The Decorator – June-July 2020

THE

DECORATOR

The official journal of the Painting and Decorating Association • June-July 2020

DRM Decorating Services Ltd NHS Medical Centre – See The Gallery for more!

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Dear Members, As I write this letter, we are now into the first phase of lockdown-easing measures. It’s over 10 weeks since we all had to adjust to a way of life, that none of us have ever had to deal with before and hopefully will never have to again. I sincerely hope that you are all finding your feet once more and that there is an increased return to some normality at least in your everyday life.

At PDA HQ we have kept very focused on supporting you, the Members, throughout the crisis. We took the decision early on to keep the office and phonelines staffed. To that end, we have continued to remain open five days a week with our normal operating hours. Due to social distancing guidelines, two longstanding members of the team, Denice and Yvonne, took it in turn to staff the office or work remotely from their homes. I too have been working remotely from my home in Yorkshire.

We wanted to ensure that we gave you as much information and support as possible, and I am sure you will have appreciated the regular e-newsletters you receive from us. Additionally, our website has been updated daily on the dedicated COVID-19 pages.

We have been in regular contact with BUILD UK, who are the leading representative organisation for the UK construction industry. I have continued to liaise with our representatives within Government, putting forward Members questions and concerns. I have to say that I have been impressed with the speed of their responses.

The collaboration between representative bodies, liaison across Government departments and engagement with other sectors has been extraordinary and on a scale we could never have imagined. It has proved extremely effective, with various trade sectors leading the way in dealing with the new world of social distancing. Through adopting new ways of working, we can restore public confidence in the industry, and by adjusting the way we do business we can all ‘do our bit’ in Denice getting the UK economy back on its feet.

I am aware that during the lockdown period, many of you Yvonne will have received a phone call from Yvonne, our Administration and Events Manager. By the middle of May, she had spoken to over 600 Members.

These were courtesy calls to ask you how you were doing, and whether we could offer any help or assistance at that time. I offer my sincere thanks to both Denice Harper our Membership Services Manager, and to Yvonne for all the sterling work they have done during these unprecedented times. I am sure many of those who have spoken to either of them may never have met them in person. With this in mind, we have included their photographs within this page. I’m sure they’ll get me later!

I also want to say a huge thanks to Shepherd PR, Catherine Saint Publicity and empathicVisions for the raft of outstanding work they have all executed throughout the recent challenging period.

A big thanks also goes to you, the Members, for standing by the Association, and not just during the recent difficult weeks, but over the past years, and hopefully in the future.

Until the next time, please continue to stay safe, and take care.

Neil Ogilvie Chief Executive

@TheDecoratorMag

/DecoratorMag /TheDecoratorMag

elsewhere in this issue...

4 Association News 10 Members News 12 Mental health 14 FAQ

with Charlie Budd

16 The Gallery 18 Case studies 22 Dealing with cladding 24 Bedroom colour advice 26 Tooltalk

with Wayne de Wet

28 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

June-July 2020 — Volume 89 No 3 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

CORONAVIRUS PDA UPDATES

GETTING BACK TO WORK SAFELY 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

Email: info@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

FROM PAINT PAD TO iPAD WELL DONE TO Scarborough-based PDA Member Jamie Wakeford of JW Decorating, who claimed the top prize of an Apple iPad 10.2 in our Easter Competition.

Jamie won the prize draw and now plans to use the tablet to prepare photo galleries of current trends and past projects, to help inspire his clients whilst out on site, he said, “I couldn’t believe it when I was contacted to say I had won, it was a real surprise. I’m really pleased with the iPad, it’s going to come in useful when I’m discussing project ideas with my clients. Quite a lot of my customers don’t have Facebook, so they don’t see photographs of the work I have completed, but now I’ll be able to show them on this. I also use forums a lot, so it’ll be great for that too.”

Neil Ogilvie, Chief Executive of the Painting and Decorating Association said, “It’s great to hear that Jamie will be able to make such good use of the iPad. On behalf of the PDA I would like to say congratulations, and the 10 other Members who also received a PDA fleece or t-shirt.”

In the PDA E-News, we sadly reported the death of PDA Member and Past President Derek Longcake on 12 April after contracting COVID-19 virus. Janet Longcake extends her heartfelt thanks to everyone who contacted her and the family.

“I wish to thank everyone who sent flowers and cards, and for all the phone calls received. They came from Northern, Southern Ireland, Scotland and from many friends and colleagues right across the UK. They were all very much appreciated”, Janet and all the family.

PDA GUIDANCE ON WORKING SAFELY

SURFACES COULD BE KEY Some of the world’s leading coatings specialists gathered virtually to discuss how special surface technologies could be used to tackle the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Hosted in collaboration with the British Coatings Federation (BCF). The webinar set out to identify the challenges and share knowledge that could prevent the spread of infection, both now and the future. Anti-viral coatings are increasingly being researched for potential use in clinics, industry and domestic environments. As well as technical challenges, regulatory hurdles need to be overcome before these materials could be deployed in public spaces.

Advanced discussions are now continuing online using Slack, which remains open to new participants on request to the group secretary.

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The Painting and Decorating Association have put together guidance notes for those working in domestic dwellings, based on the most recent information for England.

These notes also provide links to templates that may be of use to you to use with your customers.

This guidance sets out advice to Members and to their clients about what steps to put in place when starting or restarting decorating projects in the post lockdown period. This is subject to the Government advice on getting back to work and working safely to stop the continuing spread of the coronavirus. www.bit.ly/2Tgk3wt

Decoding Colour. New Dulux Tech. Your client’s perfect colour every time.

We promise our paint will give you the perfect colour with a uniform finish and the coverage stated, or we’ll replace it. Visit dulux.co.uk/promise.

‘Terms and conditions apply. Claims must be made within 6 months of purchase. Proof of purchase required. Colour claims limited to 10L per-customer. Manufacturer’s tips and instructions must have bee followed. UK purchases only. Code for illustration purposes only’

ASSOCIATION NEWS

ADVICE for

our Members

WHAT IS PR? WHY YOU NEED TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS Seasoned public relations professional Kathryn Moorcroft from Shepherd PR gives us her Top Tips...

Public Relations, or PR, is about creating and managing a good reputation for your company.

By speaking to the right people at the right time with a clear message, communications can help you stand out from the crowd and improve customer relations.

Public Relations can make a positive contribution to your company's profile-raising awareness and making people want to use your business and trust in it too.

Putting it simply, it’s getting the right message to the right audience.

Right message

Right content

The foundation of PR is your key message, and to develop that you need to think about your company, what you offer and stand for, as well as your goals and objectives.

This message will become the backbone of your communications and will be how the public and your potential customers perceive your business.

There are lots of different things you can write about, you just need to keep looking for ideas and be creative.

