How to paint garages & carparks

Q. Our garage door has been neglected for many years. It is north facing and dark brown COLORSTEEL®. There was a white film on it which looked awful. I have worked hard to remove this but it always comes back again. So now I have decided to repaint the door. Could you please advise the best preparation and what sort of paint finish would be best along with application? Ideally I would prefer to brush it as there is an embossed pattern as with most garage doors.

A. It sounds like your powder coating has started to chalk. We recommend removal with Resene Roof and Metal Wash. This will work for a period of time but it will always come back.

To recoat, wash with Resene Roof and Metal Wash followed by one coat of Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer. Then apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat. This extra step makes the system more robust and adds film thickness for more knock resistance. Follow by two topcoats of Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel.

October 2024

Q. I am using Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen to paint weatherboards. I also have a painted aluminium garage. If there is Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen leftover, will it bond to the painted aluminium if I spot prime as needed with a metal primer?

A. Resene Lumbersider is not suitable for a roller door, or a panel door, where areas painted in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen will touch other areas painted in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen when the door is open or closed and then it will risk sticking to itself.

If the garage door is painted in a waterborne paint currently, Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen will be fine to go directly over the top.

If it's painted in an oil based enamel we recommend a good sand to de-gloss the surface before applying Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. Any areas where sanding is missed will likely lift.

If it's powder coated currently we recommend you apply Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer or Resene Galvo One.

October 2024

Q. Firstly what is the best paint to use for a garage ceiling. Secondly would this paint be suitable for bedroom ceilings? What is the most wipeable paint for the walls?

A. The traditional finish for the ceiling is a flat finish, although low sheen is gaining popularity. Walls are typically a low sheen. Waterborne enamels such as Resene SpaceCote Flat or Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen have greater burnish resistance than standard acrylics. These products would all be suitable for walls and ceiling in a garage or bedroom. The low sheen is the most popular for walls. Waterborne enamels are also able to be used in bathrooms.

A higher sheen level on the ceiling will highlight more imperfections than a flat finish, but will be easier to clean.

September 2024

Q. I have efflorescence on the bottom bricks of a retaining wall in my garage. How do I prep it? It is a white efflorescence. There is no water behind it so moisture can only come from the foundation it’s laid on.

A. Efflorescence needs to be removed by physically scrubbing with a stiff brush and water blasting or if hardened then acid etching or grinding may be required.

August 2024

Q. I am looking to build a two bay garage with attached garden shed and I like the 'rustic' look. I would like to use pine weatherboards (think cedar will be too expensive) that I will then oil or stain to keep the natural look of the timber. What would you recommend for this and am I going to have to repeat it often to stop it 'greying' so I can keep the natural look of the timber? I could go to batten and board if I have to.

A. The only way to achieve the natural rustic look is to apply a colour stain such as Resene Woodsman Oil Stain in Resene Natural or Resene Heartwood. Tinted colours have UV additives to help protect against UV breakdown. The colour of the timber generally greys as it ages but adding a colour can slow this down significantly.

The new Resene Woodsman Cedar Natural Wood Oil could be a great choice using the new colour range for a rustic feel and finish.

No clears have UV protection.

July 2024

Q. I am in the process of having my garage internal walls lined with plywood and want to know what the best finish will be to keep the wood look and to seal the plywood. It is new plywood so probably just needs a dust down and maybe a sand here and there to remove pencil marks from the construction working out. I understand that it will darken over time but am OK with that.

A. Resene Aquaclear Natural gives an almost invisible finish but is durable enough to be cleaned. It is a clear finish but the plywood underneath with yellow/darken with age.

July 2024

Q. I have a cedar garage door. The cedar boards are 20mm thick. On the exterior surface I have Resene Woodsman stain. The interior is currently not coated/virgin cedar.

I would like to apply a mineral wood oil to the interior to ensure the cedar is oiled.

My question is will this cause issues with the Woodsman on the exterior?

Is there an alternative that would be suggested?

I have the mineral wood oil from a different project.

The surface will be covered with insulation so it will not be seen after this project is finished.

A. I do not advise to use a mineral oil on interior surfaces as they require UV to dry. I suggest you use a Resene Woodsman Natural Cedar Oil as you will be able to get a colour close. This product can go interior and exterior and will not affect the exterior stain.

June 2024

Q. I plan to paint the exterior walls of a garage – they are metal cladding. Is it best to use roof paint?

A. If the walls are powder coated, apply one coat of Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer followed by two topcoats of Resene Summit Roof Semi-Gloss. You could change to Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen if a less glossy finish was preferred.

May 2024

Q. I have some Resene Limelock paint and would like to know if this is suitable to use on the inside of the tilt slab concrete walls in our garage. They are NOT below grade walls and are several years old. We wish to paint them and would like to use Resene Limelock as a primer coat. The concrete is dry and 20 years old. I intend to topcoat with two coats of acrylic semi-gloss.

A. You can use Resene Limelock but there is no real gain from using this product as the concrete is not fresh. Resene Sonyx 101 will be fine for topcoating and is a semi-gloss finish.

May 2024

Q. I am looking to line my garage with plywood (13mm untreated). It will probably be screwed with stainless screws. I hang bikes and tools in there and saw wood and work in there. It has a concrete base and does not get wet. I am looking for a good product (probably a light shade so it’s not dark while working) that I can roll or speed brush on prior to hanging the sheets to protect the wood and perhaps help with reducing sawdust sticking or even reduce any moisture. Ideally it would have the ability to be recoated if needed in a few years. What stain or product do you suggest? Preferably water based.

A. I suggest using Resene Colorwood Whitewash. This is a varnish with white tint so it has a film build, is easily cleaned and looks light and modern.

It’s best to apply one coat of Resene Aquaclear gloss as a first coat followed by 1-2 coats of Resene Colorwood Whitewash.

May 2024

Q. The builder has applied a waterproof product called Mastermix Multi Cote. The concrete was originally laid around 1958. It’s a basement garage that the builder has applied the waterproofing to where it is below ground. The rest of the concrete is being primed with Resene Sureseal.

I’d then like to paint it to match the rest of the internal walls.

A. As it’s a wall, I suggest trying the Resene Sureseal you are using on other areas as a trial area. The trial is to ensure the Resene Sureseal dries hard and has good adhesion. If successful, you can apply Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen topcoat in chosen colour.

April 2024

Q. I want to paint the internal side of a cinder block wall in my garage. The exterior side of the wall is against a dirt slope. The blocks have not been painted before. What consideration do I need to make for moisture if moisture can only escape through the internal side of the wall? What is the best type of paint for this? Does the paint need to ‘breathe’ and let any moisture through, or can it be fully sealed?

A. Resene HydraBlock will be the best product to use on bare blockwork. The finish is a semi-gloss clear. If you want to coat over in a colour, Resene Uracryl 802 is the correct topcoat.

April 2024

Q. We have new garage sectional doors, marine ply and cedar battens. They have never been coated before. The site is about 100 metres from a beach, doors will be facing North East so gets full morning sun through to about midday. The property doesn’t face the sea. It is approx 90 degrees to it. Will Lumbersider Low Sheen be OK? I don't want a higher sheen level. The colour will be Cedar/Mid-Brown.

A. I suggest applying one coat of Resene Wood Primer followed by the two coats of Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss (best) or you could use Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. I recommend the use of CoolColours for darker colours to reduce the heat absorption from infrared/heat.

The higher the gloss the better the rain can wash the surface from salt build ups. Being so close to the sea, I recommend you thoroughly wash once painted twice a year to remove salt deposits using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash.

March 2024

Q. Comparing Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen and Resene SpaceCote Flat, which one performs better against impact and abrasion? I am looking for the best paint for garage doors.

A. Resene SpaceCote Flat is a waterborne enamel. Waterborne enamels have different resins to make the paint a bit more durable and cleanable so this would be the 'tougher' option. In saying this, no paint coating will flex as much as it needs to stop cracking after being hit with a hard object. Paint is not scratch proof.

Resene SpaceCote Flat is a flat finish. This can hold dust and dirt and can be harder to clean off. Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss is a waterborne enamel with the same toughness but a semi-gloss finish to easier to clean.

January 2024

Q. Is Summit Roof semi-gloss the correct paint to repaint a home garage roll-a-door?

A. You can use Resene Summit Roof or Resene Lustacryl. If parts of the roller door touch each other when rolled up I would recommend Resene Lustacryl.

January 2024

Q. I’m looking to coat an old carport deck. It is pine and exposed to the full sun. I’m keen to give it the most protection without using paint . What stain or oil do you recommend? This is the timber deck that the car drives on.

A. Resene will not have an oil or stain to protect the timber under vehicle traffic. There are limited options for paint systems.

After a thorough wash down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash, apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat. Allow 48 hours to dry. Apply two coats of Resene Uracryl 402. Allow a minimum of five days before using a car on the driveway. If the timber flexes too much the paint will crack over time.

January 2024

Q. Because our garage door has panels I was thinking I would be better off using a brush to apply the paint, rather than a small roller. Would you agree, and if so, what size brush and quality?

A. Yes, you can use a brush. I would opt to use either a 63mm or 75mm brush (you can go larger – e.g. 88mm or 100mm but the brush feels heavier over time). As for quality, if you plan on looking after the brush for future projects, PAL Legend Oval Brush is the best. If you are looking at using a brush just for this project, the Resene MacGyver will do the job.

