also benefit from a larger Dulux Decorator Centre store with an expanded and improved range of products suited to all decorating needs.

Last year, three Dulux Academy locations were opened in Norwich, Altrincham and West Thurrock. With the success of these facilities, the store in Scunthorpe is to be one of several further Academy at DDC partnership locations opening their doors in 2022.

Kimberly Lisser, Store Manager at DDC Scunthorpe said, “We are absolutely thrilled to be opening the new store in Scunthorpe, the new unit is much bigger with better parking and accessibility for our customers.

“We’re also really excited about the new addition of the Academy facilities which will provide our customers with an opportunity to enhance valuable skills and develop their current abilities.

Dulux Academy Manager, Vickie Mather adds, “Since its conception, the Dulux Academy has offered the chance for painters and decorators to explore, expand and learn new skills. We’re so proud to be able offer our courses at Dulux Decorator Centre locations across the country, increasing the level of support we can give to the trade and local businesses in each area.”

Customers can book courses in-store or by visiting https://academy.duluxtradepaintexpert.co.uk

RAINFOREST MURAL INSPIRES CHILDREN BREWERS WERE ONLY too happy to donate Albany Vinyl Silk in a great number of colours, and sundries to Eastbourne artist Megan Buttle, who wanted to design a vibrant, tropical inspired mural for the children of Tollgate Primary School where she and her siblings once attended.

Megan designed the mural with the children of Year 5 in mind. As their school topic is currently about the rainforest, Megan wanted to design the perfect mural to encompass this. The once pale blue wall is now a broad array of vibrant colours, filled with all the wonderful animals and plants that inhabit the rainforest.

The children also gave a hand in deciding which birds and animals should feature in the design, so they could have an active involvement in the mural.

Megan has always had a creative flair but had never created art on such a large scale before. With the help of her dad, the project took a total of 30 hours and gave Megan a great opportunity for her art to be experienced and admired. She also learnt more about painting on a large scale which she will take forward in future projects.

The children and teachers of Tollgate were amazed by the final piece and every time they look at the mural, something new is discovered. Megan put painstaking detail into

20

the design, and incorporated features of the wall to make them blend in with the mural, including little ants on top of the hand sanitiser!

The mural is also proving to be a great educational tool as the teachers draw on Megan’s use of colour and technique to inspire the children to make art themselves.

The fact that the mural ties in so well with the topic work on rainforests has made the experience even more beneficial to them. www.brewers.co.uk

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SECTOR NEWS

TOUPRET PARTNER WITH FIX MEDIA

BREWERS RAISE FOR CHALLENGERS BACK IN NOVEMBER Brewers launched Vibrant Lives, a campaign in which they donated 30p to Challengers for every purchase of Albany tinted colour. In total, the campaign raised a whopping £10,634.10 which will make a huge difference to Challengers and the families they support.

Challengers is a children’s charity that is passionate about providing play and leisure for everyone and supports more than 1,000 disabled children and young people across 14 locations. Their mission is to provide truly inclusive, fun, and safe places where all disabled children and young people can play, have fun, and spend time with their friends. Not only do children have a great time at Challengers, but it gives families an essential break from caring for their disabled child, which can be extremely demanding.

Carla Gill at Challengers said, “The Vibrant Lives campaign run by Brewers not only raised vital funds for disabled children to access play, but it also shared our message to a wider audience. It was brilliant to work with a corporate that shares our values and is passionate about making the world a better place for everyone.” www.brewers.co.uk

TOUPRET HAS ANNOUNCED an exclusive partnership with Fix Media, the parent company of the popular Fix Radio that attracts 85,000 weekly tradespeople.

The brand, which is already well established in the painting and decorating sector, is on a mission to put the best products into the hands of all trades people, wherever they use them. The partnership with Fix will help Toupret to ‘fill a gap’ in the building and construction market with its top quality, fast working range of products for jointing and skimming plasterboard, encouraging them to try its Joint, Skim and Fill range for themselves.

Fix Radio is the perfect partner to help Toupret reach tradespeople in the building and construction sector with over 85,000 listeners per week across DAB, online, and a dedicated app.

The unique partnership will also reach out as a roadshow with the Toupret tour, which will run across the UK from April to July 2022, spending mornings devoted to builders’ merchants and afternoons at local jobsites.

The tour is supported by a huge £10,000 competition prize fund, with opportunities to win a grand prize of a

£4,000 premium garden entertaining package and lots of Toupret merchandise giveaways on the day. The event day format will also include handing out scrumptious snacks on site, along with the expert team providing advice and product handouts to encourage builders to make the switch to Toupret.

The partnership includes sponsorship of Fix Radio’s Breakfast Show five days a week, multiple daily spot advertising slots, promotion on Fix Radio’s website, and on their social media profiles, which have an impressive total following of 615,000. www.toupret.co.uk

INNOVATION STUDIO COMES TO LIFE

22

“This project really highlights the benefits of being able to source a wide range of A new state-of-the-art building in Dorset has been completed with the use of an integrated package of Sto products. The company’s StoTherm Vario and StoTherm Classic insulation and render products from a single, specialist manufacturer,” explains Bradley insulation systems were specified for the new Innovation Studio at the Arts University Halls of Complete Rendering Systems who installed the Sto products, “offering the level of quality and finish that a high-profile project such as this demands, and knowing Bournemouth, along with StoSilco exterior render and StoColor Dryonic façade paint.

The important building, part-funded by the Dorset LEP, needed to combine a very that all the products were compatible really helped to simplify the installation procedure.” specific mix of internal facilities with a modern, dramatic, external appearance that The Innovation Studio building now represents a valuable new resource which has the reflected the creative nature of the occupants. potential to strengthen links between the University and the local business community.

The cost-effective StoTherm Vario system installed onto this unique two-storey building has an efficient single-leaf construction that provides excellent thermal performance whilst also protecting the external wall surface from weathering.