It could be that your company is celebrating a special anniversary, or you’ve had a contract win or finished a great project. You could have employed new members of staff, or one of your apprentices has qualified.

A new service or a move to new premises can also work, and if your company is involved in any charity work or sponsorship, write about that too. Bear in mind that technical material can also go down well, including new trends, Q&As and seasonal decorating ideas.

One really important tip, with any story, is always striving to have good quality photographs to go with it.

Right audience Now it's time to think about who you want to connect with? Where do you want to take your business, and who is your target audience?

If you’ve got to this point and have the answers, you’re halfway there!

ASSOCIATION NEWS

call 01335 368020 email kathrynm@shepherd-pr.com

Right channel

Be compliant

You need to use channels where people are most likely going to buy your service. This could be on your website and social media channels, your local newspapers and magazines, or even radio and TV stations.

As a PDA Member, The Decorator magazine has many opportunities where your story can be published.

Remember, write your content for the specific needs of each channel. When writing a release, be sure to cover the five W’s – who, what, when, where, why – plus ‘how’ and keep it concise.

Also, consider that the story might be time-sensitive, for example, if it’s about an event that happened, you need to get your story out quickly.

If you've mentioned other people in your communications, for example, clients, make sure you get approvals from them before you issue anything, you must check they are happy to be included. Be careful with copyright too, make sure you have the rights to use images.

Be aware If you have distributed content to media channels, it's essential to monitor your results. Not only will you be able to see if you're mentioned, but you'll also be able to gauge what different platforms are interested in.

Nobody expects you to trawl through the entire web to find your mentions, so that’s why tools such as Google

Alerts are really handy to set up, it’ll let you know every time you have a new mention on the internet. You can also measure your results by using Google Analytics, as well as your own social media likes and shares.

Be consistent Make sure you put time aside to focus on PR, it’s important that you create regular updates, but you’re also able to respond and act quickly to new trends for example.

You might find it easier to build up a six-month schedule to give your PR activity some structure. Most importantly, don’t be disappointed if you don’t get the results you were after on your first attempts – remember, good PR takes time!

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

elcome W TO THE ASSOCIATION...

lickhome

@lickhome

www.lickhome.com

LICK IS A new home decor brand and e-commerce site that makes it easy to have a beautiful home. They deliver premium quality paints, wallpapers, and decorating supplies straight to your or your client’s, door in a few quick clicks.

Available in a carefully curated list of 49 colours, all of Lick’s pigmentrich paints are designed to require fewer coats and are a dream to work with. They are durable, wipeable, water-based, and low VOC. Lick designer wallpapers are created using high-quality textured papers that are paste-to-wall, durable, and wipeable.

They offer trade customers a variety of personalised services for specifying coatings and colours for your clients via a team of in-house colour specialists.

Don't have time to go online or you’re on the move? Use their new SMS text-to-order service that means you can message Lick what you need, and they’ll do the rest. They also offer free delivery of £1 paint and wallpaper samples help your clients test colours and designs at home.

You can join the Lick Pro programme to get access to trade discounts, exclusive perks, and priority customer support. Sign-up for an account now and order your free colour card to explore their product range at www.lickhome.com/pro

HIGHLIGHTING THE INDUSTRY’S FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19 BRITISH COATINGS FEDERATION has launched a new #essentialcoatings and #essentialinks campaign to highlight the critical role the coatings and printing inks sectors play in the UK economy and, in particular, as part of the nation’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

At any given time, coatings have a vital role to play in a modern economy, however, above and beyond this, over the past few months the sector has played an increasing role in the nation’s response to coronavirus.

BCF members have been playing their part supplying key coatings and inks used in products and components for items such as ventilators, hospital beds and trollies, sneeze guards for checkout counters, oxygen cylinders, hospital isolation units, and also in meeting the increased demand for food and pharmaceutical packaging.

In addition, BCF members have also demonstrated a strong communitarian role. They have been using their facilities to switch production to now muchneeded products for the NHS and local communities, like hand-sanitiser and PPE, as well as helping out in their local areas more generally.

Tom Bowtell, CEO of the BCF said, “I am proud of the way in which our members have contributed and our #essentialcoatings and #essentialinks campaign helps make clear to a wider audience what they have been doing. While we are all rightly focussed on the response to coronavirus at the present time, we also want to make sure that the industry’s wider, historical and ongoing contribution to our economy gets the recognition it deserves.” www.coatings.org.uk/essential

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The next European Project for the PDA

PaintingSkillsAcademy A Sector Skills Academy set up by a European Painting Skills Alliance and a model for the European Crafts Grant Agreement: 612288-EPP-1-2019-1-DE-EPPKA2-SSA THIS THREE-YEAR project, which started in December 2019, is part of the Erasmus+ programme and led by SBG, Dresden, a private vocational training organisation. There are 23 partners from 13 countries undertaking the project which has 13 individual Work Packages, all in English and German.

The project aims to merge previous projects and establish a structure for initial and further training for the European painting trade, under the umbrella of the International Association of Painting Contractors (UNIEP).

The project will: 1. Map units from the Partners’ countries to one another, in order to identify common subjects and those that are specific to each country.

2. Produce a ‘portfolio’ of P&D Qualifications from Level 1 to 6, which require the development of a L5 qualification, as one does not currently exist.

3. Produce Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) documentation so that painters and decorators can identify ‘where they are’ with their present work experience, and what skills they would need to develop in order to progress and/or work in the other various countries.

4. Identify where good quality P&D training is happening and who are good providers (including manufacturers), to make a ‘catalogue’ of European Painting & Decorating training.

5. Produce specific PSA training courses for different target groups, at different European Qualification Framework (EQF) levels and for learning at different locations in Europe.

6. Develop a Training Innovation Lab for Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) 7. Produce a Business case for the creation of the PaintingSkillsAcademy.

8. Produce a report to show how the project contributes to vocational education and training in Europe, for other vocations to use.

ASSOCIATION NEWS

S R E F F O E EXCLUSIV S R E B M E M A FOR PD

As part of the PDA’s ongoing pursuit of providing useful benefits to our Members, we’ve teamed up with our Associate Partners to bring you some exclusive offers!

TELL THE WORLD THAT YOU BELONG Maintain your professional image with all the great value PDA branded workwear, available from www.paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk There are polo shirts and water repellent soft-shell jackets, available in men's and women's sizes, zipped fleeces and T-Shirts too.

Already have your own company uniform? Publicise that you are a Member of the Association by adding one of our cloth overall badges.

We’ve got 10 PDA white round neck T-Shirts to giveaway to Members, simply email your details to pdashirt@the-decorator.co.uk before 30 June 2020!

