In this post, we talk to our Co-Founders Jay and Elliott to discover how they are raising the bar in the local Vancouver painting industry. Both Jay and Elliott have decades of experience running and rallying successful painting companies in the lower mainland area. They both understand the hustle, challenges, and rigor required day in and day out to lead operations of a commercial painting company. In this freewheeling Q&A, we discuss the stigmas, misconceptions, and challenges of the painting industry.
What is a common misconception about the painting industry?
A widespread perception about the painting industry is the view that an individual painter, a painting contractor, and a painting company are all the same. For customers and even people in the trades industry, a painter is just a painter. Someone who comes in a project, wearing white overalls with rollers, paint sprayers, and some paint. More than likely, everyone has painted a room and understands the idea of painting, but little do people know, painting is a 22-step process, not a 3-step process.
The distinction between a painter, a painting contractor, and a painting company like ours is blurry. We aren’t talking about a distinction without a difference. The difference is real and becomes apparent when people get a chance to deal with these three distinct entities and experience the contrast for themselves. The distinction is in the project experience, the end results, customer satisfaction, prices, and job quality.
What’s your take on the culture of the industry?
The majority of the people in the industry are super hardworking and professional. But still, the trades industry can be a rough place where swearing, uncleanliness, and casual attitudes are more commonplace than other industries. The casual culture is friendly and harmless most of the time, but it can sometimes get out of hand and impact the quality and timeline of a project.
How is PLE changing this culture?
We are aware of these industry norms and are purposely driven to change these attitudes and perceptions. At PLE, there’s a level of professionalism that we stand by, and there are things that we do not tolerate:
- Absolutely no swearing on job sites
- A tidy and clean job site throughout the life of the project
- Respect for those collaborating with us and the clients we are serving
- Respect for the environment and local waste management practices
What is the secret sauce for your hiring process?
We hire people who want to work in a growth environment and have the drive to bring color to sometimes dull walls, figuratively and literally. We offer a unique and collaborative company culture, and it starts with understanding our team members and leveling up their employee experience with us. Every day is a new chance to push each other to be better, learn new skills, apply new systems, and streamline processes. We are big on collaboration and training and work hard to ensure that our employees are successful in their work lives and happy in their personal lives.
There is zero or minimal training for new recruits in the industry. How is PLE changing this industry norm?
We offer a systemized and organized onboarding process to ensure all new hires have a successful and smooth start when they join our crew. We connect them with the right resources and playbooks and familiarize them with our processes so that no question is left unanswered. We’re not usually ones to boast, but we have excellent systems in place, compared to other companies in our trade. There’s no limit to the diversity of jobs, and we offer training if our team is looking to develop a new skill set.
We make sure to set our team up for success.
Painting is a growing industry, with the hiring of painters expected to grow by 6% by 2028. Does this statistic seem too optimistic in a post COVID world?
It is a remarkable statistic to feel hopeful about the industry’s future and to rally our team members and the industry folks. Although very useful to gauge where the industry is going, we don’t take these surveys too seriously. Our focus is still on our clients, teams, and the trades community in the lower mainland area.
What is one constant challenge of running a painting company?
One consistent threat and challenge for a seasonal business like ours is to keep our crew busy in the lean winter months. We do hire people on contract, but most of our trusted crew members are full-time employees. That means making sure salaries and benefits aren’t impacted by the low business volume during the lean winter months. This problem gets exaggerated because in summers we need more people to manage the volume of work. It is a tight rope to balance the employee roster with the changing seasons and fluctuating demand. We are committed to our team, and they rally with us during peak months to make sure we have finances to support everyone on the team. We are working on innovative ideas to keep ourselves busy during the winter months and find a solution to this classic catch 22 situation of running a season-dependent business like a painting company.
Is collaboration easy in the trades industry in Vancouver?
Collaboration can be painful or exhilarating depending on how aligned two entities are on achieving their common goal, i.e., customer satisfaction. We try to work with good people and provide value through our work. To us, collaboration is a no-brainer, and we more than likely will collaborate with multiple companies in the trades when completing a project. Our team enjoys being involved in these multifaceted jobs, and it is exciting to be a contributing and active player in the local Vancouver trades industry. Shoutout to the lads and ladies at
@vancouvercustomhomes @kindredconstruction @refine_and_design @theclayway @naikooncontracting!
