The Professional Painter & Decorator – Spring 2024

It's time for the Professional Painter and Decorator Magazine's Spring 2024 Edition! Now is the ideal season to introduce new hues, so check out our colour insights and inspiration for energising and revitalising spaces. If you're looking for something unique, Cait Whitson demonstrates how to use Impasto Plaster to achieve amazing textural finishes.

Given our damp winter, it makes sense to safeguard homes from the inside and outside as the warmer months approach. Brewers offers valuable guidance on essential supplies to maintain seals, while Tony Pearson-Young provides expert advice on using Dulux Weathershield for external painting.

Gary Burton of GRB Interiors details a recent project and shares his techniques for removing built-up paint to reveal the intricate details in

Visit the marketplace section to see the most recent additions, along with a comprehensive overview of Zinsser's revolutionary water-based B-I-N® AQUA.

Enjoy the read! We’re keen to show your fantastic projects, so if you have something you are proud of get in touch – ppdeditorial@saintpublicity.co.uk

Don’t get caught out when pulling up!

PARKING NEXT TO a fire hydrant can result in on-the-spot fines of £500 and breaking exempt times on double yellow lines can lead to fixed penalty points. Other laws such as parking a van with a dirty number plate, can see drivers charged with a £1,000 fine if the registration is unreadable.

Tim Alcock, from LeaseVan said, “Drivers need to brush up on their motoring laws to prevent any nasty surprises if a fine comes through the post.

“Even common mistakes such as parking too close to a fire hydrant and having a dirty van can result in hefty fines, which is why it’s important to be vigilant when it comes to your vehicle.

“Some of these laws can result in fines of up to £1,000, points on your license and eventually a driving ban if continuously broken.”

Here are seven lesser known van parking laws:

1. Parking a dirty van

If a vehicle is covered in dirt and grime while parked up, the driver can be charged a £1,000 fine if the number plate is unreadable.

2. Parking close to a fire hydrant

Van drivers can face £500 fines for parking close to a fire hydrant as emergency services need clear and easy access to water for any incidents.

3. Pavement parking

While it’s not illegal to park your car on the pavement, it’s a criminal offence in London unless permission is otherwise granted. Vans can still be reported in cases where the vehicle is causing an obstruction.

4. Saving spaces

Wheelie bins, traffic cones or other objects to reserve a parking space near your house or workspace can result in fixed penalties as it can be seen as causing a dangerous obstruction on the road.

5. Parking heavy vans on grass verges

While rules around parking on grass verges vary between local councils, it’s generally allowed unless the van exceeds the optimal weight limit of 7.5 tonnes. Before pulling up, drivers should check the rules in the local area.

6. Take off air fresheners

Motorists need to take off any ornaments or air fresheners before heading back on the road. Van drivers can be found guilty of careless driving under the Road Traffic Act 1988 if an accident occurs due to an obstructed view of the road.

7. Breaking time limits on double yellows

The general rule is that vans doing light loading have 20 minutes of access on double yellows, which is extended to 40 minutes for heavy loading. Anything longer than allocated can result in penalty fines and points on the license.

Seal of approval for Bradite floor paint

BRADITE HD FLOOR + Wall paint has helped an East Midlands company stay at the top of its game, with a range of jobs completed for The Co-operative Group. AD Decorators Derbyshire Ltd has completed contracts for a range of local businesses.

The brief requires a hard-wearing floor paint that can withstand the constant movement of cages containing grocery goods in the shops’ storerooms and in other Co-Op business locations.

“There’s a lot of heavy traffic in these areas, so the re-painting has to be an overnight job once the business is shut, and it must be ready for use the next morning,” says AD Decorators director, Maria Lambert.

The Derby-based firm has been in business for more than three decades and has an impressive customer base across the heart of England and further afield.

The particular attraction of HD Floor + Wall included its low odour during and after application, and the fact that it is quick drying. As a water-based epoxy formulation, HD Floor + Wall is easy to apply by brush, roller or spray to achieve ultra hardwearing quality, and touch dry in just three hours with recoats possible after 14 hours.

“By the time the guys have packed up and got the stuff back in the van, it’s already rock hard,” said Ms Lambert, “It’s a product I’d always trust.”

www bradite.com

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The silent crisis

The key steps in building a supportive work culture on-site for better mental health

THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY has long been vulnerable to mental health issues due to the stifling crises, strenuous hours, and job insecurity. Fix Radio are tackling the stigma surrounding mental health in the construction industry and highlight the dire need to improve support readily available to tradespeople.

According to research, 82% of builders in the UK grapple with work-related mental health problems every year, with an overwhelming 92% admitting to feeling uncomfortable discussing their mental health, perpetuating the stigma surrounding mental health in the construction industry.

The need to improve the support available to employees and business owners in the industry is further highlighted in new research from Fix Radio, which shows that a shocking 38% of tradesmen are now experiencing the worst levels of stress and anxiety in their lifetime.

Where can tradespeople go for help?

The Lighthouse Club is 100% focused on improving the welfare and wellbeing of the construction community in the UK. They provide a range of free and pro-active services to help companies deliver support to their employees and families:

24/7 Confidential Helpline: Available to everyone on your site including subcontractors, agency workers and allied trades. Their Construction Industry Helpline covers all aspects of emotional, physical and financial wellbeing, and is available in many different languages through translation services. Self-support app: A downloadable Wellbeing Support App called ‘Construction Industry Helpline’ that covers all the aspects of wellbeing. The app is packed with information to learn about conditions, how to develop coping strategies with signposting to over 3,000 accredited organisations that provide support. It really is a ‘mate’ in your back pocket.

Text HardHat: A 24/7 service dedicated to providing immediate access to text back counselling.

Wellbeing Masterclasses: One-hour scheduled wellbeing education sessions covering topics such as: managing stress, building resilience, work-life balance, mindfulness, meditation, financial management and many more. CPD Accredited.

Lighthouse Beacons: Over 160 volunteer centres around the UK and Ireland where workers can drop in to meet likeminded people, socialise and talk. The Beacons are facilitated by individuals with lived experience, and in this confidential environment, encourage those struggling with life problems to share their issues and if required, seek further help.

In search of support, the demand for national helplines highlights the growing desperation among industry professionals. The Big Brew, a national helpline, revealed that over a third of texts were from individual construction workers contemplating suicide, with 16% of those related to depression. Highlighting the urgency of this crisis, the helpline further unveiled that 80% of their usage occurs during the working week.

This comes at a challenging time, where overwhelming work schedules, material shortages and new environmental directives, have left hundreds of thousands of small businesses on the verge of breaking point, Fix Radio’s study found.

Clive Holland, host of The Clive Holland Show, has shared his thoughts on how the mental health crisis is impacting the trades sector, "There are several underlying reasons why the rate of suicide in the construction trades is so high. Firstly, there is a macho image in the industry and men are not brilliant at ‘opening up’ and discussing their feelings. But I feel that this is changing slowly, but surely.