LEAVE THEM ALL IN THE DUST To celebrate 100 years of Albany, Brewers have recently released a new and improved full range of Albany brushes and rollers. With its unique design, the new Albany 4” Dusting Brush has advanced synthetic bristle filaments and is the ideal choice for preparatory dust removal. This product is expertly crafted for lasting quality and has an ergonomic beechwood handle for comfort.

We’ve got 10 Albany Dusting Brushes to give away to PDA Members!

For a chance to get your hands on one, send your details to dustoff@the-decorator.co.uk Winners agree to the use of his/her name to be used in any publicity material, as well as their entry. Any personal data relating to the winners or any other entrants will be used solely in accordance with current [UK] data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent.

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NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS

PAINTING AGAINST COVID-19 DEALING WITH INCREASED HEALTHCARE DEMANDS WITH THE CURRENT COVID-19 crisis meaning NHS resources are now at a premium, the opening of the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital has been more important than ever in helping manage the virus and care for patients.

The new hospital, which has already experienced extensive delays to opening over the past few years, now has three wards which are open following the huge efforts of a team of specially selected contractors, including Bagnalls, managed by main contractor, Laing O’Rourke.

Bagnalls have been fully involved in this work, delivering their element of the project in just three and a half weeks. Tasked with completing a major painting and decorating programme throughout the site, their team of 20 operatives worked diligently to meet the tight deadline whilst following a rigorous safety regime because of the current unprecedented situation.

Balancing safe and effective work The safety requirements whilst working in a hospital are naturally very strict, and Bagnalls have measures and policies in place to make sure all their work is completed to the high standards required in healthcare. However, this project’s unique requirements in respect of the pandemic meant that additional social distancing and safety procedures needed to be implemented in order to safeguard their own staff as well as other teams on site. By staggering break times and keeping to the two-metre social distancing rule, Bagnalls helped to maintain a safe site whilst still working productively to meet the project deadline.

Steve Bethell, North West Director said, “I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to our painters who have worked tremendously hard to decorate this new facility to the required standard.

“Working in such challenging and unusual conditions was difficult and draining, however we could not be prouder of the work our team has produced.”

Delivering the programme of decorating works across the three wards, communal areas and undertaking external painting works required teams of decorators working simultaneously across different

Teamwork Bagnalls Supervisor Kevin Travers commented, “Our lads have worked day and night, evening and weekends to ensure that the wider local community of Liverpool have the opportunity to recover from their illness in a modern, state of the art facility.”

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parts of the hospital, all led by an individual Team Leader.

It was due to the proactive planning of the Team Leaders who led, managed and worked alongside the

same team of painters that resulted in this project meeting its painting goals.

Exceeding expectations Laing O’Rourke, the main contractor on the project added, “Bagnalls dedication and commitment has contributed to the success of an incredibly challenging part of the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital project as part of the NHS National Response Plan to combat Covid-19.

“The team completed all works to an excellent standard in a very challenging timeframe, whilst maintaining stringent safe social distancing working practices throughout and are a great example and integral part of the collaborative team completing the new Royal.”

The collective effort of all the teams involved in the opening of these wards, in such a short timescale, will now allow for greater NHS capacity to care for patients affected by the virus within the local community.

Bagnalls would like to extend their thanks and congratulations to each and every one of the team who worked on-site during this project, their efforts were remarkable. www.bagnalls.co.uk

NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS

TOOLSdown A QUICK Q&A WITH PDA MEMBER BY SPONSORED

Josh Chase

How long have you been a decorator?

I have been a decorator for 15 years, eight of those years for my own business. I did a two year City & Guilds course at South Devon College straight after I finished secondary school.

Thanks for sh aring Josh, an Axus Déco r goodie bag is on it's way to you!

Do you have a specialist area?

I do interior and exterior painting as well as wallpapering, so a bit of everything! I particularly enjoyed using Beeck Mineral Paints on an exterior lime render, but this isn't a job that would come around very often.

What would you say to encourage others to join the trade?

How long have you been a Member of the PDA? Two years, and I have just renewed my membership for the third year.

How has membership of the PDA benefitted you?

Being a Member of the PDA shows that I'm a trusted professional in my trade, and I'm proud to display the logo on my van and work gear. I’m looking forward to meeting other Members of the PDA at future events.

It is a very rewarding career when you see the final finish to your work and you can see the difference you have made, especially when you get fantastic feedback from your customers and they come back to you time after time.

Are you currently training any apprentices?

Not yet, although I am looking to take on my first apprentice this summer. I am really looking forward to developing an apprentice into a professional painter and decorator.

How do you market your business?

Most of my work comes from word of mouth! I have a lot of loyal returning customers and their friends and family come to me through their recommendations. I’m fortunate that I don't need to advertise, although I do have my own website and Google Business page which certainly helps, as well as sign writing on the van which gets quite a lot of attention.

What are the most annoying problems at work?

One of my biggest frustrations is when a ‘cowboy’ picks up a brush thinking they are a professional decorator and then leaves us professionals to clean up after their mess.

What do you most like about your job?

Are you on social media?

Yes – I have a Facebook Business page and a Business account on Instagram (@jcpaintingdecorating). It's a great place to update my customers on my work and exciting things going on as well as another way for new customers to find me.

Do you have any tips on maintaining a successful business?

As well as giving 100% to your work, it’s also very important to create a good first impression as your customers buy into you as a person. I often get told how friendly and approachable I am, and turning up to the job on time and looking professional is really important to my customers.

Looking at the transformation of before and after you have completed the job is very satisfying! It is also great to see how happy my customers are once the job is complete.

Any new products you would recommend?

I mostly use Dulux Trade paint and in particular, Diamond Matt for walls – I think it's brilliant how well it covers and how strong the finish is. It's also a wipeable paint and ten times stronger than vinyl silk, so I would highly recommend it. I also sometimes use Little Greene paint which is excellent opacity and has a great professional finish.

Josh is a Member of the PDA in Devon, trading as JC Painting and Decorating South West, call on 07823 336 584 or visit www.jcpaintingsouthwest.co.uk

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MENTAL HEALTH

Responsiveness, Resilience and Responsibility T

he situation we are in has caused all of us to think about a lot of things, personally, professionally, and in terms of how our society works. In a global crisis which has stripped many of us of the ability to live and work how we always have, it’s important to recognise that we still have a huge amount of control over our future.

We’ve all been through tough times in our lives, but I hope you can learn something from the following stories of resilience, mental toughness and taking responsibility. I’ve recently spoken with many others who’ve gone through trauma and adversity in different ways. Here’s what I learned from two of them - one held hostage by enemy forces, the other went from being in a homeless hostel to the best female rally driver in the world.

