Product spotlight

Spotlight on SpaceCote

Developed as a low-sheen alternative to higher gloss paints, Resene's world-leading SpaceCote has revolutionised finish and efficiency for professional painters.

Resene prides itself on continuing the legacy of innovation championed by Ted and Tony Nightingale, with Ted’s development of waterborne paints and Tony’s focus on colour development as highlights. The evolution of the pioneering SpaceCote, another Resene world first, owes itself to the same innovative spirit.

Resene prides itself on continuing the legacy of innovation championed by Ted and Tony Nightingale, with Ted’s development of waterborne paints and Tony’s focus on colour development as highlights. The evolution of the pioneering SpaceCote, another Resene world first, owes itself to the same innovative spirit.

In the mid-1990s, Resene introduced world-leading waterborne enamel technology that was the backbone of Resene Lustacryl and Resene Enamacryl waterborne enamels, which today are the market leaders for the professional painter.

Resene recognised that if the toughness and impact resistance of Lustacryl could be harnessed and the gloss level reduced to a low sheen, then it would be vastly superior to any other low sheen or flat wall paint.

The problem was reducing the gloss without using existing flatting agents, which when used inevitably reduced the cleanability of the surface – shiny spots being a typical result of cleaning around light switches and the like for existing products.

All in the science

Unfortunately, there was no solution available with the current ‘crop’ of flatting agents, so the Resene technical team designed a conceptual one and then scoured the world looking for a product that would fit the bill.

Ultimately a Norwegian life sciences business was identified. They made precise spherical acrylic beads small enough to be injected to help fight human cancers – but the one problem was that they made only 100kg a year, and Resene needed 20 tonnes.

Fortunately a deal was done, which involved thrashing out Resene’s technical requirements with a company representative in a hired meeting room at Frankfurt airport. The new material – which Resene named Spheromers – was trialled in our waterborne enamel resins, and SpaceCote Low Sheen was born.

A critical point in low sheen wall paints is how gloss can vary dramatically at critically low angles. This means that unless the surface is absolutely flat, every hump, hollow joint will be highlighted by a slight change in gloss. Because of the unique pigmentation, SpaceCote provides exactly the same reflection from viewing angles from 60–85 degrees and lower, masking all of those wall imperfections.

SpaceCote’s hardened surface makes it the perfect choice around the home. It’s ideal for living rooms, hallways and kid’s bedrooms, as well as larger scale spaces. It easily withstands the wear and tear subjected to offices, school classrooms and corridors – in fact, anywhere people gather indoors.

It’s eco-friendly with virtually no odour, making it safer for both the painter and those exposed to the painted surfaces. In line with Resene's long-standing history of sustainability, SpaceCote was formulated to have low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), earning it Eco Choice approval.

Perfect for painters

Resene Consultant Peter Edmonds says that SpaceCote can be applied in any direction or method – the Spheromers always present a uniform reflectance from any viewing angle. “It’s super easy to apply and extraordinarily tough as a paint film. This is probably the best paint in the world right here in New Zealand – I tell everyone just how good this product is.”

The benefits for painters are immense.

• The flatting agents are spherical and these aid in brushing and when rolling – it goes on easily and without fuss.

• They also contribute to the products’ beautiful flow and control – in practical terms this means a painter can ‘hold’ a cutting in line (brush stroke) for around 20–30% longer than standard wall paints. This equates to more speed and faster turnaround, which is vitally important considering that painters are selling their time – and time, as they say, is money!

• It has ‘controlled’ side sheen – whatever angle it is viewed from, the sheen is the same, so surface imperfections, filled holes, etc. are minimised and hardly noticeable when using SpaceCote.

• Because of its great looks and its enamel-like serviceability, painters can leverage this to help promote their business and professionalism.

A family of finishes

SpaceCote is divided into two primary sheen level variants which each feature practical, specialised sub-variants boosted with innovative Resene technology.

• Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen

  • Standard:  A soft, subtle lustre designed to bring enamel-style toughness to broadwall areas while hiding minor surface defects.

  • Kitchen & Bathroom:  Features added anti-bacterial silver protection and MoulDefender to resist mould and bacteria in wet areas.

• Resene SpaceCote Flat

  • Standard:  Provides a durable, flat finish ideal for ceilings and broadwall areas.

  • Kitchen & Bathroom:  Combines the luxurious flat finish with anti-bacterial and mould-inhibiting properties.