“Secondly, there is a lot of stress involved in running a small business – there are long hours, few holidays, slow payers and cash flow issues. In the last two years particularly, spiralling costs of materials and spiking energy prices have squeezed margins even further. Couple that with the growing skills shortage – it ramps up extra pressures on daily site life. The pandemic has magnified many of these problems – tradespeople will tell you that they have never been this busy. Many are fully booked until the end of the year, if not further.

“It is also worth remembering that while many of our tradespeople have fantastic skills and deliver outstanding work, the weakest part of their game is dealing with the details of their business. Great tradespeople are not necessarily great businesspeople and it is worth remembering that they often feel intimidated by the admin and financial side of the business.”

Fix Radio, the Builders Station is the home of entertainment, music and information for UK trades.

Keep homes protected from storm damage

WITH MORE AND more storms hitting the UK, a national trade body is urging householders to protect their homes from wind and driving rain. The Property Care Association has drawn up some tips to stop the wind and water taking hold in properties.

James Berry, deputy chief executive of the PCA, said: “One of the most common problems we encounter in storms is the damage caused from water entering properties. Storms can create new entry points for water to get into homes and even a small amount in the wrong place can create problems over the long term.”

Five tips from the PCA to protect homes include:

1) Roofs – The wind can cause tiles to slip or dislodge and this provides an easy route for water to enter into a property. If left, the water can then continue to enter, which could cause timber decay and wet rot. The problem can be particularly damaging if there is no secondary underfelt.

2) Grids and gutters – The wind can whip up leaves and debris into grids and gutters. It’s important that water drains away from a building quickly, particularly during heavy downpours, so check and clear away any build-up. Gutters and downpipes should also be secure, as wind can also cause further damage, or potentially cause them to come away from the building.

3) Wall ties – Used to ensure the stability of a property’s internal and external walls, wall ties have an important role in keeping a home structurally sound. If they have corroded and failed, but the issue has remained undetected, a strong wind could finally cause the wall to collapse.

4) Chimney flashings – If not properly sealed, the wind and driving rain can enter a building at the point where lead flashings meet the joint of a chimney stack. The water can then stream into a building, damaging wallpaper and other coatings.

5) Pointing and rendering – Gaps in damaged, loose or eroded pointing and rendering can provide a route for water to enter a building, particularly in driving rain. Particular attention should be paid to the weather-prevailing side of a property.

More details about the Property Care Association and the work of its members can be found at

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Design

We love textures and work with plasters all the time. Lime based Italian Polished Plaster finishes are a bit of a leap to jump straight into without a lot of practice or taking a class. Lime also involves special tools, multiple coats with some extensive drying times and quite a bit of technical knowledge; so, in contrast I wanted to show you some finishes that are really easy to do, can be done over most acrylic wall paints or eggshell, with a quick drying and extremely versatile plaster that requires very few tools or special equipment.

The product is one we developed to create the type of finishes we love in the decorative painting sphere, and is called Impasto Plaster.

Create a base

The two example finishes in this article start out the same way. First of all, I tinted the plaster black with universal stainer. Then I lifted some out of the tub and thinned it about 20%, to the consistency of a thick paint, and rollered a ‘tooth coat’ on using a foam roller. This plaster is very opaque, so it covered over white in one coat, and it was dry enough to work over in about an hour.

To create the texture, I used full strength plaster and a natural sponge, although a cheaper synthetic sponge works just as well, dabbing the plaster on so that you create a pattern like the image above, aim to create a variety of high peaks and low texture.

As it began to dry, I used a small trowel to knock down the peaks, so it looks like stage two above. It depends on heat and humidity but I am usually starting to knock down in about 20- 30 minutes starting with the lower level peaks, and coming back as the thicker areas dry.

When it’s dry it should look like stage three below. It will take about 2-3 hours to be dry enough to do the next phase... (continued on page 14)

>

Cait Whitson is decorative painter working throughout UK and teaching from her studio in Perth, Scotland. You can see her work and connect with her on social media: Instagram @paintycait or Facebook /carteblanchedecorativepainters

Her training courses can be found at www.caitwhitson.com

The basic starting point, a ‘tooth coat’ and a base application of plaster using a sponge.

Stage one

Stage two

Stage three

By Cait Whitson

Marti’s Earth

For this finish, you can use any metallic colours (or indeed just coloured paint if you don’t want it to be metallic), but I used Roberson’s Liquid Metal Paints in Blackened Bronze and Classic Gold. I like these metallics as they are thin and have a lot of open time, which makes it easy to create effects with them. The range of metallic colours is outrageous – from vivid greens to popping pinks and all the classic metals too. I mixed each of the two colours with about 20% of Fusion Mineral Glaze to extend the open time just a little bit further.

Using a square cut off a decorators sponge, dampen the sponge and squeeze out any excess water, then dip it into the first colour and working over the surface allow the mix to go into the depth of the texture while wiping off the high spots.

Repeat the process with the second colour and blend that into areas where the first is a bit skinny. If this isn’t a high traffic area you could leave it as is, the glaze dries to a very durable finish and doesn’t weaken the paint film. However, if it was a high traffic area, I might add extra protection with a coat of acrylic varnish, again applied with a sponge.

River Stone

You can do this in any colour palette, but in this instance I made up a putty colour adding just a Raw Umber colourant to the neutral plaster.

Using a little trowel I back filled the texture, once and the black will retain high spots, or you can do this twice, maybe with two colours and get a different effect again. In this example I just back filled the once very tight, and then using the trowel I polished the high spots.

This plaster will even polish days after application just by passing the trowel firmly at about a 25° angle. Again, for most applications you don’t need a sealant but an acrylic floor wax will protect the finish in a high traffic area.

These products also polish up with a buffer. n

Marti’s Earth

River Stone

Stress less just...

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With blue skies finally here and spring in full swing, it’s the perfect time to bring some of that much needed sunshine in. Here are some of the best colours you can use in a space to give a truly uplifting feeling.

Head to your local Brewers where a whole world of colour is waiting for you. For more inspiration, head over to their Instagram and Pinterest pages.

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Brighten your days

Let’s start with the most obvious... Yellow is the perfect hue for bringing in some much needed sunshine. Yellow doesn’t have to be garish though.

There is such a wide spectrum of beautifully soft yellows with warm undertones that can create a real positive energy within the space. You can introduce small doses of yellow throughout a room or combine with greens and browns for a complete scheme.

Create a level of serene

Blue doesn’t always have to leave you feeling… blue! This colour can have an incredibly calming effect, cultivating serenity. The cool tones are perfect for balancing rooms that receive a lot of natural light or can be used as a beautiful accent colour. Whether you prefer sky blues, cobalt blues or the darkest of navy blues, there really is a whole spectrum to discover. n

Get back to nature

During the dark winter months, we don’t get the chance to spend nearly as much time outside as we would like. Why not bring the outside in with earthy browns and leafy greens to make you feel more connected to nature?

