Diamond Start

Recently finished my biggest solo job to date. A job which due to other sources wasn't without it's problems but finally it came good. New build extension with the whole existing house to repainted. After meeting with the client, they wished for Dulux paint to be used so I gave them a couple of options of the products Dulux do. They opted for a Diamond Matt finish on all walls, vinyl matt on ceilings. Woodwork was finished in Sikkens Rubbol satin and doors in Diamond satin varnish. Some of the work done can be found on my facebook page D.Barrett Facebook. I'm really proud of the end result, some tiny snags to be done at a later date but overall very happy.

A few other decorators I know tend to have issues with Dulux paints, be it poor coverage, disappointing life span and price to name some, but myself I have never found any issues or problems. I really rate the quick drying satin, lovely drop of paint although I liked the Diamond Satinwood before that was switched to that. Ok, you might assume I'm saying this as I'm a Dulux Select member, but that's not true. If I believe a paint is not fit for purpose, I won't use or promote it. It's that simple. I like to use Dulux as I offer a two year guarantee on my work when I use their products, something I think gives my customers peace of mind and that they can count on me to return if any problems arose. 

This week I returned to a job I did before Christmas, I used Johnstones white high gloss on all woodwork. At the time I thought it was an superb finish, really solid and shiny. Now I can see yellowing occurring already. Not good. It's a reason I am moving away from oil based finishes. Satin oil based is much better than oil based gloss, in respect that it stays whiter longer and if I have to use oil based I tend to recommend Sikkens. I must stress not all Johnstones paint is bad, their emulsions are good and their Aqua range is, at the moment, my go to water based gloss. Really good and lasts. However it has a reputation of being a brush killer! So for that reason I'm looking for a good water based woodwork product, heard a lot of good things about Mythic black label and also Benjamin Moore Advance. Hopefully will be trying the Benjamin Moore Advance satin in the next week or so, if this proves to be good I will make the switch to 100% water based.

Beginning of the new year I am finding a lot of people advertising "decorating services" for as little as £50 a day. I can say, with confidence, these people are not qualified time served decorators. We have spent years learning and working at our craft, embracing new working practices and techniques. These come at a cost to ourselves so we can deliver a first class job to our customers. Obviously this means we will charge the going rate for doing this. Please do not assume that if someone is cheaper they will achieve the same end product as someone who charges the going rate. You'll find their product knowledege is lacking, areas of preparation is missed and end finish poorer. Skilled labour isn't cheap and cheap labour isn't skilled. Apologies to any qualified decs who are just trying to earn a living by charging less, but don't undersell yourselves just to be working.