n o v/d e c • 2 0 0 8 - Subscribe

nov/dec • 2008

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Our vast array of external coating solutions blend superior durability with
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©2007 The Sherwin-Williams Company sherwin-williams.com

SAFETY TRAINING AWARDS RECOGNITION
Safety is an employee and employer
benefit that creates a competitive edge.
The Painters and Allied Trades LMCI
STAR Program can effectively reduce the
cost of workers’ compensation claims
for your company and greatly improve
your bottom line.
Call the LMCI today to learn more.
The Painters and Allied Trades Labor
Management Cooperation Initiative
programs are the result of a partnership
with the Finishing Contractors Association
and the International Union of Painters &
Allied Trades.
w w w. L M C I o n l i n e . o r g CALL TOLL FREE NOW (888) 934-6474

4
» on the cover
12» Safety-
nov/dec • 2008
What You Should Look for
in a Safety Program
How Does a Maintained
Safety Program Benefit
Both Your Company and
Your Employees
The Latest News on Safety. Experts from Intec
and fellow Safety Award winning contractors
share proven safety programs.
50» Direct to Substrate Trend
One paint that does
the job of two!
Rohm & Haas Paint Quality Institute
gives a glimpse of a new trend
74» PACE 2009-
Has the Solutions!
PACE 2009 will be held in New Orleans,
Louisiana February 15-18, 2009. An overview
of the plethora of course offerings and
workshops.
| pdca.org
PDCA Executive Committee
President Mark Casale
Hingham Painting & Decorating
President-Elect
Treasurer
Sr. Vice President &
Assistant Treasurer
David J. Jones,
Westcoast Painting, LLC
Darylene Dennon,
Solid Energy, Inc.
Ken Anderson,
Sheldon & Son, Inc.
Immediate Past President David E. Siegner
Siegner and Company
PDCA Headquarters
PDCA Interim Chief Executive Officer Beth Horan
Vice President of Education & Membership
Assistant Director of Finance
Education & Membership Specialists
Executive Assistant/Office Manager
Liz Werle
Laura Illy
Adam Potts
Elise McDermott
Membership Coordinator/Publications Marsha Bass
PDCA Consultants
Director of Sales & Marketing Richard Bright
Bright Concepts, Inc
Director of Meetings & Expositions/PACE Annette M. Suriani
PACE
Director of Technology/PACER Steve Seyer
ORO Technologies
Director PDCA Online Brandt Domas
Work-Systems.com
PDCA Industry Standards Consultant Bob Cusumano
Coatings Consultants, Inc
DECO Staff
Editorial Board Richard Bright
PDCA Director of Sales & Marketing
Publisher
Managing Editor
Art Director
Graphic Designer
Production Manager
Account Executives
Business Development
Mario Guertin
Painting in Partnership
Beth Horan
Richard Bright
Brandon Hatch
Torrie Keith
Ginger McAllen
Marsha Bass
Adam Potts
Richard Bright
www.pdca.org
800.246.1637
Advertising Contacts
Marsha Bass » 800.332.7322 x227 » mbass@pdca.org
Adam Potts » 800.332.7322 x 234 » apotts@pdca.org
Subscriptions:
To subscribe to DECO visit us online at www.pdca.org
Note: DECO, PDCA and its employees attempt to ensure the accuracy of the information contained
herein; however, publisher and its employees cannot accept responsibility for the correctness of the
information supplied, advertisements or opinions expressed in this publication.

is KILZ®
my primer.
“When it comes to sealing
walls, blocking tough stains
and achieving a perfect top
coat, KILZ is the only primer
I load into my truck.”
Robert Keating,
Pro painter for 20 years
The perfect start to a great finish
www.kilz.com

6
» in this issue
» features
8
10
12
16
19
23
40
46
50
83
84
» departments
President’s Message
Go To The Olympics And Meet The Gold Medalists!
CEO’s Message
Talking Ladders
The Latest News on Safety
by Julie Gehrke
Spotlight on Award-Winning Craftsmanship
by George Joseph
Spraying Excellence Everywhere: Graco, Inc.
by Liz Schick
Faux Finishes: Tips and Techniques Deliver a Stunning
Mirror Finish for a Genuine Niche Market
by Bob McCarthy
Play It Safe
What’s Your Security Plan?
by Stephen R. Aborn
John T. Kozak
Strategic Planning
by Richard Bright
Direct to Substrate Trend --One
Paint That Does the Job of Two
Letters to the Editor
Blue Collar Advice
by Steve Ryan
» technical
29 Avoiding Joint Pain
by Bob Cusumano
» setting the standard
33 Making Sure That Your Work is Acceptable
by Bob Cusumano
» craftsmanship
36 Mood Assessment as a Tool to
Empower your Company
by Mario Guertin
» residential forum
26 The Culture of Safety
by Nigel Costolloe
» commercial forum
44 The Benefit of PDCA Accreditation
for the Commercial Contractor
by David Siegner
45 PDCA Commercial Forum Re-Energized
» industry news
52 Sherwin Williams Promotions
54 Wooster Promotions
54 Sherwin Williams Promotions
55 Anvil Promotions
57 Zinsser Promotions
58 Wooster Brush Promotions
58 Rust-Oleum Promotions
61 Mini-Rollers for Big Production
by Dennis Simmons
62 Gaining a Market Edge
by Steve Taylor
64 Growing Green in a Challenging Economy
by Steve Revnew
» pdca online
67 WWW.PDCA.ORG
by Brandt Domas
» asa
68 Re-Focus on Safety with AGC/ASA/ASC Guideline
by ASA
72 » ngpp
74 » pace
| pdca.org
nov/dec 2008
16
36
12
33

A chAnge
FOR The beTTeR
They say a change will do you good. With Purdy’s
inventive QuickFit design, a change is also clean, easy
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2 Great Products. 1 Perfect Couple.
Remarkable, ultra-lightweight Purdy ® Cageless Frame
weighs 21% less than leading 5-wire frame. Professionalgrade,
precision-crafted QuickFit Pole provides unmatched
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combination to do their best work fast.
Precise Pole Control. Extraordinary Comfort.
Telescoping, anodized aluminum pole construction
conveniently locks in 6-inch increments and maintains
rigidity at up to 16-feet. While others offer a lone-pin link,
QuickFit design provides a secure, 6-pin frame-to-pole
connection. Rubberized comfort grips and lightweight
designs contribute to an exceptional painting experience.
QuickFit Tools. Make the Smart Switch Today.
Get the new QuickFit Extension Pole and Cageless Frame
from Purdy.
www.purdycorp.com
Secure QuickFit Frame
to pole connection
© 2008 Purdy.

8
» president’s message
Go To The Olympics And Meet The Gold Medalists!
| pdca.org
The Olympics is a grand sporting
contest that brings elite competitors
together from around the world. Just
being a spectator at such a worldclass
event would be a special and
memorable occasion. Imagine if there
were “all access” passes to the gold
medalists?
We may be curious to ask a champion
athlete about their preparation or
what was included in their daily regime? What do the
elite do differently? Maybe a gold medalist might
share exactly where in the competition they made a
crucial almost non-detectable mistake. Talking face to
face, we would certainly receive amazing knowledge
from these accomplished champions. Picture the
conversation where we are listening to a triumphant
winner’s account of the day’s championship event.
Unparalleled inspiration would pump us up! Surely, we
would leave the Olympics having gained more value
than the monetary cost to attend. We arrive home,
inspired, recharged with fresh insight; power on…full
speed ahead.
The paint and coatings Olympics, PACE (Paint and
Coatings Expo) 2009, takes place in New Orleans,
February 15 - 18, 2009. All of the industry’s elite,
including the “gold medalists” will be there. Each ticket
provides an “all access” pass to attend business and
technical educational seminars, hands on workshops,
and networking receptions. The packed educational
program is lead by many of the industry’s best and
offers an array of courses providing knowledge,
operational improvements, and a potential edge over
competition for anyone in the paint business. There
are contests for the best project (nine categories),
safety awards recognizing company achievements,
and craftsmanship awards recognizing individual
professionals. PACE 2009 is the largest trade show for
our industry in North America and draws elite suppliers
and contractors from around the world!
Bring plenty of business cards. You will have the
opportunity to meet face to face with crafts people,
growing and emerging contractors, seasoned experts,
owners from small businesses, and owners and key
personnel from large organizations, all types of industry
professionals. Commercial, decorative, industrial and
residential segments of the market are represented.
Ask questions to gather implemental knowledge and
share your expertise at the industry’s most important
and grand event.
The trade show pass alone provides direct access to
the most spectacular array of material, equipment,
tools and business specialists under one roof! Enjoy
direct access to knowledgeable suppliers, technical
personnel and even upper management from every
imaginable industry source. Check out the latest
products and research new materials and techniques.
Gain refined knowledge, an expanded network and
skills and ideas that take individuals and companies
from good to great.
Attend PACE 2009! It is a worthwhile and a sound
business investment. Plus, it‘s a lot fun!
Looking forward to seeing you at the Olympics,
Mark Casale, President

A FRESHLY PRIMED ROOM DOESN’T
ALWAYS HAVE TO SMELL LIKE ONE.
Odorless primers formulated with Plioway resins offer outstanding stain and odor
blocking, excellent adhesion, fast drying performance, without all the smell.
Eliokem, a leading producer of specialty chemicals, developed the resin system
that is used in odorless primers. The Plioway logo is a signature of primers
meeting high quality standards and performance tests.
To learn more about odorless primers please visit www.stainblockingprimers.com.
Contact: Valerie Johnson • 330.734.1223
stainblockingprimers@eliokem.com • www.eliokem.com
www. stainblockingprimers.com

10
» ceo’s message
Leadership and Coaching
What makes a good leader? Does anyone really know the answer to that question? I would gamble
to say no and ironically, leadership is probably one of the most studied and researched personal
qualities.
Think about it, good leaders are needed everywhere; in the workplace, at home, on sports teams, in groups of
friends, in your associations, etc. Depending on the size of your company, family, team, group, or organization,
different leaders are needed at various levels and various times. And we can even go as far to say that each
one of those leaders usually possess different characteristics to accomplish the task at hand. A good leader is
very important in all situations. However, as you can imagine, with all the variables (the above list doesn’t even
scratch the surface) it is difficult for one person to be a successful leader through all situations. Therefore one of
the responsibilities of a good leader is to build a sufficient staff, team, group, etc. to help in all circumstances.
To help build and develop a competent and successful team, most leaders should also possess the skills of a
coach. Really, what is a coach and what makes a good coach? In answering that question, think about whether
there are differences between coaches, counselors, delegators, discipliners, mentors, and trainers?
I would venture to say that a coach wears all the hats mentioned above. A coach is a counselor, delegator,
discipliner, mentor and trainer. As a potential coach you need to ask yourself am I living up to or even capable
of wearing all those hats. Marshall J. Cook in Effective Coaching illustrates how a leader (boss) can transition
into being a coach in the following chart.
The Boss The Coach
Talks a lot.......................................................Listens a lot
Tells................................................................Asks
Fixes...............................................................Prevents
Presumes........................................................Explores
Seeks control..................................................Seeks commitment
Orders............................................................Challenges
Works on........................................................Works with
Puts product first............................................Puts process first
Wants reasons................................................Seeks results
Assigns blame................................................Takes responsibility
Keeps distant.................................................Makes Contact
Not only is coaching satisfying for the employee, but is also rewarding for the coach. Some of the benefits of
coaching noted by John Whitmore in Coaching for Performance: GROWing People, Performance and Purpose
are listed below:
o The enhancement of an employee’s self-esteem through the release of internal blocks. It becomes
imperative that the successful coach creates an environment whereby the employee frequently meets with
success and the employee sees the connection between his/her efforts and the successful outcomes.
o Leaders have more time for their own work when their employees are taking full responsibility for their
work.
o Employees, work environments, and organizational cultures become more flexible and adaptable to
change.
o Everyone in the workplace learns skills that can be used in all aspects of their lives.
As you can see, leadership and coaching go hand in hand. Greater benefits come from situations that are lead
by a leader with coaching skills. It is very important make sure your leaders have proper training and experience.
Proper leadership is the key to success in many work places, families, sport teams, group of friends, and
even organizations.
Beth Horan, CPA
Interim CEO & VP of Operations
Painting and Decorating Contractors of America
| pdca.org

SURFACE SURFACE
What’s Under
Your Topcoat?
They think it’s the paint. They think it’s the technique. But most importantly, they
think it’s the person behind the job. Little do they know, it’s the secret agent
underneath that makes the topcoat so strikingly beautiful. Introducing Peel Bond ® ,
the high-build bonding primer/sealer from XIM ® that gives you a competitive edge by
drastically reducing cost, labor, time and “call backs.” Make your latex topcoats
smooth, stunning and professional. What’s under your topcoat?
Peel Bond is a high-build bonding primer/sealer from XIM
that creates a smooth, easy-application for interior/exterior
latex topcoats on alligatored, orange-peeled, cracked and
weathered surfaces in addition to sealing raw wood, brick,
stucco, concrete, plaster, masonry and more. XIM, when
ordinary primers are not enough.
Roll • Spray • Brush • Pad
See for yourself why Peel Bond high-build
bonding primer/sealer is a better way to paint!
PEEL PEEL BOND BOND
LATEX LATEX TOPCOAT TOPCOAT
1.800.262.8469
See the results at
www.peelbond.com
Introducing Peel Bond’s Trim Magic
With more solids and higher filling capabilities, Trim Magic is even thicker than
Peel Bond and self levels on a wide range of trim surfaces. Best applied with a
brush or pad, Trim Magic fills, seals and prepares window and door frames, as
well as all types of architectural trim for a beautiful latex topcoat.

12
» feature
Talking
Ladders
The Latest News on Safety
by Julie Gehrke
| pdca.org

If a surgeon’s scalpel could talk, it would tell stories of the
intricate procedures and fascinating anatomies of the people
it helps to heal. It would say that the practice of surgery
doesn’t always save lives but the odds improve if the surgeon
is trained and careful.
If a painter’s ladder could talk, it would tell stories of the
colorful processes and fascinating structures it helps to protect
with coatings. It would say that the practice of climbing heights
doesn’t always occur safely but the odds improve dramatically
if the painter is trained and careful.
I happen to know a talking ladder and it told me this story:
Many years ago there was a painter, young, tall and lanky – just
getting started in the trade. On a windy spring day he extended
my rails until all 40 feet of my structure touched against the
building. He proceeded to climb until he was standing on my
top rung where he reached above his head toward a peak with
paintbrush in hand. In retrospect, he would say that if he had
kept still when the wind gust came he would not have fallen.
But he panicked and shifted just enough for me to catch the
wind and lift off from the building. When he woke he could see
only from his right eye. He was lying in a fetal position, his left
side completely submerged, including his left eye and half his
face in fresh sod that lay atop a slurry of six inches of mud. His
boss saw it happen and expressed surprise when the young
man stood up.
“Why don’t you go home now? Take the rest of the day off,” he
said. The painter walked to his car, got behind the wheel, half
man, half mud-encrusted creature, and drove home.
If this story were followed by an essay test, the teacher would
have you write a summary of all the avoidable mistakes that
were made before, during and after the fall of the painter.
The good news is that this is not a test; it is an answer sheet
comprised of the actions of a couple very informed painting
contractors, both of whom won gold safety awards from PDCA
(Painting and Decorating Contractor’s of America) in 2008.
It turns out that companies that win safety awards share some
things in common. According to Joe O’Connor, President
of Intec, a safety - training, publishing and consulting firm
and developer of PDCA’s premier web-based safety system
available to all painting contractor members called esafetyline,
New Standard, New Attitude, New Concern
studies have shown there is a common theme in companies
with safety success:
1. Employee involvement with management support
2. Hazard analysis such as job inspections
3. Hazard analysis that leads to hazard prevention
and control
4. Training of supervisors and others to know their role
with regard to safety
A sound example of the above characteristics comes from
Joel Hamberg, owner of Joel Hamberg Painting in Portland,
Oregon. Besides residential and commercial paint work, his
company is becoming more involved with wood finishing.
One of their recent jobs has been restoring wood walls and
antique carvings at the Old Spaghetti Factory restaurant
using water-borne products. “We want to be a total green
company,” says Hamberg. A side benefit to this is the reduced
requirements for respiratory protection. “Typically there is no
need for a full face mask,” he says. “Some jobs require a half
face respirator and some just require the particle mask with
the breathable valve.”
Hamberg adds, “It’s not like you can take these waterborne
products and eat them – they’re still chemicals. But getting
away from the combustible products helps your safety.” In
other areas, Hamberg sets the example by maintaining a meticulously
neat office and work vehicle, and a clean shop that
sets the standard all the way down to the jobsite as to just
what his expectations are. He feels this puts everyone thinking
on the same page because they see that worn airless hoses
are disposed of, ladders are cut up for recycling and vehicles
are inspected.
Hamberg pulls from a variety of sources including PDCA and
his workmen’s compensation carrier as well as OSHA to provide
resource material for his safety program.
The benefits of a well maintained safety program can be far
reaching. Sam Scaturro, who is certified to teach his painters
the OSHA 10- and 30-hour course, is Operations Manager for
Alpine Painting and Sandblasting in Paterson, New Jersey. His
company is a 35-year-old family business that does commercial
and industrial painting, sandblasting and lead abatement,
high work and specialty finishing, including an in-house spray
booth and a sandblasting booth. With an annual revenue of
New Standard: OSHA1918.106 Payment for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The standard dictates who pays
for what. For example, employers are responsible to pay for PPE with the exception of replacing abused or lost PPE.
Employers do not have to pay for non-specialty protective footwear or non-specialty prescription safety eyewear that
the employer permits to be worn outside the workplace. See www.osha.gov for details.
New Attitude: Joe O’Connor of Intec says OSHA continues to encourage their partnerships with industry and have
changed their perspective from strict enforcement to alliances with companies in order to get voluntary compliance.
New Concerns: O’Connor says OSHA is focusing on emergency response ever since natural disasters like Hurricane
Katrina. Employers are expected to have programs to respond to a disaster that address such issues as evacuation, the
use of fire extinguishers, and employee responsibility to fight fires.
pdca.org |
13

14
“ Things to look forward to with a safety program
investment include a decrease in injuries, accidents
and illnesses, with significant savings on
insurance premiums
”
over seven million, prominent jobs for this company include
repainting the Barnegate Light House, a concrete structure on
Long Beach Island, and lead abatement and painting for the
New Jersey Governor’s mansion.
One of the ways the safety program has benefited the
company is in the procurement of pharmaceutical company
work. Scaturro says, “One of the contracts we won was with
a top five pharmaceutical company that required a three
week submission process with multiple interviews for a threeyear
time and material contract. Safety was the number one
criteria, not price. We submitted inches of documentation in
safety and company processes.” Scaturro says breaking into
the pharmaceutical market would not have happened without
a flawless safety program. The work involves everything from
painting offices to plant work, applying high performance wall
systems inside their granulation tanks to painting plant floors.
Safety policies may help sell jobs but the more obvious purpose
is to protect workers. Hamberg’s company enforces a noheadphone
and no-radio policy to keep
lines of communication between workers
open. Once he had a crew working on a
residential exterior situated on a hillside
in a wooded area. The drop-off was
canyon-like. Next door a tree trimming
company was working with ropes
between the trees. A tree trimmer fell 70
to 80 feet and his young helper panicked
and screamed rather than run for help.
Hamberg’s painter heard him and was
able to scale the hill and perform CPR
to stabilize the worker. The ambulance
came and used ropes to get down to him
and pull him out. Had the painter been
wearing headphones, the tree trimmer
would have died. Instead, he credits the
painter with saving his life. Although this
is not an everyday occurrence, Hamberg
says headphones not only impede hearing
but distract people from concentrating
on their work.
Another protocol Joel Hamberg Painting
utilizes is the “Stay on the jobsite for
lunch” rule. This policy reduces the risk of
speeding tickets, accidents, lost parking
| pdca.org
spaces, jobs abandoned with ladders and paint pumps still
set up, or the risk of masking tape that could ignite. Hamberg
says, “We’re not trying to be Gestapo Painting.” But safety
and production are managed better this way, and he backs up
the policy by buying all his painters lunch coolers and often
treating the crews to pizza on Friday.
It’s clear from these contractors that a safety program is a
profitable venture. O’Connor says, “Things to look forward
to with a safety program investment include a decrease in
injuries, accidents and illnesses, with significant savings on
insurance premiums.” PDCA’s web based esafetyline costs
$150.00 per year and has a database for your employees that
allow you to keep track of training and access records such as
OSHA logs. O’Connor adds, “It will walk you through compliance
with all the standards and regulations that pertain to
painting contractors.”
And that’s a bargain even a talking ladder can shout about.
Why the orange vests and glowing neon T-shirts?
You’ll see the high visibility garments when there is a traffic safety
concern—for example, on a new construction site where it is critical
for workers to be seen amidst traffic flow coming off road and onto
the site.
Do I really need a hard hat for my type of work? They
provide protection from falling or flying objects, but they’re not just
for when overhead work is occurring. They are also for situations
where hammering could be going on with a risk of chunks flying to
the side.
Did you know? At least half the states follow the federal plan
for OSHA, but others have state plans that may exceed the federal
standards. And some general contractors may have more stringent
rules than both federal and state standards.

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a mystery, one thing is decidedly certain:
Intelligent life does exist.

