Stucco is a beautiful architectural element for both residential and commercial buildings. With a rich history dating back to 1,400 BCE in Greece, it’s a substrate that has stood the test of time. Today, it remains as popular as ever thanks to its natural look and timeless appeal.   Like most substrates, stucco is best protected and most beautiful when it is coated with high-quality paint. As a pro painter, it’s worth the time to understand the best techniques and products for coating this substrate in order to estimate properly and create a beautiful, long-lasting finish for your customers.   ​Stucco: Perfect Taupe PPU18-13​ | Trim: Spanish Sand OR-W07​ | Shutters: Rumors MQ1-15​ | Garage Door: Cordovan Brown ST   Challenges With Stucco A blend of sand, cement, and lime, stucco is a textured and porous surface, and while this earthy look adds to its appeal, it also requires an experienced painter’s hand for even, durable coverage.     Like all professional paint jobs, the first requirement for success is to properly and thoroughly prep the surface. While surface prep steps are always dependent on the unique situation, here are some things to look for and steps to consider:   When new stucco is applied, it holds a lot of moisture. To properly cure, allow a full 30 days before coating. When fully dry and cured, pressure wash to remove dirt and chalk (allow 24 hours to dry). Once clean and dry, thoroughly inspect the surface. Keep an eye out for stubborn stains, mildew, cracks, and areas where the previous coating is flaking, bubbling, peeling, or cracking. To remove any remaining dirt or grease, use a concrete and masonry degreaser and cleaner. To remove mildew stains, use mildew stain remover. Spot scrape where there is poor adhesion of the previous coating and prime. If there are any glossy surfaces, scuff sand and prime.   Reminder: Even if you are using a self-priming coating, a primer like BEHR® Multi-Surface Stain-Blocking Primer & Sealer should be used on uncoated, patched, or chalky surfaces.   Cracks! Because temperatures can cause stucco to expand and contract, it’s not uncommon to find small cracks. Be sure to inspect the surface and note the size and shape of each crack. Cracks less than a 1/16” are considered hairline cracks, which means an elastomeric coating will often bridge the gap.   If the crack is larger than 1/16”, route out the center of the crack, apply a high-quality stucco patch or caulk, and prime.   For cracks that are larger than ¼” or in a diagonal or stairstep pattern, note that it could be a sign of structural damage. If you suspect structural damage, get in touch with a structural professional to assess the situation.     Choosing a Product When choosing your topcoat, ensure that the coating is specially formulated for the substrate. It’s important that the coating is:   Breathable: Moisture trapped inside can cause the topcoat to bubble. Flexible: This allows for the natural expansion and contraction of the stucco. Durable: The coating should be able to endure the local weather.   For instance, in mild climates, BEHR® Masonry, Stucco and Brick Paint in Flat or Satin sheen are two great choices depending on the sheen your customer desires. Both are mildew resistant, alkali resistant, and are self-priming under the appropriate conditions.However, if your customer is in an area that experiences frequent freezing, thawing, or wind-driven rain, BEHR PREMIUM® Elastomeric Masonry, Stucco and Brick Paint is a better choice since this high-build coating is waterproof and can withstand 98 mph wind-driven rain. This 100% acrylic latex formula expands and contracts up to 600% with the substrate. Painting Stucco: Riviera Beach PPU7-07​ | Trim: Polar Bear 75 | Deck: Cedar ST-146   When painting stucco, a little extra effort can go a long way to get every nook and cranny. If you are spraying stucco, be sure to back roll by using a roller that has a minimum of a 1-inch nap.   Follow the manufacturer instructions for temperature and color uniformity. Apply as many coats as needed to build to the desired mil thickness.   Proper prep, product, and planning will ensure a beautiful result for your customers and can help position your company as a go-to painting company for stucco.   To learn more about Behr Paint Company’s products that are ideal for stucco, as well as warranty information, contact your BEHR Pro Rep.  