I recommend you use different brushes for oil and waterbased paints

December 2023

Q. I wish to re-paint my garage door. I have attached some photographs. Our house is very close to the harbour. There is rust at the top of the door. Apart from the rust, the paintwork looks to be in good condition.

A. If any areas of moss or mould infestation exist then treat them with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. 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. 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 water blast ensuring all lose paint and 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.

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.

Prime areas of prepared corrosion and bare substrate with Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primer then apply two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

December 2023

Q. I'm seeking a thick, semi-gloss light grey paint for my garage floor. What would you recommend? The floor’s condition is patchy with minor cracks. I favour a rich (thick) look, like a showroom floor. The car will be parked in there.

A. All paint systems for concrete garage floors require the same preparation. Diamond grind to achieve a profile similar to 180 grit piece of sandpaper. This should remove existing coatings as painting over worn patchy paint can lead to delamination when a new sound coating is applied.

Once ground, ensure the surface is dust free and clean. There are a couple of paint systems you could use:

Option 1: Apply Resene Aquapoxy for Flooring. You will need three coats, the first coat thinned up to 10% with water.

Option 2: Apply one coat of Resene Armourcote 510. Then apply two coats of Resene Uracryl 403 or Resene Uracryl 402.

Option 1 is most common for garage floors. It is a waterborne two pack product and very hard wearing. To view, most Resene ColorShop floors in the trade area are painted in this product.

Option 2 is a slightly more durable system used in more commercial settings. It is a very strong solvent paint system and a lot of care needs to be taken when applying for safety. For both options, the longer you wait the better to walk and drive a car. Allow a minimum 48 hours to walk with shoes and seven days for a car. Full cure will take around a month, the more ventilation the better. You must ensure you have a lot of ventilation during painting and for at least 24 hours after.

November 2023

Q. What kind of paint is recommended on the floor for a car parking inside a building? The floor is concrete and the parking is for 20 cars.

A. Diamond grind to remove existing coating and to achieve a uniform surface profile similar to 180 grit sandpaper. Ensure all grinding dust is removed, this may require wet mopping.

Our best system would be to apply a seal coat of Resene Armourcote 510 thinned 15% with Resene Thinner No.6 and then a full coat of unthinned Resene Armourcote 510 to achieve a dry film thickness of 125 microns and finish with two coats of Resene Uracryl 402 semi-gloss to achieve a dry film thickness of 100 microns. The paint system is best applied by an experienced applicator.

October 2023

Q. Our garage doors are fading. I read that Resene sell a colour restoring paint solution, is this available in NZ?

A. Resene do not have a solution to restore but using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash can assist in removing chalking paint, bringing the surface back to looking good and near new again. Chalking of the paint is only cosmetic and does not change the integrity of the paint itself.

September 2023

Q. I have lined the walls of my garage with ply. What finish would you recommend to reduce dust and dirt build up?

A. Presuming you are wanting to leave the plywood as natural as possible, apply 3-4 coats of Resene Aquaclear Natural. This is an almost invisible natural sheen varnish that stays clear over time. However, it does not stop the natural yellowing process of the plywood underneath. So, if you have frames or bikes hanging on the walls for some time, when removed the plywood could be different in colour. No clear coating will stop this occurring.

September 2023

Q. What is the best paint and undercoat to paint on an exterior tin cladding on a garage? Do I have to undercoat it or can I paint straight onto it?

A. Once cleaned we recommend one coat of Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer on the shed and door. For the shed apply two topcoats of either Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Summit Roof semi-gloss.

If you have a roller door, we recommend two topcoats of Resene Lustacryl waterborne enamel semi-gloss for this. If the door is one large panel that opens you can use the same topcoat as the rest of the shed.

April 2023

Q. I’m working on a project which has an existing 30-year-old steel beam supporting a timber floor in an existing garage. The structural engineer is happy for this beam to remain, however I would like to provide some additional protection to the beam. Would it be acceptable to use Resene Rust-Arrest with hand or power tool clean to SSPC-SP2 or SSPC-SPC3, or should an additional product be applied over this?

This situation is complicated by the fact that not all sides of the beam are exposed for prep/painting.

A. A better system for hand tooled rusted steel would be System EPM 2 or 3 in the attached AS/NZS 2312.1 Standard.

Depending upon the location often in garage situations there is the influx of external air often carrying salts, the salts undergo a one way trip and become deposited onto the steel beam which results in active corrosion.

Prior to hand tool prep to SSPC SP3, thoroughly scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label/data sheet instructions. Do not allow the wash solution to dry out on the surface (this includes window glass and joinery). Rinse clean or hose down with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution and surface chalk residues are removed. Do not allow runoff to enter wastewater drains. Contact your local council for discharge details.

Then power tool clean to the SP3 standard to remove as much red rust as is practicable to leave only soundly adherent corrosion products.

April 2023

Q. The finish on our 18 year old garage door powder coated in New Denim Blue has faded. The door gets the strong Hawke’s Bay afternoon sun. Is there a Resene product that it can successfully be repainted with in the same colour? If so please can you advise how to prepare the surface and apply.

A. Yes it can be repainted.

Clean with Resene Roof and Metal Wash. Please be mindful to not leave this on longer than the label instructions and to thoroughly clean off. Once dry apply one coat of Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer (solventborne), followed by two topcoats of Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel. The topcoats can be applied directly over the primer.

New Denim Blue is a popular nationwide roofing colour and is part of the Resene colour range, so it will be no problem to tint this colour for you.

April 2023

Q. I need to repair the timber at the side of a garage door opening that has been damaged and has some rot with existing paint cracking. We will have to fill it with a builder’s bog type product as there has been some rot which has been removed.

Do I paint the Resene Sureseal on the timber before or after the filler please? Or should I do it both before and after?

It has previously been filled but the surface has cracked.

A. We recommend priming after filling with Resene Wood Primer. We would not recommend Resene Sureseal for this project.

Resene sells a wood filler range called Repaircare, which is a fantastic gap filler with a lot of flexibility. Builder’s bog is brittle, and timber will have a fair bit of movement, the longevity of the repair will be limited and will likely crack over time.

April 2023

Q. I just recently repainted my garage roof. The original COLORSTEEL® was rusting in places, so I cleaned off loose material then treated it with Resene Rust-Arrest followed by Resene Galvo One primer, then topcoated it. Shortly after I noticed paint was lifting, and have had to scrape it back. It looks like the Resene Galvo One didn’t bond to the Resene Rust-Arrest and I am wondering if curing time is the issue.

A. That is exactly what I was thinking, the Resene Rust-Arrest needs 24 hours minimum at 18 degrees. If the temperature goes below this the dry time will be extended. It can be difficult as we head into colder months. The solvents from the Resene Rust-Arrest have effectively reacted and been trapped by the Resene Galvo One and caused that softening and wrinkling. This may correct itself with time if left to cure, but wrinkles will remain. Otherwise unfortunately it should be scraped and sanded back and redone allowing more time between the two products.

April 2023

Q. What would you recommend for ‘varnishing’ an already weathered cedar garage door?

A. Resene does not recommend an exterior surface forming varnish, however we do have a fully penetrating oil called Resene Furniture and Decking Oil that can be used provided the Cedar is bare. It will not be surface forming though or leave a shine on a surface like a varnish does.

April 2023

Q. I am looking to repaint an old concrete block garage exterior. It had been painted before but the paint had started to crack and bubble in one area so I have water blasted the area but underneath was a black stain/wash which I presume was some type of waterproofing done in the early 70s. The rest of the block work is in good condition with the existing paint and doesn’t appear under the rest of the block work. My question is do I need to use a concrete primer over the exposed block work where the black wash is? Would I need to put primer over the rest of the old paint work or can I paint straight over it? I intend to use 2-3 coats of Resene Sonyx 101.

A. If possible, I'd try and repair whatever has caused the bubble and crack, especially if there was moisture in the area of the bubbles. It is likely that the black waterproofing is a bitumen-based coating. The bitumen typically doesn’t like being overcoated and wasn’t designed to be painted over, however, we have a primer that works very well.

We do recommend a trial patch is completed before continuing with the entire wall. Add a test patch over the darkest patch of bitumen and leave for three days, if adhered well continue on.

Apply one coat of Resene Membrane Primer (over the entire surface), then two topcoats of Resene Sonyx 101.

March 2023

Q. My cedar garage door was linseed oiled 1.5 years ago. Can I use your oil-based stain over it? The door has discoloured in places. The garage door has been oiled once every year for the last 10 years.

A. We ask that you complete a small trial test patch before continuing with the entire door. We ask this because Linseed oil can create a hard layer on the surface and after years of coating it is possible it has not broken down.

We recommend treating any mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Wash with Resene Timber and Deck Wash to help open the grain. Once dry, followed by two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood oil (solvent-based). If the stain penetrates well in the trial patch and dries well then you are safe to proceed.

March 2023

Q. What paint can be used on a garage roller door in the colour Resene Noir? I want to make it the same colour as the COLORSTEEL® roof.

A. Once clean we recommend you apply one coat of Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer, followed by two coats of Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss titled to COLORSTEEL® Noir (I would recommend going for our CoolColour formulation, it does not eliminate heat risks but it does help to reduce them).

