Local Tricks of the Trade

Much of what we do in the painting industry is performed in similar fashion across the continent, producing similar results. Yet some application techniques employed may vary from region to region. In this installment, I will attempt to relate a few localized tricks of the trade from our shop here in central Indiana.

My first experience working with professional painters was twenty five years ago in Colorado and Wyoming. When rolling long walls or vast ceilings on some jobs where an airless was not acceptable, two workers were armed with 9" rollers, one to apply the material (wet it), the second to backroll (wipe it). This combined action worked well in that two sets of eyes were constantly inspecting the finished product. I (incorrectly) assumed that this was standard practice everywhere. Upon returning to Indiana, after college, I suggested this technique on a job and received some unexpected guffaws. "that ain't how we do things around here cowboy, you paint YOUR walls and I'll paint MINE." I soon discovered that my Hoosier counterparts did a number of things differently than I had been trained in the Rockies. Since starting my own shop eight years ago, we continue to use the "wet it and wipe it" two man routine when applicable.

Another practice we have adopted is that of using an HVLP unit for painting or staining large trim packages consisting of casing, base, crown mould, stair components, shelving, etc. We have determined the HVLP to be our best option for this kind of work in that it offers ease of use, quick clean-up, considerably less overspray, the warmer air hastens drying time and the spray pattern can be dialed down to accommodate such small pieces as shoe mold (1/4 round) or opened up to spray wider articles such as stair stringers, top caps or shelving. We typically set up items to spray on stallions (taller and wider than regular saw horses).

The height of the stallions is set to the waist height of the spray man to prevent reaching down and bending over all day. The length we use is 8 feet so that 6 or 8 pieces of trim can be mounted on either side of the spray table. The spray man completes the painting or staining of all the pieces on one side of the table as the wiper/stacker loads up the other side of the table. This operation keeps both painters moving at all times and facilitates remarkably increased production. So far as the stacking of trim pieces goes, we have constructed "A-frame" drying racks from 2 x 4 's and 1 x 2 's. The main support 2 x 4 is about 8' tall and has a second, shorter 2 x 4 hinged to it at about half way up. To the main 2 x 4, the 1 x 2 's are screwed in perpendicularly, about every three inches. These "A-frame" drying racks are sturdy enough to load completely on one side at a time without fear of tipping, and capable of holding 2 or 3 thousand lineal feet of trim, depending on the lengths and widths of the trim, and the drying time of the material applied.

We also use fresh air hoods attached to a breathing-air filter hooked to a small compressor, in lieu of full face respirators or carbon-filter masks. Our reason for stepping around the additional air hoses is especially appreciated at the end of a long spray day when the hood is pulled off and there is no stain, sealer, varnish or paint to wash off ones face or clear from ones nostrils. How well do those carbon filter masks really protect once one begins to perspire or the full face respirators, for that matter, if one has to wear eyeglasses??? One precaution to keep in mind is to place the compressor (and the HVLP unit) outside of the confined spray area to inhibit the infiltration of fouled air and to prevent igniting the air. Wearing tyvek suits keeps the paint or stain off those fresh painter's whites and cheap cotton gloves worn over latex gloves sufficiently protects the hands to avoid having to scrub-up with solvents at the end of a long spray day. Protecting the entire body in this fashion makes for a safe environment and certainly keeps the paint or stain where it belongs, rather than allowing it into one's vehicle at the end of the day.

Pictures of this entire trim package spray operation will be available sometime after we set-up to stain, seal and varnish over 10,000 lineal feet of trim on an upcoming restaurant project in a couple of weeks.

Some of you may have read before, about our propensity to cut in ceiling lines and install border at ceiling height (for 8, 9 and 10 foot high ceilings) while walking on stilts rather than using a short step ladder or Easy-Step Perry Scaffold (sometimes referred to as a baker's rack). We find that by adjusting the stilts to the proper height, it puts the eyes where they need to be in order to cut-in a (seemingly) straight line or adjust the border trim to look most excellent. Rather than spending time stepping down and moving a ladder or scaffold, the bulk of the time is spent "at the wall" applying product and production is dramatically improved. Because all of our associates (employees) are paid for "what you do with what you know", any tricks, tools or pieces of equipment which enhance production rates safely, are quickly adopted and mastered. They understand that they are no longer in competition with one another or with generally accepted "standard" practices, but in competition with TIME and EFFORT.

We have also developed a list of more than fifty hand tools which may be needed on most any project. This list includes all the standard tools such as 5-in-1, putty knife, utility knife, plus and minus screwdrivers (read Phillips and standard), roller frame and extension pole, various covers, various sized nylon/polyester and china bristle brushes, rags, sanding pole, assorted grit sandpaper and sanding sponges, strainer bags, caulk gun, etc. Each employee is responsible for maintaining his/her supply (from shop stock) of all the listed items on the tool check-list to be sure that he/she is prepared to be sent to any job, especially if the schedule changes at the last minute. Some projects take very few tools to successfully complete, but many precious man-hours can be wasted by chasing after all the necessary items when not readily available. All the listed items can be carried by one person in a grip and a small box and will save countless trips back to the vehicle or gang-box; producing more time "at the wall".

It is my hope that these trade related tips will be as valuable to you as they have been to us, and that you will be willing to share any constructive criticisms you may have as a result of learning more about how we do things here in central Indiana, as we practice our localized "tricks of the trade".

All articles appearing on this site are copyrighted by the Painters Chat Room. Permission to reproduce any portion of this site including submitted articles must be obtained by e-mailing us at administration@painterschatroom.com. (c) 2000

Archives of Tricks of the Trade.