The Decorator – February-March 2021

THE

DECORATOR

The official journal of the Painting and Decorating Association • February-March 2021

Costa Decoration Ltd Private Residence, London – See The Gallery for more!

D H O X F O R D B L U E i n V E LV E T M A T T

Heritage is available nationwide from many specialist Decorating Merchants, Homebase and Dulux Decorator Centre. Find your nearest stockist at duluxheritage.co.uk

Find us online...

Dear Members, I trust this letter finds you all as well as possible in these continuing uncertain times. As predicted in

@TheDecoratorMag

my last letter to you, the UK entered its third lockdown on 4 January 2021. Here we are in early February awaiting to find out if results of the vaccination rollout will enable some of the restrictions to be eased in coming weeks, although of course, it is still early days.

/DecoratorMag

At the PDA, we are still working our normal operating hours to be able to offer you the best possible

/TheDecoratorMag

service we can under the current guidelines. Please call us if you require any information or advice.

You will all have received your 2021 Membership payment request at the beginning of January. For those who have already paid, I thank you for your prompt action. We trust that the rest of our Members will reflect on the value of continued Membership and renew as soon as you can. Clearly, we need to retain Members if the Association is to grow and thrive.

As an incentive, one lucky Member will win a Graco airless spray machine as part of a prize draw for all those who pay their full subscriptions by 28 February. I hope (depending on restrictions) to knock on the winner’s door to deliver the prize personally.

We have some exciting news about our website which is moving to a new platform and will give us a

elsewhere in this issue...

4 Association News

new, more interactive and easier to navigate interface. This will be launched this month. More information about the new interface along with a ‘How to’ guide will be disseminated in a forthcoming e-newsletter.

In a different sphere, we are working in partnership with an organisation called Procure Plus on a

14 Members News

new initiative, Women working in Manual Trades. The intention of the network is to provide an easy, welcoming, encouraging and informative ‘virtual space’ for use by aspiring and qualified tradeswomen where they can share and tackle real and perceived challenges that they may face working in our sector. See www.wamt.org.uk for more information.

18 Training and Education

With regard to our Trophy Awards and four Apprentice competitions which are due to take place within the first six months of this year, we will be making decisions very soon as to whether it will be possible to run these dependent on any restrictions that may be in place at that time. Once decisions

20 Industry News

are made, we will send out more information.

We intend to host our annual National Networking Event on 19-21 November at the Liverpool Hilton Water Front Hotel. Perhaps by then we will actually be able to get together for a weekend of activities and socialising, only time will tell. The last time the team actually met Members at a networking function

24 The Gallery

was in Leeds back in November 2019. It would be really good to see many of you again face to face!

Please keep an eye on our Covid-19 update page, we endeavour to update this on a daily basis with Government

26 FAQ

with Charlie Budd

and Cabinet Office news. In addition, our twice monthly e-newsletter continues to be sent out.

For more information about the Government furlough and loan schemes. Please see www.tinyurl.com/y9j23kcn –

28 Case studies

Don’t forget to check the submission deadlines for claims so as not to miss out on payments.

Neil Ogilvie Chief Executive neil@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

36 Tooltalk

with Wayne de Wet

38 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

February-March 2021 — Volume 90 No 1 The Decorator is published by Catherine Saint Publicity on behalf of the Painting & Decorating Association PDA Editorial Neil Ogilvie Telephone: 07796 942474 e-mail: neil@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

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

LAMD INSTALL OLD PRESIDENT! Due to the Covid pandemic, Les Barber has agreed to continue in the post of President of the London Association of Master Decorators for another year.

Les said, “I’m very proud to be continuing as President of the LAMD for a second year. It’s not been possible to be as active as I'd hoped, for obvious reasons, but I am optimistic that things will improve shortly”.

He is available for members to contact him with any enquiries and he hopes to be able to meet up with Members both old and new as soon as restrictions allow.

Get in touch with Les via email lesbarber@hotmail.co.uk

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP Make the most of your Membership with access to trade deals and discounts, for the latest deals check the Member Benefits on the PDA website and take a look at the latest video youtu.be/4BaJKS1u0a8

If you’re still yet to renew, don’t forget we have a Graco GX21 Spray Machine to giveaway to one lucky person for anyone paying your 2021 PDA Membership in full (excluding Direct Debits, Premium Credit payments and part payments) by 28 February 2021!

OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS FOR 2021

CHANGES TO PROMPT PAYMENT CODE The Small Business Commissioner has announced a number of changes to the Prompt Payment Code (PPC) following the consultation last year. The most significant is a new requirement for signatories to pay 95% of invoices from businesses with fewer than 50 employees within 30 days, which will come into force from 1 July 2021. Other changes, which come into immediate effect, include restricting the PPC requirements to UK invoices and signatories being approached by the PPC where concerns are received directly from a supplier, from a third party, or from intelligence.

The CIJC Holiday Entitlement for 2021 can be found in the Employment Support section of the Members' area at www.paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk – Here are the key details in brief: • The annual industry entitlement is 22 days each year. Plus 8 days of Public/Bank holidays making an annual total of 30 days.

• The holiday year runs from 1st January to 31st December. Those days of the winter holiday that fall into the next calendar year will normally be taken from holidays earned in the previous year.

• The concept of Easter (spring) and Summer holidays has been discontinued in favour of ‘Other Holidays’ WR.18.2 now states: The remaining 15 days of Industry holidays may be taken at any time by agreement with the employer.

Annual & Public / Bank holidays 2021 England & Wales

Annual & Public/Bank holidays 2021 Scotland

Good Friday

2 April

Easter Monday

5 April

Early May Bank Holiday

3 May

Spring Bank Holiday

31 May

Summer Bank Holiday

30 August

Christmas Day (substitute)

27 December

Boxing Day (substitute)

28 December

Easter Monday 5 April Early May Bank Holiday 3 May Friday immediately preceding the Annual Local Trades Holiday – Fixed by Local Authority Friday and Monday at the Autumn Holiday – Fixed by Local Authority Christmas Day (substitute) 27 December Boxing Day (substitute) 28 December New Year’s Day (substitute) 3 January 2022

New Year’s Day (substitute) 3 January 2022

KEEP WORKING SAFELY WITH UPDATES FROM THE PDA www.paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk/covid-19-faqs The Painting and Decorating Association has put together all the information and advice, including guidance on hygiene and safety measures in a special area of our website. This is updated on a daily basis and is a useful resource for PDA Members collating guidance and links to Government, HSE and sector-specific information.

We will support you as much as possible, and we urge all Members to abide by the government guidelines and safe working practices outlined in our guidance. It is only with everyone working safely that we will be able to contain the spread of this virus.

We wish everyone well and please do get in touch with the PDA Head Office if you require any assistance.

Telephone: 024 7635 3776

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Email: info@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

ASSOCIATION NEWS

PRESSURES PILE UP FOR PAINT PRODUCERS IN UK SHARP PRICE INCREASES for epoxy resins and supply bottlenecks are now adding to the difficulties of paint and coatings manufacturers in the UK and across Europe, further compounding the already existing pressures caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting disruption.

On top of this some manufacturers are also reporting additional friction being caused by the new trading conditions the UK has with the EU, where 60% of the UK industry’s raw materials are sourced.

Epoxy resin prices have risen sharply since the latter part of 2020, while polyester resin prices are also well up. In particular, recent data from the German Paint and Printing Inks Association show very significant increases for epoxy resins (an important binding agent for many paints and coatings) of as much as 60% in recent months. UK paint manufacturers are also seeing sharp increases and with some suppliers to the industry now also resorting to monthly price increases.

Strong demand from certain markets is driving up prices while an unexpectedly rapid V shaped recovery in China is also fuelling demand for these essential raw materials. In addition, the situation is being compounded by a current global shortage of containers which has led to a sharp rise in transport costs from Asia to Europe thus further restricting supplies to Europe.

Similar problems are affecting the market for polyester resins with factory closures in Singapore and Sweden, as well an explosion at a factory in China adding to the difficulties. This in turn has resulted in suppliers diverting product to their local markets rather than Europe, further pushing up prices.

There are also problems with bisphenol-A stocks being diverted to polycarbonates. Neopentyl glycol and methanol are also reported to be in short supply with road haulier problems creating delays in some cases and higher shipping costs likely as we go into 2021.

This complex mix of higher demand, capacity and supply problems together with restricted availability of transport resources is increasing uncertainty in the market and driving up raw material prices sharply. On top of this, the coatings industry in the UK is faced with additional non-tariff costs related to the new UK customs arrangements with the EU for both raw material imports, as well as exports and imports of finished paints, coatings and printing inks. www.coatings.org.uk

ADVICE for

our Members

Spraying is an efficient way of covering large areas, but can come with potential health hazards. Let’s take a recap on how to work safely and effectively...

KEEPING YOUR TEAM SAFE FROM SPRAY PAINTING HAZARDS vapour respirators with airlines can protect your team from being exposed to hazardous fumes.

The hazards of using spray paints Many of the materials, such as paint, primer, solvents, sealers, coaters or hardeners, that you use when spraying can contain hazardous chemicals that can be released when mixing, spraying, grinding or sanding. Long-term exposure to these chemicals can lead to sickness, skin conditions such as rashes or dermatitis, and conditions that effect the lungs, such as asthma or even lung cancer.

These chemicals can also contain flammable substances which creates a fire hazard, but a high buildup of these vapours can also lead to an explosion hazard.

Protect your team Consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) from COSHH to find specific information on the chemicals that you are using, and how you can protect yourself and your team, find out about the correct PPE, proper handling techniques, transport and disposal of chemicals.

Here are a few general recommendations: Spray booth – If you are spraying furniture, this is the best option to ensure the safety of the person spraying. Properly maintained spraying booths will help to protect your team from breathing problems, and removes vapours to prevent explosion hazards.

Hearing protection – Air powered tools like spraying machines are loud pieces of machinery that can cause hearing damage if people are exposed to them for long periods without protection. Provide hearing protection to members of your team who you know will be working with loud equipment.

Grinding protection – Something that painters may need to do from time to time is sand or grind materials to get a better finish. Grinding or sanding creates small particles of the material to go into the air. When sanding or grinding, your team should be wearing eye protection and masks so that these particles don’t enter the eyes or lungs, where it can cause major damage.

Correct clothing – Disposable overalls should be worn by your team when they are working with paints. This will protect the clothing that they are wearing underneath, but consider using washable overalls rather than single use ones to help the environment.

Eating, drinking or smoking – Under no circumstances should your team eat, drink or smoke when spray painting. Some paints can be toxic when ingested, so should be kept well away from food or communal eating areas. Smoking can also be dangerous, as it could ignite a pocket of vapours and explode.

Storage – Paints, solvents, seals, hardeners and other materials should be properly stored in well ventilated areas, away from smoking areas and away from communal areas. This will keep your team safe from hazardous chemicals and potential explosive hazards.

Painting ergonomics – Knowing how to safely use painting equipment is essential in keeping your team safe. Spray guns should be balanced, easy to hold and use a hoist or dolly to ensure that they can be easily moved. Frequent breaks should be taken to help keep your team safe from strains, sprains and other musculoskeletal injuries.