Understanding the difference between paint sheens and how each can create various moods and dimensions in a space is an excellent way to impress your customers. Imagine wowing your customers by describing each sheen, their functional and aesthetic qualities, and the many possibilities for mixing and matching to create a truly unique space.   Selecting the best paint sheen for your client’s space requires understanding how sheen level affects light, color, and texture and keeping up with the latest trends and technology. We caught up with Behr’s Erika Woelfel, Vice President of Color & Creative, and Sid Maxey, Senior Director of Research & Development for the latest and greatest in paint sheens.     Sheen Technology Sheen determines how much light reflects off the coating. Lower sheens absorb light, giving a matte finish, and higher sheens reflect light, giving a glossier finish.     Traditionally, a lower sheen has been achieved by adding more extender pigmentation like calcium carbonate, talcs, micas, etc.   If you looked at it under magnification, it would kind of look like the surface of the moon or like a mountain range,” said Maxey. This surface texture absorbs the light, creating a matte finish.   To create a higher sheen, the ratio of binder to extender pigmentation increases, giving you that smooth, reflective look.   The benefit of a more matte sheen is that the texture not only absorbs light, but also hides imperfections in the wall; however, it’s not as scuff-resistant.   Because the rough material sticks out like mountain ranges, when your shoulder rubs against them on a wall, you break the peaks off of those mountains, creating scuffing, marring, and a sheen differential,” said Maxey.   That breakage is why lower-sheen paint has not historically been considered as durable or cleanable as higher-sheen paint.   Luckily, as the world of paint evolves to meet the needs of professional painters and end users, chemists like Maxey get the opportunity to be creative and build new technologies. In this instance, it’s creating a lower-sheen paint without using a high concentration of extender pigments, giving both high hide and durability.   If you can get rid of those pigments, then you don’t have anything to break, which means that your products are more resistant to scuffing and marring,” says Maxey.   Today, BEHR ULTRA® Interior Paint is a great example of a paint specifically designed to offer that high hide of an ultralow sheen and durability.   And that was achieved through advanced technology,” said Maxey. This durability can be especially important when dealing with darker colors. “If you have a very flat sheen in a navy blue, sometimes marring can happen just by touching it. With BEHR ULTRA Interior Paint, you can get really vivid colors without the risk of sheen change.”   Walls: Dark Secret PPU26-23A   2025 Sheen Design Trends Of course, if you only talk to your clients about the functionality of a sheen, you are missing half its appeal.   Sheen can have a big impact on the mood and atmosphere of a space if you know how to use it,” said Woelfel. “It can bounce light around in really interesting ways.”   One area where sheen can play a big role is in color drenching. Color drenching is when you use a single color for everything in the room (ceiling, walls, trim, baseboard, door, etc.).   There are a couple of approaches that I think have been really interesting from a design-and-paint-application perspective,” said Woelfel.   Single sheen: “You can create a very sophisticated and cohesive look if you’re just using all one sheen, like matte for example, in an entire room,” said Woelfel. Walls: Cracked Pepper PPU18-01; Ceiling: Weathered White HDC-NT-21 Different sheens on different substrates: This follows the more traditional use of sheens, but it creates dimensionality in a color-drenched room. “You can use sheen to highlight architectural features. For example, flat on the walls and semi-gloss on the ceiling can capture the light in an interesting way and create a dynamic atmosphere,” said Woelfel. Walls & Ceiling: Rumors MQ1-15 Sheens can help create architectural features: A chair rail is one way to create architectural interest in a room, but you can take it a step further by doing it with paint. “It is an effective look when the upper wall above the chair rail is painted a matte finish and the lower wall is a higher sheen,” said Woelfel. Upper Wall: Perfect Taupe PPU18-13; Lower Wall: Aubergine N100-7; Trim & Ceiling: Blank Canvas DC-003 Dual-sheen feature: In addition to texture and light reflection, sheen also affects the appearance of color. As the sheen goes up, the color appears darker. Because of this, layering different sheens on the wall in the same color can create shifts of color and dimensionality. One idea is to paint the wall in a matte sheen and then overlay a design in the same color with a glossier sheen. Walls & Graphic Overlay: Weathered White HDC-NT-21; Trim: Whipped Cream DC-001 Sheens are something that I think contractors should explore as they’re doing different projects. It just adds another layer of professionalism. Plus, you can create some really dynamic décors and appealing aesthetics when you get the sheen right,” said Woelfel.   Regardless of whether you are working to create a design that is traditional or modern, or you’re looking to deliver durability in a heavily trafficked space, sheens are an exciting talking point when communicating with a customer.   If you have paint sheen questions or want to learn more, contact your local BEHR® Pro Rep.  

