Refresh and Renew

Get Ready for Spring Painting Jobs

In some parts of the country, spring is already in the air. Days are getting longer and temperatures are starting to warm up. Even in places where the frost has not yet thawed, a quick look at the calendar reveals that March, the official first month of spring, is just around the corner.

For painting contractors, that can spell a fresh influx of new jobs as homeowners prepare to sell their houses, property owners get ready for new tenants, and everyone wants to beautify their outdoor spaces in time for summer. Get ready for spring: we've got a new Dunn-Edwards product you can use to help your clients refresh and renew their spaces, plus a special pro tip to help you grow your painting business.

New! EZ-PRIME® Select Exterior Wood Primer

The newest product in the Dunn-Edwards line, EZ-PRIME Select has arrived just in time for your outdoor spring jobs. EZ-PRIME is an exterior acrylic primer that provides very good enamel holdout and tannin stain resistance on woods such as redwood and cedar, which are subject to stain bleeding. It is also recommended on exterior plywood and T1-11 siding.

Since the best time to stain a deck is either the spring or the fall, and since exterior paint jobs are best performed in 50-85° weather, this is the perfect time to start booking and planning for those types of jobs now. Here are some key stats to help you prep for your next wood painting or staining job with EZ-PRIME Select:

• Recommended Brush: Polyester/Nylon
• Roller: A standard 3/8” to 3/4” nap Pro White roller cover depending on the substrate
• Spray: 2000-2500 psi and 0.015 to 0.019 spray tip
• Practical Coverage: 250-300 sq.ft. per gallon
• Dry Time @77°F/25°C
• Dry to Touch: 30-60 min
• Recoat: 2-4 hours

Until now, most painters used a multi-surface primer on exterior wood. But none of those are specifically formulated to resist tannin stains. EZ-Prime Select was specifically developed to make all of your exterior wood painting jobs look better longer. Try it out this spring and grow your list of happy customers. Learn more about EZ-PRIME Select

New! 2021 Color of the Year: Wild Blue Yonder

While Wild Blue Yonder (DE5855) isn't a new color, it is bringing a new sense of energy and optimism to homes and buildings everywhere. This light, airy, soothing tone complements nearly any design style, and it can be used with interior and exterior paints.

For clients who are looking for a new twist on their usual neutral colors, or for spaces that need a little lightening up, recommend this breath of fresh air. Wild Blue Yonder pairs beautifully with Swiss Coffee (DEW341) and Natural Tan (DE5212). It would look great in a nursery, bathroom, bedroom, or even as the primary color on the exterior of a house. It is also a standout choice for a front door color on buildings with darker siding.

Spring is a time of optimism, and this color fits it well. Wild Blue Yonder lifts us up and reminds us that brighter days are ahead.

Learn more about Wild Blue Yonder and how to help your clients choose a paint color.

Plant The Seeds and Watch Your Business Grow

If you're not fully booked yet, now's a good time to start putting the word out about your services. Running ads on Google, Yelp, or even Craigslist can be an easy, low-cost way to start.

Remember to provide the most important information that answers these 5W+H questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?

It can be easy to get caught up in selecting the perfect photo for your ad, writing the perfect description of what you offer, and then forgetting to add your contact information. Make sure to check your ad twice before you submit it, and ask someone you trust to look it over as well. Going through the 5W+H checklist can help ensure that you captured all of the necessary information.

Take a look at this example ad:

Here are the 5W+H questions that it answers:

Who: Bob's Painting

What: Exterior Painting

When (optional): This spring

Where: Southern California

Why: Details matter. Let our professional crew make your house look like new.

How: Give us a call at 310-555-5555

Some platforms will let you test your ad in a few different versions. That could give you a chance to see which photo or which text is more successful at getting customers. Sometimes, the photo or text that you think will get the most clicks actually gets beat by another version that you didn't think would be as successful. After all, it doesn't matter what YOU think of your ad, it matters what your potential customers think about it. That's why testing your ad can be so useful.

Coming Soon: Business is Blooming!

We hope these products and tips help you prepare for the upcoming busy season. With a little product knowledge and some good weather on your side, you're sure to have one of the most successful seasons of the year.