Maintenance guide for Resene paint finishes
Follow the maintenance recommendations in this maintenance guide to help you keep your Resene paint finish looking its best for longer. To download a pdf version of this information you will need Acrobat Reader.

Avoid cleaning the paint finish until at least four weeks after application to ensure it has had sufficient time to fully develop its properties. Keep any cleaning to a minimum to avoid damaging the paint film.

If you have sensitive skin, wear gloves when using cleaning solutions to avoid irritation.

If you require any product application advice or further assistance, please contact your local Resene ColorShop or

In Australia: call 1800 738 383

In New Zealand: call 0800 RESENE

Cleaning interior paintwork
Always test the cleaning method in an inconspicuous area to ensure the cleaning process you plan to use does not alter the finish of the paint. Wait until the test area has dried before using the same technique on more conspicuous areas. Walls may appear discoloured as they absorb the water, but should dry back to their original colour.

Do not vigorously scrub the surface nor use an abrasive or strong cleaning agent as you may burnish the paint surface and mar the paint finish. Do not wash walls for four weeks after painting, as waterborne paints require this period of time to fully cure and develop their ultimate film properties. Cleaning of fresh paint films will damage the paint and this may require repainting to restore the desired level of finish.

Steps for cleaning interior paintwork:
1. If using Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner 'concentrate', dilute before use. For light soiling dilute 1:60 with water; for medium soiling dilute 1:50 (approximately one teaspoonful to one cup) with water; for heavy soiling dilute 1:40 with water. If using Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner 'ready to use' no further dilution is required.

2. Dip a soft lint free cloth, such as a Jif Ballerina, into the Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner solution. Do not saturate the cloth as this could lead to runs and streaking. If using a spray pack, apply Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner direct to the surface you wish to clean.

3. Using light strokes, thoroughly wipe the area to be cleaned turning the cloth frequently to maintain a clean edge. Wipe away any excess solution. Wring the cleaning cloth out into an empty bucket before dipping it into the detergent solution again. This will minimise the appearance of streaks.

4. In order to achieve an even finish, dry the surface with one final wipe using a soft dry lint-free cloth in the direction of the paint flow. If trying to remove a localised mark, start from a radius wide of the mark and work towards it. This will minimise any 'tide mark' that might develop.

Be aware that walls, like windows, can accumulate a faint layer of dust or grime. A seemingly minor job of cleaning a small spot can lead to a major cleaning job. If unwillingly caught in this predicament, a feather duster can sometimes minimise the boundary between the cleaned and uncleaned areas.

Cleaning exterior paintwork
Airborne contaminants, including salt deposits, which settle on your paint film, can attack the surface and cause premature breakdown. Cleaning of exterior paintwork on an annual basis is recommended to help maintain the fresh appearance of the paintwork. Pay special attention to areas that are not subject to regular rainwashing.

Moss and lichen can penetrate the surface of the paint film, damaging its integrity and reducing the useful life of the film, while mould growth can destroy the chemical entity of the resin system that holds the paint system together. The presence of moss, mould and lichen will hold moisture on the surface longer, promoting further growth of these organisms and increasing the risk of damage to the coating. Removal using the appropriate washing procedure will increase the life of the coating and maintain the aesthetic properties of the paint finish.

For an instant fresh appearance, regularly wash down the exterior with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted as recommended with water. Apply the diluted solution with a soft broom. Wash off with copious amounts of freshwater. Ensure any residue is properly washed off any windows or other glass surfaces,

For a slower-acting, longer term clean, use Resene Deep Clean. Designed for general maintenance of exterior weathered surfaces, Resene Deep Clean is a slow release cleaning agent. Simply apply Resene Deep Clean diluted as recommended with water to weathered exterior areas, such as discoloured cementitious surfaces or lightly moss infested walls, and leave.

The combination of Resene Deep Clean and natural weather conditions will slowly break down surface contamination leaving a Resene Deep Clean cleaner surface.

Most detergents can have a negative effect on fish life so avoid letting the washings run off into the stormwater system.

Attend to areas of flaking paint, stained paint (treat the source of the stain, then touch-up the paint finish as required), moss and mould, and rotten areas of timber.