Warm neutrals create a cocooning feeling, whilst greens can create a whole host of different feelings within a space.

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Design

A carefully curated set of colours, that will support decorators in having colour conversations with customers.

Developed by colour and interior design experts, and inspired by trends spanning lifestyle, fashion, and the environment, the collection is comprised of four palettes: Community, Solutions, Pivot, and Escape.

Each palette has been designed to help decorators discuss colour with customers, combining different shades to provide distinct colour schemes that will help inspire customers and aid colour selection.

Justyna Korczynska, Senior Designer at Crown Paints and Colour Insights panellist, said, “At Crown, we understand how powerful and

transformative colour can be, and how important it is for decorators to be able to give their customers helpful colour advice.

“We’ve spent countless hours over the past 12 months, drawing from our collective experience as consultants, designers and specialists, to develop this collection, designed to support decorators in their colour conversations.

“We’re so proud of the collection we’re unveiling today and hope it’s another valuable tool, alongside our colour cards and fan decks.”

Community

The Community palette is all about using colour to create joyful, invigorating spaces that bring people together.

Inspired by inclusivity, individuality and identity, the collection breathes life and excitement into any space by celebrating brave design choices, such as bold colours, high contrast, and colour blocking.

The palette includes an almost primary red, yellow, and green, as well as hot pink for bold accents. Combined with more gentle pink and blue pastel shades and a soft warm grey to provide balance and contrast.

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Solutions

Showcasing how design can learn from the natural world, the Solutions palette embraces nature in all its forms, textures, and imperfections.

The palette – which takes its inspiration from upcycling and the appreciation of the natural world – brings a broad cross section of both bold and soft tones, inspired by the accidental colour palettes often found in recycled materials. Warm terracotta is paired with desaturated blues, greens and neutrals, alongside small accents of brighter blue and green shades, inspired by sea and river glass.

Pivot

Intended to create a comforting environment, the Pivot collection is rooted in heritage and quality, aiming to act as an antidote to the contemporary fastpaced, high-consumption world.

The focus of this palette is on people, ethics, and harping back to older and better ways.

The well-balanced palette blends calming, earthy tones such as tans and warm neutrals, with blue-greys and perfectly complements hand-crafted, salvaged, and reupholstered home furnishings.

Escape

Candy colours such as mint green and warm yellow contrast with sugary pink tones in the dream-like tones of the Escape palette, evoking a sense of nostalgia and playfulness.

Inspired by colours from old holiday photographs, keepsakes and vintage movie sets, Escape is a pastel-coloured sensory getaway for interiors.

The palette feels retro and quirky, but remains modern by creating a sense of the surreal, encouraging decorators to break away from the mould and let their creativity run free.

A newlease of life

What to look for when choosing furniture paint

Upcycling is now more popular than ever due to homeowners wanting to think more sustainably and affordably in their decorating choices. Rather than buying new, upcycling with paint provides opportunity to breathe new life and uniqueness into older pieces, which can in turn transform the whole room too. From modernising an old wardrobe to adding a splash of colour with a statement chair, Cathryn Sanders, Head of Creative at Earthborn, delves into the key things to consider when choosing furniture paint...

The perfect colour

Just like your walls, furniture is important to your overall design scheme. From painting a statement chair for the corner of the kitchen or designing a unique mural for a bedroom wardrobe, choose a high-quality paint with a wide variety of colour choices to ensure the result you want.

Upcycling furniture provides you with a wealth of opportunity for individualism, so stand out from the crowd and create something totally unique to you and your style. Adding a pop of colour in this way can completely transform a space, elevating a room to give it an entirely new look.

Quick drying

For exceptional coverage and an efficient painting process, opt for quick drying paint to speed up the time in between coats, whilst producing professional results. Quick-drying paints are usually dry to touch after approximately one hour, and ready for another coat after 6-12 hours, meaning minimal time is required before you can continue working on your project.

Eco-friendly and virtually VOC-free, Earthborn’s Eco Chic collection is a dream for upcycling and decorating enthusiasts looking to refresh and breathe new life into their homes. With a beautiful palette of 72 shades to choose from and featuring a classic low-sheen finish for lasting beauty and convenience, the paints are formulated without oils, making them a safer option for the home and those living in it.

www.earthbornpaints.co.uk >

Design

Odour free

Using clay paint helps to eliminate odours and reduces contaminants in the air due to their high clay content. Wherever you are using paint, from walls to furniture, opting for a virtually VOC-free clay paint option means it is odour free, healthier to live with and you can even sleep in the room on the day of painting.

Family friendly

When choosing paint, there are certain steps you can take to benefit those that suffer with allergies or asthma; this is especially important in households with children or pets as they can be particularly susceptible to these risks. Virtually VOC-free paints emit negative ions which are known to provide health and wellbeing benefits for allergy and asthma sufferers. Even after paint has dried, people can suffer, so it is very important to choose paints that will reduce the likelihood of this. n www.earthbornpaints.co.uk

As we approach the exterior painting season, Tony Pearson-Young at AkzoNobel provides his top tips on the ultimate protection against the great British weather.

TACKLE THIS YEAR’S EXTERIOR PAINTING SEASON WITH WEATHERSHIELD

Exterior decorating is more about temperature, too hot or too cold, it can greatly impact the quality and longevity of the paint, and its application!

Painting in extremely hot weather (over 30°C) can cause paint to dry too quickly, leading to a poor finish and potential adhesion problems. The paint will likely crack and blister which can result in peeling and lead to visible brush or roller marks, further affecting the professional finish. It will also dry on brushes and rollers which will affect the application.

Painting at below 10°C is also not advisable, as it can slow down the drying and curing process causing the paint to become tacky and wet to the touch. Although daytime temperature might suffice, it’s important to check what the temperature will fall to overnight, as if it’s expected to drop below 10°C, it could negatively impact the finish. Towards the end of Autumn and early Spring, there will be a lot of moisture and condensation on surfaces, which will also affect adhesion and the overall quality of the finish.

Getting prepped

Additional tools are needed to ensure a perfect finish, including a stiff brush and a scraper to remove dirt, sponge and cleaning solution to wash down and rinse every surface. A fungicidal wash is essential where exteriors often have mould and algae.

Before starting to paint, it’s essential that all cracks and holes are repaired with an exterior grade filler such as Exterior Polyfilla, and a good quality sander is needed for the exterior woodwork to ensure the surface is free of blemishes and to provide a key to help the paint stick to the surface.

Weathershield products are perfect for this exterior season. Available in four ready mixed colours and thousands of tinted options, so professionals can cater to a wide range of client preferences to ensure every project is a masterpiece.

