'I followed your instructions to the letter': Painter maliciously complies with boss's orders to use corrosive paint, costs boss a fortune to fix

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Jul 5, 2024 2:00 PM EDT

How many times do things need to go wrong in order for bosses to listen to their employees? This painter tried to warn his boss that using water-based paint on metal would cause the metal to rust. Of course, he was not only ignored, but his boss was insistent that he follow her orders. Well, the painter decided to comply but was smart enough to get it in writing that he was ordered by his boss to use this specific paint.

Let's just say it was not the right time for his boss to flex her authority just for the sake of asserting her control over him because the paint rusted very quickly and the whole job ended up looking like a botched operation. At the very least, the painter got something out of it because from now on, his boss always asked for his input before enforcing the details of subsequent paint jobs. 

Keep scrolling below for the full story and for the best reactions from folks in the comments section. For more, check out this post about a Karen who went on sick leave after receiving the slightest bit of constructive criticism.

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  • 01
    "They wanted me to use water based paint on metal. I did."
    via David Pisnoy
  • 02
    So this happened about a month ago. So I work as an industrial painter (I paint machinery) and typically when ever I get a job they tell me what paint to use
    via u/Ok_Temperature_6962
  • 03
    and color but on this very day I got an atypical job in which they wanted me to use water based paint (latex) on a carbon steel job.
    via u/Ok_Temperature_6962
  • 04
    Now I went to my boss and told her this won't work because this paint will make it rust but she said "I don't care just use the paint there going to be here next week"
    via u/Ok_Temperature_6962
  • 05
    I got her to write down the paint I was to use with her signature and said sure.
    via u/Ok_Temperature_6962
  • 06
    If you don't understand putting water on a rustable metal I generally a bad idea as rust ruining not only the paint job but possibly weaking the metal itself. I did my job after a day of prep work I painted it and let it sit for a couple of days
    via u/Ok_Temperature_6962
  • 07
    to dry and cure and a week after that she came up to me expressing how it looks horrible as the rust was showing through the metal.
    via u/Ok_Temperature_6962
  • 08
    I said I followed your instructions to the letter and told her again that water and air will make metal rust.
    via u/Ok_Temperature_6962
  • 09
    After a little back and forth she concided that she was in the wrong but asked how do we fix it. Best option sand blast it get all the paint off and use an oil based paint (it was enamel) to.
    via u/Ok_Temperature_6962
  • 10
    She got me the sand I needed and now she trust me when I say it's not going to work it won't work. So that's my story.
    via u/Ok_Temperature_6962
  • 11
    mocha_lattes_ · 4 hr. ago Sadly I bet the owners of the machinery ate that cost instead of the boss..
    via u/Ok_Temperature_6962
  • 12
    Ok Temperature_ 6962 OP 4 hr. ago I wish I could tell you yes but I honestly don't know lol
    via u/Ok_Temperature_6962
  • 13
    erichwanh 4 hr. ago . She got me the sand I needed and now she trust me when I say it's not going to work it won't work. I like this story. You got instructions, you got written CYA material, you did it to the letter, boss learned her lesson, no drama.
    via u/Ok_Temperature_6962
  • 14
    Ok Temperature_ 6962 OP 3 hr. ago She really isn't a bad boss she likes to please the customers obviously but she's fair and kind to her employees
    via u/Ok_Temperature_6962
  • 15
    trip6s6i6x. 2 hr. ago Anytime someone asks you to put something in writing, you should be concerned enough to second guess what it is you're asking.
    via u/Ok_Temperature_6962
  • 16
    michele-x 3 hr. ago I think you can use water-based paint on iron surfaces, provided that you put before a suitable primer and wait until completely dry. Even for car bodyworks water based paints are used.
    via u/Ok_Temperature_6962
  • 17
    Double-Mouse-407. 1 hr. ago. edited 27 min. ago I've been painting and working for paint manufacturer for the last for 25 years and I'm scratching my head hard over this.... never once have I heard of water based paint causing rust, it certainly won't protect from rust appropriately, but if rust is showing so soon after applying the product, the rust was there already.
    via u/Ok_Temperature_6962

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workplace-stories work stories toxic-workplace job malicious compliance work malicious-compliance-reddit workplace reddit thread Reddit toxic-work-environment
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