Appreciation post: That time a homeowner in Bend asked me to leave the screw dimples

I was finishing a basement rec room for a family in Bend last month, and the guy asked if I could leave the screw heads a little proud instead of burying them. He said he liked the 'industrial' look and wanted to paint right over them. I was sure it would look wrong, but after the primer and paint went on, the whole wall had this cool, even texture that hid the seams way better than I thought. Has anyone else had a client ask for something like that, and did it turn out okay?

3 comments

3 Comments

faithb782mo ago

Being the pro who tells them why it's bad" is the hardest part of the job sometimes. You just know you'll be the one getting called back when it fails.

grant.richard2mo ago

Gotta be honest, that sounds like a total hack job waiting to happen. Leaving screws proud is just asking for trouble down the road, paint or no paint. That texture will catch dust and look grubby in a year, and good luck fixing a dent without making a huge mess. Some clients get a wild idea and you gotta be the pro who tells them why it's bad, not just go along with it.

barbarahill2mo ago

Actually saw that exact thing in a high-end loft once. They used a thick roller nap and a matte finish, and it held up fine. Key is using the right paint so it doesn't chip.

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