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As a young man, Paul had given me a chance in an industry that was foreign to me. With the help of my Uncle Don Shearer, who was a Foreman with Paul at the time, Don set me up with an interview.

I started as an apprentice on the 3^rd of March 2008. From the start I was aware of the high level of Don’s skills.  Due to this I have always aimed to show gratitude toward both Paul and Don by working hard to become proficient as a Painting & Decorator Tradesman.  Not having attained any qualifications in school I have an appreciation for the trade in terms of quality employment (good money, good hours and a range of different environments).

I found my place of employment rewarding and enjoyable.  They have given me skills and knowledge that have helped me progress to a level of competency where I can have pride in my achievements and abilities. Now I am training the apprentices and our Filipino colleagues work the Sensation way. Along with work place skills, Paul has helped me grow as a young father with his general consideration of me and my family’s well-being.

I hold Paul and his family in high regard, as they have provided a warm, inclusive and friendly environment and I feel my length of employment reflects that.  Working with Sensation Painters and our team, is still an experience that I appreciate daily and look forward to continuing building both myself and the company in future endeavours.

Paul has his say…

Whilst attending block courses offered by Creative Trades ITO, Jon’s apprenticeship, then under Paul Schirnack Decorating Ltd, was earnt as he learnt – Practical skills alongside the Trades and accepting that as a beginner, the tasks could be menial and repetitive. That aside, Jon proved himself a worthy student taking technical courses to add to his skill-base; spraying and wallcoverings to name a few.

As a Leading Hand, Jonathan is a pleasure to have as an employee and valued by his colleagues. We wish to complement Jon for acquiring his 10-year mark and fully appreciate the commitment he has made to Sensation Painters over the years.

We thank Jonathan for his hard work and effort. Always one to strive to better his craft, Jon’s years with Sensation Painters prove his loyalty. Now he and his partner Martika, have two gorgeous children and we wish to congratulate them on reaching a terrific accomplishment both personally and professionally.

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This week we set off to the Ponsonby Pool Hall for our Christmas Party. Three tables booked – the paint brush replaced with a cue stick, meant competition was fierce. Some played with style, while most potted what they could.  Three hours went by quickly as appetites grew. Then a brief break in the rain and a quick walk up Ponsonby Rd to the Thai Restaurant Sawadee, for a couple cold beers or three. The lads shared delicious platters of Thai cuisine and the merriment ensued; even after the sting of one of our party having his car towed.

A grateful thanks to our team at Sensation Painters, for all their hard work over 2018.

This year, once again, produced great results. Master Painters Association judges acknowledged skills and excellence delivered by our painters. Our skilled tradesman deliver the best of themselves, every time.

Always, our sincere thanks, to all our customers, for their support and continued business. May you all have a very safe and happy Christmas with family and friends.
We look forward to 2019 and another productive year.
Merry Christmas from the team at Sensation Painters

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A South Auckland lad from Otara, Brian Spurr gladly left school at 15 and went straight into the workforce, assembling wheel chairs.

His long-term desire was to be a mechanic. He had spent much of his boyhood under a car chaise, alongside his dad. Night school provided learning in, welding and panel beating. Still living at home, Brian bought his first vehicle at 15 ½, a van, with a bank loan of up to 2/3 for a commercial vehicle. Fate struck 18 months later when Brian broke his leg badly riding a mini bike.

The company he was working for at the time, insisted he buy his own aluminium crutches; even though he had assembled hundreds of them! However, the recuperation time meant months off work. No ACC compensation in those days. Yet six months on, news that Ford were to open a new assembly factory meant jobs were offered. So, at 17, and newly out of plaster, Brian started with Ford Motor Company as a Metal Finisher. Car bodies moved along a conveyor belt as Brian had to shuffle along with them, pressing dents and sanding the steel. Lead paint no less. He said that even after a shower, once his hands and lower arms started to heat up, the lead particles within, discoloured his skin.