Hostage to Speaker

Broken to Moving Forward

There are few situations more helpless than being held hostage and

I’m not as successful as John or Penny, but I do know what it is to be

tortured by an enemy army, yet even in that situation John Peters

resilient and to turn tragedy around. A silly mistake on scaffolding put

gained a sense of control.

me in hospital with a broken back. Two days later I’d been screwed

John was the RAF pilot shot down and captured by Iraqi forces –

together by the NHS, but it took me a year to recover to about 80%.

some of you will remember the press pictures of his beaten face 29 years

Whilst still in hospital, realising I may never work as a decorator

ago. He went through a kind of hell I won’t describe here, but he found

again, I decided to fulfil a lifelong dream and become a photographer

inner strength.

and video producer. Within six weeks, I’d produced and sold enough

John developed simple gratitude, even for getting a piece of potato in his morning soup. He found endurance by focusing on purpose

photographic calendars to pay the mortgage for two months. Since then I’ve become a professional videographer and photographer.

– to get home and be a Dad to his young children. He found that control

Even when I was in hospital, unable to move, I realised that I still

by creating a routine of physical and mental daily exercises. Peter is

had control over my life’s direction. I practised being grateful for the

now an international business consultant and keynote speaker.

small things every single day, and I still do. And I resolved to make a success of a new career, whatever it took – I’m still on that journey.

Homeless to Champion Penny Mallory left a difficult home environment aged 16 and became

We cannot deny that our current situation is terrible, but I hope you’re

homeless. She saved up enough to have a short drive in a rally car –

not a hostage, or homeless, or have a broken back. So why not get a

her last goal in life, and loved it so much she decided on the spot to

piece of paper and write down answers to the following:

become a rally driver.

12 years later she was world champion, became a TV presenter, and was the stunt driver in the ‘Nicole & Papa’ Renault Clio adverts.

She said that crisis makes you resilient and mentally tough – but you need to take control over your life, challenge yourself to achieve more, commit yourself to self-discipline and have the confidence in your ability, learning by your mistakes.

– What can you be grateful for in life? From relationships to your health – What goals will you commit to achieving? A clear purpose is key – How can you get out of your comfort zone? Online networking to build contacts or learning new skills to broaden your services Once you realise how much control you have, how grateful you can be for what you have, and how much

Penny is now a motivational speaker on mental toughness. I asked

you can achieve if you commit to it, you can become

her who her role models are, she said, “Nobody famous, it’s care workers,

resilient to obstacles, responsive to challenges and even

the secret, quiet people.” That’s something I think all of us can agree

more responsible as a person.

with right now.

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– What do you have control over? Both personally and professionally

Charles Budd

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ADVICE AND TIPS

T

his is the ideal time to review your business. Things have changed, your perspecives may have changed, your customers’ priorities may have changed. Here are a few tips to help you think about things you can freshen up.

Where do you want to be?

Failing to plan is planning to fail. Despite current

Refresh your business

uncertainties, you need some kind of direction in your business. Treat this like a business SatNav – you can only choose a route if you’ve decided where you want to get to. So where do you see yourself and your business in a year, in five years, or even in ten years time?

Update your website

– What’s your favourite kind of work

As people start booking decorators again, you want to stand out. Refresh your website with new pictures, new services, new testimonials, new videos.

One of the easiest things to do is to write a few new, simple blogs and put them

– do you want to specialise?

– Do you want to get off the brushes and manage other decorators?

out once every week or two. They don’t have to be long or complicated, just relevant – Do you want to work for higher paying, to your potential clients. Blogs improve your website’s SEO and help to show more demanding clients? your expertise to people looking for a good decorator.

For inspiration, go through the pictures you’ve got of jobs over the past couple of years and write a bit about them. It may be a window repair, a nice papering job, the glossiest front door in town. Every part of your process can be turned into a blog – from protecting floors, to masking up, rubbing down, filling, the kinds of tools you use, your recommended paints…

It’s all content that could persuade people to book you, and not Barry The Painter on the other side of town whose website hasn’t been updated since 2003.

– Perhaps you want to change career, and become a lumberjack?

– Or move home and business to be closer to grandparents or grandchildren?

Identify what you want to do in the future, work out how you’re going to do it, and break it down into manageable chunks and 90 day targets.

Get testimonials Testimonials are the next best thing to word of mouth recommendations. If you can get them on video, that’s great.

Get some video content

If you can’t, just get people to write them. Ask customers to

Videos are people’s favourite way of consuming content on the internet,

leave you a recommendation on Facebook and a Google

whether it’s on websites or social media.

If you upload a few relelvant videos onto YouTube you can embed them into blogs or other pages on your website - making your website more

review. They really help to make you more visible and trusted. Why not ask all your clients over the past two years?

I bet loads will help you out with a testimonial.

attractive, useful and improving its ratings on Google.

Posting videos on your social media is more effective than just text and pictures, as people’s eyes are drawn to videos.

Ideas include – describing some of your techniques, your favourite paints, brushes, rollers, sprayers, papering tools. Don’t worry if you think it’s nerdy, customers will see nerdiness as expertise.

You can do it all on a mobile phone, even simple editing. It’s a skill worth learning, and not rocket science. I recommend buying a cheap tripod and a phone mount – it’s a business investment.

Update your social media Now is the best time to get yourself noticed on social media – so many people are stuck at home, just scrolling to pass the time. So get some content in front of your potential customers’ eyes.

Are they on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok...? Choose just one or two platforms to concentrate on, post and interact regularly.

It’s no good sitting there just waiting for the phone to ring, you need to do something

with Charlie Budd

about it. So get refreshing your business plan, become the trusted decorator in your area

Want to know more?

of expertise and your local area, and get doing the kind work you like for the customers you want.

14

Find me on social media!

Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn

Charlie Budd @thetallphotographer @charliebudd Charles Budd

ll issue of The Gallery wi is th in ed ur at fe ne Everyo s! an assortment of tape th wi ck sa ck ru M 3 receive a

gallery

The

MDS Painting & Decorating A full redecoration of these offices to create a stylish, modern interior using Dulux Trade Diamond Matt on the walls.

Douglas. W. Gillie & Son A full internal redecoration of a large stable block required all ceilings and walls painted with Sandtex Trade Masonry paint, woodwork with Sandtex Trade Flexi Undercoat and Gloss, metalwork was coated with Sandtex Trade Metalgloss.

Dave Dean Decorating Feature walls were finished with Tikkurila, with other walls painted with Johnstone’s Durable Matt.

Woodwork was finished with Andura satin, and kitchen worktops brought back to life by sanding and treatment with Osmo Top Oil.

You too can enter The Gallery for free!

For your chance to win ÂŁ100 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.

