Many painting contractors are open to offering customers the newest finishes – popular painting can be profitable painting. So could disinfecting be the next decorative finishing. Maybe.

Necessity is the mother of invention, and these unsettled times are prompting some painting contractors to launch new services and guide their businesses in new directions. Such is the case for Zach Kenney of ZK Painting in Rhode Island. Kenney has launched a successful disinfecting service amid the pandemic.

He uses an airless sprayer to apply a commercial disinfectant, purchased from a cleaning supply company. He’s attracted several regular, repeat customers, such as retail stores, a funeral home, and private residences.

There are many products on the market that claim to be a disinfectant. Kenney cautions contractors to choose carefully. He had several conversations with the manufacturer before settling on a disinfectant, saying he wanted to be confident he was applying an effective product and certainly one that will kill coronavirus.

To sufficiently eliminate the virus, most disinfectants must remain wet on surfaces for at least 10 seconds. So this work is not blow and go. “We spray like we’re spraying gloss paint everywhere,” says Kenney.

Care and caution must be taken by both contractors and their workers, including wearing appropriate PPE. For Kenney, that includes disinfecting workers before and after the process, wearing gloves and full-face respirators, and disposing of Tyvek suits after each use.

Kenney’s crew applies the disinfectant only when spaces are vacant and recommends clients avoid areas for two hours.

The CDC has a page that outlines proper cleaning and disinfecting techniques.