[ewingpainting.net]

Hello to everyone, I am from southern California. I am currently a green painting contractor. Just wonderig how others feel about the whole green thing.

 

[vermontpainter]

I am currently a green painting contractor.quote]

Welcome to painttalk.com.

What were you before you were a "green" contractor?

I am curious to hear what it means to be a self described "green contractor". What is it and how is it working out for you?

 

[Tonyg]

Hello to everyone, I am from southern California. I am currently a green painting contractor. Just wonderig how others feel about the whole green thing.

Welcome ewing! I'm a Blue painting contractor myself. Mostly Little Walter, Son House, Lightning Hopkins, etc.

 

[ewingpainting.net]

I was a VP for a large painting contractor, I've had 5 supervisors, 15 foremen and a total of 200 hundred guys under me. I have dealt with most of southern California paint vendors. I've painted thousands of houses, I've come across a multiple of paint failures and application failures. Since how I basically was running the company. I decided to get my painting contractor lic. and wanted to go a different direction than what I've been doing for so long. So I thought lets go green, since how at least in California I am predicting all products will be going green in the next year or two to come. Any one want to take bets on it? so id thought id get a jump on it.

 

[Housepainter]

What kind of paints are you using in this "green painting"?

 

[ewingpainting.net]

I use a green seal standard or less Vista Paints has a line of earth coat that is great.

 

[ewingpainting.net]

I DIDN'T MEAN TO START SUCH CONTROVERSY!!!!!!
:wacko::1eye::turned::stuart::confused1:

 

[RCP]

Controversy? Did a post get deleted? ewing, sounds like they were just trying to get more info.

 

[George Z]

I DIDN'T MEAN TO START SUCH CONTROVERSY!!!!!!
:wacko::1eye::turned::stuart::confused1:

This has been discussed here at length.
There is no controversy at all.
We have always been green, Ecopainting Inc.

 

[ewingpainting.net]

sorry stayed up to late,
So lets discuss. What is a green painter to you. Is it just a marketing thing? Are people really concerned about the environment? I know when i bid a job most people can give a rip due to pricing.

 

[vermontpainter]

sorry stayed up to late,

Thats ok...we will let it go this time.

So lets discuss. What is a green painter to you.

To me, I am not sure there is such thing as a "green painter", and I definitely dont think it would be someone who is "currently" a green painter. There are companies like ecopainting who were operating in an environmentally conscious manner before it became fashionable to do so. I would consider a company like that to be the real deal. Others will try to ride the wave while its high and when it becomes inconvenient or the wave diminishes, they will have to change very little to go back to being a non-green painter. I think its bad for our trade if we look like chameleons that way.

Is it just a marketing thing?

I think there are those who jump on the bandwagon because they think it is fashionable right now to call themselves a green painter. I also think that if done in this fashion it could really work against them.

Are people really concerned about the environment?

Yes and no. Some truly are and insist on certain products. Others want the low price.

I know when i bid a job most people can give a rip due to pricing.

So, how do you sell your "green" painting to most people who dont care?

 

[ewingpainting.net]

Its not that people don't care, in general people do care until you give them a price. Like hybrid cars for example, you think these cars would be flying off the lots. Why not? Because of price, price, price. Does it cost the car manufacture that much more to produce these cars? I don't think so. Green paint is the same deal, I see some vendor marketing these product up 20 to 30% higher. Does it cost that much more to make? No! In fact the cost for them to produce this product is less than 1% more than the standard coatings, maybe in some cases cheaper. Does that mean people don't care, of coarse not they just don't want to get raped in the name of the environment.

All that to get to here. I am able to to get a quality green seal product for the same cost as my standard coatings. So you ask how do I sell my green products, PRICE, PRICE, PRICE. And these coatings are better than standard coatings.

 

[vermontpainter]

A green painter selling on price...interesting

 

[George Z]

Just be a good Paint contractor,
who also is an environmentally responsible painting contractor.
And it isn't just the paint that will make you one.
Everyone can just use Mythic paints and they are Green, right?