Painters are no strangers to ladders, and since safe ladder usage protects your crews and your bottom line, it’s imperative that everyone on the job site is well-trained in ladder safety.    March, recognized as National Ladder Safety Month by the American Ladder Institute* (ALI), is the perfect time to renew your commitment to a safe job site.   Treat Ladder Safety Month as a reminder to prioritize ladder safety every day and continuously improve a safe work environment,” says Joe Zgrabik**, account executive for ALI.       ALI is not alone in this initiative. In 2025, nearly 25 organizations have committed to sponsoring Ladder Safety Month including longtime sponsor and leader in the climbing industry, Werner Ladder.   Ladder Safety Month is an ideal time to revisit ladder safety practices, encourage communication and behaviors on job sites, and provide education to ensure the job is finished safely. While Werner Ladder focuses on safety year-round, we also offer unique national training events, webinars, and programs during March and May,” says Michael Cameron**, QSSP, technical service – fall protection at Werner Ladder. “During March, the Werner Jobsite Safety and Security (JSS) team conducts onsite safety training and hosts free webinars. Safety topics include ‘Ladder Safety and Setup’ and ‘Fall Protection Best Practices’.”   With more than 15 years of experience in the use, design, manufacture, testing, and qualification of fall protection products and systems, Cameron is well-versed in ladder safety. He shared some of the most common mistakes along with some important safety tips to keep yourself and your crew safe on the job.      Ladder Safety Tips    The first step in ladder selection is choosing the right style of ladder for the job,” says Cameron. “Secondly, it’s important to choose the appropriate ladder based on the maximum height of the project. For example, the ladder should extend three feet beyond the top of the property when painting soffits or eaves.”   After selecting the appropriate ladder, inspect the ladder to ensure that it’s safe to use. Some things to look for include:      Ladder rungs are secure and free from damage.  There are no bends or cracks in the side rails.   Ladder feet are intact and provide proper grab.  Ladder safety labels and load capacity are visible and intact.    Ladder load capacity supports the user’s weight, plus any tools or materials needed.      Note: If you do find yourself with an unsafe ladder, be a good friend to your community and properly dispose of it.   One idea is to cut it vertically down the middle so it can’t be used by someone else,” says Zgrabik.   Once you’ve selected and inspected your ladder, proper use is critical to safety. Cameron noted these important safety precautions:    Maintain 3 points of contact. That’s two feet and one hand or two hands and one foot.  Keep from overreaching: Stay centered on the ladder. Leaning too far in any direction can cause falls.   Take tools and paint safely up and down the ladder: Remember three points of contact. Werner offers a LOCK-IN Ladder Top with LOCK-IN Accessories that allows painters to safely and conveniently hold tools, painting supplies, and of course BEHR Paint on the top of the ladder.   Stay level: If you must put a ladder on an uneven surface, there are multiple tools available to ensure the ladder is level. Werner recently released the Werner LevelSafe Pro which automatically levels your ladder on uneven terrain up to 8 1/2”.      In addition to these important tips, certified training in ladder safety is the best way to be prepared. Here are some ideas to get the most out of Ladder Safety Month this year:    Ladder Safety Certification: ALI offers a free online ladder safety course and one-year certification. ALI’s Ladder Safety Training Program consists of four modules: Stepladder Safety, Single and Extension Ladder Safety, Articulated Ladder Safety, and Mobile Ladder Safety,” says Zgrabik.   Recertify annually: If your job involves frequent ladder use, it’s tempting to think you already know all there is to know about safety. However, don’t let complacency set in. Taking an annual refresher course is a great way to renew your safety IQ.   Consider in-person training: In addition to online courses, there are plenty of options for on-site training. Werner Ladder offers a variety of on-site opportunities that are tailored to specific job and application needs.   Foster a culture of safety: Participating in training events and enforcement of safe practices keeps everyone safer on the job site. It’s important to raise safety awareness and encourage others to report any safety concerns.    We can all have a hand in making sure that job sites are safe and efficient.       For more ladder safety tips, visit laddersafetymonth.com/safety-resources/flyers.  For more information on Werner Ladder, visit wernerco.com.      *The American Ladder Institute does not approve or endorse any product. **There is no affiliation/partnership between Behr Paint Company and the individuals quoted. 

Behr Paint Company is excited to announce the winners of its first-ever Student Design Competition. The competition was created in partnership with MattoBoard, a 3D virtual sampling platform, to champion emerging designers by providing opportunities to showcase and celebrate their talents.   About the Design Competition Behr invited design students to submit an original design plan for any commercial space such as hospitality, workplace, healthcare, multifamily and more. The design theme, “No Clear Boundaries,” drew inspiration from the BEHR® 2025 Commercial Color Forecast, which celebrates the fluidity between designed environments that reflect the intersection of the past and future, digital and physical, and timeless and modern.   Entrants were required to incorporate colors from the BEHR 2025 Commercial Color Forecast in their design along with Behr’s 2025 Color of the Year, Rumors, a deep and timeless shade of ruby red.     