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Answers to your questions from our Paint Experts, p 28

Here's a taste of some of the Paint Expert questions and answers to help you with your own projects.

Always make sure you read the product label and data sheet prior to application. If in doubt about any aspect of your project, please ask our Paint Expert for help or come in and see our staff at your local Resene ColorShop or Reseller.

 
 
 
 

Q&A   p. 28


Q. What’s the best paint to use if I want to paint corrugated iron for an inside ceiling? I want a matte gold colour.

A. Degrease then apply a primer coat of Resene Galvo One and then two coats of the required Resene FX Metallic colour.

August 2018

Q. A dark colour seemed like a good idea at the time and believe it or not, we did a bunch of swatch trials, however we live right on the beach and every speck of sand shows, plus greasy footprints etc.

We would really like to go to a lighter colour, more of a grey wash. But I need to know how to go about it; do we have to sand back the existing floor or can we put something over the top? It also needs to be durable and easy to clean.

We are Resene fans and always use your products when we can.

A. The best option would be to sand back then apply a full two coats of pigmented Resene Uracryl 402. You should only need to sand any obvious defects.

August 2018

Q. I am part of a group that is planning a 48 hour working bee at our local high school and we are planning to paint the varnished ply in the library, to modernise the area.

I am unsure as to whether it is waterbased or not, but it is 30 plus years old. What is the best product to ensure a hard wearing finish with no show through from the varnish below?

A. Your time allowance may not be sufficient to achieve your aim.

The first stage is to ensure the varnished surfaces are degreased, then apply a coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer which has to then be left to cure for at least 48 hours before topcoating with two coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen. The Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer is not formulated to be applied as a thick wet film or to give full opacity, in fact a thin even wet coat is the best.

The system will take at least seven days to gain good adhesion and surface hardness will develop over the following three weeks.

August 2018

Q. I have just had a kitchen table made. The legs are rimu and totara. What do I use to seal them or undercoat them with? I want to paint the topcoats in Resene Lustacryl.

A. Resene Quick Dry must be used for priming totara; you could use the same primer for rimu or for rimu, use Resene Wood Primer.

August 2018

Q. What kind of paint could be used on concrete floor that is in a washhouse/bathroom?

A. We suggest Resene Aquapoxy for Flooring.

August 2018

Q. Our bathroom has been painted with oil based paint. Should I repaint it with oil based paint or could I use water based paint? Would it need to have a sealer under the water based paint? It gets a bit steamy but I do keep the window open.

A. Based on the info you have given, I suggest stay with a traditional oil based system. To recoat, sand the existing paintwork, and if there are no areas of bare substrate, then recoat with two coats any areas of bare substrate. Spot prime with Resene Sureseal before topcoating with your chosen topcoat, such as Resene Room Velvet.

August 2018

Q. After applying TimberLock, how long do you leave it before you wipe off the excess?

A. The excess needs to be wiped off while the film is still wet, so at time of application.

August 2018

Q. I have kauri floors that seem to have been polyurethaned. I have recently removed from the hall an old space heater but the patch where the heater was, has never been stained or sealed. It looks raw and I need to get it to blend in with the rest of the floor. Could you tell me what product would be best?

A. It would be a big challenge to match, the polyurethane is more than likely old solventborne polyurethane and will have yellowed with age, which makes matching extremely difficult and the outcome is not a seamless match.

We recommend a full strip of the existing polyurethane in this situation.

August 2018

Q. Is there a white paint product that would be safe to use in all areas of a home, i.e. bathroom, kitchen, ceiling and walls? I have no experience with paint products but prefer waterbased, low odour and greener options, as a rule. I need to paint the entire interior area in a short time.

A. Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen would meet what you have asked for, traditionally Resene SpaceCote Flat is the usual gloss level for ceilings.

August 2018

Q. I have cork tiles which I would like to finish, so that they have a whitewashed effect. Is there a product that can do this? They have been down 30 odd years. I have had a floor sander look at it and we are going to sand back to cork. I would then like to tone down the brownness.

A. After sanding back to bare cork, apply a coat of Resene Colorwood Resene Rock Salt stain and then apply three coats of Resene Aquaclear waterborne varnish. If you want to increase the level of whiteness, add a pottle of Resene Colorwood Enhance White to each coat of Resene Aquaclear until your desired level of whiteness is achieved.

August 2018

Q. Can I paint floor tiles? I think they are glazed as they have a shiny surface.

A. Ensure the tiles are degreased then apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and allow to cure without water contact for at least 48 hours before over coating. Then apply two coats of Resene Walk-on and then apply a seal coat of Resene Concrete Wax. Roll all coats using the recommended roller sleeve.

The new paint system will take five days to develop good initial adhesion and continue to cure for an additional three weeks until full cure occurs. In the early stages the paint surface will not have good resistance to cleaners or abrasion as these features develop as the film undergoes curing.

Note that painting will not reproduce the original features of the tiles.

August 2018

Q. I was wondering if I could get some advice for my project. I am needing a clear-coat as a finish for a large painting. It is a standard acrylic painting (indoor), and is done on a 1cm thick MDF. I thought I should coat it with something to protect it for long-term. I was wondering if the Resene Clearcoat UVS would be suitable for this project. The label says it is for exterior use, but I wondered if it could suit interior paint as well.

A. Resene Clearcoat UVS can be used to clear coat any waterborne painted surface in exterior or interior situations. The main product feature is to give UV protection which is not really an interior issue.

August 2018

Q. Please can you tell me how sheen level affects LRV and also is it true that the higher the sheen the darker the perception of the colour? This seems to be the accepted answer, but to me a colour generally seems brighter if the sheen level is higher.