16
» feature
Spotlight
on Award-Winning Craftsmanship
by George Joseph
The L.E. Travis Craftsman of the Year Award recognizes the finest workers in the painting and decorating industry.
This year’s awards went to Evaldas Galentas of Professional Painters; Kristoffer Keubler and Travis Senecal of
Luxbrush Painting; Manuel Acevedo of L.E. Travis and Sons; and Ron Swick of SNL Painting.
To find out how it feels to be a winner—and what it takes to make one—DECO spoke with award-winner Ron Swick
of SNL Painting as well as the company’s President, Art Snarzyk.
Ron joined SNL Painting late in 2005, when the company was still in its infancy. A focused worker who holds himself
to the highest of standards, Ron has been described by SNL Vice President Nick LoGrasso as “the type of employee
that you hope responds to your classified ad.”
A Word with Ron Swick
DECO: What was your reaction upon being
informed that you would receive this award?
RS: I was honored that my company felt I was a viable candidate.
Knowing that they trusted me to represent SNL Painting
to a nationwide organization was a great confidence booster.
DECO: To what factors do you attribute your
success in the painting profession?
RS: I began painting with no formal training or business
structure, so I needed to perform at a higher level than I was
actually capable of. That experience taught me to be a problem
solver, to learn from my mistakes, and to pick up on little details
from the other painters I worked with. I went on to work for a
wide variety of companies, both good and bad, and I learned
to survive in an industry that can be very tough. I learned the
hard way, and I think that gives a person an advantage.
DECO: What about interpersonal skills? Do you
think that’s a key element in being successful?
RS: Absolutely. To run a successful team, you have to respect
not only those above you but also those “below” you. You’ve
got to treat people as permanent clients, not just one-time
customers. In other words, speak to clients as if you’re wearing
a three-piece suit, not painter’s whites. If you develop a reputation
for treating people right, good things will come to you.
DECO: What role have your fellow workers
played in contributing to your achievement?
| pdca.org
RS: We have a very unique group of people at SNL. Most
have backgrounds in other industries, and they bring more to
the table than just painting skills. I felt that I was accepted and
respected from day one, and I was completely at ease working
side by side with my co-workers. That allowed me to focus and
do my best work without anxiety and undue pressure.
DECO: So you would say that having the right
teammates is crucial.
RS: It’s amazing what you can accomplish with the right
people behind you. I can confidently send my team into any
workspace and know that they’ll please the customer, deliver
the best product, and keep me on top of any problems. Who
wouldn’t be successful with that kind of arsenal?
DECO: A good team of co-workers should inspire
you. Do you agree with that?
RS: Yes, definitely. My desire is to be a leader and an expert
in the field. I hope to hone my business and management skills
as much as my painting technique. My co-workers allow me
to do that. With them supporting me, I can be a great leader.
Without them, I can at best only be a “good painter.”
DECO: Let’s talk about the leadership at SNL.
How has that helped you to grow?
RS: I have never witnessed a higher level of dedication to
the employees than I’ve seen here at SNL. The owners have
been willing to make great sacrifices in the development of
our company. Rather than a constant rotation of new hires,

SNL takes the time to build its employees by goalsetting,
training, encouragement, and commitment.
Company success is the culmination of the personal
successes of each employee. Victory, as well as
defeat, is felt by each member of the organization,
not just the management.
DECO: What are your goals for the
future with regard to your work with SNL
Painting?
RS: My greatest goal is to transition to the
administration side of the industry. I love the
marketing, advertising, and strategic planning that
go into a business. To see a machine work from the
inside out is fascinating. I would like to improve in
all the unseen forces in the company, including
human resources and job tracking. I see SNL
Painting as a unique entity that can change
the way people think about the construction
and home improvement field. We break the
stereotypes that have followed painters
for so many years. I want painting to be
considered a career, not just a job. I want to
build our brand into a household name. I want our
headquarters to be a landmark in our community. Most of all,
I want to stand atop the proverbial mountain and say, “I was
there when it all began.”
A Word with Art Snarzyk, President,
SNL Painting
DECO: What impact does this award have on
your company and on you as its owner?
AS: Having a member of our team receive the L. E. Travis
Craftsman of the Year Award has had a significant impact
on our company. It’s another way to establish SNL Painting
as a credible and professional company in our industry and
community. Ron’s co-workers are proud and inspired to work
with him and learn from him. They’re also proud to work for a
company that puts such a high priority on helping to recognize
individuals for their success.
DECO: How would you describe Ron?
AS: Ron’s a humble guy. He thinks there are many others out
there who deserve the recognition of this award. He’s probably
right, but this personality trait is just another demonstration of
why Ron is so deserving of it. He won’t let the award go to his
head, nor will he stop improving because he has won it. Ron
is quietly grateful and appreciative for having been presented
the award.
DECO: How does that make you feel as
his employer?
AS: I couldn’t be more pleased. In business, there are a number
of difficult issues to tackle. Taking the time to prepare our
nomination to reward an outstanding individual is energizing,
and it’s a good reminder of why we got into business in the
first place. We thought we could make a difference in our
community and in the lives of our customers and employees.
There’s nothing more rewarding—and fun—than that!
DECO: Why do you feel
that this award was welldeserved?
AS: Ron defines what it means to be a
craftsman. From his technical skill, to
his customer service, to his leadership of his team, he
always performs at a high level. His troubleshooting skill and
“can-do” attitude puts him in positions to face and conquer
challenges. He’s not afraid to learn about new painting
techniques, equipment, or products. In the truest sense of
the word, he’s a student. And that makes him an excellent
craftsman.
DECO: Have you used the L. E. Travis Award in
your promotional program?
AS: Yes, we’ve used the award on our web site, our business
cards, and in our marketing. It’s an accomplishment to have
such a skilled worker on our staff. Our customers are amazed
that there were only five recipients in North America, and one
of them is in our home town! Of course, this means that all our
customers request Ron! But we have other fine craftsmen on
our staff, and our customers come to realize that when Ron is
unavailable and someone else does the job.
DECO: What was your process in deciding to enter
one of your employees in the competition?
AS: Our Vision Statement says this: “SNL Painting will nurture
a company culture where each person will take pride in their
accomplishments and contributions.” In harmony with that,
we’re always looking for ways to celebrate our employees.
When we heard about the L. E. Travis Craftsman of the Year
Award, it was an easy decision to participate. Our people are
important to us. We want them to succeed, both professionally
and personally. We want our co-workers to be normal, happy
people who have balanced lives and who can be proud of who
they are.
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DECO: How did you go about selecting Ron for
the award?
AS: Actually, it was pretty simple. Ron exemplifies the award
criteria daily. We weren’t looking for someone in our company
that would fit the award. It was the other way around: The award
has clear criteria which pointed to someone in our company.
DECO: How long did it take you to prepare
the entry?
AS: It took approximately 15 to 20 hours. Of course, we were
very thorough. There are guidelines for the submission process,
which include customer and employee testimonials, as well as
job photos. I think it was important to provide as many of these
as possible. We also bound the information professionally with
tab dividers, page protectors, and the like. Not only did that
show how seriously we were taking the submission, but it also
organized the information nicely and made a nice permanent
binder. Since we were going through the trouble to put it all
together, it wasn’t much harder to put together a couple extra
copies. We keep one copy at the office and it was a pleasure
to give Ron and his parents a copy to show how proud we are
of him.
DECO: That’s quite a lot of work!
AS: It is I think it’s important to note, though, that you should
have fun preparing the entry. It was definitely exciting to be a
part of the process. I felt like a kid coloring a pretty picture to
give to mom for her birthday.
DECO: Do you have a recommendation for
someone who is thinking of making an entry?
AS: I have quite a few. I would say, make it fun. Don’t make
it work. You’re doing something nice for someone
else, so take time to enjoy it. Also, be thorough and
organized. Make it come from the heart. This isn’t
a marketing ploy. It’s a reward for a commendable
achievement. Of course, be sure you’re submitting a
true craftsman. And don’t diminish the significance of
the award. Ask the nominee’s co-workers for a letter of
recommendation, but don’t force them to participate.
Send an email to a few customers, too, and ask them for
their comments. Include as many pictures as you can. But
again, I would say, Have fun with it!
Highly Recommended
“Craftsmanship is making the trim shine, the lines straight,
the walls smooth, keeping the floor clean, and bringing the
job in on time. Ron Swick does all these things effortlessly.
Craftsmanship does not stop with painting alone. Not only does
Ron Swick produce a fantastic looking paint job that I would put
my reputation on, but he instills quality in his crew members
and acts quickly when he is faced with adverse conditions.
Instilled in him is the drive to make the job as perfect as he can,
whether it is one bedroom, or a brand-new staircase. Somehow
he knows exactly what the customer wants, and then exceeds
their expectations. Ron treats each job like he owns it and
makes each customer feel like they are dealing with an owner.
When Ron joined SNL Painting, we had no idea how he would
| pdca.org
impact our company. What a find! He allows us to put trust in
him on a daily basis and focus on developing SNL Painting into
a smooth-running organization. We would not be the company
we are today without Ron's help.”
Nick LoGrasso, Vice President, SNL Painting
“It’s easy to talk highly of ‘your guy’ when you’re nominating
him for contractor of the year. You could probably write a
whole letter about him and all the great jobs he has worked
on. What can I say about Ron that everyone hasn’t heard
about a hundred other guys? Nothing! So, I'm going to write
about me. I started my painting career in May of 2006, about
a year and a half ago. It started with a lot of prep work, some
cut and roll work, and sometimes a little spray work. I thought
I was doing alright. I didn’t know how bad I was until my first
performance evaluation. It was horrible. My good grades were
all personal characteristics, like honesty, job flexibility, and
receptiveness to criticism—nothing to do with painting itself!
One of my bosses—my own brother—wanted to fire me! But
he and co-owner Nick LoGrasso decided to pair me with Ron
Swick for a one month trial period. After soaking up knowledge
from Ron, they evaluated me again. After just one month, my
evaluation soared. As of December 2007, after a year and a
half of painting, I’m considered my team's second Lead Painter.
I owe much of my success to Ron and his pursuit of perfection,
his obsessive organization skills, and his elite training ability.”
Matt Snarzyk
SNL Painting is a St. Louis-based painting company that recently
celebrated its five year anniversary. For more information, visit
www.snlpainting.com.

usiness «
Spraying Excellence
Everywhere: Graco, Inc.
An interview with Dale D. Johnson, Vice President and
General Manager, Worldwide Contractor Equipment Division
By Liz Schick
In the 29 years since Dale Johnson joined Graco’s
Worldwide Contractor Equipment Division, he has seen
many changes. But, as vice president of the division since
1995, he says, “the company’s dedication to excellence has
always been paramount in its total business plan.”
While he spent his first three years working in Graco’s two
other divisions: Industrial Products and Lubrication. Since
then, he maintains that “paint is in my blood.”
Asked to speak about specific areas of excellence, Johnson
pointedly referred to the 2008 Frost & Sullivan two-year
study of United States painting contractors, in which 71 percent
rated Graco the best overall spray equipment. The
company received the highest “Best Brand” name recognition
of all painting contractor products surveyed. *
Johnson says: “We are justifiably proud of achieving this
level, but you don’t achieve it unless you’ve earned it. Since
the company was founded in 1926, Graco has worked hard
to pioneer technology and equipment for a wide variety of
fluid handling applications—from equipment that squeezes
tomato paste onto frozen pizza to products for the paint,
roofing, texture, corrosion control and line-striping application
markets.
Product Quality and Development: Lifeline to
Success
Among Graco’s areas of excellence, Johnson stresses that
the first is product quality.
“Most painting contractors use Graco equipment that has
been passed down to them from their fathers,” he says. “It’s
kept in the family because it is the workhorse of equipment.
It was bought, and is still being purchased, because contractors
know they can count on it lasting for many years.”
In addition to the structural quality put into Graco products,
the company focuses on developing new products. “By
keeping up with changing construction trends, changing
times and changing materials,” Johnson says, “anybody who
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managing for excellence means staying on top
of the leading edge of coatings, applications
and construction techniques because there is
always a better way to do things.
“
”
has watched Graco grow understands that new products are
really its lifeline,” Johnson says. The drive is to bring to market
new products each year that do applications more efficiently
and effectively, have a higher quality and longer life, make the
contractor’s life easier by getting the job done faster, allowing
him to put less labor on the job and still deliver the highest
quality finish.
“Whatever the product introduction, those are the considerations
that go into the development, just as much as the engineering
and integral strength of the equipment,” Johnson says, adding:
“That’s why we’ve earned such outstanding brand recognition
and high rankings for excellence among contractors.”
Johnson went on to explain that “managing for excellence
means staying on top of the leading edge of coatings,
applications and construction techniques because there is
always a better way to do things.” Thus, since it is a worldwide
manufacturer, Graco spends a great deal of time working with
materials manufacturers and contractors from around the
world. Johnson knows that this gives the company a unique
perspective to see what is happening in Europe and Asia. In
many cases, it can bring back advances and ideas that will be
beneficial to the North American contractor.
“When there are new paint products or construction techniques,
the contractor needs to have the proper tools to apply
those to the wall or substrate, Johnson says. “We feel that it is
up to us to help him get his job done.”
Education is Service
The other really important element in which Graco strives for
excellence, stresses Johnson, is in its service to contractors.
According to Graco’s web site, it’s mission for the 21st century
is defined as, “service to people through profitable growth.”
To this end, Johnson notes that Graco is the only spray equipment
manufacturer with a total factory sales organization in the
industry. “These are people who not only sell our products,”
he says, “but also spend a lot of time training and assisting
distributors and channel partners to educate the contractor in
how to use our products properly, so they are more efficient.”
Johnson says he believes that “in many ways, education is the
| pdca.org
single biggest thing we do. While we know we make great
products, we have to transfer that knowledge down through
the distribution channel, and then the distribution channel has
to transfer it to the contractor. If the knowledge of all the features
and benefits don’t reach the contractor, he won’t be able
to use the equipment efficiently, effectively, and safely, and we
won’t have done our job well. Selling the equipment is just the
first step.”
To achieve this end, Graco’s management and sales organization
maintain a close working relationship with the PDCA to set
up training standards and programs. Johnson remembers
supporting the PDCA when he was a salesman back in the
1980s. “It’s something we continue to do, backing programs
both financially and with the physical manpower to educate the
contractors, distribution network and material manufacturers
on the proper use of the equipment.”
The sales organization is well situated to do this. They are all
technically trained both in the factory and “on the job,” so they
are well-versed in all of the equipment applications and functions.
Graco maintains a contractor certification program where
each week 20 to 30 contractors come to corporate headquarters
in Rogers, Minnesota to learn how to maintain and repair
the equipment. “More and more companies see the value in
training staff to repair equipment so it lasts, rather than having
replacement costs downstream,” Johnson says. Contractor
how-to-use and how-to-apply demonstrations and trainings
take place year round, countrywide at painter events and pro
shows, which are given by factory-trained sales staff.
Business Outlook and Trends
Obviously the economy is on everybody’s watch list of terror.
It is on Johnson’s, too, although he recognizes that, “on a
worldwide basis Graco is in much better financial and sales
shape than we are in North America. The economy is certainly
the worst I’ve seen in my 32 years in the industry. We are in
the same boat as everybody else in USA, but our business in
Europe and Asia is very good.”
Looking at significant trends that are going to impact the future,
Johnson sees energy as the main driver. Energy in residential
and commercial construction is already finding its way into
everything: how the wall is built, how the foundation is put

in, and everything about the windows
and doors. All those things are going to
affect the painting contractor and the
equipment manufacturers.
It appears that the color trend is helping
everybody, because people are putting
more color onto their walls and they have
gone back to paint and textures to do it.
Also, there is a greater consumer concern
for quality than ever before. People are
willing to invest more in having better
quality finishing and detailing, which
is good for both the industry and the
painting contractor.
Johnson sees a few negative trends,
including the growth of pre-finished
cabinetry. But that’s good for Graco,
he believes, because the company’s
equipment is used in the cabinet factory.
Still, he worries that while there is still
custom cabinetry being contractor
finished, in the aggregate, some of the
available work has diminished.
On the exterior, he sees the push continuing
to less painting through easy-care
products such as more durable siding and
decking--stone and brick, for example.
While commercial business has
remained pretty strong over the last
three years, it too is starting to slow
down. Johnson believes that, “in 2009
the commercial marketplace is going to
become a tougher market. Fortunately,
the commercial construction cycle is
anywhere from 12 to 24 months, so
even though the downturn is happening
today, the industry won’t see it until the
middle or latter part of next year.”
The Expanding
Contractor Role
Johnson has seen the painting contractor’s
role expand in recent years. “Promoting
excellence is something every
contractor can do in order to see a bigger
payoff. I’ve seen a lot go from just
painting into drywall finishing, and drywall
finishing go into parking lot striping
and maintenance. Some of these moves
are just natural progressions. For example,
a painter doing parking garages
goes into striping so he can stripe the
garage floors as well.”
Johnson recommends that, “if you’re
going to go into commercial buildings
where you want to paint the exterior
as well as the interior, there are lots of
areas where the knowledge of power
equipment and application of coatings
can enable the painting contractor to do
many things. Because you are accustomed
to using power equipment, you can not
only paint, but add texture and drywall
finishing, do concrete finishes, decks,
line striping, roof coatings and many
other liquid coating types of things with
speed, efficiency and high quality. You
have an edge over some of the trades
that do everything by hand.”
As a general rule, Johnson encourages
everybody to stay on top of the building
What the pros are saying about Bulls Eye 1-2-3 ®
:
“I’ve used other primers.
This is the best.”
— Sam Nikezic, S&S Painting & Remodeling
Chicago, Illinois
“Great coverage. Easy application.
Economical.”
Every once in a while, a product performs
even better than it claims. For Sam Nikezic,
that product is Bulls Eye 1-2-3. Sam calls
Bulls Eye 1-2-3 a “miracle product”.
It’s the only water-base primer he uses!
For more information visit
www.zinsser.com or call (732) 469-8100.
trends and codes, to recertify their training,
to learn new ways of doing things,
and to evaluate them to see if they are a
fit for their type of operation. “There is
always the tendency to do what you’ve
always done because you know what
works. None of us can afford to be shortsighted
in today’s economy. To strive to
do excellent work and embrace some of
the new technologies and opportunities
is what is going to make you and your
company grow the fastest.”
*2008 United States Paint Contractors’
Choice: Evaluation of Architectural Coatings
and Paint Equipment, by Frost & Sullivan.
pdca.org |
21

Thank You!
The companies identified below have made major financial commitments to PDCA.
These contributions make it possible for PDCA to launch an education initiative
unequaled in PDCA’s history. Over the years PDCA will become the education and
learning center of the painting & decorating industry.
We urge you to think about the commitment these companies have made to you
professionally and personally. Essentially they have said, “we care about
contractors and their businesses as individuals not just customers.” When you
think about your recommendations to your customers about paint, brushes,
supplies and services, think about these companies who have thought about you.

Tips and Techniques Deliver a Stunning Mirror
Finish for a Genuine Niche Market
For the professional painter looking to create a room with
a view versus applying another coat of paint, a faux finish
can create a unique and personalized setting. Plus, it can
open up a complementary niche market for contractors. Faux
finishes provide a great opportunity to enhance a pro’s menu
of services with a technique that creates a one-of-a-kind look in
any room, for any customer. There are many
ways to provide faux finish, the stunning
mirror-like finish described here was easy to
accomplish.
While there are numerous product options
available from leading manufacturers, for our
demonstration we chose a Venetian Plaster
product manufactured by Roman Adhesives.
In just a few hours, using two flexible joint
knives and a hawk and one finishing trowel
from Hyde Tools, we transformed a bare wall
into a shimmering façade that really fooled
the eye. Gary Clark, owner of Masterpiece
Finishes in Belchertown, Massachusetts,
provided the professional application.
A Clean Canvas
As with any painting project, for a better
finish start with a well-prepped wall. The
wall board had been primed with latex and
Roman Venetian Plaster forms the base for an
excellent faux finish.
sanded with 100 grit sandpaper. While blemishes may seem
minor on bare wallboard, they can stand out like a sore thumb
when the faux finish is completed.
A small hole in the wall from a fast swinging door was quickly
repaired using an over-the-counter kit. The Wet & Set® product
What the pros are saying about Bulls Eye 1-2-3 ®
:
“We've never had a complaint.
So I know it works.”
For Vince Warrenburg, the test of a good
product is customer satisfaction — and he
never gets callbacks with Bulls Eye 1-2-3.
It’s his “go to” primer for priming new
drywall, old wallcovering, wood, metal —
even tile and Formica!
— Vince Warrenburg,
Superintendent, Reece Rebholz Co. painting
Indianapolis, Indiana
“Great hide. Great adhesion.
Low odor.”
For more information visit
www.zinsser.com or call (732) 469-8100.
By Bob McCarthy
Contributed by Hyde Tools
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Wet & Set® patching material
trimmed to size.
from Hyde comes with patching material
and spackling compound. After cleaning
around the hole, we cut the patch to
size allowing one inch to overlap the
damaged area.
Into a pan of warm water, we quickly
dipped the Wet & Set® patch, immediately
removed it and let the excess water
drip off. We placed the patch over the
damaged area and smoothed it with our
fingers so that it spread evenly and held
tightly to the wall. It dried in 30 minutes.
Using a 13-inch hawk and a flexible joint
knife, spackle was applied to the patch
and the surrounding area. Once it dried,
we sanded it smooth and primed the
area to match the rest of the wall. Our
wall was white, but the color of the wall
is not important because once the faux
finish process is completed little, if any,
of the original color will show. The final
color and effect will come from the faux
finish product.
Creative Effects a Pro Can
Deliver
We chose a Venetian Plaster product
tinted to produce a color called
Cappuccino. But different tinted
products can be applied over each other
to produce numerous creative effects.
One real advantage of faux finishes is
they are only limited by the painter’s –
and his customers’—imagination.
| pdca.org
Wet & Set® spackling compound
applied with joint
knife.
Eight ounces at a time of Venetian Plaster are scooped onto a hawk/. The
base coat applied in a cross-hatch pattern with a flexible joint knife.
Completed patch ready for
priming.
The Roman faux finish product can be applied
with a roller or brush. But we used
flexible joint knives and a finishing trowel
to create the exceptional high gloss or
marble-like effect we wanted. Each faux
finish application can be customized. For
example, while there are several “standard”
pigments available to tint the product,
depending upon the manufacturer, it
is possible to mix and match, apply a base
coat in one color and a top coat with another
color to create a special effect.
The beauty of creating a faux finish is
that no two will be alike. Even using the
same product and tools, the end result
will always be unique because the faux
finish process gives expression to each
painter’s style.
Using a flexible six inch joint knife we
transferred about one-half cup of the
product onto the hawk. The product’s
consistency – unlike paint – kept it on the
hawk and gave us better control as we
applied it to the wall.
Starting with a three foot by three foot
section of the wall, we applied the base
coat with a flexible six inch joint knife
making X-patterns on the wall. Holding
the joint knife at a 90 degree angle to
the wall, we crossed from left to right, for
example, and then reversed the motion.
Each application slightly overlapped the
previous one but we kept wet edge to wet
edge to avoid pulling any of the product
off the wall. When the wall was covered,
we let the base coat dry. The drying time
was approximately two hours, but it can
vary from one hour to four hours depending
upon the ambient conditions.
For the second coat, we used the same
product, although we could have used
a product with a different tint for a
different effect. We did not follow the
same pattern as with the base coat.
While we again used the hawk and the
six inch joint knife, we applied a second
coat in three foot by three foot sections,
working across the wall from right to
left. Again, the uniqueness of the faux
finish process is that each application is
individualized, and that contributes to
the unique end result.
Because the wall was well prepped and
because two coats produced the desired
effect we do not have to apply any more
product before moving on to the final
step! However, different surfaces or
design options may require from one
to four coats depending on how well
the product covers and if it creates the
desired results.
Fool the Eye
With the second coat applied and dried,
we were ready for the final two steps
needed to create the final finish and truly
fool the eye. First, we sanded the wall using
600 grit sandpaper, using circular motions
to smooth and polish the surface.
Then we cleaned the surface with a clean
cloth dampened with warm water. The final
step was to burnish the surface.
Using a 12 x 4 inch stainless steel
finishing trowel – held parallel to the
surface - we applied light pressure and
rubbed it across the wall using a circular
motion. The heat and friction created
by the trowel burnishes the product and
Base coat worked in 3 foot by 3 foot sections, keeping wet edge
to wet edge. Second coat applied over dried base coat using
different pattern.

Dried Venetian Plaster prepped with 600 grit sandpaper. The smoothed
surface wiped clean for burnishing.
creates a smooth, glass-like finish to the wall surface. When the
burnishing was completed, we had the effect we wanted!
Looking at the finished Venetian Plaster
surface, two thoughts came to mind. One,
we had to remind ourselves that only hours
earlier the same surface had been basic
hum drum wall board. The results are that
stunning. Second, the completed wall
looked like Venetian Plaster with shadows,
hues and ripples that fooled the eye into
thinking that this perfectly smooth surface
was really stone-like. The effect (as shown in
the accompanying photos) must be seen to
be believed.
And there is more. Depending upon a
customer’s wants, most painters have the
tools needed to offer faux finish services.
And the products are there to help. Maybe
a home-owner wants a leather-like wall
in the den or an Irish linen effect in the
dining room, these and more can be done
Within a few hours, a once plain wall has a
stone-like finish.
Using light pressure, the finishing trowel burnishes the surface.
The light reflecting off the burnished section reveals a mirror-like
look.
with some basic tools, some quality products and a little
imagination. To coin a phrase, if these products can open new
business opportunities for you, then go faux it!
What the pros are saying about Bulls Eye 1-2-3 ®
:
“I only keep one
water-base primer in my van.
Bulls Eye 1-2-3 ®
is universal.”
To achieve a beautiful finish with a uniform
color and sheen, Michael turns to Bulls Eye
1-2-3 – inside and outside. It’s a great base
for any topcoat and nothing makes low
sheen paint on exterior stucco or wood
look better!
— Michael Waina, MLW Painting Co.
Pasadena, California
“Seals the surface for a uniform finish.
Great enamel holdout.”
For more information visit
www.zinsser.com or call (732) 469-8100.
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» residential forum
The
Culture
of Safety
Safety is a state of mind; I buckle up when I drive, I wear
a helmet – and look ludicrous – when I join my kids on a
bike ride, and I regularly check out jobsites for risks. A
defining characteristic of members of the Residential Forum is
our focus on the development of a truly professional painting
company. Attention to safety is an important component of
owning a legitimate and professional business.
OSHA’s Mandate
Since its inception in 1971, OSHA has helped to cut workplace
fatalities by more than 60 percent and occupational injury and
illness rates by 40 percent. At the same time, U.S. employment
has increased from 56 million employees at 3.5 million worksites
to more than 135 million employees at 8.9 million sites. You
do the math: OSHA saves lives, and we consider their rules and
regulations not an encumbrance but an asset.
Our first experience with OSHA was expensive; an employee
with a migraine suspected exposure to lead so she called
OSHA who conducted a site inspection. Air monitoring of the
worksite, test swabs of employee clothing and personal vehicle
interiors, all came back negative but nonetheless OSHA fined
us $10,000.00 for the lack of shower facilities - on a residential
painting job. Our subsequent appeal reduced the fine to
$1500.00 but I learned a lot from the mandatory two day course
on safety, the most important maxim holding that ‘there is no
unsafe employee, only an employee exposed
to unsafe conditions’. This is a critical distinction
for it places the onus of risk assessment
on the employer, never on the employee.
The Right Tools For The Job
The images below are testament to both
what is best and what is worst about our
industry. On the one hand, creativity and a
‘can-do’ attitude have provided solutions to
the challenges of accessing the work area.
On the other hand, both painting companies
have deliberately exposed their employees to
serious risk.
The simplest of solutions, involving a phone call
to arrange the rental and use of appropriate
equipment, or the proactive loading of the
right length of ladder onto the truck, would
eliminate the potential for injury or death for
these painters.
The painter in the image below would do well
| pdca.org
by Nigel Costolloe
to acquaint himself with the hazards of working around live
wires. The electrical service just over his left shoulder should
be insulated with a rubber boot, installed free of charge by the
local utility. Chances are, he’s worked this way for years and
had no problems. But a similar hazard resulted in electrocution
in Rhode Island two years ago; aging insulation on the service
allowed an arc of electricity to hit an aluminum extension
ladder used by a painter 12 feet away from the service; another
painter rushed to help and was electrocuted as soon as he
made contact with the first; both men died.
Safety First
Putting safety first should be paramount for any small business
owner, regardless of company size. It must a key component
of any comprehensive business plan and procedures manual.
Rigorous implementation of a safety policy and weekly safety
meetings keep the topic fresh and relevant at our company.
I can count on one hand the injuries to our employees since
1994 – and ironically all of which were preventable by forethought
and planning.
Inheriting Bad Habits
The incidents at our company revealed the need to ensure that
every new employee is thoroughly vetted and tested before
being allowed to step onto a worksite. One candidate, on
his very first day was instructed to work only at ground level,

ut later went looking for the foreman,
climbed a ladder and stepped onto a
wet rubber roof. He slipped and fell 8
feet, narrowly missing the sharp end of a
piece of rebar. A trip to the ER for X-rays
showed bruised ribs and 4 weeks of light
duty followed. He had been given a
ladder safety orientation that morning
and had been instructed not to use any
extension ladders. His carelessness and
disregard for our policies cost us dearly.
The second incident involved stepladder
placement. The painter had one foot of
the ladder on a flagstone walkway, the
other on soft earth and his foot became
tangled in the four foot ladder as it
tipped over resulting in a serious break
and months of light duty.
Two incidents reflecting unsafe work
habits and a general disregard for caution
and then compounded by my own mistake
– we failed to have either painter tested
for illicit substances or alcohol when they
were treated at the hospital. I do not
imply either was suspect, only that due
diligence might have discovered relevant
and exonerating conditions that would
place the fault of the injury on the victim
and so protect the company from liability
and light duty expenses. We realized the
need for more stringent training, review
of safety procedures daily and weekly,
and the constant reinforcement of the
message “never do anything that can
expose you to risk or injury!”
Trust But Verify
In an effort to better qualify incoming
candidates for employment, we stan-
dardized the following testing for every
successful applicant; drug testing, lead
and zinc level testing of blood samples,
and pulmonary fitness testing. Publishing
these in our recruitment ads shrunk
the pool of applicants for each position,
and yielded the kind of candidate we
sought - those that would comment during
their interview that the very stringency
of the application process appealed
to them. We feel that these same candidates
will have a similar regard for their
personal welfare and so contribute to
safer worksites.
As business owners we try to plan for all
eventualities but what so often happens
is the week’s playbook gets tossed out
by 10 am on a Monday morning. We
are all adept at managing multiple
priorities, customers and crew, typically
presenting at least the veneer of calm
professionalism. It is critical, however, that
we make no compromises on workplace
safety, no matter what pressures we face.
We owe this to our employees first of all,
to our customers whose properties are at
risk should an injury claim escalate, but
also to ourselves. Planning, diligence
and implementation are required in equal
measure, and this can be delegated to
staff, but the culture of safety starts with
us. Use every site visit, every meeting, as
an opportunity to educate and reinforce
the need for safe work practices. If you
see an example of unsafe work, as I do
almost every day in the Boston area, snap
it with your cellphone camera and use it
as an educational tool as soon as possible.
The old adage ‘an ounce of prevention’
has never been more relevant!
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pdca.org |
27

