There’s a science to painting, ratios that affect how thick your coatings are and how rich the stain colour will be. However, few painters truly understand that science, even though it dramatically affects the look and longevity of your home or cottage.
That’s partly because painting is a trade with no mandatory apprenticeship or formal education program. “There’s no certification required for what we do,” says Chad Gilchrist, owner of Roll-On Painting – a trusted source for cottagers, contractors and locals since the company launched in 1999.
Because there’s no formal training required to become a painter, Chad says the trade relies heavily on experience and educated guesses for everything from materials to project estimates. As a result, painters can easily under-charge or overcharge, or find themselves without the right quantity of materials or the right tint ratios within those materials.
“In my interactions with other painters, I’ve seen a 40-percent swing in price in job quotes. That means our estimates can vary by thousands of dollars.”
A self-proclaimed ‘paint nerd,’ Chad has led Roll-On Painting to become one of the region’s top paint companies, while also coaching other painters across North America.
“We’re always looking for better ways to protect our clients’ homes,” says Chad, adding that he has recently acquired an exclusive roof coating product called GoNano for his Muskoka and Georgian Bay clients, which uses millions of nano particles to extend the lifespan of concrete, wood and shingles.
Specializing in interior and exterior painting, staining and cabinet refinishing, Chad and his team have become one of the most trusted coating companies in the region.
Precision painting“I have always looked for ways to systemize my work and set an example for others,” says Chad, noting the importance of efficiency in the world of painting.
“A few years ago, I joined a coaching group that connects me with other trade business owners like myself,” he says. “Together, we discuss ideas, work through common challenges, and coach each other as we set out to raise the bar for others.”
Recently, Chad’s ‘nerdy’ ambition, along with the group’s encouragement, led him to create a paint calculator that figures out how much paint needs to be applied to a project, based on the amount of solids and the manufacturer’s recommendation on film thickness.
This tool allows for the precise calculation of everything needed to do the job properly and avoid failure.
“I had a friend in Wisconsin use this calculator and he discovered their original estimate was short by $2,000 in material costs on a job, so he was able to catch it before submitting his bid,” says Chad.
It was a job that used epoxy, which requires specific thicknesses to maintain its strength. With the calculator, the job was guaranteed to have the right thickness to remain durable and qualify for the manufacturer’s warranty.
Similarly, Chad has also crafted a formula to provide the ideal tint level for every staining project.
For example, if achieving the look a client wants will take five ounces of tint per gallon, and his team is using a stain that has two ounces of tint per gallon, two coats of stain will still not be enough tint to provide the ideal colour.
“You have two choices: you can add a third, or increase the tint load per gallon,” says Chad. “If I add more tint per gallon, we’ll achieve the right colour in fewer coats with the same level of protection.”
These tools allow his team to have greater quality control, and their clients to have greater trust in the outcome.
Prefinishing and refinishingChad’s networking connections have also allowed him to learn about and purchase some of the industry’s best tools for pre-finishing and refinishing everything from siding to custom cabinetry. “We’ve sourced equipment from around the globe to give our clients the highest quality painting, work that lasts season after season.”
From their off-site pre-finishing shop, Chad’s team uses a pre-finishing machine sourced from Europe to give 360-degree coverage to siding, cedar shakes and trim quickly and seamlessly.
Not only does pre-finishing make painting faster and easier, but it also offers your wood greater protection from moisture.
The shop also includes a refinishing studio, where cabinets are coated with a high-quality lacquer, formulated to stand up to fingerprints, grease, and scratches.
“Whether your cabinets are bearing the marks of continual entertaining, or you want to try a new colour to keep up with design trends, re-finishing is a great way to keep your kitchen looking great.”
With the team’s expertly sourced tools and materials, each cabinet is given an impeccable factory finish that will make your cabinets look as they did the day they were built.
“We’re continuing to learn and grow, and lead others to create a better industry for our clients,” says Chad. “I’m not perfect, but I’m excited to be creating a better industry for our clients and better results for their homes and cottag
TEXT shelanne Augustine
PHOTOS ANDREW FEARMAN
