inPAINT Magazine April 2018

inPAINT

®

THE MAGAZINE FOR PROFESSIONALS | APRIL 2018

EXTERIOR PREP MISTAKES

AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

+

Managing overspray

Pros talk work vehicles Business financing options

DEALS

You’ll get them here.

INNOVATION You’ll find it here.

EDUCATION You’ll learn it here.

NEW PRODUCTS You’ll see them here.

The future of home improvement is here.

Registration is now open: nationalhardwareshow.com

The tool that powers your business

May 8-10, 2018

Las Vegas Convention Center | North & Central Halls

#NHShow

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For more information visit sherwin-williams.com/pro

©2017 The Sherwin-Williams Company

April 2018 | inPAINT

3

CUTTING IN

“ If you don’t like change, you’re going to like irrelevance even less.”

—General Eric Shinseki, former U.S. Army chief of staff

I

f there’s one thing that life teaches you, it’s that change is not optional. That’s especially true in the world of painting where, at any moment, a change in the weather or a client’s color whims can reroute your entire day or an entire job. Then there is the sea of changes (think the move to online systems for scheduling, billing, customer communication, etc.) that required you to disassemble every system you ever had in place. While it’s common to want to resist change, embracing it can be critical to your future. And, as it turns out, you don’t have to go it alone.

With few exceptions, there are no changes you’re facing that someone else hasn’t already navigated. Thanks to numerous Facebook pages for pro painters, and associations like the PDCA, there are plenty of places to turn for seasoned advice. At the recent PDCA Expo, I watched and listened as pro after pro shared with others how they have tackled their biggest challenges. They shared their successes and, perhaps more importantly, the discoveries they made along the way. And I can tell you, their advice and insight were a huge source of visible relief to those who were facing the same types of changes and choices for the first time.

For this issue of inPAINT, we tapped numerous relief-providing pros and experts to share their experience and expertise. From their pick of work vehicles and prep mistakes to avoid, to safety tips and thoughts on financing options, our aim is to make it easier for you to embrace whatever change you’re facing—and find success.

Cheers!

Amanda Haar Amanda Haar Managing Editor, inPAINT

2018 EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Ciro Affronti Operations Manager/Field Supervisor, Affronti Property Solutions, LLC

Cliff Hockley President, Principal Broker CCIM, CPM, Bluestone & Hockley Real Estate Services

Steve Burnett President, DYB Coach

Doug Imhoff Owner, Imhoff Fine Residential Painting

Darylene Dennon Owner, Solid Energy, Inc.

Mike Kelly VP & General Manager, Crestwood Painting Scott Lollar

4

inPAINT | April 2018

Nick Slavik Owner, Nick Slavik Painting & Restoration Co. Art Snarzyk Owner, InnerView Advisors, Inc. Michael Stone President, CertaPro Painters, Ltd.

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20 All rights reserved. 3M, ScotchBlue, Edge-Lock and the BLUE color of the tape are trademarks of 3M.

This issue’s contributing experts

PUBLISHER Edward McAdams MANAGING EDITOR Amanda Haar DESIGN Carl Bezuidenhout CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR Cindy Puskar SOCIAL MEDIA Jillian McAdams

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Stephanie Conner Jake Poinier Meghann Finn Sepulveda

EDITORIAL amanda@inPAINTmag.com ADVERTISE 602-296-5391 ed@inPAINTmag.com SUBSCRIBE inPAINTmag.com/subscribe inPAINTmag.com

Linnea Blair Advisors On Target Dave Carhart Star Painting & Wallcovering Mike Couchie APV Engineered Coatings Mark DeFrancesco MDF Painting & Power Washing Jeff Eberts Wallmasters Yanni Fikaris Custom Renovations Jim Kaloutas Kaloutas Painting Scott Katz LJK Finishes Conrad Lendrum Callaghan Innovation Stephen Lyon Perspective Painting Scott Miller Capital Painting & Decorating, Inc. Chris Noto Titan Conor O’Keefe O’Keefe Painting John Orgill Biddeford Painting Matthew Pisaeno Pisaeno Painting & Construction, LLC

publishing group REM Publishing Group LLC 8924 E Pinnacle Peak Rd Suite G5 #575 Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Steve Revnew Sherwin-Williams Nino Sitchinava Houzz Nick Slavik Nick Slavik Painting & Restoration Co. Jeff Sommers ESP Painting

©2018 REM Publishing Group LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of content in any manner without written permission by the publisher is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in signed columns and articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Publisher assumes no liability for any damages or loss of any kind that might arise from the use, misuse or inability to use the materials or information contained in this publication. All material and information appearing in this publication is distributed and transmitted ‘as is,’ without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, and is subject to the terms and conditions stated in this disclaimer.

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inPAINT | April 2018

Jeff Stachowiak Sunbelt Rentals Jeff Winter Sherwin-Williams

paint ED ED U C AT I O N C ENTER

PAINTED PODCAST

Contractor training in 20-minute doses each week.

IN-DEPTH VIDEOS

On-demand videos covering business growth, finances, management, HR, technical training, & more.

ASK-A-PEER NETWORK Connect directly with peers and experts in your industry to solve problems one-on-one.

CONTRACTOR ROUNDTABLES Meet regularly with other contractors in your industry & in the same stage of business growth.

PDCA ACCREDITATION Set your business apart with the best training, ethics, & standards in the industry.

PaintED is PDCA’s Education Center which trains and connects painting contractors across the globe.

LEARN MORE PDCA.org/PaintED Not a PDCA member? Call 1-800-332-7322

April 2018 | inPAINT

7

CUTTING IN

inPAINT® April 2018

CONTENTS FEATURES

Common Exterior Prep Mistakes

18

Managing Overspray

22

And how to avoid them

Pro Picks

Work Vehicles

The inPAINT Interview

Light industrial painter

26 26 32

DEPARTMENTS 10 The News Industry ins and outs

34 Tools of the Trade What’s in today’s professional toolbox?

14 Trends A fast look at the forces at work in our industry

36 Teach to Fish Paint properties: antimicrobial, antibacterial and microbicidal

15 Trend in Focus What’s driving colors for kitchen remodels 16 Ask a Pro What are the keys to a successful Job Safety Assessment related to lift use?

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inPAINT | April 2018

Cover Photo and Background Photo Courtesy of Festool

38 Upcoming Events The what, where and when of the industry’s leading events 39 Bottom Line Choosing financing options for your business

Photo Courtesy of Ford Motor Company

Tips for working with airless sprayers

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THE NEWS

Fire-Resistant Coating Keeps Steel Cool

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inPAINT | April 2018

Photo Courtesy of APV Engineered Coatings

T New Zealand-based Callaghan Innovation has developed a coating that keeps steel beams from melting in the event of fire.

Applied to structural beams or pillars, the intumescent paint can be used as a passive fire-resistance measure. The paint expands significantly when exposed to high temperatures, and becomes much less dense, which means it acts as an insulator against the high temperatures.

According to company group manager Conrad Lendrum, “… in a fire [the paint] goes through a series of chemical reactions to expand, char, and blow up into a thick foam that provides a thermal barrier to insulate the steel … the idea is that it will keep the steel below 500,° long enough for the people to get out.”

