I was flicking through Professional Painter & Decorator magazine one day when I saw the advert for the CEROS.

Immediately admiring its visual appeal I was keen to get my hands on one to play with so proceeded to go to my local decorating centre – Johnstones, to speak further to them about it. After many blank faces it was left to the store manager to look into and get back to me.

Not happy with that and now very eager I went into my local Brewers only to be treated with the same response. The sales rep there said he would speak to the Mirka rep whilst I waited. Ten minutes later he came out the office, a little stunned but with the info I needed. “Have a guess how much Si!” he exclaimed…

Now I had previously used a Hitachi palm square sander and Ryobi’s 125mm Random Orbital both of which were around the £50 mark that worked ok but I was aware they could be better. With this in mind I’m thinking of a figure around £80 might cover it but the look on his face tells me it could be more. When he told me the CEROS was actually £350 I laughed!

Now I don’t mind paying for a tool that is good but even I felt that this was a little excessive. After dismissing it immediately and then pondering it for a few days I rang back and said can you get me one to demo? After he realised I was actually being serious he arranged for Amber from Mirka to come down with the CEROS & extractor for me to demo.

We set up in the warehouse some samples for me to play around with and off I went… to be honest as soon as I saw the system being set up I was almost sold. It’s a very neat looking unit, better than in the photos and folds away in a smart systainer with a bit of twisting and turning. I also bought another systainer to store various papers, interfaces etc in. Just like the Festool system these all clip together to make transporting around easier.

The actual CEROS unit you can tell is in a league of its own the very first time you pick it up. It’s lightweight & very compact. The operating switch is a big black lever that you depress on top of the unit and feels perfectly natural. This can actually be set up to vary the speed of rotation from 4000 to 10000 rpm or just basic on and off function.

The CEROS uses Mirkas fantastic Abranet which if you are not familiar with is an abrasive sheet that is fully breathable meaning at all point of contact it is extracting. This is really noticeable when you start sanding with the CEROS as the machine without the extractor switched on really can tear up a surface! I have really put my CEROS to the test over the last year that I have had it and it has performed on every level. I have sanded floors with it, kitchens, ceilings, walls and it just keeps going. I have used a number of different grades of Abranet from 320 right down to the evil 40-HD.

I also was using the Mirka extractor unit which I found very useful. You don’t have to use it as the CEROS will work with any other Hoover but I found that the Mirka unit had a few good features on it. These were the automatic power take off, the bracket to attach the bulky transformer to it so it’s not trailing everywhere and the built in extra filters that allow you to extract fine dust, a killer of most common used hoovers such as Henry’s.

After a good play I was more than satisfied that this machine would work for me and ordered one straight away. It has saved me time and money and has easily paid for itself in the jobs I have asked it to do. The fact that I can now work ‘virtually’ dust free is a massive selling point that I plug to my potential customers and puts me ahead of my competition. The machine also allows you to work for longer maintaining consistent results as you are not having to put anywhere near the same levels of physical labour into your sanding down becoming tired by the end of the day whilst being covered in dust.

In summary –

This is a fabulous system and should be considered by any decorators that want to be taken seriously in their trade. Yes it is expensive but it has to be viewed as a long term investment into your business future but more importantly your health. There is no longer an excuse to work under the conditions that many have been used to for years.

Pros -
Small & compact feeling great to hold for long periods
Powerful motor even under load
Replaceable parts to maintain the lifespan
Increased abrasive life by extracting dust preventing clogging
Labour saving – working time & clear up time
‘Virtually’ dust free

Cons-
Can be pricey to initially get set up
Awaiting a square version to help work into the corners
Abranet discs are not available from all decorators merchants

What to do if you want one?
Call TDS – 01332 228130. I was not lucky enough to know about TDS when I bought my system but if you are serious about investing into this then they would be where I would send you for the best prices and services without fail.

For other views on this fabulous bit of kit visit – http://traditionalpainter.com/paint-reviews/mirka-ceros-sander-review

On the road for 6:30am and a quick stop for fuel, coffee and bacon roll. It was a congested drive around the M25, nearly turning back at points due to my tolerence levels being tested to the limit but I finally got to the M40 and from here onwards things looked much better!

After 3.5 hours I arrived at the Ricoh Arena – Coventry and straight away I could see that it was going to be a big show from the volumes of people that had already arrived and were making their way towards the entrance gate. I had planned to meet up before with Paul Cooper from Bear Improvements but due to my epic journey he was ahead of me and already soaking up all the goodie bags and super deals!

When I finally got inside I managed to find Paul mid-purchase at the Crown stand and after getting bar codes zapped off we went. Not really knowing which direction we were heading and feeling overwhelmed by all the bright lights and interesting products we stopped and saw a demonstration on the Repair Care stand. I still watch the product being used with amazement as I did the very first time I used it – I think Paul was rather impressed too!

Moving on took us past the big Dulux stand, the Leyland ‘dart competition’ stand with enticing female form (not everyones taste), the Graco Spray machines stand with many shiny new bits of kit, a vast Wooster stand, a quick chat at the PDA (Painting & Decorating Association) stand to discuss membership then time to grab a quick coffee (courtesy of Paul), reflect on what we had just seen and get ready for the next round.