16

On the Cover DRM Decorating Services Ltd @drmdecoratingservices1

Bluebird Interiors Complete refurbishment of a flat required extensive repair and preparation. Walls finished in Dulux Diamond Eggshell, Dulux Satin in kitchen and bathroom, with Dulux Diamond Satin on woodwork.

J.E.N. Interiors Johnstone’s White Satin on stairwell spindles, Johnstone’s Vinyl Matt on ceilings and Cleanable Matt on the walls. A feature wallpaper by Laura Ashley was applied to the 14ft drop of the stairwell wall for a dramatic look.

DRM completed this exterior redecoration of an NHS centre in Shoreditch, London. The whole building was jet washed before starting the work, with graffiti blocked out with Zinsser BIN Primer. Stabiliser was applied to the brickwork before being raked and applying Toupret Stone Filler. All stone walls and brick walls were painted with four coats of Dulux Trade Weathershield, the crittle windows had three undercoats and finished in hi-gloss using Dulux Trade Weathershield.

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

Sponsored by

17

CASE STUDY

Preparation is the art of all decoration

E

arlier in the year, MJL Decorating Services carried out the full refurbishment of a beautiful property in Hampshire.

MJL had worked for the client’s previously and knew that the scope of the project would allow him to use the complete range from his toolkit. The work involved airless spraying, HVLP spraying, a hand-painted kitchen and other furniture items, wallpapering and cross lining works, to emulsion work. Matthew Lemon gave us the details...

My clients were open to suggestions on what materials to use and the

Ceilings and walls were dusted off using a Wooster Dust Eater, which I

process of work. There was also no strict timescale as a high quality finish

think is a brilliant tool for this! The woodwork was de-nibbed using

was more important. The plan was to start and finish the third floor and

Mirka Goldflex pads, coming down in grades in between the four coats.

then move down to the middle floor and then the ground floor and with the hall, stairs and landings being last.

As always preparation is the key to my work,

I then resprayed the ceilings with three full coats of Tikkirula Anti-Reflex Emulsion, which gives a flawless flat finish, before moving on to the painted timber.

I am a firm believer in what I was taught as

I sprayed the large wardrobe doors, which were fitted in every

an apprentice ‘preparation is the art of all

bedroom, with a Graco 395 using a variety of FFLP tips. For the

decoration’, something my foreman installed in

smaller, more intricate items I used the Graco FinishPro HVLP 9.5.

me and is still with me 37 years later!

When the woodwork was fully dry I masked up

I mist coated the whole house with Tikkirula

everything using both yellow and pink tesa tape

Optiva Primer, using a Graco 690 Ultra Max

ready to apply two full coats of Benjamin Moore Aura Matt

airless sprayer, then the other trades finished all

Emulsion – I added a drop of Floetrol conditioner as I find this

their second fix work.

helps achieve a better flatter smoother finish.

The mist coat was de-nibbed using Mirka

I crosslined all the walls which were going to be finished with

dustless sanding machines before I filled with

wallpaper with 1000 grade lining paper. Again this is something

Prestonett, EasiFill, for any feathering, and Dunlop Caulk.

that has stuck with me since being an apprentice!

Bare oak was given two coats of dye and finished with Osmo Polyx-oil.

18

CASE STUDY

A number of rooms featured wallpapers, all of which were, of course, lined!

All the doors came in bare oak, I stained them with two coats of wood dye, brushed on and then ragged off, to give them a rich dark appearance.

To finish and protect them, I applied to two full coats of Osmo Polyx-oil, all done by brush (pictured opposite).

The oak staircase took a lot of time prepping and masking as there was a mixture of painted spindles, newel posts, strings and risers. I primed and applied two coats of Benjamin Moore Advance Satin before the parts were fitted, this made it a better finish and helped speed up the final coats.

When you open the front door, you are greeted by this fantastic staircase with hardwood flooring fitted in herringbone. I am incredibly proud of my work, and it is really is something of beauty.

The kitchen cabinets were all hand-painted, with the same process as the walls, ceiling and woodwork. The cabinets were bare tulipwood and MDF panels. The carpenters dismantled all the doors, kickboards, hinges and numbered everything, which is something I would typically do myself.

The insides of the cabinets were a veneered oak, everything was hoovered and tack clothed to get rid of any dust. I then applied two coats of Osmo Oil and de-nibbed and tack clothed in between coats.

After this, I then applied two full coats of Helmi Primer, tinted to Little Green French Grey with finish coats of Helmi 10.

I use an Erecta-Rack to store the doors while they are drying, as this keeps them flat and doesn’t have a big footprint. Although I have a real passion for all decorating work, hand painted kitchens and furniture is what I enjoy the most!

My clients were delighted with the work, they have written on my Checkatrade page, “He's the best, we wouldn't use anybody else.”

MJL Decorating Services are Members of the PDA in Hampshire.

You can get in touch with them on 023 8210 9216 or visit their website at www.mjldecoratingservices.co.uk

19

CASE STUDY

J

ohns of Nottingham were contracted to repaint the outside of their local IKEA store for a grand re-opening. The project was very demanding due to the colour matching, product specification, planning, and time of year, but collaborative working from all involved resulted in a successful completion to the expected high standard.

The result is a bold, uniform finish in the iconic IKEA blue. Contract’s Manager Charlie Wileen told The Decorator about the scope of the project...

Fantastic finish for flat-pack firm IKEA has very stringent environmental and sustainability policies, and

Due to the works being mainly carried out

the project needed to achieve a BREEAM rating of very good to

from mechanical access and applied by spray,

outstanding. Part of the first phase of the project was identifying various

the operatives had to be carefully matched to

products for use, and sending the samples to IKEA’s Technical

the project. All operatives on site held trade

Department in Sweden.

specific CSCS cards and IPAF qualifications,

PPG was asked to specify a water-based product that would meet the criteria and drive down the VOC rating. A site meeting was arranged with the PPG representative, Ashley Wilson, IKEA and ourselves. After several

The cladding was degreased and power wash

subsequent meetings and site visits to agree on the required sheen levels,

rinsed with fresh water. Layers of the paint

the proposed system of Aquacover was specified.

were then applied to the surface.

Once the specification had been agreed, a Contracts Manager was

20

with the main sprayer having over 30 years of experience.

All three coats were airless spray applied

appointed to oversee the project and ensure all works were carried out

using an ultra-fine tip with care being taken

to the required standard.

to the preparation of the surface and

CASE STUDY

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masking of surrounding areas. Between each coat the substrate was inspected, wet film thickness tested (pictured left) and then signed off as acceptable to proceed with subsequent coats.

The biggest obstacle was the weather, being less than 10 metres away from the main A610 road that services Nottingham from the M1, care had to be taken to ensure overspray was minimised.

All the work was undertaken while the store also remained open so logistics had to be considered.

The client was highly pleased with the result, the project was completed on time and came in just under budget.