A. Resene testpots are made with a low sheen waterborne paint, there is an impact of gloss level on perceived colour. The same colour made using a flat waterborne paint formulation looks greyer and milkier than the same colour made using a gloss waterborne paint. Higher gloss level paints of the same type in the same colour are cleaner and brighter than the same colour made in a lowest gloss level finish.

Gloss has no appreciable effect on how much light a colour reflects or absorbs otherwise known as LRV.

August 2018

Q. I have a fibreglass roof. Can I clean it and topcoat in Resene Sonyx 101?

A. Epoxy primers such as Resene Armourcote 221 will achieve the best adhesion to clean and sound fiberglass, the primer is best topcoated with a two pack polyurethane such as Resene Uracryl 402 for a semi-gloss finish.

August 2018

Q. I need to remove lichen off a Colorsteel® roof. I have started doing this using a plastic scraper; do you have a product that will kill the lichen?

A. Spray on Resene Deep Clean, diluted and used to label instructions. Apply on a dull day when no rainfall is expected for at least 12 hours. If the lichen infestation is heavy, spray and then leave for 30 minutes then spray again. Leave, and over time the dead lichen will detach upon weathering. This will take at least a month to start, if you want to after a month, scrub lichen infected areas with a stiff nylon brush to remove dead material.

August 2018

Q. I need some hard wearing paint, that can handle some knocks and stains (easy to clean) for the lounge, hallway and dining areas.

A. The best system we can offer is to use Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen with a clear of Resene SpaceCote Clear.

August 2018

Q. Can I use Resene paints on a wooden salad bowl? It would be washed by hand but it would come into contact with food, oils etc.

A. Four coats of Resene Polythane would be our recommendation, allow at least seven days cure after application of the last coat before using.

August 2018

Q. Our house is clad with Rockcote. Lichen is growing on flat capping around the deck wall etc. Can you advise what product to use, to kill it so it can be removed?

A. Treat using Resene Deep Clean diluted and used to label instructions. Apply on an overcast day and ideally when there is no chance of rain for 12 hours, for areas of heavy infestation apply a coat and then re-wet these areas an hour later. The lichen kill is not immediate but will occur over a month and then the dead lichen will either erode off with rain, or can be scrubbed to remove using a stiff nylon broom.

Lichen growth rates and infestation is micro climate determined, if there is a the potential for growth treatment every 6 months (beginning of autumn and spring) is recommended to achieve continued control.

August 2018

Q. I am after any information you might have about painting over polyurethane. I'm doing a renovation for a friend who has a polyurethane pine ceiling and he wants it with a standard black/white finish.

A. Degrease using Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner following label directions and then apply an adhesion coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and leave to cure for 48 hours, and then apply two coats of Resene SpaceCote Flat, tinted to the required colour.

Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer is not designed to be applied as a heavy wet coat or to give opacity. The product viscosity is similar to water and as a result the product cannot be spray applied.

August 2018

Q. I would like to paint over paper wallpaper and also some older vinyl wallpaper, what should the prep. be?

A. For vinyl wallpapers, you must first apply a coat of Resene Vinyl Wallpaper Sealer before applying two coats of SpaceCote Low Sheen. Note that Resene Vinyl Wallpaper Sealer contains a strong solvent, so if using in a poorly ventilated area, use a full face mask fitted with an organic cartridge. The product dries very quickly, cut in with a brush then roller apply. We do not recommend trying to clean brushes or roller sleeves.

August 2018

Q. We have some furniture which is MDF UV White Painted Coat. We want to paint this so that we get a gloss white finish to it. What type of paint would you recommend using? And would you recommend white gloss paint or a clear gloss (our furniture is already white)?

A. You could sand and then apply a coat of Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield Gloss Clear. Do not overly sand but enough to profile.

August 2018

Q. I am hoping you can help me with painting a wooden cot for a baby. It is wooden with a clear shiny coating on it probably polyurethane. My plan was to lightly sand this and then apply a primer and topcoat. What primer and topcoat should I use that is safe if baby decides to chew the cot as they do?

A. We recommend Resene Quick Dry for the primer and two coats of Resene Lustacryl for the topcoats. Allow the completed paint system to cure for at least two weeks then wipe down with warm water before placing into use.

August 2018

Q. I have powder coated exterior sliding doors that are dark grey. Is it possible to paint directly over this? If so what paint would be suitable?

A. Ensure the doors are free of oil/grease/sealant residues and then apply a prime coat of Resene Vinyl Etch and finish with two coats of Resene Uracryl 402.

August 2018

Q. We have an old weatherboard house we are currently stripping back to paint. It was in poor condition and was peeling back in large pieces (poor prep in the past). It also contains lead. There is borer in the weatherboards. How do we treat the borer before repainting and what is the best primer to use (will the borer treatment affect it)?

A. Borer treatment is done prepainting as it is best applied direct to bare timber. Borer Exit Holes are round or oval shaped holes with sharp edges and when cut open are seen as tunnels in the wood, known as 'galleries'.

The probable cause is the exit of mature borer. As the larvae mature and increase in size, they bore towards the wood surface to pupate and emerge as adult beetles. Borer dust (also known as “frass” though much finer than that from termites) is caused by emerging adult beetles, usually visible below the infested timber. Weak and damaged floorboards, in extreme cases a foot or chair leg going through the floor, can indicate a more serious problem. Crumbling wood, around corners or edges of roof joists or floorboards is also an indication.

To prevent: spray surfaces with an insecticide to prevent egg-laying. There may be some penetration of the insecticide spray into the surface layer of timber however the degree of kill of borer larvae below the timber surface may be minimal.

If all larvae within the timber have exited then application of an insecticide spray and filling of the holes can be undertaken. A complete exit of all larvae at one time-point rarely occurs and where there is not access to all timber faces to allow treatment, then it will be more than likely that more borer holes will reappear.

August 2018

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.