February 2023

Q. What do I need to do to paint concrete columns in a carpark? They are not coated with anything and are in good condition.

A. We recommend one coat of solventborne Resene Sureseal, followed by two acrylic topcoats in your desired colour. Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss would be the most popular options.

December 2022

Q. I wish to repaint my garage door. There is rust at the top of the door. I wondered how I go about repainting the door. Apart from the rust, the paintwork looks to be in good condition. Can you also match the existing colour?

A. If any areas of moss or mould infestation exist then treat them with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. 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. 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 water blast ensuring all loose paint and 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.

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.

Prime areas of prepared corrosion and bare substrate with Resene GP Metal Primer then apply two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

If you bring the can into the Resene ColorShop our staff will be able to match from that.

November 2022

Q. I water blasted the garage before painting last year, but I have noticed over the winter the texture has changed. It has white speckles coming through the paint, which makes it feel rough. I have scrubbed it with a scoured pad which has cleaned it a little. What went wrong?

A. This could be under film corrosion. The Zinc from the shed is meant to act as a sacrificial coating and erode once the steel becomes weathered and old, this is what you are seeing come through as white rust. Once the Zinc layer is going, you will start to see red rust.

Unfortunately, this is the nature and age of the steel, and any paint coating is going to require maintenance to attempt to stay ahead of this.

The best advice we can offer in this situation is to remove the existing coating completely, one coat of Resene Galvo One (use two coats in areas of any red rust) and two coats of Resene Summit Roof paint in your desired colour.

August 2022

Q. We are getting a sectional garage door done in a Meranti ply. The door will be finished in Resene Woodsman. We want to seal the cut edges prior to painting to prevent/minimise water getting inside the ply and delaminating it over time. Ideally it needs to be more than just a paint sealer as water still likely to penetrate through that on the end/cut edge.

A. The best sealer would be Resene Wood Primer, but it is pigmented. If you can, carefully mask off the cut ends then prime before staining the exposed face.

June 2022

Q. What do you have to clear coat new cedar clad garage door? Exterior and interior faces.

A. We have no clear coat for exterior timber. We only recommend exterior stains which are all coloured.

Altex Coatings is part of the Resene Group of Companies and they have Timbercote which is an exterior marine grade varnish. Exterior varnishes are high maintenance coatings, requiring regular maintenance to maintain the clear finish, with doors it is essential to seal the top/bottom and side edges to reduce water uptake which will cause the clear to peel back at the exposed edges.

We have found that application of a coat of Resene TimberLock to the cedar then applying the Timbercote system does extends the effective life of the system.

Wipe excess Resene TimberLock at time of application and leave to cure for at least 48 hours before over coating. Resene TimberLock has an orange colour when dry, over dark coloured timbers such as cedar this does not see any real colour change when the clears are applied. Marine varnish films are yellow-orange so a visual colour change will result in any case.

June 2022

Q. We are lining the interior walls of our garage. We will be bracing battens onto the existing painted concrete blocks and lining with plywood lining sheets. We are planning on putting insulation in as well. I have been getting mixed opinions on whether we should seal the existing painted concrete blocks before we line them. Do I need to seal the existing concrete blocks before lining?

A. I assume the issue will be moisture entrapment within the insulation layer. We are not the experts on deciding re internal sealing prior to installing the new lining system. But as long as the external face of the wall is weatherproof then there will be no chance for liquid water to come through to the internal wall face, however water vapour transmission is still a possibility. Suggest you talk to an insulation expert.

June 2022

Q. Can you use Resene X-200 for interior blocks in a garage (below ground level) that has efflorescence and has already been painted before? The exterior blocks will be re-waterproofed as well.

A. Resene X-200 does not have resistance to hydrostatic pressure from exterior water.

Efflorescence is caused by water getting into concrete often via cracks or faulty flashings, cappings etc. in an exterior wall. The source of the water causing the efflorescence needs to be found and eliminated before repainting.

You will first need to render the exterior weathertight then address the interior.

Resene X-200 is recommended for achieving exterior weathertightness, For the exterior apply a coat of Resene Sureseal then apply three coats of Resene X-200.

For the interior thoroughly wire brush to remove any remaining efflorescence (the original cause of the efflorescence should be eliminated prior to repainting) and loose paint. Spot prime these areas with Resene Sureseal then apply two coats of a waterborne topcoat such as Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

October 2021

Q. What can I use to repaint a particle or custom board work bench? It is inside the garage and is only going to be used for gardening gear and light maintenance work.

A. Assuming there are no oil stains or grease apply two coats of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Super Gloss enamel.

October 2021

Q. What paint should I use to paint a aluminium garage door that is already painted? The paint is in good condition except a little flaking on the bottom of door. I’m looking at a bronze colour.

A. Treat areas of moss/mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label instructions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label/data sheet. Do not allow the wash solution to dry out on the surface (this includes window glass and joinery). Rinse clean or hose down with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution and surface chalk residues are removed. All paint that is flaking or unsound must be prepared back to a sound feathered edge. Spot prime bare aluminium with Resene Galvo One then apply two coats of Resene Summit Roof metallic topcoat colour.

October 2021

Q. I have a garage roof with metal sheeting that the paint has faded. I think it used to be white. There are rust spots appearing over the roof surface. What would you recommend? There are spots over most of the roof.

A. It sounds like the roof is showing advanced corrosion, if this across the entire roof the existing paint will need to be removed, suggest that as an option that you possibly look to replace the existing roof cladding with new as repainting may not achieve a long duration coating system.

October 2021

Q. I want to paint the inside of my garage, just one wall which is concrete block. Occasionally it does have water seep in from the base of the concrete block but not this winter. I’d like to reseal the wall. What products do I need to order to seal it please, and in what order do I use these products? I’m not concerned what it looks like, just want to ensure it stays dry. I only have access to the inside of the wall, as it’s on the boundary, and I’m unsure if I can access the neighbour’s side of this wall.

A. Assuming the wall is unpainted then the following system can be applied – apply two coats of Resene HydraBlock, allow 48 hours cure then apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of a waterborne topcoat.

Summer is the time of year to apply the system as water seepage from the exterior will be at a minimum.

August 2021

Q. We have painted the inside of our concrete block garage with Aquella to make it fully waterproof. It looks as though it could do with another coat, however, but it is important that it still maintains the Aquella's waterproofing qualities - can you recommend a Resene concrete paint to us, please?

A. Apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal then apply two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. Ensure the Aquella has fully cured before sealing. This is a decorative system only.

August 2021

Q. I have a large steel beam which was installed 10 years ago on a new build in garage. I am finding there is rusting coming through under the paint finish. I have started to remove the paint using paint stripper but is proving to be quite difficult - is there any paint that would go over these coats and deal with the rust spotting without having to remove these prior coats?

A. Sorry but no, you do need to remove the paint and rust.

Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Do not allow the wash solution to dry out on the surface (this includes window glass and joinery). Rinse clean or hose down with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution and surface chalk residues are 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-blasting 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 e.g. 3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc, to leave only soundly 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 above and remove 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.

Ensure all edges of damaged paint are prepared back to a sound feathered edge and immediately spot prime all areas of corrosion and any other bare metal with a full coat of the primer such as Resene Rust Arrest.

August 2021

Q. I would like advice on choosing a paint for the inside of metal garage doors. They have the original paint but need a real freshen up.

A. Scrub down using Resene Heavy Duty Paint Prep and Oil Remover diluted and used to label/data sheet. Do not allow the wash solution to dry out on the surface. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all salts and surface chalk residues are removed. Then apply a coat of Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

June 2021

Q. I'm working on a project for a garage, and I have 405x135 Glulam beams exposed in corrosion zone D. Do you guys have any product to protect those beams?

A. The following system is recommended – Resene Wood Primer, an undercoat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. If selecting dark topcoat colours use the CoplColour version.

Application of a Resene CoolColour system 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. You will need to check with the glulam supplier if they have any restriction on the minimum LRV, light reflectance value, of topcoat colours.

A CoolColour system will not necessarily stop resin migration from resin rich timber such as pine which as painted in dark colours or colours with an LRV that is below the timber suppliers LRV restrictions. There is no difference in the LRV values between the non-cool and CoolColours as LRV is a measurement of reflectance of visible light, colour only.

June 2021

Q. I need a sealant/coating weatherproofing system for the 20 series blockwork to the garage. Blockwork will be painted the same colour as the COLORSTEEL® cladding.

A. The Resene system to achieve a weathertight finish is three coats of Resene X-200.

June 2021

Q. I need a easiest and cheapest solution for covering some old white line marking on an asphalt carpark.

A. The lowest cost option is Resene Blacktop.

June 2021

Q. I want to paint a (corrugated) galvanised steel garage roller door that has flaking paint. How should I prepare it and paint it?

A. Is the flaking paint due to substrate corrosion?

Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Do not allow the wash solution to dry out on the surface. Water blast ensuring all salts, surface chalk residues and loose paint are removed. Water blasting without the prewash cannot be relied on to remove chalk residues.

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 e.g. 3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc, to leave only soundly 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 above and remove 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.

Ensure all edges of damaged paint are prepared back to a sound feathered edge and immediately spot prime all areas of corrosion and any other bare metal with a full coat of the specified primer.

Spot prime areas of prepared corrosion and substrate with Resene Galvo One then apply two coats of Resene Summit Roof colour.