Johns of Nottingham are Members of the PDA based in Nottinghams and operating Nationwide. You can call them on 0115 9624131 or visit www.johnsofnottingham.co.uk

ADVICE AND TIPS

Specifying Commercial Cladding Refurbishment

James Burton, Sales Manager at specialist coating manufacturer Bradite, advises what to consider when refurbishing commercial and industrial cladding.

Cladding, the profiled exterior and predominately metal finish to industrial and commercial buildings, is mostly coated in the production process, which gives it a life of approximately 20 years before it starts to discolour. Both flexible and adaptable, it can be over-painted at any point during its lifetime, the process normally being relatively quick with minimal disruption.

Suitable Surfaces

Specification

Most external cladding will last between 10 and 20 years before any

It is essential to ascertain that the current cladding coating still has

maintenance is needed. The deterioration is usually gradual and will

good adhesion before over coating. This can be checked by carrying out

move from simple chalking or colour fading, to failure of the coating.

a cross hatch adhesion test on a sufficient number of elevations, as

This is followed by corrosion of the protective zinc or aluminium alloy

differently exposed elevations may give different results.

under the decorative coating and finally by failure of the steel substrate itself, when the cladding needs to be replaced.

Up until the corrosion and failure of the steel substrate itself, Bradite’s One Can, which is both primer and finish, can be successfully used to upgrade the cladding and extend its life by up to 10 years.

One Can is a cross linking, anti corrosive water thinned coating that’s

Where the adhesion is insufficient, the elevation should be completely stripped of old coating, before applying three coats of Bradite One Can, intact areas will only require two full coats.

With recoat possible after one hour, projects can be completed in less time, making use of weather conditions and meaning shorter downtime and more profit.

easy to apply and and available in full BS 4800, RAL and NCS Colours, while specific corporate colours can be achieved by using Bradite’s

Preparation

extensive colour mixing database.

As with any decorating project, good preparation is the key to a

Atmospheric Exposure Conditions

to remove all loose and flaking paint, salts and other contaminants.

successful finish. Bradite recommends high pressure water cleaning In an industrial environment, corrosion is mainly caused by a high

A detergent like Bradite TD39 should be used in combination with

level of airborne sulphur dioxide or other pollution from industrial and

scrubbing and high pressure water cleaning to remove any oil

domestic processes combined with high moisture levels.

contamination not removed by high pressure cleaning alone.

A marine environment causes corrosion mainly from a high level of

Rusted and damaged areas should be mechanically or manually

salt, carried as salt spray and combined with high moisture levels, which

prepared to St. 3, clean metallic appearance with little or no rust present.

can be carried up to 3km inland depending on the prevailing winds.

One Can has proven excellent performance in both of these conditions.

An intact area of galvanised steel or aluminium substrate should be primed with a first coat of Bradite One Can. Care must be taken to ensure that the minimum thickness given in the data sheets is achieved on the edges of the cladding profile as well as the flat surfaces. It is advised that application by brush and roller may not achieve the required dry film thickness and may then require extra coats.

Application of the coating should always be avoided under adverse weather conditions and in particular, low temperatures. Rain on the surface shortly after application can affect the final appearance.

Application should also be avoided in areas exposed to direct sunlight as this may accelerate the drying and affect the application.

Additional Preparation and Procedures The life of all protective systems can be prolonged by ensuring that the dry film thickness of the paint system on all welds, sharp edges, bolts, nuts and other fixings is at the correct level. This can be achieved by giving extra stripe coats of each coat to more sensitive areas.

For improved performance, all welds and sharp edges should be mechanically ground to a radius of 2mm or more and all pittings filled by welding or with the use of a suitable filler.

22

www.bradite.com

Deco Sun Gold from the Albany Art Deco Wallpaper Collection

Your choice for paint and wallpaper

EN

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and the very best in free advice Over 170 stores nationwide.

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TRENDS

Head Colour Specialist and Interior Designer at Lick Home, Tash Bradley shares some recommendations for the best bedroom colours to promote rest and relaxation...

Help your customers to find their

Bedroom bliss When people decide to redecorate their bedrooms, one of

of kind service offering the ability to purchase premium

the most important factors is creating the optimum sleep

quality paints, wallpapers, and decorating supplies online

environment. There are many aspects to consider such as

and delivered direct to your, or your client’s door. You can

how to position furniture, choose the right lighting and

browse our Instagram site and make recommendations to

curtains alongside interior design elements. However, giving

your customers, the pro-site then allows for immediate

tired bedroom walls a fresh lick of paint with soothing and

ordering and delivery.

It offers a carefully curated list of just 49 paint colours

sleep-enhancing colours is also a great place to start.

When embarking on their design journey, customers might

and 25 wallpaper designs, making it easier than ever to

ask for recommendations for the best bedroom colours and

choose a colour and provides video consultations with

this is where home decor brand Lick Home can help!

colour specialists to offer advice and recommendations on

Lick Home is a new home decor brand and e-commerce site that makes it easy to have a beautiful home. It is a one

the best colours, shades and combinations for you or your client's home.

Blues The colour blue has very positive effects on the mind and body. As the colour of the sky and ocean, blue invokes rest and encourages feelings

Yellows

of calm and tranquility leading to

Yellow is closely associated with

a more positive mindset.

happiness, bringing energy and warmth to any room. Lick Home’s Yellow 02 gives the feeling of warm sun rays whilst Yellow 01 has a subtle charm. When used in a child’s bedroom it can also increase concentration and memory.

Greens Green is a very uplifting colour for your home. Being a combination of yellow and blue, green encompasses the mental clarity and optimism of yellow with the emotional calm and insight of blue. Green is well-known to make you feel optimistic and refreshed, as it is one of the most restful colours for your eyes. For those who love the outdoors, green can also bring an outdoorsy, natural feel into the bedroom.

lickhome 24

@lickhome

www.lickhome.com

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Now is the perfect time to be painting outdoors and getting all those exterior projects done and dusted, with the weather improving and the hours of daylight increasing as we head into summer. Getting repeat business on outdoor projects will be key to a lot of decorators this summer, and Kevin O’Donnell, technical consultant for Sandtex Trade offers some pointers that will help you to ensure your customers get the best possible outcome from the great outdoors...

Step up to exterior decorating projects Take your time to prepare Before any exterior surfaces can be painted, it’s important to check their

Is your customer aware that they don’t have to choose from a limited palette of white or beige? There are hundreds of shades of masonry

condition, particularly as exposure to wet and freezing weather

paints and coatings available and your customers may have a colour in

conditions can cause serious problems that can affect the quality of the

mind, in which case the task is simple. However, some customers may

finish if they aren’t dealt with appropriately.

