Main Office: Sterling Heights (586) 726-9100 • Oakland County (248) 391-6990
The following article was published in American Painting Contractor's August/September 1998 issue.
There's a first time for everything, and here's proof that sometimes that first time is a charm. Jeffrey Merling, owner of Bright Side Inc., a painting contracting company in Sterling Heights, Mich., was approached by the owner of an industrial plant who needed help -- he had a meeting scheduled with one of his biggest clients in just a week. The plant had recently purchased several new machines whose colorful and clean appearance only highlighted the dingy, aging sight of an older model. The client wanted Bright Side to make the old workhorse look new again -- and help the customer impress his client.
Merling had never painted machinery before, but he put his experience and knowledge of surfaces and surface prep to work. He had one week to clean, degrease and paint the equipment with three colors. "We decided two-part epoxy would be the best application," said Merling. "I figured out my material cost and then made an educated guess on labor.
Bright Side first cleaned the machine thoroughly with a heavy-duty degreaser and low pressure, keeping the water to a minimum. "We removed layer upon layer of grease using plenty of new rags," explained Merling. After drying, they used enamel reducer to remove excess grease, and then used mineral spirits over the entire machine two to three times.
"On all the pitted areas we power sanded with disc sanders, then removed all dust with tack rags," according to Merling. They masked off all the gauges, hoses, electrical, glass, etc., with aluminum foil and masking tape. Bright Side also constructed a tent to surround the machine and prevent fumes and mist from entering the shop area.
An epoxy primer was spray applied before painting the yellow areas with enamel (also sprayed). The enamel dried overnight, allowing them to mask off the next day and spray the light gray color, applied in two coats of epoxy using an HVLP gun at 10 psi with a pressurized conventional tank. The following day they masked for two coats of the third color -- dark gray. The day after the third color application they stripped the tape, and on the final day they did touch ups and applied new decals. Total time = five days.
"The customer was very satisfied with our professionalism, expertise and, of course, the appearance of the machine," reports Merling. "Now we are heading the a new direction -- landing more of these types of jobs. This will keep our painters busy in winter months and make for a more profitable business."
So, with an understanding of surface prep and coatings application, combined with shrewd marketing and professional courtesy, Bright Side succeeded in its effort to expand into new markets. That's what it's all about. Congratulations, Bright Side, on your Top Job.
