Friday night, my wife and I head out for dinner and a movie. It takes us
away from the daily grind. Gives us a little time together at the end of the
crazy week. Maybe it's helped keep us married for these 28 years, I don't
know. But we look forward to it as a relaxing time to spend with just each
other.
Last week, we saw one of those "superhero" movies. You've probably
seen one or two of them, yourself. It was great fun. The hero had amazing
abilities just plain impossible for normal people. Bullets bounced off him.
He could stand up to freezing cold, blazing heat and stay underwater with
no apparent problem or visible wear and tear. We loved it!
Of course, the problem with those kind of movies is that sometimes
somebody thinks that they can actually do that kind of stuff.
If only it were true!
Sadly, it isn't and they could get hurt finding out. The other day I was
reading about a gal whose five year old was wearing a superhero costume.
He had attached his cape to the ceiling fan and turned it to "high".
Luckily, nothing but the fan was hurt.
Occasionally, I run into folks who think that there are "super" paints out
there which stand up to freezing cold, blazing heat and water with no
apparent problem or wear and tear. They don't usually mention bullets. I
guess they get that idea from TV commercials where paints give "lifetime"
warranties.
Of course, the problem with those kind of commercials is that
sometimes somebody thinks that the paint can actually do that kind of stuff.
If only it were true!
Sadly, it isn't. And their property can get hurt finding out.
Paint amazes me with what it can do. Only 3 thousandths of an inch
thick, it sticks to many kinds of surfaces and holds up quite a while against
cold, heat and water. It will NOT stand up to gunfire. Eventually, sun, rain,
weather and the Southern California air pollution cause the paint to wear
out. On some surfaces, the worst that can happen is it looks bad. But
wood, if not protected will rot and metal will rust.
How long does a paint job last? Wood and wrought iron need an
excellent coat of paint about every 5 years. If you are running water on
them on a daily basis or they are flat surfaces where water puddles and the
sun hits directly they might need attention sooner. Stucco should last for
about 10 years. All these time frames depend on excellent paint and
preparation --cut corners will cut durability.
I do not recommend discharging firearms to test your building's
surfaces.
If you need an estimate to have your building painted, give us a call at
818-951-307or fill out our free online estimate form.
away from the daily grind. Gives us a little time together at the end of the
crazy week. Maybe it's helped keep us married for these 28 years, I don't
know. But we look forward to it as a relaxing time to spend with just each
other.
Last week, we saw one of those "superhero" movies. You've probably
seen one or two of them, yourself. It was great fun. The hero had amazing
abilities just plain impossible for normal people. Bullets bounced off him.
He could stand up to freezing cold, blazing heat and stay underwater with
no apparent problem or visible wear and tear. We loved it!
Of course, the problem with those kind of movies is that sometimes
somebody thinks that they can actually do that kind of stuff.
If only it were true!
Sadly, it isn't and they could get hurt finding out. The other day I was
reading about a gal whose five year old was wearing a superhero costume.
He had attached his cape to the ceiling fan and turned it to "high".
Luckily, nothing but the fan was hurt.
Occasionally, I run into folks who think that there are "super" paints out
there which stand up to freezing cold, blazing heat and water with no
apparent problem or wear and tear. They don't usually mention bullets. I
guess they get that idea from TV commercials where paints give "lifetime"
warranties.
Of course, the problem with those kind of commercials is that
sometimes somebody thinks that the paint can actually do that kind of stuff.
If only it were true!
Sadly, it isn't. And their property can get hurt finding out.
Paint amazes me with what it can do. Only 3 thousandths of an inch
thick, it sticks to many kinds of surfaces and holds up quite a while against
cold, heat and water. It will NOT stand up to gunfire. Eventually, sun, rain,
weather and the Southern California air pollution cause the paint to wear
out. On some surfaces, the worst that can happen is it looks bad. But
wood, if not protected will rot and metal will rust.
How long does a paint job last? Wood and wrought iron need an
excellent coat of paint about every 5 years. If you are running water on
them on a daily basis or they are flat surfaces where water puddles and the
sun hits directly they might need attention sooner. Stucco should last for
about 10 years. All these time frames depend on excellent paint and
preparation --cut corners will cut durability.
I do not recommend discharging firearms to test your building's
surfaces.
If you need an estimate to have your building painted, give us a call at
818-951-307or fill out our free online estimate form.
