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Answers to your questions from our Paint Experts, p 04

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. 04


Q. I have a new fibreglass external main door. I have purchased Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel. Can I use this on the fibreglass door, with or without a sealer or undercoat?

A. Sand the door with 240 grit sandpaper and dust off then prime with Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat. If sanding isn't possible you can degrease with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash and then apply Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat and follow with two coats of Resene Lustacryl. Use the Resene nook and cranny roller No.4 sleeve.

July 2014

Q. We have veneer wood panels in our sunroom that we want to cover up. What painting solution would you suggest? If we want to achieve a smooth finish how would you suggest we deal with the gaps between the panels, other than removing and installing new plasterboard? Would a filler and sand do the trick?

A. If the wood veneer is varnished then sand with 220 grit sandpaper to provide a key for subsequent coats, taking care not to cut through the varnish (do not need to remove all of the existing varnish) then apply Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and leave for 48 hours to cure with good ventilation. The Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer is not designed to be applied as a thick film or achieve substrate hiding. Apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat and then follow with two coats of a Resene waterborne enamel topcoat.

Depending on the gaps, PAL Contract Filler may work to fill the gaps.

July 2014

Q. I'm looking for a paint that will stick to scuffed up polycarbonate plastic. It must retain an amount of flexibility. Gloss is not important as the display side is the unpainted side of plastic clear sheet.

A. A thin film of any conventional Resene acrylic paint such as Resene Sonyx 101 will adhere directly to polycarbonates. Adhesion will take a few days to fully develop. The paint will be flexible to a point but we cannot say how far the painted sheet can be bent before there is a loss of adhesion or crack in the paint film.

July 2014

Q. I am using Resene Lusta-Glo enamel paint in my bathroom. How many days should I leave before using the shower/bathroom?

A. Solventborne enamels are not subject to the same issues are waterborne enamels when used for wet areas. With good ventilation and warm curing temperatures the enamel should achieve the required water and steam resistance after 24 hours. However during winter you may be best advised to leave the paint to cure for 48 hours to ensure good cure. Ventilation is the key to the cure of solventborne enamels.

July 2014

Q. I wish to repaint a set of built-in bookshelves. They have been spraypainted but I would like to recoat them using a brush. Should I use Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer to prepare the surface?

A. Ensure that the coated areas are grease and free of contaminates then apply a coat of the Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and then undercoat with Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat followed by two coats of a solvent or waterborne enamel.

July 2014

Q. We have small cracks in interior drywall which need to be repaired. Our walls are painted with a waterbased semi-gloss finish. Our plasterer has recommended skim coating the entire wall. My question is, is it correct to skim coat plaster compound over a painted surface?

A. The plasterer will probably use a Fibre Fuse tape over the crack to ensure the crack does not reappear following painting. The tape crack is then plastered over to produce a smooth finish. We usually recommend thorough sanding of the acrylic painted wall with 80 grit sandpaper then apply a coat of Resene Sureseal then the skim coating.

July 2014

Q. Can I use marine paint on normal timber (ply sheeting) that has already been painted with standard paint. I am wanting to waterproof a playhouse?

A. Unless the ply is thin it is unusual that water ingress is occurring through the face of the ply sheeting. Not sure what your understanding of a marine paint is but most cannot be applied over a conventional acrylic paint such as the one you have in place. If we are talking about the roof then the only option would be to apply a high build acrylic paint such as Resene Thixalon 5 and lay in a layer of chopped strand fibreglass mat while the Resene Thixalon 5 paint is wet. Then apply another coat of Resene Thixalon 5 to seal off the mat layer. You can then repeat the process with another layer of chopped strand mat as above. This is the approach taken to make plywood decks weathertight.

July 2014

Q. I'd like to paint my wooden kitchen cupboards. I want something white, hardwearing and with a matt finish.

A. We recommend Resene SpaceCote Flat. After removal of the existing paint, sand smooth, dust off then prime with two coats of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat, lightly sand to denib then dust off before applying the two coats of Resene SpaceCote Flat. Best finish will be achieved using a No.4 sleeve nook and cranny roller.

July 2014

Q. I'd like to get a chalk paint finish on furniture. What should I use?

A. We recommend Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen, which is a waterborne enamel. This will generally perform better than more basic chalk paints.

July 2014

Q. We have a new house build. The weatherboards come preprimed with a yellowish primer. I want to paint with Resene Pravda. Do I need to apply an undercoat and if so what type?

Condition: Preprimed weatherboards have been left to weather for some time and are chalking and have areas of mould.

Note: Factory applied primers can be of questionable quality even when new. Weathering any primer for any period of time is not beneficial. Resene strongly recommend that all factory primed timber and weathered quality primer primed timber is thoroughly sanded back to a sound substrate and re-primed with a full coat of Resene Wood Primer.

The only exception is if the primer used was Resene True-Prime. This primer does not require re-priming before painting, for up to 6 weeks.

PREPARATION FOR PAINTING:

  1. Treat areas of moss or mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer, diluted at the rate of 200 grams to 1 litre of clean water. Leave for up to 48 hours to achieve full kill. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed.
  2. Thoroughly wash down with a 25 % solution of Resene Paint Prep and Housewash and water to remove all dirt, dust, grease, moss and mould residue, chalk, cobwebs and other contaminants. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Allow to dry.
  3. Thoroughly sand (using P180 grit paper) to produce a smooth, sound surface and to reduce any sharp arrisses to a rounded profile. Wipe surface with a damp rag to remove dust.
  4. Apply a full primer coat of Resene Wood Primer at the spreading rate of 12 square metres per litre. Take care to apply primer well into nail holes
  5. Fill all nail holes, damaged or split timber with Resene Easy fill or similar product applied in accordance with manufacturers instructions. Spot prime filler (after 24-hour dry) with Resene Wood Primer.

    PAINTING:

  6. Apply a full coat of Resene Sonyx 101 CoolColour™ at the spreading rate of 12 square metres per litre.
  7. Apply a second coat of Resene Sonyx 101 CoolColour at the spreading rate of 12 square metres per litre.

Q. Can painted over wallpaper (bubbled in areas) be skimmed over prior to repainting or must the paper be removed?

A. It is best to address the bubbling before skim coating.

July 2014

Q. I understand that you make the Wood-X oil range. We have stained cedar off-cuts. Can they be burnt safely in an indoor fireplace?