Things to look out for include mould or mildew on exterior surfaces,

want some inspiration or guidance from you, and in that case resources like Crown’s Exterior Colour Book have plenty of advice and tips from its

as this is a common problem and one that won’t simply go away if

team of colour experts that will help you add some value and give your

left untreated. Bear in mind that

customer an even better experience. There are copies online, so you

areas that are north-facing

can simply send them a link and they can browse at their leisure,

and not in direct sunlight can

perhaps while you get on with the preparation work.

be particularly susceptible to this

Considerate colours

problem.

When choosing colour for exterior

Before you go take on any

masonry, consider the location of the

outdoor projects, it’s worth

property and its heritage as any colour

investing in a good quality

scheme should still be sympathetic to its

fungicidal wash. Remember to

surroundings. Did you know that

pre-treat any areas that are

individual regions have their own distinct

affected before painting begins

colour palette? This explains why pastel

as it can’t be removed by using

shades work so well in a coastal

soap and water.

location but have a different effect in the

Mind the gaps

middle of a built-up urban environment.

If you can help steer your customers towards

Moisture ingress caused by heavy rain or snow can also cause hairline

choosing a colour scheme which tones in with the colour palette of the

cracks to appear as the masonry expands and contracts.

street or surrounding area and which complements the building’s age

These cracks will need to be filled and matched to the surrounding area, and choosing a ready-mixed masonry filler that is quick-drying will

and style, the colour will set off the rest of the property perfectly. Don’t forget that if the property requires a neutral masonry paint in cream, off-

help save valuable time on site. Following with flexible masonry paint,

white or grey to match its surroundings, you can add a touch of colour

such as Sandtex’s High Build Decorative Coating, can also help protect

on woodwork including doors and window frames to complement and

and disguise uneven and unsightly surfaces.

contrast with the neutral masonry.

For more information and your nearest stockist call 0330 024 0302 or find Sandtex online... @Sandtex_UK SandtexUK @sadolin_sandtex www.sandtextrade.co.uk 25

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

U-Fit Solutions

U-Scribe Jig @uscribejig

www.u-scribejig.co.uk

When it comes to my job sites, like many PDA Members, I am a multi-

Features & Benefits

‘ Colour coded for ease of use ‘ Available in four sizes – 16mm (5/8”),18mm (11/16”)

19mm (3/4”) and 22mm (7/8”)

skilled craftsman. I do all carpentry work myself unless timing is of the

‘ Suitable for scribing filler and end panels, plinths and fascias

essence, then I will pull someone else in to speed things up.

U-Scribe Jig is an incredible invention that really does speed things up

‘ Made in the UK

for me, invented by Dan Brown and Scott Mould, it’s a tool that

‘ All packaging is recyclable

essentially gives you an extra pair of hands.

When scribing filler panels, fascia panels or end panels, it used to be

very time consuming trying to hold the material while making the scribe line accurately. U-Scribe Jig holds the workpiece in precisely the right place while allowing precision scribing, to ceilings walls and floors.

You can use the Jig for flush/recessed fillers - I like to set my fillers back from the carcass by the same thickness as the doors, if you prefer end panels/fillers further forward to match the face

tool TALK

of the doors then this is also possible.

My dad used to say to me, “Son, I can only do one thing at a time – I’ve only got one pair of hands”, U-Scribe Jig is a game-changer in that department!

The Installers Set comprises of three of each of the colour coded Jigs denoting the thickness of material that is suitable for in the following colour coded sizes.

Products independently tested and reviewed

by Award Winning Decorator, Wayne de Wet

Akcali Inc.

WRX Trade Spray Paint @wrxtrade

www.wrxtrade.co.uk

On a recent project, the client had a new airing cupboard built. It was made like a fitted kitchen or bedroom wardrobe carcass and without a back. The copper and plastic pipes sitting on the wall behind were exposed to generate heat.

Features & Benefits

‘ Fast drying solvent multipurpose acrylic ‘ Micro mist nozzle for easy application ‘ Over paintable

‘ Range of colours and finishes

‘ Surface primer available (clear)

Having seen incredible results using WRX spray on social media, I thought it might work for this job.

Coleman Bros Ltd has a reputation for new products, I explained the job in hand, and they organised a clear primer for the copper pipes, as a precaution, and also a matt finish.

WRX multi-purpose spray paint comes in 400ml aerosol cans, and there is a good selection of colours and finishes available. As with any spray paint, adhesion and finish are paramount.

The 501 matt white paint was outstanding, benefiting from excellent coverage and fast drying.

The spray comes out through a ‘micro-mist’ nozzle which features channels within that enable a ‘whirl’ effect.

WRX paint is high-quality acrylic suitable for interior and exterior use. It can be used on suitably clean and prepared surfaces such as UPVC, aluminium, wood, brass, iron, plastic and ceramic. WRX is really versatile for those hard to reach jobs. Not just for the trade, it can be used by modelling and hobby enthusiast as well as industries.

You can find Wayne on...

26

@ToolTalk1

@ToolTalk1

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Features & Benefits

‘ Easy to mix, shape and sand ‘ Fast dry in three hours ‘ No need to spot prime ‘ Won’t flash or grin

‘ Outstanding adhesion quality

‘ Interior multiple substrate use ‘ Multi pack of 10 x 1kg bags ‘ Paper sack recyclable

Toupret

TX 110 Filler @toupretuk

www.toupret.co.uk

Some may say a filler is just a filler, but, a good filler enables the end-user to carry out seamless repairs. Toupret is a filler manufacturer based in France, a trusted brand that produces a world-class range of products, and I’ve been a fan of Toupret fillers for many years.

A good filler shouldn’t need to be spot primed, and that’s a great feature of TX110 filler – it won’t flash or grin which saves on another process!

TX110 is an incredibly high-quality interior powder filler that mixes easily and effortlessly with water to form a great consistency. I prefer to gradually add the powder to measured amounts of water until your preferred consistency is achieved and then leave it to stand after mixing for a few minutes to allow the powder to be thoroughly wetted out.

A rubber/silicone mixing bowl and a suitable small tool work a treat for small batch mixing, and I use a Bucket Glove and a Cyklone stirring attachment for mixing larger quantities. You have around 30 to 40 mins of working time, which is plenty.

TX110 benefits from outstanding adhesion/shaping qualities and hasn’t got any thickness limitations, plus its incredibly white! An essential benefit of this filler is its ease of sanding, I use dust-free sanding like Festool and Mirka, and so there is no mess to clean up. It is fast drying and is good to paint after three hours.

Suitable for filling primed timber, plasterboard, brick, plaster, concrete or masonry – but clean previously old painted surfaces, and if glossy sand to provide a key. I always buy 5kg or 10kg multi-pack sacks and use snap-shut, gasket sealed, airtight containers to keep my opened bags fresh.

