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Answers to your questions from our Paint Experts, p 10

Here's a taste of some of the Paint Expert questions and answers to help you with your own projects.

Always make sure you read the product label and data sheet prior to application. If in doubt about any aspect of your project, please ask our Paint Expert for help or come in and see our staff at your local Resene ColorShop or Reseller.

 
 
 
 

Q&A   p. 10


Q. I'm using Resene Galvo-Prime on galvanised flashings. It states in the specs that it can be used on 'Non-ferrous metals'. So, as aluminium is obviously non-ferrous, does that mean I can use it on a small area of aluminium flashing?

A. Yes this is fine to do.

June 2015

Q. I bought secondhand a large set of plan drawers to store my embroidery threads, fabrics and art papers. The outer surfaces of the drawers are coated with a melamine type surface. The inside surfaces of the drawers are bare MDF. I was considering getting the insides of the drawers coated with a similar product to the outside surfaces, but wondered whether Resene has an inert type paint I could use which wouldn't cause any long term damage to the fabrics, threads and paper.

A. You can paint the inside of the drawers. Prime the bare MDF with a coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat and then finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl tinted to your selected colour. Leave to cure in a well ventilated area for two weeks before replacing into the cabinet.

June 2015

Q. Would love to paint the unglazed brick frame of an old unused fireplace in my lounge. What product would I use?

A. Apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal then finish with two coats of any Resene waterborne enamel. If there is any sign of smoke deposits then you will need to apply a coat of Resene StainLock over the Resene Sureseal.

June 2015

Q. We are looking to epoxy coat a concrete floor and 1200mm up masonry walls on a proposed honey plant consisting of 225m2 of flooring and 60m of masonry wall. Is the correct product to use Resene Aquapoxy with prep of floor by diamond grinding? Once ground is a sealer coat required before Resene Aquapoxy?

A. Diamond grinding is our preferred prep; ensure there is no residual dust on the floor before coating. Bee propolis will damage an epoxy finish so for this application I would recommend after preparation you apply a seal coat of Resene ArmourBond and then finish with two coats of Resene Imperite 413 tinted to the selected colour.

June 2015

Q. Would you offer any suitable products for boat trailer repairs - bare steel, lightly rusted and galvanised steel?

A. Waterblast to remove all salt deposits. Remove loose corrosion products using a 3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc. Prime any bare areas of galvanising using Resene ArmourZinc 120 zinc rich epoxy primer then apply 3 coats of Resene Armourcote 221 epoxy and finish with two coats of Resene Uracryl 403 topcoat.

June 2015

Q. Do you have something to use to repair rotten wood?

A. We sell a RepairCare system for the repair of rotten timber.

June 2015

Q. Our outside walls are single layer concrete block. In the recent bad weather driving rain has leaked through the wall in one place. The condition of the paintwork is not great and I am going to get the wall waterblasted and repainted. What primer coat should I use?

A. Ensure all pointing is sound and flashings are functioning as designed. Hopefully the wall can dry out before painting. Apply Resene Sureseal to bare areas of substrate then apply three coats of Resene X-200.

June 2015

Q. I want to paint my cot, just a white, but want to know if you have a non toxic baby safe paint?

A. A Resene Environmental Choice paint such as Resene Lustacryl can be used. After painting leave the painted cot to cure for at least two weeks then wipe down with warm water and detergent, then wipe with water before using. If painting over an existing paint then thoroughly sand the existing paint before applying the new paint.

June 2015

Q. I want to use Resene Qristal ClearFloor 1K varnish on seats in a gym changing room. Would it handle sweat?

A. We have tested the barrier properties of four coats of the product on timber by placing a wet sponge onto the cured coating system for 24 hours and seen no film whitening so I would expect that it would be suitable.

June 2015

Q. We are currently renovating our kitchen. We have flatpack carcasses but are doing ply doors and benchtops. We would like to know which product you would recommend to use on the ply please? Obviously it needs to be pretty hardwearing for a benchtop (along the lines of a marine grade varnish). We would like it to stay as natural looking in colour as possible.

A. We recommend four coats of Resene Polythane, edge sealing important.

June 2015

Q. Does Resene make any sort of very high-build primer/undercoat which would help hide plasterboard stopping under glancing light conditions? I believe that the plasterboard stoppers did a fairly professional job of a level 4 finish but there are a couple of walls that get light perfectly parallel to the joins in winter.

A. Paint cannot address critical light issues, the framing also must be done to the same level of finish. Use of a high build base system such as Resene Broadwall 3in1 and a paint system such as Resene SpaceCote Flat can improve but not necessarily correct critical light issues.

June 2015

Q. I am wanting to seal some steel on an internal floor. There are steel runners in between ply, which sit slightly lower than the ply. What would be the correct application? I don't want a glossy finish.