To find out more about the complete Dulux Trade Weathershield range, visit www.duluxtrade.co.uk/Weathershield-Smooth-Masonry

If the walls are chalky and leaving a coloured dust behind when rubbing against the surface, then the paint has started to break down and will need to be primed with Stabilising Primer.

Time is money

Use tools to save time on an exterior project, such as a jet washer for cleaning. Consider investing in a power roller or Jet Roller to save time and effort on big walls, and using Dulux Trade Weathershield Smooth Masonry will save a lot of time as it is fast drying and shower resistant within 30 minutes – so there are no worries about the paint washing away if the weather turns. Additionally, Weathershield offers excellent opacity.

Looks that last

To keep surfaces looking their best for longer, I’d recommend using premium paints that offer better adhesion, colour retention and resistance to fading and stains to extend the maintenance cycle.

Another tip is ensuring that redecoration work is planned in the couple of years prior to the product’s end of life expectancy. In those final few years, the aesthetic can deteriorate. To keep properties looking their best, beat the clock and schedule in the redecoration work before issues arise. n

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Reducing the risk of non-payment

Give credit where it’s due

In order to help businesspeople protect their work and finances as much as possible, the insurance experts at Admiral Businss have revealed six of the easiest ways to credit check potential customers.

Tradespeople might want to credit check potential customers to ensure they have a history of fulfilling financial obligations and are therefore likely to pay for services provided. This is particularly relevant when the job requires a significant outlay for materials or entails extended payment terms.

A credit check can help tradespeople identify potential risk beforehand and make informed decisions about extending credit or initiating advance payment terms. It also helps them manage their cash flow more effectively, reduces the risk of non-payment, and ensures the sustainability of their business.

From looking at financial statements and references, to using credit report agencies or even asking for upfront payments, there are several easy ways to ensure that you're protecting your business from customers who may pose a financial risk.

Toolbox says, “Credit checking customers is crucial for tradespeople to eliminate financial risks and, in turn, protect their business. By assessing a customer's credit background, tradespeople can make informed decisions about payment terms or even whether they feel comfortable working for the customer.

“By following the below steps, you should be able to check your customers credit history without any hassle.”

Here’s

six easy ways to credit check your customers:

1. Utilising a credit report agency

Credit reporting agencies can provide you with detailed credit reports on your customers, available at a cost. These reports will include information on their credit history, including their payment history, outstanding debts, and any bankruptcies or foreclosures they’ve had in the past.

2. Look at references

One easy way to check a customer's creditworthiness is to ask for references. This can be especially helpful if you're working with a new customer and don't have a lot of information on their credit history. Ask for references from previous suppliers or vendors, and be sure to follow up with those references to get a better understanding of the customer's payment habits.

3. Check their business credit score

A business credit score reflects a company's creditworthiness and payment history, indicating the likelihood of defaulting on payments or going bankrupt. By checking a customer's business credit score, you can make informed decisions about setting payment terms and negotiating prices.

4. Look at their financial statements

If you’re working with a large company, you can ask to see a financial statement, which will provide a view of a company's revenue, profit, and debt levels. You can then assess a company's ability to pay on time and identify any potential risks.

5. Keep an eye out for late payments

Monitoring a customer's payment history is a useful tool. If a customer consistently pays bills on time, it’s an indication that they could be a reliable client to work with. On the other hand, if you find that a customer has a history of missed or late payments, it could be a warning sign that they may not be able to meet their financial obligations.

6. Build a relationship with the customer

If your customer is a small business who may not be able to provide any of the above information, you may want to ask for immediate payment for the first few invoices to help you gain some evidence about the ability of the customer to pay once given credit. This can also help build trust between you and the customer and allows start-up businesses to prove their credit worthiness.

You can find these and other water-resistant decorative solutions from Zinsser, Dulux Trade, Sandtex Trade, Johnstone’s Trade, Thompsons and Ronseal at your local Brewers Decorator Centre.

Get in touch with Brewers’ Specialist Coatings Advisors on 01323 576101 to find the best product for your next project,

Coatings to keep the water out (or in!)

Whether you’re looking for protective waterproof coatings, or decorative coatings with water resistance, Brewers are here to give you an introduction to the topic and how you can find the best product for the job. Here are just some of the best products on the market for waterproofing...

Masonry solutions

Stormdry® Masonry Protection Cream is a deeply penetrating water-repellent cream for the protection of masonry. The thick, white cream is ready to use and applied by brush, roller or airless spray. It penetrates into brickwork, masonry, mortar and concrete, where it will cure to a colourless, natural finish to form a water-repellent barrier for a BBA approved 25 years.

Roof solutions

Mathys Murfill Waterproofing offers long-lasting aesthetic and waterproof wall protection. It produces an elastic, crack bridging and waterproofing façade with a microporous structure, ensuring that the base is constantly able to breathe. Ready for use and simple to apply, it provides excellent resistance against ageing in normal and industrial environments whilst protecting reinforced concrete against carbonisation and corrosion.

Bedec Super-Flex is a flexible elastomeric coating applied by brush, roller or spray to form a high build, seamless waterproof barrier which economically prevents or cures all types of leaking roofs, gutters and walls. It stays flexible and elastic to allow for movement of the substrate forming a long-life protective coating. Suitable for application to almost any surface including roofing tiles, slate, brick, concrete, corrugated iron, corrugated galvanising, asbestos, asphalt, felt, copper, zinc, lead, PVC or polycarbonate roof sheets, plus most plastics and timber.

Metal solutions

Rust-Oleum Noxyde Plus is a single pack, elastomeric coating based on a silane modified acrylic binder with superior adhesion and corrosion protection. It contains anti-corrosion pigments and is lead, chromate and zinc free, and can be used on iron, steel, special alloys, galvanised and metallised iron and steel, aluminium, copper, zinc, lead, and more as rust prevention or waterproofing. It can also be used on interior or exterior substrates.

Swimming pool solutions

Teamac Chlorvar chlorinated rubber (aka Coo-Var Swimming Pool Paint) can be applied to external and internal surfaces. The final coat must be allowed to cure for 14 days as if it comes into water contact too soon, the coating will absorb water like a sponge and will blister and fail. Chlorinated rubber is not compatible with any other coating type as the solvent in chlorinated rubber is very aggressive and will attack other coatings, leading to complete coating failure to all applied coatings.

Make p p ainless

Getting a substrate up to scratch before putting on that first coat can often be a real labour of love. Yet, the right tools can make a difference. Here, Andy Cummins, Senior Product Manager at Purdy looks at how the right tools can make the process as efficient and painless as possible.

The contribution a good quality preparation tool can make to your day-to-day job can generally be categorised in one of three ways: comfort, durability and time saving.

Comfort

Tools that have been ergonomically designed shouldn’t be underestimated, particularly those that are being used for longer periods such as scrapers and wire brushes.

Rubberised grips that have taken into account the natural hold style of users can really aid comfort, reducing the stress on the hand, wrist and arm. Plus, rubberised handles are also non-slip, avoiding that annoyance too.