Callaghan Innovation still has a few hurdles to cross, but is working on bringing the product to market soon. CallaghanInnovation.govt.nz

APV’s NeverFade Schools Other Coatings T School Planning & Management and College Planning & Management magazines recently

bestowed platinum award honors on APV Engineered Coatings’ NeverFade Façade Restoration Coatings for their ‘ability to enhance the learning environment.’ The water-based, low-VOC coating contains Kynar Aquatec resin—a tough thermoplastic that maintains high stability when exposed to harsh thermal, chemical and ultraviolet environments—and extends the time between repaints.

Applied using a brush, roller or spray equipment and with the compatible primer systems offered by APV, the NeverFade coating system protects against rust, corrosion and efflorescence, as well as promotes long-term adhesion to the building surface. Topcoats are custom-color matched to customer specifications and come with a 15-year product-and-labor warranty for color performance. According to Mike Couchie, VP of sales, “Although we warrant the color performance for 15 years, the Kynar Technology has been performing for more than 50 years in harsh, UV-prone environments without requiring recoating.”

Also of note: NeverFade Original Topcoat received a 2017 Money-Savings Products Award from BUILDINGS magazine, where it was recognized for its cost-saving potential and relevance to commercial building management. NeverFadeCoatings.com

Disney’s Go Away Green Hides Things in Plain Sight T Disney theme parks are all about controlling the experience. This includes what you see as well as what you don’t see.

Using a proprietary paint color referred to as ‘Go Away Green,’ Disney effectively camouflages lessmagical items from view (think trash cans, employee entrances, utility buildings, etc.)

The grayish green hue is formulated to blend in with a wide range of backgrounds by making them, well, bland. Because the human eye is drawn to contrasting colors and patterns, ‘Go Away Green’ keeps park visitors focused on the attractions rather than the facilities and services that keep the magic alive.

Behr Spice Garden

Benjamin Moore Aganthus Green

Dunn-Edwards Mermaid’s Cove

While your customers may not have the integrity of a Magic Kingdom to protect, some, including HOAs, corporate parks and college campuses, may be interested in applying the principles Glidden Pale Jade

Sherwin-Williams Relish

of ‘Go Away Green’ to trash receptacles, air conditioners, fences around dumpsters, and anything else they would like to blend into the landscape. Close matches from several major paint manufacturers are shared on the left.

April 2018 | inPAINT

11

THE NEWS CONTINUED

ColorReader: Match, Schemes, Palettes TDatacolor recently introduced ColorReader, a Bluetooth device that streamlines the colormatching and selection process. Designed for use on a variety of surfaces, the device instantly provides color matches to a number of major paint manufacturers’ color collections right on your smartphone via their mobile app. In addition, a ‘Coordinate Colors’ feature can instantly pull up four different types of color palettes or schemes (complementary, analogous, triad and monochromatic) to share with customers. Palettes can be saved, renamed, shared—and even sent directly to a paint store to begin the paint-order process. It offers more than 94% accuracy, helping painters be more confident in color matching—and saves time because you no longer have to cut a piece of wall or trim to take in a match for repaint jobs. ColorReader.DataColor.com

Give Back During Sherwin-Williams 7th Annual National Painting Week TThe program brings together pro painters and employees from Sherwin-Williams’ 4,200 neighborhood stores across North America to bring a fresh coat of paint to deserving local organizations such as schools, community centers, and city landmarks. The program provides the resources and opportunity to give back to the community and share projects and ideas with existing and potential customers.

“National Painting Week represents not only a chance to lend a hand in your community,

PPG’S TOP GUN EARNS TOP HONORS

it also provides a great opportunity for pros

T Fifteen formulas from PPG Paint’s TOP GUN product line recently received one of the

at Sherwin-Williams. “We support projects

first building and construction sealant environmental product declarations (EPDs) in North America.

A comprehensive, internationally harmonized report that documents the ways in which a product affects the environment throughout its life cycle, EPDs are used in the consideration of green building initiatives, including Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v4.

Ideal for a variety of interior and exterior applications on many types of building surfaces. PPGPaints.com (Search: Top Gun)

by providing paint, sharing details with local

to be involved in some very public projects,” says Jeff Winter, VP of residential marketing

media, and sharing images and more of the great work being done on our website and social media pages that pros can use to promote their business. Getting involved is a great way to give back and increase awareness of your business in your community.”

To learn how you can get involved, talk to your local Sherwin-Williams rep or visit a store.

12

inPAINT | April 2018

NEVER LOSE A TOOL AGAIN TRecently, Louis Katz and son Scott of LJK Finishes in Hartsdale, NY, had had enough of lost tools. After determining the annual cost of ‘misplaced’ tools to be around $1,500 or $2,000, not to mention the time lost trying to track them down, the company owners decided something had to be done.

“What we came up with was Tooltags.co,” says Scott, “a tool and inventory tracking application designed for contractors by contractors.”

Using custom QR tags, along with the camera and GPS already built into every smartphone, the app provides a chain of custody for every tool across multiple jobsites. Since first launching the app, LJK has dropped its lost and misplaced rate to zero.

The app is now available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Scott adds, “If you’re a contractor whose tired of watching money go missing on every job, this app is for you.” ToolTags.co

April 2018 | inPAINT

13

TRENDS

HELP WANTED (in the Kitchen) The 2018 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study found that nearly nine in 10 homeowners (85%) hire help for their kitchen renovation projects, with urban and suburban homeowners significantly more likely than rural dwellers to hire a pro (89% and 87% vs. 78%, respectively).

The Real ROI of Your R&R Space While decks and patios both offer great ways to enjoy the great outdoors, according to Remodeling magazine’s 2018 Cost vs. Value Report, both wood and composite decks offer a better ROI.

JOB COST

RESALE VALUE

COST RECOUPED

Deck addition (wood) $10,950 $9,065 82.8% Deck addition (composite) $17,668 Backyard patio

$11,239

63.6%

$54,130 $25,769 47.6%

COLORFUL CUPBOARDS According to InteriorZine.com, color will be playing a big role in kitchen design in 2018/2019. The interior design website predicts the following hues will be among the colors of choice for refreshing kitchen cabinets:

JOB REFERRALS

Consider the Source

While all referred employees are more likely to report that they are satisfied with their employer and that they have a great relationship with their manager, the source of their referral matters.

Employees who sought out an existing employee for a referral are the most engaged workers, while employees who received a referral from a family member or close friend have notably lower levels of satisfaction.

SOURCE: The Impact of Job Referrals: Effects on Pay, Engagement, Diversity. PayScale.com

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inPAINT | April 2018

Remodels on the Rise (Big Time) According to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity released by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, residential remodeling spending is estimated to increase $18.9 billion between Q4 2017 and Q3 2018.

TREND IN FOCUS

Photo Courtesy of Lance Meyers Decorative Painting

Kitchen Remodels: What’s Driving Color Choices

A

ccording to Nino Sitchinava, principal economist at home renovation and design platform Houzz, one of the major factors driving color choices has nothing to do with HGTV. That factor is age.

Referencing the 2018 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, Sitchinava says, “If you look at colors by generations, you see younger homeowners—ages 35 to 45—being more cautious about color choices.

