Traveling barn painters

[TN Hillbilly]

We've had some traveling barn painters out of SC working in our community the last few weeks. Did a barn roof for my FIL 2 weeks ago. I broke down and had them paint this one for me. Reasonable price, and it was one of those jobs I kept meaning to do but somehow kept putting off. 3 hrs and a few $ and its done. I know barn painters have had a mixed reputation, at least in the past, but these guys seem honest enough. They left 6 empty 5 gal buckets of barn and fence red paint, and that's not shorting the paint, in my opinion. Guy said he'd been traveling, painting barns for 30 years. Any of y'all have traveling barn painters?

[766 Man]

18 minutes ago, TN Hillbilly said:

We've had some traveling barn painters out of SC working in our community the last few weeks. Did a barn roof for my FIL 2 weeks ago. I broke down and had them paint this one for me. Reasonable price, and it was one of those jobs I kept meaning to do but somehow kept putting off. 3 hrs and a few $ and its done. I know barn painters have had a mixed reputation, at least in the past, but these guys seem honest enough. They left 6 empty 5 gal buckets of barn and fence red paint, and that's not shorting the paint, in my opinion. Guy said he'd been traveling, painting barns for 30 years. Any of y'all have traveling barn painters?

  Yep, and like you said there are honest ones and there are crooks.  Most of either type don't tend to last long in the business.  

[stronger800]

Here in NY, we’ve  been having a guy from Kentucky, his name is Pete, big guy, do stuff for close to 30 years.  Before that,I’d seen some sketchy things.  Like guys “painting” a silo roof by climbing up on top and literally pouring paint on it.   Came out looking…just like you’d imagine. 500% coverage in a few spots. 0% on most others. 
 

[Sledgehammer]

57 minutes ago, stronger800 said:

Here in NY, we’ve  been having a guy from Kentucky, his name is Pete, big guy, do stuff for close to 30 years.  Before that,I’d seen some sketchy things.  Like guys “painting” a silo roof by climbing up on top and literally pouring paint on it.   Came out looking…just like you’d imagine. 500% coverage in a few spots. 0% on most others. 
 

Pete Mack?

There is a fellow from the south who comes up around here every year and does barns and roofs.  Been coming for years and years. Does a pretty good job.  

[stronger800]

Not the same Pete.  I didn’t want to post my guy’s last name.  

 

[Sledgehammer]

3 minutes ago, stronger800 said:

Not the same Pete.  I didn’t want to post my guy’s last name.  

 

That's fine. I figured it was a long shot but wanted to ask. I don't mind posting this guys name because he shows up and does a good job. Always handing out business cards also so I can't imagine he would care. 

[1965Dennis]

I had one stop several years ago. Barn roof was starting to turn brown and my wife didn't want me on the roof so I had him do it. He cut the silver with diesel fuel and within 3 months, it was washing off and the old rust was showing. 3 years ago, I had a different guy stopped. I had a million questions but he said he didn't even know of the other guy. I told him I wanted straight out of the bucket paint, not colored diesel fuel and he said he would do that. We signed a written contract with paint brand and color, straight from the bucket, several other things. He said his jobs come with a lifetime guarantee. Had his painter do the walls in res and I watched. Still looking good. Salesman that he is, he started asking about any neighbors I would recommend. When I walked away, I see the Tin Man (painter covered in the silver paint, don't know what skin color) had left an open bucket that had a smell different from paint sitting by the back of the truck. I told the salesman this was not what was agreed on and if he is not off my property in 5 minutes, I was calling the police. I talked with local police and the State attorney General's office with my contract and lots of pictures. They said they located the person on the card, but he lives in another state so not much Indiana can do. 

[1256pickett]

They really are hit and miss. Dad had one when I was younger that was a real fly by night guy. He wasn’t too upset because he basically got what he paid for it wasn’t a total ripoff. He did chase them off for quite a few years after that though.
Then he had one stop and offer to do barn roof. It needed it. Got to talking to the guy and said he was local and did everything with a brush, the paint he used was textured. I think it took him a week between the brushing on and the weather. When he was done and doing paperwork they realized dad and him were born in same hospital days apart. He had gone to catholic school and dad went to public so they never knew each other. He did a real good job. 
couple other fly by nights have done the barn walls and a grain bin or two and they did decent jobs. The one bin they had so much overspray on the bin next to it dad had them do that one too for half price. They already had it half done. 

[Dirt_Floor_Poor]

There aren’t many wood barns around here. There used to be guys that would stop by and want to paint galvanized tin that was starting to rust. There were a ton of buildings built here decades ago with “Strongbarn” brand tin. We hired a few over the years and most did an ok job. They were always so cheap, we figured even if it only lasted a few years we did alright. I haven’t seen any come by for 10 years probably. There also used to be a traveling guy that would sell cattle panels and gates. The last time he came through, he said it just cost too much to travel and he wasn’t making any money anymore. I believe he was from Kentucky. 