For example:
How much plastic do you use
What cars you drive
Disposal and cleaning
Cleaning products
Paperless office procedures
Community involvement

As far as community acceptance,
who cares, be a leader, not a bandwagon jumper
and market like you normally would anyway.

 

[ewingpainting.net]

I'm not trying to jump on a ban wagon. Whether you are aware of it or not your coatings your using now are changing every year due to the EPA. California for example, it is illegal to produce any more oil base paint in the golden state, do you not think all the other states will follow. I estimate the products we have today will be under not a leeds green but an extreme green within two years for Ca and three years for other states to follow. So whether you believe it or not we all are going green. Just ask your knowledgeable paint rep. They get informed of the changes in our product, so they can keep a close eye on any failures that may occur. They don't tell the consumer so we don't get worried. Am I concerned about the environment you bet I am, why can't we do something about it by changing our products we use. They are available to us. Our environment is a natural living thing. Just like our body's, when we eat all this crap with chemicals we get sick and blame it on our family line. You have the power to change your body by putting what was meant in your body. The same goes with our world it rejects chemical and gets sick. Why can't we put in our environment what it accepts? Would you put water in your car instead of gasoline? Of course you wouldn't because it will get sick and die. We don't think of the environment this way, rather if we are comfortable or not. We can not be afraid of change. If you call this jumping on a ban wagon I guess I am then and I don't mind taking a hit for it.

 

[vermontpainter]

So whether you believe it or not we all are going green.

I do believe that the paint industry is changing in that direction, and I think its a good thing. That is why I found it ironic that you came on here and introduced yourself as "currently" green. If we are all going green, I personally would not reinvent myself and start marketing as the "green" guy. All of us, out of necessity, are becoming more aware of our products and practices.

In any case, good for you, keep up the good work and we look forward to your contribution here.

 

[George Z]

I'm not trying to jump on a ban wagon. Whether you are aware of it or not your coatings your using now are changing every year due to the EPA. California for example, it is illegal to produce any more oil base paint in the golden state, do you not think all the other states will follow. I estimate the products we have today will be under not a leeds green but an extreme green within two years for Ca and three years for other states to follow. So whether you believe it or not we all are going green. Just ask your knowledgeable paint rep. They get informed of the changes in our product, so they can keep a close eye on any failures that may occur. They don't tell the consumer so we don't get worried. Am I concerned about the environment you bet I am, why can't we do something about it by changing our products we use. They are available to us. Our environment is a natural living thing. Just like our body's, when we eat all this crap with chemicals we get sick and blame it on our family line. You have the power to change your body by putting what was meant in your body. The same goes with our world it rejects chemical and gets sick. Why can't we put in our environment what it accepts? Would you put water in your car instead of gasoline? Of course you wouldn't because it will get sick and die. We don't think of the environment this way, rather if we are comfortable or not. We can not be afraid of change. If you call this jumping on a ban wagon I guess I am then and I don't mind taking a hit for it.

Great, but I think you are preaching to the converted here (mostly).
I agree with everything you say.
Click the links, you will see we have been Eco (Green) for many years.
I like the a colaborative approach here, polemics have their place too,
but here is where the good guys are.
You will find this debate about low VOC or and toxicity
has been here for a while, just join in and contribute.

 

[ewingpainting.net]

Boy, it was nice reading this again. I have to thank VP for reminding me. Those day I was reaching out.
Funny how we can have all these smart (we think smart) ideas. and you go in a completely different direction than intended. When I started this thread It was my 1st thread and I had just got my website launched. I was just simply looking for hits on my website, because I was listening to leo laport, his recommendation was too join a forum, add it too your sig. Now I have grown in my business, it has matured on it's own with hard work and sacrifice.
I have too say, thank you PT and the active members, it been a great ride :thumbsup:

 

[PatsPainting]

was that a goodbye speech? hmm

Pat

 

[ewingpainting.net]

was that a goodbye speech? hmm

Pat

:lol: if you only knew how many times i tried to close the doors to this place. I didn't know what I was getting myself into it. I wish I could not think of the forums anymore. Hopefully one day I could conquer the addiction.