Whereas older homeowners—baby boomers—are going for the unusual.”

For many, what drives color choices is how long they plan to stay in the home, says Sitchinava. “The overwhelming majority of baby boomers have no plans to move in the next 20 years. They perceive their home as their long-term nest and are making choices that have nothing to do with resale value. If they want brown or green cabinets, they’re going for it.”

The finance of finishes Yanni Fikaris, owner of Custom Renovations in Haddonfield, NJ, agrees that bold colors and finishes are making a comeback but, in his area, the choice is tied more to finances than age.

“We work in some affluent areas and we’re finding that, when introduced to alternatives to gray and white, homeowners who can afford it are going for one-ofa-kind looks regardless of their age,” he says. “But it really falls to the pro to share the potential options with customers.”

Fikaris’ team has completed kitchens with finishes ranging from metallics and rust to patinas and soft glazes. The company recently completed a set of cabinets with tiger maple topped with a deep, clear finish. “None of these customers started out saying ‘I want my cabinets to look like a hot rod, or whatever, but once I showed them what could be done, there was no going back.”

He adds, “While not all customers are going bold, they’re definitely going with color more and more. Even the cabinets we build with solid-maple panels … people aren’t staining them. They’re painting.”

Cautions and consults Based in Minnesota, Nick Slavik of Nick Slavik Painting & Restoration Co. finds his customers tend to stick with safer choices.

“We’re in the Midwest so people—no matter what their age—don’t stray too far with color. We do a ton of off-white,” he says. “An accent color on the island is about as crazy as we get.”

“That’s not to say that if someone wants color, I won’t provide it. But we have a conversation first.”

For Slavik, that conversation includes a reminder that painting a kitchen can cost as much as painting the outside of a house. Given that, he advises them to only do it once in their lifetime.

“I always ask customers if they want the color of the cabinets to be the accent in the room or if objects in the room—say, the countertops—are to be the accent,” he says. “That forces them to look at how the whole space works together, rather than looking at the components.”

While Slavik has plenty of sample cabinet doors to show, he likes to suggest customers do Google searches. “I may not have a flat panel in Navajo White, but if you Google that, you’ll find over 400,000 images of that combo with all kinds of countertops, wall colors, lighting, you name it. For me, it’s the best color consult tool out there. And it’s free.”

Back in NJ, Fikaris likes to start his color consults by asking how long a homeowner intends to stay in the property. “I don’t want anyone suffering buyer’s remorse a few years out,” he says.

He also directs customers to the web to research options, but his go-to site is furniture manufacturer HickoryWhite.com. “Their photos show a really nice collection of finishes that get people thinking outside the box a bit.”

“ … when introduced to alternatives to gray and white, homeowners who can afford it are going for one-of-akind looks regardless of their age.”

—YANNI FIKARIS, CUSTOM RENOVATIONS

April 2018 | inPAINT

15

ASK A PRO

Have barricades been created to protect the lift from pedestrians and other vehicles?

■■ What is your rescue plan and who are your rescue staff? Can workers on the ground get you down from the ground controls? Note: 911 is not a rescue plan.

■■ Is there access to the job area, proper ground support, and a path to the work site?

■■ Can the ground support the lift? Note: Septic tanks will not support any weight, and sidewalks may not support much weight either.

■■ Is this a confined space? Are workers trained in confined space? Is carbon monoxide buildup from the lift’s engine in an enclosed space a problem?

■■ Is the jobsite clean and neat?

■■ Have you conducted a review of the last job’s notes?

■■ Are chemicals being used? If so, is OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard being followed and PPE being used per the products’ Safety Data Sheets?

■■ Have you checked the weather for potential lightning or wind? Note: The maximum allowable wind speed on a lift rated for outdoor use is 28 mph.

■■ What materials will be on the platform, and what’s the load capacity of the lift?

■■ Is there equipment that can move and may hit the lift that needs to be locked out?

One key thing to remember about a JSA is that it should be reviewed throughout a job, not just at the beginning. This is a real challenge with the safe use of equipment. Many workers fill in the JSA and file it, then go to work. That JSA is a live, ever-changing document and the workers should be constantly on the lookout for all of the hazards listed on it—and it should be adjusted accordingly. For example, if you’ve put down cones for pedestrian traffic and the pedestrians are still walking near or under your work, you must adjust your plan and improve your barricading, such as putting a spotter down on the ground to keep pedestrians out of your work area. If someone walks through your cones and gets hurt, it’s your responsibility. Sorry, but that is the real world we live in.

Also, ground conditions change as you travel the jobsite, and rain, weather and wind all affect the safe use of construction equipment. Be aware and keep up with the changing conditions on the JSA. Consider doing a JSA for sections of the work, and reassess when you move onto another part of the job or work.

Keep adjusting, keep reviewing, and keep the workers involved in the process along the way. Their involvement is also key to making these checklists work and to preventing an incident or accident.

■■

Photo Courtesy of JLG Lift Equipment

Q:

What are the keys to a successful Job Safe ty Assessment related to lift use?

A:

JEFF STACHOWIAK is the director of safety training for Sunbelt Rentals. He is a member of the ANSI A92 committee for Aerial Work Platforms, ISO/TC 214 committee for MEWPs, ISO/ TC 110 committee for Rough Terrain Forklifts, and the UL Fabricated Scaffold Planks and Stages committee. He specializes in aerial lift, forklift and scaffold safety, as well as OSHA and MSHA regulations and OSHA citations. SunbeltRentals.com

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inPAINT | April 2018

A Job Safety Assessment ( JSA) should be as concise as possible, and not generic. While the basic framework can be generic, JSAs should be adapted and expanded to address specific issues with each individual job. You don’t have to recreate the wheel every time you do the same type of job; you just have to fine-tune it a bit.

When it comes to determining what questions to include on the checklist, ask your workers; they’ll know. And because an untrained worker is a hazard, one of the first that should be on every JSA is: “Are the workers involved trained to the task and trained in lockout/tagout (LOTO), hazcom, confined space, and anything else pertaining to this specific job?”

Other questions that should be included are: ■■ What are all the hazards present and possible?

■■ Do you have the right lift for the job? Will it reach the work areas?

■■ What Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) do we need, or is required, such as safety glasses, steeltoed work boots, hard hat, harness and lanyard (short, adjustable or self-retracting)?

■■ Are the users trained on the following equipment, and has it been inspected: fall protection, harness and lanyard?

■■ Have you assessed positions of power lines? Have you achieved proper clearance (10' clear of 50,000volt lines or less, 20' clearance of 50,000+ volt lines)? If you don’t know the voltage, consult the power company; don’t guess. Remember that ALL overhead lines are considered power lines.

For more on the subject of Job Safety Assessments, download OSHA’s comprehensive booklet at: osha.gov/Publications/osha3071.pdf

Recycle your leftover paint?

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FIND A DROP-OFF LOCATION NEAR YOU:

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UNLUCKY 13:

By Jake Poinier 18

inPAINT | April 2018

Photo Courtesy of Festool

Common Exterior Prep Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

N

o matter what finish coat you ultimately apply to an exterior job, the prep work will determine

whether it lasts—or fails prematurely.