It feels like everyone is winning, all the time.
Can a painting company have a positive impact on the local community?
Every company can have a positive impact on the local community. It’s all about the mission of each brand and what they are trying to achieve. We’re very ingrained in the fabric of the local community. We make an effort to build and sustain relationships in the community because the strength of connections and the value of community-building have always been important to us. We get to show up at local schools, stadiums, helipads, local businesses and add color to these communal spaces.
PLE @ the Nat Bailey Stadium, Vancouver
It’s a great feeling to know that our work is seen, enjoyed, and appreciated in the local Vancouver community. We think painting companies like ours are very relevant and do have a positive impact on the community. PLE and other companies like us help create jobs, collaborate on creating the aesthetics of our public and private spaces, and help preserve our ecosystem by adapting environmentally friendly green practices.
Conclusion
As Jay and Elliott pointed, even though painting is a highly technical skill, painters are still considered just painters. Since almost everyone has had some experience of “painting,” it seems like anyone can do a painting project. Alas, that is not the reality. Starting a painting company seems like an easy task, but it isn’t. There are many stigmas and challenges in the painting industry that aren’t as visible from the outside. After this chat with the guys, we feel more informed about the challenges of running a painting company in the lower mainland area. The last word from the guys:
Even though there are many misconceptions about the industry, we still wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. We love working in the industry and making a real impact with our work in the lives of our customers and our team members. In the thriving real estate market of Vancouver, despite the challenges, a painting company can create value for themselves, their employees, and the community.
No matter where you live or what you do, whenever someone talks about professional painters, the first picture that comes to mind is their white overalls. The image of a painter’s white overalls, painting away to glory, is so strong, it transcends cultures and geographies. Even in movies, professional painters are shown wearing white-colored clothing. Have you ever wondered why this fixation with the color white?
John hard at work wearing the PLE white t-shirt
Why do painters wear white?
Painters wear white because in the early 1700’s people working in the trades industry started wearing white-colored clothes. They chose white color for their overalls because, at the time, white was the primary color of choice for most buildings, and it made sense to wear white and save their colored clothes from white splotches while they painted the building.
The above is just one of the reasons why painters wear white. There are many historical and practical reasons for professional painters opting for white-colored painter apparel. Let’s find out!
#1 The History
According to Dickies, the famous workwear company, painters and other tradespeople started wearing white-colored work clothes in the 1700s. In that era, the primary paint color of choice was white, which made white overalls impervious to splotches.
#2 The Clothing Phenomenon- Painter’s Pants
As the name suggests, Painter’s Pants were designed in the early 1900s by brands like Dickies for people working in trades. These pants were made up of canvas with many loose pockets and bulky stitched seams. They were usually white in color. These pants are still famous amongst the tradespeople and are apparently a trendy fashion statement.
#3 The Professional Look
One of the top reasons for painters wearing white clothes is so they look professional and clean. Since painters need to work inside of people’s homes, a clean look is important for hygiene and for the peace of mind of the homeowner. The white and spotless clothes also lend credence to a painter’s skill and show how neat and precise they are while painting.
#4 Working Outdoors
The best time to get exterior paint done is in the summer. That means doing physical labor for long hours in excruciating heat. The best color for clothing in such situations is white. It is the coolest color and reflects heat, and is much better than other colors for keeping cool on a hot summer day.
#5 The Experienced and Cool Painter Look
A painter’s experience is visible in the blotches of paint on their clothes. No other color accentuates these blotches other than white. Even though the Pro look is critical, the colorful kaleidoscopic aesthetics also brings a charm that only painters can understand.
#6 The Color White
Of all the colors, white is one of the most peaceful and positive colors. It signals simplicity, freshness, and cleanliness from the get-go. It is also one of the most used colors on a typical painting project site.
#7 The Cleaning Routine
In the early days of commercial painting, painters would often wash their clothes on site with bleach or lye (an old-school alkaline paint remover). Regardless of the original color of their clothing, they would eventually become white after a bleach. It must have made sense to wear white clothes so that the bleaching routine would be more productive and keep the painters looking neat.
#8 The Pragmatic Reasons
There are many practical reasons that make choosing white-colored clothing an easy choice for a painting company.
- All branding and logos are easily visible.
- More than 50% of the paint used in a painting project is white. White-colored clothing hides those white spots and gives a cleaner look.
