Author Archives: Dan Hansen

LadderTalk Podcast 2: RepcoLite–The Stories Behind the Name

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In this special episode of Color Me Home, Betsy and Dan interview Dave and Dan Altena, the 2nd and 3rd generation of presidents at RepcoLite Paints. With 2016 being RepcoLite’s 70th Anniversary, they thought it was the perfect time to sit down and talk about how the business started, how much the paint industry has changed in 70 years, and even how the name “RepcoLite” came about in the first place! It’s a great opportunity to listen in to the stories and realize the commitment required to build a successful business from the ground up!

Episode Outline

  • Introductions (0:47)
  • The History of RepcoLite (1:22)
  • The Origins of the RepcoLite Name (11:35)
  • How the Industry Changed Over 70 Years (16:40)
  • What Does the Future Look Like? (53:24)

Enjoy a Slideshow of Old Photos From RepcoLite’s History!

Color Me Home Episode 15: RepcoLite–The Stories Behind the Name

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In this special episode of Color Me Home, Betsy and Dan interview Dave and Dan Altena, the 2nd and 3rd generation of presidents at RepcoLite Paints. With 2016 being RepcoLite’s 70th Anniversary, they thought it was the perfect time to sit down and talk about how the business started, how much the paint industry has changed in 70 years, and even how the name “RepcoLite” came about in the first place! It’s a great opportunity to listen in to the stories and realize the commitment required to build a successful business from the ground up!

Episode Outline

  • Introductions (0:47)
  • The History of RepcoLite (1:22)
  • The Origins of the RepcoLite Name (11:35)
  • How the Industry Changed Over 70 Years (16:40)
  • What Does the Future Look Like? (53:24)

Enjoy a Slideshow of Old Photos From RepcoLite’s History!

LadderTalk Podcast 1: The OnFloor Machine Interview with Travis McCutchen

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In this first episode of LadderTalk, we interview Travis McCutchen from OnFloor Technologies about their OnFloor Machines. If part of your business involves cleaning and staining decks, doing garage floors, warehouse floors, hardwood floors, you need to check out this interview. The OnFloor Machine is a floor preparation machine that is designed to quickly and easily prepare a wide variety of surfaces for paint and coatings!

Episode Outline

  • Introductions to Travis McCutchen and OnFloor Technologies (0:38)
  • What Is an OnFloor Machine? (2:24)
  • The OnFloor Machine Is Tremendously Easy to Control (4:24)
  • What Types of Surfaces or Applications are Ideal for an OnFloor Machine? (6:19)
  • What Makes OnFloor Different from Other Machines in the Marketplace? (8:33)
  • Is this Machine ONLY for Contractors or Professionals? (11:00)
  • Does That Make it Less Ideal for a Contractor to Use on a Daily Basis? (12:28)
  • The OnFloor Machine Gives You a Surface That is Ready to Coat Immediately! (14:07)
  • How Does the OnFloor Machine Handle Raised Nails/Screws or Uneven Boards on a Deck? (16:23)
  • How Does the OnFloor Machine Handle Hardwood Floors? (18:20)
  • How Does the OnFloor Machine Handle Dust and Mess? (20:37)
  • What about the Price? How Much Is It to Purchase? (22:48)
  • Why Is It Worth It? (24:06)
    • Muriatic Acid Prep on a Concrete Floor: Is It A Good Idea? (24:42)
  • RepcoLite Rentals (27:10)
  • Wrap Up  (27:42)

Rental Rates

Currently we have 1 OnFloor Machine (the 16″ model) for rent. It’s located at our 17th Street store in Holland, but we can make arrangements to get it to any of the Grand Rapids or Muskegon locations should the need arise. If you’re interested in scheduling a rental or asking for more information, you can reach us at 616-396-5213. Rental rates for the machine and vacuum are listed below. The various tools are rented as sets of 3 and are all available at different prices ranging from as low as $10 up to $40. It all depends on the tool you need. Call or stop in with your situation and we can more accurately recommend which tools are most suited for the work you need to do!