“Every building is different, and you have to look at each surface individually,” says Dave Carhart, Photo Courtesy of Graco Contractor Division

owner of Star Painting & Wallcovering in Collegeville, PA. “Today’s exterior paints are pretty forgiving, but if you don’t do the prep correctly, it won’t matter if you buy the most expensive premium paint out there.”

While exterior prep is simple in principle and process, there are a number of common mistakes that pros need to avoid in order to execute the best possible final paint job and ensure a durable finish that holds up to the elements and over time:

1

NOT IDENTIFYING WHAT YOU’RE PAINTING OVER.

If you haven’t seen a bucket of the previous coating with your own eyes, don’t assume you know what it is— and don’t take the homeowner’s word for it. “I’ve seen a lot of mistakes where people assume it’s a paint when it’s really a solid stain or vice versa,” says Mark DeFrancesco, owner of MDF Painting & Power Washing in Greenwich, CT. “They’ll have quotes from guys coming in who planned to use the wrong thing, and the customer had no idea until I asked them about it.” Even though you might be able to tell from how the previous job has aged—paint will obviously have a tendency to peel, whereas solid stain will oxidize and fade—the only way to know for sure is to send a test chip to a manufacturer’s lab. “That’s what you’re paying for when you buy that gallon of paint,” DeFrancesco says. He recommends always covering paint with paint, and solid stain with solid stain—unless you’re willing to prime the entire house.

2

IGNORING AN UNSOUND SUBSTRATE. “Probably

the most common mistake I see in the field is that people paint over pulpy wood that isn’t really solid anymore,” says Carhart. “Sure, a latex paint will bridge it, but it will eventually bubble. You absolutely have to

bring this to the customer’s attention at the estimating and bidding stage.” To help identify wood that should be replaced, DeFrancesco recommends using moisture meters in the field to test areas that have cracked, peeled or bubbled in the past. “Generally speaking, anything above 11–13% is trouble and should be replaced,” he says. Synthetic woods can be a smart solution for problem areas, but it’s also essential to make appropriate flashing repairs where water is feeding improperly.

3

OVERLOOKING INTERNAL ISSUES. In some cases, substrate issues can actually be coming from the interior of the home. “You’ll often see houses where the paint is fairly stable in most areas, then there’s a section that’s very clearly delineated where it’s peeling,” says DeFrancesco. “For example, if a home is older and there’s a bathroom that’s getting a ton of use— even if they have a vent, there can be more moisture being drawn out of that wall than the adjacent master bedroom. The only way that’s going to get solved is with an insulation fix, and the painter has to know enough to tell the homeowner that’s why this is happening there.”

4

“The biggest mistakes are not using the right tip and getting too close to the siding, gouging the wood.”

—CONOR O’KEEFE, O’KEEFE PAINTING

OVERPOWERING WITH YOUR PRESSURE WASHER.

With the substrate addressed, it’s time to clean the surface. While pressure washing saves lots of man-hours, it requires the right approach. “The biggest mistakes are not using the right tip and getting too close to the siding, gouging the wood,” says Conor O’Keefe, owner of O’Keefe Painting in Minneapolis. “If the siding April 2018 | inPAINT

19

Photo Courtesy of Sherwin-Williams

is peeling back, we’ll use a turbo nozzle to agitate the surface and get that paint off. At the same time, it’s also really aggressive, so you have to get the skill down as far as how to use it right because otherwise, you’ll be ripping the wood right off.”

“… the most common mistake I see in the field is that people paint over pulpy wood that isn’t really solid anymore.”

—DAVE CARHART, STAR PAINTING & WALLCOVERING

20

inPAINT | April 2018

5

SKIMPING ON SCRAPING AND SANDING.

Thinking that you can get away with just scraping or sanding is a dangerous shortcut. “One of the reasons you scrape before you sand is so you don’t have to get really aggressive with sanding, which will pit or gouge the surface, and it won’t look very good,” says O’Keefe.

“With scraping, you want to get to the point in which the paint stops peeling. You also want to pound in loose nails. What you’re left with is a lip where the substrate is raw, but the old coating is still there. From there, you feather-sand to remove gray deadwood and make the edge less noticeable. Then, when you use a high-build primer, it locks down those edges.” He notes that 100-grit sandpaper is sufficient in most cases, since fine finishing isn’t necessary for thick exterior coatings—and, in fact, if a surface is too smooth, the primer and paint will have more difficulty adhering to the surface.

6

NOT CLEANING OR RINSING PROPERLY.

Different pros take different approaches to the process of removing dirt, mold and mildew. But they all agree on one thing: “It’s a big mistake not to thoroughly clean all your surfaces, especially in the high areas that are hard to get to,” says Carhart, who uses a blend of detergent and bleach. “If you’re painting over loose paint, dirt or mildew, the primer is not going to grab.”

DeFrancesco mixes seven cleaning solutions in-house of varying strengths, while O’Keefe generally uses Simple

Green down-streamed through a pressure washer, with trisodium phosphate (TSP) added when mold or mildew are an issue—making sure to let it sit on the surface for a while to do its job. After cleaning, the back-rinsing step is equally important: Watch to make sure that water is coming down as clear as possible, because cleaning-agent residue could harm the durability of the paint job.

7

RUSHING THE PRIMER. There are two aspects here

8

UNSAFE LADDER PRACTICES. Most pressure washers

that can result in mistakes. First, not allowing the house to dry sufficiently after being pressure washed.

“Every house is different, and it depends on the shade and humidity level,” says O’Keefe. “Usually, it’s within a day or two before we can start working. We bring moisture meters with us and aim for under 15%, which is what most paint manufacturers say on their technical data sheet.” Second, there’s the drying of the primer itself, which might be 24 hours or more with an oil-based primer, or as fast as 90 minutes for some other products. “You always need to look at the specs of the primer and how long it needs to dry before it can be painted,” says Carhart. “There are so many different primers out there, you know what you’re using and whether it can have a faster application or needs a slower application. Particularly with oil-based primers, you need to make sure they’re absolutely dry.”

come equipped with a 4' wand, which saves labor at ground level, but can be precarious at the top of an extension ladder. “With the pressure of the wand, it’s hard to have one hand holding onto a gun and one hand holding onto a ladder,” says O’Keefe. “If you have the tip attached directly to the gun, you don’t have as much reach, but it’s a lot safer, which lets you move faster.”

9

MAKING ASSUMPTIONS AT THE ESTIMATING STAGE.

Even the most experienced estimator doesn’t have a crystal ball. “The truth is, pressure washing reveals a lot more than what you can see looking from the ground,” says O’Keefe. “It’s tricky, because customers don’t like the unknown, particularly if the price could vary by several thousand dollars. So, if we see a house that’s peeling pretty bad, we might allocate a little bit more time just to make sure that we can prep it right. In a really bad situation, I might tell the customer we’re going to have a minimum and maximum, and we’ll reevaluate the situation after we pressure wash to decide.”

10

CAULKING WHERE YOU SHOULDN’T.