A. Even for interior steel the steel will need to be primed but we have no clear metal primer. If the area remains dry then the rate of steel corrosion will be low. You could consider using a pigmented system for the steel and make it a feature.

June 2015

Q. What paint do you suggest for the exterior of a Georgian style solid block house? The render will be raked to form the shape of large pieces of stone blocks. I would like the building (paint finish) to have the appearance of limestone blocks and be weathertight.

A. All pointing and flashings must be sound, apply a saturation coat of Resene Sureseal then three coats of Resene X-200.

June 2015

Q. Our school hall has hessian wall cladding and it is beige. Obviously we want to change this. We want to paint over the hessian but still be able to use the boards for wall displays (as is their intended purpose). What is the best way to paint these, with what, and what is the preparation required?

A. You can paint over hessian boards with waterborne paints. Roll a coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat thinned about 10% with water, then finish with two coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen.

June 2015

Q. I have an old (30 years) 6mm ply workshop. The finish has lots of black mould etc. Have recently started to waterblast it. A good result but it is somewhat aggressive. I would prefer an oil based finish but what would be your suggestion? The waterblasting has opened up some cracks in the outer ply layer so I was thinking about a high build primer.

A. Waterblasting will remove surface mould but not mould spores that are within the substrate. You will need to treat the surface with Resene Moss & Mould Killer before painting. Once the moss and mould is treated, prime with Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat then apply two coats of Resene Lumbersider CoolColour™.

June 2015

Q. I have a Mountain Ash coffee table which has been stained and varnished. I would like to update its look. I was thinking of stripping it and staining it with a limed mid to dark grey.

A. Stain with Resene Colorwood then apply three coats of a Resene clear.

June 2015

Q. Does left over paint expire?

A. Waterborne paint can be contaminated with bacteria and this can be noticed by a very pronounced odour. Paint that has been contaminated cannot be used as the bacteria breakdown the binder (resin). Generally most paints, if stored well, can last at least 5 years. If fully sealed the paint should not dry out but may settle if stored in a cool area off the ground.

June 2015

Q. We are building a board and batten bach in a coastal environment. Are we better to use a dark Resene CoolColour™ on H3 pine or a plywood? We have looked at cedar but it needs regular oiling and we don't want that maintenance! And the advice seems to be you can't just leave it to weather as it doesn't weather evenly. Could you confirm if we go to painted pine weatherboard the maintenance wouldn't be any more than for stained cedar or ply?

A. Staining will always be high maintenance, and ply or cedar will require the same level of maintenance. In a marine/coastal environment the maintenance is often more frequent with staining due to the exposure to windborne sand. The maintenance interval for any timber based substrate painted with a correctly installed solid paint system far exceeds that for a stained surface.

June 2015

Q. I wish to spray paint existing velvet finish Melamine kitchen doors and panels. What should I use?

A. Factory produced laminates such as Melteca and Formica can be painted where a colour change only is required. However painting cannot replicate the original laminate properties and features. Painting for colour change or upgrade should not be considered for laminates in wet areas such as shower linings

Thoroughly wipe down using Resene Interior Paint Cleaner to remove all dirt, grease, stains, dust and other contaminants.

Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Allow to dry. For best results thoroughly wet sand with 220 grit wet and dry paper to aid adhesion. Wipe down with a cloth and water to remove sanding debris. While sanding will give the best results this can be omitted where contact with the painted surface is low frequency.

Suggest that you use Resene Lustacryl Kitchen and Bathroom as the finish. Painting will not reproduce the original wear and hardness features of the laminate.

June 2015

Q. In the past enamel paint finishes have tended to be for hardwearing areas and wet areas. Will a waterborne enamel be a better harder wearing result compared to my usual Resene acrylic paint finishes?

A. At the same gloss level the hardness is as follows: conventional acrylic < waterborne enamel< solventborne enamel.

June 2015

Q. We are painting a bathroom but with a light sand the old paint is flaking off in places. It appears that it hasn't adhered to the Aqualine at all. Do I need to completely strip these walls or is there a better way?

A. Sounds as if the Aqualine was not sealed with a solvent based pigmented sealer like Resene Sureseal. Yes you will have to remove the existing paint if this is the case.

June 2015

Q. Our bathroom was painted 18 months ago and is mouldy. It was prepared and undercoated and then two coats of Resene SpaceCote Kitchen & Bathroom were applied. This room is very damp and doesn't get much of a chance to dry. Do you think this has happened as a result of the dampness? Perhaps that old extractor fan isn't powerful enough.

A. Mould growth certainly is indicative of a dampness and poor air ventilation. The mould component of the paint is inhibitive but it will not kill existing mould spores. Existing mould needs to be treated with Resene Moss & Mould Killer before painting, otherwise it grows through the fresh paint.