Avoiding
Joint Pain
When it comes to concrete buildings, tilt-up is a
very popular form of construction. To the painting
contractor, that means dealing with sealant expansion
joints. These can provide challenges whether the contractor is
installing the caulking material or painting the sealant after its
installation by others.
If you are responsible for the sealant installation, then you
need to be sure to select a caulking material that has the
proper physical properties for the situation at hand. When a
sealant is used in joints that are subject to movement, then
the amount of expansion and contraction must be considered.
Certain sealant materials can accommodate joint movement
of 12.5% or higher, often necessary in expansion joints.
Other factors that should be considered include adhesion,
hardness, abrasion resistance, effective temperature range,
and resistance to weathering. The sealant shown in photo 1
suffered excessive shrinkage and created an aesthetic issue.
There are many sealant failures due to the loss of adhesion
from one of the surfaces to which the sealant is attached. The
Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
technical «
by Bob Cusumano
interior of the joint must be inspected to ensure that it is clean
and sound. The sealant shown in photo 2 failed because it was
applied to an unsound surface whose cohesion was less than
the stress applied by the sealant. Joint cleanliness is critical. In
a previous article, we discussed the importance of joint design
and how the depth of the joint is controlled using backer rod.
Another important reason for using backer rod is to prevent a
condition known as "three point adhesion." When you install
caulking, it should adhere to the two sides of the joint, but not
to the rear. If the sealant is attached to both the sides and the
rear of the joint, then its ability to elongate is compromised and
sealant failure often occurs. The backer rod either provides a
surface that the sealant will not adhere to or will be so flexible
that even though the sealant adheres to it, it does allow the
sealant to move properly.
When the sealant is applied to a painted surface, then
the adhesion of the paint to which the sealant will be
applied must first be assessed. Photo 3 shows caulking that
failed because it was applied over a primer that had poor
adhesion to the concrete tilt-up panels. All loose materials,
pdca.org |
29

30
Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 6
including poorly or marginally-adhered
previously-applied coats of paint, must
be removed.
After the expansion joints are sealed,
they are often finish painted with
the remainder of the exterior of the
building, and that can present additional
challenges. You need to be certain that the
paint that is applied can accommodate
the movement that occurs in the sealant
joints. Photo 4 shows a textured coating
that is beginning to crack on a sealant
joint. This particular joint is protected
from extreme weathering elements
and has not yet shown the effects of
exposure. Photo 5 shows a similar joint
that is exposed, resulting in delamination
of the coating.
Robert L. Cusumano
President, Coatings Consultants, Inc.
Bob’s consulting firm analyzes paint failures,
writes coating project specifications, and provides
expert witness testimony. He teaches
classes on blueprint reading, estimating, and
management skills to painting contractors and
frequently speaks and writes articles regarding
coatings failures. He is a former painting contractor
and former national PDCA President. Bob
earned a Bachelor of Metallurgical Engineering
and a Master of Science Degree in Engineering,
specializing in corrosion research, both from the
University of Florida. Bob currently manages
the PDCA standards program.
| pdca.org
Examination of the rear of the delaminated
paint shows that there can be
multiple causes of marginal adhesion of
the paint to the sealant that can lead to
ultimate disbonding. Photo 6 shows that
this coating was applied over caulking
that had collected a great quantity of
dirt. Solvent wiping of the joint is often
necessary to remove surface contaminants
so that the coating can establish
good adhesion to the sealant.
Before applying a coating to the joint
sealant it is important to ensure that it
has properly cured. The coating that delaminated
in photo 7 has a thin layer of
the sealant material attached to the rear
of the coating film. The dark spots are
dirt, but the light gray areas are traces of
the sealant material. In this instance, the
stress on the coating exceeded the cohesive
strength of the top layer of sealant
material resulting in delamination.
Another potential problem is the
compatibility of the coating with the
sealant to which it is applied. In some
instances, good adhesion cannot be
attained, such as when applying an acrylic
over a silicone caulk. Often, special
primers, different from those applied to
the adjacent concrete, must be applied
Photo 7 Photo 8
to the sealant prior to application of the
finish coat.
In other instances, components of the
sealant, such as surfactants and plasticizers,
may bleed through the applied coating
and result in unsightly discoloration.
Photo 8 shows such a condition in which
the coating over (and immediately adjacent
to) the caulk joint is distinctively
darker than the adjacent coating.
Since there are so many potential pitfalls
in coating the sealant on expansion
joints, it is often preferable to install a
sealant that is color-matched to the coating
that is applied to adjacent concrete
panels after the coating is applied. When
this option is selected, the sides of the
sealant joints should be masked to prevent
coating application. If primer or finish
coating is applied to the sides of the
joint, it must have sufficient adhesion to
support the movement of the sealant.
Exterior painting represents a variety of
challenges, and painting concrete tiltup
buildings is near the top of the list.
When involved in these projects, make
sure you don’t ignore the treatment of
sealant joints or you may be faced with
an expensive call back.

Coatings Consultants, Inc.
Painting Estimating Pro Software
Bob Cusumano has developed a series of estimating/project managing spreadsheet programs. This computer software package
includes spreadsheet programs for estimating the cost of painting and jobs and for keeping track of job costs. These programs
provide mathematical tools to make the computations easy to perform. Painting Estimating Pro is fashioned after the
Blueprint Reading and Painting Estimating classes that our firm teaches to painting contractors across the country. Mr.
Cusumano authored the PDCA Cost & Estimating Volume 1 Practices and Procedures which advocates the use of this method of
painting estimating.
*Produce Accurate Bids - The Estimating Spreadsheet allows for accurate estimates backed by easy to read material quantities,
labor hours and additional job expenses which can all be reviewed prior to bidding a project and adjusted if the breakdowns on
the spreadsheet don't seem achievable. This spreadsheet allows you to adjust virtually any aspect of the bid, such as spread rates,
production rates, pay scales, overhead and percent markup.
*Control Job Cost - One of the Estimating Spreadsheets included in this package is linked to a Job Costing Spreadsheet for ease of
transfer of estimate breakdown so that job costing can quickly begin.
*Job Cost Ledger - This ledger is linked with the Job Cost Spreadsheet so that when labor, material or additional job costs are posted
on a regular basis, they are automatically updated to the Job Cost Spreadsheet.
*Bonus Spreadsheets – are included which make it easy to calculate Spread Rates of paint products and figure YOUR Overhead.
BLUEPRINT READING AND PAINTING ESTIMATING CLASSES
St. Louis, MO – December 3-4, 2008
The 2-day classes begin with basic blueprint reading and then teach participants how to bid a project by calculating the labor hours,
gallons of materials and additional job costs required. Attendees are taught how to calculate their overhead and then ultimately
produce a responsible bid.
FAILURE ANALYSIS AND EXPERT WITNESS TESTIMONY
his a major portion of our business. Because of our technical background and working knowledge of the painting industry, we can
be of assistance to you.
Call Wanda Buchanan or visit us at www.coatingsconsultants.com for further information.
Coatings Consultants, Inc. • 8211 Needles Drive • Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
Phone: 561-775-7151• Fax: 561-775-7050
Hurry, classes are limited! Don’t get shut out.
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Making Sure That Your
Work is Acceptable
by Bob Cusumano
We’d like all of our jobs to run smoothly.
Unfortunately, in many cases there are
problems regarding the coordination of
various portions of the work. Often, those parties
are the painting contractor and the drywall finisher.
And on that subject, here’s a desperate e-mail that I
received from a painting contractor last week:
“I am encountering many problems on a project which
has been a failure since the start. The G. C. has gone
through one project manager and four superintendents.
They have hired and fired several subs. This project has
just been one big headache for all. Anyway, there have
been problems as to the way the ceilings and walls look.
This condo complex has large windows and a tremendous
amount of natural light coming through. We have
been asked to repaint and repaint. They have signed
tickets but are now refusing to do so because they are
saying that we did not do the job right. They have had
three taping companies on this job. The first company
did the usual taping job. The second taping company
did a level 5 skim coat that looked like a level-1 job. The
third and current taper came in to redo taping. Mind
you, we are re-coating each time this is done. We finished
five floors and they sent the tapers back to do
a wider skim on all joints. This required us to repaint
again. At this point, the G. C. decided not to sign any
more tickets because they felt that this was happening
because of our poor paint job. We have recoated, spot
primed, recoated, primed the entire wall and recoated
and cannot seem to get it to look right. Now you can
only see it if you stand along the side of the wall with the
natural light hitting it. Every time the G. C. sees this, he
standards «
pdca.org |
33

34
Photo 1
sends the tapers back and we start all over again. I am thinking
that these sheet rock walls have so much compound and paint
on them that this could be causing the problem. I don't see an
end to this.” (See photo 1.)
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated situation. It may sound
familiar to you. While the ultimate goal is to satisfy your
customers, there are situations like this where you must be
prepared to protect your company both financially and legally.
That’s where PDCA standards come to the rescue.
The most applicable standard to the above situation is PDCA-P4
entitled “Responsibility for Inspection and Acceptance of
Surfaces Prior to Painting.” This standard is intended to be used
on construction projects where the Painting and Decorating
Contractor applies paints, coatings or wallcoverings over a
surface assembled, constructed and/or prepared by another
contractor or trade not under the Painting and Decorating
Contractor’s control.
The standard says that “Quality of Appearance” is a subjective
term governed by the Contracting Entity and established
by specification and reference standards. It is controlled by
sample review and approval along with jobsite inspections and
approvals. In other words, there should be a process in place
to evaluate the quality of the work performed.
The standard goes on to say that “the Painting and Decorating
Contractor is not licensed, qualified, or obligated to render
any final professional opinion regarding the “Quality of
Appearance” of work performed by others.” Contractually, the
painting contractor does not have the authority or responsibility
to judge the work of the drywall finisher.
| pdca.org
So whose job is it to make that determination?
According to the standard,
the Contracting Entity has the
responsibility to determine that a surface
is complete and ready to receive
painting or wallcoverings. The contracting
entity is defined as the general
contractor, owner of the property,
construction manager, developer,
or other entity legally responsible for
the contractual agreement, or authorized
agent of any of the above.
So what is the painting contractor
responsible for? The Painting and
Decorating Contractor is required
to inspect surfaces to be finished
only to determine, by reasonable
and visible evidence, that the finish
will satisfactorily adhere to surfaces
provided by others and will perform
as specified.
So before proceeding with painting, do you need written
authorization that the surfaces have been inspected and
accepted? Not necessarily. While it’s always better to get
written approval, the standard says that “when the previous
trade has completed its work and/or notification to proceed
has been given (to the painting and decorating contractor),
such action will be construed as tacit evidence that all work
has been inspected, and that it is warrantable, completed and
ready for finishing. If “Quality of Appearance” of a surface,
prior to finishing, is judged marginal or unacceptable by
others conducting essential inspection, such alleged defective
work must be corrected prior to priming and finishing so that
all surfaces are made complete and ready for finishing. If
the unacceptable work is not made complete and ready for
finishing, the Painting and Decorating Contractor will halt work
until directed to proceed.”
Assuming that our desperate painting contractor was told
to proceed with his work, then the standard states that he’s
entitled to additional compensation for the re-priming and
refinishing that he described. “Once finishing has begun, as
scheduled or as directed, the correction of “Defects and/or
Latent Damage” is considered “Damage Repair” as per PDCA,
Standard P1-04, Touch-Up Painting and Damage Repair-
Financial Responsibility.”
The quality of the Painting and Decorating Contractor’s painting
work is judged by “a properly painted surface” as defined by
PDCA standard P1 and the quality of wallcovering installation
is assessed in accordance with PDCA-P6. Had a benchmark
sample been applied and approved in accordance with PDCA
standard P5, our unfortunate contractor’s problems may never
have arisen. Use of the PDCA standards should avoid on-thejob
conflicts as well as offer protection in disputes.

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» craftsmanship
36
Mood Assessment
as a Tool to Empower your Company
Part 2 - Team Mood
Part 1 of this two-part Mood Assessment series was first
published in the May-June issue of DECO Magazine and
focused on Client Mood Assessments as a tool to empower
field personnel to be a positive force in raising the level
of the customer service experience. Part 2 sheds light on Team
Mood Assessments and how this tool can be used to help create
and maintain alignment between the team and the company’s
mission of service.
I believe that producing an extraordinary customer service
experience cannot be sustained without placing equal
importance on producing an extraordinary employee
experience. Maintaining a high level of alignment between
the people delivering the service and the customer receiving
the service is the primary mission of the business. Disharmony,
dissension and poor attitude of the team can take away from
or derail the best-laid plans and sink the most seaworthy ships.
On the other hand, a harmonious and inspired team, focused
on its mission, can achieve extraordinary results. In the long
run, extraordinary customer service cannot be sustained
without creating an “extraordinary work experience” for the
people delivering the service.
Producing such a work experience requires company policies
and systems that support, encourage and nurture employees
in “doing the right thing” for customers. The importance of
that element cannot be overstated. Team Mood is a shared
responsibility between management and its employees. In this
article, I will describe how a Team Mood Assessment System
can be used to help fulfill that responsibility.
An Illustration
A recent service experience I had helps to illustrate the points
I made above. Recently, I decided to make a change to my
| pdca.org
by Mario Guertin
President, PDCA Craftsmanship Forum
President, Painting in Partnership, Inc.
family’s phone service. I chose to go with our cable provider,
who also offers digital voice and high-speed Internet. Gus,
the installer for the cable company, came to hook up the new
service. He had to install a wire between the cable box and our
main phone line located in the family room. He said that the
cable could be run inside the house. I said “Where?” He said,
“Along the wall.” I said, “The cable would run along the wall
and be visible?” He said, “Yes, but the wire would be black.”
I said “Can we run the wire outside the house?” He answered,
“Yes, but he would have to drill a hole in the wall.” I said: “No
problem, you will just need a 25 foot wire and drill one hole in
the wall.” He said “OK.”
As he went to his truck to get supplies, my wife and I commented,
“Gus wants to be out of here the fastest possible way, doesn’t
he?” Otherwise, he would have sensed our disapproval. He
would have taken time to discuss our needs. Indeed, he was
out in 20 minutes; we could not believe it.
When Gus arrived, I had mentioned that there were three other
lines in the phone box and they were not to be touched since
they were the business lines and were staying with the other
carrier. After he left, I went to my office and noticed that the
Internet was not working. I thought it would clear up soon.
However, the next day, the Internet was still not working. It
then occurred to me to check the office lines. Nothing was
working! I called my old carrier to alert them to the problem
with my business lines. Within four hours, a phone company
employee named Dillon came out for the service call. I
explained to Dillon what had happened the day before. He
opened the phone box and discovered that the three business
lines had been unplugged and left unplugged by Gus. He
verified that the lines corresponded to my business numbers.
Upon reconnecting the lines, he asked me to call each line

from my cell phone, send a fax and test the automatic transfer
to the second line. He then proceeded to tag each business
line and verified the ground for those lines.
All this took about 15 minutes. I am sure, by now, that you
notice a sharp difference between those two service calls.
But that is not all. Upon completing my testing, I noticed that
Dillon was staring at the paint memorabilia in my shop area.
I asked Dillon how long he had been working in the carrier’s
service department. He said: “Over 16 years now but I used
to be a painter for many years. That is why I was curious about
your paint memorabilia.”
We proceeded to have a 20 minute conversation on service
and company policies. Dillon told me that service technicians
in the telecommunications industry are evaluated based on the
quickness of their service calls. He said that his company does
the same thing and, that for 16 years; he has been pressured by
his management to turn his service call more quickly. He said
management is not happy with his performance; even though
he routinely gets calls from his colleagues to trouble shoot
technical problems they encounter in the field.
Upon Dillon’s departure, I called Gus’s company and told them
that, on a scale of 1 to 10, I was giving Gus a “0” for his service
call. Then, I left a message for Dillon’s boss telling him about
the great employee he has in Dillon and that I felt he would be
a great trainer in the service department.
I share this story because it illustrates several important points
about Team Mood. Here are some key ones:
» Production targets, without any customer feedback
system can demoralize a team or wreck customer service.
» Company policies can get in the way of taking the
right actions in the field or blind the personnel to the real
opportunity of service.
» Individual attitudes and work ethics play a critical role in
the customer experience as well.
Defining the Problem
Team Mood is an area where resignation and a feeling of powerlessness
run rampant. We are all deeply affected
by mood. We feel at the mercy of mood; helpless to
scope it out or take actions to deal with it in a positive
and empowering way. Moreover, the problem is often
compounded by a general lack of communication and
poor skills at resolving conflict. Situations are allowed
to fester and deteriorate, sometimes right before our
eyes, without appropriate action being taken by management.
I was taught this lesson late last year.
In November, one of my employees confided in me
about the difficulties he was having in getting along
with another employee, even though they had been coworkers
off and on for four years. Upon having that
conversation, it became clear I needed to put these two
employees face to face and act as a mediator. During
the meeting, it surfaced that “joking around” was a
“rub” between the two of them. It was OK to make a
wisecrack at the other, but not OK to be the recipient of
one. Feelings would get hurt. Retaliation would occur.
The bad mood between them would eventually spill
over and affect other
teammates. The meeting
diffused the tension between them and equipped them with a
new awareness that would hopefully minimize such problems
in the future.
Designing a Team Mood Assessment System
Until that meeting, however, it never occurred to me to apply
the Mood Assessment principles I had been implementing with
clients to the mood of my team, individually and collectively.
After that meeting, it became clear I had no interest in being
a fireman or a babysitter for my team. So I was very willing
to develop a management system that would enable them
to become conscious of their individual mood and how each
person both affects and is affected by their work experience. I
also recognized the need for occasional coaching of my team
on skills like how to communicate to resolve conflict or how to
deal with issues that unavoidably come up.
It was clear that without an avenue to resolve conflicts with
teammates or management, behaviors develop that create
serious misalignment in the organization, compromise and
even sabotage the company’s mission of service. This is the
core of the Team Mood Assessment System I developed.
SCALE:--------------Negative Mood--------------Positive Mood--------------
-2 = Often -1 = Occasionally +1 = Occasionally +2 = Often
MOOD ASSESSMENTS:
Personal Assessment
Mood Elements Assessment of Team
_________________ ____________ ________
1- “Team Spirit” -2 -1 +1 +2 -2 -1 +1 +2
2- Communication at Work -2 -1 +1 +2 -2 -1 +1 +2
3- Greetings at Start and End of Day -2 -1 +1 +2 -2 -1 +1 +2
4- Attitude Towards Work -2 -1 +1 +2 -2 -1 +1 +2
5- Comments Made about Team
Members, Company and Client -2 -1 +1 +2 -2 -1 +1 +2
6- Play an Important Role in the Company -2 -1 +1 +2 -2 -1 +1 +2
7- Communication with Management -2 -1 +1 +2 -2 -1 +1 +2
8- Feel Empowered by Management -2 -1 +1 +2 -2 -1 +1 +2
Name_____________ Date _______ SCORE _______ _______
pdca.org |
37

38
In implementing this tool, I realized that
people need to be able to distinguish between
a “positive mood” and “negative
mood” in order to give a more accurate
assessment. This is how the tool works.
1- For every mood element, team
members make two assessments: one
for their own mood and one for the
mood of the team, as they perceive
it.
2- For every mood element, they have
to decide if their mood for the week
was overall positive or negative.
3- They then assign a rating from of
+ or -1 or + or -2 to each item, based
on the scale given above. In all,
sixteen assessments are made by each
employee every week.
4- The points for each column are
added up.
5- The office then comes up with
company-wide average personal and
team scores.
| pdca.org
6- Management carefully reviews
the weekly scores. In my company, in
2008, we have set a score target of 12
for both average scores. These score
targets are part of our company’s
monthly Key Indicators (sales targets,
leads generated, customer satisfaction,
etc.) that are monitored and tracked
for the business.
How the System is Used by
Management
It is important to point out what this
tool is not. It is not a spying devise, an
eves dropping tool or a way to rag on
someone else. It is first and foremost a
self-awareness tool that is used by the
team in monitoring their mood. It is also
intended as a tool to help them pinpoint
any behavior issues that may be causing
a “rub” for them and whom they need to
communicate with.
Management’s role in the system is one
of monitoring to detect opportunities
for communication, coaching and spot
signs that company policies or methods
might be affecting the team negatively.
In working with this tool, I find that
proactive communication is the key to
resolving conflict, improving mood and
maintaining alignment. Coaching employees
on conflict resolution and communication
in general is also a key to the
success of the system.
Finally, honesty is a cornerstone. Honesty
requires trust. Trust must be earned
and it requires time. The team must
see that management can be trusted
with the assessments and is committed
to creating value for the team. After
all, what employee does not wish for
an extraordinary environment to work
in? Achieving that result requires time,
patience and a measure of courage. It
also requires that management sees
value in creating that environment
and implementing a tool like the Team
Mood Assessment. It must be clearly
tied to business goals and results. If you
have any doubt that your team’s mood
directly effects productivity and customer
satisfaction, just ask them!
sticks on painting « by Mark Lewis
If you like Sticks on Painting or think they would look great on your wall or coffee mug, see more of Mark’s work by visiting www.cafepress.com/stickcraft. If you have
ideas for a great Sticks cartoon, feel free to e-mail Mark at mark@pccontracting.com

You need
a paint
that works
as hard
as you do.
Dulux ® Fortis is the exterior paint
formulated for you — the professional
painter — to give you the edge you’re
looking for. Thick and rich in solids,
it provides uniform coverage with
outstanding hiding power and
excellent brush and roller loading
make it easy to use. It can even help
extend your painting season since
it cures at temperatures to 35º F.
Take the Fortis Challenge.
Try it for yourself and see if you don’t
reduce a coat on your next job.
Find Dulux Fortis at your nearest ICI
Paints store. Call 800-984-5444 or visit
www.icipaintstores.com for locations.
E-mail us at duluxpaints@ici.com to find out how Dulux Fortis stacked up
against other leading brands in a blind product performance test.
©2008 ICI Paints, All Rights Reserved