StoTherm Classic K insulation was also specified for certain parts of the building which carry painted murals, where the insulation had to extend down below the damp-proof course.

A reinforcing coat with embedded reinforcing mesh was applied to the insulation, followed by the StoSilco K1.0 silicone resin render, to add extra protection. The overall external façade system was completed with the application of Sto’s innovative StoColor Dryonic façade paint in yellow and orange shades.

This unique paint uses principles borrowed from nature to create a surface which simultaneously repels water and channels it away, to encourage the surface to dry more rapidly and protect against the growth of algae and unsightly staining.

The façade will look exactly the way the architect had planned for many years to Photo by www.alivephotography.co.uk come, with far less maintenance than any conventional alternative would require.

SECTOR NEWS

AKZONOBEL OPENS GLOBAL R&D CENTER IN THE UK Left to right; Ambassador Karel van Oosterom, Thierry Vanlancker, Lord Grimstone, Fiona McLachlan, and Roger Jakeman.

A NEW £10 million global research and development center has been opened by AkzoNobel at its Slough site, adding to a growing list of similar facilities located in countries around the world.

The facility, home to 120 specialists, will act as a major hub within the company’s worldwide R&D network and help to further advance AkzoNobel’s innovation capabilities, especially in the area of decorative paints.

It’s the latest in a series of centers designed to further advance the company’s pioneering product development, including an Innovation Campus in Gateshead.

“The inauguration of this fantastic new center will help us to continue our long tradition of pioneering new products and developing more sustainable solutions for our customers through ground-breaking innovations. As well as marking the start of a new chapter in the UK, it’s also a clear signal of our ongoing commitment to keep pushing boundaries as part of our People.Planet.Paint. approach to making a genuine and lasting difference to customers, communities and the world around us”, said AkzoNobel CEO, Thierry Vanlancker, who attended the official opening.

Fiona McLachlan, AkzoNobel’s Technical Director Color, adds, “Our paints and coatings have a strong heritage in

the UK and Ireland, touching so many aspects of our day-to-day lives. This modern, fit for purpose center will continue this legacy into the future. It will enable us to further our long standing contributions to the paints and coatings industry, while helping to drive the local economy, both regionally and nationally.”

The new center is located close to the company’s flagship Dulux Academy, a purpose-built facility which, along with 12 other locations in Dulux Decorator Centers and colleges, provides painters and decorators with expertise to help improve product, application and technical knowledge and understanding.

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CDS Renovations As part of house decoration, CDS were asked to hang some designer wallpaper. They used it to create feature walls including the idea of taking the design to the adjoining walls of the dining room (below).

gal

The

Decorative Solutions (Mansfield) The 33 floating stair treads of this new build staircase in Ashbourne were treated and finished with Osmo Polyx®-Oil Anti Slip for an outstanding result. Walls were spray finished with three coats of Crown Trade Clean Extreme in Delicate White.

PB Painting & Decorating After considerable cracks were raked out, filled with Toupret and rubbed down, two coats of Dulux Weathershield really brightened up this home.

Image Decor Painting & Plastering Services After reboarding and rebonding failed areas, walls were spray plastered with three coats and a mesh applied in to the first coat. Woodwork was then finished with Sayerlack, ceilings with Tikkurila AR2, and walls using Tikkurila Optiva 5.

WANT TO SHOW OFF YOUR HARD WORK? Enter now for free!

For your chance to win £100 of vouchers from Brewers and feature on our front cover, send in your pictures to thegallery@the-decorator.co.uk For use in the magazine and to be considered for the cover, we need high resolution, clear images.

24

lery

On the Cover AJM Decorating Ltd /paintinganddecorating

P & S Timbrell Decorators A bold scheme was employed at this farmhouse refurbishment.

Farrow & Ball Red Earth is matched with Zoffany Verdune wallpaper, the staircase and new timber was also fully stripped, dyed and waxed to match.

Jonathan & Co Considerable preparation went into this stairwell, removing very old shellac from the timber before finishing in gloss black. Walls were painted with F&B Emulsion in Wevet.

Following a relocation from Kendal to Carnforth, the new build Porsche Centre South Lakes required a high quality crisp and clean finish.

Working alongside Caddick Construction, AJM Decorating Ltd used Dulux Trade Supermatt throughout on the industrial scale showroom – Simultaneously simple and stunning.

£100 of vouchers from Brewers are now on the way to AJM Decorating Ltd for their winning Gallery entry!

25

HEALTH AND SAFETY

INDUSTRY-WIDE PQ SYSTEM LAUNCHED BUILD UK IS rolling out the Common Assessment Standard to improve efficiency and reduce cost in the pre-qualification process by allowing companies to be certified to a single standard once a year, eliminating the need to be certified by a particular assessment body.

The Common Assessment Standard aims to simplify the pre-qualification (PQ) system, significantly reducing the duplication of time, effort and resources that are costing up to £1 billion a year. It has been endorsed by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and recommended for use within the public sector as part of the recent independent review of frameworks.

A growing list of major contractors and clients are specifying the Common Assessment Standard for their PQ requirements, meaning that members of their supply chains need to obtain just one certification to tender for work with them. Three Build UK Trade Association members are also accepting the Common Assessment Standard as part of their membership audit process, further reducing duplication across the industry.

For companies that employ fewer than 10 employees and have a turnover or balance sheet total less than £1.8 million, the assessment standards will be applied in a proportionate way. All Recognised Assessment Bodies have demonstrated their capability to audit companies against the Common Assessment Standard.

You can find out more on the Build UK website at https://tinyurl.com/BuildUKCAS

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IS THIS REALLY HOW WE DO THINGS ROUND HERE?

By Simon Turner, Campaign Manager for the Driving for Better Business programme CULTURE CAN BE defined as ‘the way we do things round here’. When new people start working for an organisation, they’ll look around them at how things are done and copy the prevailing behaviours. If they see corners being cut, they’ll cut corners themselves and, if they see everyone taking care to do things right, then they copy them to fit in.