June 2015

Q. I would like to change the colour of my kitchen work tops that are melamine. Is there a paint I can use?

A. Clean down to remove any grease oil etc and then apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and leave to cure for 48 hours then apply two coats of Resene Lustacryl waterborne enamel. Adhesion will take a minimum of five days to develop so care must be taken not to damage the new paint system over this time. The painted work tops will not have the same wear and hardiness as the original factory laminate surface.

June 2015

Q. I am looking for a paint for my driveway which is on a slope and comprises concrete blocks. Can you help with a recommended product? The blocks are driven on. It is at least 20 years old. I clean it with a waterblaster occasionally and much of the surface of the blocks has the aggregate exposed due to weathering.

A. Only possible suggestion is to apply a saturation coat of Resene Sureseal then apply Resene Blacktop.

June 2015

Q. My house is 5 years old and we have cream coloured what we believe are powder coated aluminium windows. We are changing our colour scheme and the cream just does not go and we would like to paint them white. What steps and what products would I need to use to repaint them?

A. Scrub down the powder coated joinery using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash following label directions then apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and allow to cure for 48 hours before applying two coats of a Resene exterior waterborne enamel such as Resene Enamacryl or Resene Lustacryl. Note the painted surface will not have the same hardness and wear properties as the original powder coated joinery. For a harder wearing finish prime the prepared joinery with Resene Armourcote 221 and finish with two coats of Resene Uracryl 400 series 2 pack polyurethane.

June 2015

Q. What primer should I use for fibre-cement board? It definitely is only fibre-cement, not asbestos as only installed in 2007. And can I topcoat with Resene Lumbersider? It's around 8 years old and in very tidy condition, no chips, scratches, flaking, looks just like new, but never painted.

A. If there is mould or algae present then treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer following label directions. Allow to dry then apply a coat of Resene Sureseal and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider (low sheen) or Resene Sonyx 101 (semi-gloss) exterior acrylic.

June 2015

Q. Do you have a fire rating tech sheet for your coatings please?

A. See www.resene.co.nz/fire

June 2015

Q. Is there a paint or sealer which can be used on Corflute board?

A. Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat then any Resene acrylic that suits the exposure conditions.

June 2015

Q. We have painted hardboard walls and want to repaint them. What sort of sealer do we need to use? Previously we have just painted them and the paint scratched off easily. Also there is some unpainted chipboard under some wall paper that we need to paint too.

A. Resene Sureseal is the recommended primer for bare oil tempered hardboards.

June 2015

Q. What should I use to paint a caravan exterior?

A. If it is aluminium then there are two options, Resene Armourcote 221 and Resene Uracryl (preferred) or Resene Galvo-Prime then two coats of Resene Summit Roof. Resene Galvo-Prime and Resene Summit Roof is easier application wise but Resene Armourcote/Uracryl is the most durable option.

June 2015

Q. I am wanting to use pine clears for window reveals and architraves with a clear finish. The reveals will be H3.1 treated. The architraves untreated. What is the best system?

A. For the best wear I would use a traditional solventborne varnish. These do yellow over time and when really old can become quite a dark brown but we are talking about decades. Waterborne varnishes do not yellow over time but are not as hardwearing as a solventborne varnish.

June 2015

Q. I've been asked to price a job, painting a not too old zincalume roof. The place is a warehouse/retail place and gets very hot inside. Now they have been told that by using "cool" paint it is going to make a difference inside - is that so? Are two top coats "cooler" and what would be the coolest colour? What about moss and mould on the roof - will they make it absorb more heat?

A. The best way to keep a roof cool is to paint it white. Whether that reduces the heat inside depends on the building - it can make a difference on some roofs by reducing the roof temperature which reduces the heat transference inside. In some areas, and depending on the roof, white may not be a colour that can be used. In that case you could consider a Resene CoolColour™ - this is colour made using special pigment technology - which will reflect more of the sun's heat than a standard version of the same colour. However white is always the most reflective colour and if it is purely reflectivity your client wants then they would be best to select white if they can. There is a white roofs movement that you can look up to find out more information on white roofs.

You can see more information on Resene CoolColour™ paint here.

We have a section on roofing on this website which covers off the priming requirements. As well as the prep and priming we recommend two full topcoats of Resene Summit Roof. Resene Hi-Glo is also an option if a higher gloss is required, but most people prefer the satin finish of Resene Summit Roof.

Moss and mould is definitely something to consider maintenance wise for any roof. For a white surface to work most efficiently it needs to be kept clean. If it ends up covered in dirt, mould etc then that won't reflect the sun's energy as much as the white surface should so as the roof gets dirtier and dirtier, any benefits of having it white will diminish also. The roof could be cleaned down regularly - e.g. once a year is probably the most common cleaning time frame for cleaning exterior surfaces, but they'd need to budget for that if they decided that was the best option.