The factory noise from air drills was diabolical and working conditions uncomfortable. PPE gear was not even a consideration for staff in those day. No ear protection was worn, nor offered. The only stipulation was a hair net. Being scalped by moving parts of machinery was a good incentive to go ‘Ena Sharples’, as mullet hair styles were fashionable at the time.

Oddly, urine tests were done weekly and each man was provided with a pint of milk a day – to deplete lead levels. Brian was never alerted to any health concerns, yet after 3 years he had begun to suffer badly from migraines. It was 1975 and Brian was now 20 years old.

Ready for a change, Brian was offered employment by a friend 10 years his senior. As a sole operator the friend worked with a brother, painting state homes. South Auckland was expanding, and work for trades was plentiful. Housing development was flourishing, and Brian was glad to be outside. It was hard work, long hours and often repetitive. He learnt to fill, sand and paint from scratch. His boss only accepted the very best from his men and taught Brian to strive for quality and be proud of even the smallest job. High standards were expected because Quality Control from the Government inspectors meant you would keep your employ. They were painting for Sunline Homes who used Onehunga Timber, milled from their own trees. These homes had varnished interiors. Sanded to the touch of velvet, sanded again and then 1 coat of cellac crystal mixed with mentholated spirits. No mask, no filters and one cracking headache. Finished off with 2 coats of polyurethane. Such preparation ensured that even after 25 years and more, these efforts stood the test of time.

Character building challenges came thick and fast for young Brian. His beloved dad died at 56, leaving his mother with 4 children. Brian was able to contribute and continued to travel from Otara early in the mornings to his work sites out in Massey and Henderson. Labour only hours meant, no work, no pay, and certainly no sick pay.

The Neil Housing Company produced group housing, so locations were steady for up to 12 to 18 months. During the late 70’s Brian developed his skills on affordable, 3-bedroom homes. Ten designs in various shades of pastel. Brian became hardened to the elements, preparing and painting exteriors over the next 4 years, out in Otara, East Tamaki and Pakuranga. There was no bad weather. If the rain came from one direction, he would paint the sheltered end, away from the elements. Brian would have 4 to 6 houses on the go at any time, so there was plenty to be going on with. In those days, a developer would build and then sell. The popular colour schemes were cream, brown, greens and avocado toilets were the rage. Only 4 days off in 4 years holds testament to his tenacious character.

The building industry used fibre light boards, cut with skill saws. Dust clouds would fill the air with asbestos. No masks, no filters. Dust and grim would collect and harden onto the boards and the painters were again in the vulnerable position of sanding the surface smooth. Brian and his colleagues learnt the art of colour tinting paints. Dulux was a major player, yet it was common for painting trades to colour match, from a colour card using a white base and tint.  Wholesale white was purchased from Otaki Paints and pastels a plenty were created by hand. No codes, no specific formulas, just on-the-job know how. Resene, along with many paint manufacturers produce numerous blends and colour variations nowadays, yet Brian can still visually match a light or dark pastel, easy.

Putty had to be colour matched to the changing native timber shades. ‘You could have up to 6 different shades around one window pane. Nowadays, it comes already pigmented.’ Working at heights needed a fearless attitude and good balance. A popular method was to use double or triple ladders with a plank braced with a chain and hook on the rung. No safety harness, often up 3 stories. ‘Each plank had to be adjusted a rung at a time, until you got to the desired height.’ Roof painting was not Brian’s preference as it took a toll on joints.

At Ironside Painting, Brian took on leadership and ran 5 to 10 guys on light industrial repaints.  Back then, a rare thing to find women in the trade.

After 20+ years, his trades skills well established, Brian left home to marry June. He moved into self-employment, BA Spurr Painting, preferring to work for himself and by himself. A natural loaner, Brian has mentored many.

