Why buy quality paint?

From the Resene decorating blog

The adage that buying cheap ends up being expensive is a good one to remember if you are considering bypassing quality paint.

Resene area manager for the Bay of Plenty Mark Aschoff knows well that buying quality paint is a no-brainer on various levels. He shares the logic behind paint selection, Resene technology and research, fade resistance, depth of colour and paint application – all with quality paint in mind, and with the intention of ensuring your paint purchase decisions are wise ones.

Selecting a quality paint not only reduces application costs but also maintenance costs going forward, says Mark Aschoff.

From a commercial perspective, paint contributes only 15 percent of the cost of painting a square metre. The other 85 percent is tied up in labour, access and bylaws. As such, using an inferior paint may well require extra coats to achieve coverage and that may have a detrimental impact on cost. Paying a little bit more for a quality paint can ensure aspects, such as labour costs, are kept to a minimum.

From a retail perspective, the reality is that painting can be a big undertaking, Mark says, and scrimping on the quality of paint will inevitably mean that maintenance issues will need to be addressed far sooner than if quality paint is used. If access to the painted area is challenging, then this is an even bigger issue. Hence the choice of a quality paint not only reduces application costs, but also ongoing maintenance costs.

Mark advises paint buyers to think twice before disregarding paint that costs more, as that cost is relative.

“Paying an extra $20 for a 10 litre pail that covers 120m2 only equates to an extra 16 cents a square metre per coat,” he points out.

Technology and research

Mark assures that Resene has the technology and unrivalled processes to ensure the delivery of a superior product and outcome. These attributes include a wide range of aspects, from selection of raw materials, manufacturing processes, and tint technology, through to service and advice.

The Resene team is well aware that constant delivery of technology is vital to ensure quality outcomes, as building materials and codes change constantly. Ongoing research and development ensure Resene delivers new and updated products in line with the discovery of technical improvements.

A number of these advancements have been devised with reduced environmental impact in mind. There’s a focus on developments in paint coatings to lessen the impact on the environment. For example, the “waterising” of oil-based products to reduce solvent use; and the creation of acrylics to replace oil-based product. Creating more durable outcomes is another focus and this is achieved through advancements in raw materials and cool colour technology, for example.

Mixing paint of varying quality

Thinking of using a colour from a high-quality paint producer and having a cheaper base paint colour matched to it? Think again.

“Use superior product: get a superior outcome,” Marks says. Once again, “the cost is relative” advice applies, he says. It’s not a given that the cheaper base will provide the foundation compatible with the high-quality paint colour, and durability may well be compromised.

Ultraviolet/fade resistance

Quality paints are the sum total of their components, and this includes components that affect colour durability.

Mark says quality ingredients are used to deliver a quality outcome incorporating binders, titanium, tinters and many other components that are combined to produce a high performing paint. For example, high quality titanium in good levels assists in good coverage, and strong tinter bases minimise the amount of additional tint required to achieve colour, with this allowing the delivery of strong and durable colours.

“A quality paint dries with a fine layer or clear resin on it that acts as a weather barrier to the underlying binders and tinters. The quality of the resin and its thickness has a direct bearing on the longevity of colour and fade resistance as it retards the weathering of the colourants etc to deliver a longer colour result,” Mark explains. An example is clear anti-graffiti coatings applied over paint. These result in the underlying colour coat performing considerably better over time as the clear resin layer has been increased with the application of a clearcoat.

Depth of colour

Paints with a strong tint base are the paints to purchase to achieve depth of colour. This is because they are more durable and achieve colours with minimal introduction of additional tint.

“Strong tinters allow a greater range of colours to be delivered to the market – ones that will perform to a high standard,” Mark says.

Application/coverage

Various factors can affect the durability of a paint job, and not getting the paint coverage right is one of them.

Thinning of paint, overspreading or over-tinting are all factors that can reduce a paint’s protective film and thus the durability, coverage and overall performance of the applied paint.

It is important to get the spread rate – a calculation devised to ensure correct coverage – of the paint right. The best idea when painting is to estimate the amount of paint needed, based on the area being painted, and the recommended spreading rate. Then as the painting progresses keep an eye on what is being used. When the midpoint of the job has been reached, around half the paint should generally have been used.

Getting the spreading rate right is a key component in getting a quality finish. Put on too little and you'll waste time and money having to put on an extra coat to achieve what should have been applied in previous coats. Get it right and you can get the optimum finish in the prescribed number of coats.

Quality all the way

Rest assured, if this all sounds too technical, help is always at hand.

At Resene, quality paint is supported by quality service, Mark says, which can be a vital ingredient in a good outcome. Staff are there to assist in product selection, in providing preparation and coverage advice, and in helping make colour choices.

“Quality is often a trait that is ingrained into a company, from personnel to product to outcomes. You’ll find that at Resene.”

October 31, 2019

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