Contractor insurance PDA partner Premierline are passionate about helping you protect the business that you have built. This is why they offer a bespoke service to assess your business’ needs to make sure that you are covered should the worst happen.

Their business advisors work with some of the UK’s most well-known insurance providers to find a quote that provides the cover that your business needs. Get in touch with one of their trained insurance experts to discuss your commercial and industrial insurance requirements.

Hazardous fumes – Protecting your team from fumes is vital, and can be done as simply as using the correct PPE or equipment. A mixture of air filters and

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0330 1026155 pdaenquiry@premierline.co.uk

ASSOCIATION NEWS

SEEING DOUBLE What are your options if someone else uses your business name?

IF YOU’RE A sole trader or a partnership, you may be using a business name other than a surname or the partners’ names. This is often called a trading name or business name.

We often get asked, what the options are if someone is using your business name without your permission? The answer will depend on a few factors...

If you did nothing to protect your business name, you may be able to rely on automatic protection under the common law principle of ‘passing off’. If you have registered your business name as a trade mark or with Companies House (limited companies or limited liability partnerships) then you will have additional options, here we focus on sole trader and partnership trading names.

Passing Off The common law principle of passing off is the area of law that protects the reputation and goodwill of a business, and prevents people from selling goods/services under the pretence that they are the goods/services of another. So, it basically serves to protect you, as a business, against unfair competition and protects consumers who would otherwise be confused as to the origins of the services that they are offered.

It’s only possible for you as a trader/business to bring an action (as opposed to a consumer) and this can only be brought against another party who is also engaged in trading.

Elements of passing off To bring a successful passing off action the party making the accusation (the claimant) must show three things: 1. That goodwill or reputation is attached to the goods or services.

2. A misrepresentation is made to the public by the defendant (the party being accused of foul play).

3. Damage is suffered by the claimant.

Legal remedies To succeed, the claimant must show that the misrepresentation caused damage to its identifiable goodwill or, that the damage to its goodwill is reasonably foreseeable. The successful claimant can obtain several different interim and final remedies. These include: a) An order for the delivering up or destruction of offending articles; b) An order for the erasing of the offending mark by the defendant; c) Restraining Orders can also be obtained which prevent the continued use of the mark by the defendant; and

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 (details on page 3) and sign up for free on www.markellaw.co.uk/registration There are a few defences that apply to passing off and these include where the defendant is simply using his/her own name. However, if this is combined with another factor which may lead to the public being deceived or a fraudulent intent then this defence is likely to fail.

As a reminder, PDA Members have free access to the Markel Law Hub which offers business templates and information. You just need to register once online with a token which is available from the PDA office.

You can also call the Markel Legal Advice Line for free 24/7 legal advice.

d) Damages may also be awarded.

CAN YOU REALLY AFFORD TO LEAVE YOUR SELF-ASSESSMENT UNTIL 28 FEBRUARY? Have you welcomed the news of no penalties for filing late, are you one of the millions yet to file your self-assessment due to being adversely affected by coronavirus? Having your self-assessment up to date has aided the self-employed with claiming government schemes and for filing your 19/20 tax return – Mike Parkes from GoSimpleTax looks at the changes that have been made and what help is there for you.

HMRC recognised that there would be an increase in late filing of the Self-Assessment tax returns due to Coronavirus and therefore, updated their guidance to state that they would not be issuing fines for late Self-Assessment tax return submissions until 28 February 2021.

However, the deadline of 31 January remained for payments and any late payments will incur interest at 2.6%.

So, the deadline has been and gone you have not yet completed your tax return, let alone paid it. GoSimpleTax suggest you complete your self-assessment to know your tax liability and at least pay what you owe as soon as you can. You do not have to submit it, however, if you have done it why wait?

I have filed, but I am struggling to pay If you cannot pay as your income has been affected by coronavirus you may be able to pay your Self-Assessment tax bill via a payment plan. HMRC have an online application for Time to Pay. You can spread the cost of your latest self-assessment bill if: • You owe £30,000 or less • You do not have ay other payment plans or debts with HMRC • Your tax returns are up to day • It is less than 60 days after the payment deadline

You can see if you are eligible and apply for a payment plan online, you do not need to phone HMRC. If you cannot access the online service or are not eligible you should call HMRC at your earliest convenience to discuss your situation. The self-assessment payment helpline is 0300 200 3822.

Think ahead for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax With MTD for income tax over the horizon, it is mandated for 2023, begin converting to digital software. HMRC’s portal can be confusing - now is the perfect time to switch.

Digital software allows you to calculate your tax liability in real time if you chose to use it from April 2021 and update your finances weekly, monthly or quarterly. You can be one step ahead, plan your finances and spend more time concentrating on your business.

GoSimpleTax suggest submitting your 20/21 tax return on 6 April and then utilising software to stay up to date with your finances. Updating your tax return in real time. You will always be one step ahead and with the uncertainty of the pandemic it pays to be, as you are likely to be ready to claim any future help the government may offer.

To conclude, if you are yet to file or pay your 19/20 tax return we advise you take action soon, whether that is to file and pay or to seek help from HMRC through the Time to Pay. Delaying is just putting off the inevitable – seek help if you need it.

GoSimpleTax software submits directly to HMRC and is the solution for the self-employed, sole traders, freelancers and anyone with income outside of PAYE to log all their income and expenses. The software will provide you with hints and tips that could save you money on allowances and expenses you may have missed.

Try for free - add up to five income and expense transactions per month and see your tax liability in real time at no cost to you. Pay only when you are ready to submit or use other key features such as receipt uploading www.gosimpletax.com/tax-pda/

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

S T I F E N E B E V I EXCLUS ERS

E B M E M A D P FOR

Membership of the PDA provides many useful benefits – Here’s two recent additions that could help boost your business in 2021 and beyond...

1Trade App

1Trade App is an award-winning quoting and invoicing app created for the UK trade industry

by Powered Now. It's the simplest, easiest way to manage your business on the go, even when there is no signal. Plus, it's FREE for PDA Members!

Powered Now are also giving a discounted upgrade to higher-tiered software, which offers more features.

• Quoting & Invoicing with email • Contacts + Payments with SumUp • Purchase orders and Expenses • Use on mobiles devices or desktop

Upgrade to Powered Now – Business tier • Email Scheduling and diary • Project Management • Multi-site contacts • Text facility • Companies House lookup • CIS sub-contractors

Professional tier • Multi-users, Forms & Certificates • Live Team Chat + Tracking (maps) • Making Tax Digital for VAT • Interface to Xero accounting • CIS for contractors and sub-contractors

Claim your FREE app at https://landing2.powerednow.com/pda-1ta

Build a safer, healthier and stronger workforce Grow your business by joining one of the UK's leading health and safety accreditation schemes. SafeContractor enables contractors to prove they mean business through their UK leading accreditation. By becoming accredited, you enhance your reputation, demonstrate your commitment to health and safety and connect with leading organisations on their online portal.

PDA Members can enjoy a 20% discount off the first 12 months fee and free assistance package To get your discount simply visit www.safecontractor.com/painting-decorating-association or call 02920 856840 and quote ‘PDA’

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

elcome W TO THE ASSOCIATION...

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With over 1,500 active customers, getyouonline.co.uk pride themselves on the services they provide, with full in-house technical support and a dedicated Account Manager assigned to every customer.

From logo design, business cards and branded stationery to web design, email hosting and pay-perclick advertising, getyouonline.co.uk can help.

Making it easy getyouonline.co.uk appreciate every business is unique and tailor their services to match.

They can source professional images and write the text on your behalf, making the process of getting online as quick and stress-free as possible.

>> In-House Technical Support

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WITH 25 YEARS of nationwide experience, Citation support over 40,000 businesses with their Health & Safety, HR and Employment Law. From experienced Health & Safety practitioners to solicitors and barristers with many years of commercial HR experience, their knowledge and expertise is second to none.

Citation clients are 10 times less likely to face an employment tribunal, and 47 times less likely to receive a Health & Safety enforcement notice. They’re that confident with the advice they give, they guarantee it.

When you partner with them, you’ll never be alone.

Their 24/7 advice line means there’s always an expert on-hand for guidance, only ever a phone or video call away, and you can call as many times as you need to with no hidden charges or time limit.

They’re also not a one-size fits-all provider but offer sector specific, pragmatic and bespoke guidance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they’ve supported clients to operate safely and navigate through many areas from COVID-secure risk assessments, social distancing, and face coverings and PPE, to redundancies, restructures, and travel related quarantine. They’re now committed to helping their clients get ‘Back to Business’.

As well as the 24/7 advice line, all Citation clients have a dedicated local consultant. They offer support putting in place all the essential documentation you require – including risk assessments, handbooks, and contracts of

Citation offer PDA Members preferential rates, to find out more or book a free consultation, call 0345 844 1111 or visit www.citation.co.uk 10

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employment – and amending these documents in-line with legislation updates.

Their online management platform, Atlas, makes managing compliance easy, including certified e-learning for you and your employees. To help you win more business, Citation can also help you complete pre-qualification questionnaires and achieve ISO Certifications and SMAS Accreditation.

ASSOCIATION NEWS

LET’S TALK MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL HEALTH HAS been spoken of for many years but not really understood by everyone, and in 2020 it became a household term along with social distancing, furlough and lockdown.

By definition, Mental Health is a state of wellbeing, when a person can cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively, and make a positive contribution to their community. However, there are times when people need to reach out and talk to someone about how they are feeling, whether that be a friend, colleague or third party.

Therefore, in October 2016, Bagnalls started its journey to support colleagues mental health and wellbeing by introducing an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) scheme.

EAPs are confidential, independent support services that provide ‘in the moment’ assistance to people, which means they can be contacted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, whenever support is needed.

They also help employees deal with work-life stressors, family issues, financial concerns, and if needed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to support them with their mental health.

This was just the start of Bagnalls’ journey to promote conversations and provide support for colleagues. However, our main challenge over the past few years has been to raise awareness of the EAP and that it can be accessed, free of charge, by colleagues and their families whilst reassuring people that what is discussed during contact with the EAP is 100% confidential. Bagnalls does not know who has contacted the EAP or what has been discussed.

During stand-down days and tool box talks, Bagnalls have trained both management and site teams in Mental Health Awareness, specifically on how to notice signs and symptoms in themselves and others. We also asked a number of colleagues to train in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) so that they could raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing across the company and, if needed, be there for colleagues who want someone independent to talk to.

Bagnalls have signed up to the Building Mental Health Charter demonstrating our commitment to promoting awareness and understanding of Mental Health within the Construction industry. We have also established a Mental Health Action Group which meets quarterly to discuss how to support colleagues even more effectively.

Our most significant step took place in late September 2018, when Bagnalls were awarded funding from the Lighthouse Club Construction Industry Charity, to train up a member of our human resources team to become a MHFA instructor. Since then, a further 19 MHFAs have been trained up across the Group.

The training was received exceptionally well considering that it was has been a difficult year for many people. All of the feedback was positive with highlights such as “the course is fascinating”, “difficult subject matters are handled respectfully” and “having battled with mental health for my whole adult life, it was excellent to see how I can use my own personal experiences combined with a considered and researched set of guidelines”.