We have a MoulDefender inhibitor which can be added to the paint in some Resene ColorShops as extra defence against moss and mould. It won't stop it completely as often it will start to grow in dirt and contaminants that get lodged on the roof but can act as a booster shot and inhibit moss and mould growth.

June 2015

Q. I have had a new house built that has cedar wood on the gable and front fascia. The colour was to be Resene Iroko but the painters have used a brown stain in error. I have been told that this cannot be painted over but I would have to wait 12 months until it is ready for repainting again. Is this correct? It has taken the excitement of the new house away as I do not like the brown. The house is Rockcote done in the colour of Resene Pavlova.

A. Stains must undergo weathering to allow painting with a solid paint finish. The time is dependent upon the degree of weathering (related to elevation). To be safe we say 12 months - this is on average halfway to the recommended stain maintenance.

June 2015

Q. How can we remove the paint off the concrete block wall in the basement? The area is about 20m2 and this block wall is acting as a retaining wall. Corners and the skirting area are damp wet in the winter. It is an old house and the block wall was painted and some paint is peeling because of the dampness. How do I get rid of the old paint on the block wall?

A. Paint stripper may be the only way. Alternatively if the paint is an acrylic use a wallpaper steamer and a wide blade.

June 2015

Q. I am looking for neutral greys. This is for painting light inspection booths.

A. We recommend Resene Concrete.

June 2015

Q. We are installing new cabinets and are going to glaze. Do we need to paint the undercoat with a primer and then do we use enamel or flat paint before glazing?

A. We normally recommend priming bare timber with an oil based product before glazing using a linseed oil putty.

June 2015

Q. Which clear finish can I use to prevent yellowing on cubes being used to make a plywood bookcase? Can you 'stain' it with a light white colour and then put a clear finish over it? Most clear finishes on plywood seem to go yellow with age.

A. Solventborne varnishes do yellow with age. Waterborne varnishes such as Resene Aquaclear are not prone to this.

June 2015

Q. I have drawn a large sharpie (permanent marker) mural on my bedroom ceiling that I need to paint over as we are selling the house. Could you please advise me on how to achieve this and what Resene products to use. My main concern is that the sharpie will bleed through the topcoat. I was thinking either Resene Sureseal or Resene StainLock as a basecoat? Also do you think it will require sanding?

A. A coat of Resene StainLock should do the trick before applying a new waterborne paint. More than likely there is a waterborne finish on there now so a light sand (dust off after sanding) should all that is required for recoating.

June 2015

Q. I have a slate stamped, concrete driveway approximately 20 years old that is a faded orange colour. I would like to recolour it grey. What do you suggest?

A. Resene Concrete Stain would be the only product that we could offer; this is a semi-transparent stain so the final colour (two coats required) will depend upon how much of the original colouration remains.

June 2015

Q. We require a suitable product for coating Perspex roof panels over a patio. The surface has become opaque with age but is clear when wet. We'd like the clear look.

A. The only product we have would be Resene Clearcoat UVS. Ensure the surface is clean and free of mould/algae/detritus then apply a coat of the clear. We cannot guarantee how clear the final outcome will be but it should be an improvement over the current dry appearance.

June 2015

Q. We have a 1972 Lockwood house here at Orere Point. The cladding appears to be in very good condition and has been checked by a Building Consultant. However, it still has the original paint on the aluminium and is looking very tired. We want to repaint it and would appreciate some advice on the preparation of the surface. I recall at some stage reading that wire brushing is the basic method, but also recall that the same article warned against using stainless steel brushes or stainless steel wire-wool to finish the surface. I am not sure I am recalling correctly though. We are well away from sea-spray.

A. More than likely there will be a heavy layer of chalking on the painted surface, which will need to be removed prior to repainting. The best way of doing this is to wet the surface with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted to label instructions and thoroughly scrub with a stiff nylon brush then wash off with water. Allow the surface to dry then check for residual chalk - wipe the surface with a dark cloth and see if there is any white material on the cloth. If there is repeat the process until the surface is chalk free. Then apply a full coat of Resene Galvo One and finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101.

June 2015

Q. How long can you leave enamel in a spray pot before cleaning?

A. It is not the pot time that would be the issue, it is in the lines and tip. It will depend upon the enamel but a few hours maximum would be the only safe way.

June 2015

Q. My husband is an artist working on some large scale fibreglass sculptures which he is painting in acrylic paints. We are trying to find the most suitable clear gloss top coat to finish the pieces. It is important that it is not likely to yellow as one of the pieces is largely white. Whatever the coating is it needs to be able to withstand being outdoors as it is likely the sculptures will be housed outside.

