The Female Touch

08/09/2026

The dinosaurs will tell me it works 🦖

I used thousands of L of contract matt pre 2010 when it was a suitable base for paints,

Now it doesn't marry up with modern materials and also it's so soft it's a sub standard product..

It will prime a wall but it's soft as s**t and the top coats won't sit with a strong bond over the top resulting in exactly what you see in the video..

There are many reasons for adhesion issues,

No mistcoat Poor prep (dust left on the surface)

To much water added into the paints and primers

But I see this issue time and time again..

I don't care if you have been painting for 3 million years..

People used to use horse and cart to get around but it's not a suitable method in this day and age!!

07/09/2026

No mist coat = No adhesion

Weather it's bare plaster, a porous surface from sanding, bare wood or other surfaces.. you need to use a bonding product either called a primer or in the case of ceilings and walls (plaster) a mistcoat.

To name a few for plaster,

zinsseruk Gardz

Tikkurila UK Optiva primer

JUNO Paints UK Hidrocril

Isomat UK (various options)

Also some products will specify on the tub that you can dilute the paint usually by 15-20% and apply this as a mist coat, This isn't suitable for all products so check the product before doing this!!



If you have any questions.. leave them

06/09/2026

What a difference a million days make 🤣

This wood gave us a real surprise!

Within 5 minutes of putting the sander on a door, I knew we were in for a treat

The varnish was like a French polish, solid as a rock against the Mirka UK Ltd but brittle when tapped so there was no easy way out (Some people would slap shellac over it without sanding).. 🛑

That's not a lasting finish..

We put the Dulux uni primer to the test on this one and it was great..👍

Followed by 2 topcoats in Johnstone's Trade Paints Aqua Guard satin. (Calke Greene by F&B)

Not ignoring the ceilings and walls that were bare plaster done by the fabulous Hampton Hill Plasterers

Ceilings & walls in Tikkurila UK

Primed in Optiva primer

Ceiling and above picture rail done in Optiva colour (Dimity)

Main walls done in Optiva 3 (Jitney)

Huge thanks to Sue from Colour My Home for the help.

A great learning curve for Laura too.. Boardroom to Brush

She actually spent the last 5 nights dreaming about painting the woodwork 🤣

05/09/2026

Another visit to dad almost over,

Nice to spend a couple of days with Tobias too..

Back at it from Monday,

Diary is currently closed as booked till July next year..
Some spaces may become available as jobs push on but for now I’m not looking at any more work till after Xmas.

Have a great weekend ❤️

#

04/09/2026

Putting Dulux Uni-Primer
To the test

It's easy to get stuck in the habit of using the products you know and trust however I do like to do the rounds to see if something better comes up.. sometimes it does..

This was the perfect job to try uni-primer on and although I could have put it directly onto the varnish as it's super grip, the varnish itself was brittle so that's why I sanded it right back,

I would have liked a little bit more opacity after the product was dry but I guess you can't have it all!

I'd quite happily use this again after the scratch test result, Also the topcoat didn't drag which probably my main concern.. For me that can be a deal breaker..

This is a water based product too so no smells, quick dry time and doesn't kill your brushes/rollers..

Have you used Uni-Primer? What did you think? Dulux

What shall I review next?

29/08/2026

This didn’t upload yesterday!!

Happy Saturday 💫

28/08/2026

Happy Friday you lovely lot,

Hope this clears a few things up..

I’m looking forward to a family weekend 💫

26/08/2026

Tool theft is rife!!

You might not be able to stop your tools being nicked but you can make the process of tracking and reporting any thefts so much easier!

Did you know Kynekt Smart Tool Protection UKmakes it easy to store your tools on an inventory that can easily be sent to the police in a report,
Insurance companies are much more likely to pay out when you report through Kynekt!

Add KTrak and see live location of your tools so the police can go and retrieve them..

Loads more perks available on the app..

Log your first 3 tools for free and as you can see from the video.. it takes under 3 minutes per tool..

24/08/2026

Backed by science!

Not all masonry paints live up to their marketing hype..

You should easily find the research and be secured by a guarantee..

That’s why we use Emperor paint for every exterior project!

24/08/2026

Happy Monday beautiful people!

This was lovely to wake up to today,

Have a great week💫

🏆 OFFICIAL GOLDEN FINISH AWARDS 2026 FINALIST

Ria Kirby
Ria Kirkby

From hundreds of outstanding entries, James has earned a place as an Official Finalist at the Golden Finish Awards 2026.

Reaching this stage is no small achievement. It reflects exceptional craftsmanship, unwavering attention to detail and a commitment to raising standards within our industry.

Every finalist has been selected because their work represents the very best our profession has to offer, and we’re incredibly proud to showcase their talent.

Congratulations, James ! We can’t wait to celebrate your achievement alongside the rest of this year’s outstanding finalists.

✨ Who do you think will be taking home a Golden Finish Award this October?

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23/08/2026

10 years of The Dulux Academy!💫

Come & celebrate on

Saturday 12th September
from 10am.

It’s a circus theme with some of the best known brands giving away loads of freebies,

Food, drinks and a good old catch up with faces old and new.

Tickets are Free and available from the link in the comments..

Once they are gone.. they are gone!!


Dulux Academy

21/08/2026

🤣🤣..

I said it yesterday..
She has put the graft in,
Even had the pleasure of a carpet gripper across the fingers too today 🤣🤣..

This sums up how this week has been😳

I have been super quiet as I have had my head fully submerged in learning and getting stuck in 👍

I will update you on my first month very soon😅

20/08/2026

This job!!!!
This effin wood work!!!

It’s been a few years since something has almost broken me..

They don’t make products like they used to..

The varnish fought us even with 80g pads..

Miles of sand paper used..

Then today we pulled out the varnish st****er today..

Final day of prep tomoz..
8 doors & frames 2 windows, a ‘normal painted’ front door,
1 radiator
All the skirts, stringers, loft hatch, picture rail.. and
3 million spindles, 5 newel posts and some beautiful handrails..

I’ve properly chucked Boardroom to Brush under the bus on this one.. and Colour My Home who helped us for 3 days!!

This to me is old school.. we did loads of it when I was a young en!!

It’s nice but the body is certainly feeling it!!

Mega hats off to Laura.. not a winge out of her.. keen to get it done and excited by the process..
sore hands & shoulders, no finger prints left..

All she keeps saying is.. when can we start painting 😂

19/08/2026

Cheat code unlocked!!

Such a handy accessory to the Mirka UK Ltd Deos,

Imagine all the areas you can’t usually reach!!

Easy to fit and remove

17/08/2026

Happy Monday all,

Back to the house with the dark blue room but this time in the H/S/L,

Tonnes of varnished wood so I’m just seeing how it all behaves on various surfaces.. it’s solid to be fair so I’ll only need a light pad, clean and a super grip primer!!

What’s your go to Primer in this situation?

I know what I’m using but always good to hear opinions 👍