Last year raised many mental health challenges for everyone and continues to do so in 2021, so knowing there is support out there is essential for all of us. With the combination of the EAP, mental health awareness training and MHFA staff in place we have formed the bedrock of mental health and well-being provision in the company. However, as PDA Members, you too can gain support from utilising the stress and counselling service offered as part of the Markel Member benefit package. Further details of this can be found on the policy document, located in the Members section on the PDA website.

Joanne Gualda Bagnalls

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

WELCOME TO THE ASSOCIATION!

I

would like to take this opportunity to warmly welcome all new Members to the PDA from the many different regions over the country.

Our strength is based on the membership of the many firms like you.

Neil Ogilvie, Chief Executive Abbas Services, London Alan Cox Decorators, Leicestershire AJWD Property Services, North Yorkshire AKF Decorating Contractor, Manchester Andrew Hodgson Painter & Decorator, Cumbria Arc Decorating, Northamptonshire A S Painting Contractors, Leicestershire Barrington Decorators Limited, Cheltenham Baxter's Decorating Service, North Yorkshire Benchmark Decorators, Wales Bentleys Services, Hertfordshire Bespoke Timber Painting & Decorating, North Devon Big Als Painting & Decorating, Hampshire Bulldog Decorating, Essex C & I Decorators Ltd, Nottinghamshire Caleb Johnson Decorators, South Yorkshire Chameleon Decorators Surrey, Surrey Chris Curnow Decorators, Cornwall Chris the Decorator, Dorset C I J Painting & Decorating, West Midlands Complete Decor Solutions Ltd, Hertfordshire C M Decorators Ltd, Merseyside Cyrus Decor Limited, West Yorkshire Dean McCathie Painter & Decorator, Scotland Decor by Mel, North East Somerset Decorative Decorators Ltd, London Derek Easson Painting & Decorating, Scotland D.J Inman Painting & Decorating, Derbyshire DJR Decorators, Devon D M Services, Bedfordshire DNW Decorators, West Yorkshire DPG Plus Ltd, Scotland Farley Decorators Ltd, Lancashire Ferdinand Decoration Services, Kent

Fitzrovia Decorating Ltd, London Flawless Finish, North East Somerset Freeman Decorations, Northamptonshire Gaines Decorators, Avon G P Painting And Decorating, Buckinghamshire Grayling Decorators, Kent G Swailes Painter & Decorator, West Yorkshire Guardian Property Care Ltd, West Yorkshire Handy Harper Handyman Services, Hertfordshire Handy Tony, Kent Harrison Decorators, Avon Haydn Prosser Professional Decorators, Bedfordshire Hi-Tech Property Services Ltd, Hampshire Hills Painting & Decorating, Hampshire Holbrook Painting, Wolverhampton Home Maintenance Services of Tonbridge Kent, Kent Howard Spencer Specialist Painter & Decorator, Derbyshire Howdec Limited, Bedfordshire Houlton Kennedy Group Ltd, Lincolnshire Ipaint Decorating Services, Herefordshire Jason Gunter Decorating, Mid Glamorgan JJW Decorating, Hertfordshire J N Decor Ltd, London John McLeod Painting & Decorating, Suffolk J S Decors, Surrey Keith Jones Interior and Exterior Decorator, Powys Kevin D Spencer Professional Painter & Decorator, Manchester KSD Support Services Ltd, East Sussex Lady Decorators Hampshire Ltd, Hampshire Lake District Decorating, Cumbria Lewis Decorator Group Ltd, Middlesex Liskeard Home Improvements, Cornwall London Decorating Company, London L P Painting & Decorating Ltd, Rugby

Magic View Decorating Ltd, London Magnum Decorating, Hampshire March Decor Ltd, West Sussex M B Decorating & Property Services Ltd, Derbyshire MB Painting & Decorating, Scotland McDonnell Decorators Ltd, North Wales MDE Painting, West Sussex M G Decorating, Powys Michael Graham Decorators Ltd, Warwickshire Miss P and D Decorators Ltd, West Sussex Montys Traditional Decorating, Bournemouth Moore Interiors Herts Ltd, Cambidgeshire Newtown Decor Ltd, Scotland Ocean Painting & Decorating, Kent Paint Projects Ltd, Northamptonshire Paint+ Decorating Services, Cumbria P.A.L Decorators, Staffordshire Papaya Decorating, Surrey Pattern and Paint Limited, Cornwall Paul Stevens Professional Painter & Decorator, Wiltshire PB Decorating, Northumberland Pembrokeshire Pro Painting & Decorating, South Wales Prima Decor Painters & Decorators, London Prism Interior Services, Kent Prodec Cheshire, Manchester Pure Decoration, East Sussex Sellars Decorating Limited, South Yorkshire S J Hawkes, Essex Smoothcoat UK Ltd, West Midlands Spray-It Services Ltd, Lanacashire Spray Group Limited, Lancashire S R Swanton Painting & Decorating, West Sussex Stephen Concannon Decorators, Leicestershire Steve Wilson Decorators, Cambridgeshire S Wilson & Sons Ltd, Essex The Decorator Guys, Dorset The Prestige Decorating, Wiltshire Timothy Sutton Decorating Ltd, London Tony Williams Painter & Decorator, Dorset Trojan Decorators Ltd, Chesterfield Up Maintenance Ltd, North Yorkshire Wallace Anthony, Bedfordshire We Paint Well, London Whitaker High Quality Professional Decorators, Lancashire Wim Solutions Ltd, Surrey Zoom Building Services Ltd, London

NEW MEMBERS JOINING

The London Association of Master Decorators Centurion Construction, Essex G B Building & Maintenance, Berkshire Rodgers Decorating Services, Hertfordshire

12

ASSOCIATION NEWS

t fi ’s ck en sto om in W w No

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A whole line of affordable work wear and sundries such as quotation pads and van stickers are available to purchase through the PDA Website – Most clothing items are available in a choice of mens or womens fit.

Login to the Members area of the PDA website and click on ‘PDA Mechandise’ tab

NEW IN STOCK! BASEBALL CAP

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w w w. p a i n t i n g d e c o r a t i n g a s s o c i a t i o n . c o . u k Alternatively call Head Office on 0247635 3776 or email sam@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk 13

NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS

TOOLSdown A QUICK Q&A WITH PDA MEMBER

Lee Sullivan

How long have you been a painter and decorator?

Over 30 years. My Dad had a successful building business and he introduced me to the painting and decorating side of it when I was teenager.

Do you have a specialist area?

Around 70% of our work is internal and external decoration of domestic properties from small to large, and 30% is commercial property work.

How long have you been a Member of the PDA? Almost ten years.

How has membership of the PDA benefitted you?

Membership gives potential customers confidence, and many have mentioned that it was a contributing factor to approaching me for a quote. Membership provides me with support, access to knowledge and skills, an enhanced market profile and legal advice.

What would you say to encourage young people to become a painter and decorator?

It’s a wonderful business to work in, whether as a sole trader or part of a larger organisation. There are many areas to specialise in, plenty of use of initiative and a great deal of satisfaction to be gained in seeing a happy customer.

Are you currently training any Apprentices?

How do you market your business?

Via my website, Dulux Select Decorators, TrustMark, Trading Standards Buy with Confidence, Rated People and MyBuilder.

No, but I did look into it last year and will reconsider at some point.

What are the most annoying problems you come across?

Seeing the unprofessional work of others.

Are you on social media?

Facebook and Google for searches.

Do you have any tips on maintaining a successful business?

Good communication, professionalism, wide-ranging skills, ensuring a steady flow of repeat customers and recommendations, training with the Dulux Academy, keeping up with industry innovations, great staff and responding appropriately to the current Covid issues.

What do you most like about your job?

The huge variety of people and places I come into contact with, and interpreting customer needs.

What products would you recommend?

Mirka dust-free sander, Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt, Zinsser Allcoat, and Arroworthy microfiber roller sleeves.

Lee is a PDA Member based in Essex, trading as LAPD, you can call him on 07971 003 423 or visit www.lapdpaintinganddecorating.co.uk

14

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NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS

BAROQUE BLUE FOR BAGNALLS 145TH

CHRISTMAS COLLECTION IAN WILLIAMS HAS supported Longfield Hospice’s Christmas Tree Recycling scheme since it began four years ago, helping raise £56,000 to date, by providing vans to collect trees from homes and businesses across Gloucestershire.

Once again, the company supported the initiative which aims to much needed funds to enable the hospice to provide end-of-life care in patients’ own homes and relieve pressure on the NHS. Ian Williams Executive Director, Mike Turner comments, “We are delighted to support Longfield for the fourth year running. It is a truly wonderful charity, and we hope that the team reaches their £30,000 fund raising target this year with just a little help from us!

“We are long-standing supporters of Longfield Hospice. As well as donating the vans for the scheme we have also helped rebrand their charity shops, supported fun runs, and funded the publication of family support booklets.”

Claire Ellis from the charity said, “This is our fourth year of running the Christmas tree campaign, and over the last three years we have raised an amazing £56,000 for Longfield Hospice, which would not have been possible without the support from the community and local businesses.” www.longfield.org.uk

IN CELEBRATION OF Bagnalls 145 years of business, Akzo Nobel presented them with a unique gift: their very own Dulux Trade paint colour! Bagnalls Baroque Blue (or Dulux 30BB 08/263 when ordered at your local decorator centre) is based on their signature colour and named in honour of almost 90 years of collaboration with Dulux Trade paints.

The presentation was made to Stephen Bagnall, Group Managing Director, over a virtual Teams call by the then Akzo Nobel UK & Ireland Managing Director, Alistair McAuley before he left the role at the end of 2020.

Bagnalls partnership with Dulux paint spans many decades, from its creation in 1931 when the paint was branded using a combination of the words ‘Durable’ and ‘Luxury’. Dulux paint was the first branded synthetic paint, offering an alternative to traditional lead-based paints at the time.

Their first major use of the paint was in 1932, for the newly-built pharmaceutical plant for Boots in Beeston, Nottinghamshire. Described at the time as “England’s Most Modern Factory”, a Bagnalls team prepared and painted the factory using the new Dulux paints, applying by brush and, the then-new spray-painting procedure.

The high level of painting innovation and the scope and size of the project meant that Dulux brochures were filled with photos of Bagnalls hard-working painters and served as one of the first large-scale examples of the paint being used successfully in the country.

The presentation pack Dulux Trade sent included a sample pot of Bagnalls Baroque and a paintbrush – Just in case!

Mike Turner from Ian Williams and Claire Ellis from Longfield Hospice.

SUPPORT CONTINUES TO ASPINALL FOUNDATION

16

During the first lockdown, the Ian Williams team in Maidstone answered a call from The Aspinall Foundation to donate their time and skills to carrying out some essential maintenance works at the struggling Port Lympne Safari Park, wild animal reserve and hotel. Since this first voluntary project, the park has become a valued customer for Ian Williams and we have completed a full office refurbishment, complex renovations to the Garden Room Restaurant and reflooring and decorations to the Wolf Lodge and Rhino Lodge accommodation areas.

