Kip is the "K" in Kat and runs the production in the shop. He also does a lot of painting and all product development. Kip has been in the paint business for over 25 years, as a technician in the early days, then shop manager and then shop owner for the past 16 years and as a paint rep working for a major paint manufacturer servicing the Midwest region of the USA.

Approximately 20 years ago Kip was restoring a 1939 Ford 2-door STD sedan and the interior was originally wood grained. So he did all the research on how they were originally done. As it got closer to the refinish side of the project he thought there had to be a better, faster and more durable way of duplicating the original wood finish. This was the beginning of the "SIMWOOD" process.

After 12 years of perfecting the process we found it could be used in many applications and on almost any surface. Why not take your metal or fiberglass house door and give it the rich look of wood or do it to your vinyl windows?

Since the SIMWOOD process was developed, we were approached by a gentleman that worked for a master gun manufacture and he asked, “Have you ever thought about putting that SIMWOOD process on guns with composite stocks? Or, even wood stocks?”

Once in the gun industry, the second question out of mouths of everyone was, “Do you offer a KAMO pattern?” After much product development KAT-KAMO was born. The world’s first holographic camouflage had arrived. The look is so unique that most people see a gun that had been done they say, “When can you do mine”, or “Where can I buy a gun with that Kamo on it?”

So along with KAT’s ever growing custom paint and graphics business, we went to market with both “KAT-KAMO” and "SIMWOOD". The response has been overwhelming and growing in popularity every day.

All of these things and many more make KAT Performance Coatings one of the most diverse painting companies in the industry.

You may be thinking, “Ok, we know enough about the ‘K’ in KAT. What about the ‘T’”? The T is for Trudy, wife of Kip Sleaford.

They were married and have been together for the past 5 years. Trudy works out of the shop in the administrative area of the business, dealing with printing, billing, shipping and marketing materials. This creates a very busy life for her, but she still finds time for family and even her husband. She supports Kip and even when it is so very hectic that it seems there is no time for anything else, she is always there with a smile, a sheet of fresh baked cookies, or a hot meal so the work can go on. Some people are called “super” -  for us, she defines the word super.

When you call Kat Performance Coatings or e-mail us, Trudy is probably the one that will respond to your communication. We know that you will be in good hands when you have questions or need information. Trudy is the one that is “In the know”.

We would like to thank you for stopping by our web site and taking the time to learn a little more about us. As always, if you have any questions or comments we always are looking forward to hearing from you and providing answers.

Thank you,

KAT Performance Coatings