In our latest interview with Purdy about how the company designs its product range, we speak to Senior Product Manager, Andy Cummins, to find out where productivity fits in.
Is it possible for a painter’s equipment to affect their speed on the job?
Absolutely. Substandard paint pick-up and layoff, roller lint or unsightly tramlines in a paint job can all impact a painter’s productivity, and these are ultimately tool-based issues. In a previous column we’ve also discussed the importance of ergonomics and how comfortable a tool is to use as that can impact how quickly a task can be carried out. Productivity is always at the forefront of product development at Purdy as ultimately, we want our tools to help users take on more work and increase their bottom line.
What products would you recommend for users
interested in improving their productivity?
For larger paint jobs I would recommend picking up an adjustable roller frame that has plastic caps at either end, as these work to reduce roller sleeve walk off. A fitment in the handle will also allow it to be connected to a roller extension pole so you can easily use the same roller across numerous tasks and switch between roller sleeves.
I’d then recommend opting for a knitted roller sleeve as opposed to a woven or microfibre sleeve. Knitted sleeves with a thicker nap, like Purdy’s Colossus sleeve which has a nap size of up to 1 inch, pick up and release far more paint than the alternatives, reducing the number times you will need to reload your roller over the course of a job. To avoid dropping lint in your fresh coat of paint, select a roller that features a strong material like polypropylene or polyamide that’s bound to the core with a high-quality epoxy glue to keep fibres in place.
Finally, look for a sleeve with tapered ends as this avoids the build-up of paint at the edges of the roller and reduces the likelihood of tramlines.
What about on smaller jobs and finer details,
can a new brush impact productivity?
We would always recommend carefully selecting the right brush for the job. It may seem easier to have a go-to brush, a one size fits all favourite, but that could be hampering the efficiency of your application.
At Purdy, we recommend having a selection of brushes in your kit: a brush designed for emulsion, such as the Purdy Monarch Elite, a cutting-in brush suited to water based trim paint, such as the Purdy Sprig and a soft brush, like the Purdy Syntox, to achieve a glossy finish when using water and solvent-based stains, varnishes and oils. It is also worth considering a brush with angled filaments to make cutting in easier and more accurate. Plus, a brush suited to exterior use, ideally suitable for oil-based paints with stiffer filaments for coating coarser surfaces is a useful addition. Each of these brushes has been designed purposely to provide the ideal level of paint pick up and lay off and the ideal surface finish for each of the relevant coatings.
As with roller sleeves, always keep an eye out for brushes that utilise bolstered epoxy to lock the brush’s filaments into place as this means they are less likely to fall out and ruin your finish.
Transporting all this kit from site to site can be
a challenge – how can that be streamlined?
We appreciate that recommending tradespeople use a specific paint brush for every type of job can mean they have a lot of equipment to move every day. But there are a range of storage systems on the market that can make your workday run smoother.
For transporting tools around site and keeping them secure in the van, consider products like the Purdy Backpack (pictured above) or Painter’s Storage Box. Manufactured from a durable, weather resistant materials, both systems have several dedicated compartments to house a variety of tools and keep your equipment clean and tidy, including a storage area specifically designed for transporting wet brushes and rollers after use so there’s no need to clean them on site.