Whilst on site, it was noticed that there were a few areas which needed additional attention, the team decided to undertake these works free of charge as part of their continued effort to support the Aspinall Foundation. Although outside the scope of works, the onsite team prepped and repainted 27 bollards around the outside of guest services and the mansion, and repaired the lost lighting to the downstairs area of Wolf Lodge.

THE

ORIGINAL

MULTI-SURFACE CONSTRUCTION SEALANT & ADHESIVE

ob1original.com

TRAINING AND EDUCATION

PaintingSkillsAcademy

SPOT CHECKS CONTINUE IN LOCKDOWN

INCREASING THE APPEAL OF P&D

With the increase in the number of coronavirus cases and the national lockdown restrictions in place, all businesses that continue to operate, including those in construction, must ensure their workplace is COVID-secure. During lockdown, HSE will continue to carry out inspections on businesses (see page 14 of our last issue) and will be increasing the number of calls and visits to check COVID-secure measures have been implemented in accordance with government guidance.

Visit the HSE website for more details on spot checks and inspections, as well as guidance on being COVID-secure – www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/working-safely/

THE PAINTINGSKILLSACADEMY (PSA) is the first Sector Skills Alliance Erasmus+ project for the Painting sector. It was approved by the European Commission and launched in December 2019, under the guidance and the coordination of SBG Dresden and with the valuable participation and expertise of 22 partners among which the International Association of Painting Contractors UNIEP and its UK member The Painting and Decorating Association.

The aim of the project is to implement vocational training for the European painting trade, based on the challenges and requirements of the European market. PSA develops qualifications and opportunities that are ultimately transferable to other trades. In the future, special attention will be given to cross-sector offerings, since these also promote understanding and communication with one another, crucial on the construction site. Ensuring the appropriate proportions of work-based learning, digital and green skills as well as cross-border mobility is definitely one of the biggest challenges.

The project has just concluded its first year of activities and huge work lies ahead in order to ensure the creation of a comprehensive high level qualification for decorators. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic prevented partners to having face to face meetings, however online meetings have been regularly carried out and an official virtual gathering of the whole partnership took place on 18 and 19 January 2021.

This crucial moment drew the path for the development of the first concrete results to reach a level 5 qualification (EQF) for all Painters in Europe. Through this important alliance, the aim is to provide a more attractive view of the sector, bringing more qualified young people and improving the image of the profession.

To kick off 2021 PSA has just launched its new website which be an important dissemination tool, sharing regular updates on the project's activities and its output. Check it out and discover more at www.paintingskillsacademy.eu

#designedbydecorators R & SEAM PRESSE R 3-IN-1 CORNE

Internal SILICONE

SKIN External

Seam

18

DOES NOT DAMAGE DELICATE WALLPAPER!

Do you have what it takes?

PAPERHANGER 2 0 2 1

APPRENTICE

ON I N A S S O C I AT I

WITH

1 June 2021

Download the entry form at www.tinyurl.com/pda-aph21 or request a copy by emailing yvonne@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk Deadline for entry 23 April 2021

SECTOR NEWS

P&Dnews MAKING MURALS AND ENRICHING COMMUNITIES A COMMUNITY PROJECT to create a mammoth 120-metre long mural received a helping hand from Brewers Decorator Centre Hull.

Yorkshire-based artist Andy Pea was commissioned by cultural development organisation Absolutely Cultured and their funder Nesta to create a mural on an old metal box factory wall. The wall runs along the end of three streets – Devon, Dorset and Exeter Street – and connects the Shire’s community. The mural is part of a wider social action project that has been taking place since 2018 to improve areas in Hull, using creative approaches to respond to what matters most to the community.

Shire’s residents were consulted by the Absolutely Cultured team, their volunteers and Andy to see what they envisaged for the space.

“The main themes that people came up with were around the idea of play and the environment,” said Andy, “I was involved with some of the residents to shape the ideas for what they wanted, then went away and created some sketches.”

Andy contacted Hull store manager Phil Harrison to see if Brewers would be able to lend their support with materials for the mural, “Phil has supported me a number of times on projects,” said Andy, “It's always service with a smile when I turn up at the store. They have a great team at Hull who will always help out and bend over backwards for a picky artist like myself!”

Led by Andy and a team of over 2,000 volunteers, residents came together to create the mural across eight weeks in August and September. Volunteers went knocking doorto-door and delivered postcards to houses along the three streets, inviting families and individuals to make their mark on the mural.

Covid-19 guidelines presented some unique challenges of course, but residents were able to work safely in their family bubbles on various open paint days.

Once the community had created their colourful and vibrant backdrop, Andy pulled together a team of professional painters to complement their work.

Brewers supplied a combination of both discounted and donated products. This included emulsions and acrylic eggshells, but mainly Sandtex, which is a preferred product of Andy ’s. The hope is that this colourful backdrop, Imagination Alley as it’s been dubbed, will now provide inspiration for the younger generation and encourage them to use their imagination for play.

“It was difficult at times. I don’t think I’ve had to wash so many brush handles on such a regular basis before,” said Andy, “but after the lockdown the mural gave the kids something really positive to focus on.”

“The response has been exceptional, the kids who took part and the wider community take great pride in telling people about their work.”

Officially...

20

HMG PAINTS HAVE attained Made in Britain accreditation and the will now carry the collective mark across its packaging and products.

The Made in Britain collective mark unites the British manufacturing sector and helps consumers, buyers and specifiers identify products that are made in Britain. A proud family business, HMG are one of the last few remaining British paint manufacturers and will be looking to work alongside other Made in Britain members.

The Manchester based paint manufacturer has a vast portfolio of products and covers Industrial, Commercial Vehicle, Decorative, Defence and more.

“We’re proud to be a paint manufacturer in Britain, with more and more companies offshoring production and decision making, we feel HMG can provide a unique offering”, commented John Falder, Managing Director of HMG Paints.

“We have an extensive history of working closely with our customers to develop long term sustainable partnerships. HMG offer a huge variety of products but we are also specialists in developing innovative bespoke paint and coatings solutions.”

The company was the first in the UK to utilise Graphene within its coatings, HMG boast a portfolio including wet paint, powder coatings and aerosols, covering virtually every type of surface imaginable.

The company is also extremely agile, a key example of this was the ability of the company to transform a cleanroom department into a Hand Sanitiser production line within 48 hours.

The First Thing Sanitiser, which saw the company crowned UK Business Heroes by the Chamber of Commerce, was supplied to critical industries such as

pharmaceutical packaging, health, transport, utilities and defence, with the company also providing donations to Greater Manchester Police along with local care homes and other frontline workers.

Product innovation also continues with HMG’s ColourBase software, which boasts a library of over 200,000 different colour formulations, including RAL, BS, Pantone, NCS, OEM, commercial fleet, agricultural machinery and house colours. www.hmgpaint.com www.madeinbritain.org/members/hmg-paints

SECTOR NEWS

BRIGHTENING WALLS IN LOUGHBOROUGH SCHOOLS A lockdown project to refresh an educational site received a huge helping hand from Loughborough Brewers Decorator Centre. The Loughborough Inclusion Partnership (LIP) supports a number of schools within the area to engage secondary students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs who may be struggling to access a mainstream curriculum.

Lisa Buxton of LIP reached out to her local Brewers store for support when the team decided to decorate their site at Loughborough College in August.

“It was perfect timing,” said store manager Jenny Fraser-Wright, “we were just in the process of sorting through our mistints and damaged tins, so we were able to donate all from this year. Lisa presented us with a list of what they were hoping to decorate and we advised on what finishes were needed for certain surfaces.”

Around 90 litres of paint, including Johnstones, Albany, Little Greene and Dulux were donated. They were used to decorate the interior and exterior of the educational site, including classrooms, a science laboratory and foodtechnology kitchen.

“The whole team at LIP were incredibly grateful for the donation, and we were happy we could help,” said Jenny, “They’ve visited several times since to purchase goods and update us on their progress. One time they delivered a humongous jam and cream sponge to say thank you, which went down an absolute treat!”

ONE HAPPY ALBANY customer, Sam Pathebridge, owns multiple chalets in Verbier, Switzerland, which is a beautiful alpine village perfect for a ski getaway.

Sam approached Brewers looking for the perfect paint to use on the walls in his chalets, so Joe from Brewers Helpdesk recommended Albany Supercover and Durable Matt.

Sam chose Brilliant White to keep the interior looking modern, as well as enhancing the beautiful timber feature walls in the chalets, the colour also compliments the highly modern bathroom interiors for a real luxurious feel. The end result looks absolutely fabulous and the perfect winter retreat for all ski lovers, or those who would simply enjoy a hot chocolate in the stunning Swiss surroundings!

“Brewers’ donation has made a huge difference,” said Hannah Patient, Provision Lead at LIP, “We’re a non-profit organisation, so this donation has meant that more vital money goes directly towards supporting the students. A very big thank you!”

For more about Loughborough Inclusion Partnership visit www.lip.org.uk

PURE BRILLIANT WHITE

SECTOR NEWS

SMART SECURITY ON THE MOVE VAN CRIME IS on the increase with insurance claims in the UK for tool theft rising by more than 50% in 2019, so Ford has developed Guard Mode, a connected-vehicle security system that monitors vans in real-time and alerts owners via their smartphone of potential breaches in security.

Accessed using the FordPass Pro smartphone app, Guard Mode employs various sensors to detect when someone enters the vehicle, opens the bonnet or load compartment, or starts the engine. It then sends a notification to the owner using the vehicle’s FordPass Connect modem, fitted as standard across the majority of Ford commercial vehicles.

The Guard Mode also highlights the times the vehicle was accessed, the reason for alarms, when trigger actions happened and the vehicle’s last known location, and can even send an alert if a vehicle is unlocked or started using a key, something that would not trigger a conventional alarm but may be useful in light of a key being stolen or cloned.

Guard Mode builds on existing alarm notifications, including Trailer Theft Alert, which detects if an attached trailer is being unhooked while the vehicle is locked.

FRESH RETURN FOR BRAINTREE DISTRICT MENCAP SOCIETY MEMBERS OF BRAINTREE District Mencap Society were welcomed back to renovated premises thanks to the hard work of volunteers and a donation from their local Brewers Decorator Centre. The Society offers support, guidance and activities for children and adults with learning disabilities and their families.

Sadly the Covid-19 pandemic meant that their building was closed during lockdown and a deep clean was required before they were able to reopen. The charity wanted to use the opportunity to give the premises a much-needed lick of paint, but while they had plenty of volunteers, restrictions on fundraising meant they had no funds for materials.

“The lack of fundraising this year has hit the charity hard,” said Faye Addison, manager of Brewers Chelmsford store, who was contacted by the charity's office manager, Sue Turner.

“As it was the charity's 65th anniversary this year, Sue really wanted to make the return special. We were very pleased to be able to help them.”

Approximately 100 litres of mistinted paint in a variety of brands and finishes were donated to the charity's project.

“I advised on the suitable finishes in different locations, as Sue hoped to decorate the walls and woodwork in the entrance hall and four support rooms,” said Faye.

A team of volunteers set to painting over the summer, and members and their families were welcomed back to the transformed premises in September.