This is why it’s so important to manage your drivers well, ensuring they are clear about the standards expected of them. This means you need to focus on three things: a good driving for work policy, that is clearly communicated to all staff, and consistently applied and monitored.

Policy A good policy should explain to drivers why they are receiving a policy and what the company’s legal obligations are to manage road risk plus details of any driver checks to be carried out.

It needs to set out guidance on vehicle management and maintenance, explaining the driver’s responsibility to conduct proper pre-use defect checks, and the company’s obligations to ensure the vehicles are properly serviced, maintained and repaired.

It also needs to set out the guidelines to ensure safe driving including topics such as driver’s hours and fatigue, mobile phone distractions, and drug and alcohol impairment.

Communication One of the key points about communicating a Driving for Work policy is the distribution.

It must obviously be shared with everyone who drives, but it must also be shared with everyone whose role might impact those drivers.

Managing mobile phone distraction is a good example of why this is necessary. If your policy states that drivers mustn’t drive while using the phone, then other staff who might typically phone them such as managers or work schedulers need to be aware of that policy.

Not only that but it’s crucial that everyone, including directors and managers follow the same policy. Nothing will derail a good safety culture quicker than watching senior staff disregarding the rules they expect others to abide by.

Application Managers must be seen to apply the policies fairly and consistently across the organisation and to also meet their end of the bargain. If the policy tells drivers to report faults with their vehicle, for instance, those faults need to be rectified promptly to maintain confidence.

It is increasingly common that line managers are required to discuss Driving for Work issues with drivers at their annual appraisals. This may involve discussing any collisions, failure to carry out vehicle checks or reports of poor driving, and it is also an ideal opportunity to refresh their memory on company policy and the standards of driving that the company expects.

The benefits of a good culture and good, consistent communication include: • Clearly defined rules that reduce the level of driver risk.

• Drivers who understand why the rules are in place.

• Drivers that are more likely to behave as you’d want them to.

• A clear framework for disciplining drivers that don’t follow the rules.

These are the key building blocks of a strong and resilient safety culture. Your existing drivers play a vital role in the successful integration of safe new drivers.

Driving for Better Business have a wealth of free online tools and resources to help you understand where your priorities should be to reduce risk, control costs and improve efficiency.

If you’d like to learn more, join the free programme at www.drivingforbetterbusiness.com 26

BETTER BUSINESS

Why you should

get niche with Charlie Budd

A lot of decorators are great all-rounders. It makes sense, it means you can turn your hand to most jobs. From exteriors, to interiors, delicate papering to new builds, for most decorating enquiries you can say that

Being a total nerd about a particular subject can not only help get customers to your website, but it can convince them that you’re an

you can do the work.

But what if you go the other way, and specialise in something? Surely

expert and care about what you do.

that’ll mean you’ll get less work? Not necessarily. In fact you might

If you hate exterior timber repairs and want less of that work, then

get a lot more work by offering fewer services. You become the ‘go-to’

don’t tell people about it! If you want to be the local expert for fast

person, the trusted expert for a niche market.

and accurate feature wall papering, then write a different blog about how to do that with every single brand of paper you’ve hung.

Being a trusted expert What prompted this article was a phone call asking me to go to Wales,

How to make a success of being niche

to work on an old house and repair the historic cast iron guttering and

Being known as an expert in a particular field can start by having

downpipes.

popular, good quality specific blogs that do well on Google rankings,

Why was I asked to do that? After all, I stopped decorating in 2017 when

and you can also ask your customers to write specific reviews about the work you do.

I fell off scaffolding and broke my back (I’ve since mostly recovered.)

It’s because more than five years ago I wrote a couple of very specific

Spread the word about your expertise on social media, and write

and detailed blogs about repairing and painting cast iron guttering

articles for local magazines or The Decorator. Make sure you really go

and cast iron Victorian windows... And I’m still getting enquiries

into the details, with clear examples, using photos or video if you can.

from all over the country to ask if I can go and do this work, or to

There are loads of copy and paste blogs out there, and they've become very obvious. Don’t go down that road.

give advice. Five years on.

The reason I’m still getting enquiries is that these are very specific subjects. There are very few other links on Google about them. Not only

Be you. Show your work. Show your expertise.

that, people interested in those subjects have spent a lot of time reading

Like me, you could still get enquiries five or ten years on... If you're

my detailed blogs, so Google has ranked them as being highly trusted.

helpful, you're clear, and you're niche.

To build the business you want in five years, and to do the kind of

So how can that help you?

work you want to do in five years, start promoting that work now.

Should you do become niche?

Build that reputation. Build that gallery of work, that portfolio. Then

The quick answer is yes, but be careful, you may get what you wish for.

you can be in demand as the go-to person, and that also means you

If you do something particularly well, and enjoy doing it, then make

can charge more.

videos or write blogs about it in detail. Convince potential customers you are the expert. It could be how you installed a particular wall

So what kind of work do you want more of? What blogs could you write or what videos could you make about that kind of work? Spending just

hanging, or how you sprayed a high end kitchen.

The more specific you can be, the better for search rankings.

one hour writing a really good blog with photos could have brought me

Something like 'How to hang wallpaper' is a useful general blog, but it

thousands of pounds of work, if I was still doing it. Why not do the same?

has nearly two billion results on Google so you’re unlikely to be in the top search results. But ‘how to repair cast iron guttering’ only has about a million results, and my blog is on the first page.

28

Want to know more? Find me on social media!

Facebook Charlie Budd

Instagram @thetallphotographer

Twitter

LinkedIn

@charliebudd

Charles Budd

CASE STUDY

Countryside

city chic

B

uilt over the last few years on the site of a former farm, this stunning house has been constructed with the high-end building materials as you'd expect on a project of this scale. Beckwith Decorators in Nottingham were asked to provide an equally high-end finish to match, here Phil Beckwith explains the work involved...