40
» ifma
Play It Safe
What’s Your Security Plan?
By Stephen R. Aborn
John T. Kozak
Contributed by IFMA
www.ifma.org
Just as the U.S. Marines are always looking
for “a few good men,” facilities managers
looking to staff security operations at
specialized facilities should consider adopting
a similar approach. At Distrigas of Massachusetts,
the oldest and busiest liquefied natural
gas (LNG) facility in the United States, that
qualification is essential.
Unlike other domestic LNG import facilities,
Distrigas is situated in a dense urban area
adjacent to the city of Boston, its active harbor
and seaport and Logan International Airport.
It supplies approximately 20 percent of New
England’s natural gas via pipelines and tanker
trucks from its two LNG storage tanks with a
combined capacity of 42 million gallons.
“In our operation, exemplary safety and security
processes are a primary focus and an ongoing
commitment,” explains Mark Skordinski, senior
manager for safety and security for Distrigas,
where he oversees a staff of in-house security
professionals and contract security officers from Garda (formerly
Vance). “We must coordinate our safety and security efforts
with local, state and federal authorities including the U.S.
Department of Transportation, the Department of Homeland
Security, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration
and the U.S. Coast Guard, among others. We must also comply
with a host of regulations and standards as well.”
Since Sept. 11, security plans and systems have become increasingly
elaborate and detailed. “Before we were primarily
concerned with vandalism and petty trespass,” Skordinski recalls.
“Today, given the state of world affairs, our security officers
interact on a daily basis with state and local police, fire
and emergency personnel, FBI, Homeland Security as well as
the crews from LNG tankers, truckers who transport the gas
and contractors onsite for ongoing maintenance work. It is not
a coat and tie corporate security environment,” he notes.
A military model
When Garda Security Services first met with Distrigas to discuss
their security needs, they quickly realized their project-based
approach was the perfect model for meeting Distrigas’ unique
needs. The Distrigas security requirement was akin to the type
of security Garda provides at military installations. In staffing the
| pdca.org
Distrigas of Massachusetts, the oldest and busiest liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in the
United States, supplies 20 percent of New England’s natural gas from its two 42 million
gallon storage tanks shown here with the Boston skyline and harbor in the background.
facility, Garda selected officers with military backgrounds who
met stringent criteria—including appearance and demeanor,
ability to operate sophisticated electronic surveillance systems
and to undergo rigorous, ongoing training and testing. Additionally,
all security officers must pass a comprehensive background
check. Once assigned to the Distrigas terminal, they
receive extensive terrorism training by local police agencies
and Homeland Security, bomb detection training by the Massachusetts
State Police and in-depth training in LNG operations
and processes in order to support the staff of the facility.
The officers, clad in black “battle dress uniforms,” similar to
those worn by police SWAT teams, staff security posts throughout
the sprawling facility monitoring closed-circuit intelligent
video surveillance systems. They respond to alarms as well as
perform security checks and inspections of all people and vehicles
that enter the facility using under-vehicle monitoring systems
to check for improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The officers are subject to random monthly drills—ranging from
suspicious mail deliveries to fake IEDs on the underside of tanker
trucks and ladders left against security fence perimeters.
“When government officials, regulators or important customers
visit, these officers are the face of Distrigas,” Skordinski

emphasizes. “That initial impression is a
lasting one and our officers in every way
communicate the complete preparedness
and professionalism that exemplifies
our approach to safe and secure
operations.”
All security is specialized
Most specialized facilities do not require
the level of security maintained by
Skordinski and his team at Distrigas but
the approach can be adapted to almost
any type of facility. From a security
perspective, every facility is a specialized
facility in terms of what it needs for
comprehensive security. It requires all
of the usual planning and programs
but must be focused intently on those
aspects of the facility and its operations
that make it unique.
The process should begin with comprehensive
risk and vulnerability assessments
that will enable facility managers
to prioritize their risks. They should then
create a plan to address those risks.
That is the key to creating affordable security
plans that adequately provide the
level of security required. Traditionally,
many facility managers took a transactional
approach to security—largely ignoring
it until a problem arose and then
working to address that specific situation.
Security was viewed, at best, as a
necessary evil.
Today that approach simply doesn’t
work, particularly in the case of
specialized facilities. The huge increase
in government and industry-specific
regulation across many industries and
professions demands that organizations
plan for risks and develop the systems
needed to respond effectively.
In the case of Distrigas and other
companies in traditionally regulated
industries, Sept. 11 spawned a wave of
new regulatory requirements focused on
preventing terrorism. Other industries—
without that history of regulation—have
a unique opportunity today to create
their own regulations and present them
to government agencies to preclude
having ordinances imposed upon them.
Most organizations would prefer to
self-regulate—that requires effectively
addressing the issue of security.
Knowing what you don’t know
Unlike Distrigas, which has its own security
team overseeing security operations,
many companies rely on facility managers
The Distrigas LNG storage tanks shown here are protected by highly trained security officers,
sophisticated electric surveillance systems and comprehensive coordination with federal,
state and local authorities.
to perform that function in addition to
myriad of other duties. Managing the
process of creating and maintaining an
effective security plan doesn’t require
an advanced degree from Homeland
Security, just the awareness to seek
expert advice to guide the process.
With a completed risk and vulnerability
assessment in hand, facility managers
can determine their exposure and begin
the process of addressing the risks their
organization face. This includes detailed
emergency and crisis plans that specify
precise procedures for both averting
crises and dealing with them should
they occur.
All of that information rolls up into a detailed
security plan for the facility. Make
sure it includes a comprehensive scope
of work that assigns specific responsibilities
and establishes key performance
indicators and other metrics to measure
effectiveness. Quality security providers
welcome such accountability. Distrigas
performs its duties in accordance with
a performance-driven incentive plan
and has consistently met 100 percent of
its goal.
Four-pronged approach for
superior performance
The secret to achieving superior
performance levels is four-fold—a
stringent selection process, an active
training program, engaged management
and a highly competitive compensation
package for all onsite security personnel.
That is the essential checklist. Utilizing a
project-based approach, Garda provides
security officers for a wide range of
facilities and each presents unique
requirements for proper staffing. For
Distrigas it is highly competent, trained
individuals with military polish combined
with poise and technical literacy. At
a hospital, empathy and people-skills
are at the forefront. Manufacturing
environments require a mixture of those
skill sets. Simply put, a cookie-cutter
approach doesn’t work—that will quickly
become apparent in poor performance,
high-turnover and excessive cost.
The selection process
Assembling a high-quality security officer
force for any facility requires, first and
foremost, a rigorous selection process.
Check carefully into the selection
process the security provider uses. Garda
screens its officers extensively, including
a nine panel pre-employment drug test,
a seven year background-check of all
jurisdictions where the candidate has
lived, verification by Department of
Motor Vehicles, credit and I-9 records,
and validation of military and educational
history. Candidates must exhibit English
proficiency and pass a literacy test.
Finally, they are interviewed extensively
and evaluated for integrity, poise and
the ability to communicate effectively
and tactfully.
Training
The next aspect of security selection
is training. Many security firms sit
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42
new recruits in front of a VCR and TV
monitor to watch a 30-minute training
tape and then pass out the diplomas.
Better than nothing perhaps, but
far short of the mandatory 40-hour
classroom instruction and role-playing
process that Garda recommends and
uses. Trainees must score at least 80
percent on a comprehensive exam that
includes security, medical, legal and
weapons topics. That initial 40-hour
training session prepares officers for the
continuous onsite training that many
clients and regulatory agencies require.
The week long pre-assignment training
class helps dramatically reduce officer
turnover at client sites.
Supervision and project management
The third element is supervision and
project management. Security officers
should report to a project manager who
is extensively trained on the particular
requirements for the job site and
oversee the ongoing training process. In
today’s dynamic work environments, the
ability to adapt to changing conditions
and requirements demands rigorous
supervision throughout the process.
Competitive income
The final element to achieving a successful
program, and oftentimes the most
difficult to meet because of the financial
commitment it requires, is to make sure
a program is in place to adequately compensate
the officers providing the service.
This includes offering pay rates to
attract and retain quality personnel along
with a comprehensive benefits package.
The power of convergence
Think for a moment about the perception
of a security guard. For many it conjures
up the image of an older person, a
retired police officer perhaps, standing
in a bank lobby or walking around a
facility checking doors and windows.
Today that antiquated impression
doesn’t begin to capture the dynamic
evolution of the role security officers
play in the workplace. At Distrigas, for
example, contract security officers manage
and operate the facilities’ electronic
surveillance systems—monitoring all
fence lines and gates via a network of
closed circuit TV cameras, responding to
automated alarms and using sophisticated
electronics to inspect every vehicle
that enters the facility. This convergence
| pdca.org
of physical and information technology
security has produced tremendous productivity
and cost control. To complement
electronic surveillance, individuals
skilled at detecting potential security
threats are also an important component
of the mix. Security resources are
deployed only when needed to respond
to confirmed threats.
The possibilities of imagination
The commission investigating the
tragedy of Sept. 11 coined the term
“failure of imagination” to describe what
led to that horrific act of terror. Airlines
were vigilant in preventing terrorists
from bringing bombs onto airplanes but
never realized that the planes themselves
could become bombs. Today, security
planning factors in the need to imagine
the unexpected—the unorthodox
exploitation of a seemingly benign
situation. Distrigas engaged in detailed
exercises and planning to anticipate and
avert worst-case scenarios.
On a far more positive note, some
facility managers and security experts
are unleashing their imaginations to
increase the return on their security
investment. At one site, the property
manager complained about the expense
of constantly changing locks due to
high tenant turnover. It was suggested
that he send one of the security officers
to locksmith school for training so he
could routinely change locks whenever
needed. The budget drain for locksmith
services disappeared and the return on
his security investment increased.
Think outside the box about what
security personnel can do and what
additional functions they can perform.
Today all well-trained security officers
need to be certified in cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) and to use an
automated external defibrillator (AED)
as well as first responder medical care.
Many are expanding their capabilities to
include concierge services, monitoring
of heating, ventilation, air conditioning
and building systems, facility tours and
contractor training programs. The list is
almost endless.
Enhancing core services
By considering additional services that
security personnel can provide, facility
managers are also enhancing the core
services rendered. The security officer
who delivers mail throughout a company
interacts with lots of employees, observes
peoples’ behavior over time and can be
more effective in preventing workplace
violence, fraud, malicious damage and
other wrong-doings.
When considering security firms for
specialized needs, managers should investigate
what additional services are
available. Does the company provide executive
protection, travel security, fraud
investigation and litigation support? Can
they create or update existing crisis and
contingency plans, employee safety and
security training? Can they help perform
due diligence on prospective business
partners and vendors? Most of these
services are transactional—retained only
when needed but they are far more effective
if delivered by a security firm already
familiar with a specific company
and personnel.
When Skordinski stands on the dock at
the Distrigas facility watching a massive
LNG tanker majestically approach
through Boston Harbor and into the
Mystic River for unloading, he reflects
on the stellar safety record his company
has achieved. He knows—down to the
smallest detail—how Distrigas maintains
and continuously improves that performance.
From the diver who carefully inspected
the waters below the dock before
the ship’s arrival to the officer at the
front gate checking the IDs of tank truck
drivers arriving to further transport the
gas, no detail has gone overlooked. His
challenges exceed those found at most
facilities and he is secure in the knowledge
that he and his team successfully
meet those trials every day.
About the Authors:
Stephen R. Aborn and John T. Kozak
Stephen R. Aborn and John T. Kozak are managing
directors of security services at Garda. With more than 25
years combined experience working with both national
and regional security providers, they have helped a
variety of organizations plan for, manage and respond
to risks. They can be reached at Stephen.aborn@
gardaglobal.com and john.kozak@gardaglobal.com.

44
» commercial forum
The Benefit of
PDCA Accreditation
for the Commercial Contractor
My company achieved accredited status in November
of 2007. Sometimes when speaking with other PDCA
members who contract predominately in the commercial
marketplace, I have been asked what benefits PDCA
accreditation could possibly offer the commercial painting
contractor. I suppose I do understand this outlook, as many
feel that the curriculum is designed for and marketed primarily
to the residential painting contractor. While this may well have
been the case when Contractor College was first introduced,
I assure you that there are many courses appropriate for the
commercial contractor and their key employees. Today, there
are more courses for the commercial contractor available and
more are becoming available all the time.
“A Real Plus for My Commercial Painting
Company”
I’ve been told that certification addresses the person, while
accreditation addresses the group, or company. While I
can’t find any backup in the dictionary to support this view,
I can tell you that the “accreditation” format that PDCA has
employed within Contractor College has been a real plus for
my company. The process of taking classes online and testing
at the end of each module, allowed us to assign classes to the
key people within our organization who could gain the most
from each specific educational topic. For example, our office
manager/bookkeeper took the more advanced administration
and financial classes. Our estimators and project managers
took advantage of the sales and marketing offerings while our
field superintendents picked up additional knowledge in the
| pdca.org
by David Siegner
Siegner & Company
areas in which they focus. This is simply an excellent way to
inject knowledge and education into your painting company
in a way that benefits the individual while “accrediting” the
entire firm.
We all should recognize the importance of differentiating
ourselves from the competition. In my opinion, achieving
accredited status from the only national trade association
representing the interests of the professional painting
contractor is one of the most significant ways to do so. We’ve
found it to be an essential tool in the effort to successfully
sell knowledge, professionalism, quality and service over those
who have little to offer other than price. Quality customers –
the ones who promptly pay their bills -- appreciate knowledge
and quality, and want to deal with a contractor they can trust
their investment to time and time again. These customers
gravitate towards those who invest in education, are engaged
within their industry, and show in actions their appreciation
for achievement. I can tell you it has sure worked well for our
company!
While Contractor College and the Accreditation Program
are excellent examples of how to get the most from your
PDCA membership, best practices are at the core of what
our association is all about. What better venue to share best
practices for the commercial painting contractor than to
become a member of the PDCA Commercial Forum. Just point
your browser to www.pdcacommercialforum.org to learn more
about this dynamic forum and how commercial contractors can
profit from joining.
Need help with regulation compliance?
To find answers to specific regulatory questions and plan efficient and cost-effective environmental compliance, link to at the Paint and Coatings
Resource Center (PCRC): http://www.paintcenter.org/
Industry is bound by federal, state and local environmental regulations, some of which overlap. In addition, most companies have distinctive
facility or processes that complicate the process of complying with rules and making environmental improvements.
The PCRC has links to your state assistance program. Other tools include educational features, reference materials, calculators, searchable
databases, links and interactive resources.

PDCA Commercial Forum
Re-Energized
The PDCA Commercial Forum recently held its 4th Annual
Conference in beautiful San Diego, California. The
one day conference included four presentations: Green
Contracting for the Commercial Contractor, Making Your Own
Paint, Implementing Paperless Office Systems and Public Relations
and Websites for Commercial Contractors. A multiple
business topic open discussion followed the presentations.
Attendees also discussed the forward direction of the Forum,
ways to energize and grow the Forum membership and the
importance of the Commercial Contractor within PDCA.
A new Board of officers stepped forward and includes four
members: Amanda Ferrell - A & K Painting, Joseph Andreff
- California Colorworks, Dave Scaturro - Alpine Painting and
Doug Hampton - Wilson Hampton Painting Contractors.
The new Board has hired Brandt Domas as an Executive Director
for the Forum. “The Commercial Forum will provide monthly
news and communication for members, deliver new member
resources and become much more involved in advancing and
Powerful Networking Online Resources
Case Studies Presentations Annual Conference
Just For Commercial Painting Contractors
Start Profiting From Membership Today
commercial forum «
supporting Commercial Painting Contractor members within
PDCA.” says Domas. “We will be presenting a two hour
multiple-topic presentation just for Commercial Contractors
at PACE 2009 in New Orleans. I’d invite members to visit the
Forum’s website at www.pdcacommercialforum.org and start
profiting from membership.”
RELAX.
EVERYTHING’S COVERED.
FCAI Union Contractors —
Serving Northern and Central Illinois
1991 W. DOWNER PLACE AURORA, ILLINOIS 60506-4384
P: 630-264-7880 F: 630-264-7988
www.fcaofillinois.com
pdca.org |
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46
» contractors college
Strategic
Richard Bright
| pdca.org
Planning
How to Get It Going
Richard Bright, founded Bright Concepts,
Inc.—an association consulting organization in
1997. Since then, the company has had double
digit growth every year. With a main focus on
developing and growing valued relationships
between businesses and associations, Bright
Concepts handles several major association
accounts including the Painting & Decorating
Contractors of America (PDCA), the American
Council of Independent Laboratories
(ACIL), and the American Subcontractors
Association (ASA). Bright Concepts supports
associations’ operational efforts in a number
of areas ranging from Sponsorship Program
Development/Membership Development to
Chapter Relations.
By Richard Bright
It is important to understand that all contractors can gain a significant
strategic advantage with planning that will impact the bottom line.
The results may not be immediate, as a lot of planning is about future
positioning. Strategic planning provides direction for annual business
planning, and also for marketing, as strategy drives marketing.
Strategic planning is also all about opportunity. When an opportunity
comes along, what do you do with it? One way to determine what level a
company’s planning is at is to take a close look at how a company makes
decisions as to a new opportunity. Is it a gun shot reaction like, “Do It”
or a reaction like “That doesn’t make any sense.”
Or, is the new opportunity put through different filters based upon their
strategic plan. Is the opportunity actually evaluated within the scope
of their existing business framework, their ability to perform, manage
the project or opportunity, and/or the actually potential profitability
when compared to an alternate investment? Every company will have
a different outcome. The reason being is that companies are looking
for a different fit. One construction company may be niche driven, and
looking for synergy between their niches. Another company may market
the way they deliver construction services and look at ways as to how an
opportunity can be leveraged.

Types of Plans
Before I go further, let me distinguish the
differences between a strategic plan, a business
plan and a marketing plan.
A strategic plan provides direction for a
company and it’s employees for three-to-five
years based upon developing a company
strategy of where your company wants to be
in terms of positioning in your market place.
It’s a reflection of a corporate vision for your
company coupled with a strategic analysis of
your market, your strengths, your key factors
for success, and how you deliver construction
services. A strategic plan may or may not be
driven by company growth in terms of dollars.
It might be driven by being positioned as an
expert in a market niche – such as restaurants.
Or, you may want to differentiate yourself as
to how you provide construction services.
This could lead you into an area referred to
as branding. The strategic plan is developed
through conversations, as your management
team is lead through a strategic process. The
plan includes pro-forma financial statements
projected from three-to-five years out, and an
implementation plan of the activities that need
to be accomplished.
The business plan says, based upon the
strategic plan, this is what we are all going to
do this year to work toward accomplishing the
strategic plan. The implementation portion of
the plan is much more detailed and can provide
a backbone for performance reviews. A
business plan, used properly is a management
tool – it’s meant to be used throughout the
year as a guide for managing the business.
The financials are one-year proforma financials
month-by-month.
A marketing plan is what you are going to do
this year to support the business plan, and
in turn, support the long-range objectives of
the strategic plan. You can’t stop marketing
because there is not a business plan or a
strategic plan in place, but a well thought out
strategic plan will change in subtle ways the
marketing of your company.
Planning Model
In the course of developing different plans,
I developed a model that shows how these
different plans relate to each other. I tie them
all together with something I call Market
Positioning. It’s all the “stuff” in a plan such
as Missions Statements, Vision Statements,
SWOT Analysis, Issue Analysis, Descriptions
of Board members, etc. In this way, all of the
plans draw off of the same core information.
This is very important part of planning. Many
companies have independent plans prepared
by independent groups of people, or
individuals, and as a result, lose an incredible
opportunity for developing cohesive company
plans. For example, it’s just as important for
Marketing to know what Operations is doing,
because it will make a difference as to how the
business is presented.
The model shows that starting with a strategic
plan, and then preparing an annual business
plan and then a marketing plan makes a lot
of sense. As a company’s strategy will change
and influence marketing, it should really be
done first. However, by using and developing
the plans the way the model shows, you could
develop a marketing plan first, and then later
come back and develop a strategic plan or
a business plan. But the advantage is you
would be using the same core information
that will serve to tie together the plan into
one unified statement.
Strategy Development
Strategy is all about growing a business or
maintaining a certain level business, or a
certain percentage of market share. There are
only seven ways to grow a business:
» Market Penetration; current services,
current markets
» Market Development; new markets,
current services
» Niche Development; become the
expert
» Service Development; new services,
current markets
» Backward Growth; acquire suppliers
» Forward Growth; acquire the
competition
» Concentric Growth; marketing
synergies with existing services
Developing a strategy is the guided process of
sifting through all of the growth possibilities,
and then determining what is going to
dominate or what you “are” as a firm. What
makes one contractor different from another
contractor is the areas where you concentrate
your resources.
Strategic Planning Checklist
� Develop a “Core Management Team”
that represents all areas of your business
� Target an off-site meeting for
strategic planning
� Develop a ‘homework’ assignment, as
everyone should put some thought
into the process before they get to
the meeting
� Develop a meeting agenda and follow it
� Use a facilitator
pdca.org |
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48
“
� Review Goals and Objectives
� Review Financials
� Discuss SWOT and Issues
� Discuss and review Strategic Options
� Discuss the competition as they
represent work you are not doing
� Think in terms of future positioning,
not tomorrow
� Discuss implementation including
responsibility assignments and time line
� Document everything in your strategic plan
As an example, design/build is a popular way of delivering
construction services, and is the reason there are so many
design/builders around today. This group of contractors
has decided that the way they deliver construction services
is where they are going to leverage themselves into the
market. They have decided that by participating in the
design process early-on will get their foot in the door before
others, and give them the best shot at building the project.
They have also determined that the market is favorable for
this type of delivery system, that they have the expertise and
knowledge, and therefore spend their resources promoting
this to the target audience that will use this service. That is
strategy – a chosen course of action that provides significant
competitive advantage.
Now, the next step is a bit more difficult. Once you have
selected that component that makes you different, you
compete head on with all those contractors who have also
chosen the very same strategy. In construction you will
find that most contractors combine the different growth
strategies in ways that other contractors can’t duplicate,
and then promote those differences in an effort to gain a
competitive edge.
For example, three design/builders are short listed in a
negotiated work project. They are all about the same sizes,
have presented a number that are all about the same, and all
represent firms that are about the same size in staffing and
annual revenue. In the final phase, all are interviewed and
one comes out the winner. Why?
There are two important reasons why one contractor is the
clear winner. First, going back to the seven different growth
areas, the winner may have combined the way they deliver
construction services with being a niche player, or one who is
considered an industry expert; i.e., expert in food processing
and manufacturing. Now, if everything is equal, and they are
the only ones that have a clear expertise in food processing
and manufacturing, they are without question going to get
the project.
Second, people make the difference. It’s people who grow
your business. Many times, people are actually what makes
| pdca.org
People always make the difference.
”
the difference between one company succeeding and another
failing. I asked one CEO what he did and how he spent
his time, and his reply was “I find good people and let them
do what their good at.” People always make the difference.
What’s so important to understand is that planning becomes
a constant check and balance system as you figure out the
different growth areas and where you are going to spend
your resources that will give you that one competitive
advantage. And in order to implement, you have to have
good people.
Company Culture
The wrong reason to do a strategic plan is to do it because
a consultant says it’s the thing to do. The main reason why
strategic planning works is hidden in the strategic planning
process. The origin of many business challenges often is
deeply rooted in a company’s culture. Strategy, marketing,
operations, finance, project management, human resources,
and other areas of a construction company often are only reflections
of that company’s culture. There is always resistance
to change. The dynamics of a true strategic process is that
people began to understand what the company culture is all
about, and take ownership of their own areas of responsibility.
When this happens an immediate transformation takes
place, and as a result, the company is suddenly much more
productive. The result is bottom line improvement.
This company renewal can only happen within a strategic
process guided by someone who knows and understands
the construction environment, understands the dynamics
of the planning process, and can actually produce the plan
that will lead to implementation. This transformation leads
to enhanced communications by everyone.
Other Reasons for Strategic Planning
There are other reasons why a strategic plan should be
considered:
» It’s a management tool that is used to manage
the business
» It’s an employee motivation tool as their participation
motivates them to accomplish the plan’s goals
» It’s a source for solving problems
» It’s a well tested refined business methodology
» It provides a framework for all the departments to work
out internal conflicts
» Your competition is doing it
Construction companies usually compete using the same
sets of values, i.e. on time and on budget, and this is a
losing situation. Companies need to create advantages so
the prospect seeks you out well before other contractors
even know about the project. This strategic advantage must
be marketed – sometimes in very subliminal ways.

