What I’ve Learned As A Professional Painter

10 Jul What I’ve Learned As A Professional Painter

I’ve dedicated my life to being a true craftsman in house painting and restoration. Along the way, I’ve learned much about myself and the profession. It’s worth sharing, as much of what’s written here can impact your home if and when we get to work together.Firstly, I’ve learned that there are many different ways to complete a job. Some jobs might require more masking than others, and I prefer to cut in more on some jobs. There are also different “styles” in physically applying paint to a surface. However, some bad techniques are a leading cause of work that doesn’t last (or just plain looks poor from the start). One such technique is using the wrong product for the surface.

Here’s an example…stucco is a masonry substrate. Amateur painters will use standard latex-based house paint. You need a high-building product designed to flex with the vast temperature swings in the Kansas City Metro. This helps to bridge spider-crack gaps.  Masonry is a porous substrate; you need a coating that will breathe to allow just a tiny amount of moisture to pass through it. If not, hydrostatic pressure builds up and causes paint failure.  In layperson’s terms, the paint cracks or peels off. Luckily, I learned this lesson very early in my career. The same goes for metal surfaces. DTM (direct-to-metal) paint is made just for this surface. Long story short, I’ve learned that suitable materials and techniques matter for long-lasting, quality paint jobs.

Along with knowing the materials comes applying them correctly. I learned to befriend applicators and spray equipment, treating them like the valuable assets that they really are. I’ve also learned to embrace the intricacies of different-sized roller naps: smaller naps for smoother surfaces and more extensive naps for rougher surfaces. I could write an entire piece on the importance of a good background, too!

Another important lesson I’ve learned is to attack each home with a unique plan. Every job is unique and requires unique preparation. I make sure to work in a manner where the paint can dry evenly and uniformly. I keep a wet edge. Dealing with drywall, for example, requires a different approach than dealing with wood.

Most importantly, though, I’ve learned that If you want the title of “Professional Painter,” you have to act accordingly.  Say what you’ll do, then do what you say.  When we tell a customer two coats are coming –  we give them a full two coats. When we set an appointment, we show up on time and prepared.  You would think this is common practice, but I always hear complaints about other contractors from our customers! Professionalism requires treating each day with passion and commitment. All of our employees are professional painters here at Neighborhood Painting Inc. We strive to be the best in all aspects of our business, from deck staining to fixing and replacing siding and all things associated with painting. And the reviews we get reflect that. Here’s the latest testimonial for some of our work, straight from Angie’s List:

“After reviewing numerous exterior paint companies on Angie’s List, we narrowed it down to four to contact for a bid. We contacted all four by email. Ryan Toelkes, owner of Neighborhood Painting, Inc., was the first to respond to us, calling just a few hours after I sent the email. His attention to prompt and professional service didn’t stop there. An appointment was set for the same week to discuss our needs and desires and how he does business at Neighborhood. We loved that his carpenters and painters are all employees of Neighborhood, not individuals hired to help complete a “job.” His prep crew, carpenters, who took care of our wood rot issues on the house and the garage, did so with speed, professionalism, and expertise. They knew what they were doing! The wood rot crew, led by Kevin, was delightful. Courteous, punctual every day, and extremely knowledgeable about their craft! A couple of weeks later, due to prep cure time and a delay because of weather, the paint crew arrived. Talk about working hard…they didn’t stop, working every day they were here (even a weekend) from 6:30 am to 5:00 pm…this crew, led by Justin, was amazing. They sprayed, rolled/brushed, and then came back at the end of the job and touched up the entire house and garage again with a brush! During the prep and the paint phases, Ryan came by at least twice daily to review the project. I can’t express how impressed we are with Neighborhood, Ryan, and the guys who assisted with our home. They weren’t the least expensive or the most expensive bid we received. What they were is the best bid we received! Everyone at Neighborhood takes pride in their job, from their owner to their newest employee, and we are very grateful for that! We highly recommend Neighborhood Painting Inc. and will use them for any projects we have in the future, both inside and out. Thanks again, guys!”

I’ve also learned that finding the right business partners for everything from doing taxes to marketing my business is essential. You can’t do it all. But you can be great at what you do and let others be great at what they do.