A. We can see no reason why not. The only concern may be the fungicide package, however it contains no heavy metals.

July 2014

Q. I painted a new wooden window frame - I primed it with Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat then a few topcoats of Resene Lustacryl. Then I read the pdf data sheet that I should have used Resene Wood Primer as I have a few streaks appearing at the bottom of the window wood panel which indicates it's probably a cedar window. I've sanded these bits back. Do I have to sand back the whole window and apply Resene Wood Primer? Or is it just going to be a problem at the bottom and I could just touch up the affected part?

A. Lightly sand the affected areas and then seal off with a coat of Resene StainLock and then reapply the topcoats.

July 2014

Q. How do you remove wallpaper?

A. The most efficient way is to use a wallpaper steamer.

July 2014

Q. I'm going to paint our kitchen cupboards which have been painted in two pot white. I'm going to use acrylic enamel. What do I use to undercoat over the two pot?

A. Wash down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash according to label directions, wet sand with 240 grit sandpaper and wipe down with a cloth and water to remove sanding dust. Allow to dry then apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat followed by two coats of Resene Lustacryl. The paint is best applied using a nook and cranny No.2 roller sleeve. The finish will not be smooth like spray application.

July 2014

Q. I am going to paint several wooden pallets to make into outdoor furniture. I want to paint them black and I want the paint to be glossy and thick, not a stain. What do you recommend?

A. If the pallet wood is pine then it will be untreated which means priming before applying the topcoat paint. Treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer according to label directions, allow to dry and then apply Resene TimberLock and leave to dry for at least 48 hours. Then apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat and finish with two coats of Resene Hi-Glo CoolColour™ Black.

July 2014

Q. I am working on the Christchurch rebuild and we are doing a lot of work on concrete elements which have been repaired by epoxy crack injection - tilt up panels, RC beams and RC columns. I am wondering are there any compatibility issues between the crack injection repair and the paint intended to finish the element? What undercoat would you recommend?

A. All two pack epoxy paints, and fillers have a set recoat time after which the epoxy material usually needs to be thoroughly sanded for painting.

Etch type vinyl primers are well established as adhesion primers for non-ferrous metals but also work as an adhesion primer on sound epoxy paints and fillers. Resene has Resene ConcreteSeal 3 in 1 which is a roller or brush applied etch type adhesion primer and we recommend this product as the adhesion primer for epoxy paints and fillers to be coated in most types of topcoat paints with the exception of acrylic epoxies, alkyds and waterborne two pack polyurethane paints.

July 2014

Q. I have a query regarding Resene Sureseal. I've just covered a bathroom interior (plasterboard and plaster stopping) with some of this and I was wondering if it can be exposed to a few days' worth of condensation before being painted over? Same question also for Resene Broadwall Surface Prep & Seal.

A. Resene Sureseal has excellent moisture resistance so in theory could be left for a few days prior to overcoating, however I would not recommend the same for Resene Broadwall Surface Prep & Seal.

July 2014

Q. I have fitted new primed MDF skirting in my living room. After two months a dark green dry dust appeared in different areas of the skirting. It rubs off easily. Any idea what has caused this and how to prevent it?

A. One of our team who has lived in London made the comment, dark green dust sounds like it could be mould. Mould growth is indicative of damp/dark/poorly ventilated areas. We normally recommend you treat mould with a hypochlorite mould killer, such as Resene Moss & Mould Killer, then repaint.

July 2014

Q. I have some outdoor wooden cape cod chairs that have been oiled with a decking and furniture oil (but they haven't been oiled for two years). They are quite weathered but there may still be traces of oil on them in places. I would like to paint them a colour. Please could you recommend what I should do to prepare them and what Resene paint would I use?

A. Treat the timber with Resene Moss & Mould Killer according to directions if there are signs of mould growth then scrub down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash according to label directions. Allow to dry. Sand back any areas of greyed timber to a sound surface, spot prime bare prepared timber areas with a coat of Resene Wood Primer and allow to dry overnight then apply a full coat of the primer. When the primer is hard dry apply two coats of Resene Lumbersider in your chosen colour. If using dark colours then we recommend using the Resene CoolColour™ version of the colour.

July 2014

Q. We are currently renovating and are repairing our lathe and plaster in preparation for painting. Our plan was to cover with lining paper to paint and we're unsure whether to paper with pre-pasted or non pre-pasted wallpaper and are after some advice please.

A. A lathe and plaster wall finish is not common here. The plaster when dry will need to be sealed with Resene Sureseal prior to sizing and hanging of the paper. It is common to use what are referred to as paste the wall papers. These papers do not expand or contract when hung.

July 2014

Q. When a professional paint job has been completed using semi-gloss enamel and a brush should you always expect to have brushmarks or is it more likely the quality of the work?

A. There may be some brushmarking in the existing coating that has affected the look of the topcoat.

It is virtually impossible to totally eliminate brushmarking with this mode of application. We have moved to lower odour formulations for our solventborne enamels, the change to lower odour solvents has made the product safer to use.

July 2014

Q. What does the pot life mean for a 2 pack product?

A. Once the two components are mixed the mixed product must be used within the stated pot life. The mixing starts an irreversible chemical reaction. There is no way that this can be avoided. Use of mixed product beyond the stated pot life cannot be undertaken.

July 2014

Q. I'm just wondering where to find the index for your colour pencils, so that when ordering you know what the colours are? Are you able to advise please?

A. To make up a Resene colour using the colour pencils you normally need multiple pencils (so you mix the colours). There is a pencil recipe list on our website – at this link.

Or you can look up the colour in the online colour library and click through to the swatch and the pencil recipe is there.

There are approximately 100 pencils in the set and you can mix and match them to achieve 'pencil versions' of Resene colours. Some people use our recipes and many others mix and match (once you get the hang of the pencils then generally you can blend as you go).

July 2014

Q. How do you remove wallpaper?

A. There is a little information on wallpaper removal and more on wallpapering in this document.

You can also hire wallpaper steamers that can help make wallpaper easier to remove. There's not one set method that people use. The main thing is for the wallpaper to be well wetted and allowed to soften so you can strip it off.

July 2014

Q. I am interested in your magnetic paint but have heard the magnetic effect doesn't last... can you please advise approx. how long you would expect this product to retain its magnetic effect?

A. The magnetic effect is contained within the paint so it is there for the life of the paint. They key is to use good quality magnets and ensure the Resene Magnetic Magic is applied nice and thickly. If you apply it too thinly or you use low quality magnets then the magnetic effect won't work properly.

July 2014

Q. The colours on my computer seem to have a mauve look to them?

A. The colours on the computer are all electronically measured from the original colours; however every computer screen will display them slightly differently. Some screens are truer colour than others. The limits of the way computers show colours also means some colours look more like the originals than others. Generally the very light colours and some greens are the most affected.

