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          Linda, et.al.:
 
          I have used a San Diego company for our electrostatic
          painting needs for more than two decades. Perhaps it's
          because I'm very fastidious about the quality of these jobs,
          but I've never been satisfied with the finished product from
          this outfit;  the only such firm around here crazy enough to
          accept a UCSD purchase order.  I fault this company for
          poor surface preparation, wrong color selection, and sloppy
          application of the paint.  Instead of using a medium coarse
          320 grit sandpaper, they use one of those green scotch
          abrasive pads.  Rust is never fully removed and this always
          guarantees that the surface will be blotchy and the new
          paint will peel off very soon.  I have about three different
          shades of the original (Hamilton) sand beige from their jobs
          on our map cases.  The last job they did for me the finish
          on the map cases was flat instead of gloss.   I get the
          impression they pay their workers minimum wage and quality
          control is largely absent.  If you have rusty equipment to
          be painted you should write the work order so that the prep
          work prior to painting be examined by someone on your side.
          Make sure the finisher will stand behind their work and that
          you tell them up-front you will not pay the P.O. until
          you're completely happy with the job.  Your administration
          will not likely give you funds later on to have your map
          cases repainted because the warranty expired and the paint
          is now peeling off rusty surfaces.  Good luck.
          - PML