August 2018

Q. I am restoring an outdoor slate terrace. Which of your products would you recommend to bring out the colours of the slate and withstand foot traffic to the front door?

A. Apply two thin coats of Resene Walk-on Concrete Clear Wet Look.

August 2018

Q. I have dark stained Mahogany Rubberwood and want to blond it or lighten it. Any ideas for what products to use please?

A. Without sanding off the stain colour the only other option would be to try Resene Colorwood Whitewash. Degrease first (not sure if you have used silicone based polishes, if so the residues of these are very difficult to remove), sand the surface to profile then apply the Resene Colorwood Whitewash.

It is essential to get an even wet film thickness and to avoid overlapping when applying as the product is a lightly pigmented clear. Areas of higher application will be seen as areas of increased whiteness.

August 2018

Q. We have some very old weathered and damaged concrete steps that have been painted some time ago. It’s all a bit flaky and I would like to paint them in a flat paint to tidy them up. I have waterblasted already, so what would you recommend?

A. Spot prime bare concrete with Resene Sureseal then apply two coats of Resene Walk-on.

August 2018

Q. I have just used a semi-gloss enamel and it seems to be a lot flatter than I would have expected.

A. A reduced gloss level usually means that the paint has dried under cold/high humidity conditions.

August 2018

Q. I have window frames and skirting which has been painted dark blue. I want to repaint them white but I am unsure if they have used enamel paint. Do I need a pigmented sealer?

A. Ensure the areas are degreased using Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner then sand with 220 grit sandpaper to profile and apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry. You can then apply two coats of Resene Lustacryl or Resene Lusta-Glo. Resene Lusta-Glo will give better wear resistance for skirting but it is solventborne.

August 2018

Q. My 3 year old daughter put some waterbased paint on the sleeves of her dress. I've already washed the dress twice and used some stain remover with no success. What can I do?

A. Waterborne paints can be removed by washing when the paint is wet, not dry. If this was not the case, waterborne paints applied to an exterior surface would wash off with rain.

You could try using Resene Graffiti Cleaner to soften the dry paint and then wash. You would need to test an inconspicuous area first to see if the fabric will be resistant to the cleaner.

August 2018

Q. What is the best way to remove wallpaper? Also, can it be painted over and not show joins?

A. A wallpaper steamer is the easiest way to remove wallpaper (the ease depends upon the wallpaper adhesive originally used). Score the paper to allow the steam to penetrate through the paper first. The depth of a wallpaper join often means that the join cannot be disguised by painting.

August 2018

Q. I’ve got a galvanised roof to paint which is two months old and located in Rotorua. What paint products would be suitable for this environment?

A. Wash 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 Summit Roof.

August 2018

Q. COLORSTEEL® advise they do not apply any colours at their factory other than COLORSTEEL® colours. How do I get Resene Sword applied to a new build roof as a factory paint application? Hand painting is an unsatisfactory option.

A. Repainting of new COLORSTEEL® requires an extended period of weathering before the coloured cladding can be painted. If you are going to paint, then why not start with Zincalume? The painting of Zincalume will require a prime coat and then topcoating. If the cladding profile is in already in place, this is possible. If the plan is to paint then install, there will be a requirement for site touch up, as there will inevitably be installation damage.

August 2018

Q. The conservatory attached to the house has a butyl rubber roof covering. The butyl is shedding a damp black sooty residue, down over the glass and aluminium. Do you have you a sealer suitable to cover the butyl to prevent this happening?

A. Scrub down using Resene and Prep and Housewash, diluted and used to label then apply a coat of Resene Membrane Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider.

Use the Resene CoolColour™ version of the topcoat colour if selecting a dark colour for the topcoat. 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.

August 2018

Q. We are using a Steel Tray-dec floor system below a tiled terrace, with concrete block perimeter walls and not in a sea spray zone. What coating system would you recommend to the underside to protect against corrosion?

A. Wash down using Resene Heavy Duty Paint Prep and Oil Remover diluted and used to label instructions. Apply Resene Armourcote 220 to a dry film thickness of 75 microns and then finish with Resene Armourcote 510 to a DFT of 150 microns.

August 2018

Q. I want to re-paint my hall - it is currently painted with Resene paints. I have used Resene Sonyx 101 and Resene Lumbersider in the past and am looking at Resene Merino. Do you have an opinion as to whether, either would be the best or are they both much of a muchness? I want a low sheen/satin finish, not matt.

A. Resene Sonyx 101 and Resene Lumbersider are formulated for exterior use, for a hall way, our recommendation would be Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen.

August 2018

Q. Could you please advise if an undercoat or primer is required before applying a topcoat of Resene Sonyx 101 waterborne semi-gloss exterior (recommended by Resene ColorShop staff) onto Alucobond PVDF coated aluminium composite panels, which has been sanded with 220 grit.

A. PVDF panels can be difficult to prepare for repainting unless the surface has been subject to a long weathering period (15 years +) in a fully exposed location.

A thorough sanding is required to profile the cladding for painting. Normally we recommend priming with a two pack primer (Resene Armourcote 220) and topcoat (Resene Uracryl 400 Series) system, to get the best possible adhesion outcome with the new paint system.

August 2018

Q. Is your wall paint suitable to paint on to a primed canvas (as a piece of artwork), and then rolled for shipping the artwork overseas? Or is it just thinned out artist's paint?

A. If there is contact between the two faces painted with a conventional waterborne paint then the paint surfaces will fuse. If you use Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen and allow a few days cure before rolling, then the fusion will not occur if two painted faces are in contact.

August 2018

Q. Just starting to repaint timber rusticated weatherboard. When do I wash down, before or after scraping and sanding? As we live by the sea, I want to apply Resene TimberLock at the end of each session so as not to leave exposed timber too long. Do I need to wash down after each coat? What is the preferred sealer/undercoat after Resene TimberLock, and how soon should it be applied?