[Matt Kirsch]

I wasn't aware that there was such a thing as an honest barn painter. We had a few stop in here over the years, especially early on, and Dad and Mom would always run them off. For one thing we didn't have money for that, for another thing the barn wood was in such poor shape even then it wouldn't hold paint, for a third thing they'd heard the stories about people hiring these travelling con men, having the barn look beautiful when they left, only for the paint to fade away within hours.

Never seen any "barn and fence paint" that was worth a hoot either. Dad tried to paint the house red with barn and fence paint from Tractor Supply about 10 years ago. It went on the house like slightly red water. He quit after painting about 3 square feet, put the lid back on the bucket, and took it back. Garbage. Ended up using expensive Benjamin Moore

[M35A2]

Here in SE Iowa, we used to see several southern barn and bin painters show up in the summer.  They would come here around late June to early July and depart by August 1.  Smooth talking southern "gentelemen" driving brand new trucks,prefectly clean owner, and then a crew of painters in trucks that were at least 30+ years old and coated in barn red and silver paint.  The crew itself tended to be of other ethnicity but drenched in silver paint, quite often would only say yes sur, or no sur.  Kind of got the feeling many of them had little to no education or were borderline special education needs.     Did an ok job most of the time.  Usually property owners would have them paint something just to get the salesman out of their hair.  Normally old government bins got painted, and metal roofs.  One guy I worked for in high school said that they were shysters, but the cost of what he paid them was significantly less than what it would cost him to buy paint and send me up to paint with a brush or roller.    Paint jobs lasted a few years at most.  But he said it was cheaper in the long haul to give them some money for work than to have them come in the middle of the night and steal a few hogs or tools.  He was speaking from experience.      Last time I saw a crew come through was maybe in 2002 or 2003.  They came to the elevator to buy diesel fuel from us, and wanted to make a deal to paint all of the propane tanks the co-op had in the country.   Seemed to have been the same guys I remember as they were still driving the 1965 Chevy truck with the paint equipment, and missing more of the body.   

[Alan Dinan]

Dad had several different guys stop by over the years and he would usually have them paint something. One guy in particular was good about using straight paint and it would last, so when he pulled in, he would get more work. He would show up about every third year and dad would hire his crew. Other guys that I remember him hiring, before that guy, the paint smelled like gas. They never got back on a roof.

[highcotton]

The ones from SC are gypsies- live around 30-45 minutes from me. Nobody here will deal with them, either paint washes off with the first rain or you’re missing stuff when they leave. 

[stronger800]

On 4/7/2025 at 9:39 AM, Dirt_Floor_Poor said:

There aren’t many wood barns around here. There used to be guys that would stop by and want to paint galvanized tin that was starting to rust. There were a ton of buildings built here decades ago with “Strongbarn” brand tin. We hired a few over the years and most did an ok job. They were always so cheap, we figured even if it only lasted a few years we did alright. I haven’t seen any come by for 10 years probably. There also used to be a traveling guy that would sell cattle panels and gates. The last time he came through, he said it just cost too much to travel and he wasn’t making any money anymore. I believe he was from Kentucky. 

Gate guy Daryl?!  we use to get  all of our gates, and he was from Kentucky.   

[Dirt_Floor_Poor]

42 minutes ago, stronger800 said:

Gate guy Daryl?!  we use to get  all of our gates, and he was from Kentucky.   

His name was Tommy D. I haven’t seen him in years. 

[FoxrunFarms02]

When I 1st moved out to my place. I came home to a group of Hispanics walking around. They claimed to be painters and wanted to paint my shed that had a rusty roof. I assumed it was a cover story and they were scoping things out. I asked for a business card. They had one and a flyer. Legit website, Facebook page, and phone number...... or they really did their homework to scope and rob places.

2 summers ago 8:30 at night someone was knocking on the door. It was a college kid who got a job painting barns in the summer and he said " I see your barn needs a paint job" and does a whole song and dance. I said " you can see that in the pitch dark? But I'm guessing you didn't see the collapsed roof?"

 

The crew that took down my barn was kind of rough around the edges, and did the bare minimum of what they promised but they paid me, and were polite dealing with my wife.

The 2nd guy who came, you could smell he was crook. Rough looking, cocky, song and dance of extra money, building a table for my wife. I was going to ask for the money upfront or a contract but figured if he wanted to scavenge through what was left of the barn more power to him. He really cleaned things up for me, but of course 3 days later and trailer loads of wood never came back, didn't answer calls or texts  and when he finally did I was the bad guy, he was coming back, he doesn't do business this way, he didn't make any money off the wood, payment got lost in the mail etc. Unfortunately I had the hay trolley set off to the side and that walked off ironically when he was working. Again he cleaned up a lot of stuff so can't get too mad.

 

It's hard to find good honest true people anymore especially in that line of work. Everyone is just looking for an easy dollar.