May 2021

Q. I am painting a new EazyLap panel garage with Resene Sandtex paint to give a plastered finished look. What product can I topcoat the finished Resene Sandtex surface with so it matches our existing Celcrete house which has a satin look to the surface making it easier to clean?

A. To increase the ease of cleaning, overcoat the Resene Sandtex finish and overcoat with 1 - 2 coats of Resene Sonyx 101 tinted to the same colour as the Resene Sandtex.

Overcoating will reduce the level of texture, the more overcoats the more texture will be reduced. The higher the gloss level of the overcoat paint the easier cleaning will be. You could use Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen as the topcoat paint if you felt that the low sheen gloss level better suits what you are seeking to achieve.

April 2021

Q. I need to paint my garage door, which is aluminium panel pre-painted. What should I use?

A. Treat areas of moss/mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label instructions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Do not allow the wash solution to dry out on any surface. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all salts and chalk residues are removed. Then apply a prime coat of Resene Galvo-Prime and finish with two coats of Resene Enamacryl topcoat colour.

April 2021

Q. I am about to have fresh concrete in my garage, and want a clean, washable paint finish. How long do I need to wait before painting?

A. The minimum cure time for painting is 28 days.

April 2021

Q. I have an old Versatile garage. It looks to be hand-painted galvanised iron. I have leftover waterbased house paint I would like to use on it. After sanding, do I need to prime with an oil base first?

A. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Rinse clean or hose down 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-blasting 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 e.g. 3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc, to leave only soundly 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 above and remove 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.

Ensure all edges of damaged paint are prepared back to a sound feathered edge and immediately spot prime all areas of corrosion and any other bare metal with a full coat of the specified primer. Spot prime prepared areas of corrosion or bare metal with Resene Galvo One prior to topcoating with two coats of an exterior grade waterborne topcoat. If in a coastal environment spot prime with two coats of Resene Galvo One.

April 2021

Q. I am building a new garage with masonry walls. I cannot get to the outside of the walls for waterproofing/painting (existing fencing and retaining). Is there a product(s) for waterproofing/sealing/painting the interior of the block walls?

A. The only product we have is Resene HydraBlock, minimum two coats, apply over a saturation coat of Resene Solventborne Aquapel. After applying the Resene Aquapel leave the treated surfacer to cure for at least 48 hours with good ventilation before overcoating.

April 2021

Q. I want to change the colour of my zincalume type/COLORSTEEL® garage roller door, which is otherwise pristine and in good shape. I intended to use Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen as I have always had good experience with this, but then had second thoughts about damage that could be done when the door is rolled up. Can you advise the best paint combination to use and comment on the chances of any paint job being ruined in time by continual raising and lowering of the roller door?

A. Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen and Resene Sonyx 101 are used as finish paints for roller doors. If two painted surfaces come into direct contact they will fuse and stick, this is referred to as blocking. Unless the interior face of the roller door is also painted with a similar paint then there should be no issues.

February 2021

Q. We are painting our garage. We have done the roof using Resene Galvo One as the primer. We now want to continue and do the outside walls. They are metal. Should I be using the Resene Galvo One or the Resene Vinyl Etch (that we used for our home metal windows) as the primer please?

A. Resene Galvo One is the recommended primer. Wash down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label directions, then prime.

February 2021

Q. We sprayed a sectional new cedar garage door. One of my guys decided to use Decorator Alkyd Undercoat instead of the Decorator Alkyd Wood Primer and sanded it as we do with 180 or 240 grit and second coated it. So the other way around in other words. We finished it in Resene Lustacryl Commercial Spray Grade – it came up great. I have been told by a Resene rep and also another experienced painter that this will be fine, as alkyd was used in both cases. I am just looking for peace of mind really on your thoughts that this is ok.

A. Decorator Alkyd Wood Primer has the features required for a wood primer. While Enamel Undercoat can be applied to timber, the exterior exposure requires the dedicated primer to be applied first as its function is to protect the timber from decay organisms. I would not expect the paint system to fail by adhesion loss to substrate or within the layers of undercoat and primer.

December 2020

Q. I want to put two yellow lines on my garage concrete floor to as a guide for my boat wheels. What paint will be most suitable?

A. Resene Uracryl 403 would be the only suitable paint. The other option would be to get a self-adhesive strip.

September 2020

Q. I have a carport which doubles as a dining area in summer. It's very hard as it is all concrete, including a large concrete pad and steps to the front door. Any suggestions how I can make it look softer, more modern and less ‘concretey’ without spending too much money?

A. The only system we have for a trafficable surface is Resene Aquapoxy for Flooring but this cannot be used if the painted surface is subject to weathering/UV which I suspect the area is. Paint systems on concrete are more easily damaged by furniture being dragged across the coated surface. From a cost perspective, faux grass may be the suitable option.

August 2020

Q. We would like to paint over the existing colour of our Versatile garage to match the house. To repaint it, how best would we do it using the most suitable type of paint (and primer)?

A. Wash down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted following label instructions. Apply a prime coat of Resene Pre-coated Steel Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 CoolColour.

The CoolColour system is recommend as the top coat colour you have chosen is dark. 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.

August 2020

Q. I have a row of painted concrete blocks above my double garage door, which look like they are leaking lime on the door. Advice please about any paint I can undercoat and repaint with to lock this in?

A. This is likely due to chalking run off from the weathering of the existing paint finish. Wash down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Apply a coat of Resene Sureseal and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101 in your topcoat colour.

August 2020

Q. I have an attached garage with a concrete block wall that is on the boundary with my neighbour. I wish to waterproof/seal the inside blocks as dampness occurs. I prefer not to seal/paint the exterior of the blocks. I would want to seal then paint the blocks. What products should I use? The wall is 5 years old.

A. Rendering the exterior of the wall weathertight is the best way to stop moisture ingress but I appreciate that this is a boundary wall and would require co-operation of the neighbour. If the interior of the wall is unpainted then 2 -3 coats of Resene HydraBlock is the only interior option. We advise against application of the Resene HydraBlock if the interior face is moist/wet – it is best to wait until later in the year.

August 2020

Q. I have had my garage re clad with Envira by Niagara weatherboards. They are light blue in colour. They’ve been up for about three months now unpainted. I am just about to start the project of painting them but not sure about primer/undercoat? I plan to paint topcoats in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. Please advise me should I sand these and undercoat first, and what Resene undercoat or primer or both should I use under the Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen?

A. I suggest a light sand and prime with Resene Wood Primer as soon as possible before we get into colder conditions.

Note, I have discussed with a colleague the fact that the primed timber has been left untopcoated for some time. At this time of year the timber will take up moisture and have undergone a degree of swelling due to higher humilities and the timber will be at a new equilibrium moisture content (EMC) as a result. Over summer the EMC will reduce with subsequent reduction in the weatherboard width and may result in a line between each fixed board, this is not a paint issue but is often misinterpreted as such.

May 2020

Q. I have a cedar board garage door that had been varnished and we have sanded this back to the boards. We now want to stain it, what exterior stain would you recommend? We are hoping to get quite a dark colour.

A. There is a chance that a stain may not be able to achieve penetration into the timber as the timber may still be partially sealed with the varnish.

If you accept this, then I would use Resene Waterborne Woodsman Stain in the Resene CoolColour version of the stain 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.

April 2020

Q. How do I paint over a COLORSTEEL® garage?

A. Wash down using Resene Heavy Duty Paint Prep and Oil Remover to label instructions. Apply a full coat of Resene Pre-coated Steel Primer before applying two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

April 2020

Q. We are currently painting our garage. I just wondered what prep is required before painting our steel garage doors?

A. If any areas of moss or mould infestation exist then treat them with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label 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 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 rinse with copious amounts of fresh water or high-pressure water blast ensuring all lose paint and 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.

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.

Prime areas of prepared corrosion and bare substrate with Resene GP Metal Primer then apply two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

April 2020

Q. I want to change the colour of my metal garage door. What type of paint would I use for this?

A. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Apply a full coat of Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

April 2020

Q. I want to repaint our metal garage door. Can you let me know how to prep the door and which type of paint would be best?

A. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash. Apply a full coat of Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101. If selecting a dark topcoat colour we recommend using the Resene CoolColour version for 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.

February 2020

Q. Which is the best primer and top coat for painting an aluminium garage door? Will get existing paint off first. Any other specific prep needed?

A. After stripping wash down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label instructions. Apply a full coat of Resene Galvo-Prime and finish with two coats of Resene Summit Roof. As long as two painted surfaces do not come into contact the system will be suitable.

January 2020

Q. We have had a fire in a Totalspan metal garage. It is still structurally sound. Internally there is a lot of smoke coating to galvanised steel from the burnt internal building paper. What is the best Resene primer to seal and prevent future corrosion and odour? Needs to be compatible with airless sprayer.

A. We have no primer that will prevent corrosion and block smoke odours. While there are products that claim to achieve odour blocking, customers have reported they often do not achieve a total block, in addition they are not anti-corrosive.

Our recommendation for dealing with a smoke damaged surface is to apply Resene Emulsifiable Solvent Cleaner and scrub then thoroughly wash down using fresh water. This will remove the majority of the stains that may be solubilised when overcoated and also odour causing materials. Then apply a full coat of Resene GP Metal Primer.