On occasion, a homeowner may request that you caulk the underside of lap siding because they think they want the whole house sealed up. “That’s when you have to advise them that, as long as it’s an area that water can’t get in, you want the house to be able to breathe,” says O’Keefe. “Otherwise, the only way for moisture to escape is by pushing its way through the coating. In addition, caulk in those areas is eventually going to fail and look really bad. Even with Hardie board siding, we don’t caulk the butt joints because there’s so much expansion and contraction.”

a successful exterior prep job requires everyone to be on the same page. “You need to be very clear in your pre-job meetings about what your scope of work is,” says DeFrancesco. “Rather than just saying we’re going to sand and remove all loose and peeling paint, you can go one step further and say this side of the house is 50 manhours, this side of the house is about eight man-hours, and list the main areas of focus or trouble spots.”

While most homeowners may not know much about painting, they’ll be familiar with the old adage that prep is the most important part of any job. Avoid the mistakes listed above and you’ll not only prep the way to a longer, lasting finish, you’ll also ensure happy customers and the potential for more referrals. 75144 2018 T-Rex Half Page In-Paint Mag.pdf 1

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USING CHEAP CAULK OR FILLERS. “My rule of thumb is that you want to use ultra-premium products,” says DeFrancesco. “That makes a big difference on the exterior, because the surfaces are expanding and contracting a lot more than they do on the interior. If you’re doing a 3,000-sq-ft home, you might use 20 tubes of caulk. At $4 more per tube, that’s not even $100 more on the job, but it could be the difference between lasting three years and 10—which is a major labor-cost benefit for that homeowner.” Similarly, DeFrancesco depends on two-part fiberglass Bondo products from 3M that harden quickly, don’t sink, and are more durable through temperature extremes. And, as with primers, make sure that you give caulks and fillers sufficient dry time before applying your first finish coat.

®

12

FAILING TO TRACK PRODUCTIVITY. Given that prep work can often be double the amount of time spent on the paint application, it’s critical that you know your numbers. “In particular, sanding is the biggest gray area, and it’s taken us a long time to determine exactly what our work rates are,” says DeFrancesco. “Most people will start with national averages from PDCA, but I think it’s smart for painting contractors to track the amount of productivity they get in terms of sanding and other prep components. Once you really know what you’re performing in one manhour, you can convey that confidence to the customer and break it down for them.”

13

LACK OF A SYSTEM. As much as you trust your

©ShurTech Brands, LLC 2018/75144

crew’s decision-making capabilities in the field, April 2018 | inPAINT

21

hen it comes to overspray, less is always more. Less overspray means more paint gets applied to the intended surface, saving you money on material. It also means less time needs to be spent on prep and cleanup, leaving more time for productive painting. And less overspray also allows sprayers to be used for jobs not normally considered conducive to spraying, like near vehicles or property that must remain untouched by paint—or on breezy days, or when sharing spaces with other contractors.

BY CHRIS NOTO, DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS AT TITAN

Experienced paint contractors will tell you airless sprayers are essential tools that provide better and more uniform coverage while significantly reducing the time required to complete jobs. They will also tell you that overspray, the airborne paint material that doesn’t adhere to the target, is inherent to the process. Overspray is, indeed, a by-product of spraying—and there are ways to minimize and control it.

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inPAINT | April 2018

Technique First and foremost, reducing overspray starts with technique. Holding the gun approximately 12" from the substrate and parallel to the surface at all times is essential. It’s also important to understand how to adjust the pressure correctly. A common misstep is to set the sprayer to maximum pressure and start the job. The best method is to start at a lower pressure and slowly dial it up until the spray pattern is free of tails and holidays.

Technology Spraying at low pressure helps to minimize overspray while reducing wear and tear on the pump and spray tip. Fairly new to the market are high-efficiency airless (HEA) tips. They can spray coatings at 1000 PSI with the same flow and production levels as standard airless

Photo Courtesy of Titan

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tips—with up to 55% less overspray. Airless HEA tips can save as much as 35% in paint consumption and they give the operator more control and a softer fan pattern and feathered edges for a consistent finish.

CHRIS NOTO is the director of professional products at Titan. He has been in the painting industry for 26 years in sales, training and product development functions.

Accessories Overspray can also be controlled with physical barriers, like cardboard or metal spray shields held in position to protect adjacent surfaces. Spray guides are accessories that attach to an airless spray gun with an extension, helping control overspray by providing a backdrop to catch the spray pattern. This is especially useful at the top or bottom of a wall, when the gun is not being held perpendicular to the wall, or at the top of a fence to 24

inPAINT | April 2018

catch the excess spray pattern. Spray guides also make it possible to spray and cut-in simultaneously—without masking.

Spray rollers are spray tips and rollers combined into one accessory. Providing the speed of airless and the finish of a roller, they essentially allow spraying and rolling at the same time. The tip sprays the paint and the roller captures almost all the overspray and applies it to the surface being painted. They can be used on any flat, porous surface, or nonporous surfaces like walls, Sheetrock, stucco or concrete block.

Extensions and reach tools help to minimize overspray by maximizing control when working at heights. Available in lengths of 5" to 6,' they serve to extend your arm so you can maintain proper technique while spraying hard-to-reach areas. They can also reduce the need for ladders and scaffolding for a safer jobsite.

Anyone who’s been in this business for any amount of time knows paint sprayers are essential business tools. They make it possible to complete more jobs SURFACE SHIELDS' CARPET SHIELD (TOP); in less time, and with better results. By managing PRO-TECT'S POLY-CRAFT MASK (BOTTOM) overspray on the jobsite, you can extend those benefits even further and grow your bottom line. -

Photo Courtesy of Titan

Overspray can be controlled by technique and use of physical barriers and spray accessories.

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April 2018 | inPAINT

25

PRO PICKS

WORK VEHICLES: CUSTOMIZABLE, DEPENDABLE

OUR PROS

1 2 26

JOHN ORGILL Biddeford Painting BiddefordPainting.com

MATTHEW PISAENO Pisaeno Painting & Construction, LLC MattPaints.com

inPAINT | April 2018

3 4

JEFF EBERTS Wallmasters (517) 317-3907

SCOTT MILLER Capital Painting & Decorating, Inc. CapitalPaintingInc.com

5 6

STEPHEN LYON Perspective Painting (774) 545-5832

JEFF SOMMERS ESP Painting ESPPainting.com

Photo Courtesy of Ford Motor Company

You think a lot about the tools and materials you need for your jobs—pressure washers, sprayers, brushes, paints, stains and specialty products. But what about the vehicle you drive to the jobsite? Obviously, a reliable truck or van is critical to ensure you get to work, but there’s more to it than that. We asked six pros for their opinions on what works for them and how to make the most of a work vehicle. Here’s what they had to say:

▲

2018 Ford Transit Connect XLT Cargo Van

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THE BRAND YOUR CONTRACTORS WILL ASK FOR BY NAME

Some pros, like Gavin Hepp of Oregon-based Webfoot Painting Co. and Biddeford Painting (below) have their work trucks/vans pull double-duty with vehicle wraps that serve as mobile billboards.

1 JOHN ORGILL:

Based in Maine, Biddeford Painting handles both interior and exterior paint jobs, and has two Ford E-150 Trucks* for its exterior crews and a Dodge Ram Commercial Van for the interior team.

John Orgill, a crew chief with the company, drives one of the E-150s and says the van has plenty of shelving space and under-shelf storage, as well as drawers for small items like nails and wall anchors.

“We keep it stocked, and with everything organized, things aren’t all over the place.”

The vans can accommodate the painters’ power tools and ladders, and transport their bucket trucks as well. And, like many companies, Biddeford uses its trucks for advertising.

“It’s a driving billboard,” Orgill says.

2

MATTHEW PISAENO: With nearly 20 years in business,

Matthew Pisaeno works for a lot of large companies in his New Jersey market. His company, Pisaeno Painting & Construction, LLC, uses two GMC G3500 Cube Vans—10' box trucks that he bought used from U-Haul, he says.

To maximize the vehicles for his team, he installed custom ladder racks and ordered American Van shelving. Organization is key, he says.

“We have one bin for rollers, one for covers, a custom bin for spackle knives, and more,” he says. “Everything is labeled.”

And a piece of PVC tubing holds extension sticks.

They also haul a trailer with tools like a pressure washer, scaffolding setup, and power tools.

“One downside is that cube vans don’t have ladder racks, so we have an extension ladder on the trailer,” he says.

4000-PSI Cold Water Pressure Washer

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with Globally Sourced Components 34-3553

Mi-T-M manufactures: Cold & Hot Water Pressure Washers • Air Compressors Decal Part No. : 34-3553 (revised material/adhesive 2-15-17) 02-10-17 Portable Generators • Date: Air Compressor/Generator Combinations Customer: Mi-T-M Units: All Mi-T-M labeled products•manufactured the US Air Compressor/Generator/Welder Combinations Wet/Dry inVacuums Designer: Teresa Gottschalk 563.556.7484 x.231 Artwork at 100%: Pumps Yes • Water • Water Treatment Systems Jobsite Boxes • Portable Heaters Decal size: 2.0625” wide x 1” high Over laminate: .001 clear laminate Material/Adhesive: 3.5 mil white vinyl flexible white perm L344 1 mil 50# liner Must adhere to polyester and epoxy powder coatings, epoxy paint, polypropylene, polyethylene and stainless steel Print on a roll Colors:

April 2018 | inPAINT

27

Photo Courtesy of FCA US LLC 2018 Dodge ProMaster Cargo Van

3 JEFF EBERTS:

Jeff Eberts has owned his wallpapering business, Wallmasters, in Marshall, MI, for 38 years. A solo worker in a small town, Eberts focuses on residential work and historical buildings, including restorations. For his needs, a minivan with the seats removed is the way to go. He currently drives a Chevrolet Venture Van. Eberts recommends keeping a piece of carpet on the floor in the back so buckets don’t slide around, and a small, heated box so paper or wallpaper paste don’t freeze.

Ideally, he says, pros should also have ladder racks as well as storage bins (he likes Rubbermaid) and shelving. He also notes that the most important item to have in any work van is a metal cage behind the front seats to protect the driver and passenger from potential flying debris.

“Organization is key to a work truck,” he says. “Think about the time you spend looking for two-inch screws. The time adds up over a week or month or year. That really hurts a work day.”

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inPAINT | April 2018

4 SCOTT MILLER:

Scott Miller of Capital Painting & Decorating, Inc., recently purchased a brand-new Ram ProMaster 1500 Cargo Van for his business. Based outside of Chicago, Miller appreciates the vehicle’s space.

“We built shelving units to store our equipment. And we lined the cargo area with wood, so we can anchor equipment to the walls for safety,” says Miller, who started his company with his twin brother in 2005. “We also put a partition between the front seats and the cargo area … we don’t want things slamming into the driver or passenger.” And we installed a heavy-duty galvanized ladder rack on top of the van.

The ProMaster’s safety features were also major selling points.

“The back-up camera was the most important thing, so you can see all around the van,” he notes. He also appreciates the hands-free speaker system, the GPS navigation, and the van’s low loading point. He knows a lot of pros like trucks, but he says, “we’re finding vans are the way to go.”

Photo Courtesy of FCA US LLC 2015 Chevrolet Express Cutaway 4500 1.5 Ton Van (left); 2015 Chevrolet Express Cargo Van (center); 2015 Chevrolet Express Passenger Van (right).

5 STEPHEN LYON:

Opting for a used work vehicle versus a new one allows Stephen Lyon says to own it outright. The owner of Perspective Painting in Central Massachusetts drives a Ford E-250 Van* that had previously served as a fleet vehicle for an electric company.

“It’s a workhorse,” he says. “I’ve had it for two years, and it runs great.”

It’s stocked with metal shelving, making it easy for Lyon to store supplies, and he can use any ladder rack he needs.

“Especially in New England with the snow and rain,” he says, “this is the best vehicle for me.”

*Editor’s Note: Ford Transit Connect and Transit replaced the E-150 and E-250 models for 2015 model year to allow for greater customer choice and configuration options.

30

inPAINT | April 2018

6 JEFF SOMMERS:

Since 1996, ESP Painting has been serving the Portland, OR area, with a primary focus on residential repaints. Owner Jeff Sommers has seven to eight two- or threeman crews working jobs, and reliable vehicles are critical.

He has two 2008 Chevrolet Express Vans and three oldermodel Express vans.

“What I like about Chevy, in general, is that it’s easy to get parts,” Sommers says. “You can get parts at the junkyard, so if you have a resourceful mechanic, they can find anything quickly within a day.”

Sommers also appreciates the Chevrolet van’s large cargo area and generous weight capacity.

He also has Ford Transit Vans in his fleet.

“We bought them used from U-Haul,” he says. “They came onto the market with less than 20,000 miles.” He adds that they can sell for around $20,000 to $23,000, and encourages other painters to look into this option to pick up a decent van for a good price.

The Ford Transit, he says, is a smooth ride with a great, well-protected back-up camera and a spacious cab.

Sommers used a local Portland company to put custom ladder racks on the vans. The ladder racks have a roller bar on the back that allows the ladder to simply roll on top of the rack.

“That’s a great feature,” he says. -

Stay informed with inPAINT

®

Teach to Fish eBlast “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day.

Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

This wise adage served as inspiration for a new type of communication that offers industry professionals education and instruction to learn from—and build on.

Here, we present an industry-specific question and invite an expert to share their insight.

Prepare to sharpen your skills.

inPAINT eNewsletter Our monthly e-newsletter delivers industryrelevant articles to your inbox—many expanding on our magazine articles—offering additional valuable content professionals find essential to continue to learn and grow.

Stay informed. Watch for it monthly.

To receive these valuable tools, subscribe to inPAINT magazine. They’re all FREE! inPAINTmag.com/subscribe

April 2018 | inPAINT

31

THE inPAINT INTERVIEW LIGHT INDUSTRIAL PAINTER

A Unique Niche Market: Metal and Steel Surfaces HOW ONE BOSTON-AREA BUSINESS IS MEETING THE NEEDS OF COMMERCIAL MANUFACTURING CLIENTS

BY MEGHANN FINN SEPULVEDA Jim Kaloutas began his painting career in 1987 at 19 years old, following in the footsteps of his father, an experienced residential painter. Prior to launching Kaloutas Painting, he often served as an English translator for his father, a native of Greece, communicating on his behalf during business transactions.

In the years that followed, Kaloutas gained a wealth of experience, learning the intricacies of the business and developing the necessary skills to shift the focus from residential projects to commercial and light industrial painting—and ultimately grew Kaloutas Painting into a successful, multimillion-dollar company.

Now 50, married and the father of two children, he serves as the president of Kaloutas Painting, leading a team of experienced field personnel and foremen who provide light industrial painting, flooring and cleaning services to a wide range of clients.

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inPAINT | April 2018

Q

What exactly is light industrial painting?

Q

Are there any specific skills or equipment needs?

This specialized type of work refers to the containment, cleaning, preparation, priming and coating of structural steel, rooftop dunnage, tanks, silos, enclosures and various other types of steel and concrete structures.

While proper substrate preparation is essential, the coating system must be carefully and thoughtfully specified for each unique scope of work. Given that much of the work we perform takes place within occupied manufacturing environments, our specialty space containment systems are carefully installed to ensure safe, healthy, dust-free environments for our installers and clients. Our ability to perform these essential services, while allowing our clients to maintain their production schedules, has created a valuable working relationship for both parties.

Our team members must have good customer service skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to adhere to facility regulations specifically centered around safety.

In this type of industry, there are strict guidelines that must be followed, so it’s extremely important that our staff has the ability to adjust to these requirements.

We provide on-the-job training to not only protect our employees, but to also maintain a safe work environment for our clients.

The equipment we use is identical, regardless of which type of job we’re on, meaning we all use the same paint sprayer to coat a surface. However, the coating

Although sometimes [the bidding process] is driven by price, we have found that, more often than not, the solutions we bring to the challenges clients are facing are the primary reason we begin working together.

application varies depending on if we are painting a structure, bar joist, corrugated metal deck, steel beams or pipes, valves, sprinklers and gas lines, which must maintain specific colors to meet code requirements.

Q

What’s the typical bidding process?

Most of the time, we are invited to prepare a bid for a potential client based on a recommendation or referral. It’s rare that a client is knowledgeable of our full range of services that include prepping, painting, industrial flooring, cleaning and maintenance. I believe this is a huge differentiator in our market. When we share the details of the comprehensive services we offer with potential clients, it often generates more interest and a sense of one-stop shopping because we can adapt to all of their needs.

The process of vendor selection for our clients is multifaceted. Although sometimes it is driven by price, we have found that, more often than not, the solutions we bring to the challenges clients are facing are the primary reason we begin working together. First, we make sure we completely understand their needs, which can sometimes be logistically challenging and complex.

Following this step, we will draw up a proposal based on the agreed upon scope of work. Our goal is to develop trust and build confidence with prospective clients so we can begin a working relationship and maintenance program.

Q

How do you plan and staff appropriately?

Every project has different needs, depending on the size and scope of work. While we are a $20 million business, the work constantly ebbs and flows.

For instance, we’ll have 165 employees on staff during the busy summer months, but in the winter our staff decreases to about 110. We bring on subcontractors as needed, for specific jobs that require vinyl wall coverings, electrostatic painting and sandblasting.

We are always recruiting individuals to fill field and office positions. We offer a competitive benefits package—which is rare in our industry—and a great referral bonus to increase the level of engagement of our employees.

I believe we are in the people business, not the painting business. I’ve been fortunate to have had the best team of people, who have been with us for many years. I work hard to engage with staff, which is extremely important to me, even as we continue to grow. Sometimes, I even write down a cheat sheet of names of the individuals who will be on-site that day at a specific project so I can stop by and say hello and personally connect with each employee.

Q

How do you generate business?

Q

Do you prefer large jobs over small ones?

We have 12 sales people on staff who are focused on actively seeking new business. We also invested in a comprehensive online marketing program to generate new leads and gain potential clients.

Referrals are always very much appreciated, and we recognize that process takes time.

Regardless if it’s a $2,000 job or a $20,000 job, it still requires the same amount of work. We prefer larger jobs, but we will do smaller jobs for clients with whom we have developed a relationship.

Q

What are your plans for the future in terms of growth?

We hope to continuously increase business over time, however, I am preparing for smaller growth in the coming years. Eventually, I plan to sell a portion of the company to my staff and become an employee-owned business, offering long-term incentives such as retirement plans and pensions.

I believe this approach leads to much more engaged employees who are driven and willing to invest in the business—and ultimately help us achieve greater success. -

JIM KALOUTAS is the president of Kaloutas Painting.

His past and current client list includes a diverse mix of pharmaceutical, aerospace, and general manufacturing businesses—along with breweries, warehouses, and auto part distribution centers.

Today, he leads a team of more than 80 field personnel and office staff who provide light industrial and commercial painting, flooring and cleaning services to clients in the New England area.

KaloutasPainting.com April 2018 | inPAINT

33

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

34

inPAINT | April 2018

Photo Courtesy of Mi-T-M

What’s in today’s professional toolbox?

PPG PAINTS™ TIMELESS® Exterior Paint and Primer PPG Paints Timeless Exterior paint and primer in one, sold at PPG Paints retail stores nationwide, incorporates UV-Protect Technology, providing one-coat coverage in 1,000 colors and the best resistance to extreme weather*. This PPG technology protects the exterior from color fade and provides protection for the surface. The tough finish provides exceptional resistance to chipping, flaking and cracking and resists mold, mildew and algae on dry paint film. *One coat coverage only when tinted to colors specified for PPG Paints Timeless Exterior Paints.

PPGPaints.com

CT Dust Extractors Festool has just introduced a completely updated line of Full Unit HEPA Dust Extractors. CT Dust Extractors now feature smooth suction hoses, optimized SYS-Dock with cord holder, T-LOC function and optional Bluetooth connectivity with remote control. The smooth hose glides perfectly over any surface or edge, while adding the Bluetooth module and remote controller makes it a completely new dust extraction experience—you can now start the CT remotely, get autostart functionality with Festool cordless tools, and roll everything securely to and from the jobsite.

FestoolUSA.com

ENVISION YOUR PRODUCT HERE If you have a product, service or tool that you think professionals should know about, contact: advertise@inPAINTmag.com

April 2018 | inPAINT

35

inPAINT ® presents an industry-specific question and invites an expert to share their insight.

Q:

What’s the difference between antimicrobial, antibacterial, and microbicidal paints? Aren’t they really the same thing?

A: STEVE REVNEW is Senior VP of Product Innovation at SherwinWilliams. He was involved with the development of SherwinWilliams’ microbicidal Paint Shield product. In April 2017, the coating became an Edison Award Bronze Winner for Innovation. Here, he answers a question about a common confusion with regards to products like Paint Shield.

36

inPAINT | April 2018

Actually, they’re not. They’re very different.

A product with antimicrobial properties resists and inhibits the growth of harmful microbes and bacteria like mildew and mold, which can stain or deteriorate the paint film. Generally speaking, microbicidal substances or compounds go a step further by actually killing certain bacteria on the surface.

Simply put, if you see either of these claims on a paint can, the difference is that one type of paint inhibits growth while the other actually kills harmful microbes and bacteria.

