Why use a dust free spray booth?

Our enclosed dust free spray booths have air entering through filters so that the environment inside has a minimal amount of dust. The spray painter working within the booth also wears an anti-static full cover spray suit, again to reduce dust to a minimum. 

What we spray

Recently we had a new client visiting us to discuss his individual needs on a project he was working on and to look at some stain colour samples that we had made up for him Whilst he was in our factory he observed many deliveries coming in and going out.

Ultra Violet additives in clear lacquer

It’s funny how so many questions are repeatedly asked of us covering the same topics. Over the last couple of months, we have been asked about UV inhibitors being added to lacquer on 5 separate occasions. So this month we thought we might address that issue again.

For some reason, that no one seems to be able to answer, the majority of clients assume that by asking for two pack, they are also asking for a top quality application of that product.

Specialist tradesmen

Here at Simmonds Polishing we are acutely aware of the need to be able to cater to all the coatings needs of our clients. Even though we operate in a niche market of joinery surface coatings, that niche is quite varied in the many different products we apply and the way in which they are applied.

Single pack verses Two pack

Every now and then we are asked if we can offer a more economical price on polishing by using a single pack clear lacquer instead of a two-pack clear lacquer.

The thought in the mind of the client is that single pack lacquer is cheaper to purchase and easier to apply so cost savings can be made in both purchasing materials and in the application process.

Research and development project

At Simmonds Polishing we are often asked to develop finishing systems to suit the specific individual requirements of a client. Recently we undertook a two-week research and development project for a very unusual project.

Research and Development

Recently Craig spent 5 weeks in Europe touring, and researching lacquer finishes. His travels took him to several furniture and polishing companies who apply similar lacquers to us.

I don’t like the colour

Quite a few years ago we were contracted to polish a large office refit for a major Australian company. Our cabinet maker client was installing quite a few hundred square meters of wall panelling, doors and associated joinery, over several floors of an office building in Melbourne CBD

Records of every job

As part of our ongoing commitment to offering the best in customer service, Simmonds Polishing keeps records of every project we undertake.

Often we see a panel or two come back needing repairs. It may just be a small scratch or perhaps something more serious. Sometimes a client may supply additional joinery that must match the original painting we did previously.

Production Managers

Simmonds Polishing has three dedicated production managers available at all times to look after all your Polishing and Painting needs.

Our Mission Statement

Recently we were discussing the specific requirements of a project with a new client. During the conversation he mentioned that we all seemed to be on the same page with regards to timing, costing, production and so on.

On Site Repairs

The picture above shows up a common mistake made by on site installers.

The handrail was sanded at the join and re lacquered with a clear polyurethane product that the installer had lying around in the back of his truck.

NEW PRODUCTS NOW AVAILABLE

As you know we here at Simmonds Polishing see our mission as far more than just painting and Polishing joinery. We strive to be a one stop shop for all the surface coating needs of our clients. Afterall you don’t want the hassle of trying to find someone to attend to a one-off unusual application when its so much easier to simply drop it down to us and let us organise everything.

Oil Finishes

Being at the forefront of joinery surface coatings every day it is interesting to see how preferences change over time with a constant raft of new products coming onto the market. Some products enjoy mediocre success and then fade into the background whilst others seem to take off and become mainstream coatings quite quickly.

A warning on low sheen lacquers

Over the last few years we have seen an ever increasing demand for very low sheen lacquers.

Whereas a few years ago most clients chose 30% satin as the lowest sheen level we are now commonly asked to spray joinery in 10%, 5% and even 0% matt sheen levels.

Liming white finishes / Cerusing

Over the last few years we have seen a revival of a polishing system that dates back to the 1800s. Known as Liming White or Cerusing, it is the application of a white paste during the polishing process that results in a white fleck in the pores of the timber.

Light stains over darker timbers

Currently there are two major trends in staining. Joinery is either being stained extremely dark, or extremely light. The dark stains commonly being requested are usually variations of Black or variations of Dark blackish/brown. Lighter stains are usually variations of white or slightly tinted whites.

Lacquer Additives.

Despite our industry being quite small there is still many hundreds of thousands of dollars being spent every year on research and development. Much of this research is completed by overseas suppliers who’s markets in Europe, Asia, and America are many times larger than ours.

Gluing MDF is not the same as welding steel.

Recently we had a new client who asked us to paint some MDF shop fittings. Not a difficult task to complete nor should it be too complicated for our multi talented team of polishers and painters. Problem was he had constructed a number of large bulkheads by butt gluing large sections of MDF together and then puttying up the joins.