In pre-Covid lockdown 2020 we received a call saying we had come highly recommended as decorators, which we found out later came from their family members, and the soft furnishing company they were using, both of whom we have worked with in the past.

The client wanted us to work our ‘magic’ on the interior decorating of their large five bedroomed ‘state-of-the-art’ house, which when we first visited was more like a building site!

The main building was up, and there was a roof. The rooms were set out, but there was still a lot of plastering, and first fitting required. It was far from ready for us to start, but my father and I met the client on-site to get a feel for the type of finish they were after.

The basic brief was that the whole interior of the house, from attic bedrooms to the basement entertainment rooms, needed to be painted out. Ceilings and plaster coving to be painted in emulsion, with eggshell or satin finish on the woodwork, colours were to be decided nearer the

30

time, and the client mentioned that wallpapers might be hung later, but that was still only a thought.

No completion date could be given, as so much work was still being done on the house, it was more a case of ‘if everyone could be out the way, we could get done quicker!’

For us, this was all quite a straightforward job. It was just a large new build with bare plaster and bare woodwork, that needed bringing up to a high-class finish which the customer wanted. Well, that’s what we initially thought, the reality was slightly different!

Having explained the problems you encounter with new plaster to the client – You think its smooth and perfect until you get the first coat of paint on! We discussed the paints we would use, and the only way to to achieve a flawless finish was to spray as much as possible.

Once we had gone room to room and priced up the whole house, which was accepted, it was then a case of waiting until we could start.

CASE STUDY

We were eventually told we could get to work in September 2020 but we left after four days as things weren’t ready, it was actually November before we finally began on top two bedrooms, before then being held up with a second Covid lockdown! This did however give us an opportunity to come back to the job when it was more ready for us.

In March 2021 we returned to the bedrooms, which now had specialist Polished Plaster treatments on the walls, where we were able to complete the ceilings and woodwork.

The woodwork was an interesting one, as this wasn't a typical new build with run-of-the-mill MDF skirting and architraves, they were a custom profile cut made of Tulipwood, which has very few, if any, knots in it.

Shellac was used on the few knots where needed before priming with Tikkurila Helmi.

The plan was to spray it using my Graco GXff airless sprayer with fine finish spray tips suitable for this type of work. It was then a process of stop up, fill and repair before undercoating again with Helmi. Two more coats of Helmi 30, while constantly de-nibbing and spot filling if needed before a final coat for a perfect finish.

For those who don't spray this may come as a shock, but the usual method of painting gets turned on its head. You wash coat walls first and finish the ceilings, then do the woodwork, with the last job being completion of the walls.

We find that making extensive use of tapes and drop sheets to protect all other areas does save extra time. The extra preparation is gained back

M.D.Beckwith Decorators are Members of the PDA based in Nottingham. You can call them on 0115 9871661 or find them on Instagram @beckwithdecorators

31

CASE STUDY The photographs used in this article were taken by Caroline Bridges Photography, commissioned by Beckwith Decorators. www.carolinebridgesphotography.co.uk

massively on the time you save by spraying multiple coats on ceilings and woodwork in a day. This complete protection means you can speed around a room when spraying. Work smarter, not harder, is our motto!

We were then on a mission to get the other trades moving and work our way from top to bottom of the house, getting it all painted out.

All new plaster was to be wash coated using Tikkurila Optiva Primer, and then prepared as normal using Mirka sanders ready for the final

Working with other trades isn't easy when you're the finishing trade and as you can imagine, the ‘straightforward’ painting of this house was held

coats of paint.

Walls were finished with hard-wearing wipeable and scrubbable paints,

up a good few times through other trades not being finished when I was

either Tikkurila Optiva 3 or 5, and in some rooms Tikkurila Joker. These

ready to move onto a room, and so they were often still working in situ.

were then cut in by brush and rolled the traditional way.

The summer of ‘21 came and went, and I felt my van was on autopilot going to the same place each day.

The final, and most awkward, part of the entire project was the stunning curved staircase in September 2021. All the joinery was hand constructed in-situ, using MDF to get it to curve around the marble stairs, but I had to be as efficient as possible to get it painted before the custom leaf chandelier was fitted. I did this work off a scaffold, supplied by the client, and managed to complete it from prep to finish in about three days.

I hung a custom once piece wallpaper in the basement restroom and that was me finished. It seemed to take an age, but we were delighted with the finish, as was the client.

It was one of those jobs that comes up only once in a while, when money isn't an issue and the customer will pay for the quality to have it looking right. While our bill was over £25,000, it was still excellent value for money for the client. If we factored in the amount of time on the job not getting into rooms as planned, then our costs were probably much higher than the bill reflects.

Just remember, ‘it's ready now’, doesn't mean it is!

32

Phil Beckwith also runs a channel on YouTube www.youtube.com/PhilBeckwithTheProfessionalPainterDecorator

FAR ROW & BALL M O D E RN E M U LS IO N The Which? Best Buy for washable walls With its newly awarded Which? Best Buy status, Farrow & Ball Modern Emulsion has proved once and for all that its practical qualities more than match its good looks.

This hard-wearing interior paint has long been a hit with homeowners, but it recently gained the attention of the consumer champions too when it was found to be the best of the best in their washable paint tests.

Independently tested against a range of competitors, it impressed with its ease of cleaning and highly durable fi nish.

“This paint from Farrow and Ball proved to be the most washable and durable in our tests,” said Which? “Easily the winner, the Farrow and Ball paint didn’t flake, peel off or fade after repeated washes.”

When it comes to your projects, and to the most demanding spaces in your clients’ homes, that translates to a whole lot of potential.

As well as its washable surface, which makes it a winner for kitchen walls and ceilings, Modern Emulsion’s scuff-resistant finish and built-in protection against mould means it can be used in any room of the home, from hallways and kids’ rooms to moisture-prone bathrooms and utilities.

Plus, it has the same blend of high-quality ingredients and a low-VOC water base as the brand’s signature Estate Emulsion finish, making it easy to apply, quick to dry, and safe for your clients’ homes.