Judging criteria included: Originality, Creativity and Style of Overall Design Plan (40%) Creative Expression in Use of Behr Paint Colors (40%) Creativity of MattoBoard in Entry (20%)   The judging panel included Erika Woelfel, VP of Color & Creative at Behr; Adam Ailion, Architect and CEO / Co-Founder of MattoBoard; Kayla Kratz, Director of Color & Designer Segment at Behr; and Amber Jones, Director of Architect & Designer Strategic Initiatives at Behr.   Grand Prize Winner: Leanne Hlavka BOUNDLESS Women’s Work and Play Center​ BOUNDLESS is a women’s work and play center that blends work, childcare, and social settings into a seamless, multi-functional environment. Inspired by Behr’s design theme, “No Clear Boundaries,” the space removes traditional divisions between work, motherhood, and social life, creating a space where working women and mothers can be productive, supported, and fulfilled.     The center incorporates timeless mid-century modern design elements—open floor plans, clerestory windows, and materials like wood and raw finishes—while fluidly connecting indoor and outdoor areas. This style uses color to define the spaces where there are otherwise “no clear boundaries”, reinforcing the concept’s openness to blur the boundaries of the spaces women work, play, live, and learn in.     With color paramount to the design, a palette was curated in timeless earth tones and bold saturation for a modern touch. Rumors MQ1-15 was prioritized in the workspace for its sophistication to create a feeling of intimacy for focused work, with Wild Berry P110-6 adding a pop of femininity and playfulness to this non-traditional center. Colorful Leaves M190-7, Flaming Torch PPU3-03 and Wild Ginger M270-7 create an ascending transition, while Boreal N420-5 and Fresh Artichoke M340-5 work in synergy in the outdoor courtyard. Audition MQ5-36 brings a calming presence to the nursing room, and Baronial Brown N170-7 and Leather Work S240-7 add depth to the beam ceiling, altogether bringing BOUNDLESS to life.   3D Materials Board Using MattoBoard   About LeAnne LeAnne Hlavka is a Bachelor of Arts student at the Interior Designers Institute in Newport Beach, CA. She is passionate about commercial design, biophilic design, and historic preservation. Balancing studies with motherhood, she is excited to pursue interior design as her second career. For her Grand Prize entry, LeAnne was awarded a $3,000 cash prize and a one-year MattoBoard Pro subscription. Her design school also received $1,000.     First Prize Winner: Mary Dilanchian “Aeternum” Echoes in Mauve- The Eternal Glow of Rumors​ Featuring colors from the BEHR 2025 Commercial Color Forecast, the Schiaparelli-inspired fashion pavilion in Rotterdam comes alive as the sun begins to set, transforming with the fading light. At its heart, Behr’s 2025 Color of the Year: Rumors MQ1-15, glows as dusk falls, reflecting the muted hues of a Rotterdam sunset. It becomes a beacon, interacting with reflective surfaces to create a dynamic play of color and shadow while paying homage to the natural beauty of the site and enhancing the pavilion’s presence.     Supporting this central glow, Behr’s Wild Ginger M270-7 adds depth and richness with warm, earthy undertones. Baronial Brown N170-7 serves as an anchor, grounding the design in a sense of stability and connection to the earth. Even Better Beige DC-010, used on the pavilion’s supportive skin structure, provides a soft, neutral backdrop, enhancing the pavilion’s skeletal design, and Limo-scene N560-7 acts as an accent, adding a subtle coolness to the pavilion.     Together, these colors transform the pavilion into a cohesive, living organism that shifts with the changing light, creating a vibrant and harmonious interplay that honors the themes of rebirth, transformation, and layered experiences. This palette elevates the pavilion from a mere structure to an evolving masterpiece that embodies the essence of fashion, architecture, and the Rotterdam landscape.   3D Materials Board Using MattoBoard   About Mary Mary is an Interior Architecture student at Woodbury University in Burbank, CA, driven by a passion for creating immersive designs that connect people to their spaces. She thrives on creating meaningful experiences and has a keen eye for detail and experiential design. Mary was awarded a $1,500 cash prize and a one-year MattoBoard Pro subscription for her First Place Prize entry.     Second Prize Winner: Brittany Marie Ott Urban Sipology From Grapes to Glass: Urban Sipology redefines wine tasting in Chicago, blending the city’s industrial history with a sleek, modern aesthetic for today’s youthful, vibrant audience. This innovative venue reimagines tradition while catering to diverse, modern tastes.     The venue offers a warm, sophisticated atmosphere with oxidized steel, earthy leather, and bronzed metals, complemented by ambient lighting that creates an inviting environment. Designed with fluidity in mind, the space echoes the winemaking process—filtration, flow, and bottling—to create a sense of graceful movement. Behr’s Rumors MQ1-15 provides a sultry and sophisticated energy—perfect for a wine venue.     Guests can enjoy a trendy, inclusive space featuring an extensive wine display, casual tasting bar, private nooks, seasonal patio, and soft background music, making it ideal for winding down with friends. The design begins with a narrow retail corridor, guiding visitors into an expansive tasting area that mirrors the richness and joy of each sip. This intentional layout reflects the progression of wine tasting—starting with anticipation, leading to discovery, and ending with delight.   3D Materials Board Using MattoBoard   About Brittany Brittany Ott, a senior at East Carolina University, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design. She’s passionate about designing functional, impactful spaces that elevate human performance and leave lasting impressions. Brittany was awarded a $500 cash prize and a one-year MattoBoard Pro subscription for her Second Place Prize entry.     Learn more about the Student Design Competition here.  