A. Resene Paint Prep and Housewash. Apply the Resene TimberLock and make sure any surface excess is wiped off at time of application and leave to cure for at least 48 hours before overcoating with Resene Wood Primer.

August 2018

Q. I have a new cedar garden shed that I have let weather for several months, and am now ready to apply a protective coating. Can you please confirm that the Resene Furniture and Decking Oil is suitable to be used on Cedar timber. If it is not suitable, can you please recommend an alternative?

A. Two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil would be my suggestion.

August 2018

Q. What is the difference between Resene LimeLock and Resene Sureseal? Are they used in conjunction or would that be excessive?

A. Resene LimeLock is a preparatory coating used for the curing and sealing of cementitious substrates. It promotes cure by producing a water barrier, which unlike traditional curing membranes, may be overcoated with waterborne finishes at any stage. Its ability to cure and seal the substrate eliminates the need to leave the plaster to cure for seven days before painting. When dark, heat absorbing topcoats are planned, it is still prudent to wait seven days before painting. Resene LimeLock traps free lime in the cementitious substrate protecting the paint finish against the appearance of unsightly lime staining, and providing a perfect base for subsequent Resene finishes.

Resene Sureseal is a pigmented, solvent borne, alkali-resistant, penetrating sealer with the ability to penetrate and bond old decaying cementitious surfaces and make them suitable for painting. It acts as a surface conditioner that also reduces bleeding of water stains and dries without the unwanted and strong solvent odours associated with traditional solvent borne products.

The role of the two products is very different and selection depends upon what is required to produce a stable base for painting.

August 2018

Q. What products do I need to paint interior and exterior powdercoat joinery? The condition is good. I’m only changing it to get a new colour.

A. Exterior: ensure the surfaces are clean and chalk free, apply a primer coat of Resene Vinyl Etch and finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl. If selecting a dark colour, then use the Resene CoolColour™ version of the topcoat colour.

Interior: ensure the surfaces are clean and chalk free, apply a primer coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer (the product is not designed to be applied as a thick wet film or to achieve opacity) and leave to cure for at least 48 hours before over coating, then finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl.

August 2018

Q. I'm planning to get the outside of my place repainted. The structure is primarily concrete. I've had different painters look at the job, but I'm confused who to listen to, as they are providing different advice.

One says they will use Resene Lumbersider, the other says a ‘membrane waterproofing paint’ is superior and to go with them (although they haven't elaborated on why this product is preferred).

A. If there are no water ingress issues that have been identified, then two coats of a low build decorative like Resene Lumbersider can be used. However, if there are issues that require a weathertight membrane, then Resene X-200 is the recommended system.

August 2018

Q. We have rust staining on a Shadowclad® wall on the outside of our house. Do you recommend a particular primer prior to painting?

The nails that were used, weren’t hot dipped galvanised ones unfortunately (we had them tested) but we just can’t afford to replace the Shadowclad®. I appreciate that the rust will eventually work its way through the paint again, but if there is any way of delaying this process we would be thrilled.

A. If you go to a hardware store and see if you can get a small packet of oxalic acid, make up a 5% solution (5gm of crystals in a litre of water) and dab onto the rusted nail heads. Resene Rust-Arrest is our primer for rusted surfaces.

August 2018

Q. I would like to put a coating over polystyrene sheet to protect it from water.

A. Apply a prime coat of Resene Quick Dry then topcoat with any Resene waterborne topcoat.

August 2018

Q. I am painting an experimental aircraft with water based primer and need to etch and clean the aluminium surface separately, to ensure good adhesion. Does Resene have clean and etch products available that would suit? I understand the product I’ve used in the past is mostly phosphoric acid.

A. Resene Vinyl Etch is the only etch primer we sell.

August 2018

Q. I have a large house, 30% is monolithic cladding which is possibly Harditex®. I would like to repaint in a flat, light cream colour. What is the best paint to buy and can l use a roller as the board has a rough service? The house was built 1997 and the cladding is in excellent condition. On inspection, we found hairline cracks on the seal around some metal window frames but nothing serious. We have never had water leaks and we have lived here for four years. The house has very good soffits that protect the walls and window frames. However, the pre-sale building inspector pointed out areas that need attention, so we will seal the cracks and paint. The house may have been repainted about five years ago, prior to us buying the house. Is a roller best to use or is a brush better?

A. You can use any Resene waterborne exterior paint or Resene X-200, a weathertight membrane. I recommend using the Resene CoolColour™ version of any dark colour that you select. Application of any of these paints will not change the existing weathertightness status of the substrate.

August 2018

Q. I have two fireplaces (one wood and one gas), they both have a matt black, cast iron surround that has some light rust (wood fire), and some paint marks I can’t remove (gas fire). Can I paint onto the iron to freshen them up - what do you recommend?

A. The only suggestion would be to apply Resene Hi Temp Black Enamel. Carefully sand rusted areas with 400 wet and dry to remove rust first.

August 2018

Q. We have a deck that is part new and part old.

The old part has been finished with Resene Woodsman, the new is unpainted pine.We are looking at using Resene Walk-on. First, is that the right paint to use, if not what do you suggest? Second, what is the best product to prime with?

The old part is probably 15 or so years old and was recoated maybe 5/7 years ago. It is all H3 pine.

A. If there are signs of mould/algae present, treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions, then scrub down the previously stained decking with  Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label directions. Apply two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil stain. There is a good chance that there will be a colour difference between the new and previously stained areas as the stain is semi-transparent.

August 2018

Q. We have just brought a house and need to repaint desperately. The previous owners thought it was a good idea to paint bits of the ceiling, red. It’s a shiny paint and I wonder if its oil based? Could you please tell me how we can paint over it (we want them to be white) without it turning pink. Is there a certain type of undercoat or something that would cover it so we can paint it white? We also want to get rid of a black strip in the middle of the room.