Currently, a sub-contractor to Sensation Painters, he demonstrates the importance of getting the job done well, calling on good, old fashioned grit and maintaining a sense of humour at all times. Brian says, ‘seeing the vision to the end result, is not just a coat of paint, but a talent. Every job, no matter the size, has its value. Taking personal pride in one’s work, can be its greatest reward.’ He has learnt much over the years, listening to his mentors, working along-side his peers, and passing his skills onto younger apprentices. He says, ‘Simple victories motivate.’

Brian’s dad used to tell him ‘don’t live your life for later’. Family is important to Brian; his parents spent summers at the Coromandel, Tairua Camp ground, fishing and swimming. His dad made work look like fun, volunteering his kids to clean up the grounds filling a 44-gallon drum with rubbish.

Sadly, June passed away in February 2017. Brian’s step son, married Brian’s younger sister, thereafter, Brian was known as ‘Uncle Gramps’. Her loss still raw and felt keenly. June was always up for adventure, as Brian and his wife used to take drives out to Raglan via the metal roads or over to Thames during a nice afternoon. Arriving in time for a milkshake and then the return trip home. Nature a stronghold of their companionship.

Retirement will be well earnt after 40 odds years on the brush, and may take the shape of a fishing boat, a caravan, and a small plot of land. Until then, Brian will continue to balance his work and play – dust mask optional!

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Paul congratulating Daihaan on the completion of his apprenticeship.

After a 3 year apprenticeship under the professional guidance of Sensation Painters Ltd, Daihaan is now our newest Tradesman Painters & Decorator.

Daihaan took time to consider taking on study in the Painting and Decorating arena as his passion is in creative endeavours.

He is a pleasure to have as an employee and valued by his colleagues. We wish to complement Daihaan for acquiring this well-earned Certification and have no doubt he will contribute much to the Trade.

• BLOG paragraphs
• 2017 UNITEC Apprentice of the Year Award
• 2018 Completion handshake from Sensation Painters Ltd (Director Paul Schirnack)

Daihaan writes:

I made the decision to pursue an apprenticeship, at first, in hope of just having a solid job to fall back on. When I began, I found it tough being the bottom of the ladder, having to do the jobs nobody else wanted to do. I felt like I was doing a lot of arbitrary work, rather than learning skills. Until about 8 months in, I began to realise, it’s not arbitrary at all, in fact, the tradesman who were training me, were giving me skills, I would have for the rest of my life. These were skills such as determination, being able to work under pressure, being disciplined and patient, just to name a few.

By the end of my first year, I had acquired life skills and underwent self-improvement on a mental and physical level. I went into my first block course knowing this and it showed, as I won the Apprentice of the Year Award from Unitec.

The next two years is when the real skills of the trade came into play and I began to feel like I was picking up all this secret knowledge that is only ever passed down from tradesman to apprentice. Almost like a brotherhood of sorts. Being with Sensation Painters, I felt like I was receiving this knowledge from the gurus of the game. I got a sense of pride working with them; every year I watched as our company received multiple awards for the tradesman’s efforts and I couldn’t wait to have the skills they did, and to be responsible for some of my own awards one day too!

Having now completed my apprenticeship with Sensation Painters, I feel more then capable of making this a reality. I have the sense of being one of the gurus myself. I have found a lot more then I first started looking for, more than just a stable job. I found a home in my work team, I found an identity in my trade and I have now found out that it’s just the beginning.

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With an experienced and eclectic line up of painters working under Sensation’s expert guidance, we take great pride on putting forward a professional team for every job. We look after your property, respect your belongings, your plants and your pets, and you may have seen in our last newsletter we have again been recognised by our national body and industry peers.

With 90% of our business coming from verbal referrals we very much appreciate your part in helping build us to where we are today.

Thank you
From the team at Sensation Painters
Your Trusted Painting Professionals

FIRST BIRTHDAY SPECIAL – CAKE IS ON US!