Spitting and poor fan pattern are obvious indicators that it’s time to dial in your paint sprayer. However, even when you’ve achieved the perfect coverage, it doesn’t mean you have the most efficient setup. If you’re looking for more speed, less overspray, or less wear and tear on your machine, it might be time to study up on tips. Who better to help us navigate the array of tip choices, than spray equipment authority, Graco.     Spray Tip Sizes Using the right tip for the application is the first step to ensure a successful and efficient paint job,” says Tyler Sterner*, Global Product Marketing Manager at Graco.   He recommends that pro painters start by understanding different tip sizes.   The spray tip has three to four printed numbers. The first digit, or the first two digits in the case of four total digits, represents the fan width. The second two digits denote orifice size, which determines the amount of paint that flows through the spray tip.   Fan Width – Multiply the first number by two to get your fan width in inches. Paint Flow – The second two numbers are measured in thousandths of an inch.     Tip choice depends on the coating, application and experience of the operator. Refer to the back of the can or TDS for recommendations appropriate for that coating. Of course, with thicker coatings, you need a larger orifice, but many paint products generally indicate a 515 or 517,” says Sterner. “The RAC X LP 517 comes standard on all Graco professional airless units.” Overall, these suggestions are general and don’t account for every specific application; just like there is a diverse range of application possibilities, there’s an array of tip options to meet each need.   Speed First, consider the size of the surface. If you’re spraying a tilt-up wall on the exterior of a commercial building, the 517 will work, but it isn’t going to give you the speed you want.”   For this application, Sterner suggests considering a Wide RAC Low Pressure 1227 which features a 24-inch fan pattern and a wider orifice to increase flow. “It makes the job significantly faster.” Second, keep in mind the operator. The larger orifice allows for higher flow and thus faster spraying. However, it doesn’t only allow faster spraying, it requires it. If you have someone less experienced on the gun moving too slowly, it can cause runs and sags,” says Sterner. “A smaller orifice will be more forgiving to a newer operator.”   Finally, spray tips don’t improve with age. If you believe performance has improved after the tip has had many gallons sprayed, it’s more likely that the orifice has gotten larger over time resulting in higher flow and a thicker millage on the wall. I’ve had a lot of painters tell me that they are happier with the speed after they’ve sprayed many gallons of paint through the tip. Most of these contractors didn’t realize they could purchase tips with larger orifice sizes, enabling them to apply paint much faster.”   Sterner recommends bumping up an orifice size or two so you can get your desired production speed right out of the box.     Overspray Smaller jobs like cabinet doors or spindles have different requirements. Here, the fan width should match up as closely as possible to the surface size. This not only reduces overspray, but it also decreases wasted paint. If you are using a 310 on spindles, you’re likely to get four to five inches of overspray. You can catch the overspray with cardboard, but you’re wasting a lot of coating. An FF LP108 would be a much better option,” says Sterner. Wear and Tear Paint is basically liquid sandpaper running through the spray system. Higher pressure creates higher speed and velocity, which means the parts are eroding faster,” says Sterner.   To extend the lifespan, use RAC X Low-Pressure SwitchTips, the latest breakthrough in Graco’s portfolio of offerings. These tips allow you to set the pressure on your machine to about half of what regular tips would require while still maintaining an even, consistent fan pattern.   This has a lot of advantages including cutting your overspray and making everything in your spray system last longer.”   Sterner notes that you should always test your tips and pressure settings on a piece of cardboard before you begin your project.   Sterner adds that some contractors assume low-pressure tips are only suitable for finishing applications. RAC X Low-Pressure SwitchTips are designed for every architectural paint project, from small-scale jobs to large commercial applications. No matter the scope, we have a low-pressure spray tip that meets your production needs.”     With the right paint and application methods, you can grow customer satisfaction, referrals and your business. Be sure to keep up with all of Graco’s latest products and techniques by visiting this page for helpful tips.       *There is no affiliation/partnership between Behr Paint Company and the individual quoted.

