iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Front door high gloss. I applied my top coat gloss with a microfibre mini roller sleeve, and instantly ‘layed off’ the paint with a Staalmeester 1 Series brush.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Before & after. This porch is one I finished today. Finished in Sikkens XD Gloss. My go-to for all exterior woodwork. Gutter & fascia finished in soft sheen black. I also restored the door furniture to finish it all off. Step was stripped back & finished in Sadolin Exta wood stain.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I wanted to help my client to improve the appearance of their exterior light & was happy to do as a gesture. A simple removal of the glass, cleaned & polished. And I then prepped & painted the light using Beddec MSP paint in soft sheen. Restore, don’t replace.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Today I started next door to the property I’ve just redecorated externally. This time, the front door is white gloss.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

High gloss. Personally, I love this colour. So many front doors are within the same range. Lots of greens at the moment. Now this original Victorian front door is back to its former glory.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Oil gloss after many hours of work fine tuning the surface and building up coats (6 in total) with a high grade sand between coats. This is using Dulux Weathersheild Gloss.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Well, that fell apart quicker than… Insert your own line.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Today I sanded the primed (white woodwork) after a 2nd fill. The front door was sanded after the filler cured overnight & this is the first coat on the front door finish. This will be filled finely tomorrow & I’ll then be closer to finishing the door. Do you like the colour…?

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Staalmeester brushes are handmade in Amsterdam and are by far, my favourite brushes to use. Particularly when painting a front door in a high gloss finish.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Today: polished the letterbox & step. First coat of primer applied which highlights imperfections. Filled the door, ready to sand smooth tomorrow. It’s about eliminating imperfections, sinking points & removing nibs. This is paramount when applying a gloss finish. Colour - Mulberry Burst.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Bringing this brass step back to life.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

My current project in Wimbledon. Gutters cleaned. Canopy and woodwork prep, front door striped back to reveal the fine details. Door furniture will be polished and restored. Likely to be a shade of green on the door…

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Rot always goes deeper than many realise!

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

This is before prep on the left and the first coat of primer. Hand applied brush work takes time to master without runs.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

For a while now, I’ve used ChatGPT to create images to show my client what colour ) finish options could potentially look like. Whether I’m painting a room, door or kitchen units. It’s a helpful tool to give enough idea to base a decision on. Consider using it too at home.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Taking this front door back to its bare and starting again. This is my favourite time to do exteriors. Not too hot but still warm enough for products to dry at a good rate. Colour yet to be decided.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I certainly didn’t expect this to happen. Pleased to have made it this far, regardless of if I actually win. ☺️

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Just heard today is the last day that the sun sets after 8pm until 2027…

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

This was a job I throughly enjoyed. Little Greene shades used throughout.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Today I visited & photographed one of the most striking combinations in Morlaix: the 15th–16th-century Église Saint-Mélaine with the enormous 19th-century railway viaduct passing directly behind it. I was in my element admiring the engineering & in wonder of the medieval architecture.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

And as you can see, the side panels have simple incised line work rather than applied mouldings, another feature seen on many original painted softwood surrounds. These details I did my best to bring back from many years of heavy paint applied over the years mix making them more visible once again.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

I’ve throughly enjoyed restoring this original fireplace surround. The corbels have a typical late Victorian shape with the fluted scrolls & acanthus leaf detail. The centre tablet with the roundel & incised decoration is a common Victorian design, particularly from around the 1880–1900 period.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Finished in Sikkens XD High Gloss. All old paint removed from glass & then polished once the paint had dried using HG glass cleaner. Step repaired & treated using Sadolin Extra in their ‘Teak’ stain.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

These doors will have the shine level of 10 Downing St once I’m finished with them. Oh, but in white!

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Before & after. Colour: Farrow & Ball ‘Litchen’ - a timeless classic.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

I’ve said this before. We need to consider using it too. @mrjamesob.bsky.social @lbc.co.uk

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

A nice colour change over here in central Wimbledon. Keeping in theme with the tennis, obviously.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Here is a room I painted by hand. My client wanted this exact design and colour combination. Really pleased with the results if I say so myself.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Throughly enjoyed this one. Ceiling rose & fireplace restored back to their former glory. 140 years old approximately. Shutters taken back & refinished. All repairs taken care of. Finished in Farrow & Ball ‘Cord’ & ‘Pigeon’ - www.grb-interiors.co.uk for anyone interested in my services.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Last week some people were arguing school children shouldn’t miss school just because of the heat, yet are now calling for them to have Monday off because of the football… @nickferrarilbc.bsky.social @lbc.co.uk

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Farrow & Ball ‘Pigeon’ is a wonderful choice for the shutters. Will dry back a soft & subtle eggshell finish.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Progress on the shutters. Beautifully crafted & standing the test of time. I believe it’s my custodial duty to ensure this workmanship is restored & refinished to go on furthermore, as intended.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Let’s take a moment to appreciate this beautiful set of plantation shutters. These shutters are folding, bi-fold leaves that recess into the deep window reveal. This was a common feature in well-built houses before curtains became the primary window covering. Roughly between 1790-1880.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Usage of heat-reflective paint globally is on the rise. United States, China & India are among the fastest-growing users of heat-reflective paint/cool-roof coatings. @mrjamesob.bsky.social @lbc.co.uk

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Blue passports and happy to queue for longer so they can be blue in colour. @mrjamesob.bsky.social @lbc.co.uk

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

I hate this notion trades men/working class men are ‘like this’ .. @mrjamesob.bsky.social @lbc.co.uk

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Before you apply your final coat I would highly recommend a final gentle sand using Mirca GoldFlex sanding pads. This is like a ‘final polish’ if you like before you apply the top coat. This really makes a huge difference.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

This is way I’m a big fan of up-cycling. Redecorate not replace.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

No AI here. Just years of teaching myself & learning from many mistakes made along the way.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

These wipes are excellent. One smooth side/the other slightly textured. I use for bothe cleaning prior to sanding. Removes grease etc with ease. Plus ideal for final removal of dust prior to priming/painting. If you turn the pack over, the moisture inside soaks the top layers more ready to use.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

When painting cupboards, remove the doors & hinges. Finish the doors on the inside & then refit. Then, apply the top coat on the outside of the doors. This reduces ‘handling’ of the doors once they’ve been painted. I’ve made the mistake of painting doors fully & then trying to refit.

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Gary Burton @theofficialgrb.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Just when I thought the questioner was taking the Micky. @mrjamesob.bsky.social @lbc.co.uk

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