- White is one of the most common colors for bulk ordering clothes. And many times, it is more cost-effective as well.
#9 The PLE Color Code
Most of the PLE crew wears white; no big surprise there! However, there is more to the PLE uniform. All of our on-ground, hands-on crew wear white shirts with black stripes. All our site supervisors wear black shirts with white stripes so that it is easier to identify them in the hustle-bustle of a project site. This color-coding helps in identifying and locating a site supervisor for anything that requires their attention. The white stripes on the site supervisors’ black clothing signify their seniority level in the team.
Conclusion
We hope by now you know why do painters wear white. The jury is still out on the debate whether wearing white makes sense for a pro-painter in the 21st century. We also love the why do painters wear white jokes that are floating around on the internet. Here is a good one:
Why do painters wear white? So that no one will know when they get plastered.
At PLE, our uniforms represent our dedication to professionalism. We deliver that professionalism by showing up in our uniforms, on time, and with a clear plan. Our site supervisors arrive half an hour early to prepare the site and plan the day’s activities. We plan to the last minute detail to be efficient with our use of resources and time. For us, wearing a white uniform is not a sartorial choice; it represents our professionalism and dedication to our customers.
You can also download this cool Infographic about why painters wear white.
What does eco-friendly painting mean? Is it simply being mindful of less water usage and limiting waste disposal? If you’re looking to reduce your environmental footprint on your next paint project (DIY or with a contractor), consider more than just swapping out paints with high VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds that are chemicals emitted into the air from products).
Green initiatives have been popping up in just about every industry. For commercial painting and custom home painting, homeowners and painting companies alike are starting to lean towards more sustainable practices.
If you are thinking of tackling an interior painting project this summer, or are looking for a painting company that incorporates green practices – you’re in the right place! We want to help you make sustainable decisions, share what to look out for when it comes to eco-friendly paints, and what we do to incorporate green practices.
Vancouver Painting Companies Are Adapting Eco-Friendly Painting Practices
With Vancouver setting the bar as the third greenest city in the world, and with the increase of remote work in homeowners, the search for sustainable living practices has become a necessity. Throughout Greater and Metro Vancouver, painting companies have been continuously innovating to find greener ways of implementing paint practices. If you’re looking to modernize your home and add property value through an interior and exterior home repaint, start with adopting these eco-friendly practices and asking your painting contractor if they’re applying these to their work.
Limit Waste, Water Usage, Recycle and Repeat.
Limiting waste
One of the most important aspects of eco-friendly painting is reducing waste, and the first step to limiting waste disposal is by calculating your needs.
At PLE, our crew is very intentional and efficient when it comes to the amount of paint and materials we buy. This has a lot to do with years under our belt that allows us the experience to pre-estimate the exact amount of paint and materials needed for a project, allowing us to reduce the number of materials we have to discard, and tools we need to wash.
We’ve also invested in painters backpacks where we store all of our necessary supplies in one backpack (shoutout to Purdy Painting Tools!) Our crew uses a lot of equipment per paint project. With an all-in-one carrier, we have everything we need, on the go, in one place for all painting jobs. It’s important to us to make sure every project is as efficient and smooth as possible, and our backpacks are an example of that.
Reducing water usage
When washing brushes and rollers, make sure you squeeze as much paint out before washing them. This will help to limit excess water usage when cleaning and prevent paint from going down the drain. Our water-saving trick is to reuse paint water for the first few times when washing paint brushes and rollers.
Another thing to note is that even if the paint is VOC-free, they still have chemicals that you don’t want leaking on the ground and into the storm drain. Paint water left on waterways, after rain can harm plants, animals and our water sources.
It is common in the painting industry to use an excess of water, so our team is always mindful to reduce the amount of water we use on-site by cleaning as many tools as possible in the same bucket of water.
Simple water-saving alternatives can save you money and divert less water from our rivers and creeks, keeping our environment healthy. That’s a win-win.
Recycling
Did you know that the most recycled substance in the world is steel? If you’re wondering if you can recycle empty paint cans – the answer is yes.
Not sure what to do with leftover paint after a project ends? Just ask your contractor to do the recycling or you can always drop it off at a local RONA or Home Depot. You can also consider dropping it off at a local Vancouver charity. When it’s time to recycle all used paint cans we drop ours off at our favourite local bottle depot Joe’s Bottle Depot located in Downtown Vancouver and North Vancouver. We’re passionate about supporting local businesses when we can while making moves to do good for the planet.
