Answers to your questions from our Paint Experts, p 35

Q. What’s required to make a vegan paint? What can’t be used in a vegan paint?

A. A vegan paint is made like a normal paint, without the use of animal products or animal by-products and without being tested on animals.

April 2020

Q. What are the basic differences between a conventional paint and vegan paint?

A. For Resene, most of our conventional paints are vegan paints. The main difference is that vegan paints avoid any use of animal products or animal by-products. Most conventional paints don’t have these as ingredients anyway.

April 2020

Q. What are the basic differences between an eco-friendly paint and a vegan paint?

A. For Resene, most of our waterborne paints are eco-friendly, with Environmental Choice approval, and also vegan paints. However it is possible to have an eco-friendly paint that is not a vegan paint, and the focus of each paint is different. Eco-friendly paints focus on minimising toxicity, but this can mean some products could have animal products or by-products in them, such as something like beeswax that could be used as a final coat on cabinetry. Vegan paints are not specifically focused on eco-toxicity like eco-friendly paints are but are focused on avoiding animal products and byproducts.

April 2020

Q. Do you know of any health benefits derived from vegan paints?

A. If you are planning to decorate and are interested in paints that are better for wellness benefits, we would recommend choosing a product from the Environmental Choice approved range from Resene. These are low VOC or have no added VOCs, low odour and washable in water, which makes them easy to use with minimal disruption and without unwanted solvent odours. And as they don’t contain animal products or by-products they are also vegan.

April 2020

Q. I was looking at the Resene Lumbersider waterborne paint as recommended for mural art. I am painting a mural on a shipping container and wondered what the best primer and paint is to use?

A. Scrub down the mural area using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label/data sheet instructions. Thoroughly scrub the surface with a stiff Nylon broom to ensure complete removal of all grease, chalk and any other contaminants. Rinse or water blast clean with fresh water ensuring all salts are also removed.

Apply a prime coat of Resene Galvo One then proceed with the mural painting using Resene Lumbersider, for accent colours or small areas you can use Resene testpot colours.

March 2020

Q. We have a property that I am currently in the process of renovating before we go to live in it. We bought this property 4½ years ago. After renovating the inside I then plan on repainting the exterior cladding which is 'direct fixed' Cedar Shadowclad" type timber.

Yesterday a plasterer who lives nearby and whom I had asked to quote me for some work, advised me that the previous owner had painted the exterior with used motor oil. Can you advise me what I should do about repainting and if there are health concerns regarding this?

A. Used oil was a common fence 'oil' many years back but its use has thankfully declined. I undertook a google search and the following came up in one discussion: Used ‘waste’ oil is full of heavy metals, dioxin, benzene and a bunch of other nasties. Applying this sort of toxic waste to fences and then having it weather off into the soil and general environment doesn't seem like a real clever idea.

Post application the benzene would evaporate and will not be present now.

Scrub down using Resene Heavy Duty Paint Prep and Oil Remover diluted and used to label/data sheet instructions. Then apply a test patch of Resene Wood Primer and Resene Quick Dry and leave for four days then check if the primer can be scratched off. Hopefully one of these primers will achieve adhesion and then you can proceed to prime with the primer and then topcoat with Resene Lumbersider. If possible avoid dark colours as the heat associated with application of the dark colour will draw oil to the surface and cause paint failure. If you are looking to apply a darker topcoat colour then use the Resene CoolColour version of the topcoat colour. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch. In your situation the CoolColour benefit will reduce but not necessarily stop any oil migration for the timber.

March 2020

Q. We are painting an ensuite. The current paint is in good condition previously painted with Resene waterborne enamel. New GIB® plasterboard has been put in around new shower and vanity. I have sealed the bare plasterboard and plaster work with Resene Sureseal. My question is do I need to prime rest of walls and ceiling (ceiling also has waterborne enamel on it in on good condition) or can I just put two coats of Resene Lustacryl Kitchen & Bathroom on top of sanded existing paintwork?