December 2019

Q. What do you recommend to paint over a COLORSTEEL garage and walls?

A. Wash down using Resene Heavy Duty Paint Prep and Oil Remover diluted and used to label instructions. Apply a full coat of Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

December 2019

Q. I have a metal roller garage door – currently painted but with flakes coming off. What is the best way to prep and repaint?

A. If the flaking is across the entire door then removal of the paint will be required. You could start by water blasting with a rotating head fitted to the water blaster and see how much paint is removed.

Step 1: Treat moss and mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer; use as directed on the label. For heavy infestations, an additional application(s) may be needed. Data Sheet D80.

Step 2: Treat lichen with undiluted Resene Moss & Mould Killer; leave for 24 hours before scraping off or mechanically removing. Alternatively, water blasting is effective at removing lichen and other contaminates.

Step 3: Apply a liberal wash of Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted to label/data sheet directions. Thoroughly scrub the surface, using a stiff nylon brush or broom. Rinse clean, hose down with fresh water or water blast to ensure complete removal of all grease, moss and mould residue and any other contaminants.

Step 4: 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 blasting, taking care not to damage either the substrate or the surrounding areas.

Step 5: Where under-film corrosion is taking place, the existing paint must first be removed as per Step 4 and the corrosion products removed, taking care not to damage sound zinc coated areas. All paint edges must be feathered to a smooth finish. It is strongly recommended that any badly rusted sections of galvanised steel be replaced.

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

Immediately spot prime bare areas with the specified primer.

Spot prime bare metal with a full coat of Resene GP Metal Primer and then apply two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

December 2019

Q. I wish to change the colour on our ribline colour-steel sectional garage door, which is four years old. What would you recommend?

A. Wash down using Resene Heavy Duty Paint Prep and Oil Remover diluted and used to label instructions. Apply a full coat of Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Summit Roof. This system is suitable for painting the door facings as long as sections of topcoated faces do not come into contact.

December 2019

Q. Is Resene Enamacryl suitable to repaint a garage roller door, or would you advise another type?

A. If the roller door rolls up to have painted surfaces touch then you will have to use a cross linked paint such as Resene Enamacryl.

The alternative for a flat garage door is to use a standard waterborne paint such as Resene Hi-Glo or Resene Sonyx 101, however if two painted surfaces are in contact the paint surfaces will fuse to form a single layer of paint.

Q. I am looking at painting the interior of our concrete block garage white or off white as we are getting garage carpet installed. What do you recommend for paint and can you point me in the direction of where to look for colours and inspiration? Also do you recommend using roller or brushes?

A. The exterior wall faces will need to be made weathertight before painting the interior walls, Resene X-200 applied in three coats will achieve this.

Rolling is certainly the most efficient way to apply paint. For the interior the system would be a coat of Resene Concrete Primer and two coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen.

Q. I want to paint a Dominator (COLORSTEEL®) 4 panel garage door. The paint and door is in good condition (just faded). Changing colour from Terracotta to Off-White. What do you recommend please?

A. Wash down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions to achieve a chalk free surface. Apply a full coat of Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Summit Roof or Resene Sonyx 101.

Q. We have an issue with efflorescence and slight water leakage on the internal concrete wall of our garage. There is no access to the external face of the wall as it is below ground level, Is/are there any Resene product/s that will seal the concrete from the inside/internal wall and prevent the issue we are facing. The house was built in the mid-1970s.

A. Thoroughly wire brush to remove any remaining efflorescence. Apply a saturation coat of Resene Solventborne Aquapel to bare concrete and leave to cure for at least 48 hours with ventilation, to allow for solvent removal from the room. Then apply two full coats of Resene HydraBlock.

Q. I have a large Totalspan COLORSTEEL® shed 480 sq m which is about 15 years old. Is it possible to paint over the COLORSTEEL® to change the colour?

A. Wash down with Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label directions to achieve a clean, chalk free surface. Then apply a full coat of Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

Q. I have a 17 year old powder coated garage door that's faded. Will Resene Lumbersider be the right paint? Do I have to prime it first? It's not rusty or damaged.

A. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions, to achieve a chalk free surface. Apply a full coat of Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer then finish with the two coats of Resene Lumbersider colour.

Q. My house is 20 years old and the internal garage is still paperfaced and has been plastered. The plasterboard has turned a yellow brown colour so I am assuming that I would need to use Resene Sureseal to seal this? My only concern is that I have a newborn in the house and would prefer not to use a solventborne sealer, however I want a good finish. What would be the best way to go about completing this without getting the strong fumes in the house? I was thinking I could tape up the internal garage door to the house and paint with the garage door open?

Also if I do use Resene Sureseal, can I then use waterborne paint for a topcoat?

A. Yes, we do recommend using Resene Sureseal for old yellowed plasterboard as the sealer stops the bleed of the yellow into waterborne topcoats.

You could use Resene Boadwall Waterborne Wallboard Sealer for newly stopped plasterboard then apply a full coat of Resene StainLock before applying two coats of the interior waterborne topcoats. There may be colour bleed into the Resene StainLock but the colour will not subsequently bleed into the topcoats.

This will give you a waterborne low odour system. You can topcoat Resene Sureseal with our waterborne interior wall paints.

Q. I have nearly completed a garage conversion and have lined the walls with plywood. We want to keep this plywood look, what Resene products do we use? Is it polyurethane?

A. For a clear interior system we recommend three coats of Resene Aquaclear waterborne varnish.

Q. We want to repaint a light metal garage door. What paint should we use, there are some parts back to the metal, and otherwise it is mostly covered by existing paint?

A. If any areas of moss or mould infestation exist then treat them with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed.

Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Rinse clean or hose down 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 waterblasting 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 e.g. 3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc, 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 above and remove 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.

Ensure all edges of damaged paint are sound and immediately spot prime all areas of corrosion and bare metal with Resene GP Metal Primer then finish with two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

Q. I'm wondering what product to use to paint the block wall inside my garage a non-shiny black and the steps to take to paint it. I would also like to know which product to use to paint the rest of the garage wall a shade of white?

There doesn't appear to be paint on the block wall, the wall is weathertight, just the usual openings in and around the garage door that prevent the garage from being 100% weathertight however, these openings are minimal. 

A. Apply a primer coat of Resene Concrete Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider.

Q. I want to repaint my garage, which is I think galvanised steel. It has some red rust under the flaking paint. Can you advise the best way to do this?

A. If any areas of moss or mould infestation exist, then treat them with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions. For heavy infestations, more applications may be needed.

Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Rinse clean or hose down 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-blasting 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 e.g. 3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc, 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 above and remove 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.

Ensure all edges of damaged paint are sound and immediately spot prime all areas of corrosion and any other bare metal with a full coat of the specified primer.

Spot prime prepared areas of corrosion and bare metal with two coats of Resene GP Metal Primer then apply two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

Q. We are currently painting our garage and have discovered that the gutters are made of aluminium. They have been painted previously but through wash and wear, bare patches of metal are now visible. Is Resene Sonyx 101 suitable for application onto this, and if so what kind of priming would be required? 

A. Spot prime the bare aluminium with Resene Galvo One before topcoating with your chosen Resene exterior topcoat.

Q. I have a metal garage door - unknown metal-type as it has been there for 10-20 years, previously painted yellow with unknown paint. It had mild rust, which so far I have sanded back and then spot-primed with Resene GP Metal Primer. We are 300 metres from the sea. Before any further topcoat, should I do any further priming across the rest of the door (although the old existing yellow paint is semi-ok)?  What paint system(s) would you recommend for the topcoats?

A. Ensure the surface is washed down with Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label directions. Prepare corroded areas back to a sound base then spot prime these areas with Resene GP Metal Primer. Given your location, then apply a full coat of Resene Galvo One before topcoating with Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Hi-Glo. The role of the topcoats is to protect the priming system from weathering and for colour. Resene Hi-Glo will have a longer time until the onset of surface chalking.

A regular wash down with fresh water of the door will assist in achieving a better long term outcome re corrosion, as this will wash salts that accumulate on the painted surface.

Q. I'm looking for paint that gives a concrete colour and texture. The substrate is an in situ concrete wall, but it has been skimmed, filled and repaired in areas giving it a patchy look. I'd like to find paint that I can use that still looks like concrete, but will give me a much more uniform finish.

The wall is in a basement car park, so while not exposed directly to weather, it probably needs to be considered external.

A. We recommend Resene Sandtex tinted to Resene Quarter Delta.

Q. I bought deep grey Resene Concrete Stain and have tried two coats but it is a bit dark and uneven. I am applying it on the concrete block walls in the garage. The walls are in good condition but from the 1960s and there is an area that has some oil. What should I use to prepare this area? Can you apply just one coat or do you need a clear coat and does it need restaining every year?

A. It is not easy to achieve a uniform colour when applying Resene Concrete Stain to a vertical surface, as the product viscosity is designed for application to a horizontal surface. The solvents in the stain can re dissolve the oil which may well change the appearance when the stain is applied over an area contaminated with oil.

There is no way that the oil staining can be stabilised or disguised when staining.

Q. I need paint to waterproof the concrete pavement and concrete brick wall of my carport, so water doesn't seep through into the carport when it rains.

A. The best way to fix this is to make the exterior face of the blockwork weathertight by applying our Resene X-200 system, however if the exterior wall is back filled then this is not possible.