If you find yourself having to store leftover paint, the most important part is making sure your lid is tight and secure. Keep in mind to store paint in a dry cool place and off the ground to avoid rusting. (drop a couple of marbles in the paint can before sealing to make it easier to mix again.)
The concept of “going green” is more than just a “trend.” Being a green painter means you’re also trying to reduce your environmental footprint by considering water usage, paint waste, recycling methods, and eco-friendly paint options.
Choosing The Right Eco-Friendly Paint For Your Home.
Let’s start with what eco-friendly paint is. Did you know that it’s easy to distinguish between eco-friendly paint and traditional paint? While the nostalgic paint smell marks the beginning of an exciting new project, this mix is also a sign of greenhouse gases and toxins that get released into the atmosphere when the paint is used.
Eco-friendly and natural paint manufacturers like our partners Dulux and Sherwin-Williams offer our clients paints with low VOC’s and alternative ingredients that include milk proteins, clays, balsam, and other minerals as the base of their products. As our industry is progressively leaning towards healthier paints, we try to continuously educate our team on proper waste disposal and recycling. We recently attended a tour of the Dulux factory’s zero waste facility!
Whether you’re looking at little to no VOC, or 100% mineral-based paint, there’s no shortage of options, and as we’ve been working to provide a wider supply of environmentally friendly paints – our crew can answer any questions you may have.
Make sure to keep a lookout for the following during your search:
- Ultra-low or zero VOC’s (less than 5g VOC)
- Choose labels that say “non-toxic” or “no toxic solvent added”
If you’re getting your painting job done by painting professionals, it’s still beneficial to research and educate yourself on the paint selection process.
Do The Benefits of Eco-Friendly Paint Outweigh The Costs?
As eco-friendly paints are being termed as the green substitute for conventional paint, let’s weigh the pros and cons.
Minimal environmental impact
Eco-friendly paint utilizes water or alternative eco-friendly materials as a base, helping reduce your carbon footprint. Many are also biodegradable.
Low VOC content
Paint with lower VOC’s will be less harmful to the environment than traditional paints. When VOC’s are present, they leave behind an unpleasant odour and pollutants that can affect your home’s indoor air quality. We provide low VOC paint options from our partners Dulux and Sherwin-Williams, with a variety of shades, primers, and finishes to choose from.
Price-point
When clients ask us for an environmentally friendly paint alternative for their home, the price point changes drastically. The reason low VOC/ natural paints cost more than traditional paints is due to the extra process likely involved in reducing the amount of VOC’s in the paint.
Natural materials
Some eco-friendly paints in the market are manufactured only with natural ingredients like seed oil, beeswax and lemon peel extract. During production, these paints produce no harmful emissions, leaving zero negative side effects on the environment. If you’re looking for natural paints we suggest looking into The Real Milk Paint Co. and ECOS Paints.
Ready To Give Eco-Friendly Paints a Chance?
So, has this persuaded you to give eco-friendly paints a chance? Or maybe you’ve already made the switch. If you’re looking for a painting company that is knowledgeable in green practices – we can help in whatever stage of the journey you’re on.
Our crew strives to be the best painting company in Vancouver. We do this through continuous learning, leading by example in eco-friendly practices and applying our knowledge of the latest painting technologies. There can always be improvement in our practices, but we encourage everyone on the team to explore ways on how we can be more sustainable at work and in our daily lives.
We’re here to provide you peace of mind when choosing a more sustainable paint option and practices for your home. Start by chatting with a crew member today.
We’re introducing our “BEYOND THE BIO” series! Every month we going to shine a light on one of our awesome crew members at PLE Painting, and not just surface-level talk – we dive in deep. You’ll learn about their story, their WHY, and the reason they continue to ride this wave with us.
First up is Ryan Smith, Lead Site Supervisor, and trim expert. He’ll be rounding up 6 years with us in May. Time sure flies.
Coming up to his 6 year anniversary working at PLE Painting, Ryan reflects on his career. From his first job in the trades to starting as a Vancouver painter, Ryan has found a rewarding place to work as Lead Site Supervisor at PLE Painting.
