Ok, here's a challenge : This one possibly applies more often to those who've involved painting in their sign work. What's the shortest amount of time that you've gone to the shop in a new pair of slacks or jeans, without getting any paint on them ? In my experience, it's always tempting fate to wear any good clothes to the shop. Inevitably, no matter how careful you are, there's always that single drop of paint that's determined to find a home on your good apparel.
I once had a boss who would get a paint drop on his suit pants, blot it up as much as possible, then mix up a color to match the fabric, as closely as possible, then paint over the mishap. It frustrated the dry cleaners, since there were always these hard spots they could never get out.
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
It eventually happens. You think, "Oh I will be careful etc" And then it starts with you knocking a small cup of paint on your shoe, then paint on your bench that you thought was dry, gets on your sleeve. You forgot to write Fire Extinguisher Inside on a truck. No big deal, so wipe out some paint and get it done. But your palette somehow gets too close to your chest, and you got paint on your shirt. By now you have gotten too comfortable, so what do you do? Wipe your hand on your pants. It's over by now, now you have new painting clothes.
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
I remember reading a book about C.S.Lewis when he was teaching at Oxford, and a couple in his class that decided to get married and buy a new car. In the dealers showroom, after they paid for the car and were about to drive away, she pulled a small hammer out of her purse and together they held the handle and hit the car with it. They wanted it to be comfortably dented. I often think about the things we can do to relieve anxiety in life and this story comes to the top.
Posted by Ken Henry (Member # 598) on :
I guess that I'm a somewhat slow learner. It wasn't until my second letterhead meet that I received an adjustable painting apron as part of the grab bag package, that I began using one. Remarkable how it prevented stray paint from getting on my clothes ! As I look over those aprons, I can see just how much paint splotches they've prevented. Why didn't I see their value before ?? Old dogs can learn new tricks .
Posted by Chuck Peterson (Member # 70) on :
I don't remember who wrote it but there was an article in SignCraft a long time ago by a shop owner who had his work clothes divided into four categories. Good clothes for sales calls and days when not painting. His paint clothes were divided into: P1s. Good clothes with maybe a spot or 2 of paint for generally wearing around the shop. P2s. For most sign painting days. They had some paint on them, but OK looking. P3s for really dirty work. Really bad. He happened to wearing the P3s one day when the head of the local University whose work he had been soliciting walked into the shop.
Posted by Don Hulsey (Member # 128) on :
The only time I get paint on my clothes is when I am painting next to Bill Diaz or Tom Durham:)
Posted by DianeBalch (Member # 1301) on :
I am not neat. Since I work by myself and rarely have walkin Customers, I automatically put on the grungies. I also have a few Lab coats from past employments that I wear over top when painitng or when I used to screenprint. Gloves are a must! Paper towels always handy.
Diane
Posted by Bob Kaschak (Member # 3146) on :
I rarely get paint on me, and I paint daily...but I could destroy a sweatshirt within an hour of grinding or cutting steel.
Most of my shirts and hoodies have destroyed left sleeves and cuffs from spark burns.
