T.J. Sorkness, owner of Professional Paint & Finish LLC of Kalispell, volunteered to remove the graffiti from the Seeley Lake Ranger District damage that was estimated at $1,500 excluding materials.
Professional painter T.J. Sorkness first used lacquer thinner to remove the while spray paint. Then he followed up with a course grit sandpaper and wire brush to maintain the look of the rustic wood before staining.
The before and after shot of the two walls that were spray painted.
SEELEY LAKE – When professional painter T.J. Sorkness saw the photos of the graffiti on the exterior of the Seeley Lake Ranger District online, he volunteered to remove it.
"I just wanted to do what was right," said Sorkness who owns Professional Paint & Finish LLC in Kalispell and has been a painting professionally for the last 12 years. "I wanted to donate my time to compensate for the trouble that was caused. [The District] shouldn't have to pay for something that was going to cost money to fix."
Acting District Ranger Quinn Carver said Sorkness called immediately after the photos were shared of the vandalism. Due to the furlough, they were unable to do anything until the government reopened and the staff returned. Sorkness told them to call once they were back to work, and he would be happy to come down and take care of it right away.
Sorkness said he was called Tuesday, Jan. 29 and was happy to offer his expertise and time. After signing a volunteer agreement, he spent all afternoon Thursday, Jan. 31 removing the white spray paint from the two walls and restaining them. The District provided the stain.
"It has saved us so much time in the bid process and finding the funding to be able to do it. It also saved us the time if we would have done it ourselves," said Phil Shelmerdine, facilities manager at the Seeley Lake Ranger District. "This is awesome."
The estimated cost for the damage was $1,500 plus the cost of the stain. This does not include the cost to replace the stop sign at Highway 83. Sorkness offered to return this spring to add one more coat of stain since the wood would soak it up better in the warmer temperatures.
"When you have the ability to pay something forward when someone does something wrong, donate your time every once and a while," said Sorkness. "Pay it forward when you can."
"I think it is incredibly generous," said Carver. "It all worked out great."
Professional Paint & Finish can be found on Facebook or contact Sorkness by calling 406-253-3455.
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