A. Resene Clearcoat UVS may suit. If graffiti protection is needed another Resene product may be needed instead.

June 2015

Q. I have a new polished concrete floor with expansion cuts to fill. Can I apply Resene Concrete Wax over silicone filler, or am I best to wax the concrete first and then fill the expansion cuts afterwards?

A. If the silicone filler is paintable with a waterborne paint there should be no issue. However the Resene Concrete Wax film will not have the same extensibility as the filler.

June 2015

Q. I am specifying a primer for powdery surfaces. What do you recommend?

A. Resene Sureseal is the recommended primer for old powdery cementitious substrates.

June 2015

Q. What is the correct paint system for priming of Melteca/Formica® kitchen doors? Resene Vinyl Etch or Resene Smooth Surface Sealer? Will be followed with Resene Uracryl.

A. If using Resene Uracryl 400 Series as the topcoat you can only use Resene Vinyl Etch as the adhesion primer. Thin the Etch Primer using No.4 Thinner by 15% and apply to achieve a thin coat only.

June 2015

Q. Over a year ago I sprayed flyspray (infestation of spiders etc) on a few small areas of my lovely green fence (I think it is COLORSTEEL®). This has left a white residue which diminishes slightly with washing but with very gentle scraping with my thumbnail it removes it totally, but is there an easier solution please without damaging the original paintwork?

A. We wouldn't expect any spray residues to be visible under normal use concentrations but if you went to town on the spider webs then the actives with low water solubility (most pyrethroids and synthetic derivatives) could be deposited on the coated surface. It wouldn't be noticed immediately because the propellant/solvent mixture would need to evaporate first. If manual abrasion works then I would suggest you continue that method with a soft bristle brush, some elbow grease and some water. The use of organic solvents will help if the white stuff is pesticide with meths being the most general for solubilising these types of actives. COLORSTEEL® is meths resistant enough for a quick wipe down.

Another possibility if you have used lots of spray is that the spider webs were plasticised by the propellant (if it had some polar component) and have simply adhered to the fence. They could have become invisible after spraying as the air interface was replaced with solvent and the web structure collapsed but then would have become white again as solvent evaporated but probably in a more dense configuration. In that case manual abrasion is the only way forward.

June 2015

Q. Am I right in my understanding that wood stains don't have a true LRV value placed against the colour, because obviously they are a stain and not a film forming paint? Hence neither can they be tested for a TSR value, although we know CC (Resene CoolColour™) stains are effective.

A. You're right that stains don't have LRV values as we only have that for solid colour paints. The timber affects the light reflectance of a stain because the stain is semi-transparent. TSR is still measurable to some degree but only as a comparative figure using a test model which may not resemble the real life project.

June 2015

Q. I have a small patch of rust on my COLORSTEEL® roofing (superficial, no holes). Just wondering what the best approach is to prevent it from spreading and what products you would recommend for painting?

A. Remove all corrosion back to a sound feathered edge using a 3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc then dust off and immediately spot prime the prepared arras with Resene GP Metal Primer, then overcoat with two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

July 2015

Q. I have used a waterborne enamel on interior doors. They now have a 'chalky feel and texture'. Can I paint over them with Resene oil based enamel and what prep should I do?

A. To recoat this with a solventborne enamel, sand to remove surface texture, dust off and apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat and then finish with two coats of the enamel.

July 2015

Q. Using a waterbased stain is it better to paint both sides of cedar weatherboards before fixing?

A. Envelope sealing is the best irrespective of stain type.

July 2015

Q. I want to know if there is such a thing as a paint that will stick to rubber as in boots or tyres and any procedures that need to be performed when applying this paint to the rubber. I need a gloss bright red.

A. For a decorative finish, ensure the rubber is clean then apply a coat of Resene Membrane Roofing Primer and finish with any Resene exterior acrylic. You can also use Resene testpot colours as the topcoats.

July 2015

Q. I have just moved into my new home which has a black shiny kitchen which looks stunning and perfect except in direct sunlight when the surface looks slightly scratched, like it's been buffed. I was warned that a black kitchen would need to be cleaned regularly re fingerprints but not this. Before I go back to the kitchen specialists I would like some advice on how it should look in direct sunlight.

A. The higher the gloss level the more likely surface defects will show especially when light glances across the surface. All paint finishes have the potential for this to occur. The only possible way is to apply a clear coat over the basecoat colour but even this may not solve the issue but it will protect the underlying pigmented basecoat.

July 2015

Q. I am using household paint to make paint skins. I have been experimenting with Resene acrylics, donated and from recycle centres. Is waterborne better than solventborne?

A. There are a number of artists creating paint skins. Most use acrylic paints as it tends to be more thermoplastic (stretchy) and are nicer to work with (less toxic, less fumes and easier to clean up). However at Designday there were paint skins exhibited using solventborne paints.