“It’s been really nice to help in such a difficult year,” said Faye, “and wonderful to see that our mistinted paints could be made so worthwhile.”

To find out more about the work the Mencap Society do visit www.mencap.org.uk

INVESTING IN UK MANUFACTURING

22

CROWN PAINTS HAS commenced work on a new state-of-the-art raw material and packaging warehouse facility at its Hull manufacturing base.

The warehouse, which will be located at Crown Paints’ Sculcoates Lane site, represents a £4.4 million investment, and will create an additional 4,265m2 of storage space for raw materials and packaging. Construction is ongoing, with the facility expected to be complete in July 2021.

Crown Paints’ operation in Hull is the company’s major UK water-based paint production site. The new facility will allow the paint manufacturer to consolidate its operations from several older buildings into one modern facility and allows these existing buildings to be repurposed for future growth. The building of the new warehouse

underlines Crown’s commitment to its UK production, both at this site in Hull and at its headquarters in Darwen, Lancashire.

Jonathan Fewster, Crown Paints’ Hull site manager said, “The new warehouse will create much-needed additional storage space for raw materials and packaging, which will effectively allow us to increase our manufacturing output and improve efficiencies at our Hull site.

“The new building will also have better sustainability credentials, which is an important consideration for us as a company. This represents a significant investment in our manufacturing capability, and is a demonstration of our company’s commitment to the long-term future of our facility in Hull.” www.crowntrade.co.uk

SECTOR NEWS

BRIGHT FUTURE FOR PAINTS

HMG PAINTS HAS launched its next generation colourants, benefitting from the latest technology MSH decorative colourants and are controlled to some of the highest standards in the industry, giving users outstanding colour quality and batch-to-batch consistency. The new colourants are already being used by HMG’s distributor network and the company are also supplying to other paint and coatings manufacturers who utilise the colourants in their own products.

Leading up to Brexit, HMG saw a significant increase in enquiries as companies looked to reduce supply chain disruption and reshoring key raw material supply as part of Brexit preparedness strategies.

For the decorative and architectural markets, HMG’s MSH water-based colourants are VOC, NPE and APE free, meaning they are better for the environment and exceed the demands of current environmental legislation. Designed for high-end decorative and architectural products, the 15 colourants of the MSH range are used in HMG’s own product portfolio and by customers who require high performing and consistent colour production.

The company has identified a number of benefits for manufacturers and end users including drastically improved manufacturing, speed of products and enhanced colour stability. Additionally, the MSH decorative colourants offer ease of application, and enhance application qualities including flow and levelling for a much-improved finish.

“We’ve utilised the latest pigments and colourant technology to produce these new decorative colourants and customers have given us fantastic feedback”, commented Steven Hutton, HMG Operations Director. “The colour laboratory has worked exceptionally hard to develop the products and are adding colours on a daily basis.”

Via the company’s bespoke colour formulation software, ColourBase, customers and users already have access to over 1,300 water-based formulations for the MSH colourants across several popular colour collections such as RAL, NCS and leading decorative collections.

“The colour quality and consistency the new colourants produce has been game changing for some of our customers,” said Danny Cleary, Sales Director, “by manufacturing the colourants right here in the UK, it means customers can benefit from fast delivery and ensure their colour production does not suffer from logistic and supply chain disruption, especially with the potential of significant border disruption with colourants coming from outside the UK post Brexit.”

The system is designed to be a direct drop-in replacement for existing market colourants and is fully compatible with automated tinting technologies meaning there is no need for users to buy expensive new equipment. www.hmgpaint.com/services/colourmatching

gallery

The

Lamars Decorating Contrators Lamars helped this former church become Newton’s Place community centre using Dulux and Keim paints.

Abbots Decorators Units in this Belfast kitchen were transformed with a coat of Zinsser primer, base coat and two coats of oil based eggshell in Ammonite.

Tony Williams Bartoline caulk filled cracks on woodwork, followed

by Crown primer, oil based undercoat and finally gloss. Bartoline powder filler smoothed out walls and ceiling with Crown Grip Extreme to seal, two coats of Vinyl Matt on the ceilings and walls completed the job.

C&I Decorators Ltd Child friendly wallpaper nicely contrasts the Dulux Trade Diamond Matt walls – Perfect for protection against sticky fingers!

Woodwork finished with Dulux Trade Gloss.

You too can enter The Gallery 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

On the Cover Costa Decoration @costadecoration

MDE Painting Walls painted with B&Q Matt in Bougainvillea and Choco Latte, woodwork and fireplace with Dulux Gloss, and bookcase treated with dark woodstain.

Newby & Son A customer asked Newby & Son to hang this mural in a home office, lots of cracks meant first cross lining in 1400 grade to be safe, after the first length was hung birds outside began tweeting in approval!

Home Maintenance Services Graham & Brown Basuto wallpaper, hung with Beeline Yellow Top Paste, gives this dining room a stately feel.

Costa Decoration have been working with another contractor for over 10 years on various refurbishment projects, where they look after the decorative elements of the works. In this bathroom renovation, some of the walls were new plaster while other required a bit more tender love and care. As always, preparation is the key to a great finish so, after lots of filling and sanding, the walls were mist coated followed by three topcoats of Farrow & Ball Modern Emulsion on the walls. The woodwork included the fireplace and some new joinery, doors that were originally bare wood, all of which needed filling, sanding, and priming, before painting with Farrow & Ball Modern Eggshell.

ÂŁ100 of vouchers from Brewers are now on the way to Costa Decoration for their winning Gallery entry!

Sponsored by

25

ADVICE AND TIPS

7

Strategies to get more work in

2021

So, 2021 hasn’t exactly been a flying start... It’s been a real struggle for many of us, professionally and personally. We’ve had to be resilient, understanding, flexible and steadfast. It’s incredibly hard to plan when there’s so much uncertainty, but that means it’s even more important to put strategies in place to make sure we’ve got plenty of the work we want – when we are able to do it.

There will always be factors out of our control, and we have to accept that, but we do have a choice in how we respond to the situation.

Developing clear strategies is always better in business than just flying by the seat of our pants. Here are some that have worked for me.

Upgrade your online presence Even if you’re home schooling and looking after a ‘mini-you’ a lot at the moment, make sure you’re planning your next business moves. Update your website. Go through the photos on your phone that you’ve taken of jobs, write some blogs, share them on social media, send them to The Decorator (see pages 24 and 25)!

Service, clean and organise your kit so that the race car of your business is ready on the starting grid, not gathering cobwebs in the garage.

Make the most of your existing customers The best source of new work will always be the people you’ve already worked for. List them all out and note down which ones

Do business networking

you want to work for again. Get in touch with every single

I really resisted this at first, but it

one of them.

really does work, both for

Ask them how they’re doing. Tell them when you’re hoping

residential clients. Once you’re

can do for them. The relationships you have with people who

known in networking circles, you’ll be

already like working with you are always the most important –

recommended a lot more. Some groups

both for direct work and for recommendations to other

are quite expensive, some are free.

potential customers. Take the opportunity to ask for a

Try several and see what fits for you.

testimonial from them too.

26

getting more commercial and

to be available for work and ask whether there’s anything you

ADVICE AND TIPS Improve the quality of your quotes One thing that’s always worked for me is spending a bit more time doing really detailed quotes. I know it’s helped me to get work from people who appreciate attention to detail.

Make sure that your quotes look smart and show that you’ve really listened to your customer and answered their

Move towards bigger jobs Whether you do domestic or commercial, the bigger the contracts you get, the fewer of them you need to fill your year – That can be both bigger properties and moving towards higher quality work.

Higher quality work takes longer because you’re spending much more time doing really

concerns. Include some links to relevant blogs you’ve written,

good prep, as well as better finishing. There will always be customers who want the

and even one or two testimonials from former clients.

best and are willing to pay for it – even in a recession.

When I specialised in renovating older, larger properties, I’d sometimes spend several months in any given year on just one site.

Team up A great way to get work automatically coming to you is to collaborate with other trades: builders, spreads, chippies, interior designers... Get in touch with existing contacts, and find new ones on Google, by asking around on social media, or have a flick through local advertising magazines.

Weatherproof your business I’ve talked about this before, but have a plan for if it rains, or if there’s yet another lockdown. I used to ask that anyone booking me for exterior decorating would have some interior work to do as well, so that I could carry on working if it rained too hard.

Get to know landlords who need rental properties turned around quickly once tenants move out – that’s especially useful in the current climate where working in occupied properties can be problematic.

It’s about working ON your business Working IN your business is about doing the everyday stuff – decorating, buying tools and materials, invoicing. To become more successful you need to work ON your business, and all the strategies above are about that.

It can be difficult to get out of your comfort zone and do things you don’t usually do. I time-block a couple of hours once a week to work on the future success of my business. Investing that time will bring dividends later.

Want to know more?

Find me on social media!

with Charlie Budd

Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn

Charlie Budd @thetallphotographer @charliebudd Charles Budd

27

Paint under the bridge

CASE STUDY

B

righton based Bluebird Interiors were recently asked to reinvigorate a local modern designer home using an up-to-date colour palette which optimised the abundant light, and adding in a feel of luxury with feature walls.

Jennifer Anderson-Dixon led her team of four throughout the project and tells us about what was involved...

Before starting on any new jobs, I make extensive use of computer generated images created with Live Home 3D, this not only illustrates the final look to the client, but also helps to provide myself and the team with detailed method statements, with each of us designated with a zone in the property to take care of.

After months of planning the design with input from the home owners, a timescale of two weeks was agreed to complete the redecoration.

The house was built with shadow lines which, over the years, had gathered dust and debris, so we needed to scrape these out by hand to create new sharp lines again.

The floating skirting board that creates the shadow lines proved to be quite tricky to paint too, extra care had to be taken to avoid clogging the gap.

Products used Albany Acrylic undercoat Dulux Trade Diamond Satinwood Dulux Trade Diamond Matt on all walls and ceilings Crown Metallic in Striking for the feature walls

28

CASE STUDY

Digital mockups of the property showed the client the proposed design and also helped provide a reference for the Bluebird team.

The existing feature wall was painted purple and needed several base coats of emulsion in gardenia rather than magnolia, as this would of given the new gold colour too warm of a glow.

The bridge feature required some repair in places, as the design allows for movement (similar to a suspension bridge) which had lead cracking over the years. The bridge proved to be major obstacle as we couldn’t push the MiTower past it, in the end we had to get one for each side!

Every evening I wrote out a daily objective for each team member, including myself, to have achieved by the end of the following day in order to hit the tight deadline, and even came in £200 under budget.

The clients were very happy with the completed work, as we achieved exactly the look and feel they were hoping for. They’ve now asked me back to do more work elsewhere in the house!

Bluebird Interiors are a Member of the PDA based in Brighton.

Call on 07483 297797 or find them on Instagram @bluebird_interiors

29

CASE STUDY

I

f you follow MD Painter & Decorator on Facebook, you’ll see that Mick does quite a lot of spray work.

Kitchen units, wardrobes, walls and ceilings have all received a few coats using his Graco machine...

Here, Mick tells us what was involved in a kitchen decorating job completed at the end of 2020.

Left, the kitchen in its original form.

Above, the doors were all taken off site to for spraying and drying.