You may need to clean or adjust your screen to get a better representation of the colour or pop into a Resene ColorShop to view larger physical swatches of the colours.

July 2014

Q. I am repainting the bathroom ceiling. Currently there is oil based paint on the ceiling. I want to repaint with Resene SpaceCote. What can I apply to ensure the new paint adheres?

A. Assuming the existing paint system is sound, thoroughly sand and remove all sanding dust then apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat followed by two coats of any Resene Kitchen & Bathroom waterborne enamel finish. Allow the new paint to cure for at least 48 hours ensuring good ventilation and heating to keep the room temperate elevated before exposing the new paint to condensation.

July 2014

Q. I have new Hardigroove® wall linings. Do I need to prime these?

A. Yes if the board is not factory primed. For wet areas (e.g. bathrooms, kitchens, laundries), prime with Resene Sureseal, for all other areas use Resene Concrete Primer.

July 2014

Q. We have just repainted our chimney breast. As the chimney breast gets very warm (40 to 60°C) we would like to know how long the paint should cure before we start using our log burner again. Here's how we prepped and repainted our chimney breast: We washed the old paint (Resene Zylone low sheen), the discolouration above the log burner was removed with meths, the chimney breast was lightly sanded and sealed with Resene Wood Primer, then an undercoat of Resene Quick Dry, finally two coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen were applied.

A. Heat accelerates the curing process of the Resene SpaceCote topcoat and as long as it is not excessive there is no issue. However I would leave the new paint to cure at ambient temperatures for at least 48 hours before using the chimney.

July 2014

Q. Do you know of a specific paint that can be used for a projector screen on a plasterboard wall?

A. We don't have a specific paint made for this application but we have recommended Resene SpaceCote Flat tinted to Resene Silver Sand as a wall projection paint for other projects in the past.

July 2014

Q. We want to paint the exterior of our house which is a rough cast finish. We understand a certain paint is required to provide a sealant type function. Are you able to provide any information on what paint we will need and prep advice?

A. To achieve weathertightness we recommend application of Resene X-200.

July 2014

Q. Is it possible to paint over a ceramic tile that has a glossy finish? Would prefer to paint over it with a more matt finish.

A. Yes but it is a multi-coat system: Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer (allow to cure for at least 48 hours with good ventilation and warmth), Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat then Resene waterborne topcoat tinted to your required colour. The system will take at least five days to start to develop adhesion and toughness.

July 2014

Q. Do I need to prime before painting previously painted fibre cement weatherboard? The surface is a little chalky but pretty clean. The paint is around 20 years old.

A. Scrub down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash according to directions. Remove loose and flaking paint back to a sound edge. The remaining paint should be chalk free and sound. Spot prime bare fibre cement with Resene Sureseal then apply two coats of a Resene exterior acrylic to the weatherboards.

July 2014

Q. I wish to paint a glass splashback and I am sure I have heard a Resene ad saying that you have paint to do this. The only paint system I can find on your system requires an adhesion primer which is not clear. Obviously I wish to paint the back side of the glass so this will not work. Is there a product you do for this purpose or am I dreaming!?

A. Traditional solvent based enamels such as Resene Super Gloss have good adhesion to glass and may be the easiest for you to use. The product we generally sell for glass painting is a two pack product that must be spray applied.

July 2014

Q. What is the best paint to use on new exterior wooden sash windows – a waterborne or oil based paint?

A. You can use a gloss solventborne enamel or a gloss or semi-gloss waterborne enamel as the topcoats. Putties and the timber will need to be primed with the recommended primer.

July 2014

Q. Do you have a special sealer to apply over smoke/charred fire damaged timber?

A. See Resene spec sheet D86 for advice on smoke damaged surfaces.

July 2014

Q. I am wanting to remove paint splashes from bricks on the exterior of the house. Is there a product you'd recommend? Last owners were pretty messy!

A. If the bricks were unglazed then removal will be more difficult. Suggest you try spraying Resene Graffiti Cleaner onto the area and then scrub with a stiff nylon brush then wash off.

July 2014

Q. I am looking for the paint specification for a low concrete block garden wall. Our builder has indicated it needs to be a 'non-sophisticated, breathable paint' to allow water movement to help reduce the chance of cracking.

A. To paint the front face the reverse face would need to be sealed with a bituminous tanking membrane. There is no paint that I am aware of that will allow liquid water to flow from the masonry through the paint coating without disrupting the paint layer. If the back face is water tight you could use Resene X-200 or a low build acrylic like Resene Lumbersider for the front face.

July 2014

Q. We have a bar/counter fascia in our cellar door facility that has been painted with a two pot paint in Resene Cosmonaut. I am wanting to repaint in a different colour (non two pot) and am wanting to know the preparation required (e.g. sanding or some sort of sealer/undercoat) before repainting?

A. Thoroughly sand, dust off then prime with Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat. You can then apply two coats of any Resene acrylic or enamel paint, or Resene two pack urethanes.

July 2014

Q. We have mould in our bathroom and will need to repaint the walls and ceiling. What sort of paint should we use?

A. Treat mould areas with Resene Moss & Mould Killer according to directions. Sand the existing paint to provide a key for the new paint system and dust off. Then apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat and finish with two coats of any Resene Kitchen & Bathroom waterborne enamel. Allow the new paint system to cure for at least two days with good ventilation and heating before re-using the bathroom.

July 2014

Q. Whenever I have painted interior woodwork and doors in the past I have used oil based enamel as I believed it dried with a very hard surface. I have specified it to be used by a professional painter in a new house I am having built and he assures me that acrylic paint will do just as good a job and be much better for health and the environment.

A. The low VOC (volatile organic content) of waterborne paints certainly are better for the environment and the applicator. However once the solvents have gone from the solventbased enamels there is no ongoing VOC issue. Resene has also moved to producing lower odour enamels formulated on solvents with almost no aromatic hydrocarbon content. This change significantly reduces the health and safety issues associated with application of this type of paint. There are two general types of waterborne paint, conventional and cross linking. The latter are sold as waterborne enamels.

In terms of hardness the conventional acrylic is the lowest and the solventborne enamel the hardest; the waterborne enamels sit above the conventional acrylic but do not match the solventborne enamel.

The selection of which enamel to use, waterborne or solventborne, really depends upon the expected wear factors and personal philosophy on environmental impact. If you are wanting to maximise hardness then I would go with the solventborne enamel but accept the fact that these do release a higher VOC.