Liz and I have owned a condo in a little coastal town for five years. I
have a little more time now than I used to have. And Liz and I felt that there
were a few improvements that could be made around here. So I attended
the last board meeting. Now, I'm the new president of the Laura Street
Townhomes!
Help!
I'm on the other side of the line now. Now I'm evaluation contractor's
proposals, being the recipient of multiple e-mails and phone calls about
leaky roofs. Getting to know my neighbors-when they're upset about the
water stains on their dining room ceiling! After painting condos for over 25
years, fate has an ironic sense of humor.
But actually, I'm enjoying it. It's fun to organize everything and
everybody and keep them all happy. I've made some new friends already
--which is a good thing-- because I live very close to them. However, one
thing happened last week that reminded me of painting condominiums.
(You have to realize that a lot of things remind me of painting
condominiums!) Our management company sent a request for bids for
replacing our front doors. It was a job each individual owner is responsible
for , but the manager got us three bids from three different companies as a
courtesy.
Being a painting contractor of 29 years, I had been submitting one of
those three bids that you need before you get large painting projects done
at HOA's for quite a long time. After all, with limited budgets, HOA's do a lot
of bidding! But I'd never had a chance to see proposals from the viewpoint
of a board member before. So I anticipated them with fascination. Now my
proposals had been for painting, stucco repair, pressure washing, caulking,
elastomeric coatings --that sort of thing --not for carpentry. So though I'm
used to reading bids, this was the first time that I got to read three different
bids for the same thing that didn't include one of mine.
I noticed one thing immediately. They all had different prices.
I noticed another thing and this took a little longer. Each bid was
actually different than the other. One included painting the doors. The
other two didn't. One was for metal doors. The other two were for
fiberglass doors.
I ultimately arrived at the same conclusion that may a board member has
come to in the past. There was no way to evaluate three bids on three
different things!
So, in frustration, I am meeting with the contractor who seemed to be
the best to get a set of specifications worked up so that we can get the bids
ON OUR SPECIFICATIONS. Not on some idea from a phone call.
This is a service that we've offered our paint customers for years. We
give a set of painting specification (as well as an estimate of it's cost) as a
free service. If you need this --and if you have paint work coming up this
year, believe me you need specifications --give us a call at 818-951-3207 or
fill out our free online estimate form.
have a little more time now than I used to have. And Liz and I felt that there
were a few improvements that could be made around here. So I attended
the last board meeting. Now, I'm the new president of the Laura Street
Townhomes!
Help!
I'm on the other side of the line now. Now I'm evaluation contractor's
proposals, being the recipient of multiple e-mails and phone calls about
leaky roofs. Getting to know my neighbors-when they're upset about the
water stains on their dining room ceiling! After painting condos for over 25
years, fate has an ironic sense of humor.
But actually, I'm enjoying it. It's fun to organize everything and
everybody and keep them all happy. I've made some new friends already
--which is a good thing-- because I live very close to them. However, one
thing happened last week that reminded me of painting condominiums.
(You have to realize that a lot of things remind me of painting
condominiums!) Our management company sent a request for bids for
replacing our front doors. It was a job each individual owner is responsible
for , but the manager got us three bids from three different companies as a
courtesy.
Being a painting contractor of 29 years, I had been submitting one of
those three bids that you need before you get large painting projects done
at HOA's for quite a long time. After all, with limited budgets, HOA's do a lot
of bidding! But I'd never had a chance to see proposals from the viewpoint
of a board member before. So I anticipated them with fascination. Now my
proposals had been for painting, stucco repair, pressure washing, caulking,
elastomeric coatings --that sort of thing --not for carpentry. So though I'm
used to reading bids, this was the first time that I got to read three different
bids for the same thing that didn't include one of mine.
I noticed one thing immediately. They all had different prices.
I noticed another thing and this took a little longer. Each bid was
actually different than the other. One included painting the doors. The
other two didn't. One was for metal doors. The other two were for
fiberglass doors.
I ultimately arrived at the same conclusion that may a board member has
come to in the past. There was no way to evaluate three bids on three
different things!
So, in frustration, I am meeting with the contractor who seemed to be
the best to get a set of specifications worked up so that we can get the bids
ON OUR SPECIFICATIONS. Not on some idea from a phone call.
This is a service that we've offered our paint customers for years. We
give a set of painting specification (as well as an estimate of it's cost) as a
free service. If you need this --and if you have paint work coming up this
year, believe me you need specifications --give us a call at 818-951-3207 or
fill out our free online estimate form.