Couple that with a sophisticated matt finish and extraordinary response to light, and you have all the hallmarks that Farrow & Ball users will know and love, with added practical benefits that ensure it can keep up with the challenges of busy modern homes.

It’s also available in every colour in the Farrow & Ball range, so there’s no compromise for you or your client – the exact palette they want, with the durability their home needs.

Visit the Farrow & Ball Trade page:

Woodwork: Ammonite No.274 Modern Eggshell, Walls: Oval Room Blue No.85 Modern Emulsion, Units: Oval Room Blue No.85 Modern Eggshell, Island: Railings No.31 Modern Eggshell.

CASE STUDY

T

his home in Derbyshire had really lost it’s shine, but the team from G.BORG soon had the exterior looking sharp with a finish that will last for many years to come. George Borg tells us about their work...

When we first went to see the client, recommended by a joiner

Glossing in Glossop

who does work for him, he explained how the house needed some major TLC and that any work should withstand a good few years of exposure to the often harsh Derbyshire weather, so we were to replace any timber where necessary rather than ‘make do and mend’.

The first thing we arranged was to get a wrap around scaffold erected, so we could work safely and, most importantly, do a great job rather than moving around on ladders.

On closer inspection, some of the original wood was rotting so badly we had to replace rather then raking out and filling. In our eyes, replacing the wood would also give a much better end result and last many many years. We sanded back all the woodwork, plus all the downpipes and gutters too, some of which was peeling badly so we burnt off where needed and scraped back to bare metal.

Window frames were also burnt off where needed, then sanded back, filled with two part filler before painting.

Some of our most detailed work was on the full conservatory (pictured left). We removed most of the wooden panels and beadings, and replaced them with new timber. Before gluing and pinning these back into place, we primed the backs of all the timer to give them a protective coating.

The Georgian window sashes were also quite intricate, most of those were fully sanded back for a fresh base.

34

CASE STUDY

The G.BORG team produced some incredibly sharp cutting in here, and a mirror like finish using Dulux Trade’s Weathershield system.

With all the preparation complete, painting up was really quite straight forward, using the Dulux Trade Weathershield 1-2-3 System on windows, doors, door frames and fascias. All the gutters, down pipes and metal gates were finished with Zinsser Allcoat in oil based gloss.

We allowed around three weeks for the work, with three skilled decorators on site, but bad weather and then Covid-19 restrictions meant we had to depart from the job early on. Thankfully, we were able return very quickly as guidelines let us work outdoors with social distancing.

In all, with the breaks, we did complete the full works in around three weeks. The budget set with the customer at the outset never changed, and we even threw in a few extras.

We are very confident, that with our preparation and paint choices, that this exterior will last for many many years. The customer was very happy with the results, especially the seamless wood replacement and all the hard work shown by the team.

G.BORG are Members of the PDA based in Lancashire.

You can call them on 0161 330 8840 or find them online at www.gborg.co.uk, or @gborgdecorators

35

CASE STUDY

Sheeted up and sanded back.

All primed and ready to go.

When the job’s worth doing...

Framework complete, time for the new doors.

A

fter a referral from a previous customer, Rodgers Decorating Service were asked to overhaul some outdated wardrobes in the dressing room at Broom Manor in Hertfordshire.

We asked Jamie Rodgers about the work...

We were originally asked by the client to just paint the framework of some fitted wardrobes in a dressing room at this large country house, as the client had decided to have new doors made which were being sprayed offsite by the joiner, however he wasn’t willing to spray the framework on site.

But, with few details available from

The original ‘dated’ look.

the joiner regarding the products he was going to use, I convinced the client it would be The temporary spray booth setup.

a better option for me to spray it all, any other option would have been madness!

We also took on the decoration of the entire room after a little more discussion, as we wanted to make sure the lines were crisp.

The access to the room was up small a staircase and through a bedroom, so getting the gear up and down was quite time consuming.

I don’t currently have a spray booth, however, the client had an outbuilding where they allowed me to setup a temporary booth using ZipWall Dust Barrier System and Trimaco X•Board. I used the Paintline ProDryingRack (PSDR) to hang and spray the doors vertically, but some were too long so I had to build a makeshift base to prop up the whole rack to give clearance at the bottom.

The framework had a faux decorative effect applied, so I used a Mirka DEROS and DEOS to flatten the substrate right back. I wouldn’t normally use 180 grit as a first sand on

36

Doors all sprayed up and ready for fitting.

joinery, however the effect was quite thick, so I used it for a once over to start.

CASE STUDY

“We were very lucky to have Jamie recommended to us. We knew we wanted to spray the existing units to modernise the space and add new doors, but we didn’t know anyone able to do take on the work. Having seen Jamie in action, it is painstaking work and we are delighted with the finish, he is a true perfectionist.” – Client feedback Once the effect on the frame was removed and the pre-primed doors were sanded back with a 240 abrasive, I laid down two coats of Sayerlack AU0474 primer using a TriTech T5 Airless sprayer followed by a light 320 sand, hoovering and tacking off with a microfibre cloth to remove any dust particles between coats.

The doors had a floating panel which I didn’t want to caulk to allow for expansion of the wood, so I ran a sharp blade along the gap and scraped back the primer locally to prevent any build up. Then the whole lot got a very light sand with Mirka Abranet 400 and Goldflex before two top coats of Sayerlack AT99 mixed to F&B Bancha with a 15% sheen.

With the main part of the project complete it was just a matter of standard prep and finishing on the rest of the bedroom. The door and window sill were sprayed using Johnstone’s Trade Aqua Guard, as I had some in the lock up!

The entire job was completed in about six days, and both the clients, and I, were very happy with the end result.

I’m always learning and happy to accept constructive criticism on my work, social media is a great platform to learn from and I have to say that I’ve picked up some great tips over the years from the likes of Paintech and @instasprayers, which have really helped to improve my spray game.