PAINTING AND DECORATING CONTRACTORS OF AMERICA
1801 Park 270 Drive • Suite 220 • St. Louis, MO 63146
Toll Free: 877-500-7322 • Fax: 314-514-9417 • Web: www.pdca.org
Prospective Member Information Form
PDCA is a “UNIFIED” membership federation. Prospective members must join a Chapter and/or Council upon joining at the National level,
except in cases of remote geography. To learn more about PDCA, local Chapters, Councils and Specialty Forums, please call membership
services at 877-500-PDCA (7322) or fax/mail back this prospective member information form to the address above. Please take a few moments
to complete this prospective member information form as fully and legibly as possible. All the information you provide is strictly confidential.
Company Name: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
❑ Mr. ❑ Mrs. ❑ Ms. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Title/Position: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone: _____________________________________________________ Fax: ______________________________________________________
E-Mail: _____________________________________________________ Company Website: __________________________________________
Date company was organized: _______________ Business License/Federal Tax ID#: _________________________________________________
Primary Industry Category: Annual Sales Volume:
❑ Residential
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❑ Industrial
❑ Decorative
First Name M.I. Last Name
Check Annual Sales
One Volume
❑................Up to $499,999
❑................$500,000 - $2,999,999
❑................$3,000,000+
Annual dues vary based on the size of your company and the addition of Chapter, Council
and Specialty Forum dues. Annual dues start at just over $1 per day.
Signature _______________________________________________________________________ Date: _________________________________
Recruited By (If Applicable): _______________________________________________________________________________________________
Recruiter Company: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
I would like more membership information regarding: _________________________________________________________________________
To learn all about PDCA membership
Call us today at 877-500-7322 or visit www.pdca.org

50
» pqi
Direct to Substrate Trend --
One Paint That Does the Job of Two
Most professional painters have subscribed to the fact
that choosing the right paint and pursuing proper
surface preparation are critical steps in delivering a
quality finish and minimizing pre-mature paint failures. In many
cases, a suitable primer has to be used. Today’s primers are
uniquely optimized to deliver adhesion to various surfaces, or
to seal surfaces and block specific stains. Recently, we see
advances that allow both primer and topcoat attributes to
be wound into one package. This new trend is sometimes
referred to as Direct to Substrate (DTS). We will show that the
perfect finish, which resulted from a select primer plus 2-coats
of a quality topcoat, can now be replaced by 2-coats of a
quality DTS. The value proposition for professional painters
and consumers alike is straightforward – one less coat (labor
plus material) needs to be applied!
On using primers: Today’s primers are optimized to deliver
superior performance on selective surfaces. Consumers and
contractors alike are fairly familiar with some of the primers
on the market – e.g. drywall primers (for painting over fresh
drywall); stain blocking primers (for blocking tannin stains in
wood); and even metal primers (for inhibiting corrosion in
applications over bare metal).
Primers are designed to serve many purposes. They seal
the substrate to be painted allowing for more efficient and
uniform coverage with a topcoat. Primers also serve as a
tie layer – providing optimum adhesion to the substrate and
providing a compatible surface for the topcoat to stick. As
new substrates and building practices evolve, we see primers
evolving to enable a desired effect – for example, helping to
accentuate the smoothness or roughness of a surface. And
as we mentioned above, primers are also optimized to block
stains (particularly tannins in wood).
Not all primers are created equally: We illustrate this in the
two figures below. In Figure 1, we show durability performance
for two coats on yellow pine. The panel shows five segments
each representing 2 coats. The first two segments are primers
with no top coat. The next two panels show the primers topcoated
with a quality acrylic paint. The paint on the far right
is a crack (fail) control. We also show the impact of binder
chemistry – alkyds not only tend to yellow but continue to
crosslink, becoming rigid and cracking as the film ages. Figure
1 also shows that traditional primers are not optimized for
long term durability, hence, little surprise that a primer and
Figure 1: Primers – utility and type on yellow pine.
| pdca.org
Contributed by Rohm & Haas
topcoat outperforms 2
coats of primer.
Best Option – High
Quality Primer: A
more impressionable real
world application is captured
in the shutter images.
Performance over a
3-month weathered vinyl
shutter is shown -- this is a typical repaint opportunity. The image
on the left shows 2 coats of topcoat without primer while
that on the right has one coat of primer plus one topcoat. The
primerless finish is inferior and shows severe blistering. PQI
and most manufacturers recommend a primer plus 2 coats
of topcoat to ensure the best coverage and adhesion and to
maximize durability and appearance.
2-Coats Topcoat (No Primer)
Primer + 1-Coat Topcoat
Direct to Substrate
Trend: What
if a technology can be
developed that brings
the best properties of
the topcoat (e.g. durability
and appearance)
with that of the primer
(e.g. adhesion and
stain blocking)? This is
in fact the case today.
More manufacturers
are introducing these
direct to substrate
(DTS) paints that deliver excellent performance from a single
can. That is, as opposed to using a primer followed by 2 coats
of a topcoat, the same performance can now be delivered with
2 coats of a DTS paint. We highlight two examples below that
clearly demonstrate that both topcoat (durability) characteristics
and primer (stain blocking) characteristics can now be built
into the same binder. The figures below show that two coats
of a DTS outperform 2 coats of top quality acrylic paint or a
primer plus topcoat for
stain blocking. And at
the same time, the DTS
has equivalent exterior
durability. We anticipate
that the use of these DTS
paints will be a growing
trend in the market and
would bring real value to
contractors as they can
now deliver the perfect
finish with one fewer
coat of paint.

You can cover a lot more area with the Pelican. A
generous, built-in grid works with all rollers 41 /2-inches
or smaller. The powerful, integrated brush magnet
won’t rust or trap paint. Take the Pelican up a ladder
and use both tools at once. Like the bird’s pouch, our
security strap automatically expands for large hands.
Grip indents and a soft feel add more comfort. Fly
through your jobs with the Wooster Pelican.
With the form-fitting Pelican liner (sold separately
in packs of three), you’ll change colors faster
and eliminate cleanup.
The Wooster Brush Company • 800-392-7246 • www.woosterbrush.com
Ask for Wooster catalog numbers 8619 Pelican pail and 8629 Pelican liner 3-pack.

» industry news
52
» Fine-Texture Loxon XP For Flawless Protection
New Formula Provides Better Aesthetics in a Durable,
Direct-to-Concrete Masonry Coating
CLEVELAND, Ohio (February 18, 2008)—Building on the
success of Loxon XP, a direct-to-concrete, high-build masonry
coating that requires no primer and provides exceptional
coverage, Sherwin-Williams introduces a fine-texture version
of the coating that will cover surface imperfections better for
more aesthetically pleasing results. With Loxon XP, contractors
can complete concrete jobs faster and more efficiently.
Loxon XP can be applied to fresh concrete and masonry
less than 28 days old and cures more quickly than standard
coatings, so construction schedules can be accelerated.
Designed for use on tilt-up, pre-cast or poured-in-place
concrete, as well as concrete masonry units (CMU), cement
block and stucco surfaces, Loxon XP provides superior
resistance to alkali and efflorescence. With one less coat
required to achieve the desired results, this unique product
achieves maximum performance, which saves on time and
labor costs because jobs can be turned faster.
Loxon XP also has excellent resistance to moisture penetration
» Sherwin-Williams Coatings are now Greenguard Indoor Air Quality
Certified ® & Greenguard for Children & Schools SM
Third-Party Certification Confirms Sherwin-Williams Leadership
In Developing Environmentally-Responsible Products
CLEVELAND (September 2008) — The Sherwin-Williams Company
is pleased to announce that several of its environmentally-responsible
products, including its popular Harmony® Interior
Latex coating, are now GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality
Certified as well as certified for GREENGUARD for Children &
Schools by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI).
Tested according to the rigid GREENGUARD Certification standards
for low emitting products, the certified Sherwin-Williams
coatings are found to have minimal impact on indoor air quality
and the environment.
The Sherwin-Williams products that are GREENGUARD Indoor
Air Quality Certified as well as certified for GREENGUARD for
Children & Schools include:
» Harmony Interior Latex
» ProGreen 200
» Pro Industrial 0 VOC Acrylic
» Pro Select Stampede Polyurethane Sealant
“Sherwin-Williams leads the industry in the development
of environmentally-responsible products through our
GreenSure® designation, which takes into consideration
product performance and environmental factors,” said Steve
Revnew, director of product development for Sherwin-
| pdca.org
from winddriven
rain, and
its high-build formula can be sprayed,
rolled or even brushed on in small applications resulting in
a breathable film. With its proprietary technology, Loxon XP
tolerates pH levels of up to 13. Concrete surfaces coated
with Loxon XP will retain their original finish for years without
fading, which reduces the frequency of repaints.
Ask Sherwin-Williams
For over 140 years, Sherwin-Williams has satisfied the coating
and color needs of builders, designers, specifiers, property
managers and contractors. Sherwin-Williams provides
fast, flexible, responsive local service and personalized,
expert advice. More than 3,000 stores and 1,800 sales
representatives make Sherwin-Williams North America’s
largest single-source supplier of high-quality paints, stains,
masonry coatings and brand-name wall and floor coverings.
Visit sherwin-williams.com.
Williams. “However, it
is important to us that
we offer products to
our customers that
are third-party tested
and certified through the GREENGUARD Environmental
Institute. These products meet or exceed the most stringent
green building specifications.”
Sherwin-Williams voluntarily applied for GREENGUARD
Certification and GREENGUARD for Children & Schools for its
products. Testing will be administered on an ongoing quarterly
and annual basis to ensure continued certification.
Ask Sherwin-Williams
For over 140 years, Sherwin-Williams has satisfied the coating
and color needs of builders, designers, specifiers, property
managers and contractors. Sherwin-Williams provides fast,
flexible, responsive local service and personalized, expert
advice. More than 3,000 stores and 1,800 sales representatives
make Sherwin-Williams North America’s largest single-source
supplier of high-quality paints, stains, masonry coatings and
brand-name wall and floor coverings. Visit sherwin-williams.
com. For Green Solutions, visit swgreenspecs.com.

LET YOUR CUSTOMERS
SHARE YOUR TRUE COLORS
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Simply Elegant Floral Designs
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business from my listing on Kudzu.com.”
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Two Brothers Painting
Register on Kudzu.com today or
call 888-680-3354 for more information
SP_ArchiPaint_1-3pg_DECO_02_1008:2008 8/2
BREAK THE MOLD
(NOT THE BANK)
Survivair PREMIER ® Plus
Half Mask Respirator
The Survivair PREMIER Plus is a unique, feather-rich air
purifying half mask respirator with a price that is usually
reserved for more basic models. Made of soft silicone, the
PREMIER Plus is extremely lightweight, flexible and durable.
Its wide, wraparound, triple flange facepiece design allows
for added sealing protection on a greater range of face
shapes and sizes. The smart placement of its exhalation
valve and cartridge ports allows for an enhanced field of
vision. With all these features and an unmatched price, the
PREMIER Plus is a value that is hard to resist!
For more information on the PREMIER Plus or any of the
other head-to-toe personal protective equipment available
from Sperian Protection, call 866.786.2353 or visit
www.sperianprotection.com.
pdca.org |
53

» industry news
54
» Latest Trends in Paint Roller Fabrics
Now Available from Wooster
Wooster, OH—Microfiber and polyamide fabrics are now
available from Wooster, the #1 name in paint rollers. Both
gained popularity in Europe, but are now crossing the oceans
to the U.S.
Micro Plush is made with professional white microfiber
fabric, very soft and silky to the touch. For use with all
paints and enamels, the tiny little fibers deliver a very uniform
finish. This roller is perfect for smooth surface applications.
Although it is chosen as a finishing tool, not for speed in
coverage, Wooster Micro Plush outperforms competitors’
brands for paint pickup and release!
Wooster Cirrus is made from polyamide yarn and offers
high capacity, durability, and density to reduce spatter. The
“bulkiness” of the fabric makes it great for high production
on rough surfaces, but it also performs well on drywall or
light textures. Painters will love it for back rolling as well
In recognition of the increasing importance to preserve
resources and protect the environment, Sherwin-Williams has
implemented EcoVision - a comprehensive mission to focus
on sustainable processes, products and activities.
Here are just some of the steps the company is taking to
achieve its ongoing EcoVision:
» Reducing waste and conserving natural resources in
its manufacturing facilities.
» Using sophisticated software to determine distribution
routes in ways that minimize fuel consumption.
» More trucks are running on biodiesel fuel.
» The company fleet is now a U.S. EPA
SmartWaySMTransport Partner as a shipper/carrier.
» Recycling programs are in place at offices, stores
and distribution centers.
» Energy efficient systems have been installed at all
new plant facilities.
» Pioneering the use of renewable or sustainable raw
materials in some formulations.
» Using blown-in line colorant bottles that use less
| pdca.org
as painting. Cirrus is for use with
all flat paints, stains, sizings, and
waterproofing sealers. Look for a
green stripe on the white fabric.
» EcoVision
Sherwin-Williams is industry leader with its sustainability mission
Catch the wave with these trendy Wooster
roller covers. One universal pile height for
each makes selection easy. R235-
9” Micro Plush has an
approximate retail price of
$4.50 USD. R237-9” Cirrus
retails for about $7.75
USD. They are available
at all traditional paint
and decorating centers,
hardware stores, and
paint sundry distributors
or retailers.
resin, save freight costs and reduce the
volume of hazardous waste.
More info on the Sherwin-Williams EcoVision
is at swgreenspecs.com.
Sherwin-Williams Harmony Interior Latex is now GreenGuard Indoor Air
Quality Certified ® as well as GreenGuard for Children & SchoolsSM .
Tested according to the rigid GreenGuard Environmental Institute (GEI)
certification standard for low emitting products, Harmony Interior Latex is
found to have minimal impact on indoor air quality and the environment.
“Sherwin-Williams leads the industry in the development of environmentallyresponsible
products through our GreenSure ® designation, which takes
into consideration product performance and environmental factors,” said
Steve Revnew of Sherwin-Williams. “However, it is important to us that we
offer products to our customers that are third-party tested and certified
through the GreenGuard Environmental Institute. The Harmony product
meets or exceeds the most stringent green building specifications.”
Sherwin-Williams voluntarily applied for GreenGuard Certification
and GreenGuard for Children & Schools for its products. Testing will
be administered on an ongoing quarterly and annual basis to ensure
continued certification.
Paint containers go green too!
Sherwin-Williams’ zero-VOC Harmony and low-VOC ProGreen 200 lines are now available in a recycled
plastic container. The sustainable plastic container is 100% recycled from post-consumer resin. The label
contains 75% recovered fiber and 25%postconsumer waste, and is printed with soy ink. The containers are
manufactured at four different plants around the U.S. to lower the travel distance from plant to store.
The recycled container will also be available soon for the Duration Home and Builders Solution product lines.

» Anvil Paints & Coatings
Largo, FL (October 6, 2008) - Anvil Paints & Coatings
announced the introduction of Anvil 3200 Water
LockOut Masonry Waterproofing Coating. Anvil 3200
is formulated with new Styrene Acrylic Micro-Plating
Technology to prevent water seepage through interior/
exterior porous masonry and concrete block walls in above
and below grade applications. Anvil Water LockOut is
ideal for basement walls, garage walls, masonry walls,
retaining walls, CMU blocks and foundation walls.
The decorative flat finish is durable and highly resistant to
the growth of mildew on the paint film as well as provides long
lasting protection from hydrostatic water intrusion. Advanced
plating coating technology delivers a resin-rich encapsulation
of mica plates to form a sealing process that ensures excellent
waterproofing protection. Anvil's Water LockOut is tintable in
over a 1000 colors to beautify and protect masonry walls.
Anvil Paints & Coatings, Largo FL, is one of the nation's
premiere manufacturers of specialty paints and coatings for
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industry news «
the professional painting contractor and the Doit-Yourselfer.
With over 40 years of experience,
Anvil manufacturers over 65 different product
lines in 320 SKU's that protect and beautify vertical
and horizontal concrete and masonry surfaces.
Anvil also manufacturers waterproofing sealers and
coatings, roof coatings, Venetian plaster, dry wall
refinishing coatings, primers, and a complete line
of interior texture products. Anvil is known for its
high level of quality, innovative products, customer
service, and is particularly proud of its 100% in full
and on-time delivery.
Anvil's customer base includes Independent Paint Retailers,
ICI Paints North America, the Sherwin Williams Company,
Regional Paint Store Chains, and National Hardware Co-Ops.
Additionally, Anvil supports a select group of full-line paint
and paint sundries distributors who serve the paint dealer,
manufactured home, roofing supply, and export market
channels. For more information visit www.anvilpaints.com
pdca.org |
55

Explore facility management core competencies
and trends, fulfill course requirements for the Facility
Management Professional (FMP) credential, and/or
prepare for the challenging CFM ® Exam at these
on-site courses:
January 2009
Finance Competency Course
Jan. 13-14, 2009 || 1.5 CEUs
Houston, Texas, USA
CFM Exam Review Course
Jan. 15-16, 2009 || 1.5 CEUs
Houston, Texas, USA
February 2009
Sustainable FM: a practitioner’s
guide to greening your facility
Feb. 10-11, 2009 || 1.5 CEUs
Dayton, Ohio, USA
Operations and Maintenance
Competency Course
Feb. 12-13, 2009 || 1.5 CEUs
Dayton, Ohio, USA
March 2009
The Business of FM Course
March 17-20, 2009 || 3.0 CEUs
Houston, Texas, USA
IFMA 2009 Course Calendar
Industries Forum
Pre-Conference Courses
March 2009
The Business of FM Course
March 28-31, 2009 || 3.0 CEUs
Vancouver, BC, Canada
IFMA’s CFM Exam Review Course
March 28-29, 2009 || 1.5 CEUs
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Leadership and Management
Competency Course
March 30-31, 2009 || 1.5 CEUs
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Sustainable FM: a practitioner’s
guide to greening your facility
March 30-31, 2009 || 1.5 CEUs
Vancouver, BC, Canada
April 2009
Operations and Maintenance
Competency Course
April 7-8, 2009 || 1.5 CEUs
Houston, Texas, USA
Leadership and Management
Competency Course
April 9-10, 2009 || 1.5 CEUs
Houston, Texas, USA
May 2009
IFMA’s 2009 Spring Symposium
May 12-15, 2009
Charlotte, N.C., USA
June 2009
Operations and Maintenance
Competency Course
June 23-24, 2009 || 1.5 CEUs
Houston, Texas, USA
Technology Competency Course
June 25-26, 2009 || 1.5 CEUs
Houston, Texas, USA
Strengthen your workplace skills and enhance your value as
an indispensable member of the business team.
International Facility Management Association
www.ifma.org/learning

» Introducing Zinsser Paint & Finish Removers
Somerset, NJ – A new line of paint and
finish removers was recently introduced
under the Zinsser brand – Zinsser Paint and
Finish Removers. The comprehensive line includes
everything your customers want and need for a
successful refinishing project:
» Traditional Paint Removers: The new line
features three traditional methylene chloride
removers formulated to tackle the toughest jobs
including Power Stripper, a powerful formula that
quickly removes 5+ layers in one step, Spray-On
Stripper, a powerful spray-on, semi-paste stripper
that clings to vertical and rounded surfaces, and
Paint & Varnish Stripper for everyday projects.
» Specialty Project Removers: Project specific
methylene chloride paint and finish removers in
the line include Furniture Refinisher, a remover
for fine furniture and antiques, Detail Stripper
formulated for use on carvings, grooves and
detailed areas and Adhesive Remover for
removing hardened adhesives and mastics.
» Eco-Friendly Removers: For customers looking
for alternatives to traditional paint removers, the
line also includes three “green” options. A qualified
product for the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency’s “Design for the Environment” program,
industry news «
Zinsser Paint and Finish Remover with
Soyzol features a powerful soy-base formula that
removes up 5+ layers without harsh chemicals.
Zinsser’s popular Magic Strip Citrus-Action Gel,
a safe and effective remover that’s low-odor and
great for use indoors and powerful Magic Strip
Paint & Varnish Remover, a stripper that removes
7+ layers of paint in one step also are included
in the line.
» Products for Wood Preparation and Clean-Up:
Zinsser Wood Bleach, a product that lightens new
or stripped wood, Paint Deglosser for prepping
glossy surfaces, Stripper Wash for removing
stripper residue and Brush and Roller Wash for
cleaning and restoring dirty & hardened brushes,
rollers and spray equipment complete the line.
For more information on Zinsser’s complete line of
Paint and Finish Removers and other problem-solving
Zinsser products, please visit www.zinsser.com.
About Rust-OIeum:
One of America’s most recognized and trusted
names, Rust-Oleum is the number one brand
of small project paints. Its brands and products
span the consumer and industrial
small project paints, specialty
coatings, concrete coatings
and wood care categories and
include such trusted names as
Rust-Oleum®, Stops Rust®,
Painter’s Touch®, American
Accents®, EPOXYShield® and
Varathane®. Brands managed
by Rust-Oleum include Zinsser,
Wolman Wood Care Products,
Modern Masters and Watco.
pdca.org |
57

» industry news
58
» New Avalon Roller is Paradise for Paint
Wooster, OH—Known as the
legendary island where King
Arthur is laid to rest, Avalon is also
an evolutionary new roller cover,
available only from Wooster. It
combines the best of both worlds—fast coverage and a very
low lint finish, unequaled in any other roller. It will be featured
by Wooster at the PACE show.
Made with an exclusive fiber blend, Avalon sheds 50 percent
less than leading high-production (knit) covers! As the pile
height gets longer, the results are even more impressive. At
Vernon Hills, IL – Generations of do-it-yourselfers have
protected, revitalized and personalized their world with spray
paint. It’s convenient, affordable – and over the years, new
color palettes and decorator finishes have inspired creativity
for both indoor and outdoor projects while extending the life
of the painted object.
And now, Rust-Oleum, the innovation leader in the category has
introduced a revolutionary new product -- reinventing the spray
painting experience. Rust-Oleum is proud
to introduce the “next generation” of spray
paint – Rust-Oleum® Universal. The first
and only all-surface spray paint, Universal
features a breakthrough paint formula that
adheres to any interior or exterior surface
– wood, metal, plastic, concrete and more –
taking the guesswork out of paint selection.
It offers superior one-coat coverage, so you
use less paint, and provides maximum UV
protection to resist color fading.
Formulated to stand up to the most extreme
applications, Universal’s flexible paint
film expands and contracts with changing
temperatures to prevent cracking and chipping. Universal’s
superior adhesion is ideal for painting slick or glossy surfaces,
like fiberglass, laminate, vinyl – even glass. And, like Rust-
Oleum’s popular Stops Rust® paints, Universal offers superior
corrosion resistance and rust preventive protection that’s
become synonymous with the name Rust-Oleum®.
“Everything about Universal reflects Rust-Oleum® innovation
– from its premium advanced formula to its state-of-the art
design,” says brand manager Mark Heintz. “It’s quite simply
the best performing, all surface spray paint available on the
market today.”
Engineered for performance, Universal’s state-of-the-art design
features Rust-Oleum’s patent pending 360° “spray any-
| pdca.org
the same time, Avalon has excellent
capacity and release for the quickest
production with all flat and satin
paints, stains, or waterproofing.
High finish quality with less time on
the job makes Avalon a champion
of roller performance. There are
four nap heights, available at all
traditional paint and decorating
centers, hardware stores, and paint
sundry distributors or retailers.
» Rust-Oleum Introduces the “Next Generation” Spray Paint
Rust-Oleum® Universal
way” grip and trigger system for fast, efficient coverage with
no loss of pressure at any angle – even when spray painting
upside down. An ergonomic trigger eliminates finger fatigue
and slim neck makes gripping easier and more comfortable,
giving the user precision control with 66 percent less force.
The advanced delivery system offers a perfect mist with higher
output than traditional spray paints for fast and complete onecoat
coverage. And advanced features, such as Universal’s
unique drip guard and safety slide clip eliminates the possibility
of accidents and messy dripping.
Rust-Oleum® Universal is available in a
range of high velocity colors, including
the most popular spray paint colors and
on-trend finishes for both designer and
functional applications. The line includes
classic gloss and flat enamel finishes for
superior protection and color presentation;
satin enamel finishes for a rich and dynamic
decorative look; hammered for a rugged,
protective finish; and sparkling metallic
finishes that bring surfaces to life and
withstand extreme exterior conditions.
For more information about new Rust-Oleum® Universal Advanced
Formula All-Surface Paint and other Rust-Oleum products,
visit www.rustoleum.com. Find Rust-Oleum® Universal
at home centers, discount and hardware stores near you.
About Rust-OIeum:
One of America’s most recognized and trusted names, Rust-
Oleum is the number one brand of small project paints. Its
brands and products span the consumer and industrial small
project paints, specialty coatings, concrete coatings and
wood care categories and include such trusted names as Rust-
Oleum®, Stops Rust®, Painter’s Touch®, American Accents®,
EPOXYShield® and Varathane®. Brands managed by Rust-
Oleum include Zinsser, Wolman Wood Care Products, Modern
Masters and Watco.

Exquisite
and luxurious
ArmourColor is a division and trademark of Armourcoat Ltd © 2008
Designed for use by the professional decorator, the ArmourColor
range of decorative wall fi nishes can create the perfect interior for all
functional and design requirements. Producing impressive interiors
which combine color and durability, they add personality to any space.
For more information, please visit www.armourcoatUSA.com.