Left and right, masked up, primed and ready for a final coat

Refreshing kitchen respray The owners of the property felt their kitchen was beginning to look very tired, but were quite happy with the units they had, after discussing designs and colour schemes with them, they agreed to a complete colour change along with recoating the ceiling and walls of the room.

I spent a fair amount of time planning out the job to assess all aspects of the project, where to start and how to make sure everything went

as I went, before I taking them off site to my workshop to begin the spraying process.

On site, I then covered the inside of the units ready to start the initial preparation work filling up cracks and imperfections in the ceiling and walls using Toupret ‘red and blue top’ ready mixed filler.

The kitchen units on-site, and the doors off-site, were all washed down with methylated spirits before using a Festool ETS EC 150 and RTS 400

smoothly from start to finish.

First off, I covered all the floors and work top with protective

to lightly sand with P240, followed by P320 sandpaper.

film before removing all doors from the units, carefully numbering them

Before spraying all the units and doors were primed with Tikkurila Otex Akva, I then

M D Painter & Decorator is a Member of the PDA based in Chesterfield.

Call on 07799 646312 or find them on Facebook/mdpainter.decorator

30

sprayed on an undercoat of Benjamin Moore Fresh Start followed by two top coats of Benjamin Moore Scuff-X with a light sanding with P400 between coats.

CASE STUDY

RAISING THE STANDARD OF SPRAY PAINTING

The colours were actually taken from the Farrow & Ball pallete, Lamp room grey for the wall units, Railings for the base units.

For the ceiling, coving and walls I used Johnstone’s Trade Jonmatt as a basecoat, and Durable Matt for the top coat, again the colours were matched to F&B Elephant Breath.

The remaining woodwork was coated in very similar products to the

SCAN ME For videos and product information

units, priming with Benjamin Moore Fresh Start followed by two coats of Scuff-X eggshell in super white.

Finally, new handles were fitted to the cupboards and drawers to

DEDICATED SPRAY PAINTING RANGE RAZOR SHARP PAINT EDGES 2 IN 1 MASKING TAPE AND PAPER

complete the makeover.

Everything went to plan with no major obstacles and I completed the project in eight days, and on budget.

‹ ‹ ‹

#spraywithtesa

The client was very happy and loves the work... They’ve now booked me in to decorate their two bedrooms too! tesa.UK

tesaUK

tesaUK

tesaUK_tape

tesa.co.uk/spraywithtesa

CASE STUDY

New life for cellar conversion Developed for use in challenging conditions both inside and out, Sandtex

properties which makes it suitable for even the most challenging of

Trade’s X-Treme X-Posure® masonry paint has helped transform a

substrates. Its flexible formulation also helps disguise hairline cracks and

100-year-old warehouse to create an atmospheric furniture and interior

stops them reappearing.

store, and a cosy new coffee shop.

Located in picturesque Llandeilo, Wales, Davies & Co has sympathetically converted the original Farmers’ Co-Op building to create a new furniture and interior shopping experience, and

“It was important to ensure that we did justice to the building”

Right for the job Commenting Marlene said, “It was important to ensure that we did justice to the building and to keep its authenticity and heritage intact. There are many people who have fond memories of the

The Lounge, a new café area for customers.

The whole project takes its inspiration from store owner Marlene Davies’ lifelong commitment to promoting the use of up-cycled and recycled materials, with many period features including the original stone walls and oak floor boards playing a key part in the interior design scheme.

building and are happy to share their stories as it is an important part of both Llandeilo’s agricultural and retail history.”

“Whilst not a listed property, we were conscious that any preservation work that we undertook was respectful and did not in any way detract from the wonderful character and ‘feel’ of the building, and we hope that

Inside out

this has been achieved. By using materials and paints sympathetic to this

Although usually applied to external areas, X-Treme X-Posure® was ideally

legacy, we are so pleased that we have been able to prolong the life of

suited for use on the solid stone walls and ceilings thanks to its

the building and play a small part in its history”.

microporous properties. Having suffered from years of damp, dark conditions, it was vital in its restoration that the stonework was allowed

Sandtex’s X-Treme X-Posure® is

to ‘breathe’ and so after being suitably primed, the walls were coated in

available from the network of

Sandtex’s high-performance water-based masonry paint. To further

Crown Decorating Centres and

enhance the heritage of the building, whilst being careful to avoid a

leading independent merchants.

pastiche interior decor, the main broad wall areas were painted in Anthracite Grey to add a stylish and contemporary twist.

As well as providing a matt finish that will offer excellent dirtresistance and colour retention, X-Treme X-Posure® has excellent adhesion

@Sandtex_UK 32

www.sandtex.co.uk

CASE STUDY

IN BRIEF.

Making a splash An on-site specialist spraying contractor recently completed the preparation and coating of the interior walls, ceilings and metal beams of a private swimming pool using One Can from Bradite.

Dan Ruegg of contractor Cladspray Solutions said, “One Can was chosen for this particular application because of its fantastic adhesion properties to the multitude of surfaces that were present

The high-performance coating will deliver protection to many substrates

on this project. We also wanted a product that was exceptionally fast

including: cladding, uPVC, powder coated metal, steel, and timber including

drying, water-based, low-odour and had a very durable eggshell finish.”

fencing, garden furniture and sheds.

“We consulted James Burton of Bradite prior to starting the job, he

One Can also provides excellent stain locking properties. It will block

arranged site visit and specification confirming that One Can would also

stains in the coating and even hide tanning, and resinous bleed when

tolerate the high humidity levels present in a swimming pool area.”

applied to hardwoods, as well as locking in water stains.

“Three coats were applied, with the first coat thinned slightly to improve adhesion. The result is a fantastic swimming pool transformation, completed in one day and a very happy customer.”

One Can offers anti-corrosive protection making the product ideal for application to all metals, both ferrous and nonferrous, including brand new galvanised steel. The product is also compatible with all water and oilbased finish coats.

Unique formulation

Designed for easy application and fast drying time, One Can is

Bradite One Can is a unique product as it is the first all-purpose,

touch dry after 30 minutes and re-coatable after one hour. There is no

water-based primer and finish in one can. It is an interior and exterior

need to buy additional primers and undercoats, One Can can be used as

product with anti-corrosive properties and is quick drying, with low odour

both a priming and finishing system, no longer will three different cans

and low VOC’s. This provides the decorator with a single tin containing

be required for one job!

direct-to-substrate paint that provides superior stain locking and

It is available in an eggshell finish in the full BS and RAL colour range.

adhesion properties.

Before

Before

The tired walls and ceiling of the pool house incorporated metal, plasterboard and plastics – Bradite One Can covered them all!

@braditepaints

www.bradite.com

33

CASE STUDIES

T

he refurbishment of a community leisure centre in Wiltshire has been given a paint finish that is more than fit or purpose, thanks to Crown Paints.

Leisure centre ‘Tones Up’ The creation of the new Calne Community Campus will provide a variety

As the Clean Extreme range is fully water-based and offers a low-odour

of new facilities for the local area, including a new fitness suite and

and quick-drying finish, it is ideally suited for use across large areas. Here,

refurbished swimming pool and sports hall. Working alongside main

it has been used in conjunction with Crown Trade’s Fastflow Quick Dry

contractor MD Group, the Crown Specification team helped devise a

Satin, which has been applied to the centre’s woodwork and trim areas.

high-performance paint specification to extend future maintenance cycles and keep the décor in perfect shape, both inside and out.

With the interior paint package helping to keep the facilities looking good, it was also important that the building was given a high-

With cleanliness a top priority, Crown Trade’s Clean Extreme Scrubbable

performance finish that would help protect it from the elements and

Matt was the ideal choice for use throughout the centre, and has been

create a great first impression. With this is mind, the project team opted

applied in the fitness suite, sports hall and servery, as well as high-traffic

to use Sandtex Trade’s 365 All Weather Smooth Masonry paint on the

areas such as corridors and reception. The advanced formulation of Clean

main facades and Sandtex Eggshell X-Tra for the exterior woodwork. Both

Extreme enables the painted surface to be repeated and rigorously cleaned

products offer excellent and long-lasting protection against weathering,

without diminishing its flat matt appearance, helping the centre keep

with the 365 All Weather Smooth Masonry paint benefitting from a

its facilities looking freshly decorated and hygienically clean.

Pliolite® resin formula which creates a microporous film to effectively

For extra protection in areas where moisture and condensation could otherwise prove problematic, Crown Trade’s Clean Extreme Mould

block any wind-driven rain, while allowing moisture within the building to migrate to the surface without damaging the paintwork.

Inhibiting Acrylic Eggshell was specified for use in the changing rooms,

Commenting, Crown Paint specification sales manager Joanne Thomas said,

toilet facilities and around the swimming pool. Combining a high opacity

“We are delighted to have been involved in the creation of new Calne

matt formulation with a built-in fungicide that can’t be washed or wiped

Community Campus. The products chosen have all been specifically developed

away, Clean Extreme Mould Inhibiting Acrylic Eggshell can help prevent

to provide a durable finish that will last, helping to extend maintenance

the growth of mould and mildew and is also highly resistant to other

cycles and limit costs by reducing the need to redecorate so often.”

stains appearing on the paint surface.

@CrownTradePaint 34

www.crowntrade.co.uk

CASE STUDY

Costa Decoration Ltd are Members of the PDA based in London. Visit their website at www.costadecoration.co.uk or call them on 0208 432 2241

Windows of opportunity Before the winter set in, London based Costa Decoration were asked to

Inside and out were then painted with Dulux Trade Undercoat before

complete the finish on some recently restored windows. When the team

applying two topcoats of Dulux Trade Weathershield Quick-Dry Satin on

visited the ground floor apartment in North Finchley, they were also able to

the exterior, and Dulux Trade Diamond Eggshell for the interior.

convince the property owner to freshen up the masonry which had decayed in places and been left untidy from previous painting.

Over the course of five days, Costa Decoration got to work by initially preparing the exterior woodwork with Ronseal filler and sanding down, before moving on to the interior woodwork using the same method.

A section of the masonry windowsill had to be rebuilt due to it crumbling, so this was filled with Toupret, before sanding and again finishing with Dulux Trade Undercoat and two topcoats of Weathershield.

The job was completed on time and within the specified budget, leaving the client very pleased. They commented, “The works really did transform the doors and windows, cleaning up the surrounding masonry made all the difference�.

The windows and doors had been restored when Costa arrived, but needed fully painting up.Upon closer inspection a number of areas of masonry also required repair, including one of the sill which required fully rebuilding and after discussion with the client, surrounding brickwork was also cleaned.

35

tool TALK

Products independently tested and reviewed

by Award Winning Decorator, Wayne de Wet

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Viking Arm @viking_arm

www.vikingarm.com

Like many PDA Members, I am a multi-skilled tradesperson. So as you can imagine, I have a tool for everything... Well I thought I did!

Viking Arm is a remarkable Norwegian high quality multi-use tool, suitable for all professional trades, and that serious DIYer... It gives you a tool to help with so many jobs.

Manufactured using hardened stainless steel and aluminium, Viking Arm is as strong as Viking! Weighing only 1.4kg this tool is definitely NOT flimsy, with an impressive 150kg capacity to Lift, Lower, Press or Tighten, yet still giving me accurate control over a range from 6mm to 215mm.