RDS has ongoing contracts in insurance, and due to the amount of work being offered to us it’s now our main avenue of workflow. As the majority of the claims in London are for

Other areas were also completed by RDS to ensure an excellent finish throughout the room.

subsidence, we've had to evolve our business and now carry out subsidence repairs including reinforcement work, installing helibars and spot drilling resin repairs, so when these lovely little projects crop up I take the time to personally carry them out.

I’m hoping to build a booth in the next few months and get more time on the gun. With the insurance contracts we now have it’s rare that I get the sprayers out at the moment, but im hoping that will change as its definitely my preferred weapon of choice!

Rodgers Decorating Services Ltd are Members of the PDA based in Hertfordshire. You can get in touch with them on 07882 370403 or visit their website at www.rdsdecorating.com

37

TRENDS

SPRING/SUMMER

Trend report www.crownpaintsprofessional.com

Liminal

It’s no secret that colour engages with people’s emotions and trends often represent society’s collective emotional state. Last year saw trends for fashion and the home centred around ‘sanctuary’ palettes, colours known to be calm and relaxing, neutral hues and colours with little pigment were the favourites – warm shades of grey, white stone and taupe.

Moving into 2022 and beyond, we’ll begin to see stronger, more saturated shades emerge, especially in the world of fashion and design.

After the global pandemic people are using colour to feel good. They’re Illusory

bolder and braver and are excited about the possibility of re-engaging with the world, the most recent catwalk shows were riots of colour.

Colour is making a comeback in the home too, with design for the home

Reset

all about creating things which can be adapted. Constructing buildings with some non-structural internal walls which can come down as and when needed, spaces to evolve, and unfitted kitchen units suited to rental spaces which people can take with them when they move.

See more of the palettes at https://youtu.be/GdogVFZTadk

Dreams meet reality As more people find escape in a digital world with unconventional forms and explosive pops of colour. Unexpected but refined, Illusory allows you to be inspired

by

digital

reality

and

immersive technology. Muted pinks help in creating contemporary murals, dreamlike pinks harmonise, whilst a bright neon citrus and a deep muted amethyst add an unexpected punch and bring the palette to life.

Immerse in the big blue Bring the outdoors in... and breathe

Capturing the mood of the nation

Liminal is an ode to the natural world, focusing

escape to sunny climates, Reset is

on creating a space that connects us to nature.

evocative of the most breath-taking view

Clean lines, layered textures and muted, dusky

in the most memorable of destinations.

colours are combined to blend the boundaries

A Mediterranean inspired palette to

between the indoor and outdoor, creating a

bring a sense of calm to people’s walls.

holistic place to soothe the mind and invite

The different blues drift from one to the

quiet contemplation and relaxed conversation.

next, with warm ochres, sandy hues and

As the light floods in, the subtle tones of chalky

hessian textures restoring equilibrium

aqua and soft greys embrace an airy openness,

with organic naturalness.

while the natural textures enhance the botanical greenery of indoor gardens and living walls.

A deeper green grounds the palette adding depth and definition, to make a calming space to appreciate nature and boost wellbeing.

38

through the last few months, wanting to

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PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Sockitz

Safety Sheilds and Splatez @sockitz.uk

www.sockitz.com

Safety is critical to me. Working around electrical fittings can be dangerous if they are loosened off the wall or removed to facilitate my work. Also, the cables and back boxes tend to get smothered in plaster, cement, paint and tile adhesive.

The Sockitz product range is the brainchild invention of Richard Brook and are proudly manufactured in the UK using high impact polystyrene - one of the most recycled plastics.

Available in one and two gang sizes (in painters talk singles and doubles), Splatez (pictured right) are protective covers that fix to the backbox with the supplied screws.

Four raised pins on the back help position it easily, with the four pins on the face serving two purposes – Firstly, when plaster-boarding these pins indent the back of the plasterboard, giving you a precise mark on where to cut out; Secondly, when wallpapering simply push the pins through paper, once again giving you an easy reference to cut.

Features & Benefits ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘

Made in Britain Recyclable One and Two Gang versions Reusable

Sockitz reusable Safety Sheilds (pictured left) are fitted between the socket or switch with the supplied screws, allowing them to stand off the wall yet stay fully functioning and safe to use.

They can be installed without the need to remove the electrical fitting, protect cables, connection terminals and back boxes from filler, plaster, cement, and paint. These are now a permanent addition to my van, allowing me to get on with my work yet still safely use the electrical fittings.

tool TALK

Products independently tested and reviewed

by Award Winning Decorator, Wayne de Wet

ROLLINGDOG

The Molossus @rollingdogtools

www.rollingdogtools.com

From time to time it’s good to use bigger rollers, so I use adjustable frames rather than have multiple roller frames on the job site. The Molossus adjustable double arm roller frame from ROLLINGDOG Tools is a good all-round solution.

Simple thumb screws allow easy adjustments to the roller frame size. The strong handle with aluminium core is slightly angled to require less pressure to release paint, and a very comfortable ergonomic soft-grip coating is great if using the roller in confined spaces.

Handily, the flat sides of the arms enable me to roll very close to internal corners.

I have a little trick of using some Q1 masking tape

40

on the edge of the frame to prevent scuffing.

Features & Benefits

‘ Aluminium adjustable double arm ‘ Ergonomic soft-grip handle ‘ Easy to use thumb turns

‘ 9” - 12” & 12” - 18” options

‘ Suitable for 1.5” & 1.75” cores (using ROLLINGDOG end cups)

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Two Fussy Blokes

Glass Scraper @twofussyblokes

www.twofussyblokes.com

Two Fussy Blokes have built a brand that is all about quality tools. As one of the first painters in the UK to use their microfibre roller sleeves, my Instagram videos would often get comments of disbelief. One by one, those commenting became users and ambassadors of the brand. That’s what Tooltalk is all about!

