The Kilted Painter comes onboard as Smith & Rodger’s first brand ambassador
Smith & Rodger, manufacturer of problem-solving products Blockade, Flow & Bond and Rocktop, has a new launch, and this one wears a kilt!
The company has a network of loyal, talented decorators that use their products, so developing a brand ambassador programme seemed like the next logical step.
Craig Murphy, or Murph the Kilted Painter, has come on board as a brand ambassador in Scotland. Hailing from the Highlands, Craig is a painter in Granton-On-Spey and does all of his decorating, interior and exterior, in his trademark kilt!
We caught up with Murph for a chat.
How did you discover Smith & Rodger products?
I was looking for an alternative shellac-based stainblocker and found Blockade online - I tried it and was very impressed with the superior coverage and opacity at a competitive price. I created a video review on tiktok and Ian McAslan from Smith & Rodger saw it and reached out. We have met many times since, including the National Painting & Decorating show in Coventry and The Painting & Decorating show in Edinburgh. I even managed to tie in a gig visit to Glasgow with a Smith & Rodger factory tour!
What Smith & Rodger products do you use and where?
So Blockade has been my go-to stainblocker since I discovered it a few years ago. Flow & Bond I find really useful for use with masonry paint, and I use Rocktop when I need a good floor varnish.
What are your go-to coatings that we would find in your van right now?
Well Smith & Rodgers products of course, Crown Clean Extreme and Johnstone’s Aqua Guard
How did the kilt thing come about?
I was invited to Johnstones HQ for testing in Leeds, and I suddenly thought “I wonder if you get white kilts for decorating..and you do! I ordered one and it’s been my thing ever since! That was a year ago. The funny thing is that it didn't actually arrive in time for the Leeds visit, but I recorded some content with https://www.thetalkingtradesman.co.uk/ and it arrived in time for that appearance, which was actually on the same day a year ago that my Faking It episode airs on Channel 5.
We have to ask…how do you get away with wearing a kilt up ladders?
Let’s just say that when I’m working outdoors and up ladders, all appropriate PPE is worn!
And you are on the next episode of Faking it on channel 5! How exciting! How did that come about?
A casting agency was actually recruiting for the show and had seen some of my content on instagram. They got in touch to say they thought I’d be perfect for the show and I should apply. I went through an in-depth process of interviews and even met a psychiatrist, and luckily they all agreed I would be ideal! In my episode I’m trained up to be a make-up artist..I’m so excited to see everyone’s reaction to the episode which airs tonight!
Will we be seeing you swapping paint brushes for make up brushes any time soon?
Well, you’ll need to wait and see how the episode turns out! Watch channel 5 tonight at 10pm!
You can watch painter and decorator Craig swap the Scottish Highlands for busy London, as he trades paint brushes for make-up brushes to become a high-fashion make-up artist in Faking It, on Channel 5 at 10pm on Tuesday 3rd June 2025 here: https://www.channel5.com/show/faking-it/season-1/episode-3
You can find Craig at https://www.instagram.com/murph_the_kilted_painter/
Smith & Rodger will soon be looking for brand ambassadors to cover the rest of the UK. Watch this space!
NEW! Ultra Matt - a DEAD flat matt finish to complete the Rocktop range
We are delighted to announce the launch of an additional finish to the popular Rocktop Multi-Surface Clearcoat range - Ultra Matt. This dead flat matt finish joins the Matt, Satin and Gloss finishes launched in 2020 that have proved popular with the trade.
Ideal for use on high traffic areas like wooden floors, kitchen worktops, and painted and wallpapered surfaces, Rocktop is non-yellowing and quick drying. Ultra Matt has the additional bonus of looking ‘barely there’ so is ideal for surfaces where protection is needed, without changing the appearance of the substrate.
Ian McAslan, Managing Director at Smith & Rodger said “We are delighted to launch Ultra Matt in response to customer demand for a finish that protects surfaces without adding a sheen, for a strong but subtle finish. Surfaces like brick, stone or wallpaper can be protected without it being obvious that the layer of protection has been added.
We have spent a significant amount of time working on the formulation to ensure maximum scrubbability and protection, and we are confident that Ultra Matt meets the needs of the market. We have had some great feedback from early users and look forward to hearing more from the trade!”
Feedback from decorators that tested the product included the following thoughts: “From the outset, I’ve been extremely impressed with the durability of the finish. I carried out a basic scratch test using a coin, and the coating held up superbly – not a mark to be seen. This gives me great confidence in its performance on high-traffic areas or surfaces that are prone to wear and tear.”