One of the more difficult things to maintain in this huge and complicated
society that we live in--especially for those of us who live in a big city, is a
sense of community.
In a small town the interdependence of us all is more obvious. Three
hundred years ago when our technology was much simpler it was even
more obvious. The farmer grew food for the blacksmith so he could make
plows so that the farmer could grow food for the soldier who protected the
farmer with the sword that was made by the blacksmith who was fed by the
farmer. If the blacksmith made a better plow, food was cheaper and a few
more farm kids were set free, able to do something else, like weave or paint
houses or paint pictures.
We all do depend upon each other. We depend on the farmer to grow
wholesome food; on the software manufacturer to thoroughly debug his
product before he sells it; on the musicians, entertainers and artists who lift
our lives out of the day to day grind.
Each of us serves society. It is call a job. The way we do our job is
important to us. Do it well, it means raises or more business. Do it poorly
enough and we're pushing a shopping cart down Hollywood Boulevard. Do
it well enough and you're the next Bill Gates. The way we do our job is
important to our families. Their future depends upon how well we do. The
way we do our job is important to society. If we painters don't do a good job
and mechanics don't fix cars right and policemen don't protect us and
teachers don't teach us. Why then it falls apart, doesn't it?!
It's happened before. They call it the Dark Ages. All we have to do to
avoid that is do our jobs right. Whatever they are.
So don't get discouraged. What you do is important. Be good at it and
each one of us is actually does a little better.
If you need an paint job done right, give us a call at 818-951-3207 or fill
out our free online estimate form.
society that we live in--especially for those of us who live in a big city, is a
sense of community.
In a small town the interdependence of us all is more obvious. Three
hundred years ago when our technology was much simpler it was even
more obvious. The farmer grew food for the blacksmith so he could make
plows so that the farmer could grow food for the soldier who protected the
farmer with the sword that was made by the blacksmith who was fed by the
farmer. If the blacksmith made a better plow, food was cheaper and a few
more farm kids were set free, able to do something else, like weave or paint
houses or paint pictures.
We all do depend upon each other. We depend on the farmer to grow
wholesome food; on the software manufacturer to thoroughly debug his
product before he sells it; on the musicians, entertainers and artists who lift
our lives out of the day to day grind.
Each of us serves society. It is call a job. The way we do our job is
important to us. Do it well, it means raises or more business. Do it poorly
enough and we're pushing a shopping cart down Hollywood Boulevard. Do
it well enough and you're the next Bill Gates. The way we do our job is
important to our families. Their future depends upon how well we do. The
way we do our job is important to society. If we painters don't do a good job
and mechanics don't fix cars right and policemen don't protect us and
teachers don't teach us. Why then it falls apart, doesn't it?!
It's happened before. They call it the Dark Ages. All we have to do to
avoid that is do our jobs right. Whatever they are.
So don't get discouraged. What you do is important. Be good at it and
each one of us is actually does a little better.
If you need an paint job done right, give us a call at 818-951-3207 or fill
out our free online estimate form.
Boy, I don't know if there's anything to this global warming idea or not,
but thank goodness summer is almost over! It's tough on the guys when
it's 105 in the shade. When I was out running the crews, we'd go through
over a gallon of liquid per man on those long hot ones! When it's hot like
that, we try to work on different sides of the building during the day to avoid
the sun, if we can. But during the middle of the day while the sun is directly
overhead, or when we are painting on one side of a building only, we just
can't dodge it!
It's difficult and hard on us, but it has to be done to make your buildings
right.
Finally, fall is on the way. Shorter days, longer cooler nights and-oh-oh!
Rain.
Just between you and me, I hate the rain. Nasty, wet stuff. Grey,
gloomy skies. Worst of all--you can't paint while it's raining! We don't get a
lot of it, here in southern California, but when we do get it, we can get 5
inches in a day sometimes.
It's a force of nature.
Is your building ready for it? That kind of weather can put a strain on
your surfaces, if they aren't in good shape.
Word to the wise.
If this summer was rough on your building and you need an estimate to
have it painted, give us a call at 818-951-3207 or fill out our free online
estimate form.
but thank goodness summer is almost over! It's tough on the guys when
it's 105 in the shade. When I was out running the crews, we'd go through
over a gallon of liquid per man on those long hot ones! When it's hot like
that, we try to work on different sides of the building during the day to avoid
the sun, if we can. But during the middle of the day while the sun is directly
overhead, or when we are painting on one side of a building only, we just
can't dodge it!