A. If you wet a cloth with meths and quickly rub the paint, you may see a softening of the red paint. If this occurs, then the red paint is likely to be a waterborne paint. If not, then it will be oil based paint.

If the outcome suggests the latter (i.e. oil based paint) then sand with 240 grit sandpaper and apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry and then finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl. If the paint does soften, then there should be no need to sand before applying Resene Quick Dry and topcoating.

August 2018

Q. How should we paint a concrete floor? What sealer do I use first and thereafter what type of paint for the top coats/final colour? The concrete floor is very old, it does darken immediately if water is splashed on it. However we recently filled in a pit in the centre of the garage floor with new concrete so there is a small 1 x 0.8m section that has new concrete. So we would need a process/application that would be fit for both new and old concrete.

A. Apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal then Resene Aquapoxy for Flooring.

August 2018

Q. What is the difference between the Resene X-200 D62 acrylic weathertight membrane and the Resene X-300E D64 high build elastomeric membrane?

A. In the CCANZ CP 01 2014 document there are two options to achieve a weathertight finish over exterior masonry. The first is a conventional high build acrylic paint system, the second is an elastomeric paint system both applied to achieve a minimum dry film thickness of 180 microns. Resene X-200 is the first type and Resene X-300E is the second type. Some believe that an elastomeric paint is the better option, Resene does not subscribe to this. An elastomeric paint system is really only for appropriate to use the situation where there is existing live cracking in a cementitious substrate. The elastomeric paint needs to be applied at 2x the maximum crack width to maintain film integrity when there is crack width changes.

August 2018

Q. I am building a new shed/workshop and want a durable, long lasting finish on the floor that will be oil and solvent resistant. Can you recommend product(s) that would be suitable and that can be applied by a DIYer?

A. Prepare the floor by diamond grinding then apply the Resene Aquapoxy for Flooring System.

August 2018

Q. Can you please advise me what primer and topcoat are recommended for exterior LINEA® board?

A. For new LINEA® use a primer coat of Resene Concrete Primer and then two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 topcoat. If selecting dark colours we recommend the Resene CoolColour™  version of the topcoat colour. The CoolColour topcoat will not render the painted surface cool to touch but will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool technology.

August 2018

Q. Please could you recommend a clear coat to apply over the Resene Concrete Stain?

A. We recommend Resene Walk-on Concrete Clear. We usually try to avoid building up a coating thickness above the concrete level wherever possible as this can see a more rapid wear occur.

August 2018

Q. I have some external bricks on my home that I would like to paint. They are not currently painted. What are the steps I need to take?

A. Weathered/old exterior brick older brick walls are likely to require mould and any efflorescence treated. There is also likely to be accumulated windblown salts on the surface. These can stain and discolour waterborne paint systems and if the surface is too rough and/or textured, it can be hard to completely flush away. Mortar also must be checked for cracks and repairs made.

Step 1: Treat moss and mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions. For heavy infestations, an additional application(s) may be needed.

Step 2: Thoroughly scrub down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions in accordance with the data sheet to remove all dirt, dust, grease, any moss and mould residue, chalk, cobwebs and other contaminants. Alternatively, waterblast at up to 3000psi. Any areas of efflorescence should be power wire brushed to remove the surface contamination. If leaks are present, (which are the likely cause of the efflorescence) they should be located and fixed.

Step 3: Apply a full coat of the Resene Concrete Primer diluted 10% with water.

Then topcoat in your choice of Resene exterior paint.

August 2018

Q. Can you advise how best to remove greasy finger prints from kitchen cupboards? I regularly wipe with a dish cloth and warm soapy water but can’t get stubborn marks off. It is most noticeable on the darker coloured cupboards.

A. Suggest you may like to try Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner.

August 2018

Q. Can I use acrylic paint on a plaster ceiling in kitchen/dining room?

A. It really depends upon the humidity that is present; if there is a lot of steam generated and poor ventilation then a conventional waterborne paint no, but you can use Resene waterborne enamel paint, Resene SpaceCote Flat, for ceilings.

August 2018

Q. We are doing a large vertical cedar weatherboard house and want to use Resene Woodsman Whitewash on the band sawn cedar but the supplier has said you don’t recommend this colour in cedar. Can you advise?

A. Cedar contains water soluble tannins which are orange brown and when new Cedar is coated with light coloured water borne stain the tannins cause a discoloration of the stain colour. The tannin release is more pronounced with quarter sawn cladding but can still occur with flat sawn sections. While the tannin staining does weather off as the Resene Woodsman Whitewash stain erodes upon weathering the initial appearance is considered by most to be unacceptable and for this reason we do not recommend applying Resene Woodsman Whitewash stain colour to Cedar.

August 2018

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.

September 2018

Q. We have an old galvanised pool fence we would like to paint. Do you have a product that will adhere directly to the galvanised metal? There is no corrosion, the fence is in very good condition, however it's a laborious task so I am looking for a product that will adhere directly to the existing surface as I only want to do it once.

A. We do not have an all in one product. Our system would require cleaning with Resene Roof and Metal Wash, a coat of Resene Galvo One, followed by two coats of Resene Summit Roof paint or even Resene Lumbersider waterborne low sheen.

September 2018

Q. What is the best way to remove mould from a kitchen ceiling painted with Resene paint? It is a black/damp mould coming down from the roof we think.

A. Treatment with Resene Moss & Mould Killer is the only way to control mould growth. If you can effect complete kill then application of a coat of Resene Quick Dry and two coats of a Resene Kitchen and Bathroom waterborne enamel will assist with long term control of mould growth.