From Contract Work to a Thriving Career
Ryan first started in the trades sub-contracting for a cabinet shop and gained hands-on experience with the detailed and fine priming, sanding and finishing required in kitchen cabinetry.
When life brought him to B.C., it was during the winter season and Ryan expected a challenge in finding work because new builds, renovations, home improvement, and painting contracts generally slow down during the winter months. When he stumbled upon a full-time job opportunity in the dead of winter, he was impressed that PLE Painting was busy enough with winter painting projects to offer him a steady job.
Over his six-year journey from a junior employee to Lead Site Supervisor, Ryan has come to appreciate PLE’s dedication to providing job opportunities for painters year-round and leadership opportunities for painters who are willing to put in the work to a high standard.
Working for a company with high standards for quality and professionalism gives Ryan a sense of pride.
“We look professional and act professionally at all times. It just shows the type of company PLE is. They set the bar high and keep the standards to a certain level with any project.”
Steady employment, career growth, a team and painting projects he can be proud of have made PLE Painting the best company to work for in Vancouver.
An Environment to Grow Professionally and Personally
Since becoming Lead Site Supervisor, Ryan looks back and has a little giggle (yes, giggle) about his first few paint projects and how far he’s come. With Jay and Elliot’s support, he was encouraged to develop his skills both professionally, in fine finishing and detailing for high-end painting projects, and personally through leadership skills.
“I learned a lot over the years. When I look back at just the little things, I can see how far I’ve come. Specifically, spraying trim and having more of an eye for details. I now know how things are supposed to look and the standard that PLE looks for. Throughout the years, I was able to take on more responsibilities, and they put a lot of trust in me to run these jobs.” Now Ryan has the chance to support his team in their learning and development when he’s holding PLE Painting’s high standards in supervising detailed painting projects as Lead Site Supervisor.
Both Jay and Elliot expect a certain amount of leadership and hustle every day from the crew. They lead by example and hold their employees in that same regard when they enter the site.
Ryan recognizes the importance of Jay and Elliot’s encouraging and positive attitude on every element of the job. Most valuable was their transparency and the level of respect that is given.
Ryan has learned from the PLE Painting leadership team to value painters on the job as much as clients. Everyone makes the effort to look for and encourage the unique set of skills of different team members and help them master their craft. They don’t just hire “Vancouver painters” at PLE, they hire and develop skilled painters and there is always an opportunity for growth.
A Team That Wins Together, Learns Together and Supports Each Other
Did you know that research shows that a happy and positive workplace results in a 12% spike in employee productivity? The same study also revealed that unhappy workers and poor company culture result in 10% less productive workers. What’s for certain is that Jay and Elliot’s dedication to their team shows in longstanding employees like Ryan, as he reaches a 6-year milestone working at PLE Painting.
PLE believes in providing full support to their team and ensuring the team supports each other so that everyone is set up for success. Ryan shares, “Generally I’m working with 1-3 other guys and we have a mix of characters that work with us. It comes down to motivating guys each day, and showing them how we do things.”
The characters Ryan mentions come from all over the world – Morocco, Syria, Italy, Germany, Japan, and the list goes on. They’re all very different human beings, each bringing a different skill set. “Being part of PLE Painting means you’re part of the family, no matter where you’re from.” When you step onto a site you’re part of a team that wins together, learns together and supports each other.
Rooted in Community Building
The coolest and most memorable project Ryan has done while working at PLE Paining was the Nat Bailey Stadium, also known as “The Nat” to locals. It’s an iconic Vancouver baseball stadium located in the Riley Park-Little Mountain neighbourhood. The Nat is very much ingrained in the Vancouver community, sandwiched between surrounding neighbourhoods.
Fun fact: The iconic Vancouver landmark, Nat Bailey Stadium, has been painted twice by the PLE crew.
With Elliot and Jay growing up in the community that they now paint, community involvement is a pillar of PLE values. The crew is laser-focused on being Vancouver’s best painting company, with a duty to contribute their best to the people and the businesses in the community. This shows through the quality of their workmanship.
Ryan takes pride in the community aspect of paint projects and enjoys the versatility of the projects he’s worked on throughout the years. From residential to commercial, and high-end projects – the diversity and end-result when the paint job is finished are what he finds most rewarding. “You get to feel like you accomplished something at the end.”