Skilled, proficient painters are critical to your business’s reputation and success; however, training new painters to master the art and science of painting can be a challenge.   Even though you likely have a lot on your plate as a business owner, creating and implementing a strategy to properly train your painters is a sound business decision.   So how do you efficiently train a new or seasoned painter to perform the jobs to your liking and on time? Since every business is unique, every training program should be a bit different. Let’s hear from three painting business owners who share their most successful training tips to retain talent and build your business.   Have a Plan One thing Stacey Spear*, owner of SS Painting in Virginia, learned in her early years of owning a painting business was that a training plan is a must. When I started my painting business, I didn’t do much training. I assumed new painters could pick it up by following along and watching me. I noticed when I would correct someone’s technique or process, they would often say ‘You never taught me that.’”   Spear quickly got to work on a plan. The goal was to thoroughly communicate and teach each painting process and create accountability for following and implementing the processes.   Spear created a three-month training program, complete with detailed instructions for each process, checklists and safety protocols.   Month one – Orientation on company values, principles, tools/materials, etc. Month two – Precision and quality Month three – Gaining speed and hitting production goals   Once the three-month training is over, each painter is tested on quality and production requirements. In our training plan, everything is laid out, so employees know what’s expected of them on day one,” says Spear.     Technique First; Speed Second We know that in month one, their production time will be the slowest, but by month two we begin to see improvement, and by month three, we expect them to meet our regular production times,” says Spear.   Kevin Wooten*, owner of Carolina Painting and Pressure Cleaning, Inc. in South Carolina, agrees that precision is first, and speed is second. He says that repetition of the same movements over and over is the first strategy to getting faster. We start by teaching technique. We teach a specific technique like painting a door, and we repeat that process many times making sure that it happens the same way each time. As they practice the process, the speed increases,” says Wooten.   He says the second strategy is keeping tools nearby and organized. The biggest time killer in my 40ish years of having employees is them walking back and forth looking for their duster, rag, caulk gun, etc. If you want to speed them up, require a painter’s tool pouch/belt.”     Use Production Rates Chad Jeffries*, owner of Brick City Painting & Drywall in Missouri, says that training not only helps his company deliver quality and perform predictably on the job, but it also keeps their retention rate high. The company has a team of 40 people, and they are extremely proud of the little turnover they experience. One of the reasons our retention is so good is because we put time and effort into our painters’ success,” says Jeffries.   Production rates are a documented measurement of the average time a task or job takes, and this company has been tracking and recording them for years. They’ve found that recorded production rates can help set expectations for new team members to ensure no one is falling behind. If you need tips for collecting your production rates, check out this article on Determining Your Production Rates.   At Brick City, production rates are monitored both on the job and in a specially built training room. We have a training room with cameras and a timer. A binder outlines specific tasks the employee will run through so we can get a production time on doors, walls, etc. We collect times so we can see if someone is struggling with a specific task. Then we can go back and review the video to see where the problem is.”   This strategy creates a coaching environment where objective data is given to employees to help them identify how to improve and perform their best. We are careful that this is never used to ‘shame’ someone about their job performance but instead ensures that they receive all the training and help that the company offers,” says Jeffries.     Though training can be daunting, it’s a critical building block for developing successful painters and scaling your business. Remember to include required safety training and meetings in your plan.   If you want to create or improve your current training program, check out these industry resources for ideas and advice. Don’t forget, Behr has some great resources too!   Painting Contractor’s Association – Founded in 1884, this industry association offers a plethora of training, events and content focused on training, business-building tactics and the painting craft. American Painting Contractor – Publishing since 1924, American Painting Contractor is a free media resource for painting contractors covering training, business topics, industry stories, and product and application tips. Commercial Painting Industry Association – CPIA is a trade association serving commercial painting contractors with peer groups, events and content focused on building successful painting businesses. InPaint magazine – InPaint is an industry print publication discussing business solutions and the painting craft. Path to Pro – In partnership with The Home Depot, Behr Pro created an 11-course training video series in English and Spanish that covers basic skills and business tips for newer professional painters. Register today and learn tips from professional painters as well as subject matter experts from Behr, Graco, and 3M to hone your skills on the job. Paint Problem Solver – Check out these common interior and exterior paint failures and how to avoid them. Southern California Painting and Decorating Contractors of America Unilateral Apprenticeship Program (SCPDCA UAP) – This program trains painters over a three-year period.   To learn more about Behr’s training resources, contact your BEHR Pro Rep.   *There is no affiliation/partnership between Behr Paint Company and the individuals quoted.  

Are you looking to create accurate estimates, add precision to labor forecasts, and even level up your training and retention? Production rates represent the hours needed to complete a task or job, multiplied by your hourly rate, and they can be an extremely effective tool for building more predictability into your business.   Seasoned painters and estimators are typically comfortable eyeballing a job and projecting the labor hours. However, this process can be risky, requires years of experience and is difficult to hand off when you add a new estimator to your team. Production rates take experience and guesswork out of the equation by leveraging data collected from the field.   Here are some strategies for collecting, documenting and using production rates.     Where to Start Estimating software company Estimate Rocket* suggests starting by thinking about how you estimate. Calculate the production rates in the same units you’ll use on your estimates. For example, you may quote walls and ceilings per square foot; baseboards and other trim per linear foot; and windows, frames and doors by count.”   