The standard base measures 5mm x 105mm x 87mm, but an optional base made from hardened carbon steel is available, along with a smaller 3mm x 77mm x 62mm base. All have mounting holes for added safe use.

To use Viking Arm as a clamping tool, remove the lock screw (but keep this in a safe place!), press and hold the right trigger whilst pulling out the shaft, fully insert the shaft from the other end whilst holding down the right trigger.

So far I’ve used Viking Arm to effortlessly remove/replace doors, lift an oak bath panel whilst I pre-drill and then fix with mirror screws, and pressing some skirting whilst the adhesive set.

Viking Arm has so many uses, limited only by your creativity!

Features & Benefits

‘ Press - Lift - Lower - Tighten - Clamp ‘ Multi optional base plates

‘ Simple lock & release mechanism

‘ Made from stainless steel and aluminium

Q1

Precision Line Masking Tape @Q1_painting_solutions

www.q1tapes.com/uk/

It used to be the case that masking tape was

Features & Benefits

‘ Ultra thin Washi paper with water-based adhesive

‘ 25mm, 38mm and 50mm widths ‘ 6 month clean removal interior / 3 month exterior ‘ UV and water resistant

mostly used when spraying. However, even with my experience of creating sharp lines and cutting in, it is no longer frowned upon to use masking tape for any painting task.

Q1 have been around for 25 years manufacturing high quality masking tapes, and for quite some time I’ve been using this ultra thin Precision Line tape.

Available in 25, 38 and 50mm widths, each roll is encased in a clear film which protects the edges and keeps the tape fresh until opened. A good hack is to keep unused part rolls in a clear plastic bag once opened.

Professional grade Q1 precision line marking tapes are water and UV resistant, and are able to be left for up to three months on exteriors or up to six months inside without residue.

The ultra thin Washi tape delivers fast application and removal results, it’s perfect with HVLP or Airless spraying equipment, yet equally great when brushing & rolling.

The end result is perfect jaw dropping lines first time and every time and in my experience, never leaving any adhesive residue behind.

36

Features & Benefits

‘ EN166 - 170 compliant indoor and outdoor lens ‘ Hard protective case with carabiner ‘ Scratch resistant coating

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Premier ®

Ultra-Micro 9” Roller Sleeve @premierpaintroller

premierpaintroller.com

When it comes to paint application and roller sleeve choice for me its a no brainer! I always invest in good quality, as this pays off dividends over and over. Premier are a family owned company from the USA

Features & Benefits

that have been around since 1968. With many years of roller manufacturing under their belt, they have certainly perfected

‘ Premium woven polyester fabric blend

the process. Three generations of the family have held the reins, and still do today.

For over a year and a half I’ve used Premier Ultra-Micro sleeves with their Blue Tiger roller frames, I am amazed with the

‘ Heavy duty polypropylene core

exceptional finish they produce, and would say they are without question the best I’ve used in over 40 years of decorating.

Exclusive Viper Fusion Technology® and a premium woven polyester fabric blend delivers an exceptionally smooth finish,

‘ Bevel on both ends

plus it holds loads of paint and releases it evenly. I have found that off-loading and back rolling produced the finest finish.

‘ For all paints and stains

The roller sleeves have a decent bevel on both ends, which helps eliminate ‘tramlines’ and paint splatter, and a heavy duty

‘ Packaging made from recycled materials

polypropylene core is suitable for all paints and stains, both waterborne and solvent.

Two Fussy Blokes

Mini Roller Frame & Sleeve Set @twofussyblokes

www.twofussyblokes.com

As the very first UK Decorator to make direct contact with the New Zealand founders, it’s been brilliant to see the journey of Two Fussy Blokes! This newest addition to their range is a 100mm mini roller frame and sleeve combo. This consists of a quality wooden handle and a black satin finished steel frame and two microfibre sleeves.

These frames use a thick gauge metal so the sleeves simply slide on. The sleeves have red or green colour coded end caps - allowing easy recognition. This mini roller handle is incredibly comfy in the hand and when in use!

Producing a flawless finish in water based paints, I would always advocate washing and spinning the sleeves out to remove any loose fibres.

It’s also possible to not have to ‘lay off’ paint! (dependent on the type of paint, thickness and surrounding atmosphere).

I have successfully painted a £100,000 kitchen using the smooth 5mm nap sleeves without laying off. This was using Zinsser 123 plus tinted as an adhesion primer, the top coats where Tikkurila Helmi 10 producing an incredible fine spray like finish.

Features & Benefits

‘ Wooden handle, metal frame and threaded end cap ‘ Microfibre 5mm nap and 10mm nap semi-smooth sleeves

‘ Colour coded end caps (combo pack) ‘ No need to lay off

I have also used on doors, window sills, skirting, spindles even architraves.

Velocity Progear

Alpha Safety Glasses @velocityprogear

@velocityprogear

www.velocity-progear.com

Turn back the clock a good few years and eye protection was just functional, now it’s essential to cater for the fashionista in us all! The Velocity Progear Alpha Safety Glasses are EN166-170 compliant, which means they have a great design and excellent eye protection.

These safety glasses are ergonomic and non slip, benefitting from an anti-fog and scratch resistant coating. I found them very comfortable to wear, especially the TPR nose bridge and side arms which are like a soft rubber type of material.

They are available in either white/orange or black/orange, with indoor and outdoor lenses, complete with a very smart hard storage case that has a handy carabiner making it easier to hang them up in the van or workshop so that you can easily find them.

You can find Wayne on...

@ToolTalk1

@ToolTalk1 37

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Swanky Features & Benefits

Bird Box

‘ Dries crystal clear and flexible

‘ Gap filling with minimal to zero shrinkage

/birdbox8in1 @bird_box_8in1

‘ Interior and exterior use ‘ 100% water proof

Innovation comes about when a solution to a

Gorilla

Grab Adhesive Crystal Clear @gorillaglueuk

uk.gorillaglue.com

When it comes to adhesives there is one brand that has never let me down

problem is solved, or a tool is created to simplify a task. Bird Box 8 in 1 is a carpentry multi-tool tool used for ‘setting out’ tasks when fitting door locks or setting out 5mm or 7mm architrave frame margins and more.

and that’s Gorilla! First off, Gorilla Heavy Duty Grab Adhesive is incredibly

Bird Box Is a lightweight mini-square

strong, and you can reposition for up to 30 mins which is also very useful.

3D printed from PLA plastic and comes

I use Gorilla Grab Adhesive Crystal Clear to bond skirting and architraves, as it easily fills any gaps and voids to level whilst bonding. You can also use

in six bright colours.

With an integrated 100mm precision rule,

for mouldings, plasterboard, floor boards, chipboard and many many other

it easily finds the centreline on three different

jobs when on site.

door thicknesses, accurate spindle hole

This one tube does all kinds of adhesive work and is a must have product for both the van and garage. Just apply to one surface and press into

marking (including holes for standard spindle offsets). It also has a 3mm fire door

position for about a minute, heavier items will need supporting until fully

margin gauge and the ‘box’ allows the

cured. The easy flow formula of the Crystal Clear adhesive is five times

waste sawdust from spindle and lock drilling

stronger than the standard Heavy Duty version, and 100% waterproof.

to be collected.

Fully cured in 24 hours, you can paint over it with water based paints after

Bird Box will mark out for overlay hinges

just two. Available in a 270ml cartridge with a locking screw cap nozzle to

also hinge plate and cup positions and also a

keep it fresh once opened.

radius template and marking timber joint

Win it all!

One of each of the items reviewed in this edition of Tooltalk are available to one lucky PDA Member!

centres. It’s simple but so clever!

.uk to tooltalk@the-decorator.co For your chance send an email ner, Phil Beckwith Well done to our most recent win Enjoy your new products! of M. D. Beckwith Decorators!

Go!Paint Brush @go_paint

Magnet

www.go-paint.com

I always like to find better ways of working, and that includes constantly looking out for new

Features & Benefits

tools... This is how ToolTalk began. Go!Paint manufacture innovative products for painters, and

‘ Collect dust when drilling

trust me they are awesome. What I like about the brand new Go!Paint Brush Magnet as it is completely different to anything I’ve seen and used before, and it is definitely more versatile.

Whether you want to attach it to a metal or plastic paint kettle, or paint tray or scuttle, it will allow any shape of paint brush – round, flat, oval – to be simply docked and kept out of the way.

Two strong magnets are attached to either end of a bendable, tactile, rubbery material strap. You simply bend the Go!Paint Brush Magnet over your kettle and it will form a strong grip holding your brush and freeing up your hands to do other tasks.

Features & Benefits

‘ Securely holds brush

‘ Suitable for use with metal and plastic ‘ Use with kettles - trays - scuttles

‘ Free up a hand quickly and easily

38

‘ Fast marking out for door hanging ‘ Find centres on standard timbers ‘ Lightweight and recyclable

ROLL AND GO BUCKET 18 and 25 PAINT TOOLS 2.0

Integrated rolling surface.

Bucket 18 for rollers up to 7”/18 cm.

Bucket 25 for rollers up to 10”/25 cm Use with disposable liners.

$_-mhv |o |_; 1o ;u o 1-m 0ub;Y store the paint and roller in the bucket.

mad e from 1 0 0 % re c ycl e d

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

@Trimaco_inc

www.trimaco.com

Trimaco’s Adjustable Protective Surface and Carpet Film Applicator is designed to unroll reverse wound 24″, 30″ and 36″ carpet and hard surface films quickly and easily. The durable steel construction will hold up to the toughest of jobs and requires only one pair of hands to roll out highly tacky film – just push the applicator forward to rotate film roll, and film will stick to your hard

UP

Avoid sticky situations

tool

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

surface or carpet.

Breathe easy @duluxtrade

duluxtradepaintexpert.co.uk

The new Airsure range from Dulux Trade are emulsion paints for interior walls and ceilings that offer great performance and are also 99.9% VOC free, aiming to reduce the building industry’s impact on the environment. The range, which includes Diamond Matt and Vinyl Matt, is both BREEAM and LEED compliant, and classified as low emissions. Airsure offers great quality, performance and coverage, while helping to minimise the impact on indoor air quality and deliver your sustainability objectives. Available in the full Dulux Trade tinted colour palette, the Airsure range has been examined by external testing house, Eurofins, to give confidence that the products meet the expected industry benchmarks.

Save on sanding @mirkauk

www.mirka.com

A new paper abrasive from Mirka, the result of years of development work, Iridium cuts faster with fewer steps from rough to smooth surface finish, and thanks to the new precision coating it practically repels dust, so the grains stay sharp longer. Available in coarse to fine grits, Iridium works well on both soft and hard surfaces with excellent quality consistency and durability thanks to new production technology. The effective multi-hole pattern delivers outstanding dust extraction and premium paper backing offers remarkable flexibility and excellent grain

40

adhesion with new low VOC resin system.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Chuck it in a bucket /BrushMateUK

www.brushmate.co.uk

Brush Mate recently added another option to their popular range of wet brush storage solution.