Durability

Having a tool that can withstand heavy usage is also key. A scraper or filler knife suddenly breaking in your hand is a common occurrence with cheaper tools, which is not only frustrating but also risks injury.

Ideally choose a scraper made from stainless steel, as unlike alternative materials, stainless steel includes a high level of chromium and when chromium reacts with oxygen it forms a protective layer that prevents corrosion and rust from occurring.

of the handle – these will guarantee performance even on the most heavy-duty jobs.

Always look for products that will provide increased stability even when you’re putting your full force into the task. For example, the Purdy Four Edge Carbide Scraper boasts a strong bolt to attach the blade to the handle. It also comes with a choice of four blades, two for aggressive scraping and two for finishing, meaning the same tool can be used across multiple tasks.

Time saving

In fact, when it comes to time saving on site, multi-tools are ideal. The Purdy 6-in-1 Tool, for example, has a scraper, putty remover, roller cleaner, filler applicator, crack cleaner and nail set hammerhead end all in one, meaning there’s no climbing up and down ladders or digging into your tool bag as you switch between tasks. It also reduces the amount of tools you need to bring to site.

For professional decorators, having high-quality, well-made tools can really make a difference, minimising time spent on tedious activities, ultimately allowing you to carve out time for additional work.

Purdy has a wide range of prep tools on its website, designed to support and elevate the success of professional decorators and their craft. To help make every paint job a better paint job. For more information on Purdy’s high-quality, long lasting prep tools, visit

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We all know that painting and decorating is a true skill, with the paint an integral part of your offering. But have you ever thought about what makes a good quality paint so great?

Here, in the first of a new three-part series, Dillon Cilliers at Valspar Trade, gives the lowdown on ease of application...

WHAT MAKES A QUALITY PAINT?

Why is ease of application so important?

As a professional, you will want to deliver a top-quality job, every time, first time. With this in mind, you need to be able to trust your products, tools and paint, and know that they won’t let you down. This is even more important considering the current economic climate. A key part of this is ease of application. After all, when the paint is easy to apply, you can do your job with nothing holding you back.

There’s a lot of characteristics and qualities that make up an ‘easy to apply’ paint. From greater coverage and a longer wet edge time, to quicker clean up, these are important things to consider for your next job.

How do you formulate for ease of application?

When developing new formulations, it really is a science, with extensive research, development and testing going into every tin of paint you see on the shelf.

Practical testing is a big part of the process. We’ll review the open time of the paint, the viscosity, and the feel of the paint application, by brush and by roller.

For more information visit www.valspartrade.co.uk

We’ll adjust the additives until we achieve the perfect formulation, with results benchmarked through practical applications. All of this on the same day, with the same applier, same tools and same substrate. We’ll also consider conditions, substrates and application preferences, ensuring that it always delivers a high-quality finish.

How do you ensure low spatter?

While the use of dust sheets is a given on any job, there is still the potential for a rogue paint splash to find its way out. Likewise, for those painters and decorators who wear glasses, paint spatters can cause an additional nuisance, especially when painting ceilings.

Low spatter paint avoids all of this, making it easy to pour and easy to apply, regardless of your choice of applicator. To achieve it, it’s all about ensuring the correct ratio of thickening agents, with viscosity having a big part to play.

How can we avoid ‘picture framing’?

Picture framing can often occur when cutting in, usually due to the difference in applicator such as, switching from brush to roller. Ultimately, if the paint edges dry too soon, it can be difficult to manipulate the existing paint film and get it to match with the new wet coat.

This is why wet edge time and open time is so important when it comes to choosing your paint of choice, providing you with a longer window of opportunity to repair any irregularities and avoid lap marks, all important to achieve that perfect finish.

At Valspar Trade, our Vinyl Matt range is specially formulated to offer an extended open and wet edge time, as well as being sprayable for additional ease.

All our product development is focused on how we can make life easier for the tradespeople. With a dedicated research and development team, we’re proud to offer a game-changing range of high-quality trade essentials, expertly formulated to make achieving the perfect finish easy.

Our Tough Matt and Vinyl Matt have undergone rigorous ISO testing to ensure they perform in the areas that are most important to the trade, including coverage, spatter, extended open wet edge time and scrubbability. n

Townstar

Nissan’s Townstar is the smallest van of their range, available in two sizes, L1 and L2 with an extended wheelbase and wide-opening side loading door, and a choice of electric or petrol powertrain.

Putting aside the lack of a diesel option, at least the Townstar’s cab is actually a pleasant place to be, the seats are comfortable and can be adjusted for all shapes of drivers.

The ‘do almost everything’ screen is on the dash which displays a handy map while driving, showing the driver a map of what’s ahead, even when not using the built-in sat nav. I also found the reversing camera very useful and well worth its cost if it avoids a fender bender.

One must get used to driving an electric van out on the road. The power steering is light but precise, like all vans the ride is on the firm side when empty, but it doesn’t lack comfort.

Now, I always thought that being able to lock and unlock one’s car from the key fob was pretty neat, but the Townstar will automatically unlock as you approach and lock it as you walk away. This can be disconcerting for a passenger because it will lock as they sit in their seat. It can be deactivated, but for those who use the vehicle on their own, it saves them from fumbling with the key when goods are being carried.

All this electronic wonderment is fine, but the primary purpose of a van is to carry stuff. The rear doors open 60/40 and can be opened 180 degrees by unlatching the hinges. The carrying space of my test model was lined in plywood, but I found that the lining over the wheel arches seemed a little unfinished. >

By David Stokes

There are six tie-down loops on the cargo space floor plus two extra, one on each side, midway, near the rear doors, and the driver and passenger doors open to 90 degrees, allowing easy egress.

The payload of the electric Townstar is 465 to 478Kg, and the petrol version is 711 to 725kg. Maximum towing weight for both is 1500 kg with a braked trailer. Prices range from £22,475 for the most basic petrol L1 Tekna to a whopping £44,149 for the top-of-the-range electric.

Currently, I remain unconvinced with the whole EV thing, with the limitations on range, time of recharging and charging infrastructure. I’m probably a luddite, but it is so much quicker filling up from the pump, although you wince at the cost.

With EV, you have to factor in the time spent charging and the limited range – Nissan quotes a 183 mile range. However, it is called the Townstar as it is for cities, short distances, and where the emission charges do not apply to the vehicle.

Of course, it’s easier when there are plenty of charging facilities and in London, the electric Townstar qualify for charge-free access to the ULEZ zone. n

Key specifications

Townstar L2 Tekna

Maximum Power 124 PS

Range

miles

HOW TO PAINT INTERNAL DOORS

Updating the colour or finish of a door can really pull the whole look of a room together, especially if the internal doors haven’t had a lot of love for a while! Here are some tips and key finishes that can be used when painting interior doors.

To remove or not remove?