Moss and mould will grow through the paint surface and if left untreated will ruin the fresh appearance of the paintwork. If major moss and mould infestations appear, treat them with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted as directed with water. Wash off with copious amounts of freshwater.

Bleach is a very effective moss and mould killer, however residues can decolourise subsequently applied paint finishes, particularly when used over a porous surface. If you are repainting, ensure all bleach treated surfaces are allowed to weather and/or are thoroughly rinsed prior to repainting.

If you are planning to wash down a freshly painted house or building, wait at least four weeks from the completion of the painting job to give the paint time to fully cure. If debris is being carried onto the building during painting, cease work and restart when the air is clear. Debris carried onto a wet building may be trapped into the paint film and will be impossible to remove later without removing the paint finish itself.

The first few months post painting
Resene paints are developed and manufactured to exacting quality standards to ensure every can of paint is full of Resene quality. During the first few months after your paint has been applied, any of the following may occur, all of which are quite natural and do not imply inferior quality or accelerated wear:

Blocking
Thermoplastic paints (most waterborne paints fall into this category), particularly those with a high gloss, will soften under heat. Even a surface that may appear fully cured will soften and may stick to itself or other thermoplastic materials placed upon it, such as vinyl covered folders. The plasticiser in vinyl is prone to migration into touching surfaces. Where possible, avoid storing vinyl covered objects on or against painted surfaces.

Excess moisture
An enemy to your paint finish is excess moisture. Well constructed modern buildings with aluminium doors and windows are almost 100% airtight. Unfortunately this has disadvantages in that any moisture generated in the building from showers, kitchens and even occupants breathing will not be able to escape unless special ventilation is provided. Rooms on southern aspects can get quite damp and often mould results. Moisture can be reduced through the installation of dehumidifiers or specially ventilated aluminium windows. Large amounts of moisture are generated during the interior decorating process. It is critical that good ventilation is maintained throughout the drying period.

The best way to achieve this is to open windows to encourage airflow and use heaters to warm the air temperature. If ventilation is poor, the paint finish may not fully cure. Excess moisture can lead to surfactant leaching, blistering and mould problems. While dampening a porous surface can ease paint application in exterior situations, paint will never cure over a permanently wet surface and blistering may result, particularly on horizontal surfaces where water is liable to pond.

Fading
In common with all exterior surface coatings, the colour of your paint finish may be affected by U.V. light. Resene uses the finest pigments commercially available, but even these are liable to change after constant exposure to sunlight. Any changes will be gradual, but after a few years the difference between shaded and exposed areas may become noticeable. The extent of fading is often only seen when part of a wall area requires touch up with the original colour.

Resene paints are designed to resist fading, however the combined presence of strong U.V. light and lime in the surface can lead to premature fading. Sometimes lime staining is mistaken for fading. Lime staining occurs when the lime in the surface has leached through and is deposited on top of the paint surface as a white deposit that looks similar to fading. If this occurs, the lime must be blocked off with a suitable paint system. Resene recommends all fresh plaster surfaces are coated with Resene Limelock first.

Resene Sun Defier UV Protective Glaze may be used as a finish coat over freshly painted bright organic hues and shades to protect these more vulnerable pigments against fading. This glaze is available in a gloss version and may be applied over any of the Resene premium waterborne finishes.

Pigment transfer
Bright interior colours, such as reds in particular, can be vulnerable to pigment transfer, where a tiny amount of the pigment can be removed when wiped with a cloth. Pigment transfer does not affect the appearance of the paint finish, nor its durability, however it can cause marking on other items that come into contact with the paint finish, such as sofas and curtains. Simply wipe the surface area evenly to remove the loose pigment. Alternatively, a glaze coat such as Resene Multishield+ can be applied.