July 2014

Q. I would like match a Resene semi-gloss waterborne enamel white paint to an aluminium joinery colour.

A. We have a Resene colour match on file at Resene owned ColorShops for many joinery colours. You could get it tinted into Resene Lustacryl a semi-gloss waterborne enamel. Just something to be aware of is that the colour can look slightly different if you have different gloss levels or textures, so sometimes opting for a darker or lighter colour to complement can be better than trying to match the exact colour in different materials.

July 2014

Q. Can we paint the exterior of our house and fences after 5pm in spring and summer?

A. I would not recommend undertaking exterior painting using waterborne paints that late in the day even over summer. Waterborne paints need to dry to the point where they are resistant to moisture. When you apply paint late in the day there is always the possibility of condensation from dew forming on the paint before the paint has achieved sufficient cure to resist damage from water.

July 2014

Q. We ordered some paint in the same colour that is already on our house but it looks different when we open the container.

A. When you compare old to new are you comparing the paint on the house or the paint vs the colour chip? Just that the paint on the house may have faded/colour changed over time – which you wouldn't notice as it would be gradual but it would be obvious if you compared old to new.

The first step would be to compare the new paint (dry) to the colour chip/sample of the colour.

If you compare wet paint to dry paint there can be quite a variation, so it's always best to compare dry paint to dry paint. If you find the new paint does match the colour chip but not the old paint, if you bring in the old paint, Resene ColorShop staff can arrange a colour match for you.

July 2014

Q. I need more paint of a particular colour but of course can't find the tin. Original job done about 15 years ago. If I sent pictures of the colour could anybody identify it or one near it? What would the cost be?

A. It is hard to identify colours electronically as the lighting often changes how they look in photos. The best idea is to take a piece of the colour (e.g. a tiny piece off the wall (taken from an inconspicuous spot) to a Resene ColorShop and they can match it for you.

July 2014

Q. The glare from the concrete on our hard court is so great it is making the area unusable. The cost of a colour wash is prohibitive and would probably leave an ugly surface. Any suggestions?

A. A solid paint finish on concrete can be slippery when wet. You might be best to look at a product like Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path which has a lightly textured finish and reduces the risk of slipping. It's available in a wide range of colours so you could either paint all the same colour or create a decorative effect by varying the colours. The product covers 2-6 square metres (first coat) and 4-6 metres (second coat) so you may only need a bucket or two for your project.

July 2014

Q. We stained our deck about a year ago with a dark stain and really don't like the colour. Is there any way we can change this to a light colour without masses of work? Wondered about the flooring and paving paint?

A. If you scrub the deck down with a 1:1 dilution of Resene Timber and Deck Wash, then carefully waterblast at low pressures you may well be able to remove the majority of the colour which would then allow you to re-stain in a lighter colour. We only recommend Resene Woodsman Wood Oil stain or Resene Woodsman Decking Stain for timber decking.

July 2014

Q. I want to paint a concrete outdoor pizza oven with a water proof paint that can withstand heat. What Resene product would suit best?

A. If you can maintain hand contact with the surface you want to paint when the oven is at full temperature then it can be painted. Apply Resene ArmourBond as the sealer coat then two coats of any Resene Uracryl 400 Series polyurethane.

July 2014

Q. I'm in the middle of renovating a bathroom and looking at paint products to use. We are building a shower into a space with gabled ceilings; the vertical part of the shower will be tiled but the 45 degree gable and ceiling will be painted. The gabled roof forms part of the shower and will get wet. Which type of undercoat/prep paint, and which topcoat would be best?

A. In this situation I would stay with a solventborne enamel paint system. Seal the new Aqualine with Resene Sureseal, apply a coat of Resene Enamel Undercoat and finish with two coats of Resene Room Velvet.

July 2014

Q. I'm currently painting the interior walls in my house (but not bathroom or kitchen). I have stripped the wallpaper and applied a coat of Resene Broadwall Surface Prep and Seal. Can you tell me if I am supposed to then apply an undercoat before two topcoats, or whether the two topcoats go directly on top of the Resene Broadwall product?

A. For dry areas you can apply two coats of topcoat wall paint direct to the Resene Broadwall Surface Prep and Seal. However the stripped wall should have been sealed with Resene Sureseal before applying the Resene Broadwall Surface Prep and Seal.

July 2014

Q. I would like to paint my kitchen cabinets which are made of a laminate material. Do you have a primer that would stick to this that I could paint over? And if there is a primer is there any special type of paint that I would need to use to paint over it?

A. Ensure the laminate surface is degreased and then the following paint system can be applied:
Adhesion primer: Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer
Undercoat: Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat
Topcoat: Resene Lustacryl

The Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer is not designed to give film build. Leave the primed surface for 48 hours before undercoating. The paint system will take at least 7 days to develop adhesion. The painted laminate will not have the features of the unpainted laminate.

July 2014

Q. We need to coat the underside of a Dimond Flatdeck tray (permanent formwork for 150 mm concrete slab). The 0.75 mm thick tray is new with 275 g/m2 galvanised zinc weight. The location is a residential subfloor area with little or no ventilation with very damp ground below. It's likely to be applied by a builder. Can you recommend a suitable coating protection system?

A. Degrease using Altex P40 cleaner, rinse off with copious amounts of fresh water and allow to dry, then apply Resene Armourcote 510 to achieve a dry film thickness of 300 microns. If rolling, this will require at least four coats to be applied.

July 2014

Q. I am looking at painting my kitchen cupboards which have a paint finish over melamine which is now chipped. I have heard there is a paint you can apply which gives a great finish. I am looking at high gloss white paint. Can you help?

A. Thoroughly sand the existing painted surface and apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat. Use PAL Contract Filler to fill chips, allow the filler to dry then sand smooth and reprime filled areas with Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat. Then apply two coats of Resene Super Gloss enamel.

August 2014

Q. We have diamond grinded our concrete garage floor ready for painting. What product am I best to use?

A. We recommend Resene Aquapoxy for Flooring – see Data Sheet RA43 for details.

August 2014

Q. I have a house full of 30 year old anodised and very badly oxidised aluminium window and door frames. What would you recommend I use to clean and paint them please? They are a darkish coppery colour and I am hoping to paint them a modern soft charcoal colour.

A. Wash well with hot water, detergent and water and rinse. Wet and dry sand to remove ALL white corrosion product. Take care to sand pitted areas especially well. Remove all sanding dust/oxides. Prime with two coats of Resene Armourcote 221 and then apply two coats of Resene Uracryl 403 tinted to your selected colour.

