EXPERIENCE SPEAKS: Painting

Retail Facility Business asked a couple experts about painting issues pertaining to retailers and shopping centers. Our experts are: Brandon Finkenhoefer, national sales manager with Naperville, Illinois-based ISP Painting; and Dan Haer, CEO of Bridgeton, New Jersey-based DJ’s Painting.

RFB: What are some of the biggest trends today in commercial painting, such as new materials, methods, tools?

Brandon Finkenhoefer: It is only natural that every retailer wants to save a buck; however, today’s trends in commercial painting have shown the need to balance short- and long-term needs. Economic conditions have brought an entirely new perspective to facility maintenance management. Many retailers are now considering new cost-savings options like refinishing services, which can provide a new look and feel to a facility’s existing ceiling tiles, FRP or woodwork — at a third of the cost over replacement.

Dan Haer: I would say the biggest trend today is many manufacturers are going green, and come from many different angles. Some paints are made with little or no VOC’s so they don’t pollute as they cure; others use reflective ceramic particles in the resin to reflect the sun’s heat away from the roof to reduce cooling cost.

Application methods have not changed industry wide; however, as a coatings applicator it is our role to educate the client on what system will best fill their need.  So we are constantly training our account managers on the latest systems so they have the most up- to-date information. Our account managers and painters in the field are in constant communication to assure that they are on the same page when it comes to writing specifications. Their joint learnings constantly improve the quality of their specifications.  The result is clients save time and money on their projects.

RFB: Painting is a relatively inexpensive way to instantly spruce up a retail space. Do you find more retailers, in today’s challenging economy, choosing a new coat of paint instead of an entire remodel?

Finkenhoefer: Yes, retailers are taking a different approach on their remodeling efforts.

We have been working closely with many retailers to form a maintenance program for their facilities, which helps the retailer be proactive in keeping high-traffic areas like fitting rooms, doors, columns and public restrooms looking great, instead of full-store remodels or even full-store repaints.  

We are also seeing retailers focus on highlighting only certain walls with color for seasonal merchandise, as well as changing only display window walls to attract interest from customers walking past their locations.

Haer: I have to say that does seem to be the trend lately. For our sake I hope that continues and increases! It really does make sense — they get more “bang for the buck” painting than just about anything else they can do.

RFB: What measures is the painting industry taking to be more environmentally friendly (such as low-VOC paints, etc.)? Are more clients expecting this “green” option today?

Finkenhoefer: The painting industry is developing many new products that fall within increased state regulations to control VOC levels; however, [we are] seeing another trend with environmentally-friendly “self-cleaning” coatings. 

These coatings can be applied to building exteriors (glass, block, wood, cement, etc.) and will dramatically decrease the need to powerwash as well as the amount of water and chemicals needed when the surface is cleaned. Along with the self-cleaning attributes, these products seal the surface and decrease the amount of effort the heating and cooling service needs to put forth to maintain a certain temperature. This produces financial savings and contributes to a more practical, “greener” use of resources.

We are currently testing this product in downtown Manhattan, where our customer’s cream-colored exterior is constantly affected by the city’s street pollution. 

The same technology used in the self-cleaning product also is being used in deodorizing and anti-microbial treatments, which can be applied to interiors and exteriors alike.

Haer: As mentioned, just about every coatings company has some form of a “greening” going on. In California and the OTC (“original 13 colonies”), the VOC laws have gotten so tough that solvent-based coatings are nearly illegal. Many of the new acrylic coatings are getting to the point where they function as well if not better than the old solvent based alkyds. There are only a few places where you just can’t get away from the solvent based coatings. These uses are mainly primers, such as blocking out stains and stopping rust or bonding to some unpainted metal exterior surfaces.

It has been my experience that about half of our clients are interested in some form of a green option and has been steadily increasing.

RFB: What should a retailer look for when hiring a painting contractor?

Finkenhoefer: When considering a potential painting contractor, retailers should not just be looking for a cheap fix. 

Today, it is all about creating a lasting partnership between the retailer and the contractor.  Retailers should look for the contractor who can fulfill all of their painting needs by assisting them in determining the best program for all of their facilities and providing educated, cost-saving recommendations.

Another thing to keep in mind is to evaluate all of the services a contractor offers; retailers may be surprised to learn that some painting companies offer a lot more than just painting. 

A great partnership is one in which the contractor’s professionalism and dedication to the client is valued as much as the retailer’s loyal business relationship.

Haer: Retailers should look for a few key things in a painting firm:

• They should specialize in paint and coatings to assure that the job is specified the most effective way possible for their real needs.

• They should have good references.

• Experience completing similar projects.

• An ability to set up a lifetime repaint cycle so you know your future paint cost now.

• Fully insured.

• A written guarantee.