July 2015

Q. I have new plasterboard and plaster in my garage. I need a suitable sealer before I apply my paint. Can you please advise what sealer to use and what I can paint on top for a low sheen/satin finish?

A. Resene Sureseal then Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen (two coats).

July 2015

Q. Is there a paint specification to repaint COLORSTEEL® roof flashings, which have lost some of their coatings? The site is exposed to sea spray conditions.

A. Scrub down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash following label instructions to remove surface salts. Remove all loosely adhering paint back to a sound edge then spot prime bare substrate with Resene GP Metal Primer then apply three coats of Resene Summit Roof. Before painting each day wash down with fresh water and allow to dry before painting to reduce the chance of salt deposits between coats.

July 2015

Q. I need to get external paint to paint treated timber (ply and pink batten walls) in a new build. What do I need re undercoat and topcoat?

A. Prime with Resene Wood Primer then apply two coats of Resene Lumbersider. If you choose a dark colour then use the Resene CoolColour™ version of the colour.

July 2015

Q. I have just completed a job using waterborne enamel and have found it seems to dry fast and leaves brushmarks.

A. In my experience it is almost impossible to achieve a brushmark free finish when applying waterborne paints to any reasonable sized area. By their nature waterborne paints set up and dry quickly so there is limited time for flow and levelling to occur with brush application.

Waterborne enamels set and dry much quicker than waterborne paints based on conventional acrylic resins and this does mean that achieving a brushmark free finish with the product is even more challenging.

The best way we have found for brushing is to add the Resene Hot Weather Additive at the maximum addition rate, when brushing apply a generous wet layer and lay off but don't go back over the paint trying to remove any brushmarks as this will make matters worse as the paint film will already be part way through its set up phase and flow and levelling cannot then occur.

Flow and levelling is also affected by temperature and humidity. If you are painting indoors do not run a heat pump as this reduces humidity which increases the rate of water loss from the wet coating.

July 2015

Q. What's the best type of undercoat and finish for prior powder coated aluminum patio chairs. Wire brushed but some paint top layer is firm and feathered smooth?

A. The best system would be a two pack epoxy adhesion primer overcoated with a two pack polyurethane.

July 2015

Q. Could you recommend a paint spec for the following situation: Sikalastic 152, cement mortar waterproofing finish to a blockwall retaining wall. Needs an exterior waterborne paint finish.

A. A coat of Resene Sureseal then three coats of Resene X-200.

July 2015

Q. Do you have paint that will go on aluminium? It's a door strip to go on an existing aluminium door to stop the rain coming in.

A. Degrease then apply a coat of Resene Galvo-Prime and finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl. Paint system will take at least five days to develop full adhesion.

July 2015

Q. What is the effect of permanent marker stains on sheet metal/aluminium die casting surfaces on the adhesion of a subsequent coat of paint?

A. Permanent markers should not affect adhesion but will bleed when overcoated with solventborne and some waterborne paints.

July 2015

Q. Can I put acrylic paint over enamel paint?

A. Yes as long as the existing enamel is well sanded and undercoated with Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat. Waterborne enamels must be used for wet areas such as bathrooms and laundries.

July 2015

Q. My bath is white inside and is steel. I want to change this white colour. Which paint must I get?

A. Sorry recolouring of bath interiors is a specialist undertaking and we have no paint for this application. You would be best to try a resurfacing business in your area.

July 2015

Q. Can Resene Hi-Glo be painted over Resene Summit Roof on an existing painted roof?

A. Resene Hi-Glo can go over Resene Summit Roof (and vice versa). The difference between the two products is that Resene Hi-Glo is glossier and Resene Summit Roof is a satin finish and direct to substrate on some surfaces. However as you have a coated roof already, the direct to substrate feature is less relevant as the roof is already painted.

July 2015

Q. Can you advise what product I should use to spray paint concrete/ceramic pots? They have already been painted inside with a sealer.

A. If glazed apply a coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and allow to dry for 48 hours then apply two coats of a Resene exterior acrylic topcoat.

July 2015

Q. Have you got fly proof paint?

A. We have two products that can help but neither is fly proof.

We have a Fly Resistant additive that discourages flies from sitting on the surface – the less they sit, the smaller and fewer the fly spots. It doesn't kill or harm the flies though – they just don't land for as long as normal and therefore you end up with fewer/smaller fly spots.

The other option is Bug Juice which is a contact pesticide that is added into paint. To work properly the insect needs to rest on the surface long enough for the product to take effect. Because of this it tends to work best on crawling insects rather than flies that tend to land on and off.

July 2015

Q. Do you have a paint for children so that they can express their drawing on the wall and then be able to wipe off and re-draw continually?