Coffee in hand we headed past the TradeExpress stand and stopped to meet Lara Bale, busy taking photos of many tradesmen and women with a giant Glidden paint can and very hairy Dulux dog. Onwards to met the legend that is Mr Wayne de Wet – working on the Trimaco stand. After a very warm welcome we had a great chat about all the relevant (and un-relevant!) subjects to do with the trade and various other matters. Moving along, absorbing information with each step, we stopped at the Mirka stand so Paul could demo the CEROS. As I already have one I just chatted with the team about things coming up soon which might mean a call to TDS is going to be necessary! Moving around the arena and we found the Mythic Paint & Krud Kutter stand, for me the two manufactures that I really wanted to see. I have been reading & hearing a lot of great things from these guys recently and must say they hadn’t failed! I am really looking forward to using lots of the products in the near future. Whilst here we met Sarah from TDS. Nice to finally meet the girl behind the super deals and interesting products coming onto the shelves for the decorator that wants the best. She was certainly having one of those days and suffering slightly from a night out with the guys from Painters Pit Stop forum rumour has it. Hope to see TDS there next year in full force!

It was at this point that I had to leave Paul to mooch some more as I had to start the return leg of my epic journey!

All in all I enjoyed my day at the show and look forward to going up next year – but I will do things a little differently. I will stay up the night before and spend more time having a chat with people on the stalls. Would also be great to meet some more Twitter peeps!

Back in July 2010 the clever people at Crown Paints developed a colour matching tool for the ever popular Apple iPhone.

We have only played around with it in the office so far but basically we are impressed.

The idea is you take a picture of something that you like using the App and the camera on the iPhone then, at the tap of a button, the Crown Colour Matcher will recommend the nearest Crown colour along with a complementary and a bolder colour choice.  It then goes on to list the products the colours are availiable in and as if thats not enough, where your nearest stockists are complete with directions!!

Have a go yourself, download it for free from the Apple store: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crown-colour-match/id377182669?mt=8#

Let us know what you think!

TradePoint will operate out of 118 B&Q stores by late summer, having been successfully trialled at nine stores around the country for the last year.

TradePoint is a 4,000 sq ft dedicated area within a B&Q store, with its own separate entrance, exit and payment area, a trade only manager and a team of eight. Access is restricted to TradePoint members who have been verified as genuine tradesmen.

Kingfisher says that the new format will combine B&Q’s extended opening hours, convenient locations, heavy building ranges, showrooms and retail products with Screwfix’s ranges and logistics expertise to “create a merchant environment with extended trade brands and trade only prices, all exclusively for tradesmen”.

Brands stocked include: Dulux, Ronseal, Mira, Biasi, Bosch, De Walt, Makita, Fisher, Rothenburger, Lafarge, Wylex, Vent-Axia as well as kitchens and bathrooms and appliances.

Euan Sutherland, CEO of Kingfisher UK and B&Q says; “TradePoint represents a massive opportunity for Kingfisher in the UK bringing together the best of B&Q’s retail locations and standards with Screwfix’s trade infrastructure. We hope to bring a real boost to Britain’s builders and tradesmen by creating new jobs in the sector and giving the trade what they want – speed, personal service, trade products at trade only prices.”

The investment will create around 1,000 new jobs this year and £0.5 m is also being invested in a new TradePoint Academy for staff.

Story supplied by BuildersMerchantsJournal.net

Spectrum Decorating Services has recently finished redecorating a Master Bedroom & Dressing Room in a Crowborough Farmhouse in East Sussex.

The paper was chosen by the client to give a textured finish to the wall and the colour that was chosen had a metallic finish to it which worked well under different light.

If you have a similar project Spectrum Decorating Services can help you with please contact us.

Spectrum Decorating Services has recently finished a job in Tonbridge, Kent using de Gournay hand painted silk wallpaper.

The room was planned and designed by SGS Design. All colours and finishes were chosen with the wallcovering in mind, to enhance and compliment a truly stunning piece of artwork.

If you have a similar job that Spectrum Decorating Services can help with please contact us.

Spectrum Decorating Services has recently finished refurbishing garage doors in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

We used our Graco HVLP 4500 to achieve an excellent finish that withstand all the elements.

Rather than using a gloss paint we used Rustoleums CombiColour, which is more flexible than other specialist metal paints.

Rustoleum CombiColour is availiable in all RAL numbers and a number of different finishes.

If your garage doors are in need of refurbishment please contact us for a quote!

During a recent trip to Marrakech, Morocco I was inspired in the way they seemed to use colour outdoors.

Ok, so they have a much sunnier climate than we do but surely using bright vibrant colours as they do outside would help even our darkest, overcast days?

I’m already in search of a suitable project to get out the bright coloured paint!

These stilts allow us to concentrate on working continuously at a set height rather than having to keep climbing up and down ladders.

As always Spectrum Decorating Services is always staying one step ahead of competition using the best possible tools and equipment to get the job finished on time.

Here we are using them to work on a large office window in London, nr. Smithfield Meat Market.

If you have commercial decorating work Spectrum Decorating Services can help you with please contact us.

Spectrum Decorating Services have been working in Crowborough, East Sussex this month.

White Chimneys is situated on Crowborough Hill and is a modern purpose built appartment block.

Our works were to include the redecoration of all weatherboarding, windows and doors.

To give extra durability and resistance to elements we used Sikkens Rubbol AZ Gloss on the weatherboarding.

If you have a similar project we can help you with please contact us.