I have been watching your great sight for many many years, and have always just searched for my answers on this site, but now I need to ask for help. I need some expert help with this project, and I know you folks can stear me in the right direction.
My community, superintendent of schools, commissioners, and the superintendent of the gym job site want me to put the logo in center court of our new beautiful gym. The company that is going to put the line graphics on the floor, wrote them a letter and said if I did do the logo he would NOT WARRANTY the floor. He wants the bid, that he did not win. I guess the floor guy and graphic guy are all the same people. Anyway,he wrote a very stern letter about me probably not being professional, because he has never seen my work.
I have for the last 20 years, gone all over the state doing graphics on cement block walls....( no one else wanted to do) to architect specs. I also did a Hollywood Video logo in one of their stores on a 120' ledge.(to spec) I have never , thankfully been required to redo any of my work. They were always very satisfied with the my job. For all these years I also have been doing all the graphics in my counties 3 schools.
We are all to have a meeting tomorrow with this flooring guy. I feel very intimidated. So I want to be real prepared when I approach him.
The logo is a four foot wildcat head (One that I have done for the school many times). I have the head on file for my plotter. I have thought maybe I would make a templet for the outside of the head.....paint with one shot...cause it levels Oh so good, then paint the detail with a pounced pattern. Would this work ????? Should I use the same manufactured paint as the poly they will be putting over the entire floor. I have seen some where in my research that at some point there needs to be screening....what is that....?????..
I am by the way...not a very good grammar student ha ha could you tell?
Help guys....and thanks so much for your ideas
BF GOODBRUSH BARB FLEMING
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Painting gym floors is a large part of my business. I have 10 years experience and could help you out, but it would be best if you call me. I can get you comfortable with the terminology so this guy can't beat you up at the meeting. You can use One Shot but there are some things you need to know first.
Some floors I've painted: Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Florida Gators and dozens of other lesser know colleges.
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
Hopefully Dave Correll or Dave Sherby will chime in here about the actual floor lettering procedure. I can't help you with that. But I can tell you about meeting protocol. Dress in your best business suit, have your nails, hair, and shoes neat as a pin. Make direct eye contact and speak clearly and firmly. Act like you think the most professional female business person in the world would act. Don't slouch in your chair and if you have to shake hands do it firmly. Bring your portfolio of work, make sure it looks professional and has good photos. Have business cards handy. Do not carry a bunch of clutter/paperwork, keep everything in a neat carrying case. Don't let anyone intimidate you. People like that can scent your uncertainty. Even if you are peeing your pants in fear, wear a Depends and smile like you haven't a care in the world. Good luck! Love....jill
Posted by Nikki Goral (Member # 7844) on :
Barbara,
I can see his point with the warranty. If I provide decals to a client for install, I can't warranty the decals because I can't be 100% sure about their prep methods and install.
However to be such an ass to craft a letter that was sent, whether to you or the board, reeks of unprofessional-ism and I should hope that the board would run in the opposite direction. I would, however, bring the letter along and keep it tucked away safely. If for some reason he is at the meeting, you could in a joking manner, bring up his comments and put him on the spot, at the appropriate time, especially if it appears you would not be getting the job. He could possibly have to explain his actions, if only for your personal satisfaction.
I don't know much about floors and coatings, but like any other paint application, as long as the solvents in the paint are the same as the solvents in the overcoat, there shouldn't be any problem.
Invite the other guy to inspect your work before he overclears or whatever so that he can inform of any possible issues. Have him sign off on the work and reinstate the warranty.
Everyone gets intimidated in meetings, but if you know your stuff, you have nothing to worry about. I actually get more nervous in meetings with women vs men...I suppose because most of my career I have worked with men and know how they tick.
Good luck!
Posted by Michael Clanton (Member # 2419) on :
Don't take it personally, there are a couple of reasons that they may be trying to steer them in another direction. I used to work for a gym floor company and the good ones prefer to use people they have worked with before as subcontractors.
a few reasons- if you are subcontracting under them, they can guide you on the proper materials that work and those that don't. The last floor I painted used a weird specific type of paint that was thick, hard to work with and did not level very well, I didn't like it, but it was the only approved paint that worked with the brand of clear coat that they were applying. In other words that was the only way for them to be responsible for any type of warranty.
Time is also critical- they will seal the raw wood floor, and you have a small window of opportunity to paint all of the lines and graphics, let them dry enough, and then get the remaining layers of clear applied and sanded so that everything bonds properly. I've seen a few floors that the top layers of clear did not adhere and just peeled off in layers. Again- a floor company would lose a ton of money if they can't control that process and have to fix those problems. If you don't work for them, it's hard to track you down and beg and plead for you to finish your part so the other guys who are on the clock and standing around waiting on the paint to dry, can get there part finished.
These guys have heard or been thru a lot of horror stories about using local people, "Artists", Art teachers, Art students, Art students' cousins' nephew, etc.... that don't have a clue on how to professionally apply the floor graphics in a way that THEY can be held responsible for the outcome.
If you really want the job, be professional enough to do your homework, ask a ton of questions about paints, clears, etc. show them you know what you are doing and be prepared to work WITH the floor people, the better relationship you have with them will go a long way.
They may still say "NO" and use another subcontractor, be prepared to work with them - you have the file, that will save them some setup and make sure the graphics are correct, and offer help. The last floor I did, I showed up and offered to help the subcontractor, ( a sign painter from Oklahoma and a really great guy) we hit it off and he was thankful for the help.
Again, don't take it personally. If you do get the job, make sure to get some good kneepads, pain medication and Absorbine Jr.
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