A. We have two options for writing on walls:

  • Resene Write-On Wall Paint – this is a clear paint finish that you apply over the existing Resene paint. It turns the surface into a whiteboard style finish that you can write on with whiteboard markers. Because it is a clear finish you can see the paint colour through it so you can have a whiteboard style finish in a huge range of colours. If you decide to use a dark colour then it can be written on with liquid chalk.
  • Resene Blackboard Paint – available in a range of colours and turns walls into chalkboards.
July 2015

Q. Can I use an acrylic undercoat over a waterborne enamel?

A. If the waterborne enamel is more than one week old then sand prior to applying the acrylic undercoat.

July 2015

Q. I am repainting my house and have used Resene paints throughout. Have a couple of bargeboards that were let go before we moved in and so have some weather damage. I've picked out any soft wood and filled with epoxy. However there are smaller cracks in the wood in some places. The wood however is sound. Do you have a high build undercoat that will help to fill these cracks? These bargeboards are in a high sun area on the west end of the house.

A. For smaller cracks I suggest that you prime first then use something like PAL Contract Filler to fill the cracks, sand then spot prime over the filled areas.

July 2015

Q. I am researching painting a wall for use with a projector. Americans suggest ProClassic Smooth Enamel Satin Finish. The paint has a gain of 1.1. Do you have a similar product in NZ? Or a better suggestion?

A. We have not researched the gain of our colours but have recommended application of Resene SpaceCote Flat tinted to Resene Silver Sand for this application.

July 2015

Q. I'm looking to paint anaglypta wallpaper. It's in a fairly dark hallway, so I want a glossy paint to help bounce light around. What's the best paint to use?

A. I'd recommend trialling an area or sample first to ensure you are achieving your desired result before commencing. As for product you could use our waterborne enamel Resene Enamacryl. This will give you excellent cleanability.

July 2015

Q. Have just bought a house. They have had a bbq on the deck so there is fat and dust mixed together on wooden weatherboards. How would you recommend to clean this? The paint job on the house is in good condition.

A. Try a light bristle scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash. Sounds like you need a light detergent to get rid of the contamination. As always, follow the instructions on the pack and trial an 'out of the way' area first to ensure you achieve the desired result.

July 2015

Q. I have a house in the Wairarapa that has just been painted with Resene, with an adjoining COLORSTEEL® garage which I now want to match. It's been up for eight or more years. What's the prep/painting process to follow for the garage?

A. Treat any moss or mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer then prep the COLORSTEEL® cladding with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash to remove chalking and other contamination. Waterblast if possible at low pressure to clean residues down and allow to dry. Prime with a full coat of Resene Galvo-One, then two topcoats of Resene Summit Roof or Resene Sonyx 101 depending on the sheen level you require.

July 2015

Q. Can I apply your Woodsman stain to vertical cedar with a roller?

A. Yes, you can roll Resene Woodsman onto vertical cedar; however care is needed to avoid runs and splashes of the product to surrounding areas as it has water-like viscosity. It's best to use a PAL No.15 High Solids roller sleeve. Gloves are always a good option also for splashes onto hands etc. You'll likely need a brush handy to get into hard to reach areas (use a cheap throwaway brush).

July 2015

Q. What colour and painting method do you suggest to paint a MDF board that is being used as a screen to project movies on to?

A. For projector screens there isn't a specific colour that is used however whites, off-whites, Resene Silver Chalice and Resene Silver Sand are common choices. It's best to use a flat paint such as Resene Ceiling Paint or similar to avoid reflection from the surface (prime first with Resene Quick Dry). Standard application with a roller is normally fine as a small amount of surface texture again diffuses the reflection. It's common for people to paint out an area on their wall at home using a flat white paint for use as a projector screen and achieve a great result.

July 2015

Q. We are preparing drawings for remediation of a fire damaged house which affects the rimu roof framing and some wall framing. What is the sealer to use which seals in the smoke smell?

A. Firstly we recommend removing as much of the smoke damage/soot etc as possible with Resene Emulsifiable Solvent Cleaner (follow instructions) then apply Resene Aluminium Wood Primer, which is particularly effective when needing to block stains and odour.

July 2015

Q. Is there a paint that will paint straight over varnish? What is the prep required? It's for painting varnish doors.

A. To answer your question, yes, Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer is the product you are after. After a thorough clean down of the area we would still recommend lightly sanding the surface if possible (although not imperative) as any sanding will improve the adhesion. If possible leave Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer to dry for a couple of days prior to overcoating, this will improve the adhesion also.

You'll need to take into account the weather conditions also and avoid very cold conditions.

July 2015

Q. I was wanting to use testpot paint for indoor artworks. Is it true that they will most likely start to peel after 10 years? I need the paint to have a very long life span. How long would they last on a well prepared artists surface? Or the student's acrylic paints? The testpots are just so lovely to paint with.