We have no system to waterproof the pavement but Resene HydraBlock may be applied to the interior face if access to the exterior face is not possible.

Q. How do I prepare my already stained cedar garage door?  It has some blistering.  What product would be best to stain or coat it with?

A. The blistering suggests that the existing stain is a film forming stain. The existing stain will need to be sanded to complete removal before restaining with a Resene stain such as Resene Woodsman Wood Oil stain.

Q. I have just installed a new Marley PVC spouting system on our garage. I would like to paint the spouting. I have some Resene Sonyx 101 which I used for the exterior garage wall and barge board. Can I apply Resene Sonyx 101 straight over the spouting?

A. Resene does not agree with the Marley priming recommendation, Resene exterior waterborne topcoats can be applied directly to PVC (two coats) without the need for a primer. Our topcoats have adhesion promoters which allows for direct application.

Q. I have just completed repainting my house using Resene Sonyx 101. Now I would like to paint the free standing garage using the left over paint. The garage cladding is COLORSTEEL® and is approx. 6 years old. Am I able to use Resene Sonyx 101 to do this and if so, what preparation is required?

A. Yes, Resene Sonyx 101 may be used for this, however you'll need to ensure you have thoroughly cleaned the surface to be painted using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash to remove the chalking that will be present. This is a scrub down method as waterblasting etc. won't remove chalking.

Q. Our garage door panels are salt encrusted, particularly in some of the joins between the panels. Some of the salt encrusted areas have started to rust. My goal is to arrest the rust and repaint the door. We live on the coast.

I have brushed some of the salt off with a wire brush. I have some Resene Sonyx 101 CoolColour™ acrylic semi-gloss (in Resene Nocturnal) left over from another job, which I was planning to use as the final coating. 

What primer would you recommend? A friend suggested an epoxy rust inhibiting primer; what do you think?

A. What you are seeing is what is referred to as sheltered or crevice corrosion, which is due to lack of rain washing to remove surface salts. It is very difficult now to correct to achieve long term corrosion control.

Waterblast the door to remove engrained salts, then use a 3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc to remove all loose corrosion products.  There may be areas that you cannot reach to achieve this.

Spot prime prepared areas of corrosion with Resene ArmourZinc 110, then apply two full coats of Resene Galvo-Prime and finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101.

To try and address ongoing corrosion potential, we recommend washing down the door with fresh water at least twice a year, if not more frequently.

Q. We want to paint a COLORSTEEL® garage door but are not sure what product is best for the job? It’s in good condition with no oxidation, I just want to change the colour.

A. Scrub down with Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label directions then apply a full coat of Resene Galvo One and finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 (if using a dark colour use the Resene CoolColour™ version of the colour). The CoolColour topcoat will not render the painted surface cool to touch but the CoolColour version will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool technology.

Q. I am trying to remove efflorescence on a block concrete wall in my garage but it keeps coming back! Are you able to advise the best treatment please?

A. Efflorescence occurs when water passes through the wall and brings soluble salts to the interior face where they crystallise after the water evaporates. The best way to stop this is to render the exterior face of the wall weathertight with a Resene X-200 paint system.

After preparing the areas showing efflorescence back to bare concrete, spot prime with Resene Sureseal then apply the Resene X-200 system. Resene X-200 can be left as a finish coat and tinted to a large number of Resene colours.

Q. What paint is suitable for repainting metal garage doors? They are in very good condition. The original paint has faded.

A. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash to get a chalk free surface, then apply two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lumbersider. Both can be applied over correctly primed metals and timbers; the paint retains flexibility and good durability over the life of the paint film.

Q. I have a concrete block garage wall. Some dampness and efflorescence is starting to appear on the inside of the wall. If I seal it with Resene Aquapel, can that be painted over to give the outside wall some colour? If so, what preparation is required and what paint is recommended? If Aquapel cannot be painted over, what can be used to seal the wall and give it some colour?

A. To fix the problem, the exterior face of the wall will need to be rendered weathertight using the Resene X-200 system.

Q. I have 10 metres of aluminium flashing (40mm in depth) attached to the side of my concrete block garage. It has a rebate running its length along the top, which has been sealed with Ardex Bituminous Sealant. The concrete block wall has been painted with Resene X-200 and I would like to paint over the aluminium flashing and the strip of Butynol Sealant (ideally with the Resene X-200).

The aluminium flashing has been in place 10 days and the Butynol sealant is quite hard. Ardex says it is paintable after 6 days but says talk to the paint manufacturer for advice on what paint! Would the aluminium require a special primer? I would assume the thin strip of sealant, which Ardex says contains bitumen-based solvents, would require some sort of undercoat/primer.

I have been told that Resene X-200 could be painted over the flashing and Butynol without undercoat but I would prefer Resene's advice.

A. Degrease the aluminium flashing using Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label directions. Prime the sealant with Resene Membrane Primer and the aluminium with Resene Galvo-Prime then apply two coats of any Resene exterior waterborne paint. If wanting to apply a dark colour, use the Resene CoolColour™ version of the colour.

Q. I have a garage interior to paint, and I want it to be very strong to withstand balls kicked in it and general kids playing. Can I use Resene Sonyx 101? What would you recommend for something strong and easy clean?

A. If you want a waterborne option, Resene Lustacryl would be a much better topcoat option to Resene Sonyx 101. The paint will require a few weeks cure to develop its ultimate hardness.

Q. I have a concrete block garage wall. Some dampness and efflorescence is starting to appear on the inside of the wall. If I seal it with Resene Aquapel, can that be painted over to give the outside wall some colour? If so what preparation is required and what paint is recommended? If Resene Aquapel cannot be painted over, what can be used to seal the wall and give it some colour?

A. To fix the problem, the exterior face of the wall will need to be rendered weathertight using the Resene X-200 system.

Q. I am looking to paint white and yellow lines on a bitumen car park. What product is best and the price please? Some have already been painted and we are just repainting the rest some will be new paint on the oldish bitumen in our church carpark.

A. Resene Lumbersider would be the easiest product for you to use, may require recoating on a regular basis though. Bitumen needs to be oil/grease free.

Q. I have just built a brand new home garage, 16m x 9m and the 125mm concrete floor is still pristine and bare. I have built it to house my American cars and bikes in, and I want a hardwearing floor coating. To put it on before putting my cars on it, I would like your advice on what to use i.e. paint or epoxy. I want durability because of the occasional oil and fluid spills on it. It needs to be hard wearing and anti-slip to some degree.

A. Resene Aquapoxy for Flooring is the only product that we offer for garage flooring.

Q. I have just purchased a house where the double garage has been lined with particle board or something similar and it appears to have been painted with a coat of flat polyurethane. Can I paint over this as the garage is quite dark? Not sure if I would have to lightly sand first. I don’t want to go to too much trouble as it is only the garage.

A. Ensure the surface is clean, no grease oil etc then sand, dust off and apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry then finish with two coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen.

Q. We want to use Resene Concrete Clear on a concrete block garage wall. Your data sheet suggests I should use Resene Solventborne Aquapel first, but the problem is that it is a bit of a job cleaning up spray gear. The data sheet also suggests Resene Concrete Clear gloss (diluted 10%) could serve as the first coat. I would prefer this idea - it would be OK?

It is clean exterior concrete block about five years old, recently waterblasted.

A. We have two clear coating options, Resene XC-700 which will give a weathertight system and Resene Concrete Clear, which is not designed to render blockwork weathertight.

The blockwork in both scenarios will need application of a saturation coat of Resene Solventborne Aquapel. This is to control possible efflorescence. Again in both scenarios, the mortar must be sound and flashing details functioning to design.

Alternatively if you are happy to have a pigmented finish you can use Resene X-200. The Resene X-200 system is recognised as a system to achieve a weathertight paint system for both new and old blockwork. If there are no signs or concerns re water ingress, then a standard low build waterborne paint system (two coats), such as Resene Hi-Glo, can be applied. This situation usually requires existing, sound painted blockwork. Application of the new paint will increase the film build of the total paint layer. Low build paint systems will not render new blockwork weathertight. In all cases, there must be sound pointing and flashings achieving what they were installed to do.

Q. Last year we built a garage extension onto our home. This was clad in weatherboard and we painted it using Resene Quarter Masala - an excellent match to the block stonework on the house.

When we had the final inspection done, this was rejected as the colour apparently has a LRV which is too low (24) and were told to paint it a lighter colour - something with an LRV of 50 or more. This is something of a disappointment as the colour match is so good.

My understanding is that this dark colour could cause warping and splitting to the weatherboards. Is there anything that can be done to argue that the colour will not cause any undue effect in its situation? The only wall that gets a significant amount of sunlight is on the western side (afternoon). The eastern side is the side with the garage door, so only has short runs of weatherboard and is shaded by trees for a good part of the morning anyway. The southern side obviously gets only a small amount of light, and the northern side is the side integrated into the house.

Obviously, if at all possible, I'm trying to avoid having to repaint the garage again. I understand that the Quarter Masala is available as a CoolColour (had I anticipated this problem, I would have used it) but will this be a viable solution - and can it be retrospectively applied without having to strip off the existing coats?

