b'many Resene colour charts are now printed using Reseneachieved Environmental Choice approval on a wide range of SpaceCote Low Sheen. This alleviates the effect of metamerismits products since 1996, meaning they meet maximum VOC and gives a better idea of how the colour will look when itslimits and other criteria. Where possible, it is best to select tinted into the paint. a Resene Environmental Choice-approved product, as it meets The size of the paint sample also affects the way you view therecommended VOC limits.While it might be tempting to select shade. To critically evaluate a colour, you need approximatelya product with the lowest VOC level, this can be misleading. a 1 sqm sample, so make sure you paint an area that size inTry to choose paint products with VOCs lower than 100 gms/L, two coats when using a testpot, to get the best impression ofbut dont get too worried about differences in stated VOC the end result. levels below this level. And no matter whether a paint is high or low in VOC, you should still open windows if painting inside From Leonie: I am planning to paint over tiles and have been toldto ensure air is circulating. This will help the emissions from the that there is a product you can use to help the topcoat stick. paint to quickly disperse and the paint lm to cure properly.A. Resene has a product called Resene Waterborne SmoothFrom Alice: On the outside of the Karen Walker paint charts Surface Sealer, which is available from all Resene ColorShops.are four paintings. These are like swirled paint and I was Youcanapplyitoversmoothsurfaces,thenpaintoverwondering how this effect was created? thetopinarangeofResenetopcoats,inthousandsof Resene colours. A. They were made by pouring the base colour onto a shallow tray, then using spoons to pour in other colours and dragging From John: We are planning to paint the outside of our home,someofthesewithnarrowtoolstocreateswirls,much but are unsure whether gloss, semi-gloss, satin or low sheenas chefs do with sauces on desserts. The colours used are:is right for the job. Can you offer some tips on what to use and where? We look forward KAREN WALKER SWIRL COLOUR NAMES* to receiving A. The sheen level of a product generally affects its cleanability,your letters and queries, with high-sheen products being typically easier to clean thanand would low sheen ones. However, the lower the sheen, the better it willparticularly like to see any weird hide surface imperfections. Semi-gloss nishes are becomingand wonderful more popular outside, as they are easy to clean but are moreways you have used Resene sympathetic to the substrate than a higher gloss nish. Forpaints. The best timber, a satin nish, such as Resene Lumbersider, is generallyletter will win a Get Decorating the most popular.SANDSPIT BROWN DONKEY BROWN Kit from Resene.MAJESTIC BLUE ALBESCENT WHITEFOGGY GREY KINA BROWNThe most common Resene decorative paints used outside areSORRELL BROWNResene Lumbersider (satin), Resene Hi-Glo (gloss) and ReseneMail us at: Hey, Habitat Sonyx101(semi-gloss).ColourstendtolookbrighterandResene Habitat cleaner when painted in a high gloss such as Resene Hi-Glo, so ifMagazine PO Box 38242 youve selected an earthy colour, youre better to opt for a satinWellingtonnish, such as Resene Lumbersider, to retain that visual quality. Mail Centre New Zealand From Steve: Ive heard about low VOC paints. What is this? Or email: advice@resene.co.nz, with A. VOC stands for Volatile Organic CompoundsorganicHey, Habitat in the subject line. materials that form a vapour in the air under the range ofWEATHERED BLUE MAJESTIC BLUESANGUINE BROWN CALM GREENenvironmental conditions in which we live. Generally, volatileCHALK LAVENDER ANEMONE GREENmeans compounds that have a boiling point of less thanFOGGY GREY BERYL GREEN250Catnormaltemperatureandpressure.Resenehas*Actual chart colour swatches may not match printed swirls, but are as close as full colour printing processes allow.130 |'