August 2014

Q. Are there preferred colours for exterior use on concrete rendered 'Stucco' Hardie sheet? Thinking of heat buildup on north facing walls which could result in expansion and contraction resulting in cracking and leaks.

A. A colour LRV of greater than 40% is the usually the accepted cut off but you should confirm this with the sheet manufacturer.

August 2014

Q. We need to paint COLORBOND® spouting, gutters downpipes etc on an old house - which paint do I need to specify and is it ok to paint COLORBOND®?

A. You can apply any Resene exterior acrylic paint direct to clean, sound corrosion free weathered COLORBOND®.

August 2014

Q. We have a new Radiata Pine deck and balustrade and while we don't particularly want to paint it, the 150mm wide handrail is going silver/black, but the decking is still newish looking. What can I treat the balustrade with to bring the original look back, and then what Resene 'paint' product to prevent that black/silvering effect?

A. The colour change and appearance of black areas is a result of weathering and cannot be reversed. The black is mould growth and needs to be addressed. Application of Resene Moss & Mould Killer will kill the mould and then apply on a 6 monthly basis Resene Deep Clean for ongoing control.

You can stain decks to achieve a natural coloured look, but it won't replicate the original timber colour.

August 2014

Q. What is the best product (preferably oil-based) to use on a new Vitex deck to retain the colour and protect the wood?

A. The only product that we would recommend would be Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain, which will need regular maintenance.

August 2014

Q. Can existing anodised aluminium window frames be prepared for painting?

A. Yes (assuming no surface corrosion is present) they need to be clean of contaminants and then primed with an adhesion primer such as Resene Vinyl Etch before topcoating with a two pack polyurethane such as Resene Uracryl.

August 2014

Q. With your product Resene Concrete Clear can you tell me if I put it on fibre cement sheeting will it deepen the colour as though you have poured water on it?

A. We recommend application of the gloss as the first coat then additional coats of any gloss level can be applied. Resene Concrete Clear is a waterborne clear and does not have the wetting features of a solventborne clear. While there will be some colour change it is difficult to say how much but it will be much less than a solventborne system.

August 2014

Q. I have a damaged white Formica kitchen carcass, cabinets, wall panels, drawer and cupboard fronts. Is it possible to paint the Formica® and what paint system do you suggest to restore the Formica®?

A. The following paint system be used to paint laminates such as Formica® - degrease using Resene Interior Paint Cleaner following label directions then prime with Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and leave to cure for 48 hours before undercoating with Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat. Finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl. The Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer is an adhesion primer and not designed to give film build or opacity. The system will take at least five days to develop full adhesion. Painting will not restore the original properties of the Formica® laminate, it will provide a colour change. It's best to apply the undercoat and topcoats by rolling to avoid brushmarking.

August 2014

Q. We have a lot of PVC downpipes on our new cellar and need to paint them to match. Can you provide a system (any undercoat and topcoat) that we can use that won't peel off?

A. Resene exterior acrylics develop excellent adhesion direct to clean PVC, no need for a primer. Suggest you use Resene Sonyx 101 (semi-gloss) or Resene Lumbersider (low sheen) and if using dark colours then use the Resene CoolColour™ formula for the colours. Adhesion takes about seven days to fully develop.

August 2014

Q. I have a garage that has metal cladding (not sure what type of metal, standard Skyline® garage type). Do I need a special type of Resene paint? There is no damage at all, it is only that the colour is not right for me.

A. The door is more than likely made fusing a COLORSTEEL® type of factory finished metal sheeting. Assuming it is new, leave exposed to the weather for at least four weeks then wash down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash following label/data sheet directions then apply two coats of Resene Summit Roof paint.

August 2014

Q. I have some treated decking to paint and have used Resene Lumbersider in the past. However I want a high gloss finish. Do you have such a product?

A. Decking paints are usually at a reduced gloss level as gloss finishes become very slippery when wet.

August 2014

Q. I have been asked to paint a mural in a school on a prepainted cinderblock and plastered exterior wall approximately 5m x 3m. Could you please tell me what I should use to prime the wall?

A. Recommend using Resene Sureseal as the seal coat then you can apply Resene exterior waterborne paint colours.

August 2014

Q. Looking for a good timbercare product to finish a western red cedar bath surround. It's newly installed, unpainted timber and needs to withstand drips from the bath; however definitely want as low a sheen and natural/clear finish as possible.

A. You could use four coats of Resene Qristal Clear HD Poly-Satin.

August 2014

Q. What is the best product to use for a dark colour on timber fascia boards? They are pre-painted finger jointed pine.

A. Recommend you use Resene Sonyx 101 in the Resene CoolColour™ version of the colour you select.

August 2014

Q. I have an existing Rimu floor in the bathroom. What polyurethane would you recommend? I want a satin/matt finish.

A. We recommend four coats of Resene Qristal Clear HD Poly-Satin.

August 2014

Q. I want to paint a varnished cane couch white. So far I have washed it down with sugar soap and sanded what I can get at. What do I do to get paint to stick on the places I cannot sand?

A. Apply a coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer.

August 2014

Q. How do you paint new galvanised iron?

A. Scrub down with Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and applied following the label/data sheet directions. Rinse clean with water then prime with Resene Galvo-Prime, then apply two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

August 2014

Q. The interior of main lounge/dining room in the house we've just purchased is Resene Thorndon Cream and the area above the fireplace has a sooty area. How can I clean this and could I use something mild like Sunlight liquid? It is a matt finish and I can see other small areas that have been badly spot cleaned by the previous owners.

A. The cleanability of a painted finish decreases as the gloss level decreases. Flat paints tend to be easily burnished which means that the gloss actually increases in the areas when rubbed to clean. Resene SpaceCote Flat has the best burnish resistance of our interior wall paints. Try Resene Interior Paint Cleaner or the easiest option may be to clean the area down, seal off any residual soot with Resene StainLock and then apply 2 coats of a Resene SpaceCote finish.

August 2014

Q. I have used an oil based enamel (Resene Super Gloss) for my window sills inside. My windows run with moisture so need to be wiped each morning. Also my cats spend a lot of time dancing along the window sills. I chose this paint because it is hardwearing. My husband thinks that the shiny surface looks dated. What other options do I have?

A. Full gloss enamels will give you the best scratch resistance but you could move to either Resene Lusta Glo (semi-gloss) or Resene Room Velvet (low sheen). Sand the existing enamel to de-gloss then apply two coats of the new enamel finish.