Mini-Rollers for
Big Production By
When it comes to miniroller systems, a lot of companies offer
the standard wienie-roller design with built-in bearings and a
wire frame. The invention of Wooster Jumbo-Koter® a few
years ago opened up a whole new system and way of painting.
We have been copied by competitors, but ours is the original
mini cage system and still the best.
The Jumbo-Koter line has only three frames: short, long, and
flip. The easy-roll cage really sets it apart because it doesn’t
stick or skid. That’s why it has been so successful. Painters
really, really like the performance of Jumbo-Koter.
Minirollers are easy
to use and great for
small areas or any project
where someone is
thinking, “That’s a lot
of brushing—I wish
there was an easier way
to do it.” Bathrooms,
hallways, kitchens,
cabinets, or any area
with a lot of windows
and doors resulting
in small wall spaces—
Jumbo-Koter makes it
more efficient. Contractors
have told me
they started trimming
those areas with the Jumbo-Koter, then they end up doing the
whole job with it because it rolls so easy and applies so easy
that there was no need to ever get out the 9-inch. So in the
end there’s less to clean up as well.
We offer Jumbo-Koter covers in 4 1/2-inch and 6 1/2-inch
sizes, and both fit
on each frame. Two
roller sizes that work
with one frame—that’s
unique in the industry.
You don’t need to buy
separate frames for
each roller size, so it
saves money. Jumbo-
Koter covers have an
open core, like a standard
9-inch roller. That
makes cleanup better
industry news «
Dennis Simmons
Contributed by Wooster Brush
and easier, and because there are no built-in bearings the rollers
are less expensive.
I think Wooster has the most extensive fabric offering for
minirollers in the industry. We have 15 different fabrics, offered
in varying naps and pack sizes. Jumbo-Koter has two-packs for
everything, several six-packs, and also contractor bulk packs.
We have a cover for every use and need out there. What’s
really nice is that they are the same, exact fabrics as our 9-inch
and 18-inch traditional covers. That’s also unique to Wooster.
It makes for great uniformity in the finish. You can trim and
cut-in with the Jumbo-Koter or use it to go back and touch up
the job, and it blends flawlessly because the fabrics match.
For things like spindles,
pickets, or doors that contractors
tend to spray, using
Jumbo-Koter instead
means less wasted material.
And with doors you’ll
save labor because you
don’t have to mask off or
set up a spray area, take
them down, take them
outside…instead you can
use the Jumbo-Koter and
leave the doors up. The
miniroller probably takes
one-third of the time and
much less effort. Quite a few paint contractors have tried it
and told me it worked great.
There is no reason to use inferior miniroller programs,
because the cost isn’t much different from the best. If you
try Wooster Jumbo-Koter, you will never go back to the old
wienie-roller style.
About the Author: Dennis Simmons
Dennis is the Wooster district manager for
Georgia, South Carolina, and western North Carolina. He has 8
years of service with Wooster Brush and 36 years total in the industry,
previously working for Glidden/ICI Paints.
pdca.org |
61

» industry news
62
Gaining
a Market Edge
There he is, sitting on the couch, enjoying the Sunday paper
and a fresh cup of coffee. He takes a glance out the window
and sees the weather is not what he would call “ideal”, so
he decided to delay the day a little longer. He picks up the
remote control to do a little channel surfing and quickly finds
the channels are dominated with home makeover shows.
There are ideas for interior design, landscaping, remodeling
and redesigning. He looks around his home and compares it
to what he sees on television. He sees an outdated home that
still looks like it did when he purchased it in the 80s. Drab,
beige walls, vinyl blinds, dark-stained kitchen cabinets and a
hand-shaped, red, plastic chair. He puts his paper to the side
of him, takes a sip from his mug and nods to himself. Realizing
his house is lacking in the “appeal” department, he decides
it’s time to do a little home makeover of his own and quietly
thinks to himself, “They make it look so easy on television, so
how bad could it be…right?”
He makes his way from the TV to the computer, which he has
also had since the 80s, making it less than ideal. For hours, he
scours the Internet for do-it-yourself tips. He picks out styles
and designs that will perfectly fit his personality and takes stock
of his toolbox to find out what he has and needs. His mind is
racing with dreams and ideas, until reality kicks in. He checks
his rainy-day fund and realizes it’s far from ideal. Here he is, a
house in need of a new look and a bank account in need of a
couple thousand dollars. However, with the current housing
market in a deep slump, he understands that rejuvenating his
house is still the most viable option.
After some further investigation and a hot shower, he realizes
for the cost of remodeling a single room, he can have
the entire interior or exterior of their house painted. With only
enough money for one large-scale job, it seems like an easy
choice to give the whole house a facelift, rather than just the
kitchen or living room. He can do the little things himself, like
sanding and staining the kitchen cabinets, but a large-scale
job, such as painting, is better left to the professionals.
This situation is not uncommon. More and more people are
choosing to give their house a facelift, rather than move into a
new home. Motivated by DIY shows, consumers are embracing
the idea of the “weekend warrior”. These individuals and
couples are saving money by completing small-scale projects
around the home themselves. It is much harder to find an
individual who is willing to take on a large-scale task such as
painting the entire interior or exterior of a home. It’s much
easier to find time to retile a bathroom than it is to repaint a
3,000 square foot home, let alone do it correctly.
| pdca.org
By Steve Taylor
Contributed by XIM
Let’s face it, there are a good three or four home shows on
at any given time and the Internet is chalk-full of tips, tricks
and DIY sites. In fact there is now an entire channel devoted
to do-it-yourself projects, cleverly (and obviously) titled
the DIY Network. This rush of information, gives many the
false impression that they are experts on a topic like tiling
or carpentry, simply from watching shows on the subject or
reading about it on the Internet. This leaves consumers feeling
more empowered and willing to take a deeper look into
the quality of any contracted work. There is no denying that
shows like Trading Spaces, Flip This House, Curb Appeal and
Extreme Home Makeover are wildly popular and are in turn
raising the bar. Customers are more demanding, picky and
critical then ever. The rationale is that if it can be done on
television, then everyone in the field should be able to do just
as good of a job. This has created a demand for perfection
that is difficult to match and a need for professional painters
to have a competitive edge.
There are many ways to gain an edge in the market, but sometimes
you have to sit down and ask yourself, am I covering up
a problem or fixing it. Am I embracing a short-term solution or
am I planning for a long-term difference. Painting teams need
to embrace methods of consistent and increased quality for
the consumers. This means doing things right the first time,
forgetting about shortcuts and delivering work on time and as
close to budget as possible. We have to rise above the bar and
understand that quality is essential for survival in the market.
Excellent workers and good products are great ways to keep
the edge. Products like Multi-stage ladders, painter’s tape and
XIM’s Peel Bond high-build bonding primer are all great ways
to ensure your work is the highest possible quality. Peel Bond
for instance acts as a shock absorber, adhering to any surface,
bridging hairline cracks and filling and sealing rough surfaces,
wood, siding, plaster, stucco, concrete brick, aluminum, fiberglass
and more. It’s also thicker than most primers and unlike
alykd primers, it is water-based, allowing it to flex with expanding
and contracting surfaces. It’s easy to see why products like
Peel Bond are helping deliver the edge painters need.
These are just some of the elements needed to thrive.
Building good customer relationships and a great referral
system can also make a big difference. Happy customers
tell other people, who then become customers and before
you know it your business is taking off. The most important
thing to realize, however, is that in the end, it’s up to us, the
professionals, to deliver great work. People depend on us and
we have to live up to and surpass expectations, because that
is the real edge.

» industry news
64
Growing Green
in a Challenging Economy
A guide to paint selection and the importance of being VOC compliant
by Steve Revnew,
Director of Marketing, Product Development
The Sherwin-Williams Company
In today’s building and remodeling sector, technology goes
beyond electronics and digital devices. Technology extends
to all building product categories particularly as it relates to
‘green’ and sustainable practices. Consumers are more aware
than ever of the environment and in turn, demand sustainable
initiatives and products from their builders, contractors and
architects. Not only do they demand it, but they are willing to
pay a premium price to have it, even if it means increasing their
budget. As the end user’s awareness of sustainable building
practices increases, professionals need to be educated to
keep pace with the needs of their customers while growing
their business, even in a tough economy.
More and more, green building specifications are mandated
on national and local levels for corporations, retailers and
commercial builders, among others. Trade professionals must
be competent in the standards, specifications and technology
influencing their industry. Not only is specifying green products
the right thing to do for the environment, it can also increase
the market value of projects, earn third-party validations and
create a healthier living and working environment.
Painting Green, No Matter the Color
A key factor of environmentally-responsible building and design
is selecting the appropriate paint for the project. Air quality in
these spaces is a leading concern and paints that reduce the
emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and that are
low odor contribute to better indoor air and are less disruptive.
Although there are misconceptions about the prohibitive costs
| pdca.org
of green paints, leading manufacturers offer paint that is low-
VOC with better hiding and longer lasting performance. This
translates to fewer coats needed to achieve a durable surface
and minimizes the frequency of costly repaints and callbacks.
To be classified or marketed as a low-VOC paint, government
organizations including the EPA, require that the VOCs in paint
are limited to 50 grams per liter for industrial applications.
Green paints that meet these environmental standards have
20-30 percent of the VOCs of traditional paints.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) has
become the benchmark for building specification nationally
and was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to
help reduce costs, promote healthier and more productive
occupants and conserve natural resources. The third-party
certification program is based on a rating system and measures
the sustainable performance criteria of a building or residence.
To qualify, LEED specifications require paint to be low- VOCs.
Indoor air quality is the first criteria many architects and
government agencies look for when specifying products for
LEED buildings.
To meet specifications such as LEED, design and color
aesthetics do not need to be compromised. Thanks to advances
in paint technology, leading paint manufacturers offer coatings
that qualify for LEED-certified projects yet meet aesthetic
expectations. The paint is extremely washable and durable
and, in some cases, is available in any color and sheen.

Green Solutions
Using environmentally-responsible
building materials, across the board,
is proven to have a positive effect on
the users of these facilities. Some of
the benefits include reduced operating
costs, improved energy-efficiency and
diminished exposure to pollutants.
In fact, numerous studies have found
that student performance rates can
increase by as much as 25 percent in
environmentally sustainable buildings,
and The Commission for Architecture
and the Built Environment recently
reported that a hospital’s discharge rates
improved by 21 percent as a result of
green renovations made to the building.
On the retail side, a study completed by
the Heschong Mahone Group found that
store performance can increase at rates
as high as 40 percent when green design
practices are put to use.
Choosing zero or low-VOC paints won’t
compromise indoor air quality or the
public (and planet’s) health. What’s more,
high-quality, environmentally responsible
paints may also contain antimicrobial
properties which resist mildew, bacteria
and other microbes while maintaining
durability and a fresh appearance longer.
In addition to being low odor, low VOC
and antimicrobial, the highest quality
coatings that meet the most stringent
environmental standards also prevent
stains from penetrating, resist burnish
marks and withstand repeated washings
with no visible paint wear, which makes
them ideal even for high-traffic areas.
Selecting a Low or Zero VOC
Coating
Here are a few things to keep in mind
when selecting a low or zero VOC
“green” coating:
Consider scrubability and burnish
resistance. The paint should offer a high
degree of washability, scrubability and
burnish resistance. These criteria can be
validated through testing methods such
as those provided by ASTM International.
The critical combination of washability,
scrubability and burnish resistance will
help ensure durable, great-looking
surfaces that will remain free of scuff
and burnish marks longer. Repaints will
be reduced when using a high-quality,
durable environmentally-responsibile
coating. There are also new technology
washable paints available that don’t
require scrubbing to remove stains. These
coatings also resist water spotting or
streaking which keeps the finish looking
better longer.
Look for paints that have high-hiding
characteristics. These paints use a
high film build to mask minor drywall
imperfections and are self-leveling, which
minimizes brush or roller marks and leaves
a smooth, uniform finish in fewer coats.
Fewer coats result in reduced emissions
and create less waste.
Consider mildew resistance and odor.
Paints with anti-microbial properties help
prevent mold and mildew from forming
on the paint film. Typically, low or zero
VOC paints are also lower in odor than
traditional coatings and there are zero
VOC coatings on the market with almost
no odor.
Select the sheen carefully. When
selecting any interior coating, keep in
mind that sheen may also affect the paint’s
durability. In general, when comparing a
flat finish to a gloss, flats are the least
durable, and durability increases as gloss
increases. However, a flatter finish does
a good job at hiding imperfections.
There are also newer technology paints
with matte finishes that offer the same
durability as glossier sheens. VOC’s can
also vary by sheen, so check to be sure
the sheen you have selected meets the
desired VOC level.
Talk with an expert. Be sure to talk with
a reputable painting contractor or coating
representative about green coating
options. They can provide specific product
information and technical performance
data that will help you to select coatings
that deliver maximum indoor air quality,
appearance, performance and value.
Choosing sustainable materials, including
paint, is easier than ever. Manufacturers
across the board in every sector of the
building industry—from appliances to
cabinetry and furniture, and of course,
paints—are revising their product
offerings to meet green building needs.
It is essential to stay in step with paint
technology to ensure you can keep up
with and even outpace the competition.
As technology improves and we all
become even more aware of our global
footprint, the green trend will soon simply
be the green standard.
SP_ArchiPaint_1-3pg_DECO_03_1008:2008 8/2
AIR ON THE
SIDE OF SAFETY
Survivair SAR-CF Continuous
Flow Supplied Air Respirators
At Sperian Protection, we have the industry’s most compre -
hensive line of supplied air systems, with an emphasis on
products that convert easily for specific applications. Our
Survivair SAR-CF Continuous Flow Supplied Air Respirators are
available with a variety of facepiece options including half
masks, full facepieces and a Tyvek ® hood. All of our half masks
and full facepieces convert to APR applications. In addition,
we offer several facepiece options that convert to PAPR
applications. Our unmatched variety and product flexibility
ensure that we are always meeting your changing needs.
For more information on the Survivair SAR-CF Supplied
Air Systems or any of the other head-to-toe personal
protective equipment available from Sperian Protection,
call 866.786.2353 or visit www.sperianprotection.com.
pdca.org |
65

ASA/FASA Essentials of Contract Evaluation
Podcast Series – AUDIO FORMAT!
Each month, download and listen to a new audio podcast
focused on a different aspect of contract evaluation,
presented by the law fi rm of Kegler, Brown, Hill and Ritter,
ASA’s general counsel. ASA and FASA will notify you
when your audio fi le is ready for download. You and your
staff can listen to the podcast, less than 20 minutes long,
right away using a media player on your computer or with
a portable MP3 player, or you can save the fi le to play
later while evaluating a contract or for training purposes.
Podcast Pricing:
$45 each for ASA members/$65 each for nonmembers
Save More Than 40% With Subscriptions!
$300 annual subscription for ASA members
$400 annually for nonmembers
Podcast Series Continues in ’09 With …
January 2009
Understanding Warranty Types
Item #POD005
February 2009
Controlling Risk With the Right To Cure
Item #POD006
March 2009
Writing and Enforcing a Warranty
Item #POD007
April 2009
Preparing for the Unexpected
Item #POD008
May 2009
Preserving Claims for Schedule Changes
Item #POD009
June 2009
Preserving Claims for Scope Changes
Item #POD010
See the full schedule online at www.asaonline.com
The American Subcontractors Association, Inc.,
and the Foundation of ASA, Inc., Present …
Winning Flexible
Education Options for the Busy
Construction Professional
ASA 2008-09 Subcontractor Empowerment
Webinar Series — AUDIO-VISUAL FORMAT!
Access these two-hour, live Web-based programs using a
computer and a phone to learn in-depth about topics that
are critical to your subcontracting business. Save on travel
costs and minimize time out of the offi ce. View and listen
to these programs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Eastern
Time from an individual workstation, or as a group in a
conference or training room. After the program, you’ll
receive the recorded program on multimedia CD-ROM for
viewing and listening later too. Great for training!
Webinar Pricing:
$279 each ($199 for ASA members)
Webinar Series Continues in ’09 With …
Jan. 13, 2009
Getting the Right Customers
Item #WEB028
Feb. 10, 2009
Negotiating Green Building Projects
Item #WEB029
April 14, 2009
Hold Harmless or Hold Harmful? Limiting Your
Liability for Others’ Mistakes
Item #WEB030
May 12, 2009
Getting Final Payment: Strategies That Work
Item #WEB031
See the full schedule online at www.asaonline.com
Order Now!
Order online at www.asaonline.com
or call (703) 684-3450, Ext. 1304

WWW.PDCA.ORG
PDCA’s Project Green Brush
Make sure to visit PDCA’s Project Green
Brush and help lead the green charge
with PDCA. Just as PDCA contractor members
hold a position of leadership within the
industry it is important for PDCA to lead in the promotion of
environmental friendly ways of doing business. PDCA’s Project
Green Brush is an example of where we as association can help
to pave the way. Currently Project Green Brush includes ten
simple tips for painting contractors that promote the use of
environmentally friendly project planning, surface preparation,
painting and cleanup methods.
Get involved!
I invite you to become involved. Start implementing the recommendations
within your company. Help expand Project Green
Brush by submitting your suggestions and additional tips. On
the webpage there is a link to send in your ideas to help in the
expansion of the project. Visit PDCA Project Green Brush in
the contractor’s website by going to the Education menu item
and clicking on the Green Contracting drop down link.
PDCA Leadership Center
If you’re involved with Chapter, Council or Forum leadership
at any level, PDCA’s new Leadership Center was built for you.
It’s located on the contractor website under the Members
Only menu. To gain access, you’ll need to get the Center’s
user name and password. (Please call the National PDCA
office at 800-332-7322 (PDCA) to get the user name and
password.) The PDCA Leadership Center provides a conduit
pdca online «
by Brandt Domas,
Director, PDCA Online
for communication, interaction and provides many resources
for volunteer leaders and paid staff. Read and participate on
the new Leadership Center Blog. On blogs you can interact
by commenting on any of the weekly postings. There are also
podcasts and leadership training resources.
New content is added to the Center on a regular basis and
includes shared content from Chapters, Councils and Forums.
A recent shared addition is a submittal from the Denver PDCA
that will assist your group in hosting a Painter Olympics. Does
your PDCA group have a successful program, meeting topic,
leadership resource or tool to share with your fellow leaders?
Submit it using the ‘Share Your Ideas’ submittal form in the
Leadership Center.
PDCA Online Podcasts
Do you own an iPod, or other Mp3 digital music player?
PDCA Online has podcasts. What’s a podcast you may
ask? If you’re a fan of either a cassette tape or CD audio
presentations and training that you may listen to while driving
or in your office -- podcasts are the modern delivery method
for presentations and training. You don’t need an Apple iPod
to listen to podcasts. In fact, you can listen to podcasts on
your computer or download them to any portable digital
player. Take a look around PDCA Online. Podcasts are being
added on a regular basis and cover many topics. They can be
found under the Articles/Media menu bar and within several
blogs. Podcast topics are available for Contractor College,
PDCA Leadership Center, the Member Only area and other
general website offerings.
pdca.org |
67

» asa
68
Re-Focus on Safety
with AGC/ASA/ASC Guideline
The most recent National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries
(August 2007) by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics contained
mixed news for the construction industry and should serve to
re-focus everyone’s attention on safety issues.
Every fatality is a tragedy, but that being recognized, one piece
of “good” news from the census is that the number of fatal
highway-related incidents fell from 1,437 in 2005 to 1,329 in
2006 — the lowest level since 1993. In addition, the census
shows that the long-term fatality rate for all industries combined
continues its decline to historic lows. Yet, not all the news from
the census is “good.” Fatalities among specialty trade contractors
rose 6 percent from 677 in 2005 to 721 in 2006.
One tool that can help all construction team partners, including
owners, general contractors, and subcontractors, re-focus on
safety is the “Guideline on Project Safety and Health” developed
by the American Subcontractors Association, the Associated
General Contractors of America, and the Associated Specialty
Contractors. This non-governmental guideline, developed and
published as part of the Guidelines for a Successful Construction
Project (www.constructionguidelines.org), gives meaning to the
saying that “safety is number one” on a construction project.
Every party on a project “is responsible for safety and
should be held accountable for ensuring a safe and healthful
worksite,” the guideline says. Moreover, to attain this level of
responsibility and accountability, safety must be included not
just in project execution, but also in the planning, design, and
bidding stages of the project. Make this principle a reality for
your company by closely examining how safety is encouraged
in the projects your company bids on.
The guideline notes that general contractors set the overall
safety culture of projects by properly planning and coordinating
the work, and communicating roles and responsibilities to subcontractors.
These communications channels should allow for:
| pdca.org
Contributed by American
Subcontractors Association (ASA)
» Early analysis of the project scope to identify key
risk areas.
» Clear communication of the project safety approach,
programs, roles and responsibilities.
» Early involvement of key subcontractors.
» Candid dialogue between the General Contractor,
Subcontractors, and Craft Workers without fear
of retribution.
If communications about safety are absent or unclear, consider
discussing the problem with the general contractor.
From day to day, project safety will largely depend on employees’
understanding of their own companies’ safety commitments
and requirements. Thus, each contractor and subcontractor
involved with a project must make a commitment
to support the development of the project safety culture. This
commitment includes:
» Training their employees to work in a safe and
respectful manner.
» Developing a written safety policy that spells out
its commitment to run each project in a safe manner.
» Informing employees of employment requirements for
safety, and advising them that they will be held
accountable for their own actions on the job site.
» Making available to all jobsite personnel a list of all
available safety equipment, jobsite safety requirements
and prohibited unsafe work habits.
When it comes down to it, safety is not about an abstract
number in a government census. It’s about saving lives and
preventing injuries — and everyone can do better, and help
others do better, with that.
To learn more, visit www.constructionguidelines.org.