A. Resene Testpots are commonly used by artists for painting (some very well-known artists use them). It's not true that the paint will start to peel in 10 years, it will perform just like other paint artists use and last many many years if applied properly over a properly prepared surface.

July 2015

Q. I have a room that will be used as a gym with mirrors on one side and a blank wall on the other side which will be a stretching wall. I was wondering if the Resene Write-On Wall Paint would be useful so that the wall can be cleaned on an occasional basis? I have noticed in the past that with regular walls, sweaty palms tend to leave marks on the wall (and other exercises like wall squats) which makes it difficult to clean, so I was thinking of having a clear coating over the wall to protect the paint finish.

A. You are on the right track with your idea to use Resene Write-On Wall Paint in your gym. It will clean down very easily. The only area to consider is that Resene Write-On Wall Paint is a gloss coating so will give you a gloss sheen on your walls. Most people are used to seeing a low sheen finish on their walls. Other than that, it would suit your requirements.

An easier option may be to just use a waterborne enamel such as Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen first and see how it performs for you. My experience in gyms is that most walls are painted in standard acrylic and actually aren't cleaned down very often, if at all, hence the hands marks etc build up. Being your own gym, and that you'll clean regularly, I believe Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen will perform well for you.

July 2015

Q. We have some timber veneer wall niches to make which extend into a walk in shower. The niches would not be in constant contact from the shower head but likely it will get wet from water splashing. Veneer wasn't our recommendation but the client insists that is what they want so I am after a really good waterproofing clear coat with a mould resistant property and one that will keep a more natural timber look in a satin finish.

A. The short answer is we don't have a clear coating that guarantees waterproofing in the location you have. In this situation I would recommend an oil based polyurethane such as Resene Qristal Clear ensuring that you seal all edges and the reverse of the panel if possible also.

July 2015

Q. We are thinking of building a new retaining wall on our front boundary and are probably going to use recycled bricks (to match the foundations of our 1920s weatherboard house) so the retaining wall looks like it's always been there. I was just wondering if we can seal/coat the bricks with something to vandal proof our new wall? I would hate for it to be ruined by tagging and have to be painted over which would defeat the purpose of matching it to the house with a natural brick finish.

A. Applying an anti-graffiti clear coating over old bricks is not generally recommended as it will present a number of issues. The main issue is moisture in the bricks which will push out through cracks etc and turn the clear coat cloudy in areas along with possibly creating efflorescence (white powdery substance). Often old bricks are brittle and an anti-graffiti coating can dislodge the surface of the brick. The surface of the bricks will be textured so actually removing graffiti can be difficult as you tend to need a smooth surface for anti-graffiti coatings to be effective.

July 2015

Q. We are planning to coat several of our office walls with Resene Write-On Wall Paint to create giant whiteboards. The instructions indicate we have to wait for it to be fully cured before writing on the wall. From what I've been reading, curing times can range from 25 to 30 days, is that the case? (Once we paint we'll be eager to use it, obviously!) What would you consider an adequate curing time in an air-conditioned office?

A. Info on Data Sheet states you shouldn't use the area for at least 48 hours and full cure is 1 week at 18°C. Given the current weather conditions which aren't ideal the longer you leave it the better; however you could trial an area after 3-4 days and I'd suspect you'll have it performing fine given you have air-conditioning.

A tip with Resene Write-On Wall Paint is that over time you can be left with residue or ghosting of markers (this happens on whiteboards also). Lightly wipe with a lint free rag dosed with a small amount of Meths and you'll have better results when cleaning.

July 2015

Q. We recently bought some of your Resene Write-On Wall Paint. Although two coats were applied it still leaves smudges if we write on it. What is the best cleaning liquid to use on this paint?

A. There are a few variables that come into play with marks being left on Resene Write-On Wall Paint as generally you shouldn't have excessive marking/ghosting etc left on the surface. The most common are around texture on the surface, application of the product and the type of markers used. A marker is supplied with each can and we recommend those markers. We tested a variety of whiteboard markers and many are quite poor, on commercial whiteboards also.

Use a lint free cloth and a small amount of Meths for wiping the surface down and removing much of the residue. As with standard whiteboards some light 'ghosting' can remain at times.

July 2015

Q. I am building a wardrobe and drawers from MDF to go in a child's room. I plan on painting the doors/drawer fronts. This area will get a bit more of a hammering. Is Resene Lustacryl ok by itself, or should I coat it will a clear coat of some sort to add a bit more durability?

A. Generally a clear coat shouldn't be needed over Resene Lustacryl; however for an extra bit of protection adding a third topcoat would be a better option. This will give extra film build on the pigmented coating. Curing time for waterborne enamels is important as they take a little longer to set up than solventborne enamels. 2-4 weeks in good curing conditions will have it at optimum performance. In the first week or so waterborne enamels can be susceptible to damage as they are still curing.

July 2014

Page 10

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