Paint mistakes

I took umbrage at the comment in

Sunday magazine’s Up and Down column regarding ‘‘straight guy’’ painters (June 17).

I have just retired after 36 years of being a ‘‘straight guy’’ painter and I can assure you that sexual preference has no bearing on mistakes that can be made with house colours. The trade apprenticeship for painting and decorating is 4000 hours and includes learning about all aspects of colour.

I have been asked to remedy amateurs’ colour choices and have seen some dreadful blunders made. I always aimed to give a flawless finish and ‘‘slapping it on the wall’’ would be an insult to the customer and beneath a tradesperson.

Lindsay Johnston, Auckland