A. Apply an undercoat of Resene Quick Dry to areas of Resene Sureseal.

The existing waterborne enamel will need a sand to profile for recoating so given the area size you could also apply an undercoat of Resene Quick Dry to the existing prepared waterborne enamel.

March 2020

Q. Do you have any paints suitable for painting on porcelain tile? Thinking of kid friendly options for decorating tiles.

A. Using Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner ensure the surfaces to be painted are clean and free from grease, pay particular attention to hand contact areas.

Apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and allow to cure without water contact for at least 48 hours before over coating. The sealer is not designed to be applied as a thick wet film thickness or give opacity, the thinner the coat the better.

The primed tiles can then be painted with any Resene waterborne paint including Resene testpots.

March 2020

Q. I have a set of metal brackets in a bathroom with a gloss white enamel finish which I want to paint black. What is the appropriate surface prep and paint to use?

A. Sand the existing paint to de-gloss then apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Super Gloss enamel.

March 2020

Q. Can Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen Kitchen & Bathroom be used on joinery and generally anywhere ‘normal’ Resene SpaceCote is used to provide more protection from mould?

A. The Kitchen & Bathroom versions of our waterborne enamels contain an anti-bacterial additive and increased levels of anti-mould additive. The anti-mould actives are inhibitive which means they won’t kill existing mould or mould spores. Existing mould infestation needs to be treated with Resene Moss & Mould Killer prior to painting.

March 2020

Q. Can you please advise if the Resene Swimming Pool Paint Blue Magic is a chlorinated rubber paint? If not, what is it please?

A. Resene Swimming Pool Paint is formulated using an unmodified chlorinated rubber resin system. The paint can only be applied cover the same paint type. There are other products for pool paint that state the paint is chlorinated rubber but the resin system used is a modified chlorinated rubber resin and our pool paint is not suitable for application over the modified resin type.

March 2020

Q. My garage galvanised corrugated iron has some areas of surface rust, no holes or leaks. I want to repaint my roof.

How do I treat the rust and then what primer and topcoat should I use? I am not able to climb on my roof to wire brush the rusted areas so would prefer a chemical treatment if possible.

A. If any areas of moss or mould infestation exist then treat them with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label/data sheet instructions. Leave for up to 48 hours to achieve full kill. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed.

Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label/data sheet instructions. Thoroughly scrub the surface with a stiff Nylon broom to ensure complete removal of all grease, moss and mould residue, and any other contaminants. Rinse or water blast clean with fresh water ensuring all salts are also removed.

All paint that is flaking or unsound must be removed by using mechanical methods, (3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc), chemical stripper or high pressure water-blast taking care not to damage either the substrate or the surrounding areas.

Remove all areas of white corrosion material and as much red rust as is practicable and all paint that is flaking or unsound must be removed by using mechanical methods, (3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc) to leave only tightly adherent corrosion products taking care not to damage either the substrate or the surrounding areas.

Where under-film corrosion is taking place, the existing paint must first be removed as previous methods including under film corrosion products taking care not to damage sound zinc coated areas.

All paint edges must be feathered to a smooth finish.

Note: The performance of the subsequent paint systems will be largely dependent on the thoroughness of this surface preparation stage.

Spot prime prepared areas of corrosion and bare metal with Resene GP Metal Primer then apply a full coat of Resene Galvo One and finish with two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

March 2020

Q. I am painting my kitchen floor using your Resene Walk-on paint plus testpots for the arty bits. I want to seal the floor once painted what do you recommend I use?

A. Apply Resene Concrete Wax.

March 2020

Q. I have just purchased Resene Aquaclear. The clear varnish is very milky although I have stirred and mixed. Is this normal?

A. Waterborne clears are milky in can but dry clear.

March 2020

Q. I have Resene Lumbersider on some internal walls that will get marked by workers passing through. I would like to overcoat with a clear glaze – what do you recommend?