Sitting between the Trade 20, and its smaller sibling the Trade 4+, the Brush Bucket will store up to 12 brushes without cleaning them. No more storing wet gloss and varnish brushes in jars of water or solvents, with rusty ferrules, bent bristles, or dry paint in the stock... Simply clip your brushes in and let the unique vapour system keep the brushes soft and pliable – ready for immediate re-use hours, days or even months later. It even comes supplied with a 250ml bottle of fluid and the steel frame is removable for easy cleaning.

Can’t paint it? Restore it! @owatroluk www.owatroldirect.co.uk Owatrol announced at the end of last year, that their best selling product for the previous 12 months was Polytrol, a deep penetrating oil which restores the original colour and appearance of dull or tarnished plastics, gelcoats, metals, and other surfaces. Polytrol penetrates the surface, re-wetting the pigments to restore their lustre and colour which has been lost through exposure to sunlight, rain, and pollution. When used on tarnished metals, it brings back the shine and gives long-term protection against corrosion. Simple to apply using a cloth or soft brush, it’s ready to wipe off in just 10 minutes! It can be used on both horizontal and vertical surfaces and can even be used on fibreglass, opening up the potential for professional decorators to offer further services to clients.

Bringing outside in @grahamandbrown

www.grahambrown.com

Graham & Brown offer a range of murals that can really enhance any room with a feature wall and also help mask wall imperfections, including the Vintage Cloud range pictured here. Vintage Cloud Midnight, is a moody-toned deep navy colourway which is perfectly on trend, featuring a stunning mixture of deep tones that allows for dimension and depth within any room. Vintage Cloud Pastel is perfect for creating a calm and serene setting – unwind in the midst of gorgeous pastel blue and neutral toned clouds, a classic design that will never date, use for a neutral décor with an added touch of flair. Vintage Cloud Mood can turn a home into a luxurious retreat with soft feathery clouds, and a combination of light and deep greys, this design will never age.

41

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES @festool_uk

www.festool.co.uk/powerstation

Portable

power The new SYS-PowerStation from Festool Imagine going to the work site and having enough power for an entire day's work, all bundled in the latest generation Systainer format. No longer is this the stuff of make-believe, thanks to the new SYS-PowerStation from Festool. Boasting 1500 watt-hours, a full 3680 watts of continuous power output and a top power output of up to 11,000 watts, the portable energy storage device delivers a reliable 230-volt mains voltage that lasts.

Used with the Planex long-reach sander and connected mobile dust extractor, which are also mains-operated, you could sand a 200 square-metre surface. The SYS-PowerStation puts an end to those cumbersome lengths and lengths of cable and the constant search for power sockets, keeping you supplied with power at all times wherever you go.

Mains-operated power tools can be used more flexibly, effectively making them portable.

The new SYS-PowerStation is also compact and portable, storing the equivalent of 20 battery packs. As such, it has enough energy for a full day’s work without charging, making users completely independent of sockets, site distribution boards or generators.

The SYS-PowerStation provides enough energy to power all mains-operated tools, even mobile dust extractors, large saws and hammer drills without any loss of performance – just like a standard 230 V electrical outlet module.

In normal conditions, it takes three and a half hours to fully charge the battery. During this process, the intelligent charging management system adjusts the charging strategy depending on the current cell temperature. This minimises charging times while protecting the battery cells.

Designed to be as simple as possible, with an on/off switch, integrated LED charging indicator, power connections, and a USB-C port for quickly charging other portable devices such as tablets or smartphones, all on the front panel. A second on/off switch inside the Systainer prevents the device being accidentally switched on in transit.

In contrast to its predecessor, the new SYS-PowerStation stands out for its zero-emissions operation. It is silent, and produces no harmful fumes when in use, making it better for your health and the environment, as well making it ideal for use indoors.

The portable energy supply also splash-proof (IP44), making it robust enough for use on building sites, so unpleasant surprises and work disruptions can now be a thing of the past: Every construction site job can be planned with certainty. Say goodbye to the time-consuming search for electricity, not to mention the hassle of pulling cables, the overloaded site distribution boards or problems with fuses switching off.

Of course, the SYS-PowerStation also has all-round protection with Festool Service. Our "Full repair, free of charge" is included – fast, thorough and completely free for the first three years. The full warranty conditions can be found at www.festool.co.uk once the machine goes on sale from May 2021.

42

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES .co.uk www.brewers

off the shelf SumUp card readers now available To help your business grow, Brewers now stock a range of SumUp card readers, enabling your customers to pay via card, Apple Pay and Google Pay for your work. This means you can take payment there and then, and eliminate any delays. There are two options, both accept all major debit and credit cards with no contract or monthly subscription, just a small (1.69%) fee per transaction.

SumUp Air is a great low-cost option which works via a free app on your existing smartphone or tablet. This model just needs a WiFi connection or to tether to your mobile data in order to collect payment.

SumUp 3G + WiFi is a handy option for those wanting a standalone device.

There is no need for a smart phone or tablet, and it comes with a built in SIM card, free unlimited mobile data and WiFi connectivity.

UP

tool

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

One tube to seal them all www.ob1original.com OB1 is a multi-surface construction sealant and adhesive containing no solvents or isocyanates resulting in an

Hot pink for winter blues @anniesloanhome

www.anniesloan.com

A+ rating for air quality. It is odourless and kind to the environment as well as being safe for use in residential,

Annie Sloan have just introduced the newest addition to the Chalk PaintÂŽ

domestic and industrial applications.

palette... Named after the upscale Italian island resort, Capri Pink is inspired

OB1 bonds and seals copper,

by the vivid bright pinks which populate folk palettes around the globe, from

aluminium, wood & MDF, mirror, lead,

Mexican textiles to Pakistani truck art to Romany gypsy caravan interiors.

concrete, polystyrene, glass, tile,

Capri Pink is a true hot pink with depth and energy, provocative yet

polycarbon, PVC and felt. Plus, OB1

captivating. Use it as an accent colour alongside cool-toned brights, with reds

works in damp conditions and even

and pinks for a tonal symphony, or buffer with warm cocoa-toned hues for

under water!

sophisticated elegance.

43

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Developed to help homeowners put together ideas, trades and other professionals can now benefit from being registered on Houzz.co.uk. Professionals in its community share what they’ve learnt from the experience, how it’s changed their approach and how that might impact the way home renovation pros work in the future.

Technology opens up opportunities for the trade www.houzz.co.uk/getStartedPro After being forced to halt face to face meetings, being able to communicate remotely was vital this year. This was also an opportunity for many professionals to test out new communication methods. Brian O’Tuama, an architect on Houzz, explains, “I suppose what last year has taught us most is that we can carry out initial consultations with prospective clients, and conduct some design review meetings with existing clients, using technology platforms. We’ve had many such meetings over the lockdown period and, in the case of prospective clients, have found it so much easier to begin to get to know one another when we can see one another.”

Technology has also allowed professionals to speed up business

“When working on a project, making sure you have options and alternatives is key, especially in this new climate. At times, suppliers have really struggled with lead times, so you need to manage client expectations and ensure you communicate this and manage it accordingly”, Fiona says,

processes and delight their clients in the process. Houzz allows for

“Your scheduling has to be detailed, and you have to plan ahead to

smooth, remote communications, easy and attractive moodboard

accommodate these changes – sourcing and ordering items far earlier than

creation and a live budget feature that can save countless hours.

before in order to keep projects on track.”

Flexibility is key

Communication increased

With ever-changing circumstances, professionals on Houzz have found

Where meeting in person was difficult and delays likely, many homeowners

that being flexible and able to quickly adapt to be major assets last year.

reported that they found it helpful to utilise online tools for communication as

When working on projects during a pandemic, things are never

well as shopping, invoicing, payments and contract approvals. Communicating

straightforward and multiple curveballs are thrown at you. As a result,

(and over-communicating) was a key tool used by professionals on Houzz to

many pros feel like they are having to be much more organised.

reassure their clients and keep projects moving forward.

“I think when you’re faced with so much uncertainty, it does make you

Micheal Brett of Milestone Builders said, “Houzz Pro allowed us to

quite resilient and forces you to be very organised,” says interior

communicate effectively with our clients and ensured critical touch-points

designer Fiona Duke.

weren’t missed.”

Over 1,400 decorators have already created a profile on Houzz.co.uk, where consumers, interior designers and other trades can then link up or request their services. Simply visit www.houzz.co.uk/getStartedPro and sign up today – It’s free!

44

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PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

A perfect blend of modern

style and substance www.duluxheritage.co.uk Dulux is introducing two new premium paints and a curated range of classic colours, supporting professionals to meet more high-end demands from UK homeowners.

Dulux Heritage is a new range of professional quality paints that deliver a beautiful ‘smooth to the touch’ aesthetic along with the tough, lasting durability needed for everyday life.

The stunning collection of beautiful colours are inspired by significant periods of British decorating history combined with contemporary and future design trends, skillfully researched by historical colour experts and curated by the expert team at Dulux.

Dulux Heritage colours have been popular with professional decorators and interior designers for many years. Now, to give them even more confidence in the quality of the finish, Dulux has invested in the development of two innovative new Heritage paints, comprising a new emulsion for walls and ceilings with a unique Velvet Matt finish and a premium solvent free Eggshell for trim.

It is this unique blend of colour expertise married with technical innovation that sets Dulux Heritage apart. The result allows professionals to offer customers a range of colours that are effortlessly elegant for today’s homes in a premium paint that is easy to apply to walls, woodwork or metalwork, with the quality and durability that Dulux is known for. A perfect mix of modern style and substance.

The palette is designed to contain the perfect balance of pale, mid and deep shades from the palest duck egg to deepest aubergine, along with a perfect white for every colour scheme.

Such a luxurious range of colours demand to be admired whether they are applied in a dining room, bedroom, living room or a tiny cloakroom - and be as beautiful to touch as they are to look at. Dulux Heritage paint goes on smoothly and once on the wall, the rich colours are accentuated with a soft, tactile finish that feels soft and luxurious to the touch, just like velvet.

The Dulux Heritage Velvet Matt emulsion is formulated with premium quality pigments to guarantee excellent depth of colour and contains specially blended clays for effortless application and the irresistible soft to touch finish that will stand up to customers’ busy lives.

Dulux Heritage Eggshell is a durable and hard-wearing water-based eggshell for use on interior wood and metal in a tough formulation that delights customers. It is easy to apply, quick drying, low odour and remains beautiful for years.

Heritage is also backed by the Dulux Promise that each can of paint will deliver the perfect colour, uniform finish and the coverage stated, or Dulux will replace it.

46

DULUX TRADE STERISHIELD An ideal hygiene solution Dulux Trade Sterishield Diamond is a tough, scrubbable, Anti-Bacterial paint available in 14,000 colours and in both a Matt & Eggshell finish, making it an ideal hygiene solution for nearly any setting.

• Ideal in high use areas that need regular cleaning • Reduces bacteria in just 2 hours* • Stain resistant and available in washable finishes • Water-based and non-hazardous *Tested to ISO 220196 with over 90% reduction in E. coli and over 65% reduction in S. aurous after 2 hours and 99% reduction within 12 hours.

Visit your local store or visit duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk today