inPAINT Magazine Winter 23/24

inPAINT

®

TH E M AGA Z I N E FO R PRO FESSIO NAL S | W I N T E R 2023/2024

ICONIC SIGN GETS A FACELIFT New paint technology will help ensure it endures

+

Pros on their preferred interior coatings

Two pros bid commercial work Putting the tape debate to rest

FrogTape performance priced for the pro ®

FrogTape Pro Grade: The only blue tape good enough to be FrogTape ®

®

Visit FrogTape.com/Contractors ©Shurtape Technologies, LLC 2023/ASW00491

your skills are needed to help families in your community.

Join Habitat for Humanity and help families near you build affordable places to call home.

Volunteer or donate at habitat.org.

CUTTING IN

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”

PUBLISHER

Edward McAdams

MANAGING EDITOR

Amanda Haar

—Albert Schweitzer, theologian, musician and physician

DESIGNER

W

hile spending time with my two young-adult children, I realized that people in their 20s often get asked “do you like your job?” It’s almost as if the world is rooting for them to find happiness at work and even encouraging them to look for it elsewhere if they’re not feeling it.

But somewhere around your 30s or 40s, questions about work tend to take on a less-hopeful “how’s that going?” tone. It’s more of a “can you stand it?” than a “do you love it?” vibe. That realization made me feel lucky and a bit sad.

Lucky because I love my job. In large part, because I get the chance to connect with paint pros who also love what they do.

Nothing makes me happier than asking someone if they’re open to being interviewed and they don’t hesitate to agree. That kind of enthusiasm tells me this person is invested in their craft. They have opinions and knowledge that they’re eager to share. I’ve learned that eager sharers aren’t just focused on getting the job done; they’re focused on doing it to the best of their ability. And, they’re always looking for ways to be better.

As for feeling a bit sad, I’ve also heard enough “no thanks” to know that not everyone loves their work. Sometimes it’s not a good fit between skills required and what one can deliver. In other cases, it’s a matter of not connecting with the purpose and impact of one’s work. A mental shift from “I paint walls” to “I make people fall in love with their space” that highlights the contributions an individual makes can boost job satisfaction and personal happiness well beyond working hours.

In this issue, I’m pleased to share the words and wisdom of a dozen-plus of your eager-sharing colleagues. I hope their contributions inspire you to find the happiness and success you deserve.

Cheers,

Carl Bezuidenhout CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR

Cindy Puskar

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Brian Sodoma

CONTRIBUTING EXPERTS

Melissa Caperton MJ Painting & Design

Patti LaPorte Shurtape Technologies

Michelle Dambrowitz Home & Harmony

Steve Lockwood Lockwood Finishes

Chris Duggan Duggan and Associates

Tonino F. Margani Nobilis

Jen Frey MJ Painting & Design

Frank Miles Blair Commercial Painting

Caleb Ginos Oceanside Painting & Pressure Washing

Matt Mosser Gallup

Joe Hiera Papa Joe Paint Co.

Cole Palea NOVO Painting & Property Services

Rick Holtz H.J. Holtz & Son

Ryan Perry Rogue Painting & Refinishing

Nick Kelley Elite Paint Home Renovations

Salomon Velazquez Purpose Painting

Maggie Kuyper Harpeth Painting

Amanda Haar, Managing Editor, inPAINT amanda@inPAINTmag.com

EDITORIAL

2023 EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Ryan Adamski Production Manager, CertaPro Painters

Lauren Fink Owner, Apex Painting

Rich Purnell Owner, BASE Painters

Bryce Benfield Owner, South-East Paint & Protective Coatings Co.

Jeremy Fyfe Owner, GLS Painters

Steve Spinelli Owner, Uni Pro Painting

Peter Berke Owner, North Atlantic Painting Company

Larry Marler Owner, The Works Remodeling and Finishing

©2023 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 expressed or implied, and is subject to the terms and conditions stated in this disclaimer.

4

inPAINT | Winter 2023/2024

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CONTENTS

TRENDS

inPAINT® Winter 2023/2024

FEATURES Two Pros Talk: Commercial Work

18

Today’s Tape Technology

22

Pro Picks

26

Two pros share their approaches for bidding commercial work

Pros talk interior coatings and discuss their go-to / better / best options

Project Snapshots

Challenges, coatings and color choices for two unique projects Cover Photo Courtesy of Duggan and Associates

30

Courtesy of MJ Painting & Design

30

Adhesives have changed, and contractors are benefitting

DEPARTMENTS 8 The News Industry ins and outs 14 Trends A fast look at the forces at work in our industry 15 Trend in Focus Retaining your best talent through relationship building

16 Ask a Pro How do pros reconcile the need for TiO2 with its economic and environmental impact?

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

33 Upcoming Events The what, where and when of the industry’s leading events

Winter 2023/2024 | inPAINT

5

THE NEWS

OSHA seeks to set new worker safety standards > OSHA recently proposed a new worker safety standard related to heat exposure for the construction industry, as well as several other industries.

The move was prompted by recent historically high temperatures that exposed millions of workers across the country to the serious dangers of heat in the workplace.

If published (implemented), the new standard will intensify OSHA enforcement where heat hazards exist for workers and would serve to fully implement the agency’s National Emphasis Program on heat, announced in April 2022. OSHA.gov/heat-exposure/rulemaking

New epoxy resists flames, reduces waste and is repairable > Empa, the Swiss research institution for application-oriented materials science and technology, recently announced

the development of a new epoxy resin that is fully recyclable, repairable and flame-retardant.

What sets this unique epoxy resin apart is the addition of a functional molecule from the class of phosphonate esters into the new resin matrix. “We originally synthesized this molecule as a flame retardant,” says coinventor of this technology and Empa scientist Wenyu Wu Klingler. However, the bond the molecule forms with the polymer chains of the epoxy resin is dynamic and can be broken under certain conditions, meaning it can be melted, reshaped and repurposed.

In addition, when used as a transparent layer on floors, scratches and dents can be ‘healed’ with a little heat and pressure.

NY welcomes its 300th PaintCare Construction industry under attack by cybercriminals drop-off site > In their most recent Annual Cyber Threat Report (published early 2023),

ReliaQuest, a force multiplier of security operations, noted that between February 1, 2022, and February 1, 2023, the construction industry topped the list of industries most often targeted by cybercriminals. With an average of 226 incidents annually, construction was well ahead of the next two most-targeted industries, transportation (167) and wholesale trade (138).

The most detected attack technique was the attempted exploitation of exposed remote services, such as virtual private networks (VPNs) and remote desktop protocol (RDP).

The FBI also recently reported that cyber actors have taken to impersonating construction companies using information readily available online about the company and the organizations with whom they do business. In some cases, the online sources include project costs and contact information for each engaged party. Cyber actors then register domains that closely resemble the legitimate business’ domain and create communications using logos lifted from websites to request payment. In some cases, the cyber actors will send an initial email to acquire information on the victim company’s automated clearing house (ACH) or direct deposit process. After receiving the information, the cyber actors tailor the ACH or direct deposit form to the victim, then update the information so that funds can be transferred to a cyber-actor-specified account.

Concerned business owners should consider working with a risk-management and/or IT security consultant to evaluate your operational processes and identify any weaknesses or areas of exposure.

8

inPAINT | Winter 2023/2024

> PaintCare, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to the recycling and proper disposal of leftover architectural paint products, marked a major milestone in September 2023 with the onboarding of its 300th drop-off location in the state of New York, bringing the nationwide total of sites to nearly 2,500.

Since its founding in 2009, PaintCare has collected more than 66 million gallons of paint, stain and varnish in 10 states and the District of Columbia, thanks to a growing network of program partners, including paint retail stores, hardware retailers and government facilities that have volunteered to collect leftover paint on behalf of PaintCare.

The recycling program is available to consumers and painting contractors at no cost; the services are covered by a small fee added to the price of new paint in states where the program is active. Painting contractors with 100+ gallons of leftover paint may qualify to have their paint picked up by PaintCare for free. PaintCare.org (855) PAINT09

PAINTING CONTRACTORS

2024

FEBRUARY 26 - MARCH 1

ORL ANDO, F LO R I DA

S AV E T H E D AT E A must-attend for contractors looking to grow their business, PCA EXPO provides countless opportunities to connect with and learn from some of the brightest minds and best partners in the industry.

Featuring up-to-date educational content, trade show, interactive workshop sessions, networking, motivational and inspirational presentations, PaintED talks, brain meld sessions, industry-relevant panel discussions, breakout sessions, events hosted by industry partners and an awards ceremony!

EXPO is the place to take your business to the next level.

Winter 2023/2024 | inPAINT

9

The Satisfaction Is in the Details 3M Science Behind Paint Prep Products No one likes to do prepwork. It’s laborious, it’s time-consuming, it’s messy… and it’s essential for beautiful results. Even the highest quality paint won’t be able to cover up mistakes, and rework quickly becomes expensive for both you and your customer. 3M knows that prepping walls is unavoidable, but we’ve got a toolbox of products to make it easy, efficient, and cost-effective.

S

tellar prepwork knowledge is one thing that separates a Pro from the average user. Beyond filling in nicks and nail holes, the importance of spackling, sanding, taping, and priming can’t be understated. One advantage of 3M’s suite of products is that they’re symbiotic, designed to work together to help you achieve your best results: Step One: Spackling. You might have heard the term “glass bubbles” when hearing about lightweight spackle. 3M originally invented this high-strength technology for infrastructure and automotive manufacturing, but discovered that traditional spackling compound could also be improved with these benefits. Glass bubbles are a key ingredient to making sure our spackle goes on smoothly, sands easily, doesn’t shrink or crack, and provides a strong repair.

The latest lightweight spackling product that uses our glass bubbles also includes color-changing properties. Answering the age-old question of “How do I know when this can be sanded?”, our 3M™ High Strength Color Changing Spackling Compound goes on blue and dries white, letting you know that it’s ready to sand without risking touching and denting the repair.

Step Two: Sanding. To alleviate the tedium of clogged and worn-out sandpaper, 3M invented precision-shaped grains (PSG): Minerals sprinkled into our premium sandpaper that stay sharp as you sand, delivering clean cuts for the full life of the sandpaper. Before painting drywall, we recommend sanding with a grit between 150 - 220.

The combination of glass bubbles in our spackle and PSG in our sandpaper makes walls easier to sand than ever. And with products like our 3M™ Pro Grade Precision™ Dust-Channeling Sponges, you can keep your job site cleaner by channeling airborne dust down instead of around the site. After all, a clean surface is key for long-lasting paint adhesion.

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inPAINT | Winter 2023/2024

ADVERTORIAL

Remember to wear appropriate respiratory protection for any job that requires you to sand.

Step Three: Taping and masking. For nearly every job, 3M has a tape for you. There are many challenging surfaces where tape selection depends on knowing the answers to questions like: ■ What is the surface that you’re masking off?

■ Will the surface be exposed to sunlight, temperature, and/or moisture changes?

■ Is the surface textured?

■ How long will the tape be on the surface?

Luckily, 3M makes it easy for you to choose and use the Painter’s Tape you need. These include surface-specific tapes like: ■ ScotchBlue™ Original Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape 2090: A multi-surface tape that can stay on surfaces like smooth or lightly textured walls, trim, baseboards, tile, and glass for up to 14 days inside or outside and then removes easily without leaving any sticky residue behind.

■ Scotch® Delicate Surface Painter’s Tape 2080: Designed for surfaces that require a gentle touch and easy removal, with no damage and no sticky residue left behind for up to 60 days.

Our Edge Lock Technology also seals out paint to deliver sharp paint lines.

■ Scotch® Rough Surface Painter’s Tape 2060: For substrates like brick, stucco, and concrete.

It bonds aggressively but leaves no damage or sticky residue when removed.

Combined with our 3M™ Hand-Masker™ Accessories, tape application has never been faster or easier. The 3M™ Hand-Masker™ M3000 applies painter’s and masking tape to masking film or paper for a continuous application that’s 4-5x faster than the basic paper/poly method. Once your walls have been fully prepped, you’re ready for priming and painting.

When it comes to preparing walls for paint, the adage is: “If you’ve done it right, the results are invisible.” And when your reputation is built on results, trust 3M to work hard for you.

Learn more at 3M.com/Pro

for when results matter. prep before you paint.

Make wall repairs with confidence.

3M has a range of products designed to make paint preparation fast, easy, and cost-effective.

3M.com/Pro

© 3M 2022. All rights reserved. 3M is a trademark of 3M.

Winter 2023/2024 | inPAINT

11

The Best Paint Jobs Start With Scotch® Painter’s Tape.

Painter’s Tape

Every job is unique, but they all start with the right preparation. Prepping with a painter’s tape from Scotch® Brand means you have a family of tapes specifically designed for your surfaces. By choosing to use the right tape, you’re choosing to create a better result.

W

hatever the surface, Scotch® Painter Tape has got you covered on the job. n ScotchBlue™ Original Painter’s Tape Designed for use on multiple surfaces such as smooth or lightly textured walls, trim, baseboards, tile and glass.

ScotchBlue™ Sharp Lines Painter’s Tape Multiple surface tape with Edge-Lock™ Technology to seal out paint to deliver sharp paint lines.

n

n Scotch® Rough Surface Painter’s Tape Designed for use on concrete, brick, stucco, and rough wood.

SBLU-20-1286 production R1-1 10-08-20

Scotch® Delicate Surface Painter’s Tape Designed for use on delicate surfaces such as painted drywall, freshly painted walls (at least 24 hours old), wood floors, wallpaper, veneers and cabinets. Features Edge-Lock™ Technology to seal out paint and deliver sharp paint lines.

n

Find the right tape for your project at ScotchBrand.com/painterstape

Spt — half page Ad client: Emily Browing ae: Ng pm: ss ad: sj cw: MB pa: sj pub: inpaint magazine issue date: Nov/dec 2020 trim size: 7.458" x 4.979" ink: 4c l l l l

The best paint jobs start with No two surfaces are alike — that’s why starting with the right prep can make all the difference. With a family of tapes designed specifically for your surface, Scotch® Painter’s Tape helps you prep right for professional-looking results.

© 3M 2023. All rights reserved. 3M, Scotch, ScotchBlue, Edge-Lock and the BLUE color of the tape are trademarks of 3M.

12

inPAINT | Winter 2023/2024

ADVERTORIAL

Up to 50% easier breathing

*

FOR When comfort matters.

The 3M™ Cool Flow™ Valve Particulate Respirator 8511 is designed with the pro in mind to help bring you protection and comfort.

The Cool Flow™ Exhalation Valve helps release warm and moist exhaled breath from inside the respirator. *Compared to non-valved 3M™ 8200 testing

built to perform

8511

N95

DIY/Home Use: Use ONLY in NON-HARMFUL environments.

Occupational/Hazardous Use: Use under a regulated government (e.g. OSHA) respiratory protection program.

WARNING: Limitations apply; Misuse may result in sickness or death. See product packaging and insert, or call 3M in USA at 1-800-243-4630.

In Canada, call 1-800-267-4414. © 3M 2024. All rights reserved.

3M and Cool Flow are trademarks of 3M.

3M.com/8511 Winter 2023/2024 | inPAINT

13

TRENDS

An employees’ market

2024 color predictions Here’s a look at the colors major paint and stain manufacturers think you’ll be seeing more of in 2024:

2

0

2

4

Behr

Benjamin Moore

Dunn-Edwards

Dutch Boy

Cracked Pepper PPU18-01

C Fine Paints of Europe

Van Gogh Yellow 2070

O MINWAX

Bay Blue

Blue Nova 825

Skipping Stones DET567

O

PPG Paints

Sherwin-Williams

Limitless PPG1091-3

Upward SW 6239

71%

feel now is a good time to find a job

Ironside 422-7DB

L

According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace: 2023 Report, here’s how employees in North America are feeling about the current job market:

R

47%

are watching for or actively seeking a new job

Valspar

Renew Blue 8003-37D

Pretty in paint According to Zillow, 40% of home sellers are completing some interior paint projects before listing their home, with average expenditure of $1,432. And 27% of sellers did some exterior painting with an average expenditure of $2,932.

Things are looking up for ceilings According to Houzz, consumer interest in decorative ceilings is on the rise. Here’s how searches for five different design approaches have increased in the past year:

Renovations eclipse relocations

22%

21%

19%

Renovating is more affordable

Renovating offers a better return on investment

Already having a lower mortgage rate than is available

Courtesy of Shoreline Painting & Drywall

According to an online survey of 2,500 homeowners conducted by Houzz in August 2023, 63% of respondents prefer to renovate their current home rather than move. Here’s what those homeowners said is driving their choice:

CEILING STYLES 816%

High-gloss Tongue-and-groove

74%

Painted

68%

Wallpaper 26%

14

inPAINT | Winter 2023/2024

TREND IN FOCUS

Retaining your rock stars

The HOLTZ Way

The fight for talent begins at home

A

ccording to Matt Mosser, chief human resources officer at Gallup, one of the biggest takeaways for employers from the company’s recent State of the Global Workforce: 2023 Report is this: “Half your employees are looking to leave.”

While the percentage of employees pursuing new opportunities in North America (47%) is slightly better than the global number (51%), the reality is a significant portion of employees are actively watching for—or actively seeking—a new job. Which is why, Mosser says, employers need to be doing all they can to retain talent.

Guarding your most vital resource —your employees To protect existing talent, Mosser encourages employers to: Retain your stars.

To prevent losing hardworking superstars, start here: ■ Build deep relationships. When you do, employees will be more likely to tell you everything, including if they’re looking for another job. Then you can manage accordingly.

■ Talk to them every week. Whether formal or informal, ongoing conversations help you stay in sync.

■ Conduct stay-interviews. Each year, do an in-depth interview with your stars—ask why they stay, what might make them leave, and what’s most important to them.

Make your values known. Then live them.

It’s not enough to print out your values and hang them on a wall. Instead, they need be something your employees and customers experience every day, in every interaction.

Two pros, two approaches to employee engagement Rick Holtz, the president of H.J. Holtz & Son in Richmond, VA, is essentially the poster child for the ideas Mosser sets forth. He’s managed to forge strong relationships with his employees—including five who’ve been with him for 20+ years—through daily interactions on the job, monthly foremen meetings, and monthly all-company meetings. A key component of the company meetings is acknowledging individuals who exhibit a great work ethic and embrace ‘The Holtz Way.’ “The closest thing we have to a mission, The Holtz Way is on the wall of our shop and embodies our

✓ Consistent work ✓ Profit sharing ✓ Growth opportunities

✓ More sales ✓ Higher profit

Make Money

Care for Each Other

✓ Teamwork ✓ Help each other ✓ Help the company ✓ Happy people ✓ Keep people ✓ Excellent team

Care for ✓ Great service Our Customers ✓ Excellent craftsmanship

✓ Repeat business ✓ Referrals ✓ Great reputation

approach to how we work and how we relate to each other,” he explains. “Any problem we have—be it with customers or between crew members—can be resolved by referring to it. Everybody knows it and everybody owns it. It keeps us operating from the same page and forges a deeper level of connection and understanding between us.”

Holtz also meets one-on-one with every employee (66 in total) annually. “Connecting with each individual makes a huge difference,” he says. “It’s much deeper than what you get on the job. We get into their goals and dreams. The conversation is rarely about money; more often, they show ownership-thinking and share ideas for creating efficiencies and how we can do better.”

Cole Palea, owner of NOVO Painting & Property Services in Seattle, also values one-on-one exchanges with his crew. In his 11 years as an owner, Palea’s approach to employees and retention has evolved. “I started out focused on having bodies. But then I realized what I really wanted was to be surrounded by people I like and who are invested in supporting each other,” he says. “Now my focus is helping employees reach their potential—even if that means going somewhere else to do it. If someone feels they need to get from point A to B and I can’t offer B right now, I’m straight up with them. I may even call other painting companies and say, ‘I’ve got a guy for you.’ There’s no need to make exits contentious. Sometimes they come back, sometimes they start their own businesses. I actually sub work to former employees.” He adds, “Staying positive and treating people with respect changed the dynamic of the company.

And now other painters know it. So, when I do need new team members, it’s not hard to find them.”

“Half your employees are looking to leave.”

—MATT MOSSER, GALLUP

Winter 2023/2024 | inPAINT

15

ASK A PRO

Q:

How do pros reconcile the economic and environmental harm of TiO2 with the need for it?

TONINO F. MARGANI is a fourth-generation painter in Toronto and the executive VP of Science & Environment for Nobilis, a research and commercialization firm in the global paints and coatings industry. Nobilis.tech

16

inPAINT | Winter 2023/2024

A:

Painters are often focused on the ins and outs of running a business—generating work, managing materials and employees, maintaining tools, servicing clients, etc. As a result, we often don’t realize that, in both good and desperate economic times, a single raw material controls our livelihoods. That material is Titanium Dioxide or TiO2.

As it has been for a century, TiO2 remains the critical component in paints and coatings. Naturally occurring, its opacifying effects are irreplaceable for whiteness and refractive value. Its use, however, brings high costs to end-user products while quietly generating massive CO2 emissions and waste throughout the supply chain. The impact of that harm is ultimately determined by the number of coats needed for a job. To control the number of paint coats is to control costs both economically and environmentally. In other words, we need control over TiO2 instead of it controlling us.

In 2017, chemists at AkzoNobel demonstrated our TiO2 dependency by replacing it with zinc, which is considered the next best material option to replicate TiO2’s unique benefits. The resulting product required many more coats than the global average of 2.5 per job.

Clearly, zinc was not a viable replacement option.

As it stands, painters, like all other stakeholders in the coatings industry, are seemingly held hostage by the need for TiO2 while at the same time being challenged by consumers, environmental agencies and even TiO2 producers to be more sustainable and use less material and therefore less TiO2 . But how can we hedge against something used so heavily and without substitute? Is it possible to reduce our reliance on this ingredient while improving performance?

A more recent and promising approach to tackling the TiO2 challenge is a novel system coined Self-Build Technology. Relying on what’s called a ‘mechanism of action,’ the technology causes paint molecules to compound onto themselves in real time like magnets during standard painting application. This yields results equivalent to film build of multiple coats without the need of a primer or a second coat. With opacity 2.5–3x that of traditional formulas, one gallon of coating using this technology cuts volume of paint need on any job by 50–75%, all while using 66% less TiO2 . In turn, this reduces CO2 emissions and supply chain waste to the minimum.* As for practical application, this technology has been implemented in seven architectural products and has been in a limited testing phase throughout North America and internationally over the last few years. Again, it looks like a very promising for pros—and the planet.

As painters, we need a more responsible approach to business and the environment, but today’s standards keep us beholden to TiO2 . If used responsibly, however, and optimized to its maximum potential, we can limit its harm and reconcile its use through real control of our environmental footprint without compromising growth to our bottom line. *While the technology reduces TiO2 use to its minimum, it’s by controlling this single material that we control the reduction of all the other materials: resin, additives, fillers, gallon cans, pails, etc. We don’t think of that immediately, but that’s the power of this particular control. This actually does reduce chain waste to the absolute minimum possible.

Mi-T-M Equipment Built for Paint Pros Paint pros rely on equipment to get jobs and projects done quickly and efficiently. The Mi-T-M Team knows the importance of having the right equipment and that’s why all Mi-T-M equipment is built to last and comes with exceptional sales and technical support. “Customer support is one of the most important aspects of our company,” states Chris Oberender, Mi-T-M Paint Division Manager. “Our customers deserve the best support when they buy from Mi-T-M. It’s what we’re known for.”

M

i-T-M manufactures many models of cold water pressure washers designed specifically for the paint industry. These units feature quality components and heavy duty pumps, giving paint pros more working hours for pressure washing and surface prep. Popular in the paint industry, the Mi-T-M CA Aluminum Series pressure washers are built with longevity in mind.

Easy to move from one job to the next, these portable cold water pressure washers range from 2400 to 4000 PSI and can be used up to 30 hours per week.

They are ideal for cleaning, removing peeling paint and coatings and prepping surfaces.

ADVERTORIAL

Mi-T-M has worked side-by-side with painting professionals for several decades, “They have been the reason this division of our business has been so successful,” says Oberender. “Working directly with this group of pros has allowed us to grow and develop the tools to help them do their jobs as efficiently as possible.”

Many programs and tools have been specifically developed for this division, such as online product redemption offers, extended warranties, dedicated sales support representatives and a national service center listing. Mi-T-M also has how-to videos and a variety of pressure washer accessories including rotating nozzles, extension wands and surface cleaners available to make paint pro jobs easier.

Mi-T-M has been building high quality equipment since 1971. From the very first pressure washer to today, where over 400 dedicated employees fabricate, assemble, test and ship hundreds of different models of industrial equipment, quality is never compromised. Mi-T-M is an employee owned company committed to manufacturing equipment that is built to perform and built to last.

For more information, visit MiTM.com or call (800) 553-9053.

Winter 2023/2024 | inPAINT

17

Two pros talk

COMMERCIAL WORK Commercial paint jobs come in all shapes and sizes and, as it turns out, so do the approaches for bidding the work.

For this installment of Two Pros, we spoke with Maggie Kuyper of Harpeth Painting and Frank Miles of Blair Commercial Painting, who kindly shared their processes

The owner of Blair Commercial Painting in Waukesha, WI, Frank

and considerations for courting and bidding commercial

sales rep for Sherwin-Williams for a decade. He then parlayed

Miles got his start in painting serving as a consumer products

jobs. We’re grateful to them both for giving us a peek

that sales experience into a tech sales role, but five years into

behind the curtain and for offering some thoughts and

searching for profitable companies with room for growth,

takeaways on the other’s efforts.

that job, he found he had an itch to be an entrepreneur. After he acquired Blair Painting in 2016. By his own admission, he could have benefited from more than the 80 hours of training provided by the previous owner. Nonetheless, he’s managed to transition the company, now called Blair Commercial Painting, from a base of 80% new construction/20% commercial repaints to a more profitable 50/50 mix of commercial repaints and industrial new construction with an average job size of $16,000.

Blair Commercial Painting’s approach to bidding commercial work

F Images This Page Courtesy of Blair Commercial Painting 18

inPAINT | Winter 2023/2024

or Frank Miles, part of the appeal of acquiring Blair Painting was the strong, established relationships with two local GCs who supplied the bulk of the company’s business. For two years, he relied almost exclusively on them for enough work to keep his team of four painters busy. “Once I got my feet under me and did some analysis,” recalls Miles, “I realized that new construction, hospitality and retail repaints were not nearly as

“I think [our PaintScout proposal] really separates us

from a lot of other companies. It looks professional and I can tell that GCs who don’t know us really appreciate the introduction it provides …”

—FRANK MILES, BLAIR COMMERCIAL PAINTING

profitable as commercial repaints, specifically industrial park repaints.

Once I figured that out, I shifted our focus and we’ve been growing that niche ever since.”

The key to landing consistent GC work is building strong relationships with the GC. Miles says he’s managed to cultivate good working relationships with two additional GCs—for a total of four—and is actively pursuing a fifth. Miles adds, he’ll keep at it as those relationships and familiarity are important to getting invited to bid jobs and to pricing jobs correctly. He notes that when considering GCs, it’s important to be selective to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship. Toward that end, he says, “We’re looking at local GCs that match our ideal project profile.”

“In most cases, we know the GC estimator from whom we receive invitations to bid,” he says. “Our first step is always to acknowledge receipt of the invitation. The next is to figure out who from our team is going to go on the job walk—even for new builds.” In 90% of bids, he notes, one of the company’s three estimators (including Miles) attend. “Whoever it is, we try to be one of the last ones onsite after the job walk to help strengthen our relationship with their estimator and project manager.”

Miles says turnaround for bids usually runs a week to 10 days.

Somewhere in that window, his team always tries to reach out with one follow-up question just to stay top of mind and connected to the estimator. Then, he says, “We use a combination of spreadsheets, the STACK takeoff platform, and PaintScout software to build our bids. The spreadsheets are actually from an original PDCA—now PCA—class. We’ve obviously updated them many times over, but the structure works for us. We use STACK for our takeoffs (estimating how much material we’ll need for the job) and rely on lineal feet, square feet, and production rates to get an accurate bid. We then upload that info into PaintScout—another takeoff platform but with a proposal capability that we like—to create a great-looking web proposal. It not only provides the requested info but allows us to highlight our company, show photos of past work, share important documents, such as W9s, and even testimonials.”

While creating the PaintScout proposal is more effort and a bit above and beyond what’s requested, Miles feels it’s important. He says, “I think it really separates us from a lot of other companies. It looks professional and I can tell that GCs who don’t know us really appreciate the introduction it provides, and even GCs we’ve worked with before value how much more comprehensive it is than a straight takeoff.”

All bids are submitted electronically and Miles notes that the submitting estimator always follows up to confirm receipt the next day and ask if there are any questions or concerns. “Then,” he says, “we typically do a follow-up a week later, and if nothing’s moved, we’ll follow up again in 30 days or so.”

Harpeth Painting manages a 50/50 mix of commercial repaints and industrial new construction with an average job size of $16,000.

In 2017, Maggie Kuyper and her husband Matt took what’s probably best described as giant step, versus a leap, of faith and started Harpeth Painting in Nashville, TN. As it turned out, Matt brought 10+ years of experience in and knowledge of commercial construction, plus an outstanding reputation, to the venture.

While their initial aim was to focus on commercial work, they began with a hybrid model of commercial and residential, as the latter provided the cashflow necessary to cover the bills and payroll. Nearly seven years later, they’ve opted to remain a 50/50 operation, finding the mix allows them to effectively manage their rather explosive growth and crew of 65–70 painters.

Harpeth Painting’s approach to bidding commercial work

A

s owner of Harpeth Painting, Maggie Kuyper cites the relationships she enjoys with her commercial clients as one of the best parts of the job. “Honestly, some of our best friends started as clients,” she says. “Success in the commercial world is very much built on relationships. We work directly with GCs on projects ranging from tenant improvement, hospitality and light industrial to warehouses, restaurants and high-rises. Plus, we pick up a little educational and health care work now and then.”

But, as Kuyper notes, there’s more to it than just casually knowing someone. “Some courtships last three to six months and some may take a year and a half,” she says. “There’s an art and science to the courtship. Not only do you have to show who you are and demonstrate the depth of your knowledge and skills, you also have figure out the client. That is, some want to be wined and dined and others are all business. That is, they want to know that you’ll deliver the requested paperwork on time and do what you promise. I like to say we’re good at reading the room and figuring out what each client expects and needs. It’s not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing.”

Winter 2023/2024 | inPAINT

19

Points & counterpoints on bidding commercial work w

In compiling this article, we shared each pro’s approach to bidding with the other and invited them to comment on what they appreciated about the other’s effort. Here’s what they had to say:

Frank on Maggie’s approach:

Maggie Kuyper of Harpeth Painting says that understanding the logistics of a job are key to determining if it's a fit and, if so, bidding it successfully.

That understanding of individual clients plays a part in how Harpeth bids are built. For example, Kuyper says, “Because we know the GC, we’re able to find out who’s on the project team. If we know there’s a good superintendent on the job, we can adjust our production numbers based on how we know they run their sequencing.”

There are other details the Harpeth team pays attention to early in the bidding process, including logistics, such as how far away the parking is, what’s the job access during evening and weekends, is the schedule created, as well as how often are safety and production meetings held and how long do they run. These things can all impact labor costs and need to be considered.

Kuyper says before reaching final form, most bids go through two to three iterations based on conversations and questions that emerge throughout the process. In some cases, the discovery leads the company to opt out of bidding. “Sometimes the bidding process itself is the red flag. If it’s needlessly complicated or the work isn’t broken into cycles, that’s often a sign it’s not for us. In other cases, the job is simply too big for us to bond, or the schedule doesn’t align with other work we have going on. But even if choose not to bid,” she adds, “we use the opportunity to establish a relationship for the future.

GCs respect companies that don’t take on what they can’t handle.”

For jobs the company does choose to pursue, Kuyper says they used to rely on On-Screen Takeoff software to build out proposals, but now use the STACK takeoff platform. An interesting twist the company recently brought to the bid-building process is the use of offshore services.

“We’re now using offshore services to help with estimating,” she says. “When it was first suggested we try a particular estimator, we weren’t so sure it would work. But then we sent him a couple of bids and built our own version so we could do a side-by-side comparison.

Turns out they were very close. What’s nice is that he also uses STACK and he’s actually much faster and more detailed than our team. He’s now our go-to for larger project bids.”

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inPAINT | Winter 2023/2024

I see a lot of similarities in thinking and approach, most notably, the importance of building lasting relationships with GCs. I completely agree that knowing the details about the make-up of the GC for any project is a great indicator of how a job is going to go before it starts. I’d add that knowing what other trade teams will also be on the job can deepen that understanding and should factor into bidding. I’m intrigued by their growing use of offshore resources. We’ve actually used the services of an offshore resource and a Midwest company for help with takeoffs on larger projects. Our reliance isn’t as heavy as theirs sounds—definitely not weekly—but we do have a budget line for it. Lastly, I am super impressed with the growth they have had since they launched in 2017. Our companies are similar in age, but their growth well exceeds ours. I appreciate the insight into how they’ve managed some of that.

Maggie on Frank’s approach: My takeaway is that they have a great standard operating procedure that is well thought out and suited to the clients they are focused on for business. If I were going to suggest anything, I’d encourage Frank to also pursue who is on the GC’s project management team and connect with that person as well. Taking the relationship-building effort deep and wide puts you on more people’s radar and can be very beneficial to the bidding process.

“If you’re within 5% of the competition, it really comes

down to the relationship you do or don’t have and how well you’ve performed on other jobs …”

— MAGGIE KUYPER, HARPETH PAINTING

All final bids are submitted electronically using the STACK format and, in most cases, lead to questions from the GC. “We use that conversation to not only answer any questions, but to get a sense of when we should reach out again. We really go with a gut feel regarding any follow up.”

Kuyper adds, “So much of bidding is done electronically and is dictated by the scope and plans. It’s pretty apples to apples. If you’re within 5% of the competition, it really comes down to the relationship you do or don’t have and how well you’ve performed on other jobs … did you do all the safety stuff, did you hand in your billing on time and completely, etc. In a lot of cases, they just want to get you to the price so they can accept the bid because you can be trusted.” n

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Booking profitable repaints year-round The ins and outs of epoxy floors

THE ARGUMENT FOR TAPING How advanced adhesive technologies have made painter’s tape an essential jobsite tool

BY PATTI LAPORTE

F

All Images Courtesy of Shurtape Technologies

or every painting business,

with their ability to consistently deliver crisp

effective management of time,

lines and eliminate the need for time-consuming

money and personnel is essential

touch-ups after the fact. Painter’s tapes

for long-term growth and

engineered with new adhesive and sealant

success. Seasoned contractors

technologies are becoming indispensable tools

are always looking for ways

for achieving quality and efficiency, especially for

to add efficiency without compromising

detailed work like kitchen or bathroom cabinetry,

workmanship, and one related practice they

which receives intense scrutiny from customers.

have long argued over is taping.

To tape or not to tape is an age-old debate.

Some experienced painters swear by the freehand

by equipping them with tools that can help them

method for clean lines, but that choice is often

produce more professional-looking results right

based on experiences with inferior tapes or tapes

from the start.

that were used incorrectly, resulting in wasted time and/or disappointing results.

Today, a new generation of professional-grade painter’s tapes has raised the bar on taping results 22

These tapes are also helping contractors make better use of inexperienced apprentices

inPAINT | Winter 2023/2024

For painting contractors who avoid taping, or only tape in high-stakes situations, this is a good time to take a fresh look at today’s painter’s tape technologies.

“You can throw more man hours at a problem or more technology … I choose to use tape as a tool to help solve problems.”

–JOE HIERA, PAPA JOE PAINT CO.

“I’m really a stickler for sharp lines ... so we use a lot of tape. Ultimately, taping saves us time because when we pull it up, the line is sharp.”

PROS ON WHY THEY CHOOSE TO TAPE Professional painters rely on painter’s tapes for creating clean, sharp paint lines between two areas, such as a wall and a baseboard; protecting surrounding surfaces and architectural features from brushing, rolling or overspray; and moving faster through the painting process by not needing to go back for touch-ups.

We asked three pros why they consider taping an essential step in the prep process. Here's what they said.

Salomon Velazquez, Purpose Painting,

▲

SALOMON VELAZQUEZ, PURPOSE PAINTING

Vero Beach, FL

Velazquez and his crew primarily serve high-end residential customers, so sharp lines are a must for his reputation, but speed is essential to his margins.

“When I started painting, I didn’t have a lot of experience or a steady hand, and I discovered I was a lot faster at taping than I was at cutting in,” says Velazquez. “I’m really a stickler for sharp lines, whether it’s interior or exterior, so we use a lot of tape. Ultimately, taping saves us time because when we pull it up, the line is sharp.”

Steve Lockwood, Lockwood Finishes, Springfield, IL

For Lockwood, the choice to use tape is primarily about cleanliness and protection.

Lockwood and his team most commonly apply painter’s tape to surfaces like baseboards, window trim, ceilings, floors, counters and wallpaper. They also use tape to connect paper or poly sheeting to cover larger areas like windows and doors, and for exteriors, where it can be applied to a variety of surfaces, like brick, stone, concrete or siding.

“We tape primarily to keep horizontal surfaces clean from debris and spatter,” says Lockwood. “It’s all about cleanliness.”

Joe Hiera, Papa Joe Paint Co., St. Louis, MO

Hiera appreciates the efficiency that taping brings to exterior work.

“Before, when I wanted to mask a roof or concrete, I had to lay down duct tape, then mask,” says Joe Hiera.

“With the high-bond adhesive technology used in some of today’s exterior tapes, I can now mask directly, completely cutting out an entire step.”

“You can throw more man hours at a problem or more technology,” Hiera continues. “I choose to use tape as a tool to help solve problems.”

A TOOL WITH VERSATILITY Skilled painters like Velazquez, Lockwood and Hiera have their individual reasons for making tape a critical part of their operations. But if you’re still in doubt, just consider all the benefits tape delivers: Creates clean, precise lines. This is the primary purpose of any high-quality, edge-treated tape. Many painters use tape as an insurance policy against inconsistent freehand lines.

Prevents overlap. Taping keeps paint colors and textures from being altered by the overlapping of paints, which can easily happen with freehand paint application. Tape creates a physical barrier between two different paint colors, finishes or textures and prevents them from mixing.

Saves time by avoiding mistakes. Many painters think they have steady hands, but there’s really only one way to ensure a straight, clean line, and that’s by taping. Yes, it takes some time to tape, but it takes even more time to return to a job after it’s finished to do touch-ups.

Protects tools and equipment. A customer’s surfaces and belongings aren’t the only things that need protection during a painting project. Contractors often cover their own tools and equipment using painter’s tape and sheeting to protect them and keep the worksite clean.

Gets new hires to work more quickly. The ability to create high-quality, professional-looking results comes with practice and experience—two things new painters don’t have. Tape can help level the skills gap between pros and novices to produce consistent quality between crew members. While taping requires some training, once the basic principles are understood, a new painter can typically get straight to work with less risk of making mistakes.

These are the kinds of advantages all professional painters can appreciate, especially those who are trying to grow their businesses and quickly get new apprentices up to speed.

Winter 2023/2024 | inPAINT

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Putting the tape debate to rest Among professional painters, you can’t make an argument in defense of taping without first addressing some of the old elephants in the room. To get straight to the heart of the debate, these are some of the most common complaints about taping, along with the modern solutions that make these complaints a thing of the past.

Yesterday’s challenge: Taping takes too

Yesterday’s challenge: Paint bleeds

Yesterday’s challenge: Painter’s tape

much time, and the results are unpredictable.

underneath the masking tape.

tears or pulls up paint when removed.

Today’s solution: New sealant and

Today’s solution: Newly engineered

Today’s solution: Today’s painter’s tapes

adhesive formulas for interior and exterior

painter’s tapes have officially put an end to

are much more specialized and include

painter’s tapes offer specialized solutions

pesky paint bleeding when used correctly.

options for different types of tasks, such

for different painting and taping conditions

For interior taping, painter’s tapes that

as painting delicate surfaces or sticking

and deliver dependable results when the

feature paint-bleed protection technology

to self-cleaning paints. When the right

right tape is matched to the task.

work with the paint chemistry to lock

tape is used according to the instructions,

out paint bleed. For exterior work, high-

tearing and pulling up paint are no longer

adhesion tapes provide the bond necessary

a problem.

for rough, irregular surfaces and selfcleaning paints.

NEW TOOLS OF THE TRADE Just like there are many types of paint, there are also many types of painter’s tapes to address the needs of different tasks and surfaces. Newly engineered adhesives and sealants have fine-tuned tape performance for different applications, so painters can choose the formula that is best suited to their project’s needs.Here’s a quick look at three specialized painter’s tapes, what makes them unique, and where to use them: Delicate-surface tapes

These light-adhesion tapes are for interior use on finished wood, fresh paint that is dry to the touch, coated wallpaper, veneer, laminate, vinyl and primed drywall. They gently adhere to delicate surfaces and can remove cleanly for up to 60 days. Tapes that include paint-bleed-protection technology prevent paint from seeping in under the tape. This technology is key to delivering dependably clean lines on delicate, detailed surfaces.

Multi-surface tapes

PATTI LAPORTE is the director of product marketing at Shurtape Technologies and is responsible for leading the product development and marketing of the masking and paper tapes category for both the Industrial and Consumer & Craftsman groups. Shurtape.com

24

inPAINT | Winter 2023/2024

Premium-grade multi-surface tapes are formulated for interior use to mask carpet, cured painted walls, glass, metal, stone and unfinished wood. Enhanced adhesion makes these tapes quite versatile. Tapes that feature paint-bleed-protection technology make creating sharp, professional lines a snap, and they typically remove cleanly for up to 21 days.

High-bond tapes

The instant tack of a high-quality exterior, highbond painter’s tape makes it ideal for both smooth and rough surfaces like painted wood, vinyl, aluminum, steel, brick and concrete.

Enhanced adhesion eliminates paint bleed, and the tape removes cleanly for up to three days.

Conformability is also a plus when masking around features like windows and doors.

Newly engineered adhesives and sealants have fine-tuned tape performance for different applications, so painters can choose the formula that is best suited to their project’s needs.

MAYBE IT’S TIME TO RECONSIDER TAPING Residential and commercial painting are highly competitive businesses where consistently delivering professional results is critical for continued success.

Under pressure to remain competitive, painters are always looking for new tools to help keep projects on schedule and on budget without sacrificing quality workmanship.

Newly engineered painter’s tapes make a strong argument for taping, so painters who have previously passed on taping may want to consider giving it a fresh look. By staying informed about industry advances and challenging old perceptions, contractors can choose the best tools for the job and that help them deliver the quality of work their customers desire. n

PRO PICKS 4 Pros tell us which interior coatings they like and why Wintertime is interior painting season for most pros around the country.

That’s why it’s a great time to check in with some of them to see which interior coatings help their work rise above the competition. In this issue, four pros weighed in on which interior products they prefer and why.

Some stuck to a few tried-and-true coatings while others appeared more willing to test new ones and offer their customers a wide range of options. Here’s what our pros had to say.

BY BRIAN SODOMA

26

inPAINT | Winter 2023/2024

1 NICK KELLEY

This MI-based pro has been in business for about 12 years and employs 10 painters. Residential repaints make up about 90% of his interior work.

He also specializes in cabinet refinishing. With manufacturers always looking to improve formulas, Kelley isn’t afraid to test different paints. However, his favorite ‘bang-for-the-buck’ option is SherwinWilliams Cashmere Interior Acrylic Latex Paint, in eggshell.

“It’s hands down the best product for the money,” he says. “I like how when you roll it on the wall, it’s self-leveling and there’s no stipple (roller marks); it spreads out smoothly and has good washability.”

He also turns to the manufacturer’s Duration Home Interior Acrylic Latex Paint and Emerald Interior Acrylic Latex Paint, both in matte, as his premium options. He specifically likes Duration’s moisture-barrier technology for homes with lots of traffic, and its durability naturally gives the product a small amount of sheen, which is enough for him to be careful with using it in rooms with large windows. Emerald is his ultra-premium offering, a great option, just at a higher price tag that not all customers are willing to pay, he says.

He uses Duration in bathrooms but prefers Benjamin Moore Aura Bath & Spa Paint in matte. “Both Duration and Aura clean well and even with direct water hitting them, they really hold up,” he adds.

In kitchens, if the homeowner cooks a lot, he opts for Duration in matte or satin. For baseboards, trim and doors, he likes Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel in satin. But if he needs to spray trim, he prefers Benjamin Moore Corotech Command Enamel in satin, because “it’s easier to work with and dries really fast.”

For ceilings, he offers customers either Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint Interior Acrylic Latex Paint in flat or Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec 500 Paint in flat. Kelley likes how well both products cover and cut down on production time.

OUR PROS

1

NICK KELLEY Elite Paint Home Renovations ElitePaintCompany.com

2

2

3

RYAN PERRY Rogue Painting & Refinishing RPerryPainting.com

RYAN PERRY

After two decades working in a variety of trades, including painting, Perry decided to take the plunge and start his own painting company in 2015 in New York, then moved the business to Florida in 2019. Today, the pro focuses on high-end residential repaints. Interiors and cabinet work are his specialties.

As a general rule, he prefers to suggest a matte finish for living area walls because today’s formulations offer durability and scrubbability with low shine. But oftentimes, customers insist on a flat paint. In these situations, he offers SherwinWilliams Duration Home Interior Acrylic Latex Paint and the their Emerald Interior Acrylic Latex Paint. He also likes the quality of Benjamin Moore Aura Interior Paint and their Regal Select Interior Paint for flat-sheen requests. “These are all high-performance flats I’ve stuck with for a long time,” he says.

For those who do want a more scrubbable and durable matte finish, he suggests Duration or Regal Select. For bathrooms, he likes Benjamin Moore Aura Bath & Spa Paint or their Duration, both in matte. For doors and trim, he prefers SherwinWilliams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel in semi-gloss. He also recently started using Benjamin Moore Corotech Command Enamel in satin if the customer wants a trim sheen that’s flatter than the Emerald semi-gloss.

For ceiling paint, if the walls are white, he likes Sherwin-Williams ProMar 200 Zero VOC Interior Latex Paint. If there’s a drastic color difference between the wall and ceiling, he uses their SuperPaint Interior Acrylic Latex Paint in flat to help the wall color stand out better. For “a little better hide and coverage,” he suggests Benjamin Moore Waterborne Ceiling Paint in ultra flat. “I do believe that is the best ceiling paint available, but price-point wise, a lot of customers don’t want to budget much for ceilings,” he notes. “I like to lay out different options for them. I don’t like going less (in quality) than Duration on the walls, but for the ceiling, there’s a little more flexibility.”

MICHELLE DAMBROWITZ Home & Harmony HomeAndHarmonyLLC.com

4

CALEB GINOS Oceanside Painting & Pressure Washing OceansidePPW.com

“[Sherwin-Williams Cashmere Interior Acrylic Latex Paint is] hands down the best product for the money. I like how when you roll it on the wall, it’s self-leveling and there’s no stipple (roller marks); it spreads out smoothly and has good washability.”

–NICK KELLEY, ELITE PAINT HOME RENOVATIONS

At Mi-T-M, we pride ourselves on building mighty, damn good equipment. It’s what sets us apart from our competition. When you purchase equipment with the Mi-T-M name on it, you are buying dependable equipment that is designed, built, and tested by good people. Mighty. Damn. Good.

Made in

USA

with Globally Sourced Components

▲

www.mitm.com | 800-553-9053 The Elite Paint Home Renovations team gave this ceiling a bold new look using Sherwin-Williams Cashmere Interior Acrylic Latex Paint in eggshell.

Air Compressors | Air Compressor/Generator Combinations Air Compressor/Generator/Welder Combinations | Portable Generators Cold and Hot Water Pressure Washers | Jobsite Boxes | Portable Heaters Wet/Dry Vacuums | Water Pumps | Water Treatment Systems Winter 2023/2024 | inPAINT

27

3 MICHELLE DAMBROWITZ

This KY-based pro grew up learning many trades with her father, who was a general contractor, and enjoyed painting from a young age. So nearly five years ago, after a career in social services and as a psychology assistant, she decided to pursue painting as a fulltime profession. Her company primarily focuses on interior home repaints and cabinet work, and she now has four painters on her team. Her go-to manufacturer is Benjamin Moore.

For most interior areas, her workhorse coating is Benjamin Moore Regal Select Interior Paint in matte or eggshell. “I love the consistency of it; it goes on like butter and has amazing coverage, durability and washability. It feels almost kind of velvety to the touch once it’s on the walls,” she explains.

Her favorite coating for bathrooms is the manufacturer’s Aura Bath & Spa Paint. “It’s mildew resistant and keeps surfactants at bay, and it gives a beautiful finish that can withstand a lot of moisture,” she adds.

For budget-conscious customers, she offers the manufacturer’s ben Interior Paint in eggshell for wet areas, and matte throughout the rest of the home. For areas that may see a lot of wear and tear from children and pets, she suggests their Scuff-X Interior Latex Paint in eggshell. Dambrowitz also relies on their Ultra Spec 500 Paint in flat for ceilings, and loves the ‘candy-coated finish’ of their ADVANCE Interior Paint for trim and doors.

“I love the consistency of [Benjamin Moore Regal Select Interior Paint]; it goes on like butter and has amazing coverage, durability and washability.”

–MICHELLE DAMBROWITZ, HOME & HARMONY

For this great room, Home & Harmony used Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec 500 Paint in flat for the ceiling, the company’s Regal Select Paint in matte for the walls, and their ADVANCE Paint in semi-gloss for the trim.

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inPAINT | Winter 2023/2024

Sherwin-Williams Emerald Interior Acrylic Latex with a matte finish was Elite Paint Home choice for creating this dramatic dining room.

4 CALEB GINOS

After painting part-time for years, this young NC-based pro started Oceanside Painting & Pressure Washing in 2022 with his brother. Focusing on residential repaints, business has boomed and they now have six painters working for them.