“One feature that really stood out to me is how well the product maintains the natural appearance of bare timber. Unlike many finishes that tend to darken or tint the substrate, Rocktop Ultra Matt keeps the timber’s original colour intact, which is a huge advantage for jobs where maintaining the natural look is key.”
Rocktop Ultra Matt hits the market today, 14th May 2025. Rocktop is available from many stockists around the UK and Ireland including Crown Decorating Centres, Dulux Decorating Centres, Brewers Decorating Centres, The Paint Shed, and independents.
Join us at the Scottish Painting and Decorating Show!
Smith & Rodger will be exhibiting again at the Scottish Painting & Decorating Show this year! Join us at Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club on 22nd March to see the best of the decorating industry in Scotland.
We will be there with our newest addition to the problem-solving product family - Flow & Bond, alongside Blockade and Rocktop.
Ian McAslan, Managing Director at Smith & Rodger said “We are delighted to see Flow & Bond and Rocktop doing so well with painters & decorators. We love seeing people share their videos and reviews on social media, and are working with some great stockists for all of our products. We look forward to meeting more people and hearing their views at the Scottish Painting and Decorating Show on 22nd March!”
Doors open 9:30am and close at 4pm.
Rocktop: Why buy 4 products when 1 will do it all?
Rocktop is an extra-tough clearcoat that seals, protects and enhances most surfaces.
Got some high traffic wooden floors that need to be protected? Use Rocktop.
Upcycling some furniture with paint and need some extra protection so that it won’t scuff? Use Rocktop.
Exposing some brickwork as a feature, or have stone surfaces to protect? Use Rocktop.
Got wooden doors, kitchen worktops or skirting boards that need to be varnished? Use Rocktop.
Well, you get the idea. Rocktop has been formulated to withstand high wear, and dries to give a protective clearcoat. It’s waterbased so it won’t yellow like traditional varnishes. It can be used on a multitude of surfaces - you can even use it on wallpaper to protect it from grubby fingerprints!
Rocktop is available in 3 finishes - Matt, Satin and Gloss and is available in 1L ,2.5L and 5L Matt, Satin and Gloss finishes.
You can buy Rocktop from our online shop, Dulux Decorators Centres, The Paint Shed and many independent stockists throughout the UK and Ireland.
Introducing flow & Bond
Our newest product Flow & Bond!
Introducing our newest product - Flow & Bond!
A 10:1 Bonding Primer to mix into all water-based masonry & interior paints to aid adhesion, flow & coverage. Use on:
Masonry,
UPVC & Plastic,
Plaster,
Wood,
Glass and
Varnished Surfaces.
Flow & Bond will be available through 200 Brewers Decorators Centres from 1st December 2023! Also available direct from the Smith & Rodger website.
Feedback from users so far has been fantastic and we are happy to see so many people giving it a shot! Samples of Flow & Bond were also part of the Brewers goody bag at the Painting & Decorating show so we look forward to hearing how and where it has been used. Let us know with #flowandbond on social media!
Blockade to be stocked in brewers from December!
Blockade has a brand new stockist!
We are delighted to announce that Blockade will now be available in over 200 Brewers Decorator Centres throughout the UK.
From 1st December, our one coat Shellac Sealer Primer, Blockade will be on shelves in Brewers Decorators Centres.
This development now takes us to over 700 stores and we would to thank everyone of those for your continued, valued support.
Blockade White Shellac Sealer Primer provides excellent adhesion to almost all interior surfaces such as previously coated and new wood, plaster, drywall, porous wallcoverings, metal and tile and requires minimal preparation before use.
Blockade permanently kill stains and odours, seal knots and covers damage from water smoke and mould. It is available in 5L, 2.5L, 1L and 500ml.
Painting & Decorating Show 2023
Come and see us at the Painting & Decorating show!
Excitement is building towards the 2023 National Painting & Decorating Show. We have a couple of big announcements to make on the first morning and Ian, Stephen & Rory can't wait to see as many people as possible on Stand 27.
We’ll be there with Blockade, our one coat Shellac Sealer Primer. Blockade is ideal for use on all interior woodwork & plaster where a rapid matt finish is required. It covers glossy & hard to paint surfaces such as tile, varnish or gloss paints with no sanding needed. The pure shellac base permanently blocks odours including nicotine, smoke & mould.
We will also be showcasing Rocktop, An extra tough clearcoat that seals, protects and enhances most surfaces. Rocktop has been expertly formulated for even the most high traffic areas in the home.
We may have a few other things to talk about too……
See you there?