A. This is a common problem and stems from the cladding supplier’s recommendation for colour based on LRV, LRV is a measure of reflection of visible light. Given this, the LRV of a Resene CoolColour™ version of a given colour, is the same as the LRV of the non-cool version. The heat reflection of a colour is measured by TSR, total solar reflection which is measure of reflection of near infra-red, heat radiation. The TSR of the Resene CoolColour version of a colour is always greater than the TSR of the same colour, made using non-cool technology. However, Resene CoolColours do not render the surface cool to touch.

Yes, Resene Quarter Marsala is available in a Resene CoolColour formulation and can be applied over the existing Resene waterborne paint, as long as the existing paint is sound, clean and chalk free.

Q. I’m repainting an old garage roller door. I’ve removed all the old paint and primed with Resene Galvo-One. I bought the new colour in Summit Roof, as we’ll repaint the roof in the same colour and I think it’s supposed to cope with the flexing of the substrate? My concern is that it might not cope with the door opening and closing. The paint won’t be rubbing against the frame at all but will roll onto itself on the ‘spool’ at the top when the door opens. Would I be better off with waterbased enamel?

A. As long as the two surfaces painted with Resene Summit Roof do not come into direct contact, there will be no issue.

Q. I have a client wanting to waterproof the exterior walls of an unpainted concrete block garage. Is Resene X-200 the correct product to use?

A. The Resene X-200 system will render the blockwork weathertight but not watertight. To be a watertight system the membrane/coating must prevent both liquid and water vapour transfer. Resene X-200 will prevent the transfer of liquid water and thus meets the definition of a weathertight system.

Q. I want to repaint my steel garage door. What number sandpaper and what primer/undercoat and topcoat do I need? It is painted, some of which has chipped off in places and gone back to bare steel/aluminum with no rust. Otherwise it is in good condition.

A. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash used to label directions. Sand to feather the edges where paint has chipped off with 180 grit sandpaper, if you find that is too fine, you could use 150 grit sandpaper, which is a little coarser. Prime all bare metal with Resene GP Metal Primer and then apply two coats of Resene Summit Roof paint. If using a dark colour, then we recommend application of the Resene CoolColour™  version of the colour, this will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-CoolColour technology.

Q. I am painting new Glulam posts on a carport. I note in the Glulam blurb about not painting Glulam materials dark colours. Our intention was to paint these to match the Ironsand cladding. What is the LRV of Ironsand? It is not in a truly hot or full sun site (it’s in the bush). What guidance would you give?

A. The LRV of the colour is 10. If you apply a coat of Resene Wood Primer and two coats of the CoolColour™ version of Ironsand, you will get more heat reflection than the same topcoat colour made with non-cool pigmentation, but the surface however, will not be cool to touch. If there is no direct sunlight falling on the Glulam, the issue of colour may not be of great concern compared to Glulam, subject to the full effects of the weather.

Q. We have a garage, which has unpainted blockwork and we wish to paint it white. Can you please tell me what will be the best paint for concrete block? The outside blockwork has similarly never been painted. Do we need a different sort of paint for that? It won't be white - colour to be decided!

A. For the exterior we would recommend Resene X-200.

The requirement for application of a sealer will be determined by the age and condition of the blockwork.

For the interior, I suggest Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen applied over a primer coat of Resene Concrete Primer.

Q. We have cedar wooden garage doors that need some attention! Obviously we need to sand them before we coat them. What would you suggest using? We want a natural wood/timber style finish.

A. If there is no signs of mould/algae present, then scrub down with Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label directions. Then apply two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil. Note this will need regular recoating (usually every two summers).

Q. We need to demarcate parking bays by painting lines on an existing (old) tarmac surface. We need to paint lines over existing faded lines and also new lines on the tarmac. Please recommend a product and method preparation for DIY.

A. Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path would be suitable. The areas of worn asphalt are not a concern as the weathering allows the product to adhere well. A thorough wash with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash to remove any surface contaminants is all the prep that is needed. Once rinsed and dried, two coats applied at the attached data sheet coverage rates is needed.

The areas of existing marking are more concerning. There is a large amount of different road marking coatings available and they are all made up of different resin systems. Do you know which product was applied previously? And does this coating still have good adhesion? I ask this as Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path may not adhere to all existing coatings. It may pay to do a test patch for adhesion.

Q. I would like advice on what type of paint to use for a steel garage door which has been previously painted. We currently have a 'Lignite' colour on our guttering so would also be good to match this colour.

A. As a galvanised substrate, prime all bare metal with Resene GP Metal Primer and then apply two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

Q. I need to cover old epoxy coating in carpark/walkway which is sound, no peeling and also porous. Can I apply Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path over the top with a primer coat as it needs to be anti-slip?

A. Degrease then thoroughly sand, then apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat, then the two coats of Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path.

Q. We have a pre-painted Skyline (painted galvanised) garage which has been tagged. What would you recommend to repaint?

A. As long as the COLORSTEEL® has been weathered for at least a month. Any Resene exterior waterborne paint can be used to repaint. We do have colour matches to all COLORSTEEL® colours. If you just want to spot paint over tagging. The best product would be Resene Summit Roof.

Q. I would like to know what paint to use on a faded steel garage door that is only four years old. I was thinking of rolling it and prefer to use a semi-gloss. The door is Grey Friars and it has a small indent finish on it.

A. Scrub down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label directions, then apply a full coat of Resene Galvo-Prime and two coats of Resene Sonyx 101, tinted to the CoolColour™ version of your selected colour.

Q. Can you please advise which type of paint is best to use on a garage door? This door is about 10 years old and it is metal and in good condition.

A. Scrub down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label directions then apply two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

Q. I have a 10L of Resene Summit Roof paint left over from when I painted my roof, can I use this on pre-painted blockwork on my garage?

A. Yes, if used for exterior painting, then the application of the Resene Summit Roof will not change the weathertightness of the substrate.

Q. I need to sand bits of my garage door, due to bit of rust from sea spray. What type of paint do I use to repaint it and what undercoat would I use on surface rust bits of door?

A. Spot prime prepared areas of corrosion using Resene GP Metal Primer then apply two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

Q. What type of paint would you specify for a metal garage door that has been previously painted? It is in a good condition - not flaking or peeling.

A. Scrub down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions, then apply two coats of Resene Sonyx 101, if using a dark colour then we recommend application of the CoolColour™  version of the colour, this will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-CoolColour technology.

Q. I have a Cedar panelled double garage door. I do not know the colour, paint type or supplier. The condition is very good. The reason for repainting is due to the repair work on the cedar ply panels to prevent warping. I want to use the Resene Waterborne Woodman Cherrywood paint, but cannot make out whether the door has been oil stained and/or coated with polyurethane. Can I just paint over it?

A. Clean the door down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash to label directions, then sand the door to provide a mechanical key for the new paint system. Suggest that you go with a solid paint colour for the door (apply a primer coat of Resene Quick Dry then two coats of Resene Enamacryl).

Q. What are the steps required to paint a new Zincalume™ roller garage door?

A. Scrub down with Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label directions. Then apply a full coat of Resene Galvo-Prime then finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 in a CoolColour™ formulation.

Q. I have lined our garage with 18mm ply on the southern facing internal wall as this is where my work bench is. We have had issues with ground water and that has mostly been resolved, but I still get some surface mould on the ply over time. Currently the ply has not been treated or stained. I want to either use Resene Colorwood or Resene Aquaclear for the ply sheeting. Would these be the best options? Would MoulDefender be able to be added to either of these products?

A. You can upgrade the mould resistance of the paint system but this cannot be assumed to be a 100% guarantee that mould growth will not return. Treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions. Then apply two coats of Resene Quick Dry Primer Undercoat and finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl Kitchen & Bathroom.

Q. We are looking to spec a green paint for a commercial carpark, to be applied directly onto the asphalt. Do you have a product that would be durable and slip resistant?

A. You could use Resene Non Skid Deck and Path.

Q. I recently attempted to paint my mother's (plasterboard lined) internal access garage for her. The walls were fine, but when I began to apply ceiling white to the ceiling, the original paint started to 'flake'. I later noticed that even the areas I had cut in, around the light fittings (with a brush), had also blistered and started to crack.

A. I assume the ceiling was already painted? What you are seeing is the flaking of a previous coating. If it was not painted did you apply a plasterboard sealer before applying the ceiling paint?

Q. I am in the process of prepping our garage to repaint and I want to check what sort of paint I should use. I have used paint stripper (the old paint was cracked and had about five layers of paint on it), then we waterblasted it to clean any remaining stripper off. I've then sanded it and rinsed the dust off with a hose. Some parts of the sanding and stripping have left the bare wood showing which is a red/brown colour. I think the garage was probably built around the same time as the house in 1969. What should I use?

A. Apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat and then finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lumbersider.

Q. I am painting our weatherboard garage. The garage was built around 1969 so we think the wood is cedar or kwila. I have undercoated with Resene Wood Primer general purpose and have just started topcoating in Resene Lumbersider waterborne low sheen. However the paint appears to be separating when I first apply it and if I wait 3-4 mins and then go back over it, it appears to be ok but I am worried it's not sticking to the undercoat as it should. Could you please advise if this is expected?

A. At this time of the year the drying of oil based primers can be slow and they can dry to leave an oily film on the surface which can repel a waterborne topcoat. If the waterborne paint film is well worked this can result in standard adhesion. If there are areas of untopcoated but primed boards scrub down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash following label directions then apply the topcoats.