For every referral given to Sensation Painters that is accepted and confirmed during September*; you’ll receive a scrumptious cake from Catroux cafe on us, to the value of $100.

Refer a friend on our contact form here!

SPRING

Spring is here (finally) and even if your property doesn’t need repainting, it’s the perfect time to give your house an exterior wash. Getting rid of any built-up dirt, grime, mould, and lichen every 12 to 18 months ensures your paint job stays in good condition and your home is looking in tip-top shape as we head into BBQ season.

We highly recommend Barry French at Premium House Washing.
Give him a call on 021 053 3801

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Are you a registered Master Painter?

Using a registered Master Painter gives you a guarantee of quality and professionalism. To become a Master Painter your painter needs to meet provide a level of professionalism including:

• Ensuring you receive a written quotation

• Maintaining high standards in our work

• Use of top quality painting materials to provide a long-lasting finish

• Following WorkSafe New Zealand regulations

Do you have public liability insurance?

In the painting industry there are a wide range of skills and pricing on offer. When choosing your interior or exterior house painter you need to know they have full public liability insurance. This protects you in the case of accidental damage to your house or property. If you choose to use a painter that does not have insurance, you leave yourself open to paying for damage that is not insured.

Are there any environmental concerns on the job?

Managing environmental concerns is very important.  If you own an older house (pre-1980) you may need to ask if your home contains any lead-based paint. If it does your house painter will need to ensure that it is collected and disposed of properly.

You should also check how your painter disposes of unused paint and washes out brushes. House painters should not be pouring paint down your drains and brushes should to be washed in the safest possible way. At Sensation Painters all our leftover paint is dropped at a Resene Paintwise collection point.

Do they have a health and safety plan and policy?

Given New Zealand’s strict health and safety policies all Auckland painting companies should have an on-site health and safety plan in place. When on-site, painters should have completed a task analysis. This includes the steps needed to complete the job, potential hazards and hazard control measures. Toolbox meetings should take place regularly to discuss potential health and safety hazards alongside a safety audit and a hazard register.

As house painters often work on building sites these measures are important for their protection and safety.

At Sensation Painters 90% of our painters are first aid trained. We always ensure we have first aid kits in our vehicles for use on-site if necessary.

Estimated time of the job

Getting a clear estimate of when the painting can be started, how long it will take and when it will be finished are all important questions to ask. Will scaffolding be required?Any painting undertaken above 3 metres in NZ requires scaffolding. This will add to the cost of the paint job but is required by NZ law. Choosing a painter that uses scaffolding and abides by the law is your responsibility.

Who will move furniture, take down curtains, blinds, cover carpets, trim trees and sleeve power lines?

It’s important to agree with your painter who will move furniture and remove household items prior to painting. Painting the interior of your house can be a good time to remove curtains or blinds and get them cleaned. A reputable painter will cover your carpets with plastic carpet film before painting or cotton drop sheets.

When painting exteriors you may need to discuss trimming any trees that are close to your house before painting begins and how your painters will work around the power lines. You may need to get your power lines sleeved temporarily while this happens.

What kind of painting materials and finishes will be used?

Your painter will be able to advise you on the best type of paint needed on different parts of the house. For example, different paints are used on interior walls, ceilings, windows and in bathrooms. These are quite different to exterior paints which will also vary depending on the type of house you own. Your painter will advise on whether you need a gloss, low-sheen, semi-gloss or flat paint depending on the surface but also the look you require.

Conclusion

This is by no means a definitive list of questions to ask a house painter. No doubt you will have others depending on the work you require. However, we hope you find it helpful.

Sensation Painters has been in business for over 20 years and over 95% of our work comes from referrals. We have been trusted by many home-owners to paint their most prized possession – their home. We’re proud to be able to offer them top-quality workmanship and a safe working environment for our staff.

You can find out more about Sensation Painters here or if you’d like us to quote on painting the interior/exterior of your home, or need some advice fill in this form. 

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