70
» ad index
Advertisers
Advisors On Target — advisorsontarget.com 70
Armourcoat — armourcoatusa.com 60
American Subcontractors Association — asaonline.com 66
Benjamin Moore — benjaminmoore.com 88
Coatings Consultants — coatingsconsultants.com 31
Daich Coatings — daichcoatings.com 32
Eliokem — eliokem.com 9
Exaktime — jobclock.com 87
Finishing Contractors Association of Illinois — fcaofillinois.com 45
Graco — graco.com 86
ICI Paints — duluxpaints.com 39
IFMA — ifma.org 56
Kelly Moore — kellymoore.com 43
KILZ — kilz.com 5
Kudzu — kudzu.com 53
Lincoln State Council — lincolnpdca.com 55
Liquid Siding — liquidsiding.net 71
Mad Dog Primer — maddogprimer.com 85
Mythic Paint — mythicpaint.com 15
Nolan Consulting Group, Inc. — nolanconsulting.com 70
One Step Estimating — onestepestimating.com 71
Painters & Allied Trades LMCI — lmcionline.org 3
Painter’s Estimating Program — paintestimating.com 70
Pittsburgh Paints/Top Gun — pittsburghpaints.com 53
Purdy — purdycorp.com 7
Rodda — roddapaint.com.com 63
Sherwin Williams — sherwinwilliams.com 2
Sperian Protection — sperianprotection.com 27,53,65
Trimaco — trimaco.com 59
Wooster Brush — woosterbrush.com 35,51
XIM — peelbond.com 11
Zinsser — zinsser.com 21,23,25
| pdca.org
Small Business Consultants
Painting Contractors are our Specialty!
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PDCA Awards Program Now Open!
Get the Recognition your Company Deserves
Make sure to enter the 2009 Awards Contest and put your
company in the spotlight.
The PIPP Awards - The Best of the Painting Industry
The Picture it Painted Professionally Awards are PDCA’s way of paying
tribute to the work you do as a professional painting and decorating
contractor. It’s our way of saying, “Great job!” National recognition
for your best work , honor your craftsmen by showcasing their stellar
work among their industry peers from across the nation.
PDCA Safety Achievement Awards
The PDCA Insurance, Safety and Loss Control Committee established
the Safety Achievement Awards in 1995 to recognize the efforts
of member companies who have made a commitment to safety in
the workplace by demonstrating and providing evidence of their
success in controlling accidents and losses within their companies.
L.E. Travis, Jr. PDCA Craftsman of the Year Award
The L.E. Travis, Jr. PDCA Craftsman of the Year Award recognizes
the finest painting and decorating craftsmen, based on nominations
by PDCA member contractor-owners.
PDCA will honor up to six (6) individuals each year who demonstrate
through their work the highest standards of painting and decorating
craftsmanship. These PDCA awards are designed to recognize the
most highly skilled painters in the "world," irrespective of gender,
age, national origin, or any other qualification aside from those
set forth.
To download an application or learn more about these awards
please visit: www.pdca.org or call 1.800.332.7322
pdca.org |
71

» ngpp
72
Digital is Here
and Growing!
By Steve Andrews,
Vice President, 4Walls.com
In an ever-changing world, the most exciting new method in wall decor for both the residential and commercial segments in the
wallcovering industry is digital. Customization is HOT! It gives the customers the opportunity to create their own environment,
and to have fun doing it at the same time. A few weeks ago at the NGPP Convention and Trade Show, held in Asheville, NC,
this was so evident at the Winning Walls contest and luncheon, sponsored by Zinsser. As technology advances, we will create
better printers that create higher resolutions, and get production speeds up, using less expensive inks and coatings. This
manufacturing segment of the market will continue to grow at a rapid pace.
In the next issue, we will present a full-coverage article about the impact that digital technology is having on the wallcovering
and design industry. Be sure to look for this feature on the hottest new trend in wallcovering in years!
Winning Walls With
Wallcovering Winners Announced
in Asheville, North Carolina
Dayton, OH - - Every year one of the highlights of the
National Guild of Professional Paperhangers National
Paperhanger’s Convention & Tradeshow is the Winning
Walls With Wallcovering luncheon, when the winners of
the industry’s most prestigious wallcovering installation
contest are announced.
The Zinsser Company has sponsored this contest for the past
eight years, to recognize outstanding work done by professional
wallcovering installers, highlight the many uses of wallcovering
and promote the wallcovering industry.
This year there were nearly 60 entries in three categories;
residential, commercial and specialty. The entrants are judged
anonymously by three designers and three installers hosted by
the Paint & Decorating Retailers Association in St. Louis.
First place in the residential category went to Scott Mulhern of
Scott Mulhern Custom Paperhanging, Hopewell, NJ for doing
a creative and very detailed baby’s nursery, which happened
to be for his own grandchild. Second place in the residential
category went to Michelle Corl, Wall2Wall, Troutville, VA for
the installation of hand printed and hand trimmed Mauny
Wallcoverings in a 1920’s Tudor. Honorable mention in this
category was awarded to Dennis Picard, C.P., Denis Picard
Wallcovering in Kensington, CT who took a wrinkled and
blemished silk and turned 153 pieces into a magnificent
random striped sequence.
| pdca.org
In the commercial category first place was
awarded to Keith Long, Quality Interiors, Corona, CA. who took
27 foot ceilings, acrylic painted to look like metal, fiberglass
made to look like curtains and lots more to made Prada’s new
flagship store come alive on Rodeo Drive.
Second place went to Frank and Eunice Bokstrom, Design Wallcovering
Professional Installation, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada,
who carefully hung, while working in tight spaces, a complicated
project consisting of one pattern in three color ways resembling
graph paper with a horizontal and vertical match and
one random match vinyl wallcovering. Honorable mention was
awarded as a shared project. Winners were Steven Kaye, C.P.,
Paper Craft Interiors, Algonquin, IL and Phil & Jennifer Curtis,
C.P., Curtis Enterprises, Dolton, IL. This installation was completed
at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago and
consisted of 28 panels of digital murals flawlessly installed over
once highly textured walls with over 35 coats of paint.
The last category is the Specialty Category. First place in this
category was shared by Glen Olsen, Jr, C.P. V&G Services,
Woodbridge, IL and John Damme, C.P., Exquisite Interiors,

Hickory Hills, IL, who spent nearly 170
man-hours installing a Stark Tour du
Monde scenic mural. Second place in the
Specialty category went to William White
III, Robert J. White Company, Cincinnati,
OH who constructed lightweight portable
panels and then installed a Gracie mural
on the custom panels so the client could
take the special mural with her when she
moved. Honorable mention recognition
went to Phil and Jennifer Curtis, C.P.,
Curtis Enterprises, Dolton, IL. This project
Residential
consisted of Installing 17 hand painted
murals at a new hospital in the Chicago
suburbs. There were many challenges
working around multimillion dollar medical
equipment, temperature fluctuations and
shipping large murals to prevent damage.
Our thanks go to the many entrants who
shared their projects and the Zinsser
Company who sponsored this contest to
show the public the marvelous projects
and creations made from wallcovering.
The National Guild of Professional Paperhangers
is the only non-profit trade
organization dedicated to professionals
Commercial Specialty
whose main objective is to promote the
wallcovering industry. Our organization is
made up of the professional craftspeople
that install and remove wallcovering and
the industry leaders who manufacture the
products and provide the services which
the installers use in their trade.
For more information about wallcovering
installation or the National Guild of
Professional Paperhangers, contact the
NGPP office at 136 South Keowee Street,
Dayton, OH 45402; telephone: (800)
254-NGPP; fax: (937) 222-5794; email:
ngpp@ngpp.org; or visit us on the web at
www.ngpp.org.
pdca.org |
73

» pace
PACE Provides Solutions –
You Just Need to Apply Them!
74
What are you doing February 15-18, 2009? Join thousands
of fellow paint, coatings and decorating professionals
for PACE 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This
annual event is the most comprehensive education program
and exhibit show floor in the industry for the residential, commercial
and industrial paint and decorating contractor.
Who Attends?
Anyone that works in the paint, coatings and decorating industry,
wallcovering professionals; manufacturers; suppliers/
vendors; residential; industrial; commercial contractors and
business owners; engineering firms; consultants; architects; designers,
inspection firms; steel fabricators, state, local and federal
DOT; power companies; and anyone who’s in the business
of getting business done.
Why You Should Attend
» This is the industry's premiere paint and coatings
show with 300+ exhibits of innovative products, tools and
technology to help you succeed.
» Hands-on demonstrations in the classroom and the exhibit
hall.
» Learn about the emerging issues and trends facing the
industry.
» Meet with peers and share your
knowledge.
» Research products you’re not familiar with.
» See the Future…where the industry’s newest innovations,
products and services are launched.
Education is the Cornerstone of PACE
2009
Here’s just a sample of what is being offered. Visit www.
pace2009.com for full program details and days and times.
Business Education
Leveling the Playing Field: Women in the Paint and Coatings
Arena
Moderator: Karen Gaspers, Editor, Douglas Publications, LLC
Panelists: Carol Adkins, Adkins Quality Painting, Inc.; Karen
McClain, Karen McClain Visuals, Inc.
Registration Hours
Sunday, February 15 10:00 am-Noon Exhibitor Only Registration
Noon-7:00 pm General Registration
Monday, February 16 7:00 am-7:00 pm General Registration
Tuesday, February 17 7:00 am-5:00 pm General Registration
Wednesday, February 18 7:00 am-2:00 pm General Registration
Exhibit Hall Hours
Monday, February 16 4:30 pm Exhibit Hall Ribbon
Cutting Ceremony
4:30 pm-8:00 pm Exhibit Hall Open
Tuesday, February 17 Noon-5:00 pm Exhibit Hall Open
Wednesday, February 18 10:00 am-3:00 pm Exhibit Hall Open
| pdca.org
All business owners face certain challenges, but women, because
of their gender, often have additional challenges and obstacles
that their male peers are less likely to encounter. Women in
Construction, specifically the paint and coatings profession face
even more challenges due to the male dominated profession
they have chosen.
10 Steps to Properly Staff your Contracting
Business
Robert A Fortune, Fortune Painting Company
The costs of problem employees are extensive and consuming.
After decades of tracking good and bad hires, Robert Fortune
will help contractors of all sizes to greatly improve their hiring
plan by explaining his flexible 10 steps to properly staff a contracting
business.
Caulk and Sealant Training
Mindi Childress, The Sherwin-
Williams Company
The class will provide an overview of technical and practical information
on caulks and sealants.
How to avoid Residential and Commercial
Paint Failures
Bob Cusumano, Coatings Consultants - Contractor College Super
Star Instructor
Paint failures result from improper application methods, poor
product choices, surface cohesion levels and other causes. Learn
how to avoid these issues and prevent additional job costs.
Trick of the Trade: Paint Tech
Brandt Domas, Work Systems - Contractor College
SuperStar Instructor
Use new technology tools to help you work smarter not harder
when getting work done.
Future Shock: Trends and Forecasts
Panel to Be Announced
Hear an expert panel detail trends and forecast where the paint
and coatings industry is going and how you can stay ahead of
the rapidly changing and inexorable demands customers have
on your company.
Keeping Pace on the Internet with Search
Engine Optimization
Daniel Kim, Organic Growth SEO
Discussion on the growth and importance of having an internet
presence and a website that can keep up with today's changing
advertising/marketing climate. Our presentation will provide
a glimpse into the competitive online marketplace while also
detailing ways to increase exposure, new business and branding
opportunities.

The Art of Networking, Building Alliances and
Developing New Business Channels
Richard Bright, Bright Concepts - Contractor College SuperStar
Instructor
Come and learn with your peers how to spend focused time
networking with results. What new business channels are
there, who can help me get into these channels and how can I
stand out from the competition? All these things and more are
answered in this extremely interactive session.
How To Be The CEO of Your Paint Company
Brian Drucks, yourcostcenter.com
What would a Fortune 100 CEO do if he ran a paint company?
This class will discuss the tools and objectives a company needs
in order to build a selfsustaining enterprise that employs people
and earns a profit.
Using COPs as a Tool to Train your Painters
Harry Lux, Luxbrush Painting and Mario Guertin, Painting
in Partnership
Using the Craftsman Operating Procedures (COPs) as a tool to
train one's painters. This session will give participants practical
knowledge on how to implement COPs as a training system in
your company, to ensure uniformity of output, as give you a
greater sense of control over your "brand".
The Art of Product Development
Beth Eng, International Paint LLC
We are all in the business of selling our customers a product,
whether it is a service or a consumable item like a bucket of
paint. How can a company bring an idea or concept from that
first thought to the developed product that their customers will
pay for-profitably?
Dealing with the Generational Divide
Doug Duncan, yourhrsolutions.com - Contractor College Super-
Star Instructor
Want to learn how to overcome the generation gap in the workplace
and manage generational differences that are a natural
part of the cross-generational workforce? You can turn differences
into strengths when your staff consists of members from
the silent generation to baby-boomers to GenX to GenY and the
Nexters. Learn interpersonal skills to overcome generational differences
and learn to communicate.
Project Management 101
Ana Boudreaux & Alfred Cannon, Project Management Institute,
New Orleans Chapter
Learn the core principals of project management to better improve
your ability to complete work on time and on budget.
Innovations in Faux
Sheri Zeman, Faux Effects International
To enlighten the participant on the newest techniques in decorative
painting participants will become educated on textures,
metallics, glazes and various other materials new in the market.
PDCA Standards
Bob Cusumano, Coatings Consultants - Contractor College
SuperStar Instructor
Attendees will learn the specifics of the PDCA Standards
development to date; How to apply the standards to "on the
job" situations; How to incorporate them into their contracts.
Lime Green: Environmental Benefits of Slaked
Lime Plaster
Nurit & Ofer Regev, TexSton
Authentic lime plaster is frequently replaced on a project by
acrylic and other faux-plaster finishes. However, slaked lime
plasters have superior durability, distinctive appearance, and
lower maintenance costs. Now the environmental benefits of
slaked lime plaster can be added to the list. Participants will
learn the following: the environmental advantages of lime plaster
over acrylic finishes; why it is inappropriate to substitute an
acrylic for specified plaster finishes; why lime plasters are in the
same category as stone, wood, and other natural materials.
Marketing 'GREEN'
Joel Hamberg, Joel Hamberg Painting
Emphasis on marketing and selling Green painting in your business.
What is currently successful with contractors and manufacturers
will be highlighted. Marketing 'Green' to prospective
clients & existing customers are very important in the changing
times we live in.
The Green Standard: A Guide to VOC Compliance
Steve Revnew, The Sherwin-Williams Company
The goal of the presentation is to discuss VOC compliance, the
most recent regulations and how specifying low-VOC coatings
and understanding VOC compliance can impact a contractor’s
bottom line.
Employee Morale and Motivation
Joel Cullum, SESCO Management
A workforce that looks forward to work every morning will be
more efficient, effective, and profitable. Poor morale is the
primary driver of dissension, turnover, and inefficiency. In order
for leaders to motivate their employees, they need to know
the underlying principles of motivation and morale. To help
them apply those principles, this program balances theory with
application and real world development ideas.
What's Comp got to do with it...
Peter R. Picetti, Heffernan Insurance Brokers
A historical overview of Worker's Compensation, reviewing todays
Worker's Comp coverage needs for contractors, and how
to understand and control your experience modifier.
Stealing is the Highest Form of Flattery
Richard Bright, Bright Concepts - Contractor College SuperStar
Instructor
No need to break the law in this session, as all attendees are
willing to share. Come and learn with your peers some of the
best practice in the industry and participate in the quickest process
for issue resolution. This dynamic and extremely interactive
exchange will allow you to share your expertise, while receiving
validated answers on how to deal with specific issues and grow
a profitable business.
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76
Why Have a Sales System?
Pete Brown, Sandler Sales Systems - Contractor College
SuperStar Instructor
» Is your sales cycle longer than you’d like?
» Is forecasting a guessing game?
» Are prospects demanding – and getting – costly price
concessions?
» Do you lack a common language and methodology by
which to manage your sales team?
» Are you producing costly estimates & proposals that seem
to never close?
» Do you hire salespeople that don’t work out?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you will benefit
from this session.
Historic Restoration
Historic Colors in American Paint
Miles Bowen , Miles Restorations, Inc.
In many historic areas of the country we are called upon to restore
the colors that the builder would have used. There is a lot
of mystery as to what our predecessors used. How do we know?
How can we find out? Learn what influenced their choices, and
whether we can match their colors and textures accurately.
Estimating and Defining the Scope of Work for
Historic Restoration Projects
Duffy Hoffman, PDCA Craftsmanship Forum
Attendees will learn to: Read boiler plate scopes of work – learn
how boiler plate scopes do not work and how to use them to your
advantage; evaluation of structure; sign evaluation sheets; time
testing estimates; how to use a Pre Bid Conference to your advantage;
documentation, photos and paper work…and more.
Let's Buy Gold, Wait is it too Late?
B. Gunar Gruenke / Conrad Schmitt Studios
With skyrocketing gold prices, interior decorators are pushed to
explore options. Silver, aluminum, palladium and composition
gold leaf are all viable options that have been used for
centuries. Here we will explore the different design options of
each metal type & their pros and cons. Combined with finishes
such as tinted nichias lac uers, glazes and polychrome, there
are infinite sustainable options.
Sustainability – What’s the Big Fuss?
Dr. Stewart Williams, Rohm Haas - PQI
It is no longer good enough to simply meet the VOC regulations
for coating applications. Today, growing public awareness
is driving suppliers and manufacturers alike to look along
the coatings value chain deliver solutions for the Global good.
We will discuss how this opportunity is driving innovation and
accelerating new product introductions. We will introduce and
discuss concepts such as cradle to grave or what we call "Lifecycle
Thinking." Going green in Coatings demands a shift in
technology! And we will explore this green trend from both
the customer perception side as well as the technology/chemistry
side.
Building a Sustainable Commercial
Paint Company
Brian Drucks, yourcostcenter.com - Contractor College
SuperStar Instructor
| pdca.org
What do you need to know and focus on in order to build a
commercial division? From how to market your company and
attract clients, to your bidding and price structure, this class
will help you understand the commercial environment.
Sales Superstars--Residential
Mark Defrancesco.MDF Painting & Power Washing, LLC
This workshop will dissect all elements of the sales process from
initial point-of-contact with customer until contract finalization
and project deposit. This sales system will give you a step-by-step
guide to increasing the revenue of all your sales personnel.
Is Your Sales Team Recession Proof
Pete Brown, Sandler Sales Systems - Contractor College
SuperStar Instructor
» They have great technical or industry expertise, but they’re
just not seeing enough new business opportunities coming
through the door.
» They have a seasoned sales staff who has become complacent
and don’t aggressively hunt for new opportunities, probably
spending too much time servicing existing clients.
» They have a strong push or vision to take their business to
the next level, but aren’t sure that their staff can, in fact, get
them there.
The New Do-it-Yourself “Painter”: The Contradictory
Consumer
Debbie Zimmer, Rohm Hass - PQI
Understanding the changing needs and desires of the paint
consumer is a challenge. What motivates and attracts this
dynamic audience and how best do paint professionals
communicate to them? Learn about the contradictions this
new consumer brings to the paint community and experience
the services that inspire painting.
2009 Changing Design, Color and
Demographic Trends
Debbie Zimmer, Rohm Haas - PQI
Changing demographics and design trends influence the
homes and buildings we reside or work in. How will these
trends affect products and services developed and formulated
for tomorrows home?
The Healthy Wallcovering Sandwich, featuring
the Next Generation of Wallcovering Adhesives
and Primers
Gerald Russo, Roman Decorating Products
Avoid the serious pitfalls of poor adhesion, the growth of mold
and mildew and other common failures on your next commercial
or residential wallcovering installation, by understanding the
in's and out's of adhesives and primers. Industry expert Jerry
Russo, President and technical director of Roman Decorating
Products will explain the chemistry and logic behind proper
industry standards. Jerry will also cover the details of the Next

Generation of adhesives and primers utilizing leading edge
technologies. You will leave this class armed with the necessary
information to properly engineer challenging wallcovering
installations with maximum performance and efficiency as well
as providing an environmentally sound wall system.
If It's Not Broke, Break It
John Fattor, The Wooster Brush Company
Quality Tools aren't Cheap Myths of Ignorance Green
Tool Problems, The Tool for High Production in a Green
Environment. My job is helping painters be more productive.
I sell hair on a stick. Many don't see what I do as important.
I see it different. When I speak of production I envision -
FASTER, SMOOTHER, and EASIER. Picking the right brushes
and rollers makes that big difference in production. When the
finest craftsmen in the world improve their production, things
happen. First, the boss is happy. Second, the customer is
happy. Happy bosses and happy customers means more
work. Does this happiness ever end? It ends when we neglect
the production side of our business.
Pro Faux Certification
John Catalanotto and Greg Frohnapfel; Painting and Decorating
Retailers Association
This training program teaches faux-finish basics including
surface prep, tools and sundries, and media mixing and
application to achieve desired finishes. It includes decorative
painting history, use of color and paint basics, hands-on faux
finishing, a review session and test. Additional fee of $189.00
per person is required.
Technical Education Program
Exposed. The Right Way To Take It Off.
Specification and Application of High-Performance Structural
New Orleans Superdome Roof Rehab
The Superdome sustained significant damage, including two sections of
the roof that were compromised, and the dome’s waterproof membrane
had essentially been peeled off. The presentation will discuss the rehab
of the superdome.
After the session attendees will go on an exciting tour of the New Orleans
Superdome. The tour will cover topics on the mitigation and restoration
efforts of the superdome and the rehab of the roof. The Superdome
sustained significant damage, including two sections of the roof that were
compromised, and the dome’s waterproof membrane had essentially been
peeled off. You don’t want to miss out on this event. Restoring the superdome
back to its glory is one of the symbols of the rebirth of New Orleans.
Seats Are Limited for the Just Added New Orleans
Superdome Tour
Join us in attending the Reconstruction of New Orleans session on Monday
morning from 10:00-Noon.
Following the Reconstruction of New Orleans session, attendees will have
an opportunity to go on an exciting tour of the New Orleans Superdome
and see first hand, the work that was done to help restore it back to its
original glory.
How to sign up: A sign up sheet will be available in the back of the
room the day Reconstruction of New Orleans Session. Sign up is on a first
come first serve basis and transportation will be provided.
Steel Coatings for the New Dallas Cowboys Stadium
Rehabilitation of New Orleans After Katrina
Reconstruction of New Orleans: Utilizing Blast and Coat
Climate Control
Equipment to Restore The Super Dome
Concrete Design For Coatings And Linings
Coating and Lining Specifications for Concrete
Concrete Surface Preparation
Surface Preparation And Placement Techniques For
Concrete Repair
The Selection and Safe Use of High Performance Coatings
The Value of High Performance Coatings in Asset
Management
Comparing High Performance Coatings: Technologies/
Safety/Environment
Productivity Thru High Performance Coatings
Business Selection
Wednesday, February 18 • 8:00 AM-10:00 AM
How can I be #1 on Google? Growing and
Defending your Business using the Web
Brian Kraff, Market Hardware, Inc.
More and more general contractors and consumers are turning
to the Internet to research qualified, professional painting &
decorating contractors. And they are not choosing a 'painter',
they're choosing a Web site! This session will explain exactly
what makes for a professional Web site, pitfalls to avoid (hint:
flashier is not better), and how to make sure that contractors
and consumers in your area will find your site when they need
it most. You don't have to spend a fortune on Internet marketing
to properly represent your company on the Web
and ensure your website is found on the search engines.
This seminar will show you how to 'do it right' in order
to make 2009 the best year ever. How to design your
website so it passes the '15-Second Test' How to write
content that encourages the visitor to contact you Why
'clicks' don't matter but phone calls do The 3 kinds of
search engines results - Natural, Local, Sponsored - and
why each matters Understanding these buzz words:
Pay-Per-Click and Search Engine Optimization. How to
get on top of the right searches The newest Internet
paradigm - Customer-Based Ratings Services How to
lower your Yellow Pages costs How to track, measure
and understand web marketing Return On Investment.
(Approved for PDCA Contractor College credit.)
Technical Education Session
Tuesday, Feb 17 • 11:00 AM -NOON
Session 4: Modern Marvels: How High Performance
Coatings Work
Overcoating Lead Based Paint On Steel Penstocks:
Practical Experience Using A High Ratio Calcium
Sulfonate Alkyd (Csa) System
Mike O’Donoghue, Ph.D., Peter Roberts and Vijay Datta,
Devoe Coatings AkzoNobel and Terry McManus,
McManus Inspections Ltd.
While it remains axiomatic that good surface preparation
is critical to the success of a coating application it is
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77

78
equally pivotal that overcoat systems are selected with utmost
care where particular attention is given to their chemistry and
physical properties, performance history and the intended
service environment.
This paper describes key technical attributes of an innovative
high ratio calcium sulfonate alkyd (CSA) overcoat system, and
the application of the coating system to a pressure washed
(5000psi) lead based paint system on a penstock at a Canadian
hydroelectric facility.
The case history provided outlines how the coating system also
lent itself well in helping to solve a crevice corrosion issue and
an asbestos encapsulation requirement. The latter arose due
to the coated penstock resting upon steel saddle supports
where the gasket between the penstock and saddle consisted
of asbestos matting.
*PDCA Training and Events
Saturday, February 14
Lead-Safe Training
Sheraton New Orleans • 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
This training class is presented at no cost to
attendees. Those encouraged to participate include home
(or code) inspectors, contractors undertaking renovation,
repainting, or remodeling work where lead-based paint may be
encountered, maintenance workers, building supervisors and
landlords, professional associations, state and local municipal
agencies, community and social service organizations.
The goal of this program is to teach attendees lead-safe work
practices and the strategies for implementing them. Many
homes built before 1978 contain lead-based paint, so it is important
that renovation, remodeling and repair activities use
methods that reduce and control dust and debris created during
work. Even a small amount of dust can pose a serious health
risk to children and families.
For more information call: 877-476-2299
Or visit our website: www.leadsafetraining.org
PDCA Contractor College PACE Accreditation
Program Sheraton New Orleans
1:00 PM-5:00 PM
PDCA is making PACE an even better deal. Attend the Pre-
PACE training and selected courses during PACE and leave
PACE an Accredited Contractor*. Now you really can have
it all, and better yet, save money! PDCA is excited to offer a
Pre-Convention ½ day of Contractor College Technical Training,
Saturday February 14, 1:00 pm-5:00 p.m.. PDCA’s Contractor
College will offer a special technical educational program by
The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute that will count as 10
Accreditation Credits. The cost to attend is $200 and includes
refreshments. The best part is, you will receive $100 off your
PACE 2009 full conference registration fee – you can’t afford
NOT to attend this education program. Seating is limited so
please make sure to sign up on your registration form.
*must submit business documentation in addition to education
requirements
| pdca.org
PACER Estimating Hands-On Training Program
Sheraton New Orleans • 1:00 PM-5:00 PM
Bring your laptops and tablet PCs. This hand-on training program
is designed to get you generating estimates FAST using
the most powerful estimating system available today…
PDCA’s PACER Estimating. Margins too tight?...Come learn
how to use standards in your estimating to differentiate your
bids from your competition’s. Rework killing your business?...
Learn how to get your estimator, work crew and customer to
the same expectation of work outcome. Need speed and flexibility?...Learn
how to input information from walkthroughs,
blueprints, onscreen takeoffs and other methods to generate
proposals fast. Missed items costing you money?...Learn
how to build templates that enable you to estimate repetitive
common work on the fly to generate estimates in minutes.
Whether your specialty is residential or commercial, you’ll find
the PACER tool to be an incredibly valuable asset to your business
sales and fulfillment processes.
Sunday, January 27
PACER Estimating Hands-On Training Program
Sheraton New Orleans
8:00 AM-Noon
Repeat of Saturday’s session.
Council & Chapter Leadership Series
“Membership 101: Back to Basics”
2:30 PM-4:30 PM
Members are the backbone of any Association. Join us for a
review and open discussion on the principals of finding and
keeping members. We will review some of the tried and
true methods of obtaining membership while exploring new
options and techniques.
PDCA Chairman’s Reception
Sheraton New Orleans • 7:15 PM-9:00 PM
Come on down to the big easy and join Rodda Paint company
and the Washington State council to celebrate Mr. Dave Jones
becoming the first “Chairman” of the National PDCA.
Monday, February 16
PDCA Fellowship Gathering
7:00 AM-7:30 AM
Fellowship is not only an essential element Noon-1:30 PM
Celebrate with your fellow contractors and plan to attend the
PDCA Annual Awards Ceremony where the Picture It Painted
Professionally (PIPP), Safety, Al Quilici and other award winners
will be honored. We will also pay respect to those members
we have lost during the past year. This year we will be hosting
a seated luncheon! Seating is limited for this event, you must
check the Awards Luncheon option on the PACE Registration
Form in order to attend or contact the PDCA offices:
800.332.7322 ext 224 or Lwerle@pdca.org.
Tuesday, February 17
Council & Chapter Leadership Series “Education 101:
Back to the Classroom” Knowledge is a key ingredient in excellence.
Learn how educational programming and PDCA's Contractor
College program provides valuable benefit to members
and why you should be offering education to your members.