It's difficult and hard on us, but it has to be done to make your buildings
right.
Finally, fall is on the way. Shorter days, longer cooler nights and-oh-oh!
Rain.
Just between you and me, I hate the rain. Nasty, wet stuff. Grey,
gloomy skies. Worst of all--you can't paint while it's raining! We don't get a
lot of it, here in southern California, but when we do get it, we can get 5
inches in a day sometimes.
It's a force of nature.
Is your building ready for it? That kind of weather can put a strain on
your surfaces, if they aren't in good shape.
Word to the wise.
If this summer was rough on your building and you need an estimate to
have it painted, give us a call at 818-951-3207 or fill out our free online
estimate form.
My dear mother was raised in the South, and she had a little saying for
everything. She wasn't "happy", she was "tickled pink". She wouldn't be
there "in a minute", she'd be there in "two shakes of a lamb's tail". And
when my sister Sunny was born and we had to move out of our little
cottage into a real house, we hadn't just "grown" as a family, we had
"gotten too big for our britches".
Well, Ferris Painting has gotten "too big for it's britches!"
I told you in our last letter of my new partners, Greg Lewis and Howard
Ladd. But I haven't had a chance to tell you of our newest member of the
Ferris Painting Family, George Cole. Actually, George worked with us about
25 or so years ago. I originally got him into the painting business way back
when. George has spent the last 25 years raising a family, playing a pretty
good jazz guitar, building computers and painting. So, when Liz and I
persuaded him to come back and help us with our estimating, " We were
tickled pink"! George is a great guy, and if you need an estimate from us,
you'll get a chance to meet him!
But all this expansion has made it necessary to move. And by the time
you get this letter (or as my mom would say, "in two shakes of a lamb's
tail") we'll be in new quarters.
It's got twice as much room as our current home, and as you can see,
we need it!
Here's our new mailing address:
8138 Foothill Blvd., Ste. 200
Sunland, CA 91040
You'll notice the zip is the same. As is our phone number, website,
email, fax and cell phone numbers! But our address is NEW!
If you need an estimate to have your building painted, give us a call at
818-951-3207or fill out our free online estimate form.
everything. She wasn't "happy", she was "tickled pink". She wouldn't be
there "in a minute", she'd be there in "two shakes of a lamb's tail". And
when my sister Sunny was born and we had to move out of our little
cottage into a real house, we hadn't just "grown" as a family, we had
"gotten too big for our britches".
Well, Ferris Painting has gotten "too big for it's britches!"
I told you in our last letter of my new partners, Greg Lewis and Howard
Ladd. But I haven't had a chance to tell you of our newest member of the
Ferris Painting Family, George Cole. Actually, George worked with us about
25 or so years ago. I originally got him into the painting business way back
when. George has spent the last 25 years raising a family, playing a pretty
good jazz guitar, building computers and painting. So, when Liz and I
persuaded him to come back and help us with our estimating, " We were
tickled pink"! George is a great guy, and if you need an estimate from us,
you'll get a chance to meet him!
But all this expansion has made it necessary to move. And by the time
you get this letter (or as my mom would say, "in two shakes of a lamb's
tail") we'll be in new quarters.
It's got twice as much room as our current home, and as you can see,
we need it!
Here's our new mailing address:
8138 Foothill Blvd., Ste. 200
Sunland, CA 91040
You'll notice the zip is the same. As is our phone number, website,
email, fax and cell phone numbers! But our address is NEW!
If you need an estimate to have your building painted, give us a call at
818-951-3207or fill out our free online estimate form.
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| APRIL 2006 |
| AUGUST 2006 |
| OCTOBER 2006 |
| JANUARY 2007 |
| MARCH 2007 |
Ferris Painting has specialized in painting building exteriors in California
for over thirty-two years. We have painted thousands of buildings and
today, the majority of our business is repeat business.
Our customers want to get the best paint job on their buildings. Of
course, the "best paint job" would be the one with: (1) the most pleasing
appearance, (2) that is longest lasting and (3) the most reasonable cost.
Our painting foremen and supervisors have decades of experience,
mostly at Ferris Painting. They have come up with the following painting
tips that will help YOU with YOUR next paint job.