Q. I am painting an aluminium garage door 30+ years old which is oxidised. What prep will I need to do?

A. You will need to apply Resene Roof and Metal Wash as per label instructions, wash clean with fresh water, prime with Resene Galvo One primer and apply two coats Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel.

Q. I wish to paint a new concrete floor (garage). What paint would you recommend? Some hot work will be carried out in the garage (gas cutting).

A. We recommend Resene Aquapoxy for Flooring.

Q. I have a metal roller garage door to paint. I am using Resene Galvo One to prime. What paint would you recommended to topcoat?

A. Any Resene waterborne exterior acrylic can be used as the topcoat.

Q. I want to repaint my garage door. It has faded from its dark green colour, and has pitting. Do you have tips on preparation etc?

A. If there is evidence of considerable film corrosion for the zinc base metal you will need to remove all of the colour coat to expose the base metal for painting. This is easiest accomplished using a 3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc. Then apply two coats of Resene GP Metal Primer and finish with two coats of any Resene exterior acrylic paint.

Q. I live on Cook Strait and want to paint my garage black and white - black boards and white windows. Everyone has said that the environment is too harsh to do this and the ply will just split. Are they right?

A. Ply cladding will check upon exterior weathering. The rate of checking is colour dependent - darker colours attract more heat and therefore increase the degree and rate of surface checking.

Resene CoolColour™ technology will reduce but not eliminate both the degree of and rate of surface checking if you apply a dark colour such as black. The CoolColour version of a colour reflects more infra-red radiation (heat) compared to the same colour made using non-CoolColour technology.

Q. We have an old garage with fibro light sheet cladding and were going to give it a wash and a light sand, not necessarily in that order. Just need a cheap paint that is specified for fibro that washes up in water.

A. If the cladding was installed before the mid 70s it may contain asbestos and you cannot dry sand or waterblast as this may release asbestos fibres to the air and surrounding environment. If mould is present treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer following the label directions. We then recommend application of Resene Sureseal to seal and bind up the surface prior to application of two coats of any Resene exterior acrylic

Q. We have garage doors with an aluminium cladding which we wish to paint. About 11 years old and never been painted. What procedure should we follow?

A. Clean down with Resene Roof and Metal Wash following label directions. Apply a coat of Resene Galvo One then two coats of any Resene exterior waterborne paint.

Q. We have a Skyline garage that requires painting. It has some rust and lots of surface damage. What is the best way to prepare the garage for painting and what is the best paint to use? Is it best to use a brush or spray paint or use a roller?

A. Scrub down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash following label instructions. Using a 3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc remove all surface rust (red and white corrosion) back to a sound base and immediately prime these areas with Resene GP Metal Primer. Apply a full coat of Resene Galvo One followed by two coats of any Resene exterior waterborne paint.

Q. We are about to replace our large, wooden garage door and are considering a COLORSTEEL® door or a powdercoated steel door to reduce the weight. The current wooden door is painted with Resene Red Red Red colour but we are unable to get a matching COLORSTEEL® or powdercoat colour. Do Resene have a paint system that we can apply ourselves to over-paint a new COLORSTEEL® or powdercoated steel door in your Resene Red Red Red?

A. If the new COLORSTEEL® door is subject to full weathering for a minimum of a month than you can apply any Resene exterior acrylic paint. But the weathering is the pivotal requirement to achieving paint adhesion.

Q. We have a concrete block wall in our garage that when built was not sealed correctly on the exterior. It only had a coat of paint. Moisture is penetrating the wall and coming inside. What is a solution to seal this wall correctly given the paint is already there? The wall is above ground. The exterior paint was applied direct to the surface, no sealer. My concern is that we need to remove that paint so I am hoping you have a product that can go over the top and achieve an equally good barrier.

A. Test the paint with meths to see if it dissolves or softens. If it does then it is an acrylic paint and after washing down to remove contaminants and surface chalk apply 2 coats of Resene X-200. Also check that the flashings are functional as required and the mortar joints are sound.

Q. I am wanting to paint some white lines to mark car parking spaces on concrete (not asphalt). The lines will be painted on the back wall of a carport. This wall is a concrete retaining wall for the property next door. Can you please advise what type of paint we would need to use?

A. Suggest you use Resene Lumbersider.

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).

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.

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™.

Q. I have a garage built in 1976 which although watertight is quite damp. It is of concrete block contruction with concrete floor. Are there any products I can use on the block walls and/or floor to help with the damp problem - a product that works like some sort of sealant or vapour barrier?

A. We recommend three coats of Resene X-200 for the exterior wall. Given the age of the wall it is best to apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal prior to application of the Resene X-200.

For the floor you could paint with Resene Aquapoxy for Flooring. Splash water onto the floor. If it is absorbed immediately and the concrete darkens then there is no need to diamond grind before painting.

Q. We have three exposed rafters to the carport that we are looking at replacing with new timber which we plan to treat with H4 treatment. What Resene paint/products do you recommend using to protect it from the exposed elements of both rain and sunlight? In winter time there is a lot of moisture about, sitting on top of the exposed area since it is flat.

A. Prime the timber with Resene Wood Primer and then apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat and finish with two coats of any Resene exterior waterborne topcoat paint. Ensure that all end grains are sealed to prevent water ingress.

Q. One wall of our old garage has a lower half made of concrete block (as it is just below ground level and doubles as a retaining wall) with the upper half being lined weatherboard. The lower half suffers from unsightly secondary efflorescence and I wish to seal and paint this portion. As the external portion of this wall is 'underground' I have no way of accessing it to apply an external coating and thus can only deal with the inside surface. After removing the efflorescence, which is the best system to use?

A. If you can achieve a seal of the exterior surface then wire brush off any loose efflorescence then apply a saturation coat of Resene Sureseal and two coats of any Resene low build acrylic topcoat. If the exterior is sealed and water cannot continue to pass through the wall to the inside there should be no future issues with efflorescence.

Q. We are planning on repainting our garage roof this weekend. With the weather we have been having, just wondered if it is ok to paint on hotter days? Is there a maximum temp. for optimum results? Should painting be done as the day cools down?

A. A good guide to follow is if you can stand on the roof in bare feet then the roof can be painted.

Q. I have some structural steel beams that have been welded and coated with Resene Steel Fab. What topcoat should I use? The beams will form part of a garage and be interior.

A. It's best to paint over using turps based paints. If there is no corrosion breakthrough then clean down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash to label/data sheet. Apply a coat of Resene Enamel Undercoat then two coats of a Resene enamel topcoat such as Resene Lusta-Glo.

Q. I have an aluminium garage door. It was painted around 8-10 years ago and is in need of a spruce-up. In a few places the aluminium is visible. I can't sand since it is a dimpled sheet, so my question is about preparation and repainting. Does it need priming - and if so with what? I intend to use an acrylic topcoat.

A. Wash down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash following the label directions, spot prime any bare metal with Resene Galvo One then apply two coats of Resene Summit Roof in the Resene CoolColour™ version of the colour chosen.

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.

Q. My sectional garage doors are showing signs of chalking. They are not too bad but the lower doors that get more sun are signalling that deterioration is beginning. I've pondered over applying a wax polish or similar but a web search showed better solutions are available. My question is, does Resene have a solution to this?

A. The doors were probably originally powdercoated. Powdercoated substrates can undergo a rapid chalking in severe exposures. We do not have a polish to restore gloss for these as the chalking will re-occur. We recommend repainting the doors with an acrylic such as Resene Summit Roof. Remove the chalking by scrubbing down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash according to the label directions then apply two coats of Resene Summit Roof tinted to your required colour.

Q. I am trying to figure out what colour my garage door is painted, as I am looking to repaint it. I have no idea of the colour or brand of paint used.

A. All paints will fade when painted outside so it may be that the original colour was darker than it is now. If you want an exact colour match to the current colour the best idea is to bring in a piece of the colour (scrape off a piece of colour) and bring it into a Resene ColorShop and they can colour match it for you.

Q. We have a problem with peeling paint on Matai garage doors. Garage will be stripped back to bare timber later this year and repainted in white colour. We need advice as to primer/sealer and topcoat finishes to bring these doors and trims back to their former glory with some degree of longevity.

A. Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat is our only recommendation priming for Matai. If the doors are constructed in a manner that two painted surfaces do not come into contact, then for the best long term paint system apply a second coat of Resene Quick Dry and follow this with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101. If two painted surfaces do contact replace Resene Sonyx 101 with Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel.

Q. I want to paint the internal walls of the garage which are concrete block but I notice that there is a white high tide mark on some of the blocks (maybe lime seeping out). What can I use to get it ready for painting and what paint do you recommend to use?

A. The white material that you are seeing on the blockwork is efflorescence and occurs as a result of water containing dissolved salts (these are present in either the blocks or pointing), when the water evaporates on the surface it leaves the white deposit of the salts. With time the salts change chemically and can build up to a hard layer sometimes with a very crystalline structure. I assume that the exterior of the garage wall is not painted with a waterproofing system as this is the usual entry point for water.

To fix this the exterior of the wall needs to be waterproofed using a product like Resene X-200 prior to prep and painting of the interior wall. Once the exterior has been waterproofed then you can prep and paint the interior walls. Remove the efflorescence by thorough wire brushing then apply Resene Concrete Primer and two coats of any Resene waterborne enamel finish.