Surfactant leaching
Waterborne interior products in particular are vulnerable to surfactant leaching, where some areas of the paint surface appear to be covered in white streaks, giving a watermark effect. Surfactant leaching only affects the appearance of the paint finish, not its durability. It cannot be accurately predicted or prevented, but is more likely to occur in wet areas, such as bathrooms, where ventilation is poor. Surfactant leaching is caused by water sitting on freshly applied waterborne paints. Water softens the fresh paint and draws out water soluble surfactants. As water dries off these are deposited on the surface. These deposits are easily removed early on by simply cleaning the surface following the interior paintwork instructions earlier in this brochure. The problem may occur once or twice again before all leachable material is completely removed. If left, the deposits may etch the surface and leave a permanent mark. This should diminish over a few months and is only of cosmetic concern.

Surfactant leaching is usually associated with marginal painting conditions. Paint colours that require higher levels of tinters are more prone to surfactant leaching than are white paints because of the ingredients that are present in tinters. To prevent surfactant leaching, it is best to avoid application in the late afternoon if cool, damp conditions are expected in the evening or overnight. Ensure adequate ventilation is maintained during the drying period. If surfactant leaching does occur, clean the surface as soon as possible to avoid permanent marking using the cleaning recommendations overleaf.

Recommended maintenance schedule for steelwork
Washing and cleaning
Washing schedule will vary according to micro environment. Irrespective of system life all areas sheltered from rainwashing should be washed down with freshwater on a quarterly basis and on yearly cycle all painted surfaces should be washed with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash followed by rinsing with freshwater. This will remove salt, dirt, and contaminate buildup on painted areas.

Maintenance schedule five year system
Thoroughly inspect paint work at the end of year 1 and repair areas of damage/coating breakdown according to the original paint specification or approved equivalent.

Repeat inspection process at year 5 and based on the results of this condition survey make a decision on future maintenance actions, which may include touch up/repair of areas or a full recoat.

Maintenance schedule ten year system
Year 1/2 thoroughly inspect all painted areasÐand repair areas of damage/coating breakdown according to the original paint specification or approved equivalent.

Year 4 repeat full inspection and repair areas of damage/coating breakdown as per year 1/2.

Repeat condition survey at year 6/7 and repair as necessary to maintain integrity of painted areas.

At year 9/10 a full inspection by a qualified Coatings Inspector or Coatings Technician should be undertaken to arrive at a condition status. This survey should address future maintenance requirements beyond the initial system lifetime and at this point decisions on touch ups/repair of areas or full recoating can be made.

Cleaning product range
Resene Deep Clean
Resene Deep Clean is the simple, safe method of keeping all your outdoor areas free from moss, mould, algae and lichen. Simply spray or brush on and leave Resene Deep Clean and nature to do the work. Slow acting Resene Deep Clean gets right down to the roots of the problem, destroying the growth and combining with U.V. light and rain to slough off the remains to leave a Resene Deep Clean surface. Ideal for use on paths, patios, decks and other exterior cementitious, timber and painted surfaces.

Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner
Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner is a labour saving non-dulling neutral cleaner designed for use on all interior painted surfaces. Quick and easy to use, it dries filmfree eliminating the need for rinsing. Available in concentrate or ready to use variants.

Resene Moss & Mould Killer
Resene Moss & Mould Killer is a hypochlorite based wash designed to kill and bleach most common moulds and fungus within 48 hours. Recommended prior to repainting cementitious surfaces where mould growth is normally present. Moss and mould must be treated before painting to avoid discolouration and damage of the new paint system. Some green slime moulds can become very difficult to wet out with water based cleaners and scrubbing of these areas following treatment with Resene Moss & Mould Killer may be required.

Resene Paint Prep and Housewash
Resene Paint Prep and Housewash is a quick and easy way to wash homes and buildings to give an immediately fresher appearance. Ideal as part of the surface preparation prior to painting or annually to keep your exterior paintwork looking good for longer. Suitable for interior and exterior work.

Resene Roof Wash and Paint Cleaner
Resene Roof Wash and Paint Cleaner is a specially formulated cleaning and degreasing agent for all new and previously painted galvanised iron and as a general cleaner and pre-treatment for all repaints. Recommended for all roof painting and repainting projects.

See the Resene PaintWise brochure (as a pdf) or www.resene.co.nz/paintwise.htm for information on disposing of unwanted paint and packaging.