There are pros and cons to both. Removing the door from its hinges allows you to work quickly and you will avoid any potential sagging or drips. You will also be able to paint every edge of the door with ease. You will however have to wait for the door to completely dry before turning it over. Leaving the door in place will allow you to paint both sides, but not the bottom.

Preparation

Brewers www.brewers.co.uk

Make sure you sand the door down to provide a key, allowing your paint to adhere to the surface. The door must be clean and completely dust free before painting. Remove any hardware or cover with masking tape to avoid any painting mistakes! It is really important you sand in between coats for the best finish as well.

Brewers recommended finishes...

Benjamin Moore Advance Satin provides the same application and performance of a solventbased paint, but as a water-based product can be cleaned with soap and water and keeps VOC content low. Its extended open time allows for a high-end finish.

Dead Flat is the most matt finish from Farrow & Ball, creating richer colour from every angle. Suitable for walls, woodwork and metal, exceptional coverage and low splatter make application quick and easy too. Scrubbable and scuff-resistant.

Panelled doors

If your door has panelling or moulding, you will need to paint these first. Start with the upper-left hand panel and work your way down. Make sure you paint the edges first with a brush before painting the panels. Ensure there is no paint build up in the corners of each panel. Once you have painted each panel, paint the centre door stiles vertically, then horizontally.

Painting the sides

Once you have painted each side of the door, you can paint around the edges. Ensure there are no sags or runs by brushing out any excess paint. The best way to avoid sagging is to not overload your brush or roller during the painting process.

Dulux Trade Satinwood is a water-based product designed to be used in high-traffic areas. More durable and long-lasting satin finish compared to standard emulsions, which provides excellent protection from grease, stains, and scratches.

Johnstone's Trade Aqua Guard is a durable water-based satin, suitable for interior use on wood and metal. Provides defence against wear and tear, scratches and greasy finger marks, with advanced application qualities and great hiding power.

Photo: Johnstone’s Trade.

Since starting GRB Interiors, I've been on a mission to expand my knowledge and skills to achieve the most effective ways to achieve high standards of painting and decorating, and my passion for the trade continues to grow. It’s been great to witness how the trade of painting and decorating has evolved from the tools we use to the products on the market.

The project I'd like to introduce you to is a restoration project in a beautiful Victorian property in West London. Along with other work, I was asked to redecorate both front rooms, which had not been done in many years. It ticked all the boxes of my ideal project – high ceilings, original ornate ceiling roses and cornicing, tall skirtings and original sash windows. I could see the potential both rooms had from experience.

Project / — Masterclass

What lies beneath

By Gary Burton from GRB Interiors

The detail on this ceiling rose and cornice was submerged in over 140-odd years’ worth of paint. This is something I often see in Victorian properties I’ve worked in and, luckily, my client was keen and willing for me to spend the time stripping it and taking things back to expose the original features.

Make no mistake, this is a time-consuming task to say the least, and not something that can be rushed, potentially damaging the moulds, so I used a different approach with the two rooms in this article.

The prep

In the first room I used Peelaway 1, a chemical paint stripper, generously applying the paste to the ceiling rose using an old paintbrush.

Starting, as instructed, with a small sample patch on the rose and cornice, six hours after application I checked to see how the paint was reacting to the paste.

In the end, I found that 24 hours was the sweet spot. If left on for any longer the paste began to dry, potentially making the stripping progress harder to undertake. So it was essential not to apply too much at a time, and gauging how much I could strip back the following day.

Even after application, underneath the stripped away paint the clay-like distemper needed to be removed by hand, as this is what was hiding the finer details.

I discovered that steam effectively softens the distemper without risking damage to the moulds, making it easier to remove as I worked along each section using a selection of clay and pottery tools.

The final step in preparation was to wash down the cornice and ceiling rose using warm, clean water and apply the neutralising agent supplied with the Peelaway 1, diluted and applied using a garden sprayer.

This type of work is far from a quick turnaround and requires hours of singular focus, as a lapse in concentration can lead to damaging the moulding. >

A test patch after Peelaway 7, steaming, and removal of the distemper.

Using clay tools to remove the distemper was a long and intricate process, but the final results were worth it.

@

I find this entire process to be incredibly satisfying, but equally as tiring mentally and physically, constantly looking up for hours on end.

Finishing up and moving on

My client chose the colours, and Slaked Lime by Little Greene was applied to the ceiling rose and cornice, using Zinsser Grade 1 paint to offset this – ideal for such a job being a stain blocker, primer and topcoat in one. Slaked Lime Mid was used on the ceiling itself. A beautiful and timeless combination in my opinion.

The second room boasted equally stunning cornice, albeit much different in design, and the ceiling rose was larger and grander in design.

This time around, I opted to use Peelaway 7, as it is a milder, less aggressive version to Peelaway 1, with no requirement to neutralise the surface afterwards.

Again, I used steam continuously to complete the process, but I’d recommend always undertaking a lead test prior to removing paint as a precaution.

Gary Burton is passionate about painting and decorating, is always on the lookout for tools and products, and increasing his skill and knowledge to achieve the best finish. See more of his work on Instagram @grb_interiors or X/Twitter @TheOfficialGRB Or visit his website www.grb-interiors.co.uk

Once fully stripped back, the ceiling rose and cornice was left unpainted as the ‘finish’. The ceiling was painted using the Farrow & Ball Estate Emulsion in Stirabout No.300.

As with any work it’s important to fully read the instructions for use and as each project is different, and it’s essential to carry out test patches before use. I continued to redecorate the rest of the room and I, along with the client, were delighted with the outcome. A wonderful project I won’t forget. n

The completed ceiling rose from room one, repainted, but now with all the original details revealed.

The ceiling rose in room two was left untreated to show off its intricate design.

Superior protection in a great range of colours.

The Paint Shed Contract Matt

Armourflex®

Hardwax Oil

Armourflex® Hardwax Oil is a specialist high-performance coating that offers a natural and elegant finish with exceptional wear characteristics and high scratch resistance, which has now been certified and accredited with Abrasion & Liquid resistance (ISO  7786 and ISO 2812-1). This accreditation provides reassurance of the high performance provided by the product as well as its outstanding natural finish. This is complemented by its existing accreditation of Food & Toy Safe making it the perfect choice for kitchen worktops and furniture as well as a multitude of internal woodwork.

With an improved four hour drying time Hardwax Oil allows an easy and timely application to surfaces. Treated surfaces are easy to maintain and very low maintenance, should any damage occur it is easily spot-repaired compared to varnishes. Its natural finish enhances the wood grain and complements a range of modern and classic interior styles, whilst protecting the overall investment of expensive wooden floors, stairs, kitchen worktops & furniture.

www.barrettinepro.co.uk

The Paint Shed Contract Matt is a high opacity, low odour, water-based paint formulated for interior use on walls and ceilings. It provides a smooth matt finish that is ideal for application to new plaster and can also be used on wallboards and other interior masonry surfaces such as brick or block.