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Win it all!

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

For your chance to win, simply send an email to tooltalk@the-d ecorator.co.uk Well done to our most rec ent winner, Steve Timbrell of P&S Tim brell Decorators.

Enjoy your new products!

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PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Stay stylish everyday www.ballyclarelimited.com Workwear specialist Ballyclare has unveiled an exciting new collection of high-quality general workwear. The new 365 collection includes a wide range of garments for both men and women, all of which have been designed to meet the needs of workers in the painting and decorating sector. Designed to provide outstanding performance in all situations, whether worn indoors or outdoors, and they are available in black, navy or charcoal colour combinations. The garments all bear the Ballyclare hallmark of outstanding quality, which stems from the care and attention to detail that has gone into their creation. Taking and streetwear trends, Ballyclare also integrated the latest high-performance materials and technology into the 365 range.

Various garments are completed with other practical features such as top-loading CORDURA® knee pockets and concealed wallet pockets.

UP

inspiration from a diverse range of sources such as sports clothes

tool

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

Fully flexible functions @mirkauk www.mirka.com/uk/ Mirka UK have launched a dual voltage LEROS, designed to provide a flexible, convenient tool for decorators working at different site locations. The two-in-one 110v and 230v lightweight sander has a brushless motor and incorporates an innovative sanding head with 180-degree flexibility, and a 5mm random orbital movement, making it extremely userfriendly. Weighing less than 3.5 kg, the operator can sand for longer periods without fatigue. When combined with Mirka’s dust-free net abrasives and suitable dust extraction,

Year round colour for gardens @HMGpaints

shop.hmgpaint.com

Fence and Shed Paint from HMG can bring a myriad of colours to the nations gardens.

Where previously decorators and homeowners have been limited to a select pallet of colours, HMG Fence Paint is available in a virtually unlimited colour pallet. The Essentials Colour Collection offers a great colour choice for decorators or home owners to choose, but the product is also available in any RAL or British Standard colour. HMG’s innovative UNIT LITE mixing scheme means that virtually any decorative shade can be offered. The Fence and Shed Paint offers a premium quality water-based protective finish for use on roughly sawn wood such as fences, sheds and other garden areas. The company’s new innovative water-based colourants provide excellent colour retention and weatherfastness

28

as well as superior coverage, applied by brush, roller, or spray application.

the LEROS provides dust-free sanding, making the working environment cleaner and healthier.

Available with a storage bag, an extension pole can also be purchased to increase the reach by 50cm.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Gets in all the nooks and crannies www.graco.com/contractorpcgun ™

The Contractor PC gun family now has a new member: the Contractor PC Compact, an even smaller and lighter version of the successful Contractor PC gun. Together with the small size and light weight, the ergonomic design of this new gun makes it easy to manoeuvre and control, plus also helps reduce downtime with a one-part on-the-job gun rebuild. The very thin BlueMax™ II whip hose is suitable for all decorative paints and enables effortless spraying in small corners and hard-toreach places. The Contractor PC Compact gun also comes with a new, smaller filter.

No trouble scrubbable www.duluxtradepaintexpert.co.uk Armstead is helping professionals to bring their ‘A-game’ on the job with an extensive range of great value, top quality paints. Armstead Durable Matt is the ideal product for high traffic areas, giving you professional quality, tough and durable matt finish. It is scrubbable and offers good stain resistance to last the test of time in busy spaces. The product is a smart choice for all normal interior wall surfaces.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Key considerations for a good quality paint brush Professional painters and decorators will be more than aware, that not all trade paint brushes are made equal and the quality of every component matters.

Here, Kristie Blackford-Mills, Brand Manager for Purdy, looks at the features to consider before investing in a new brush to add to the kit. resistance for long term durability and also strengthens the brush

The filaments Understandably, the quality of the brush filaments will have a

head. Higher quality brushes should have a strong connection

significant impact on how well the brush can perform. Subpar

between the handle and the ferrule via a double or triple crimp,

filaments will present a range of problems including visible brush

ensuring the bristles and handle are secure.

marks, an inability to retain paint therefore providing minimal

The handle

coverage, and bristles becoming loose and trapped in paint.

Look for brushes that have a bolstered epoxy, meaning filaments are

Lastly, the quality of the handle is also important as it will affect your comfort and control levels. A wooden handle will often be more

locked in, and offer a zero-loss guarantee. Additionally, recent innovations allow for self-flagging filaments, which will eliminate any issues with brush marks. With no loss of filaments and no brush stroke marks, you should be able to invest in a longer lasting brush that will not spoil

comfortable, especially when it is being used for extended periods of time. Alderwood for example, makes for a lightweight, durable and manoeuvrable brush. Furthermore, this material is moisture wicking, meaning it absorbs sweat for a more comfortable grip.

The design of the handle is also just as important. Professional quality

your paintwork.

It is also important to choose a brush with the right filaments for the job. Thicker bristles, such as those in

brushes will have different shaped handles depending on the intended use and application of the brush. For example, a long and thin handle allows for precise control, while a thick and rounded ‘beavertail’ shape

our own Syntox brushes, will offer improved productivity by picking up and laying off more paint than brushes with thinner filaments. Use them to create a beautiful, mirror like finish when working with varnishes and stains.

is designed to fit comfortably in the palm of the hand for wide strokes.

Purdy’s Cub brush is designed with a short lightweight handle for maximum control and its angular style tip is perfect for cutting in and getting into tight corners.

Choosing high quality paint brushes will make your work easier, quicker and more comfortable, while allowing you to achieve a

The ferrule Painters and decorators should also look at

professional finish. This is something we know and understand too,

the quality and construction of the ferrule,

which is why each Purdy paint brush is handmade by a skilled specialist

the section that holds the brush filaments.

brush maker and features a sticker with their own signature – a mark of

Stainless steel offers corrosion

pride in their work that helps you to achieve yours.

www.purdy.co.uk 30

GREAT OUTDOORS! USE ONE CAN ON YOUR EXTERIOR PROJECTS

CLADDING

GUTTERING

UPVC WINDOWS

DOORS

HARDWOOD

METAL FENCING

PRIME BLOCK FINISH %PP TYVTSWI [EXIV FEWIH TVMQIV ERH ƼRMWL MR 32) '%2 &PSGOW WIEPW PSGOW OMPPW ERH LMHIW WXEMRW Anti-corrosive on all metals.

8MRXEFPI XS JYPP &7 6%0 ERH 2'7 GSPSYVW -RXIVMSV )\XIVMSV HYVEFMPMX] Sticks to metals, woods & building plastics.

For more information, please email: enquiries@bradite.com

DRIES IN 30 MINS RECOAT IN 1 HOUR

@Braditepaints www.bradite.com