A Winning Recipe For Business Success
“We’re like a family. Everyone feels supported and everyone’s doing good.”
PLE Painting provides the best opportunities for painters by providing supportive leadership, a positive work environment, a team that you can call family, and being the smoothest operation in town. It feels great to have a strong company culture but it’s also a winning recipe for business success! PLE Painting’s clients, from commercial general contractors, residential homeowners, property managers, and custom home builders have come to rely on PLE Painting because they know they have an entire team to rely on and a crew that is engaged and inspired to deliver on the promises the company makes.
It’s just the beginning for Ryan! Stay tuned. You can learn more about him and the rest of the crew on our team page. If you have high standards, a strong sense of teamwork, and you’re looking for a painting career with a growth opportunity, visit our careers page for more information!
Peak moving season is just around the corner! Are you looking to sell your home or wondering why your home hasn’t sold already? You’ve probably begun asking yourself: How can I increase curb appeal? How can I get potential buyers to perceive a higher property value? How can I set the tone for showings?
Believe it or not, poor paint colour choices might be the culprit. Colours command an effect on our psychology. It changes our mood even before we can realize it. Red, for example, may be associated with good luck and celebration, while for others could trigger a sense of urgency and panic. It’s true, the wrong paint colour could be undermining the sale of even the most well-furnished, tidy home. First impressions are everything, sometimes it can even be the make or break on a potential offer.
Now, we’re not claiming to be colour psychology experts, but we’ve partnered with experts in this field and interior designers over a variety of paint projects (shoutout to Medina Living Designs) and have noticed that the colours and shades that appeal most to the masses are, wait for it – neutrals. Warm and earthy neutral tones are replacing the popular grey, say 54% of design experts.
Warm Neutrals Are On The Rise
Why warm neutrals? Paint naturally influences spaces, affecting the mood of every room. This is an opportunity when selling your home to offer your buyers a “blank canvas” of opportunities. This year, as home and work lives continue to blur, comfort is on the agenda. Warm neutrals and earth tones are on the rise, while cool tones take the back seat. Earth-based hues create a welcoming and cosy atmosphere allowing the potential buyer to picture themselves living, cooking and lounging in the space without too much noise.
Elevating Your House Fixtures
Another reason why neutrals have a universal appeal is that almost any piece of furniture or statement piece harmonizes perfectly with a neutral base. Light fixtures like an antique brass lamp or wooden frames all integrate seamlessly with beige, clay, or any neutral colour. Going for neutral colours will more than likely always provide a good first impression – increasing curb appeal.
Now that you’ve probably decided you want to take on an entire interior repaint, let’s help you set the tone for this new environment you are creating.
We suggest asking yourselves these questions first when looking at paint samples.
● Does this colour feel warm and inviting?
● Does this colour feel cold and boring?
● What kind of ambience and feeling am I looking to give off?
We find that asking these questions in the very beginning will remove any impulsive purchases of an “eggplant purple” that then, might attract a “teasing peach”.
Fun fact: When people think of neutrals, they usually lean towards the colour white. While 2021 trends actually show that white on white paint does offer a seamless and clean finish, we also suggest going for an off-white, beige, or greige to add a little bit of personality.
Need Help Picking a Paint Colour?
With neutrals, there’s an endless amount of samples to choose from. Palettes of greige (a warmer grey) highlight a warmer tone that adds that light and bright feeling, setting the vibe for the environment without coming across too cold. While it’s important to take time to pick the
right colours, don’t spend too much time. If you’re stuck on choosing the right colour, let us connect you with one of the pros.
To help, we’ve listed a few of our paint colour favourites by Sherwin-Williams, one of our trusted paint suppliers to help you get started.
● Perfect Greige
● Site White
● Argos
● Alabaster
It’s important to take some time reflecting and looking into the right colours. While the colour red we mentioned above represents success and good fortune, to a buyer, it can cause uneasiness and panic when entering a home. The value of a fresh coat of paint, however, is unmatched, and in the right colour will not only increase the chances of finding a buyer sooner but also boost home value.
We can help! Chat with a PLE Painting crew member today to request a free estimate!
What is parking lot line painting?
Parking lot line painting is when a painting crew paints lines on a parking lot. The purpose of this practice is to help drivers know where to park their cars correctly to avoid getting parking tickets or damaging their cars. Parking lot line painting originated in Michigan in the early 1900s. Parking lot line painting in Vancouver is very commonplace because of strict parking requirements and laws in BC.