September 2018

Q. I’ve recently painted a mural on a basketball court with Resene Lumbersider. The paint went on brilliantly and the mural looks amazing. We are wanting to put down a clear coat to protect the mural. What would be the best option? Would Resene Concrete Clear flat finish be the best?

A. Yes you could use Resene Concrete Clear, suggest the Satin gloss level. The clear may wear as this is potentially a high wear situation.

September 2018

Q. Can I use Resene Rust-Arrest and Resene Galvo One on the back of my slightly corroded/rusted kitchen sink? The products mentioned do not mention stainless steel. I want to treat the rust/sand back and prime before reinstalling in my kitchen.

A. Prepare corroded areas by wet sanding with 400 grit sandpaper. Take care not to unduly scratch the metal. Then apply two coats of Resene GP Metal Primer.

September 2018

Q. What is the best primer for MDF?

A. The only primer we recommend for priming bare MDF is Resene Quick Dry.

September 2018

Q. I am painting radiators where the temperature reaches 70 degrees Celsius. Can I use Resene Lustacryl or do I need a high temperature paint? They are currently blue and we require them to be white.

A. Best to stay with the traditional solvent borne enamel option, Resene Lusta-Glo. Waterborne enamels will undergo softening and possibly adhesion loss at the temperatures the radiators get to.

September 2018

Q. We have some outside paint that is about five years old is it still ok to use?

A. Assume the paint is waterborne? There always is the possibility that the point has become contaminated with bacteria - the only way to tell is by the paint odour. Open the can and stir well with a wide flat stirrer to reincorporate the contents to a uniform state. If the paint smells like well-worn socks that have not been washed for some time then this is indicative of bacterial contamination, if this is the case than the paint cannot be used as the bacteria degrades the paint binder.

September 2018

Q. What paint should I use in all areas of the house? I need something easy to clean. I have four children.

A. We recommend Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen.

September 2018

Q. I am currently renovating the cedar joinery in my sunroom in advance of the installation of replacement double glazing units and require advice as to the most suitable enduring clear coating system for the joinery. The sunroom is 4m x 3.5m, faces north and receives all day sun. The walls are double glazed as is 60% of the roof.

A. Sand the cedar then apply a saturation coat of Resene TimberLock. Wipe the excess off at time of application and leave to dry for 48 hours then apply Altex Timbercote marine varnish following the data sheet recommendations. The Resene TimberLock will add to the UV protection to the cedar.

September 2018

Q. I have a very old deck and a few boards need replacing. If I replace them with new decking timber then stain the whole deck with your dark (black) penetrating oil stain, will you be able to see the difference between the old and new boards colour wise?

A. More than likely as stains are semi-transparent and the final colour is influenced by the base colour.

September 2018

Q. I have a Shadowclad® wall with stainless steel nails. What should I coat the nails with, and what is the best undercoat for the walls? The topcoat will be Resene Lumbersider.

A. Spot prime the nails with Resene GP Metal Primer then you can apply the Resene Lumbersider topcoats.

September 2018

Q. What do I prime fibre cement board with?

A. Our recommended primer for new fibre cement is Resene Concrete Primer.

September 2018

Q. I have a Shadowclad® finish on the exterior of my property which was painted by the previous owner using a timber stain which does not appear to comply with CHH’s requirements for a 100 percent acrylic paint finish. I am therefore looking to repaint the house and my question is whether there would be any compatibility issues using your primers over the stain prior to repainting the property? Also could you recommend the most suitable product?

A. To convert to a solid paint finish the following is suggested: scrub down using Resene Heavy Duty Paint Prep and Oil Remover diluted and used to label instructions then wash well with fresh water. Apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 using the Resene CoolColour™ version if selecting a dark colour. The Resene CoolColour topcoat will not render the painted surface cool to touch but the Resene CoolColour version will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool technology.

September 2018

Q. I have a concrete composite bench top in my house and just want to give it a coat to keep it sealed. Do I use the Resene Concrete Wax or Resene Uracryl 402?

A. We recommend multiple coats of Resene Concrete Wax.

September 2018

Q. I am painting a ground floor bathroom made of masonry blocks. It has been cleaned and loose paint stripped and one coat of sealer applied but brown spots are appearing though the first coat and forming run marks on the blocks. It’s the external bathroom wall – opposite side from shower.

A. The usual way to paint an exterior concrete wall is to apply a saturation coat of Resene Sureseal as the seal coat; this should also control rust leaching. Then given the use apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat and finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl waterborne enamel.

September 2018

Q. If I have oil based paint on my skirting boards, and I want to paint over this with non-oil based enamel, do I need to just sand back the paint, or do I need to sand back the paint and undercoat?

A. Thoroughly sand and prime with a coat of Resene Quick Dry before topcoating.

September 2018

Q. My garage roof has got rust even though it was originally galvanised steel. It was never painted to start with. I want to stop the rust and paint it. Can you tell me what I should use? I was thinking of thinking of starting with Resene Roof and Metal Wash followed by Resene Rust-Arrest, then Resene Galvo-One and finally a topcoat.

Would this be sufficient for this job bearing in mind that the original galvanising has worn off quite a bit and the steel is now rusting in places.

A. Resene Rust-Arrest is only suitable for application to red rusted areas, this excludes white rust or an area where some zinc remains. The primer to use would be Resene GP Metal Primer, two coats. You will need to wash down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash and then remove all loosely adherent rust before priming. If there is extensive red corrosion then painting may not give you an extended time to the roof life and maybe you should consider re-roofing for a long term solution.

September 2018

Q. Are water based enamels as long lasting and hard wearing as oil based enamel paint?

A. Depends upon what aspect of durability you are referring to and if the paint is exterior or interior. The time to chalking of an exterior waterborne paint is significantly longer than an enamel paint of the same gloss level. This is not an issue with interior paints.