[1480x3]

Have used the same guy, Billy Sherlock, from SC for over 30 yrs. He comes around most years, but was a no show for about 3 yrs around 2015. His competitors from SC said he had some "troubles" back home and wouldn't be back, but he is. Had a local guy, known him all my life offer to do roof painting but amish could put new metal on cheaper so waited on Billy.  Whatever he quotes i offer about half & he accepts, just adjusts the paint/diesel ratio i figure. Sometimes i give him a check at the time of agreement & sometimes he stops in a few days after the crew finished the job. I figure a cheap job every 5 or so yrs is better than a more expensive job every 20 yrs. The local guy wanted $8000 and Billy does it for $350. Back in the 90s i was haggling on the price & i told him if he wont drop that last $50 you got to paint my truck too. Had a 1986 F-250 diesel 4x4 sittin there. Tossed a blue tarp over the cab to cover windows, slammed a feed bag in front corners of hood drooping down over headlights, same with tailgate for rear lights, & put a sack over westcoast trailering mirrors. She looked like a chrome truck, even the tires as she set in the bright sun reflecting into the local farmer lunch cafe 30 minutes later. Interesting conversation at lunch that day.  When the crew comes to paint & the "boss" is gone give each of the "tin men" a $20 tip & tell them to go light on the diesel

[1965Dennis]

I tried to offer one of the tin men a bottle of water and he got irate with me. Said he thought I should give him some beer. None have been around for a few years. I guess I should get ready for them this year again. Still, no beer. If someone is a recovering alcoholic, I sure don't want to cause him to go off the wagon.

[supermpuller]

On 4/7/2025 at 9:08 AM, 1965Dennis said:

I had one stop several years ago. Barn roof was starting to turn brown and my wife didn't want me on the roof so I had him do it. He cut the silver with diesel fuel and within 3 months, it was washing off and the old rust was showing. 3 years ago, I had a different guy stopped. I had a million questions but he said he didn't even know of the other guy. I told him I wanted straight out of the bucket paint, not colored diesel fuel and he said he would do that. We signed a written contract with paint brand and color, straight from the bucket, several other things. He said his jobs come with a lifetime guarantee. Had his painter do the walls in res and I watched. Still looking good. Salesman that he is, he started asking about any neighbors I would recommend. When I walked away, I see the Tin Man (painter covered in the silver paint, don't know what skin color) had left an open bucket that had a smell different from paint sitting by the back of the truck. I told the salesman this was not what was agreed on and if he is not off my property in 5 minutes, I was calling the police. I talked with local police and the State attorney General's office with my contract and lots of pictures. They said they located the person on the card, but he lives in another state so not much Indiana can do. 

I had the same problem with painters from SC.

[yellowrosefarm]

I'm just curious since I've never had a chance to talk to painters like this.  Most of the complaints I see here have to do with the quality of the paint. Can you buy the paint and just pay them for the labor, or would you have to be there to watch and see they didn't dilute that and take the rest to another job?  The biggest scam around here is for seal coating an asphalt driveway, which I will never have to worry about. An older lady across the street from me who is usually pretty savvy about getting work done just paid $13,000 to have hers coated. About $10,000 too much.

[1480x3]

My painter began sealing asphalt the last 3 to 4 yrs ago too, he leaves his paint trucks & asphalt trailer at my place for a few nights when in the neighborhood.

[Jacka]

A guy stopped wasn't a week after i bought the farm almost 40 years ago. He painted and nailed down the roofs did okay.But he was supposed to come back and do some flashing after built a flue on the house.I had to chase him down 2 or 3 months later after he wouldn't return my calls.His eyes where big when he opened the door to his house and I was standing there.He did come back and did a crappy job.But after him I have painters show up every year.I however rented a man lift 2 years ago screwed and painted the barns and house roofs with black roof coating.It was the best money I ever spent.I did it myself,screwed every sheet down.Coated it all and it was done right or the best that could have been done meaning it's a old roof.I just wouldn't trust someone to do it because how would I know if they did it right. They might put one screw in to my 20.I just know the winds we have that roof would have been gone off of the barn.I hate to think what a 50x70 roof would cost to do both sides to the peak.

[Alisa]

On 4/6/2025 at 9:58 PM, TN Hillbilly said:

We've had some traveling barn painters out of SC working in our community the last few weeks. Did a barn roof for my FIL 2 weeks ago. I broke down and had them paint this one for me. Reasonable price, and it was one of those jobs I kept meaning to do but somehow kept putting off. 3 hrs and a few $ and its done. I know barn painters have had a mixed reputation, at least in the past, but these guys seem honest enough. They left 6 empty 5 gal buckets of barn and fence red paint, and that's not shorting the paint, in my opinion. Guy said he'd been traveling, painting barns for 30 years. Any of y'all have traveling barn painters?

Hi do you have those traveling barn painters from SC  contact information?