Ginos appreciates the service he gets from his Sherwin-Williams rep, which has kept him loyal to the brand. On interiors, he keeps his product choices simple with Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint Interior Acrylic Latex Paint and their Duration Home Interior Acrylic Latex Paint. He presents them as his ‘better’ and ‘best’ options for customers, and loves the consistent quality he gets from both coatings.

“SuperPaint holds up well. A lot of our residential customers are families, and their big concern is the flat builder-grade paint on the walls. They like SuperPaint’s durability and it’s a good mid-priced product,” Ginos says. “If they want even more durability, that’s when I’ll recommend Duration.”

When bidding jobs, Ginos focuses more on helping the customer select the right sheen for the situation. In living rooms, hallways and bedrooms he opts for satin or eggshell. For busy families, he suggests satin for extra protection without too much shine. In bathrooms and other wet areas, he prefers Duration in eggshell or satin. For accent walls and trim, regardless of which product he uses, he likes to shift to a velvet sheen for more ‘pop.’ In kitchens, he actually doesn’t like anything glossier than an eggshell to help the shine of the cabinets stand out more. n

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PROJECT SNAPSHOTS

PROJECT No.

RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR REPAINT

1

Location: Timonium, MD Paint contractor: Melissa Caperton and Jen Frey, co-owners MJ Painting & Design MJPaintingandDesignMD.com Time frame: 1 week Crew size: 2 people Equipment used: ■ Extension ladder ■ Baker scaffolding Challenges: ■ Repairing settled carpentry on coffers on the ceiling and columns ■ Covering the existing color with Benjamin Moore Base 1, which requires three coats for significant pigment buildup

Pro project comment: “Using Farrow & Ball’s color ‘Pointing’ to lighten the great room walls modernized the already beautiful space and allowed the client’s art and stonework to take center stage. We painted all the other common spaces in the home, including the kitchen, den, game room, dining room, three hallways, four stairwells, and the 2-story foyer in Pointing as well, which created a great flow throughout the home.” —JEN FREY BENJAMIN MOORE COATINGS: Walls and Ceiling: FRESH START High-Hiding All Purpose Primer

30

inPAINT | Winter 2023/2024

Regal Select Interior Paint (flat) in:

Farrow & Ball

Pointing No. 2003

Trim: ULTRA SPEC 500 Interior Paint (semi-gloss) in:

Benjamin Moore

White Dove OC-17

PROJECT

2

No.

HOLLYWOOD SIGN

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COATINGS AND COLORS:

Location: Los Angeles, CA Paint contractor: Chris Duggan Duggan and Associates DugganLA.com Time frame: 4 weeks Crew size: 10 people

The Letters: Pro Industrial Pro-Cryl Universal Acrylic Primer Macropoxy 646-100 Emerald Rain Refresh Exterior Paint (flat) in:

Equipment used: ■ Sprayers ■ Brushes ■ Pressure washer ■ Ladders ■ Scaffolding Challenges: The sign previously had an elastomeric coating that was not suited for the corrugated metal surface of the letters. This caused delamination and bubbling when the elastomeric didn’t adhere to the old coating. To address this, the 45�-high letters were stripped down to bare metal using a 100% biodegradable Peel Away paint remover, then they were pressure washed and primed with a water-based primer engineered for use on surfaces where rust and corrosion resistance are critical. An epoxy was also used on isolated areas for additional corrosion protection.

Sherwin-Williams

Extra White SW 7006

Pro product comment: “Emerald Rain Refresh was chosen because it is an ultra-durable coating with self-cleaning technology and provides excellent UV and weather protection. This exterior acrylic latex paint is formulated so that any dirt washes away upon contact with rain or water for a clean and fresh look with minimal maintenance.”

Winter 2023/2024 | inPAINT

31

What’s in today’s professional toolbox?

3M™ High Strength Color Changing Hole Repair Eliminate the guesswork and reduce the chance of errors. 3M™ High Strength Color Changing Hole Repair goes on blue and dries white, helping identify when a repaired surface is dry and ready to be sanded and painted. Its ready-to-use formula dries quickly and provides professional-looking repairs.

3M.com/wallrepair

Purdy® 18" Fixed Frame Purdy® Revolution™ 18" Fixed Roller Frame makes it easy to get rolling fast. The strong metal frame holds the roller cover in place for great coverage and smooth release of paint. Ideal for large-scale projects, the frame allows you to apply even pressure without wiggle for a perfect finish. Purdy Revolution 18" Fixed Frame is easy to load, use and clean, making it the perfect choice for increasing jobsite productivity.

Purdy.com

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

32

inPAINT | Winter 2023/2024

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

UPCOMING EVENTS

2 5

ADVERTISER INDEX

4 8

1

What, Where & When 7

3 6

JA NUARY 2024 1

25–27: Painting Profits Summit, Chattanooga, TN paintersacademy.com/summit

2

27 & 28: 2024 Build & Remodel Expo, Madison, WI buildremodelexpo.com

MARCH 5

6

13–15: Associated Builders and Contractors Convention, Kissimmee, FL abcconvention.abc.org

7

19–22: AGC 2023 Annual Convention, San Diego, CA convention.agc.org

8

26–28: National Hardware Show, Las Vegas, NV nationalhardwareshow.com

F E BR UARY 3

Feb 26–Mar 1: PCA EXPO, Orlando, FL pcapainted.org/expo

4

27–29: NAHB International Builders’ Show, Las Vegas, NV buildersshow.com

10–12: Construction Management Association of America Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA cmaanet.org/conferences

3M Pages 11, 12, 13 & 32 3M.com FrogTape Page 2 FrogTape.com Graco Back Cover Graco.com Habitat for Humanity Page 3 Habitat.org Mi-T-M Page 27 MiTM.com National Hardware Show Page 25 NationalHardwareShow.com NatioPNational Purdy Page 32 Purdy.com Tower Sealants Page 6 TowerSealants.com

Winter 2023/2024 | inPAINT

33

BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGY, DESIGNED TO DELIVER HIGHER QUALITY RESULTS

FASTER!

Ultra

®

™

PATENT PENDING

REVOLUTIONIZE THE WAY YOU COMPLETE

ALL SMALL JOBS The next generation small application airless sprayer — designed to deliver higher quality results faster and easier with water-based, solvent and flammable architectural coatings.

BREAKTHROUGH ELECTRIC POWERED AIRLESS GUN ON DEMAND PRESSURE & FLOW CONTROL AT THE GUN ULTIMATE HANDS-FREE PORTABILITY

Part # 20B473

– SET UP

– APPLICATION SPEED

– REFILLS / COLOR CHANGE

– CLEAN UP

SCAN TO SEE ALL OF GRACO’S 2023 NEW PRODUCTS

MADE IN THE USA WITH GLOBAL COMPONENTS ©2019 Graco Inc. 344773C 3/20 Printed in U.S.A. Product covered by issued and pending patents, see graco.com/patents.

graco.com/EndUserHub ©2023 Graco Inc. 3J0489A 3/23 Product covered by issued and pending patents, see graco.com/patents. DEWALT® and the DEWALT Logo are trademarks of DEWALT Industrial Tool Co. and are used under license. With respect to 20V MAX, maximum initial battery voltage (measured without workload), is 20 volts. Nominal is 18 volts.