There is a scale of wear resistance; conventional waterborne paint has the lower wear resistance compared to waterborne enamel with solventborne enamel being the most resistant to wear/abrasion. These comments are a general overview and apply to single component paints only.

September 2018

Q. I want to paint bare Gib® Aqualine which has been stopped/plastered in my bathrooms.

Gib® says to use a 'pigmented oil based sealer'. Is that what Resene Sureseal is? It says on your website Sureseal is a 'Resene pigmented, solvent borne, alkali-resistant, penetrating sealer'. Is solvent borne the same as 'oil based'? Do you recommend Resene Sureseal for Aqualine® which has been stopped/plastered? Is it okay to apply two coats or just stick to one coat?

For the topcoat I was planning on Resene Lustacryl Kitchen & Bathroom semi-gloss. How long should I allow the Resene Sureseal to dry before applying this?

A. Resene Sureseal is the sealer we recommend for sealing stopped Aqualine.

If using Resene Lustacryl Kitchen & Bathroom as the topcoat I would recommend a coat of Resene Quick Dry be applied over the Resene Sureseal particularly on the ceiling.

The drying rate of a solvent borne paint is temperature related, the colder the temperature the longer the dry time. The dry time of a waterborne paint is a function of temperature, humidity and air flow (room air changes). When applying waterborne paint systems in a poorly ventilated room space then a combination of a de-humidifier and heating (electric only) and good ventilation will be beneficial in addressing what may be marginal painting conditions for waterborne paint.

September 2018

Q. We have an office/display area associated with an industrial workshop that I am finalising the design on. I want to use Strandboard® stained with a suitable polyurethane/varnish finish as flooring to the mezzanine steps and bleacher seating. Is Strandboard® suitable for this flooring situation? What finish do you recommend for the surface?

A. Strandfloor® and StrandfloorH3.1® are suitable for this application of mezzanine floor, steps and bleacher seating.

Strandfloor® is regularly used in a range of commercial applications such as sports floors, education, retail and office space environments.

If Strandfloor® /StrandfloorH3.1 is being used as flooring for the workshop, floor loadings will need to be considered.

Extra framing supports provided under concentrated loads maybe required. (heavy equipment etc.)

A double layer of Strandfloor® also increases floor loading capacity.

Four coats of Resene Polythane would be our best offer over a Resene Colorwood stain colour.

September 2018

Q. I have a 6 month old pine deck and am wondering whether to use oil based stains or acrylic. One part of the deck will have a spa pool. What should we use on the deck, and what should we use under the spa pool?

We also need to stain the fences and retaining walls, is it better to use the acrylic or oil, I don't like the stuff that peels off and timber is visible underneath?

A. Resene stains are defined as non-film forming and designed to erode off the surface upon weathering. The rate of erosion is determined by the exposure conditions and there no difference between the solvent and waterborne versions subject to the same exposure conditions.

I personally prefer Resene Woodsman Wood Oil stain as this stain gives a more traditional stained appearance compared to the waterborne stains.

September 2018

Q. I am currently doing a project of turning an existing concrete slab garage into a sleep out. I am wondering what product to specify to paint onto the surface of the concrete to act as a damp proof membrane. We would then put a timber floor on battens above.

A. Resene HydraBlock, two coats would be our recommendation. We cannot guarantee that the hydrostatic blocking of the system will not be compromised in your situation but this is the industry approach to dealing with the situation you describe.

September 2018

Q. I need to touch up a few skirting boards and door frames that have marks on them. The paint previously used was Resene Sea Fog but I don't know which finish was used i.e. semi-gloss, matt etc. Can you recommend what finish I should use on these surfaces please? Do the testpots come in all finishes? I'm not looking a large amount of paint so a testpot may be all that's required.

A. Resene testpots are made using a conventional Resene low sheen exterior waterborne paint. We do not offer testpots in a range of Resene paint finishes. The most likely Resene paint that was used as a skirting paint would be either Resene Lustacryl or Resene Lusta-Glo. Resene Lustacryl is waterborne and Resene Lusta-Glo is solventborne.

September 2018

Q. Can you please advise on the Resene product suitable to achieve an inorganic zinc primer finish on internal exposed structural steel and send spec sheet?

A. We recommend Resene Zincilate 11.

September 2018

Q. Which product would you recommend to apply to a wooden benchtop in a semi-gloss colour? Obviously water resistance and durability are a factor. This benchtop is still as it was - bare wood that was stained and varnished but has seen better days. The timber has water damage in places and will have to be sanded back. It`s white pine which was new when the top was made 40 years ago, so it has no resin.

A. Thoroughly sand areas of flaking paint back to a sound feathered edge, sand bare timber to restore the originals timber colour and also sand remaining sound paint to profile for recoating. Spot prime bare timber with Resene Quick Dry and then apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl.

September 2018

Q. How do I test to find out whether paint is oil or water based?

A. Clean down an area to be grease/chalk free then wet a cloth of contrasting colour with meths and quickly transfer it to the painted surface and rub. If the paint softens or dissolves then it is a traditional waterborne paint finish. If not then it could be a solventborne enamel or waterborne enamel paint.

September 2018

Q. I have had a new fence constructed and painted using charcoal timber colour exterior paint. Each timber pale had been placed ‘hard up’ against each other along the 30m with nil gaps. About 6-8 weeks after painting the gaps between timber opened up each between 5-12mm each and the top railing became twisted.

The builders won’t accept responsibility stating that ‘everyone’ knows timber should be left to dry before painting thus avoiding shrinkage and that I exacerbated the issue by having the paint applied before timber dried. I certainly did not know timber should be left to ‘weather’ before painting. How long?

Would the black colour have attracted more sun than other colours? Would painting have caused the shrinkage?