Wednesday, February 18
PDCA Annual Business Meeting
9:00 am-Noon
PDCA is an organization that is constantly moving forward. In
order to stay relevant to our members as well as encourage
new members to join, we are constantly adapting to industry
changes & trends, adapting to new technologies and offering
new member benefits and services. When you attend the
PDCA Annual Business Meeting you are committing yourself to
the success of the organizations mission. Share your thoughts
on the direction we are going and provide YOUR association
feedback. You will hear the “State of the Association” address
and learn ways that you can help promote the success of the
professional contractor. Come witness your national leaders
showcase their individual commitment they make to YOUR
association and advancement of the profession and industry.
PDCA National Associates Meeting
4:30 PM-5:30 PM
All PDCA National Associate members are encouraged to attend.
This annual briefing is an opportunity to discuss the programs
PDCA offers contractors, issues facing National Associates
and what PDCA is doing through out the year.
Thursday, February 19
PDCA Peer Group
Sheraton New Orleans• 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
PDCA's Commercial/Industrial Peer Group is a professionally facilitated
program with 10-12 mid-size - large painting contractors.
While the participating companies are in the same industry they
are non-competing by way of geography. The group discusses
key business issues, establishes benchmarks, sets goals and develops
individual company growth plans. Each group meets 3
- 4 times per year at convenient locations selected by the group
members. For more information on how you can participate contact
Richard Bright at (410) 869-3253 or rbright@pdca.org
*Unless noted, all meetings and events will take place at the Morial
Convention Center in New Orleans.
PACE Meetings and Events
Friday, February 13
Habitat For Humanity
8:00 AM-4:00 PM
In 2008, New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity celebrated 25
years of building in metro New Orleans. In the past 25 years, over
200 families have benefited from NOAHH's affordable homeconstruction
program; 101 of these families have received homes
since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast.
Join NOAHH and Benjamin Moore and PACE in continuing this
tradition of helping others by volunteering to help more families
realize their dream of home ownership.
You will be required to fill out waivers to participate.
Transportation and lunch will be provided. The type of project
and location will not be assigned until several weeks prior to
the event.
Saturday, February 14
Habitat For Humanity
8:00 AM-4:00 PM
If you couldn’t join us on Friday, hopefully Saturday fits into
your schedule!
Sunday, February 15
Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!
(Let the Good Times Roll!) Welcome Reception
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
PACE and Carboline know how to throw a party and you’re invited!
Everyone knows that New Orleans is famous for its Mardi
Gras celebrations so what better way to welcome PACE attendees
to the crescent city then with an authentic Mardi Gras celebration!
While Fat Tuesday is still a week away we can celebrate
in style. Pass under the gorgeous purple, gold and green drapes
adorned with decorative masks to a party like no other! Visit with
old friends and new while sampling local flavors and refreshing
libations. The snappy sounds of a Cajun Zydeco band keeps the
beat pulsing but wait that’s not all – do you hear it? Here comes
the brass band complete with grand marshal for PACE’s very
own mini Mardi Gras parade. Colorful revelers and mini floats
meander throughout the room bringing their merriment to all!
A perfect way to begin the PACE 2009 Convention!
Monday, February 16
PACE General Session
8:00 AM-9:30 AM
Achieving balance in life is the ultimate barometer
of success. In these hectic times,
Michael Broome teaches his audience to
focus their talents and have faith not only in
our system, but in their ability to make the
system work for them. Motivation, people
management, family life, self-esteem and
goal-setting strategies are delivered in a
humorous and self-deprecating style. This,
coming from a man who raises cattle as a sideline. He says
farming is the most satisfying way that he knows to lose money.
Join us for the PACE General Session to kick off a convention
that will be as memorable as the keynote speaker.
**Emerging Leaders Education Program
(formerly Young Contractors Education Program)
9:45 AM-4:30 PM
The PACE Emerging Leaders Program is a highly provocative
program that provides attendees with leadership development
training and the necessary tools to not only work within the family
business but to set higher goals within any organization.
**To qualify for complimentary registration to this program
and PACE 2009, you must:
1. Be the son, daughter, son in law, daughter in law,
niece or nephew of the owner;
2. Under 35;
3. Never received complimentary registration to a
previous Young Contractor’s Program; and,
4. You must register with a full conference, PACE
attendee.
This is an incredible opportunity for emerging contractors
in a family business to learn, network and develop lifelong
friendships. Paid PACE 2009 attendees are also encouraged
to attend.

80
PACE 2009 Exhibit Hall Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
4:30 PM
It’s not official until the ribbon is cut! Join SSPC President
Bruce Henley and PDCA President Mark Casale for the grand
opening of the exhibit hall.
Exhibit Hall Opening and Reception
4:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Don’t miss the opportunity to browse the most comprehensive
exhibit hall in PACE history featuring well-known vendors
displaying the latest in technology, products, services and
solutions for paint industry professionals.
Tuesday, February 17
Union Contractor Education
8:30 AM-Noon
Following the success of the PACE 2008 Union
Contractor Day, we’ve scheduled another half
day of education dedicated to the needs of the
Union Contractor. This specialized program will
engage you in discussions on:
Apprenticeship Training: Are your needs being
met?
Emerging Issues and Challenges for Union
Contractors
Workers Compensation - Alternative Dispute
Resolution
New Administration in Washington: Good for
union contractors?
Labor and Management - Working Together
Regional topics to include: House and Ship
Painters
Meet with peers, leadership and suppliers from
around the country to increase your knowledge
and explore solutions to your needs.
Guest Program: COOKING CAJUN!
10:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Today we’ll travel to the New Orleans School
of Cooking, located in a renovated molasses
warehouse built in the early 1800s in the heart
of the French Quarter. Since 1980 they’ve been
teaching the basics of Louisiana cooking in way
you’ll never forget. Fun is the primary ingredient
in their kitchen. The Creole/Cajun experts
teach New Orleans specialties such as Gumbo,
Jambalaya and Pralines and intersperse their
demonstration with history, trivia and tall tales.
It’s a “ga-ron-teed” good time for all! Time will
be permitted following the class to shop at the
school’s Louisiana General Store.
Menu will include:
Soup: Chicken & Andouille Gumbo
Entrée: Shrimp Creole
Dessert: Bananas Foster (Here’s a secret: You’ll
also learn how to make pralines!)
| pdca.org
PACE 2009
Register Today !
Register on-line at www.pace2009.com or by phone, fax or mail!
Sunday, Feb. 15
How to avoid Residential
and Commercial
Paint Failures
Bob Cusumano,
Coatings Consultants
Wednesday, February 18
Club5
7:00 PM-11:00 PM
As PACE 2009 draws to a close, we begin looking forward
to PACE 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. So we set the stage half
in Cajun country and half in the southwest. The Desert
Southwest Collides with Cajun Country! Wagon wheels,
coyotes barking at the moon, rising suns, lariats, Cajun cabins,
alligators, Spanish moss blend the fusion of these two cultures.
Try your hand at the mini golf course or see how fast you hit a
ball in a batting cage. While playing these interactive games,
you’ll be entertained by Rockin Dopsie and the Zydeco
Twisters. A great way to say good-bye to the Big Easy and
hello to Sun Country.
Monday, Feb. 16
How To Be The CEO of
Your Paint Company
Brian Drucks,
yourcostcenter.com
Tips & Tricks to Get the Job Done !
“PACE is a real business builder - great technical
and business seminars; networking with pros that
have been there and done it. A tremendous help for
a new painting contractor.”
— Mike Kelly, Crestwood Painting
Attention JOBSITE Readers - PACE is All About Painting Contractors
Wednesday, Feb. 18
Project Management 101
Ana Boudreaux &
Alfred Cannon,
PMI New Orleans Chapter
Register today at www.PACE2009.com or look for the Program Preview in your mailbox !

REGISTRATIoN INFoRMATIoN p PDCA Member p SSPC Member p Not a Member
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY - ONLY ONE NAME PER REGISTRATION FORM MEMBER # _________________________________
First Name/MI Last Name
Nickname (for your badge)
Title Department/Division
Company Name
Address
City State/Prov Zip/Postal Country
Phone Number Fax Number
E-mail Address Web Site Address
Emergency Contact Phone
A. SELECT YouR PACE CoNFERENCE PACKAGE
*Please Check Box(s) for Registration Below Early Bird Full Price
by 1/30/09 after 1/30/09
o (1MF) Member (PDCA or SSPC) Full Conference $539 $639
o (1MA) Member Additional Employee $439 $539
o (1NF) Non-Member Full Conference $720 $820
o (1NA) Non-Member Additional Employee $620 $720
o (3OM) Member One Day Registration – no banquet $245 $245
Choose Day: m Sun m Mon m Tue m Wed
o (3ON) Non-Member One Day Registration – no banquet $345 $345
Choose Day: m Sun m Mon m Tue m Wed
o (5TN) Three day Exhibit Hall Only (incl. lunch Tue & Wed) $150 $150
o (7EO) Single Day Exhibit Only $60 $60
Choose Day: m Mon m Tue m Wed (incl. lunch Tue & Wed)
o (9SP) Guest/Spouse Registration (incl. lunch - no banquet) $150 $150
o (9CH) Children 16+ (incl. lunch - no banquet) $50 $50
o (2YC) Emerging Leaders Full Conference -$0- -$0-
o Yes, I will attend the Emerging Leaders Program
Birth Date: ____ / ____ / ____
Company Owner Name: ____________________________
Relationship to Owner: ____ Son/Daughter ____ Son-In-Law/Daughter-In-Law
B. SPECIAL EVENTS/oPTIoNAL PRICE QTY. TOTAL
o (HA1) Habitat for Humanity Volunteer (Fri. 2/13/09)** $50 _____ _____
o (HA2) Habitat for Humanity Volunteer (Sat. 2/14/09)** $50 _____ _____
o (REC) Welcome Reception (Sun. 2/15/09)* $45 _____ _____
o (CAJ) Cookin’ Cajun (Tue. 2/17/09) $55 _____ _____
o (UC1) Union Contractor Program (Tue. 2/17/09) -$0- _____ _____
o (PD4) Pro Faux Certification (Wed. 2/18/09) $189 _____ _____
o (BAN) Club5 Tickets (Wed. 2/18/09)* $95 _____ _____
*The Welcome Reception & Club5 are included with full conference registration. If you do not
register for a full conference, you must purchase additional tickets to attend either event. **Habitat
for Humanity Volunteer is strictly a volunteer opportunity. The entire fee goes toward the Leukemia
& Lymphoma Society and the PDCA Disaster Relief fund in place of proceeds from the former PACE
auction. All fees collected are tax deductible as far as the law allows – please consult your tax
advisor.
C. PDCA TRAINING & EVENTS
Training attendees will receive a $100 discount when purchasing a PACE 2009 Full Conference
registration. If you have any questions regarding Training, please contact your association.
Member Non-member
o PACER Training (Pick 1: o (PD1) Sat. 2/14/09 o (PD3) Sun. 2/15/09) $100 $200
o (PD2) PDCA Contractor College Pre-Convention Education (Sat. 2/14/09) $200 $300
o (PDC) PDCA Awards Luncheon (Mon. 2/16/09)* Complimentary
*Although the luncheon is complimentary for registered PDCA attendees, you must check this box to receive a ticket.
NOTE: By registering for the conference you are consenting to receive written and
verbal communication from PACE, SSPC, and PDCA via postal mail, courier, telephone,
fax, and e-mail.
p No. PACE may not provide my information to PACE 2009 exhibitors
BOX A
REGISTRATION
SUBTOTAL
$ _____________
BOX B
SPECIAL EVENTS
SUBTOTAL
$ _____________
BOX C
PDCA TRAINING
SUBTOTAL
$ _____________
DEMoGRAPhICS
What type of company do you
work for?
p A. Architect, Consultant,
Engineer
p B. Commercial Contractor
p C. Fabricator
p D. Facility Owner/End User
p E. Industrial Contractor
p F. Manufacturer
p G. Residential Contractor
p H. Supplier
p I. Other ________________
What kind of work do you do?
(check all that apply):
p A. Manager/Supervisor
p B. President/CEO/Owner
p C. Purchasing
p D. Safety, Compliance
p E. Sales & Marketing
p F. Testing, Research
p G. Technical Service
p Y. Other
_________________________
D. SSPC TRAINING
Training attendees will receive a $100 discount when purchasing a PACE 2009 Full Conference
registration. If you have any questions regarding Training, please contact your association.
Member Non-member
o (PRO) Project Management $595 $795
o (ATT) Applicator Train-the-Trainer Program $795 $995
o (C1) Fundamentals of Protective Coatings $995 $1,195
o (C2) Specifying and Project Management $995 $1,195
o (C3) Lead Paint Removal * $995 $1,195
o (C5) Lead Paint Removal Refresher * $395 $595
o (C7) Abrasive Blasting Program $795 $995
o (C10) Floor Coating Basics $595 $795
o (C12) Airless Spray Basics $595 $795
o (TS) Thermal Spray Basics (Sat. 2/14/09) $395 $595
o (MC) Marine Coatings $995 $1,195
o (BC1) Bridge Coating Inspector Training $995 $1,195
o (BC2) Bridge Coating Inspector Certification $1,395 $1,595
o (NBP) NAVSEA Basic Paint Inspector Course $1,095 $1,295
o (PCA) Protective Coatings Inspector Training $995 $1,195
o (PCB) Protective Coatings Inspector Certification $1,395 $1,595
o (QCS) Quality Control Supervisor $595 $795
o (CS1) Coating Application Specialist Written Exam (Thu. 2/19/09) $175 $275
o (CS2) Coating Application Specialist Hands-On Exam (Thu. 2/19/09) $175 $275
o (PC1) PCS Exam (Mon. 2/16/09) $500 $700
o (PC2) PCS Exam (Thu. 2/19/09) $500 $700
o *(SMD) Maryland state supplement (C3 or C5) $25 $25
o *(SVA) Virginia state supplement (C3 or C5) $25 $25
o (PDA) Intro to Polyurea for the Applicator and Contractor Contact PDA for Pricing
PLEASE CHECK THE PROGRAM FOR DATES AND TIMES OF
TRAINING COURSES.
PACE CANCELLATIoN PoLICY:
Cancellations must be received in writing by December 28, 2008 to
qualify for a 100% refund, less $50 administrative fee. Cancellation
requests received after December 28, 2008 and by January 11,
2009 will receive a 50% refund. NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN
AFTER January 11, 2009 OR FOR NO-SHOWS.
E. TRAINING DISCouNT
Less $100 Discount for Training Course registrants ONLY
*Training Discount applies only when purchasing a full conference registration PLUS training
F. PAYMENT
To calculate your amount due, add the totals in boxes A - E. This is your total registration cost.
Select a payment option: p American Express p MasterCard p Visa p Discover
Exp. Date ____ / ____ Card Number ______________________________________
Signature (Required) ______________________________________________________
What is your age range?
p A. 18 - 25
p B. 26 - 35
p C. 36 - 45
p D. 46 - 55
p E. 55+
Are you responsible for
purchasing decisions?
p YES p NO
Are you prepared to make
a purchasing decision on site?
p YES p NO
SPECIAL
NEEDS/DIET:
p I need special assistance
p I have special dietary needs:
o (L) low sodium
o (D) diabetic
o (V) vegetarian
o (K) kosher
o (X) other
______________________
BOX D
SSPC TRAINING
SUBTOTAL
$ ______________
BOX E
TRAINING DISCOUNT
$ ______________
TOTAL COST
BOX A+B+C+D-E
Print Name ______________________________________________________________
$ ______________
p Check enclosed (Payable to “PACE 2009”)
NOTE: When registering for PACE you are authorizing the use of any photographs taken onsite for future promotions.
2 EASY WAYS To REGISTER IMPORTANT: FULL PAYMENT IS REQUIRED AT THIS TIME.
-- U.S. FUNDS ONLY--
ON-LINE: www.PACE2009.com
MAIL TO: PACE 2009, c/o QMS Services Inc., 6840 Meadowridge Ct., Alpharetta, GA 30005

Craftsman Operating Procedures
The Craftsman Operating Procedures
place emphasis on the key aspects
of the successful completion
of paintwork in a craftsman-like
manner.
The means and the
methods of laying out
the actual sequence
required to complete a
task are listed for each
procedure.
The materials supplies,
tools and equipment,
safety, and appearance
are identified for each
procedure.
A quality job each and every time.
To Purchase Craftsman
Operating Procedures (COP’s) call
(800)332-7322 or go to www.pdca.org

T H E O F F I C I A L M A G A Z I N E O F T H E P D C A
"picture it painted professionally"
PDCA's Celebrating Excellence Edition
Dear Editor:
I’ve enjoyed recent articles regarding green contracting and want to learn
more. What do you suggest?
Dear Reader:
Attend PACE 2009. Between workshops and seminars on green contracting,
you’ll be able to gain lots of insight. By attending PACE you’ll also be
exposed to new products and systems to use within your business from expo
exhibitors. Another resource - check out PDCA’s Project Green Brush on the
PDCA website.
Dear Editor:
letters to the editor «
I’m interested in seeing if some of my competitors are interested in forming
a PDCA chapter in our city. How do we go about doing that?
Dear Reader:
That’s great news! PDCA chapters are where the rubber meets the road in
networking and support of and from your local industry through regularly
getting together with your fellow contractors. Knowing your competitors
as friends in a neutral place such as a PDCA Chapter is beneficial to your
company and your local marketplace. My suggestion would be to contact the
national PDCA office. They can provide you with all the information you need
to set up a meeting and see if there is interest among your fellow contractors
in forming a Chapter.
Editor’s Note:
We want to hear from you! We welcome your questions and comments. Please contact us
at pdca.org.
If you’re interested in buying an advertisement in this magazine please contact
Ron at ron@pdcamagazine.com or
1-800-246-1637
www.PDCA.org
pdca.org |
83

84
» blue collar advice
Taming the
Demon Customer?
Alas, the demons are within!
by Steve Ryan
Painting for the most part is an easy trade. Yes, you heard
me right. It’s easy. You go to the job, paint, and go
home. There are very few emergencies, no daily life and
death situations -- meat and potatoes easy.
So why is it that so many painters look worn and strained (and
make so little money)? Why do I get phone calls everyday day
from painting veterans who tell me sob stories like, “This customer
is way too picky.”
As a little boy, my grandfather used to tell me after a hard day,
as a foreman in the Boston shipyard, “Steve, its not the work,
it’s the aggravation.”
So what makes contracting so aggravating and so hard? The
hard part is managing customer expectations and properly executing
the project. These same veterans who can coordinate
a good-sized painting project, have trouble completing the
proper paperwork necessary to run a business.
Although you can paint, can you run a business that provides
painting as a service? It is the systems of the business, which
make your work life easy or difficult. No systems…always
equal Pain. It is your mastery of the dreaded systems and paperwork
that will make your days easier.
Sales are the root of all evil in contracting. Seriously!
Most problems arise as the job progresses because the sales
person didn’t manage and document the customer’s expectation.
Here are the top complaints from customers:
» Surface preparation and smoothness expectations
» Colors and sheens
» Neatness or lack of neatness around the project
» Toilet use, parking, radio use, garbage, shrub damage
» Extra charges and change orders
» Job length
» What is included and not included
» Warranty concerns on problem areas
The best idea is to address common issues and concerns at the
proposal stage and document everything. Ask the prospect
what they expect or give them a quick run down on how you
handle most of the common issues. Document what the pros-
| pdca.org
pect expects and what it will cost to perform at those expectations.
Don’t worry about novelizing the details, make notes.
Having notes of your conversations works.
Create ever changing and improving systems:
One irritation my painters had on every job was a customer
pointing out little details at the beginning stages of a project.
This regularly stopped the flow of production. As a solution
(on a Pre-Installation Checklist form), we addressed the issue
by mentioning the painter’s focus on the “big picture” first and
then the “little details” at the end of the project. This all but
eliminated the issue and gave my painters a catch phrase to
use. “Thanks for pointing that area out ma’am, we’re focusing
on the big picture right now. We’ll get to that soon.” This
one trick turned a constant headache into empowerment. I
learned that trick at a PDCA meeting.
Many contractors who join and become active in PDCA soon
realize the demons of your business go away when they organize
and systematize. Successful contractors realize the demons
are within.
Many tired and unsuccessful contractors are joining PDCA,
learning how to run a business and doubling and even quadrupling
their income in less than 2 years!
With a little training and determination you too can tame your
own inner demons. At the PACE conference last year, countless
painters said, “The work is easier, the money is better, and I’m
having fun again. I learned how to move from being a painter
to a business person who provides painting services.”
Good Luck,
—Steve Ryan
Interested in forms to help with your business? Go to the contractor’s Blue Collar
Advice section at www.maddogprimer.com
Steve Ryan has 20 years of experience as a contractor. He now produces Mad
Dog Primer. He can be reached at steve@maddogprimer.com

A Allbright Painting
Valencia, CA
A-1 Painting
Centennial, CO
Acadia Housewrights,
G.F. LLC
Wichita, KS
Adkins Quality Painting, Inc.
Mayodan, NC
Ahern Painting
Cherry Hill, NJ
Alpine Painting & Sandblasting
Contractors
Paterson, NJ
Aspen Painting, Inc.
Aspen, CO
B T Builders, Inc.
Pompano Beach, FL
Benchmark Painting &
Carpentry Inc.
Kensington, MD
Bill Schneeberger Painting
& Decorating, LLC
Northbrook, IL
Bowen Painting &
Remodeling
Crofton, MD
Catchlight, Inc.
Brookline, MA
CertaPro Painters of
South Kent
Kent, WA
CitiStar, Inc.
Chesterfield, MO
Coating Systems, LLC
Jemison, AL
Colonial Classic Painting Inc.
Williamsburg, VA
Gilmore Painting & Decorating
Lakewood, CO
GW King Custom Painting
Westfield, IN
Harbor Paint &
Power Wash, Inc.
Huntington, NY
Hester Decorating Inc.
Skokie, IL
High Sierra Painting
Sparks, NV
Hingham Painting &
Decorating, Inc.
Hingham, MA
Hunter Painting, Inc.
Booney Lake, WA
IM Painting, Inc.
San Clemente, CA
J & H Painting LLC
Winston-Salem, NC
Joel Hamberg Painting, Inc.
Portland, OR
John L Evans Decorating and
Renovation
Cedar, MI
Karen's Company, Inc.
Lafayette, CO
KC Paint Company, Inc.
Cumming, GA
Kidd Painting
Mesa, AZ
L.E. Travis & Sons, Inc.
San Antonio, TX
Lamb Painting, LLC
Spearfish, SD
Lundco Painting LLC
Seekonk, MA
Luxbrush Painting Co Inc.
Manchester Center, VT
MTS Painting
Mesa, AZ
MVP Decorating, Inc.
Mount Prospect, IL
Northern Painters
Hamilton, ON
P & M Painting Co.
Crystal Lake, IL
Painted Effects Studio, LLC
St. Louis, MO
Painting in Partnership
Palatine, IL
PaintTek Quality Painting, Inc.
Dunellen, NJ
Peek Brothers Painting
Contractors
San Diego, CA
Pete the Painter, Inc.
Northbrook, IL
Precison Painting &
Decorating
Elmhurst, IL
Accredited Contractors «
Pro Craft Painting &
Contracting, Inc.
Gurnee, IL
Professional Painters
LaGrange, IL
ProPaint Systems
Forest Hill, MD
Pro-Spec Painting, Inc.
Vineland, NJ
Schnurr, Inc
Austin, TX
Siegner and Company
Portland, OR
Smart Company, Inc.
Austin, TX
SNL Painting, Inc.
O'Fallon, MO
Southington Painting
Southington, CT
Stewart Painting, Inc.
Edwardsville, IL
Suburban Painting Co
Lexington, KY
Surroundings by Michael, LLC
Shoreview, MN
Tegrey Family of Coatings
Canton, OH
Westcoast Painting
Renton, WA
Wilson & Hampton Painting
Contractors
Anaheim, CA
pdca.org |
85

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