"Real Painters" Don't Use Tape

capital city

Im with you, keep the customer happy and make that money. That is what its all about when its all said and done. Ive used tape in places and thought damn thats awesome and in other places thought hell I could of saved alot of time and just free handed that. I guess its all regional when it comes down to it. People expect what they are used to. If everyone is taping everything then they expect a taped look.

WisePainter

I prefer Prima Donna.
The extra attitude is entertainment for my clients sake, and they enjoy it.

a.k.a. "perfection"

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My advice: Hire a real painter to do it.

capital city

For one I dont really think a taped line is perfect as there is going to be some bleed there. I also think that my lines are pretty damn good and would think close to perfect unless you want to pull out a laser level and get down on your knees. Having said that I live in a smaller area then what it sounds like you guys are from and dont think that we have the higher end work that many people on here talk about. You mention perfection, in Frankfort, Ky perfection is showing up, doing what you say you will do, and not being drunk or raiding there med cabinet. The painting part is easy to impress as long do a pretty good job.

WisePainter

I don't necessarily tape baseboards for a straight line, I do it to shield the baseboard when I get down to business with the roller on the wall.
I can cut a fine vertical line all day long.
I have minimal bleed through when I tape trim because I am sure to get a good seal between the trim and tape before setting out on my adventure.
I clean any bleeds with a rag in oops, or quickly touch up with a small brush.

High end, low end, the quality should never change.


gasp!!!

How ever do you challenge yourselves to do better when "pretty good" is the industry standard?!?

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My advice: Hire a real painter to do it.

capital city

You know as well as I do that the quality can change based on the job and the customer. When a customer says we only want this and this done then you cant go ahead and quote them the absolute best. I will not do something that I know will not work. When people say Duration cost to much why dont we use Valspar I dont go there. When an ederly lady says she cant afford the second coat of Duration I tell her that it wont look as good but I believe the 1 coat will do the job that you need. Also you dont price a 40 year old $140,000 house the same you do a new $400,000 house. If you were to price stuff around here using all of the best methods and best paint then you might have a handful of customers. Now dont go off on this capital is a hack crap because that just isnt true. I know what to do and when I tell a customer Im going to do something then I do it. I tell the customer what I feel they should do and we go from there.

When pretty good is the standard then you do better because you want people to automatically think I have no choice but to call this person because of the work that he does compared to so and so. Everyones market is different and the market will determine the price as well as the procedures.

Mr. Mike

I think Capital is right on in many ways.

I always assume the prospect wants the best and if they don't I have a different scope of work and paint ready for them with in seconds. Being a great one call closer only happens when you use 55 clubs in your close bag.

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Commercial Painter KY. Residential Painter Louisville Painting Photos Louisville

WisePainter

meh.

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My advice: Hire a real painter to do it.

Mr. Mike

lol,

I just checked my log of tape bought in 08 and it looks like I spent $1363.09 on tape last year, I bought a lot of tape but never used it on any of my trim that was getting painted.

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Commercial Painter KY. Residential Painter Louisville Painting Photos Louisville

4thGeneration

The point I was making was that the people I have worked for are much different than you describe for whatever reason. I always take extra precaution just because the ones I have worked for demand it. If you can paint and get it on the base more power to you. My scenario is different.

As far as being fired. I was raised since the age of 5 with a paint brush. I only was allowed to use the 4inch straight angle because my Grandpa was a master painter who demanded it. He made it hard so things would be easier on me later in life. I could not put a number to the high end quality homes he has worked on. He was the first and only contractor used on Sawgrass where TPC takes place before he gave the biz over to my Uncle. That is the kind of painting I grew up around. All custom and such. Do not take what I have said the wrong way. As I said to many people, You have to do what seems right in your eyes...

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484-334-3999

WisePainter

I wrapped this beauty up yesterday.

These 2 areas were taped in roughly 20 minutes (10 minutes for removal).




Dining room.



Front window (I love those narrow areas)



I then proceeded to paint them both in about 2 1/2 hours...don't get snarky, as you can see the home is occupied*.
If I tried to freehand the base (which was not going to be painted), then just "wiped" away any spatter that hit the baseboard after rolling that job would have either:

1) Be really high in labor costs due to the time it would take to cut in above a base board, because as we all know that is a tough thing to do efficiently when on a time budget.

or

2) I would have lost money ($eriou$ly) at the price I quoted in the bid.

Tape is cheap, my time isn't.
My clients will appreciate the 150% savings they will receive all because I throw a bit of blue tape on the baseboards.


P.S. For all of my "fans" out there that claim I am messy and unprofessional so therefor need to use tape in order to maintain a clean and professional appearance...


Consistent brush overlap with minimal spatter on the tape surface, while the base trim and floor are left blemish free.


Tape!











*Pianos, nor any heirloom furnishings will ever be "shuffled about" when I am working.

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My advice: Hire a real painter to do it.

Mr. Mike

You did not paint the base boards? Good thing you used tape if not.

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Commercial Painter KY. Residential Painter Louisville Painting Photos Louisville

WisePainter

If the contract had included painting the baseboards, then that would have been my first priority.

Then I would have taped them to do the walls...


EDIT: I think you missed the point I was making.

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My advice: Hire a real painter to do it.

Mr. Mike

Wow, that is completely backwards. Base is always painted last on my jobs.







Prime and prep after the walls are primed.
PC030030.jpg

Then paint that line away.
PC130177.jpg

Attached Thumbnails

   

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WisePainter

You remind me of this guy that once worked for me, for a day.
We were finishing the master bath remodel and the HO decided to move in before we finished. I sent him up to sand a small 2'x2' drywall patch on a wall and told him to run the shop vac in order to prevent the dust from flying everywhere.
So 15 minutes later I go to check on him, and he is standing in a huge drywall dust cloud...dust is all over the HO's vanity, makeup, mirror...etc.

I am like "WTF d00d?!? Didn't I tell you to suck the dust up as you were sanding?!?"

He just looks at me and tells me that vacuuming up before he finishes is backwards!!!

Yup, you remind me of that guy, he was also wrong.



How else would you cover up all of the wall spatter that nailed the base trim?
Of course tape will prevent all of that spatter...

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My advice: Hire a real painter to do it.

Dave Mac

Wise what type of shop vac?? Im looking for one to do just what you said, I hate sheetrock dust!!!

rbsremodeling

I went around my house and checked the trim and baseboards, crown moulding etc.

Splatter everywhere, it felt disgusting. I am so upset

On Monday morning there will be some sanding, taping and trim painting in this biotch

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WisePainter

The $65.00 Rigid from (ugh) Home Depot. I use a smaller than average shop vac due to the minimal noise when operating, and ease of carrying into my client's homes. I picked up a couple of blue micro dust filters for the dustier than normal applications.
Those large shop vacs are great for cleaning up after NC or major remodels, but a bit much inside of homes that are occupied.

Nothing says GOOD MORNING!!! like a large shop vac kicking on in a client's kitchen at 7:15 a.m.




You could always sample that "dust free" drywall mud and give me a review?
$15.00 is steep for the small amount you get.

EDIT: I don't use any special drywall sanding rig, just a flat attachment and away I go.

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My advice: Hire a real painter to do it.

WisePainter

Hired Mr. Mike didn't you?

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My advice: Hire a real painter to do it.

ProWallGuy

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Sir Mixalot

For perfect lines I use tape, plastic or paper and spray.

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