1. Preparation of the surfaces to be painted.
Proper preparation of the surfaces to be painted is the key to a good looking
and long lasting paint job. More that 85% of paint failures come from
improper surface preparation. Here are some of the critical issues and
answers to exterior paint problems:
(a) Mildew. Mildew is a mold or fungus, usually (it is always) created by
excess water, dampness or moisture. Mildew should not be painted over. It
can recur and must be eliminated before painting by cleaning with detergent
and bleach. We can use a mildew resistant paint if conditions require this
treatment.
(b) Chalking. A loose white powdery residue on the surface. This
problem is caused by the sun oxidizing the paint or by the use of poor
quality paint. We use Power Washers, detergents and bleach to remove
chalk, dirt and other foreign materials from the surfaces so that the paint will
adhere properly.
(c) Paint peeling. Old peeling paint must be carefully scraped and
sanded.
The appearance and longevity of the new paint job depends on this
thorough preparation and priming (when advised) of the surface to be
painted. Ferris painting includes 30 experienced painters, who have been
trained and understand the importance of proper surface preparation. Our
job foremen inspect and are required to sign off on every job's surface
preparation so we know the surface is prepared right before we paint it.
2. Choosing the right paint.
During our thirty-two years of painting we have used many brands of top
quality paints. We have learned to always use the best quality paint from the
best manufacturers. We pick paints on the basis of their chemical make-up
for lasting color and durability. Ferris Painting's proven capability has been
developed by the experience gained by our painting of thousands of
buildings over the years. Much of our business is from satisfied repeat
clients.
3. Applying paint.
We apply paint by brushing, rolling and spraying depending on what is best
for the surfaces being painted. Our experiences painters and foremen are
familiar with and use the best tools and procedures with knowledge gained
from their years of experience.
If you have a painting job coming up, we would love the opportunity to
bid. Or, if you have any technical or other questions, please call me at
818-951-3207 or fill out our free online estimate form.
for over thirty-two years. We have painted thousands of buildings and
today, the majority of our business is repeat business.
Our customers want to get the best paint job on their buildings. Of
course, the "best paint job" would be the one with: (1) the most pleasing
appearance, (2) that is longest lasting and (3) the most reasonable cost.
Our painting foremen and supervisors have decades of experience,
mostly at Ferris Painting. They have come up with the following painting
tips that will help YOU with YOUR next paint job.
1. Preparation of the surfaces to be painted.
Proper preparation of the surfaces to be painted is the key to a good looking
and long lasting paint job. More that 85% of paint failures come from
improper surface preparation. Here are some of the critical issues and
answers to exterior paint problems:
(a) Mildew. Mildew is a mold or fungus, usually (it is always) created by
excess water, dampness or moisture. Mildew should not be painted over. It
can recur and must be eliminated before painting by cleaning with detergent
and bleach. We can use a mildew resistant paint if conditions require this
treatment.
(b) Chalking. A loose white powdery residue on the surface. This
problem is caused by the sun oxidizing the paint or by the use of poor
quality paint. We use Power Washers, detergents and bleach to remove
chalk, dirt and other foreign materials from the surfaces so that the paint will
adhere properly.
(c) Paint peeling. Old peeling paint must be carefully scraped and
sanded.
The appearance and longevity of the new paint job depends on this
thorough preparation and priming (when advised) of the surface to be
painted. Ferris painting includes 30 experienced painters, who have been
trained and understand the importance of proper surface preparation. Our
job foremen inspect and are required to sign off on every job's surface
preparation so we know the surface is prepared right before we paint it.
2. Choosing the right paint.
During our thirty-two years of painting we have used many brands of top
quality paints. We have learned to always use the best quality paint from the
best manufacturers. We pick paints on the basis of their chemical make-up
for lasting color and durability. Ferris Painting's proven capability has been
developed by the experience gained by our painting of thousands of
buildings over the years. Much of our business is from satisfied repeat
clients.
3. Applying paint.
We apply paint by brushing, rolling and spraying depending on what is best
for the surfaces being painted. Our experiences painters and foremen are
familiar with and use the best tools and procedures with knowledge gained
from their years of experience.
If you have a painting job coming up, we would love the opportunity to
bid. Or, if you have any technical or other questions, please call me at
818-951-3207 or fill out our free online estimate form.
| OCTOBER 2007 |
8138 Foothill Blvd.,
Ste. 200
Sunland, CA 91040
(818)951-3207
(818)951-5279 fax
Lic. #872494
Ste. 200
Sunland, CA 91040
(818)951-3207
(818)951-5279 fax
Lic. #872494