DESCRIPTIONRATE
OnFloor 16 Pro -- FULL DAY$175.00
OnFloor 16 Pro -- 1/2 DAY$100.00
OnFloor 16 Pro -- FULL WEEK$450.00
OnFloor Vacuum -- FULL DAY$25.00
OnFloor Vaccum -- WEEK$100.00
Trailer Rental$25.00
Assorted Tools (Prices Vary--Call with Questions)$10.00 - $40.00

 

Color Me Home Episode 14: The OnFloor Machine

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In this episode, Betsy and Dan spend some time discussing one of the greatest time-saving tools available for decks right now: an OnFloor Machine. And while that may not sound exciting . . . you’re going to want to give this episode a listen. Once you understand what this machine is and what it will do, you’ll see how easy it is to shave DAYS off your next deck project…

Episode Outline

  • What is an OnFloor Machine Exactly? (1:00)
  • Benefit 1: Clean and Stain Your Deck in a Single Day! (6:06)
  • Benefit 2: End Results Will Be Better than Cleaning with Chemicals (3:33)
  • Benefit 3: Raised Nails? Uneven Boards? No Problem! (6:37)
  • Benefit 4: The OnFloor Machine is So Easy to Use! (16:00)
  • Benefit 5: When Used with the Vacuum System, There’s No Mess! (22:31)
  • RepcoLite Rental Information: (26:12)
  • Save Money Versus Using Chemical Cleaners (28:37)
  • Best of All, the Machine “Just Works!” (31:31)

Our LadderTalk Interview with Travis McCutchen from OnFloor Technologies!

In the episode we mentioned LadderTalk, a new podcast we started that’s geared specifically towards professional painting contractors. Our first episode involved an interview with Travis McCutchen from OnFloor Technologies and it was so interesting and informative, we figured we’d make it available to anyone looking for more information about this machine and why it’s so valuable. Check it out!

 

Color Me Home Episode 13: 3 Surefire Decorating Fails

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In this episode, Betsy and Dan discuss 3 Surefire Decorating Fails (and, of course, how to avoid them!). In every decorating project there are certain things that can trip us up, wreak havoc with our plans, or just complicate everything we’re trying to accomplish. These are common pitfalls. But the good news is that they’re remarkably easy to avoid!

Check out all the projects we discussed on this episode!

Episode Outline

  • Mistake 1: Choose Your Paint First! (0:50)
  • Mistake 2: Go All “Matchy-Matchy” With Your Colors (6:06)
  • Mistake 3: Keep Something That Doesn’t Fit With Your Style! (13:40)
    • Fix 1: Paint It! (16:03)
    • Fix 2: Strip It! (19:54)
      • Tip: Use a Heat Gun (23:33)
      • Tip: Strip Painted Hardware in a Crock Pot! (23:58)
    • Fix 3: Repurpose It! (27:16)

Choose Your Paint Last!

We were pretty clear about the importance of choosing your paint last. Still, we have a number of resources on our blog that speak to this point. And here they are for your reading pleasure!

The Crockpot Solution!

At one point, Betsy referenced a Crockpot solution for removing paint from painted hardware. And, of course, there was a bit of a discussion as to the right methods to use: is it plain water brought to a boil? Or do you add vinegar. Dan thought vinegar made sense. Betsy thought just water. Turns out, Betsy was more right (which, by contract, Dan is forced to admit).

Anyway, the process is simple:

  • Get an OLD Crockpot that you intend NEVER to use again for food!!!
  • Put water and a little liquid laundry detergent in along with the hardware and set the Crockpot to medium.
  • Let it “cook” overnight.
  • In the morning, you should be able to peel the layers of paint off with your fingers.

 

Color Me Home Episode 12: The Keys to a Happier Laundry Room

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Did you know that on average, a mom can spend up to 5 months of her life doing laundry per child! On today’s episode, Betsy and Dan talk about how the right color–used in the right spots–can help you make your laundry room a better–possibly even happier–place to be.

Check out all the laundry room ideas we discussed on the episode!

 

  • The Thrilling (Depressing) News Article about Laundry! (0:48)
  • The Importance of Color in Decorating (4:00)
  • A Brief Overview of the Psychology of Color (4:24)
  • Choose Color Based on Your Goals for the Room: (6:17)
  • Great Colors for Laundry Rooms (6:50)
  • How To Bring Color Into Your Room
    • Put the Color on the Walls (7:30)
      • Tips for Working With Yellow in Your Decorating: (9:32)
    • Put the Color on the Cabinets (12:11)
    • Bring in Unexpected “Pops” of Color (16:22)

Betsy’s Color Recommendations

As we mentioned in the episode, Betsy pulled some Benjamin Moore colors that she thinks would be perfect in a laundry room. We’ve included each color with a combination of other colors recommended by Benjamin Moore. Use these for inspiration for your laundry room. And be sure, as Betsy mentioned in the episode, to come and see the colors in person–the actual chip will probably look quite a bit different from the color you see on the screen!