August 2014

Q. What does the LVR% become for the roof colour Resene Grey Friars, currently 8, with Resene CoolColour technology? We would like a darkish grey roof as we have black aluminium joinery on white weatherboard, but don't want to generate excessive heat, contraction and expansion.

A. LRV (light reflectance value) is a measure of light reflection and is not related to heat reflection. Hence the LRV of the non-cool and cool versions of a given colour are the same.

What does change is TSR (total solar reflectance). TSR is a measure of the reflection of near infra-red radiation. IR is what keeps us warm. While a cool colour does not render a surface cool to touch the Resene CoolColour™ version will reflect more heat compared to the non-cool version of the same colour.

August 2014

Q. We have outdoor ceramic tiles (unglazed) that no longer match the colour of the house since we repainted. I was wondering if painting the tiles was an option and, if so, what you would recommend?

A. Apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal then follow this with two coats of Resene Walk-on.

August 2014

Q. I have a 10 year old house with concrete blockwork walls. The house walls were rendered with a coloured acrylic render and are now showing their age and some hairline cracks, here and there. We would like to choose the right Resene product to coat all external walls over the old acrylic render.

A. We recommend Resene X-200.

August 2014

Q. Please recommend a paint finish for the skirting boards for a busy commercial area.

A. We recommend solventborne enamels such as Resene Super Gloss or Resene Lusta-Glo.

August 2014

Q. Do you have anti-mould paint for use in bathrooms that have lots of steam from a shower?

A. We do have Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen Kitchen and Bathroom but you will need to ensure the mould spores are killed first using Resene Moss & Mould Kilter and even then there is always a limit as to how much mould paint can stop. After treating the mould apply two coats of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat and follow with two coats of the Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen Kitchen and Bathroom. Removal of steam using extraction systems is the best way to control mould growth long term.

August 2014

Q. How do I recoat kitchen cupboard doors? They look like gloss spraypainted over customwood.

A. Sand with 220 grit sandpaper to degloss then prime with Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat, and finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl. Apply all coats using a small nook and cranny roller for a good finish. There will be orange peel but roller application avoids the issue of brushmarking. The system will take about five days to achieve reasonable adhesion and hardness.

August 2014

Q. I am looking at using your concrete "wax" over a tinted power floated slab that has not and will not be ground. You note in the data sheet slab should be ground, but then contradict that to a degree by saying "…if the slab has been ground…". So what grind? Is no grinding with a tinted slab like we are looking at OK?

A. For maximum adhesion the concrete should be prop filed and this is the requirement for grinding, and grinding also removes any loose and weak surface material. In the case of coloured concrete the act of grinding will remove a surface layer that may well result in an altered surface colour when clear coated. It remains the case that the best adhesion can only be achieved with a diamond ground surface.

August 2014

Q. We have purchased a house which is built partly in dressed cedar and partly in COLORSTEEL® about 7 years ago. The cedar portion was treated with a film forming product. The treatment has now bubbled and peeled in a number of places and we want to resurface and retreat it this summer. We would prefer to treat the cedar so that it has a silvered finish. I am not sure what the best way to do this is so that we protect the timber and get an even result that ages well. Could you please advise me on what products and approach you would recommend?

A. Removal will be easier given the fact that it is dressed timber. Removal can be by using a paint stripper or a heat gun and scraping. We have no surface treatment to silver the cedar to achieve a uniform finish. We do have Resene Woodsman stain colours Resene Uluru and Resene Weathered Grey that will give the appearance of weathered cedar. However the stain may need application every second summer to maintain aesthetics.

August 2014

Q. I'm looking at exterior colours for a renovation to my house. I'm interested in Resene CoolColour for the ability to possibly paint timber externally without it warping and cracking due to excessive heat build up. What are your comments on its likely performance in that regard? What is the likely price premium over a more standard external paint system?

A. A Resene CoolColour™ version of a Resene colour will reflect more heat than the non-cool version of the same colour but a cool colour does not guarantee that there will be no timber dimensional changes. However use of the Resene CoolColour™ technology will reduce the likelihood of cupping and warping but this depends upon the colour chosen. CoolColours are not cool to touch but reflect more infra-red radiation (heat) than the non-cool version of the colour. The premium for CoolColours is $2.50 per litre, this will add an extra $25 to a 10 litre pail (2014 pricing).

August 2014

Q. I have stripped wallpaper off plasterboard walls. The plasterboard is in very sound condition, no gouges, surface paper is intact. Do I still need to seal the walls before using Resene Broadwall? The stopping that was under the paper is to a very good (level 4) standard. My concern is adhesion of Resene Broadwall to the plasterboard as the plasterboard has obviously been sized before the paper went up, and will have glue from the paper hanging absorbed into the plasterboard paper face. Should I sand the plasterboard (it is bare, stripped of wallpaper and very sound) before applying the sealer?

A. Lightly sand with 180-220 grit sandpaper then apply the sealer. We recommend applying a coat of Resene Sureseal pigmented sealer before applying the Resene Broadwall as this seals and locks in any sizing or adhesive residues which would otherwise be dissolved and mobilised by the Resene Broadwall.

August 2014

Q. I have a bach with 1970s hardboard wall linings with an imitation wood grain finish. It is shiny and easy clean, washable. Can I paint over it? Do I need a special adhering coat first? What about the grooves and the plastic jointers?

A. Clean down to ensure the surface is free of contaminants, dirt/dust/grease etc. Apply a coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and leave to cure with good ventilation for at least 48 hours then apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat followed by two coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen. Allow the system to cure with good ventilation and warmth. The system will take a minimum of five days to develop adhesion. The Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer is not designed to be high build or give opacity.

August 2014

Q. I am looking for a non toxic rimu coloured varnish that gives a satin finish for a baby's cot. Can you tell me what product to use? I only need a small amount so does it come in a small container or can I buy a testpot?

A. We have Resene Aquaclear which is a waterborne Environmental Choice approved varnish but this is not supplied to a specific colour. Usually we stain the bare timber with Resene Colorwood stain then apply 2-3 coats of Resene Aquaclear in the required gloss level. The smallest size we sell Aquaclear in is 500ml can. Resene Colorwood is available in 55ml testpots.

August 2014

Q. I operate a glass studio and have a client who wishes me to create a blended colour glass splashback using colours to match existing colours we have used in their stained glass. What paints (that can be tinted) do you have available that are suitable to back paint glass, similar to that used to create glass splashbacks?

A. The splashback industry uses Resene Imperite IF 503. It's available in pigmented solid colour and there is a metallic option.