Easy to apply with good opacity, it’s available now in 10-litre, brilliant white, from all Paint Shed stores.

www.thepaintshed.com

Mirka Toolbox

Mirka UK is introducing a new practical and convenient toolbox for the decorative market enabling painters and decorators to maintain an organised workspace, maximising efficiency.

Constructed from sturdy and robust materials to withstand the demands of most work environments, the toolbox is stackable enabling it to fit seamlessly on top of existing storage solutions such as a Mirka® dust extractor or case.

www.mirka.com

GEAR GUIDE

Farrow & Ball

Dead Flat®

Multi-surface, impressively durable and ultra matt, this revolutionary paint finish has you covered from ceilings to skirtings (and beyond). Tested and perfected over five years, Dead Flat® is the most exciting innovation yet from Dorset-based Farrow & Ball.

Thanks to a breakthrough in chemistry, it combines the brand’s lowest ever 2% sheen with a super-tough finish, giving you and your clients the deepest, richest colours without compromise.

An industry first multi-surface finish that’s both completely matt and incredibly durable. Washable and scuff resistant with a Class 1 Scrub Rating, it gives your clients a finished space that stays looking fresh for longer, even in the busiest areas of the home.

It’s the only finish you need for a sophisticated matt result on interior walls, ceilings, woodwork and metal. Exceptional hiding power and a low-splatter formula provides a flawless finish – fast.

Dead Flat® gives the signature Farrow & Ball look with added toughness, having just a 2% sheen at every angle will make your client’s favourite colours appear even richer.

Available in every colour, from the renowned Farrow & Ball palette of 132 colours to the brand’s extensive Archive collection, for complete freedom to bring your client’s vision to life.

Dead Flat® is available in a choice of 750ml, 2.5l and 5l tins in every Farrow & Ball colour. Order direct or find your local showroom or stockist at farrow-ball.com.

www.farrow-ball.com

Rust-Oleum

Down to Earth Collection

Created as a direct response from customer research, Rust-Oleum has launched its ‘Down to Earth Collection’ including five new paint colours. Comprising of an olive green, terracotta and creamy neutral, the Down to Earth collection is available in Rust-Oleum’s full product range which includes Wall, Furniture, Interior Wood, Floor, Kitchen Cupboard and specialist paints for tiles and radiator.

Taking inspiration from brown soil, green leaves, red clay and tan sand, these colours pair perfectly together as they are all rooted in nature. Due to popular demand, we expanded our palette to include even more greens for that refreshing sense of biophilic design, while offering cocooning darks, relaxed neutrals and warming terracotta as the ideal accompaniment.

Fallow – A restorative dark brown, inspired by freshly ploughed fields allowed to lie fallow.

Jasper – This rich, natural green takes its name from the majestic pine trees found in Jasper National Park, Canada.

Pickled Olive – Just as olives enrich a variety of dishes, this green will add a touch of sophistication and flavour to your home.

Siena – This warming terracotta emulates the sepia toned streets of Siena, Italy. Sandhaven – A soft, calming beige inspired by the sunlit shores of Sandhaven Beach, South Shields.

www.rustoleumcolours.co.uk

BoSS

Camlock AGR

Fiddes

Exterior High Build Wood Oil

In the realm of wood protection, Fiddes continues to stand out as a beacon of heritage, quality and durability. Now, homeowners, craftsmen, and wood enthusiasts have an opportunity to enhance their external joinery with a special promotion – 3 litres for the price of 2.5 litres on Fiddes Exterior High Build Wood Oil!

Crafted from a blend of natural oils and resins, Exterior High Build Wood Oil not only provides a transparent satin finish but also offers exceptional durability and resistance. The quick-drying formula creates a water-repellent and weather-resistant coating that ensures your exterior joinery and woodwork remains protected through all weathers.

Fiddes Exterior High Build Wood Oil won't peel or flake upon application. The inclusion of UV filters further elevates its protective capabilities, shielding your wood from the damaging effects of sunlight and protects against fading.

Committed to environmental responsibility, Fiddes ensures that their Exterior High Build Wood Oil is formulated to be VOC compliant.

This promotion comes with limited stock with Fiddes Exterior High Build Wood Oil available at Crown Decorating Centres and other merchants, check the Fiddes website for your nearest stockist.

www.fiddes.co.uk

WernerCo has designed a new BoSS Camlock Advanced Guard Rails (AGR) frame to be used with the brand’s AGR towers. The AGR frame has been especially designed to give contractors complete ease-of-use. The frame is entirely foldable, meaning it can be easily stored and transported, affording users ultimate convenience, and taking up minimum space when in storage or transit.

Manufactured in premium quality aluminium, the AGR frame delivers users complete peace of mind as a durable, hard-wearing solution suitable for use in a variety of applications. The new AGR frame is compatible with the BoSS Ladderspan, the market-leading tower system for professional users, featuring integral ladders which provide safe access when climbing and descending.

The AGR frames have also been updated to the BoSS Staircase and BoSS Clima range of towers and are fully certified to the latest EN 1004:2020 safety standard for Towers. www.bossaccesstowers.com/uk

Secure Transit Protection

PaintGuard™ is the new and secure way to send your tins and tubs of liquids through the post.

PaintGuard™ is suitable for a wide variety of goods within the decorating sector, including paint, varnishes and oils. PaintGuard™ is available to secure a range of container sizes and is available in single or double-pack carton options.

Manufactured using fully recycled materials and being fully recyclable, our pulp fitment range fits into specially designed cartons that can securely fit multiple sizes of metal tins/plastic tubs, providing functional, affordable transit packaging protection. to

Scan me

full PaintGuard™ range

Allpack PaintGuard™

Allpack, a leader in sustainable packaging solutions, is proud to announce the launch of its revolutionary new product, PaintGuard™, a sustainable packaging in-transit solution for liquid products providing unmatched protection during transportation.

PaintGuard™ is designed to be environmentally friendly, made of 100% recycled materials, and is fully recyclable after use, unlike traditional packaging solutions, which are often single-use and end up in landfills.

The innovative design creates a protective housing between the liquid container and the outer packaging, preventing damage caused by vibration, impact, or temperature fluctuations during transportation. This ensures that the product arrives at its destination in pristine condition, without any leakage or spills.

PaintGuard™ is also incredibly easy to use, and requires no additional tools or equipment. The product is available in a range of sizes and configurations, making it suitable for a variety of liquid products.

"We are excited to launch PaintGuard™, a game-changing solution that addresses the challenges of in-transit packaging for liquid products," said Marcus Clarke, Allpack Sales Director. "Our team has worked tirelessly to develop a product that is not only sustainable but also delivers superior protection for liquid products during transportation. We believe that PaintGuard™ will revolutionize the way liquid products are packaged and shipped, helping our customers reduce waste and minimize their environmental footprint."