Two Fussy Blokes have created another masterpiece with their 100mm/4” razor-sharp premium quality Glass Scraper. The sharp side of the SK2 carbon steel blade is square to the edges of the scraper, which allows me to scrape into corners, and the ABS plastic handle is comfortable, with an oval-shaped thumb pad and soft-grip material on the sides, plus a great compartment in the handle that safely stores two spares blades.

A long lever on the rear releases the blade from the locking squares in the jaws, turn the blade with the sharp side facing out and reinsert into the scraper, ensuring you locate the square holes in the blade to the locking squares teeth of the tool. Listen to the click to ensure it is locked back in and secure when

Features & Benefits

‘ 100mm/4” Edge to edge SK2 Carbon steel blades

finished. Additional blades are available in a pack of ten.

‘ Ergonomic design ‘ Spare blade storage ‘ 10-pack refill blades available

sia Abrasives

7500 sianet CER @sia_abrasivesgb

www.siaabrasives.com

sia has been manufacturing in Switzerland since 1875, so they know a thing or two about abrasives. The 7500 sianet CER is a clog-resistant ceramic net abrasive, and in my opinion, it gives maximum abrasion/cut with exceptional total surface dust extraction.

When it comes to preparation, most PDA Members are aware of the benefits of dust-free sanding. The unique net structure enables dust-free sanding with

Features & Benefits ‘ Tough, one-piece synthetic rubber

the tool sock company

‘ Heavy-duty drawstring ‘ Weather-resistant

high abrasive performance, faster sanding of bad finishes and filler, plus smoothing paint, wood and plaster before applying decorative coatings. sia uses pure ceramic grain, which produces a better cut and longer life, Trade packs contain five 10 pieces per sleeve (150mm), which are a fabulous way to try the range. Box quantities are also available.

@thetoolsockcompany thetoolsockcompany.com

Looking after my tools means keeping them clean, sharp and free from rust.

While systainers are useful, it’s not always practical to put everything into one.

This is where the tool sock company fills the gap, their toolsock is a storage

ultimately giving value for money. pieces per sleeve (125mm) and

toolsock

Features & Benefits ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘

Full surface dust extraction High-quality tear-resistant backing Ceramic Aluminium Oxide grain Long life and better cut

container ideally suited to power tools and many hand tools.

The toolsock is manufactured from durable 2.5mm synthetic one-piece rubber, giving my tools all-round padded protection against bumps and scratches, plus shielding against dust, debris and the weather.

Tools are secure in the toolsock with a heavy-duty drawstring neck, and they’re available in six different sizes to suit various tools.

ion

One of each item reviewed in this edit of Tooltalk are available to one lucky PDA Member! il to tooltalk@the-decorator.co.uk For your chance to win, send an ema Smith of Ben Smith Decorating.

Well done to our most recent winner, Ben

Win it all!

You can find Wayne on...

@ToolTalk1

@ToolTalk1 41

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Curvy cutter The Monarch Advance Oval Angle Sash Cutter is due for release in late Spring, exclusive to the UK, to complement the existing Monarch Advance range. Individually handcrafted with quality materials for a professional finish, the angled premium filament blend provides ‘razor like’ precision for cutting in and trim work whilst the oval head ensures optimum coverage every time. Available in 38mm, 50mm, 63mm and 75mm.

UP

/monarchpaintingofficial www.monarchpainting.co.uk

tool

Keep up to date with what’s available for the modern decorator

.co.uk www.brewers

off the shelf

Becoming more environmentally aware is a priority across all sectors, with the painting and decorating industry looking into new ways in which sustainable working practices can be achieved. With advances in technology, new and exciting products are being introduced into the market with ecological awareness.

As a part of their Caulks and Sealants range, Brewers are proud to introduce Premium Caulk Foil and Premium Bath & Sanitary Silicone Foil. The brand-new products are now in foil to reduce plastic consumption, enhancing sustainable working practices and reducing waste.

Brewers Premium Caulk Foil is suitable for both interior and exterior projects, providing a seamless and professional finish with low shrinkage. Brewers Premium Bath & Sanitary Silicone Foil is an acetoxy curing silicone suitable for high humidity areas and resists mould, providing a long-lasting, flexible, watertight seal.

42

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

A time for tape @tesa.uk

www.tesa.com/en-gb/craftsmen

Whether painting indoors or outdoors, using a roller and paint brush or spraying, paint with confidence knowing there’s no need for additional re-work or cutting in when using tesa’s assortment of tapes and easy-covers. Painters can produce a precise, razor-sharp edge and no paint bleed ®

with tesa Professional 4334 Precision Mask which has six-months residue-free removal and is also available in a low-tack version for delicate surfaces such as wallpaper or freshly painted walls. Changing temperatures and ®

weather outdoors makes stringent demands for a masking tape but tesa Professional 4440 Precision Mask Outdoor offers UV and humidity resistant qualities, and can be used on textured surfaces for up to 26-weeks. For covering up ®

larger areas when spraying Easy Cover protects from any accidental overspray, with either HDPE film or paper and Precision Mask tape, sprayers can achieve perfect lines on smooth and slightly textured surfaces.

Stick with sensitivity @3m

www.3m.co.uk/propaint

Looking for a masking tape for extra-sensitive surfaces? Then you’ll love the pink one! 3M™ Professional Masking Tape 2072 Extra Sensitive provides precise paint lines on extra sensitive surfaces, meaning no bleeding and no reworking. With very low adhesion for damage-free removal, it can be used on surfaces such as wallpaper, varnish, cabinets and painted walls. It will adhere firmly, yet remove cleanly up to 14 days without damaging the surface.

Mobile knife safety @olfa_ukie

www.olfauk.com

One of the most common causes of less than perfect work is a blunt blade. Instead of cutting cleanly, it drags. So it’s essential to always work with a sharp edge, and whilst OLFA Excel Black snap-off blades are the sharpest on the market, they will still become blunt and need frequent snapping. The OLFA DC-5 Advanced Blade Disposal Holster hooks onto your tool belt, so it's on you at all times. Open the front flap and insert your knife (9mm, 12.5mm or 18mm) into the slot with a single blunt segment exposed, pull towards yourself and the snapped piece is automatically stored safely inside.