The term ‘antimicrobial’ can be used in a variety of product claims across industries and can act against all agents (bacteria, fungus, virus). As such, products that claim antimicrobial properties with a public or nonpublic health claim must go through appropriate testing by product type to demonstrate efficacy, and then approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

However, products with antibacterial properties, a type of antimicrobial, typically inhibit only the growth of the common microbes that make up harmful bacteria, thus only protecting the paint film itself.

Our Paint Shield product is the first microbicidal paint that actually kills certain bacteria. In fact, it kills 99.9% of Staph (Staphylococcus aureus), E. coli (Escherichia coli), MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), VRE (Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis) and Enterobacter aerogenes on painted surfaces within two hours of exposure. And it will continue to kill 90% of those bacteria for up to four years as long as the integrity of the surface is maintained. Paint Shield will also inhibit mold growth.

Creating Paint Shield required the help of more than 350 scientists. The product is EPA-registered and underwent rigorous testing by a third-party lab to validate its claims.

Environments where there is sometimes the concern of spreading disease, as in health care, have significant need for microbicidal paint. Beyond health care, we’re finding that athletic facilities, hotels and schools also have areas of their operations that benefit from microbicidal paint. There’s a residential market as well, with painters using it in and near bathrooms and kitchens. Really, anywhere people gather is a great opportunity to use Paint Shield.

Products with ANTIMICROBIAL properties resist and inhibit growth of harmful microbes and bacteria, while products with MICROBICIDAL properties actually kill them.

There are many antimicrobial paints on the market that do great work, but it’s also important to understand the additional benefits of a microbicidal paint so that you can communicate its values to your customer. In the world of coatings, you certainly get what you pay for. So, it’s important to consider your options when determining whether an antimicrobial or microbicidal coating is the right product for the job.

The magazine created for professionals just like YOU inPAINT magazine delivers engaging and informative articles on the latest industry news and current trends.

This is the kind of information that can set you apart from your competitors, and make your job easier and more profitable.

Stay informed by subscribing now.

TO KEEP RECEIVING inPAINT MAGAZINE, SIMPLY SUBSCRIBE. IT’S FREE. To subscribe, visit inPAINTmag.com/subscribe

UPCOMING EVENTS

ADVERTISER INDEX 3M 3m.com Pages 5, 11 & 13 CHEMIQUE Chemique.com Page 25 DUNN-EDWARDS DunnEdwards.com Page 9 FESTOOL FestoolUSA.com Page 35 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Habitat.org Back Cover MILEBUG MileBug.com Page 29 MI-T-M MiTM.com Page 27 NATIONAL HARDWARE SHOW nationalhardwareshow.com Page 2

What, Where & When

2 8 1

3

6 5

7

JUNE

AP R IL 1

9–12: American Coatings Show 2018, Indianapolis, IN american-coatings-show.com

5

13–16: Apartmentalize, San Diego, CA naahq.org/apt-inpaint

2

12: Builders & Remodelers Show, Minneapolis, MN batcbrs.org

6

14 & 15: 2018 East Coast Builders Conference, Nashville, TN ECBCshow.com

7

23–26: BOMA 2018 International Conference & Expo, San Antonio, TX bomaconvention.org

M AY 3

4

8–10: National Hardware Show, Las Vegas, NV nationalhardwareshow.com

AU G U ST

8–12: 2018 Society of Decorative Painters’ International Conference & Expo, Daytona Beach, FL decorativepainters.org

8

6–9: NPMA National Education Seminar, Chicago, IL npmaconferences.org/NES

9

16 & 17: Southeast Building Conference, Kissimmee, FL SEBCshow.com

PAINT CARE PaintCare.org Page 17 PDCA PDCA.org Page 7 PPG PAINTS PPGPaints.com Page 35 SHERWIN-WILLIAMS Sherwin-Williams.com Page 3 SHURTECH TRexTape.com Page 21

MAY 8–10, Las Vegas, NV

The National Hardware Show is the prime time and place for face-to-face sourcing and learning for contractors in the U.S. home improvement market. The annual three-day show attracts more than 28,000 industry professionals.

Major coating and applicator manufacturers will be on hand to discuss the latest product innovations and, in some instances, conduct live demos.

TITAN TitanTool.com Page 23 To register, visit nhs18.com/inPaint 38

inPAINT | April 2018

4 9

BOTTOM LINE

Choosing Financing Options for Your Business

BY LINNEA BLAIR

W

ith the seasonality of most of the painting industry, it is not surprising that many businesses feel the pinch of slow cash flow and a smaller-than-comfortable amount of cash in the bank at some point or another. This is the time when you wish you had access to more working capital or credit. What are some of the ways that you can get access to funds when you need them? What considerations do you need to keep in mind when looking for funding?

One of the most common ways that businesses obtain funding is from the owner’s personal funds, when this is a possibility. This is not necessarily a bad idea, but there are good and bad ways to go about it.

Business credit vs personal credit Many small businesses start out as a sole proprietor (Schedule C) business, but it’s a better idea to create a formal business entity. Most contractors choose to set up their business as either an S corporation or an LLC, because this gives the business owner a shield in terms of personal risk. This shield can be compromised by mixing personal and business finances—so it is prudent to keep separate bank accounts and credit card accounts for your business.

Rather than using personal credit for your business, consider lending money to your business if it needs a cash infusion. Treat this like any other short- or longterm loan on your balance sheet and make repayments.

In some cases, you may need, or want, to charge interest to the business for the use of your money.

Credit from banks Credit from banks most commonly takes two forms: business credit cards and business lines of credit. When you are starting out or expanding, you may also qualify for a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan.

Apply for business credit before you need it. Most contractors have a busy season and a slow season. Your slow season is typically when you need to dip into your credit. I recommend building a relationship with a business banker as a resource; apply for a business line of credit when you are in your busier season and can show profitable results. Most bankers will want to look at your financial statements, so it is good to provide a well-organized Income Statement (P&L) and Balance

Sheet, and to be conversant with your financial results.

If you have a budget and can show that you are meeting or exceeding your plan for this year and the prior year, that can be helpful. Banks like to lend to businesses that are making money and growing.

In some cases, lenders do require a personal guarantee on credit cards or lines of credit for the business, so be aware of that.

… develop a relationship with a good business banker, and apply for credit before you need it.

Equipment financing If you need to purchase big-ticket items like equipment, it’s wise to explore options for equipment loans versus using your business credit card or line of credit for this type of expense. Often, you can get better terms for this type of financing through companies who specialize in this service, and you don’t tie up your other resources in the process.

LINNEA BLAIR, owner of Advisors On Target, is a business coach and small-business expert. She works with contractors to develop best-practice business management and marketing strategies for a sustainable business.

She can be found at AdvisorsOnTarget.com

Alternative lenders If your bank can’t help you, there are other lenders who are willing to lend to businesses that have short-term difficulties or have special circumstances that make traditional bank lending not an option. Your business banker, CPA, business coach or advisor may have referral contacts for alternative lenders.

To summarize, keep three things in mind: Educate yourself on your options, develop a relationship with a good business banker, and apply for credit before you need it.

April 2018 | inPAINT

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