How is the parking lot line painting done?
This process starts when a parking lot is leveled and cleared of debris. The whole parking lot is then cleaned thoroughly to eliminate all dirt, oil, or other particles that may be there before the line painting can begin.
Once the lot is prepped:
- We mark off traffic with cones to separate where cars are allowed to park from where they are not allowed to park. Pro tip: By doing this, we save time by not having to paint on both sides!
- Then parking lot line painters begin their work by putting down a stencil covering an area of about two meters wide by three meters long.
- Now the fun part begins by spraying a line of paint across the stencil afterward.
- The last step is repeated until the painting crew is finished the entire parking lot. Of course, they take breaks and enjoy the friendly banter of working on a job site.
How long does it take to do parking lot line painting?
A parking lot line painting project can be done within a day since marking off an entire parking lot requires only a little time. It is saving you time, money, and downtime! However, if many car spots need to be painted or if there is more than one parking lot, then this job could take several days.
Who usually conducts parking lot line painting?
Typically, workers who receive training on how to conduct such activities are people with experience in the construction field. They know what safety precautions to take when painting near-moving vehicles. Parking lot line painters may also be people with experience in the automotive industry since they would know how to mark off cars without affecting them too much while still getting the job done.
And of course, painting companies are also quite adept at doing parking lot line painting. However, only a few painting companies have the range and talent depth to paint a swanky home in Shaughnessy and do a killer job of painting parking lot lines. Check out the lines we painted in the parking lot of Gleneagles Elementary School in West Vancouver.
PLE Crew at Gleneagles Elementary Parking Lot in West Vancouver
Why do parking lots need lines to be painted?
This practice helps car owners prevent any legal troubles such as parking tickets, and it also helps avoid damage that the car’s paint job may receive from accidental scratches from other drivers. Parking lot line painting/re-painting is helpful for:
- Keeping parking lots fresh! The paint is not indestructible and does weather away over time, and the oil in the concrete eats at the paint over time
- Preventing damage. Parking lot lines are the guidelines that prevent drivers from parking too close to each other
Best Parking Lots in Vancouver, BC
A discussion about parking lot line painting in Vancouver, BC, is not complete without discussing some of the best parking lots in Vancouver. Here are some of the best painted, scenic, and secure parking lots in Vancouver.
# 1 – False Creek
It is one of the most scenic parking lots in Vancouver as it has a great view of Stanley Park and Georgia Street. It also has high-quality outdoor security lighting, a multi-level parkade with easy access to ground level, an on-site car wash facility that is open 24 hours, audio speakers in the parkade, and a car charging station for electric vehicles.
# 2 – Olympic Village Parkade
This parking lot is perfect for parking your car or bike in Vancouver if you are looking for convenience and maximum security. It has over 600 spaces which means no more worries about not having a place to park your vehicle whenever you need it.
# 3 – The Tunnel
This parking lot is located at Hamilton Street between Davie Street and Burrard Street in Downtown Vancouver. It has over 650 spaces of high-quality parking equipped with features like video surveillance, security fencing, concrete barriers, lighting, battery backup siren, and fire extinguishers.
# 4 – Pacific Centre Parkade
This parking lot is one of the most convenient places in Vancouver to have your vehicle parked at night since it is just a few blocks away from Robson Street, Yaletown and Gastown.
# 5 – Cambie Street Parking Lot
This small but high-quality parking lot is located near New Westminster and can accommodate up to 16 vehicles at a time, and it has an on-site car wash facility as well. It is open 24 hours, and you can use your wireless device to access it.
# 6 – China Town Parking Lot
The Chinatown parking lot is very close to the sky train and is one of the most secure places in Vancouver because it has a steel gate with an automatic door.
The last line
We hope that next time you drive into a parking lot in the lower mainland BC, you’d take a moment to appreciate the effort people and companies put into parking lot line painting. It might seem that parking lot line painting is easy and doesn’t require skills, but that is not the truth. It requires attention to detail, mad stenciling skills, patience, and years of painting experience.
Don’t hesitate to call us if your residential/commercial properties need parking lot line painting. We are just a few clicks away. You can also hit the call button on the right-hand side on the top.
