The Arizona Painter

08/08/2026

A fresh coat of paint can completely change the way a home feels.

For this project, I wanted the before and after to speak for itself, so I filmed the same walkthrough before we started and recreated those same shots once the project was complete.

Same property. Same angles. Completely different appearance.

For the stucco, we used Dunn-Edwards Corporation Spartashield in Fair Springs, giving the home a fresh, clean exterior while providing the durability needed for our Arizona climate.

For the wood surfaces, we used Sherwin-Williams SuperDeck Semi Solid Stain in White Birch. The contrast between Fair Springs and White Birch gave the property an updated look while still keeping everything subtle and cohesive.

But a transformation like this isn’t just about choosing colors.

Proper preparation, repairing surfaces where necessary, protecting surrounding areas, and selecting the right coating for each substrate are what ultimately determine how the finished project looks and how well it performs over time.

Exterior painting is part protection, part maintenance, and part curb appeal.

And when everything comes together, the before and after can be pretty dramatic.

Stucco: Dunn Edwards Spartashield | Fair Springs
Wood: Sherwin Williams SuperDeck Semi Solid Stain | White Birch

What do you think of the finished color combination?

ExteriorPainting

08/05/2026

The painting industry doesn’t need more hype… it needs more knowledge.

I’ve been thinking a lot about education lately, especially with the number of coaching programs appearing across social media.

Don’t get me wrong—there are experienced professionals with valuable knowledge worth learning from.

But I believe the best education starts with real-world experience, honest conversations, and a willingness to share what actually works.

That’s one of the reasons I’m honored to be speaking and moderating at this year’s PCA Craftsmanship & Residential Conferences.

These events bring together contractors, manufacturers, craftsmen, and business owners who are committed to raising the standard of our profession through collaboration—not competition.

Whether you’re a one-person operation or managing multiple crews, we all benefit when knowledge is shared openly.

Where have you learned the most in your career?

* On the jobsite?
* From a mentor?
* At industry events?
* Through trial and error?

I’d genuinely like to hear your answer.👇🏼

08/05/2026

Every once in a while, a tool comes along that makes you wonder… “Why didn’t someone think of this sooner?”

This is the Euro-line Tool , designed to simplify one of the most time-consuming parts of cabinet refinishing—masking.

First impressions?

✔️ Simple design
✔️ Quick setup
✔️ Easy to understand
✔️ Looks like something even a first-time DIYer could use with confidence.

Of course, the real test isn’t the unboxing…

It’s how it performs on an actual cabinet project.

I’ll be putting this through its paces on a real job and sharing my honest thoughts—the good, the bad, and whether it’s something I’d actually add to my everyday workflow.

Have you used one yet?

👇 I’d like to hear your experience before I put it to the test.

08/02/2026

Would You Paint Cabinets Outside?

One of the things I enjoy most about social media is when a comment turns into a productive industry discussion.

This cabinet painting reel sparked a debate about preparation, products, and what should be considered standard practice.

The truth is, there isn’t just one way to paint cabinets—but there are best practices that consistently produce longer-lasting, more professional results.

In this video, I’m sharing my perspective based on my own experience in the field. My goal isn’t to criticize another painter; it’s to explain why many professional cabinet finishers choose certain methods over others and where different approaches make sense.

At the end of the day, the right process depends on the client’s expectations, the existing finish, the products being used, and the level of durability you’re trying to achieve.

I’m interested to hear from the professionals in the comments.

What step do you think is most commonly skipped when people paint cabinets?

Let’s keep it respectful and educational—everyone benefits when we explain the why behind our process.

07/31/2026

Nashville… I’ll see you soon.

I’m honored to be returning to the Painting Contractors Association (PCA) this September as both a speaker and moderator at the PCA Residential Conference, while also participating in the PCA Craftsmanship & Painting Conference.

My session:

Pricing Realities in the Painting Industry

We’ll discuss why pricing varies from contractor to contractor and how to confidently navigate:

• Profit margins
• Material costs
• Supplier relationships
• Labor & overhead
• Building a profitable pricing strategy

But honestly… that’s only a small part of why I recommend attending.

The biggest value comes from the conversations with other contractors, the relationships you build, the manufacturers you meet, and the ideas you take home to improve your business. Whether your focus is craftsmanship, production, estimating, leadership, or scaling your company, there is something here for everyone. The conferences are designed to combine technical painting education with practical business strategies and networking opportunities.

If you’ve never attended a PCA event before, I encourage you to take a serious look.

I hope to see you there.

Register here:
https://www.pcapainted.org/event/craftsmanship-conference-2026/

https://www.pcapainted.org/event/pca-residential-conference-2026/

07/31/2026

07/31/2026

This comparison definitely caught my attention.

In this video, Sherwin-Williams Emerald is being compared against Behr Premium from Home Depot, and based on what’s shown, the Behr appears to have noticeably better one-coat hide.

But here’s where it gets interesting…

As painters, we know that hide isn’t determined by the label alone.

Color selection, sheen, tint strength, substrate, application method, spread rate, and even the primer underneath can all have a huge impact on how well a coating covers.

One video rarely tells the entire story.

That said… if everything was truly equal and these were applied under the same conditions, the results are definitely worth discussing.

So I’m curious…

Have you had similar results with either of these products, or has your experience been completely different?

Let’s keep it professional and hear from the painters who’ve actually put these coatings to work.

07/29/2026

I finally redeemed enough MyTitan Coins to activate 1 Year of ActivGuard on my Titan 640 IA, and I had to see how well it worked.

Setup took just a few minutes through the MyTitan app.

After activating the subscription, I loaded my sprayer into the truck, drove to lunch, and tracked its location in real time using the app.

For contractors managing multiple sprayers or crews, this seems like a useful way to keep tabs on your equipment and add another layer of security.

One question I still have…

The sprayer appeared to remain trackable even when it was turned off and unplugged.

Does ActivGuard use an internal battery? If so, how long does it last, and does it recharge automatically when the sprayer is plugged in?

If someone from Titan Tool can shed some light on that, I’d be interested to learn more.

Either way, it’s a feature I think more contractors should know about.

PaintingContractor