Prime it all /owatrolUK www.owatroldirect.co.uk Owatrol Primall is a fast drying interior primer for the blocking of unknown stains and the priming of difficult surfaces. When used on porous surfaces, Primall will help to stabilise the surface and prevent shadowing on the finish coat. When used on smooth surfaces, Primall is ready to use without the need to sand, and can even be applied over lightly rusted surfaces as an anti-corrosion primer. It also improves the performance of the finish and makes applying the finish easier.

43

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Wall: Invisible Green™ 56.

A guide to going Greene outside Little Greene’s exterior paints combine remarkable durability with the brand’s own inimitable, extensive palette of colours. A high quality, long lasting, hard-wearing exterior family of paints offers a combination of strength, beauty and protection.

From traditional high gloss to chalky matt limewash; the exterior family offers a multitude of stylish options for woodwork, metalwork and masonry and with the range formulated using the same technical expertise used to develop paints for bridges, boats, castles and even lighthouses, rest assured it will truly stand the test of time.

Intelligent Exterior Eggshell is the choice for all exterior woodwork and metalwork including doors, window trims, timber buildings, gates and garden furniture. A very durable, water-based, low VOC and virtually

Limewash is a breathable traditional exterior finish, used to decorate and

odourless paint, it has excellent penetration and inhibits mould and algal

protect porous stone and lime-rendered surfaces. Unlike paint, Limewash

growth. Self-priming Intelligent Exterior Eggshell can be applied straight

penetrates the surface and the colour is built up by applying successive

onto new and bare wood, as well as to suitably primed metalwork.

coats, giving a much deeper sense of colour with a perfectly matt finish.

Tom’s Oil Eggshell is the preferred finish of one of Little Greene’s senior

Traditional Oil Gloss uses Little Greene’s innovative eco-oil recipe, using

chemists, after whom it was named! As the name implies, it’s oil-based and

naturally-occurring vegetable oils. It offers a classic, deep gloss finish,

therefore extremely practical and hard-wearing, with excellent flow, a

which looks extremely smart on front doors, traditional joinery and

beautiful low sheen, this charming, washable paint is and is fully weather

metalwork, inside and outdoors. Extremely hard-wearing and easy to look

resistant and suitable for exterior woodwork and metalwork.

after, Traditional Oil Gloss is both practical and elegant.

Intelligent Masonry Paint has a new and improved anti-fungal and anti-ageing formula that is highly water resistant, with advanced adhesive

Intelligent Gloss is a water-based alternative to Traditional Oil Gloss and is suitable for exterior use. A tough, environmentally-friendly and fully

properties and a tough film. Suitable for use on brickwork, new render,

washable paint with a chic, high sheen, Intelligent Gloss is a fast-drying

cement blockwork and existing exterior paint finishes, when applied

finish, perfect for all joinery, woodwork, and suitably primed metals.

correctly the environmentally friendly water-based paint dries quickly to a

With precious outdoor spaces being used as living areas, Little Greene’s

pleasingly smooth matt finish. Designed to last up to 15 years on exterior

exterior paint collection offers consumers the opportunity to add personality

walls before re-painting is required.

and colour to the exterior of their homes, for enjoyment all year round.

Wall: Pleat™ 280.

Chair: Atomic Red™ 190.

Floor: Cool Arbour™ 232.

Door/Shutter: Serpentine™ 233.

/Little.Greene 44

Doors: Air Force Blue™ 260.

Wall: Portland Stone™ 77.

Windows: Heat™ 24.

Doors: Jack Black™ 119.

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PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

In an industry where brushes are sold on ‘the best pick-up’, ‘the best finish’ and ‘the best filaments’, how do we define what actually is the best? Hamilton explores...

What makes the

perfect stroke?

The importance of paint pick-up The amount of paint a brush picks up with each dip will, quite simply, determine how many trips to the bucket you make, and how much paint you use on a surface area. Both of these add up to how quickly you can finish a job and how much paint you use. But (there’s always a but) this

Filament splaying

should not necessarily be the main consideration for choosing a brush.

Any professional decorator will know that splaying filaments are a

Sarah Coussens, Hamilton Brand Manager, explains, “We see, time and time again, brushes being promoted as having ‘the best paint pickup’, whilst this is an important factor in brush design it certainly doesn’t make a great brush, not on its own.”

“A brush may well pick-up a lot of paint with every dip, but what happens when it goes onto the wall? You could get a large volume of

nightmare for getting a clean, controlled edge, they are also partly to blame for tramlines.

There’s nothing like a rogue filament to ruin a good brush stroke! It’s important to find a high specification, fine filament to deliver that sought-after precision. Look for a filament with good ‘bend recovery’, this will allow you to get that good, clean edge.”

paint onto the surface initially, but then lose it very quickly throughout the brush’s stroke.”

Have Hamilton found the formula for success?

“Every brush is different and every user is different,” says Sarah, “but we have certainly determined a ‘formula’ for a better brush stroke”.

Hamilton Decorating Tools have a history spanning over 250 years, and have accumulated extensive knowledge and expertise about the painting and decorating industry. They continually use this knowledge to develop great products through insight, innovation and changing needs.

Remember: today’s paints have changed, and your tools must change along with them.

Hamilton use a simple ‘5 Stroke test’ to show the quite substantial difference between a brush that simply offers ‘good pick-up’ and a brush that delivers it with a measured release.

This means you need to spend a lot more time smoothing out the paint to avoid tramlines, and also, ironically, end up using more paint to do so.

Hannah Jones, International Product Manager for the UK, adds that “When testing brush performance we measure the steady release of paint alongside initial paint pick-up. This gives a much clearer result when looking at how a brush paints onto a surface.”

www.hamiltondecoratingtools.co.uk 46

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