[Wolverine]

Hi All,

It seems to me that talk about paint here is mostly about the 'big' paint makers. I have been a technical consultant to paint companies in the Southeast and find that most of the smaller manufacturers have better technology AND a higher percentage of R&D folks in their workforce.

HOWEVER, they typically have a lower percentage of marketing people.

SO, who do you buy from OTHER than the 'big' paint companies? And, why do you buy from them?

 

[Bushdude]

It gets harder all the time to buy from smaller paint companies, first off all the big guys are constantly buying out the competition.

The architects and designers really only spec the mega manufacturers, unless a small company has a really great product.

 

[Humble Abode]

Here in Wisconsin I use Hallman Lindsay Quality Paints. They are based out of Madison, WI and have been around since 1956.

I think they make an awesome product and I am going to be seriously pissed off if SW buys them...

The nice thing is they are pretty anti SW. Every time SW buys up a product they sell they do their best to phase it out (Besst Leibco & Purdy) without making their customers angry.

 

[Rich]

SO, who do you buy from OTHER than the 'big' paint companies? And, why do you buy from them?

Well, for example...thepaintstore.com is not a "big" paint company and I buy from them based on price. I used to go to my local benny's store when I needed Zinsser 123 because they somehow sold it for $16.99 compared to SW, who sold it for $31.99. I told SW that and they matched the price, so I'd buy with them. :yes:

But yeah...smaller companies mainly based on price and typically only for sundries and such.

 

[slickshift]

Regional brand Paragon is unfortunately no longer in business
They had some great paint

 

[Wolverine]

Good Feedback... BUT... what I was hoping for is Paint Manufacturers... not really the local paint store...

One company that has some pretty good products is Mobile Paints... have any of you ever used anything from them?

http://www.blpmobilepaint.com/

I recently used their SmoothCote (not sure of spelling) product. I was pretty pleased with it. In fact, I ended up only using one coat instead of 2... I think that they mainly sell through Independant Paint Distributors. I can think of about 20 more...

So, how 'bout it guys.... ??? Small Paint Manufacturers???

 

[ProWallGuy]

How about Farrell-Calhoun. Have used their products a couple times over the years. Wasn't turned on or turned off by them.

 

[Brian]

We've been using more Pittsburgh products. I'm not sure if they qualify as a small player, but they had very little market presence in Houston until about 2 years ago.

I'm using them more than SW because of service. I got a new sales rep with SW more than 2 years ago, and he's never called. My Pittsburgh rep has gone out of his way to help, providing sales literature, software, and numerous lunches.

Brian Phillips

 

[Rich]

A while back I tried some restoration hardware paint. Don't know if it was considered quality paint, but it was quite nice to work with.

http://www.restorationhardware.com/...avAction=pop&navCount=0&categoryId=cat1017001

 

[George Z]

Paint for the Rich and Famous.
Same market as Farrow & Ball

 

[Humble Abode]

Good Feedback... BUT... what I was hoping for is Paint Manufacturers... not really the local paint store...

Hallman Lindsay does manufacture all their own paint, stain, epoxy, etc. Their factory is in Sun Praire, WI.

 

[slickshift]

Fine Paints Of Europe
...but I try not to

 

[Rich]

...but I try not to

cu$tomer$ u$ually have the $ame feeling$

 

[TJ Paint]

I enjoy using Diamond Vogel paints. They are headquartered in the midwest, so I feel I'm buying sorta local. They got a great range of products from industrial to residential. I've been happy with the manager there as well. I feel like they are on my side, unlike SW, who feel like they are trying to suck my money and life away.

 

[Wolfgang]

Diamond Vogel does make a nice line of products. Some if their sundries are good also.

 

[BrushJockey]

I don't know if Muralo is small enough to qualify, but they are certainly under marketed. Good stuff.
A small indi chain here carries BM, Muralo and California Paints. They all have good products, but I will only use the Muralo or Cali if where I'm working is pretty close to those stores. I have lots of options to buy BM all over the place, so it makes it easy, and I only need to bring 1 colorbook ( no wait, that's five...) to get a color-

 

[TJ Paint]

Diamond Vogel does make a nice line of products. Some if their sundries are good also.

Yes sir they do have great sundries. They have the best all around masking tape I've ever used. great for general masking baseboards and such. They have great roller covers too. Much cheaper than my sw price.

I've always gone to them for sundries, and after realizing sw was ripping me off and they don't want to work a better deal, I turned to Diamond Vogel for paint. I realized they can offer just as good of products for less money, and when I go to the store, I feel like I matter.

I also discovered in a lumber yard store they carry Pratt and Lambert. I just stumbled in for a color sample a customer picked out. Didn't realize they carried PL there. Got some contractor prices from them and was blown away at how good it was!

Deciding to never do business with SW unless I absolutely had to has been a great move for my bottom line! I'm getting the PL gold line for $10 less / gal than my price for promar! and its $5 less than superspec. My price for accolade is beautiful too. I just wish I would have known about this years ago, could of saved so much money by now just by dropping SW. Oh well, no time like the present.

 

[LCI]

C2 paint is pricey but gooood..I think a big wig from BM left and started C2 some time ago.

 

[BC_Painter]

C2 paint is pricey but gooood..I think a big wig from BM left and started C2 some time ago.

Only time I've ever used C2 is when a customer's designer spec'd a c2 deep red and said a match wasn't good enough.

Worst red paint I had ever used, won't do that ever again

 

[aaron61]

Can't market the stuff to HO's. If they haven't heard of it they probably aren't going to want it on their house!