August 2014

Q. Can you add SRG grit to a clear coating for a timber deck instead of using the non-skid deck paint?

A. We don't recommend clear coating for timber decking as it does not provide enough protection to the surface. Also when you add SRG to clears you can see the additive and this detracts from a clear look. Resene decking products are non-film forming and this type of stain cannot bind aggregates.

August 2014

Q. I want to paint Harditex® and have heard there is a special Resene paint. What is it please? Would applying the paint with a roller be OK?

A. For new Harditex®, use a coat of Resene Concrete Prime and two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 (semi-gloss) or Resene Lumbersider (low sheen). Recommend using the Resene CoolColour™ versions of the topcoats if choosing dark colours.

August 2014

Q. We applied two coats of Resene Write-On Wall Paint to a painted feature wall. As the second coat flowed on much more freely we had a lot left over. We applied the left over to the other newly painted surfaces. Is there any technical requirement for two coats of whiteboard paint? Or will one good covering be enough for the white board to work OK?

A. Resene Write-On Wall Paint is a clear and we recommend two coats applied over a compatible base colour.

August 2014

Q. We have a bay window with a butynol roof covering it. The butynol has faded and weathered and has a residue that runs down the windows when it rains. It is still weatherproof but looks dull and we were thinking of painting it. Does Resene make a sealer and paint that we could safely use to cover the butynol?

A. Thoroughly scrub down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and applied to label directions then rinse off with freshwater and allow to dry. Apply a coat of Resene Membrane Roofing Primer followed by two coats of Resene Lumbersider (low sheen) or Resene Sonyx 101 (semi-gloss). Use the Resene CoolColour™ version of the colour you select.

August 2014

Q. I need to paint an old concrete verandah floor. I think I would use Resene Non-Skid Deck and Path. A painter friend suggests I use an oil based sealer but I see that Resene make a waterbased paint prep and a concrete primer. Which of these would you recommend?

A. Your painter is correct - the only sealer we recommend for this application is Resene Sureseal.

August 2014

Q. We had the interior of our house painted about 6 years ago and not long after we started to notice bubbles in areas of ceilings and top of walls against the new cornice. Every now and then we get up and scrape the areas and re plaster and sand and paint and then we notice another area and it just keeps going. For example if there is a bubble in the ceiling you can get a scraper and peel it off really easy back to raw Gyprock®. Is there a 'clear' product you can paint over top to 're stick' to ceilings and walls as we can't peel all the paint off.

A. The issue is the failure to use the correct sealer when the areas were first painted. It is our standard recommendation to seal plasterboard or fibrous plasterboards and stopping with Resene Sureseal prior to topcoating. You would need to strip and seal and topcoat to stop the issue occurring.

August 2014

Q. I am wanting to paint over Lockwood interior wood. Do you have a product that does this? If so how many coats would it need and does it need sanding before the first coat and after the first coat and before the covering coats?

A. Clean down the surfaces to be painted with Resene Interior Paint Cleaner. For best results sand with 220 grit sandpaper and then apply a coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer. Allow the sealer to cure for at least 48 hours with ventilation and then apply two coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen. We recommend a coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat be applied prior to application of topcoats – it's not essential but it does ensure system adhesion is developed. The Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer is an adhesion coat and not designed to give opacity or high film build. Adhesion will take at least 5 days to develop with full cure being achieved 30 days post application. Good ventilation and warmth will ensure correct curing is achieved. Note that any board movement may expose the original varnish line.

August 2014

Q. I have painted my metal guttering with Resene Galvo One and now have just finished my first coat with Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss. The finish is showing up patchy. Have you got any advice?

A. Two coats of topcoat is always our standard requirement. Gloss level will always be affected if the substrate ends up with dew condensing on the metal. This, and the lack of a second coat, are the most likely causes.

August 2014

Q. Do you have a paint with built in undercoat that you can use straight on new timber?

A. Yes Resene Lumbersider, however depending upon the condition and location there may well be a sound case to use a primer or undercoat.

August 2014

Q. I have a light shade that is plastic that I am wondering about painting. Is this advisable? Can you paint plastic without it streaking or looking like it's been painted? If it is ok, what paint do you use?

A. It does depend upon the plastic but most Resene topcoats will adhere to plastic light fittings – use two coats and there should be no streaking. The paint will be a fully pigmented layer.

August 2014

Q. What product is in 55ml testpots and on drawdowns?

A. Resene Lumbersider is in most of our 55ml testpots and is also used for the drawdowns screenprinted at our Head Office. Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen is used for most of our colour chart chips and swatches made by our colour chart supplier.

August 2014

Q. I would like to repaint my cane/wicker furniture and leave it outside. What is the best outdoor paint to paint it with please? Something to protect it from the rain etc. The old paint has gone all powdery and flakes off.

A. You will need to remove all of the failed paint, then prime with Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat and two coats of Resene Lumbersider.

August 2014

Q. I was trying to go from oil based enamel, which was done about 15-20 years ago, to a waterbased enamel finish and thought putting pigmented sealer on after sanding was going to be my best option. However I was told today that this wasn't the best option. I still need to plaster some cracks and holes. Do you think that once I have done the plastering, if I paint the whole area with Resene Quick Dry, it will all be ok for my topcoats?

A. Yes, a full coat of Resene Quick Dry over repairs and existing enamel (thoroughly sand old enamel first) would be a good option prior to applying Resene Enamacryl (gloss) or Resene Lustacryl (semi-gloss).

August 2014

Q. I applied alkyd waterborne sealer undercoat on my bathroom celling. Can I apply waterbased enamel on top of it?

A. We would recommend application of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat prior to application of the enamel topcoat.

August 2014

Q. Do I need to use a special adhesion promoted primer when painting new PVC?

A. There is no need to use any adhesion primer when painting new PVC with Resene exterior acrylics. Resene exterior acrylics are adhesion promoted so no need for a primer over PVC. Adhesion takes about 5 days to develop. After 24 hours you can scratch the paint off but after seven days to remove you need to sand. So the key is just making sure you let it cure fully.

August 2014

Q. What is the best way to clean marks and stains from a painted wall? Also which type of paint is more suited to homes that have sticky-fingered children?

A. You can clean your paintwork using Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner and a soft cloth. Using light strokes, thoroughly wipe the area to be cleaned turning the cloth frequently to maintain a clean edge. Wipe away any excess solution. 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.

Paints to use: Waterborne enamels, such as Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen, are more durable and easier to clean than standard acrylics without leaving marks. On trim and joinery opt for a semi-gloss waterborne enamel, such as Resene Lustacryl. For your ceilings opt for a waterborne enamel, such as Resene SpaceCote Flat, rather than a standard ceiling paint. You will then be able to wipe off flyspots without damaging the paint finish.