Next, consider whether you will group regular tasks under a single time (i.e., prep and paint a 100 square-foot room) or time each task separately (cut and roll a single coat in a 100 square-foot room). We like to create a standard prep and paint process and create a single time for that. For example, an interior project may include job site prep, spackling nail holes, primer, and two coats of paint. We time how long it takes to do that entire process and add additional tasks on a case-by-case basis,” says Chris Moore, owner of Elite Business Advisors.   Others take a more granular approach, timing each individual task so they can pick and choose the appropriate tasks for each unique job. This decision comes down to what works best for you.     Getting an Accurate Number Regardless of how you decide to group your tasks, there are some strategies to improve accuracy:   Test many people many times. Different people produce at different rates, and your averages should reflect that. “Repeat this procedure of timing your crew multiple times. A single run-through won’t suffice for obtaining accurate data to rely on,” says estimating software company Paint Scout*. It’s about accuracy, not speed. Brandon Lewis**, founder of the Academy for Professional Painting Contractors, suggests reminding everyone being timed that this is not a race. “What we are looking for here is repeatable accuracy. Too fast means that your feet are held to the fire on all future jobs. Too slow and you’ll be overpriced, potentially losing jobs.” Give yourself wiggle room. Whether you add in a buffer for each task or add in additional time when you estimate, don’t forget to account for breaks, setup/cleanup, potential substrate problems and unknowns. Consider details. Factor in the type of surface, color selected, number of coats, and other relevant aspects. By capturing these details, you can reuse the data for more accurate production rate calculations in the future.     Tracking and Documentation Now it’s time to be diligent about timing activities. When you’ve collected enough times, calculate your average to get your “standard production time.” Do this for each task or group of tasks until you establish a standard and repeatable picture of the time requirement of each job.   Keep this information in the format that best fits your needs. Some companies prefer keeping it in an Excel spreadsheet; others enter the data in their estimating and scheduling software. Note: Some estimating software comes with pre-loaded production rates. It is recommended that you test these numbers with your own crew before using them in an estimate.     Use The Data for Better Bids and Superb Scheduling Now that you have average tested standard production times, it’s time to put those numbers to work. Use your production rates to:   Create more detailed bids with better accuracy. Check out this article on “Detailed Estimates and Bids to Boost Profitability” for more tips on estimating. Schedule jobs with confidence. Set attainable production goals for staff. Ensure new team members are trained properly and ready to perform tasks within standard production times.     Remember, determining your production rates can help standardize your estimating, though certain factors, like prep, will still need to be evaluated on a project-by-project basis. While it may feel like a time-consuming task, production rates are an ideal starting point for building predictability and efficiency so you can grow and scale your business.     *This is being cited for reference purposes only. Behr Paint Company has no affiliation with and is not endorsing these tools. **There is no affiliation/partnership between Behr Paint Company and the individuals quoted.

Pro painters are experts in substrate, process and product, but they’re not the only ones committed to delivering a lasting and beautiful paint job. There’s another group just as committed to product performance, and it’s the paint chemists creating the product in the can.     The chemist’s job requires spending countless hours formulating and testing paint products in a combination of scenarios. Chemists work tirelessly to arm you with the right products and information that ultimately lead to a paint job that gets referrals and return business.   So, what do years of diligent work in the lab teach? And what can pro painters learn from chemists? Hint: A lot!   Research Fellow and Formulator Hai Nguyen has been innovating at Behr Paint Company for 17 years. Much of his time is spent researching raw materials and developing products. But when he isn’t in the lab, he’s working directly with pro painters onsite to tackle challenges and provide solutions. Nguyen shared some advice that can help contractors choose the right products, avoid coating failures and become an important resource for customers.   Hai Nguyen   Know what you are buying and why. Varying substrates and conditions require specific coating solutions for the best results. While many products are versatile and can be used on a range of surfaces, they may not always be the best choice for every application.”   As a pro, you need a deep bench of products and a strong understanding of where those products perform best so you can educate your customer and avoid coating failures.        Glossy surfaces need to be sanded, even when using a bonding primer. Painting or repainting a glossy surface is one of the more advanced jobs painters are tasked with. It’s the project most often botched by homeowners, and proper prep and product choice are crucial to success. While bonding primers are designed to bond to tough-to-paint surfaces, sanding creates a rougher surface that allows the primer to grip better, improving overall adhesion,” says Nguyen.   Alkalinity in new substrates is high. This means a primer for a new substrate is a must. A primer seals that substrate so that the final coating doesn’t blister or suffer from color burnout. Of course, you can use paint and primer in one, but you should apply two coats on a new substrate to avoid a coating failure.     When choosing premium paint, don’t just look at volume solids. Pro painters frequently talk about volume solids; however, the type of solids added is even more important. More solids don’t mean more premium pigments. Ask yourself what would happen if you were to put in extender, which is a low-grade pigment, versus titanium dioxide, which is a high-grade pigment. If you put in more extender, then you drive up volume solids, but that doesn’t mean that the product is more premium. Actually, it’s now the opposite because you’ve reduced the overall amount of titanium, which gives the wet and dry hide, and substituted it with a low-grade pigment that doesn’t hide well at all,” Nguyen explains.   Refer to a product’s technical data sheet (TDS) and safety data sheet (SDS) for additional details about the materials used in the can of paint.   BEHR® products aren’t just for the DIY customer. Behr has a long history of creating highly rated DIY products, which are often recognized as one of the best value products in the industry. The team has leveraged that expertise to create outstanding products for paint professionals as well. My job specifically focuses on paints designed for pro painters. We have a whole team of experienced pro formulators tasked with creating high-performing paint products for pros,” says Nguyen.     Chemists not only formulate paints that solve a host of challenges, but they also possess an abundance of information that can help pros achieve successful paint jobs and solve difficult coatings challenges.   If you have paint questions or want to learn more, contact your local BEHR Pro Rep.  

