A little review

Lately I've used a few new things at work and thought I'd write a little review of them, give my own opinion. On previous blogs I've passed comment on a couple of these, just added a bit more detail. I'm always looking for new tools and products to improve my business and way of working, I've found twitter and the painting forums, both online and Facebook, are invaluable sources of information.

Fox Silver Brushes:
Brought some at the paint show, initial impression out of the box was a good brush then I cleaned it. Like the fox original didn't perform as good after. I was on the verge of just sticking them in the shed along with some other brushes then thought I'd give them one last try in oil. Glad I did, holds lots of paint with no brush marks and cuts in lovely. Only gripe I have is the handle. Becomes uncomfortable after 30 mins of use, which when you have a 3 bed house to undercoat and gloss isn't good. That might be down to my own brush technique, so possibly a little harsh to blame the brush.

Dunlop Fillers:
For months I had heard and read positive things about the Dunlop caulk and the pro decor range. Obviously I needed to try some and I touched on this in my last blog, luckily I won some rapid rescue filler on Twitter. What a cracking bit of filler. Had some deep holes that needed filling and painting that day. Normal filler wouldn't do as it would take too long to dry. This stuff was dry in 90 minutes, the time it takes Aston Villa to succumb to another defeat. Two coats of paint later job done. Brilliant. The caulk I brought one tube to try out. Now this stuff is pricey, £35 for a box of 12. When you compare that to polycell for £11 for a box, you expect good things. Expectations met. By far the best caulk Ive used, doesn't craze, applies lovely and dries quick too. Just brought a box for my next few jobs. Also got some Dunlop lightweight filler to try, hope this is as good.

Dulux Quick dry Satin:
I know a lot of painters have problems with this, such as tears appearing 15 minutes after application. Yes I have seen that, but that has been few and far between. Everything else has been fine. Good coverage, dries solid and quickly, is almost as good as diamond satinwood. I will be trying Mythic and Tikkurila in the future, so these might replace it on my jobs but for now it is fit for purpose in my eyes.

Fox 14 day Masking Tape:
Regardless of how many tapes I use i always keep coming back to 3m Blue scotch tape, but will always try new ones. This was the latest in a long line. Now I was a bit apprehensive over the adhesion when I first opened it and in a couple of places it didn't stick great at first attempt but I needn't have worried. It did perform well on clean surfaces, no paint crept underneath and it removed perfectly without damaging any surface it was on. Will buy some more soon.

Englebert Strauss Trousers:
Brilliant! I've invested in some of the cheaper ones, but are so comfortable and light. No knee pad inserts on the cheaper ones so will have to buy the more expensive ones in the future not that that is a bad thing. Also brought some branded workwear, whilst not from Englebert Strauss, I'm very happy with the quality. JUAL embroidering the company is, very good service.

Virosol:
What a brilliant cleaning agent. Removes marks and stains others don't touch, it also rescued 3 brushes which I had wrecked in zinsser BIN. 24 hours soaking in neat virosol and they came out like new. Can't fault it.

Probably are a few more things I've used lately which I haven't mentioned and I have also passed comments on some of these on previous blogs, some my view might have changed slightly. Looking back on these reviews seems I'm generally happy with everything I use, it's not always like that.  Don't see the point of slagging things off for the point of slagging them off! If I am not happy about things though I will say constructively. Think I'll compile a list of products i don't feel are up to standard and give a honest opinion on why. That'll be for a later blog.

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