Ask for a demo from one of our sales representatives or request a PaintGuard™ sample pack today or view the PaintGuard™ range online on our website.

www.allpack.uk.com

“What is an artist but a workman who is determined that, whatever else happens, his work shall be excellent?”

– William Morris, Hopes and fears for art, 1882 Morris

& Co

Enhance walls with the beauty of wallpaper

Since 1999, wallpaper curator and distributor wallpaperdirect has been partnered with premium paint and wallpaper maker Morris & Co to bring the heritage and craftsmanship of William Morris to a new generation.  A poet, conservationist, and printer, to name just a few of his many professions and interests, Morris has cemented his status in households around the world with his unmistakable and classic designs which have been lovingly worked into fabrics, wallpapers, homewares, and fashions items in the modern day.

Wallpaperdirect are delighted to introduce the Morris & Co Exclusive Wallpaper Edit II, featuring more of the best-loved treasures from Morris & Co. Comprising of an expanded selection of patterns, these newly recoloured wallpapers adapted from archival documents continue to spread Morris’ message far and wide to ever-growing audiences of craftspeople and creatives.

www.wallpaperdirect.com

Pure Honeysuckle & Tulip

Blackthorn

Inspired by Morris' watercolour paintings of Honeysuckle from 1876, this early Morris design creates a trellis effect with large tulips and stylised honeysuckle.

Arbutus

A traditional surface printed, hand painted effect wallcovering featuring trailing leaves and vibrant berries.

Meadow Sweet

Whimsical and nostalgic, this design is a reinterpretation of a classic floral motif design, with a delicate symmetry, in a typical Arts & Crafts style.

A darkly dramatic colourway of this striking all over, classic Morris flower and leaf design.

Willow

The ultimate iconic classic William Morris design, with its soothing, curved willow branches. Used frequently within Morris' work, the entwining leaves climbing vertically through this design is a reminder of nature’s virility.

Marigold

A vibrant new interpretation of the classic 1875 design, this delicately complex two-colour leaf and marigold floral design with its undulating vertical stripe effect, a classic, simple and elegant design.

Brer Rabbit

The classic bird and rabbit symmetrical design, featuring the cheeky protagonist of a children's book from the 19th century.

Pure Acorn

A single colour design, with willow, oak leaves, and acorns in a pleasing symmetrical pattern.

Owl & Willow

Created to celebrate the 160th anniversary of Morris & Co., charming wildlife, stylised trees, and delicate florals combine in this enchanting scene. This design is printed in 3 sections on 1 roll that can then be cut & joined, together to make a full scene.

Pure Honeysuckle & Tulip

Pure Acorn

Marigold

Arbutus

Meadow Sweet

Owl & Willow

For 175 years, Zinsser has been at the forefront of specialist primer technology, delivering innovative, problem-solving paint products that meet the needs of professional decorators the world over. In an end user survey, over 97% of consumers agreed that Zinsser products are ‘multi-purpose, versatile and can be used for multiple projects.’ Living up to these expectations, Zinsser strives to pioneer revolutionary paints and primers, specifically with decorators in mind.

Lifting the lid on the latest

Zinsser B-I-N-novation

Last September, Zinsser launched B-I-N® AQUA, a groundbreaking water-based alternative to the U.K.’s best-selling, shellac-based primer, B-I-N®. It was developed after market research highlighted the modern decorator’s preference for water-based, low odour, low VOC products with easy cleanup.

Over the course of two years, Zinsser developed B-I-N® AQUA, a water-based primer, sealer, stain-killer and odour blocker that ticked all of these boxes and more.

Jamie Beaumont, Product Manager at Zinsser, explains, “We found that the modern painter and their customers are becoming increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of the products they use, so it made sense to develop a water-based, 4-in-1 primer that delivered the same trusted advantages as Zinsser B-I-N®.”

He reveals one professional decorator who took part in Zinsser’s research, when asked ‘are there any products or features you would like to see added to the range?’, they specifically suggested the product, saying, “A new, water-based version of B-I-N®. If it’s as good as the shellac, it will be a game changer for me.”

In response to this feedback, B-I-N® AQUA adopted a new water-base, replacing the shellac with a highly durable and robust resin.

In addition to the environmental and ethical concerns, the use of shellac has proved to be impractical in recent years, as demonstrated by the shellac shortage of the 2010s, where poor crop harvests in Thailand and India lead to the resin’s decline. However, a repeat of this shortage would not affect B-I-N® AQUA, as it does not rely on shellac as its active component.

Prime, seal and block – All with one innovative product.

With the demand for low VOC paints increasing, alongside regulatory pressure and public awareness of sustainability, Zinsser was committed to developing an exceptional paint product. This led to the formulation of B-I-N® AQUA, which achieves the British Coatings Federation’s Trace VOC Globe, highlighting the product as having less than 0.1% VOCs. As a manufacturer certified to ISO14001:2015, Zinsser’s dedication to environmentally responsible practices has been further acknowledged with its 2021 Silver EcoVadis Medal in recognition of sustainability.

More recently, the company was acknowledged by The British Coatings Federation winning the ‘Coatings Care Overall Best Performer Award’ in 2023 that is awarded to the company that shows best-in-class performance across a range of key performance indicators, such as energy and solvent usage, waste, recycling, and VOC emissions.

Beaumont explains the new product had to really deliver when it came to productivity, saying “Decorators rely on Zinsser products to solve paint problems effectively and fast. With its innovative water-based formula, B-I-N® AQUA is a market first in specialist priming technology.

“Without compromising on the versatility, quality and performance expected of Zinsser products, it effectively primes, seals, blocks stains and locks in problem odours, offering superior adhesion without the need for sanding.

“Its high-hiding formula can be used as a full-surface primer on varnish, and it’s perfect for blocking knots, sealing sap streaks and priming fire damaged surfaces. It’s capable of performing the same key tasks as its shellac-based counterpart B-I-N®, with the added benefit of exterior application.”

Time is money in the decorating business and B-I-N® AQUA’s lightning-fast drying time of 25 minutes is recoatable in 45 minutes, ensuring every job is completed effectively and in the fastest timeframe possible.

B-I-N® AQUA was developed to meet both the environmental concerns and needs of professional decorators, offering a solution to feedback of strong odour and difficult clean-up, all the while delivering the same trusted performance as original B-I-N®, with an ultra-low-odour, less abrasive formula, <0.1% VOCs and lightning-fast drying-times.

B-I-N® AQUA is the ultimate, water-based problem-solving primer, making it an invaluable tool for professional painters everywhere.

Zinsser B-I-N® AQUA is available now at leading stockists. For more information please visit www.zinsseruk.com

B-I-N® AQUA’s high-hiding formula can be used as a full-surface primer on varnish, and it’s perfect for blocking knots, sealing sap streaks and priming fire damaged surfaces – Indoors and out!