When you get color questions during the estimate, you may be tempted to say, “That’s not my area of expertise.” But before you do, consider that color is one of the most important decisions of any project and a motivating factor for homeowners wanting a new paint job. A painter who can help a homeowner with paint color selection may get the estimate signed and the job scheduled faster versus one who is lost in uncertainty.   So, what do pro painters need to know about color? Here are some color questions homeowners typically ask and some strategies to help you answer so you can close the paint job. Dining Room | Wall: Aerial View S530-3; Side Wall: Blank Canvas DC-003   What paint colors are trending? Erika Woelfel, VP of Color and Creative Services at Behr Paint Company, notes some exciting trends that we’re seeing in the industry.   Biophilic movement: Woelfel notes that blues and greens are color families that have been trending for several years, saying, “We’ve seen a biophilic movement (bringing nature into the built environment) in both residential and commercial spaces that plays a big part in this. These natural hues bring a relaxing aesthetic and often coordinate well with other colors, materials and finishes.” Behr offers a BioNature Collection which includes 50 colors to infuse harmony and wellbeing into built environments to elevate the human experience. Neutrals: For homeowners looking to keep their space cozy, she says to look for colors that are warm and enveloping. “You’re looking for some of those golden beiges and taupes.” Greige: Grays have been classic sellers for many years, however, Woelfel noted that the hues have been trending lighter. “They are more like light taupe than a gray. Grays have been evolving into some of those warmer, neutral colors.” Dramatic: Many are looking to add something bold to their space. “People have been using darker colors on their walls, including soft blacks like Cracked Pepper and deeper jewel tones like Rumors – our 2025 Color of the Year – as an accent color or a pop of color on doors and cabinets.”   Kitchen | Base Cabinets: Rumors MQ1-15; Walls and Upper Cabinets: Blank Canvas DC-003; Island: Oxford Street N270-4   To keep yourself up to date on trends, check out our annual 2025 Color Trends to awaken your clients’ spaces with endless expression. And be sure to regularly browse curated colors and trends with the ColorSmart by BEHR® tool, which includes a color wheel to explore color combinations and find the closest BEHR matched color. A little time studying can make you a treasure trove of knowledge for your clients.   What colors pair with the existing materials and finishes in my space? Finding complementary colors to existing items in a home can sometimes lead to indecision. Color tools can empower your client to make informed color choices.   Fan decks give the client a full range of choices to hold up next to materials and finishes in their space. Color cards at The Home Depot also provide inspiration for color and furniture pairings so your client can choose color with confidence. If you’re working on an exterior project and want to show your client before and after photos with their chosen color scheme, your local BEHR Pro Rep can upload images of the project to the BEHR Pro Visualizer. You’ll then be able to download the images and review the options with your client.   Will the colors look the same in different settings? Color is complex. As a painter, you know you can apply the same color in different settings, and it may look slightly different depending on the lighting and surroundings.   Remind your clients of this, and then use fan decks and drawdowns under different lighting conditions to illustrate how it will look at different times of the day. Sampling the color in different areas can also give a preview of the final result. Whether you provide those color samples or give your client instructions on what to pick up at The Home Depot, discussing and testing how light, sheen and surroundings play with color is smart business.   Do you remember what colors I’ve used in the past? Maintaining records of paint colors from previous projects in an organized system demonstrates your professionalism and dedication to your clients. Plus, it’s an effective way to encourage repeat business.   Behr offers color books that include every product and color used in a project. It’s an excellent option to keep accurate information in an attractive format. What color do you recommend? Many pro painters wonder what to do when homeowners want a color recommendation. No one wants to be on the hook if the color doesn’t turn out to their liking. The final color choice should be made by the homeowner, and you want them to sign off on that choice. But you can still provide inspiration and be a helpful guide. Consider these strategies to get the creative juices flowing:   Questions: Ask thoughtful and detailed questions to find out more about the purpose and desire for the space. Your portfolio: Don’t be bashful about using past paint projects and testimonials to inspire ideas. This demonstrates your knowledge of color and gives the client a peek at your past happy clientele, building further trust. BEHR® DESIGNER COLLECTION: “The DESIGNER COLLECTION palette has 30 colors that are tried-and-true best sellers. This is a great starting point for thinking about color,” says Woelfel.   Kitchen | Cabinets: White 52; Wall: First Snow DC-006; Island: N480-5 Adirondack Blue   Once your client has narrowed down the color scheme, help them use the tools and techniques above to make final selections and visualize their newly painted space.   In the end, color is just one more tool to help you close more estimates and build a reputable painting business.   If you have additional questions or want to learn more, contact your local BEHR Pro Rep.