A. We recommend Resene SpaceCote Clear.

March 2020

Q. We have an existing cabinet intended to be reused as a bathroom vanity with a sink that will simply be placed on top. We would ideally like to preserve the top surface of the vanity and its look, and are looking for a way to waterproof the surface. Could you please advise if there is a Resene varnish robust enough for the situation?

A. The only system we would offer would be Resene Polythane, four coats.

The existing surface would need to be degreased (if furniture polishes have been used this may be difficult). Then sanded to profile for coating.

March 2020

Q. I am doing a reclad on my house with Axon panels. What do I paint it with?

A. Apply a full coat of Resene Concrete Primer then finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider CoolColour Nero.

Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

March 2020

Q. Could you please advise a suitable prime and paint spec for new exposed aluminium which will be the exposed part of an aluminium saddle flashing in a sea spray zone?

A. Scrub down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label instructions.

Apply two coats of Resene Armourcote 221 primer and finish with two coats of Resene Uracryl 403.

For the ultimate system apply a coat of Resene Uracryl 403 UVS Clear over the pigmented Resene Uracryl 403 base colour.

March 2020

Q. I am coating my trims and skirting with clear enamel polyurethane (Resene Qristal Clear). This is Rimu that has been sanded back to bare timber. Is it best to apply the first two coats satin/matt and one coat (final) gloss, or just the first coat satin/matt, and final two coats gloss (sanding in between?

A. If you want to bring out the red tones in Rimu apply the gloss as the first coat. You should only need to sand prior to application of the final coat.

March 2020

Q. How do I best do touch ups on GIB® plasterboard on a new build?

A. Seamless touch ups are difficult to achieve, best results are obtained using the original paint and application method. Thin the paint 10% with water and apply using the original application method and feather the paint out beyond the repaired area.

March 2020

Q. I have an unpainted zincalume roof on my garage which has light surface rust forming. I am after some advice on how to best deal with it. I am not near a coastal area and understand that rust is very hard to eliminate.

A. If any areas of moss or mould infestation exist then treat them with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label/data sheet instructions. Leave for up to 48 hours to achieve full kill. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed.

Scrub down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label/data sheet instructions. Thoroughly scrub the surface with a stiff Nylon broom to ensure complete removal of all grease, moss and mould residue, and any other contaminants, then high pressure water blast ensuring all lose paint salts are also removed.

Remove all areas of white corrosion material and as much red rust as is practicable and all paint that is flaking or unsound must be removed by using mechanical methods, (3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc) to leave only tightly adherent corrosion products taking care not to damage either the substrate or the surrounding areas.

Note: The performance of the subsequent paint systems will be largely dependent on the thoroughness of this surface preparation stage.

Spot prime prepared areas of red corrosion with Resene GP Metal Primer then apply a fill coat of Resene Galvo One. Then finish with two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

March 2020

Q. I have skim and sarking type of walls instead of traditional GIB® walls in my house. Is it possible to replace the old wallpaper with a new one?

A. You will need to hang some lining paper horizontally before hanging your chosen paper. Otherwise should be all good.

March 2020

Q. I have stucco type rough interior walls and ceiling in a 1969 house. It traps a lot of dust. I wish to paint those walls. Please suggest me the process options and paint application so that it can be vacuumed or cleaned with a wet cloth.

A. I do not believe that application of a standard paint system will achieve what you want. You may have to consider plastering first to achieve a smooth finish.

March 2020

Q. Do you have glitter wall paint?

A. We have Resene FX Metallic paint, which is metallic wall paint and Resene FX Shimmer which is a pearlescent.

If you want a glitter finish, you can take a Resene waterborne clear finish and stir in glitter. We have a small Resene clear glaze available that it could be mixed into in our Resene Art Action range.

March 2020

Q. I have doors and trim in my house painted with Resene Lusta-Glo. I am wondering if I can touch up using Resene Lustacryl as water-based paint is easier to work with. Would this work? I guess I am worried about differences in gloss level and colour – I don't want the touch ups to be noticeable.