It's best to wait four weeks to give the paint plenty of time to cure before you start cleaning it.

August 2014

Q. What exterior topcoat do you recommend for guttering? We have COLORSTEEL® roofing.

A. If you have COLORSTEEL® roofing then Resene Summit Roof will match the gloss level of the roofing.

August 2014

Q. There is blistering on my home – what causes it?

A. Whenever we see blistering we always ask the question, if you cut open the blister what is revealed underneath and what is on the back of the blister? This helps identify the failure mode and the appropriate prep to rectify the problem.

August 2014

Q. What can I use as an undercoat on varnished furniture so I don't need to sand?

A. Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer.

August 2014

Q. I own an old Defence Force home. I have lots of wall that are flaking. I've been told by painters it is because the topcoat is waterbased and the bottom coat is enamel base.

A. I think the flaking is more likely due to multiple applications of paint without any real attention to surface preparation.

August 2014

Q. I have been preparing the boards that my wife paints on, using non oil type hardboard. I have cut the most recent boards to a size of 600 x 760, then sanded the edges, painted the textured side with primer undercoat, then given the smooth side a light sanding and then several coats of gesso, sanding between coats, so that I have ended up with a nice smooth surface similar to an egg shell. As my wife is doing photo type portraits on these boards, she very much likes this smooth surface. Will one of your undercoats give the same effect as the gesso in every respect? She is painting in oils.

A. Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat can be painted with almost any paint type (water or solventborne). It is my understanding that gesso is used as a sealer and it is likely that Resene Quick Dry will act similarly but will not give the film build achievable with gesso.

August 2014

Q. I have a house stained with Resene Waterborne Woodsman penetrating oil stain. If I wanted to paint the house, would Resene TimberLock penetrate through the current stain? If I stain the house again, would I be able to use an oil-based penetrating stain over the current waterbased product?

A. Resene TimberLock cannot penetrate through the existing stain. If you stain again yes a solventborne stain can be used as long as the waterborne stain has undergone at least six months direct weathering.

August 2014

Q. I'm repainting a steel frame. Rust areas have been wire brushed/ground and painted with Resene Rust-Arrest. Good paint areas have been sanded. Please advise undercoat for both alkyd and acrylic topcoats. I have some Resene roof paint – is it OK to use for this?

A. You can use Resene Enamel Undercoat for both. If your roof paint is Resene Summit Roof, it is ok to use it for this application.

August 2014

Q. Painting newly rendered concrete stucco base of house. Finished solid plastering mid July. Do I need to do a test as per D83.3 prior to painting with Resene Concrete Primer? House is within 300m of se and the area to be painted does get rainwashing. Do I need to waterblast prior to sealing to remove salt assuming I do the job within the next 2-3 weeks?

A. Conventional waterborne paint systems breathe which means that water vapour (not liquid water) can move out from the substrate. In an ideal world you would remove all entrained salts before painting by thorough rinsing of the surface. Waterblasting is not as efficient as prolonged rinsing of the surface. Once this has been done you then need to allow the concrete thickness to essentially dry out prior to painting.

August 2014

Q. Have a house built in the 1960s. It has a fibrous plaster ceiling, paint cracking in places and delaminating back to plaster in small patches (coming off as one complete sheet of paint). No sign of water ingress. Is the cause of this poor preparation going back 50 years or simply the sealer failing after this time period? What is the advisable method to strip an entire fibrous plaster ceiling of paint?

A. The usual cause is water ingress but if this is not the case then simply a case of the original primer/sealer (assuming one was used) has embrittled with age and the stress has caused loss of adhesion. If the adhesion is poor then use a wide broad wall knife to strip back the failed coating. Then seal the fibrous plaster with Resene Sureseal and follow with two coats of any Resene waterborne paint (usually a flat celling paint). You will need to be careful during removal as it is highly likely that the original coating may contain lead.

August 2014

Q. Paint has come off the edge of some weatherboards down to bare timber in places partly due to an inappropriate oversize house washing brush used vertically. Can I paint primer and undercoat to overlap the topcoat or do I have to use a very fine brush to try to only paint the exposed surfaces? Would I have to stay clear of enamel?

A. There may be another reason why the paint has delaminated from the edges of the boards. If the edge was not sanded to round off then the paint thickness at the edge may well be lower than on the board face. As paint dries it can shrink back form a sharp edge and not develop the required dry film thickness required for adhesion and durability. In general you need to radius off the edge and sand back failed paint areas to a sound edge. Prime bare timber (can normally use Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat) and then apply two coats of an Resene exterior acrylic of your preferred gloss level. It is best practice to overlap the new system onto the old.

August 2014

Q. What do you recommend on new stopped plasterboard?

A. We recommend Resene Broadwall Waterborne Wallboard Sealer or Resene Broadwall Surface Prep and Seal as the first coat onto new stopped paper faced plasterboard (dry areas). Resene Sureseal is recommended for sealing paper faced plasterboard in wet areas.

August 2014

Q. I have a cedar weatherboard house that is currently stained with a Resene waterborne exterior stain. The stain is a dark (almost black) colour. I am intending to get the house painted this summer and would like to go for a lighter colour (off-white). I have had two Resene painters look at the house and have had conflicting advice. One painter suggested that we would be wise to remain with a darker colour, in particular because we may end up with a striping effect where the weatherboards overlap (as a result of gaps beneath each weatherboard and house movement). He suggested using three coats of Resene Lumbersider of a similar colour to what we already have. The second painter suggested that it will be fine to paint it a lighter colour. He proposed filling the gaps between weatherboards on all weatherboards above approximately chest height (so that we wouldn't see any striping effect as a result of having a lighter colour) and then painting with two coats of oil-based undercoat followed by two topcoats of Resene Sonyx 101.

Are you able to provide me with any advice on the pros and cons of each approach so that I can make a more informed decision?

A. The issue of weatherboard movement will certainly reduce if you use a light colour. If you thoroughly scrub the stained surfaces with a 1:1 dilution of Resene Timber and Deck Wash then wash off with water you will remove most of the pigmentation. Assuming there is no greyed timber then apply a full coat of Resene Wood Primer to the dry surface followed by two coats of Resene Lumbersider in as light a colour as possible. If you are using darker colours then definitely use the Resene CoolColour™ version of the colour.

I cannot comment on the use of gap fillers for the purposes that the painters have suggested but we do know that it is a common practice.

August 2014

Page 04

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