Waterborne winners

Until the 1990s, enamels were the only paint option for trim, joinery and wet areas, with waterborne or acrylic paints limited to broadwall dry areas due to their lack of durability in interior wet areas and poor block resistance.

Resene made ground-breaking progress in 1996 by launching the first waterborne enamels – Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel and Resene Enamacryl gloss waterborne enamel – offering tough, durable, enamel-like finishes with all the benefits of waterborne paints such as non yellowing, low odour and easy clean up in water. These new generation products are suitable for everything from broadwall areas through to wet areas, trim and joinery inside and out.

Recognising the trend towards lower sheen finishes on interior broadwall areas, these two products were later joined by Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen waterborne enamel and Resene SpaceCote Flat waterborne enamel.

Today, Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamels most often used on wet areas, trim and joinery inside and out as the semi-gloss sheen provides a pleasing contrast to generally lower sheen wall finishes. For those who prefer a higher sheen finish, Resene Enamacryl gloss waterborne enamel is ideal.

Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen waterborne enamel is typically used as a durable low sheen finish on interior broadwall areas and in wet areas where a lower sheen finish is desired, complemented by ceilings in Resene SpaceCote Flat waterborne enamel. The reduced side sheen of Resene SpaceCote will minimise the appearance of surface imperfections, though Resene Broadwall Surface Prep or Resene Broadwall 3 in 1 must still be used as a skim coat to achieve a Level 5 finish.

Resene SpaceCote Flat can also be used on interior broadwall areas and exterior wall surfaces where a flat finish is desired.

Choose to add Resene Fly Deterrent to minimise the appearance of flyspots on ceiling areas or Resene MoulDefender to inhibit mould growth in wet areas. The Resene Kitchen & Bathroom range is also available formulated with anti-bacterial silver protection and Resene MoulDefender to inhibit the growth of bacteria and mould.

Choose from Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen Kitchen & Bathroom for a low sheen finish on walls, complement with ceilings in Resene SpaceCote Flat Kitchen & Bathroom and Resene Lustacryl Kitchen & Bathroom on trim and joinery. Or for a semi-gloss finish on walls use Resene Lustacryl Kitchen & Bathroom.

Eco Choice approved Resene waterborne enamels easily outsell their traditional solventborne counterparts in both the trade and retail markets.

A selection of projects where Resene waterborne enamels have been used:

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