A. We recommend that you stay with Resene Lusta-Glo to get the best chance of a seamless touch up.

March 2020

Q. I have cedar weatherboards painted with a Resene paint system (Resene TimberLock, oil based primer then two coats of acrylic). I want to put weatherboard soakers on 135 degree corners on an extension. Can I use galvanised iron ones if they are first primed with Resene Galvo-Prime (and use silicone bronze fixers)?

A. We recommend you envelope prime with Resene Galvo-Prime then install and topcoat the exposed faces (x 2 coats).

March 2020

Q. We have a situation that we need to fold some of 0.9mm powder-coated flashing end to create a stop end. What is your recommendation to repair damaged powder coating?

A. Scrub down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted to label/data sheet directions. Rinse clean with copious quantities of clean water to remove all oils, grease, dust and any other contaminants. Test surface is degreased by wiping with clean cotton wool. Repeat process if necessary.

Prepare areas of coating damage by wet sanding back to a sound feathered edge and the same for areas of sound powder coating that will be recoated.

Spot prime bare metal with Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer and finish with two coats of tinted Resene waterborne topcoat.

March 2020

Q. I have timber joinery but any not sure if I need to use Resene TimberLock and Resene Quick Dry.

My reason for asking is that there may be different types of joinery timbers around – I have a whole lot of window frames on a rental house needing repainting so need to know if we should be using Resene TimberLock on all bare scraped timber joinery then Resene Quick Dry over that as well as over all the previously painted frames – or, just Resene Quick Dry?

A. Resene TimberLock is not technically a primer but a timber pre-treatment to consolidate weathered timber. Resene TimberLock also has a package to inhibit timber decay organisms. Primers such as Resene Wood Primer and Resene Quick Dry should be applied over Resene TimberLock when pigmented paint systems are being developed.

Tannin containing timbers such as Cedar should always have Resene Wood Primer used, native timbers such as Totara and Matai must be primed with a waterborne priming system, such as Resene Quick Dry, as the oil based primers do not dry over these timbers.

March 2020

Q. What gloss level is the kitchen and bathroom paint? We are looking at doing a kitchen/dining area for a client in a Resene white but we want it as matt as practical for the area but still wipeable.

A. We have 3 gloss levels available, semi-gloss, low sheen and flat. The higher the gloss level the easier cleaning will be, matte paints also tend to be more absorbent.

March 2020

Q. I have a green roof which needs a repaint of acrylic paint. It is older corrugated roof with imperfections. What would be the best option in terms of gloss or semi-gloss?

A. In general terms lower gloss level paint finishes will assist to hide surface defects, however with roofs certain roof pitches may still show imperfections due to the angle light hits the roof. We recommend Resene Summit Roof for roofing.

March 2020

Q. I have a T&G varnished wood ceiling that I would like to paint but don't want to sand it. I have heard of a bonding primer and want to know if this is available.

A. Using Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner ensure the surfaces to be painted are clean and free from grease, pay particular attention to hand contact areas. A light sand always assist in achieving the best adhesion of the primer.

Apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and allow to cure without water contact for at least 48 hours before over coating. The sealer is not designed to be applied as a thick wet film thickness or give opacity, the thinner the coat the better. Then apply two coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen or Resene SpaceCote Flat.

The new paint system will take five days to develop good initial adhesion and continue to cure for an additional three weeks until full cure occurs. In the early stages the paint surface will not have good resistance to cleaners or abrasion as these features develop as the film undergoes curing.

March 2020

Q. We are a theatre and have a ‘paint area’ with a sink in it. The sink gets blocked relatively regularly. We've just had a really good go at clearing out some of the gunge, but there's still a lot of cloggy stuff down there. Is there a particular cleaner we could try down the sink outlet to hopefully clear it out a bit?

A. Congealed partly dry paint can be difficult to dislodge. Only suggestion would be to pour Sea 2 Sky paint stripper down the drain and leave to sit overnight to see if this softens the paint and allow washing through. You will probably need to use warm water (not hot) and a plunger.

If you are generating a lot of waste paint it may be advisable to invest in a small Resene WashWise unit.

March 2020

Q. What is the best oil to paint our treated posts and rails fence – we are wanting to paint them black?

A. We recommend two coats of Resene Waterborne Woodsman CoolColour in Resene Pitch Black. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

March 2020

Q. We want to repaint a COLORSTEEL® roof. What do you recommend?

A. If any areas of moss or mould infestation exist then treat them with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label/data sheet instructions. Leave for up to 48 hours to achieve full kill. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed.

Scrub down using Resene Heavy Duty Paint Prep and Oil Remover diluted and used to label/data sheet. Thoroughly scrub the surface with a stiff Nylon broom to ensure complete removal of all grease, moss and mould residue, and any other contaminants, then rinse with copious amounts of fresh water or high pressure waterblast ensuring all loose paint salts are also removed.

All paint that is flaking or unsound must be removed by using mechanical methods, (3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc), chemical stripper or high pressure waterblast taking care not to damage either the substrate or the surrounding areas.

Then apply a full coat of Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

March 2020

Q. I have a stained and varnished wall unit that I want to paint. What is the best process and products to use? Also what is the best way to spray Resene Lustacryl enamel? I have a compressor and spray guns.

A. Using Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner ensure the surfaces to be painted are clean and free from grease, pay particular attention to hand contact areas. A light sand of the varnished surface will always be beneficial but not essential.

Apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and allow to cure without water contact for at least 48 hours before over coating. The sealer is not designed to be applied as a thick wet film thickness or give opacity, the thinner the coat the better. Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer is formulated at water like viscosity so spray application is not recommended.

We recommend using Resene Lustacryl Commercial Spray when spraying Resene Lustacryl.

March 2020

Q. We have used H4 timber to clad a large installation. We ‘shabby chiced’ the surface but there is some bare timber showing through along with some raw edges (no paint at all). What would be the best coating to put on this to help preserve the timber and paint and help prevent warping over time?

A. We recommend two coats of Resene Quick Dry for bare timber (raw edges) then apply a white waterborne Resene topcoat.

March 2020

Q. I want to paint the edges of ceramic tile on a fireplace surround. Which epoxy product do you have that I can tint dark green and apply to ceramic tile? The tiles are glazed ceramic face, the edges are unglazed. The painting is for aesthetic appeal.

A. We only have one suitable epoxy, Resene Armourcote 510.

March 2020

Q. I am looking to paint over my green skirting with a waterbased paint in a grey/charcoal colour.

What type of paint would you recommend?

A. Clean down using Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner then sand to profile, dust off and apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry followed by two coats of Resene Lustacryl tinted to your topcoat colour.

March 2020

Q. Please would you advise what kind of paint would cover white painted aluminium curtain rails? We would like to paint them deep bronze, to match our aluminium window colour.

A. The curtain rails will be powdercoated. The following is recommended as the priming before applying a waterborne paint coating.

Using Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner ensure the surfaces to be painted are clean and free from grease, pay particular attention to hand contact areas. A sand with 400 wet and dry sandpaper will assist in achieving the maximum primer adhesion.

Apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and allow to cure without water contact for at least 48 hours before over coating. The sealer is not designed to be applied as a thick wet film thickness or give opacity, the thinner the coat the better.

March 2020

Q. I am looking to paint two metal stools. It has lost the paint on top and has some rust on it. Can you please suggest the right paint for it? I don't mind experimenting with colour. It's just the top that needs to be painted not the legs.

They will be placed in my balcony but it's an apartment building so shouldn't be so affected with the sun or wind.

A. Wet sand using 220 grit sandpaper to remove as much rust as possible. Apply two coats of Resene GP Metal Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl.

March 2020