A. Timber will change in dimension with moisture content and humidity. Application of a dark coloured paint or stains to timber can result in shrinkage, warping and cupping. Please see the following:

Weatherboard Shrinkage
Description: Shrinkage or expansion of the timber profile dimension revealing the underlying paint /primer coat at the overlap interface between two boards.

Shrinkaging of weatherboards

Probable Cause/s: All timber is hygroscopic. It will absorb and desorb moisture between wet and dry days and wet and dry seasons, each and every year (even when primed and painted). When timber absorbs moisture, some dimensional swelling may occur and this will expand the board in width, which will then do the opposite when moisture is desorbed (evaporation), the timber will shrink with dimensional width reduction. The amount of dimensional change upon water absorption/desorption is dependent upon many factors, not only timber species but also grain structure and even how it was cut and processed from the tree. The moisture content is also very dependent on the temperature so using dark colours can cause more shrinkage than usual.

Prevention: For new timber, if showing signs of dimensional swelling then allow time to dry out and return to the normal dimensions before painting. Use light colours and or use timber species and cuts that are less prone to dimensional movement. Use smaller width boards.

Remedy: To avoid ‘shrinkage lines’ it is essential that if swelling is evident, the product should be given time to dry out and return to its equilibrium moisture content and manufactured dimensions before application of any paint coating system. Using a lighter colour will help reduce movement.

Weatherboard Cupping
Description: Movement in a curling “cupping” fashion along the face of the timber profile.

cupping of weatherboards

Probable Cause/s: Half Sawn timber grain tends to be more prone to cupping compared to Quarter Sawn timber grain and in addition a Rusticated profile is more prone compared to a Bevel Back profile. Typically caused by absorption and desorption of moisture combined with internal timber stresses as well as external stresses, commonly dark colours, weather, extremes of wet and dry, lack of a good maintained paint system (though paint won’t stop cupping, it can however reduce the extent of it and slow it down).

Prevention: Use light paint colours and use more stable timber profiles, species type and grain cut. Place Half Sawn grain boards on the back of the house out of the sun and direct weather.

Remedy: Avoid in the first place by maintaining the paint (or stain) work and using light colours. Remove and replace with a profile and timber type that is less prone to cupping.

September 2018

Q. I am stripping the original 20mm solid plaster from a 25 year old dwelling. This leaves a layer of 7mm tanalised plywood that will be covered with building wrap timber cavity battens and cedar weatherboard that will be painted with Resene Sonyx 101. We wish to avoid a full shrink wrap enclosure of the house so intend to progress the work in smaller sections using tarpaulins for weather protection. My question is do you have a breathable Resene primer or coating that we can paint the plywood with that will not cause sweating of the timber framing in behind? Hardies RAB board is an example of a breathable cladding if we were starting from scratch but as the plywood is already in position it is obviously preferable to coat that.

A. All waterborne paints are permeable to moisture vapour (breathable). Resene Quick Dry is the only weatherboard timber primer we have.

September 2018

Q. I want to paint a Summerhill stone house and would like advice as to how to go about this and what products to use.

A. Summerhill stone is prone to the growth of algae, mould, moss etc. because its porous surface retains moisture. The stone can be further damaged by frost when the water in the porous stone freezes and cracks the stone surface.

If there is bio growth treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions. Allow to dry out then apply a coat of Resene Sureseal and three coats of Resene X-200.

September 2018

Q. We have a particle board floor we would like to paint. It is not a well-worn area. Do you think paint will work and if so what paint? It's in the laundry, backdoor entrance.

A. Sand and then apply a full prime coat of Resene Quick Dry and two coats of Resene Lusta-Glo enamel.

September 2018

Q. We have an old Lockwood home, painted in clear polyurethane. We are considering painting the walls. What prep and product would be needed to do this?

A. Using Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner ensure the surfaces to be painted are clean and free from grease, pay particular attention to hand contact areas.

Apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and allow to cure without water contact for at least 48 hours before over coating. Then apply two coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen. Roll all coats using the recommended roller sleeve.

The new paint system will take five days to develop good initial adhesion and continue to cure for an additional three weeks, until full cure occurs. In the early stages the paint surface will not have good resistance to cleaners or abrasion, as these features develop as the film undergoes curing.

September 2018

Q. Is Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer enough to seal knots in wood?

A. Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer is designed as an adhesion primer and will not hold back resin bleed. We recommend Resene Aluminium Wood Primer for this purpose.

September 2018

Q. I have a plasterer skim coating a wall. I am planning on painting, what sealer/undercoat should I use once the plasterer has finished?

A. We recommend Resene Sureseal.

September 2018

Q. What is the best sealer to use outside on a small area of blockwork, which has been painted but moisture has come through from the outside and lifted the interior paint?

A. The first thing to do is to check the block pointing to eliminate this as an entry point for water. The Resene X-200 system is our recommended paint system to render the blockwork weathertight.

September 2018

Q. Which product would you recommend to clear cover hardwood breakfast bar stools?

A. We recommend Resene Polythane.

September 2018

Q. Can the metallic paints be used on bathroom tiles? I would be using it to paint over a strip of feature tile.

A. As long as the metallic paint is applied over an appropriate primer/sealer and then clear coated it should be fine (excludes shower linings).

September 2018

Q. Can I use Resene X-200 directly over a paintable silicone sealant, or does it need a primer/undercoat?

A. Yes, if the sealant is paintable with a waterborne paint. The Resene X-200 paint overlay will not have the same extensibility as the sealant however.

September 2018

Q. I am looking at painting my internal garage floors. I'm not sure what brand two pack was used before.

A. If it was a Resene system, it would have been Resene Aquapoxy for Flooring.

To recoat, thoroughly clean then sand and reapply the Resene Aquapoxy System.

September 2018

Q. I have some glazed pots that I want to paint and wondered if you have advice on what I should do first to the glaze in preparation for painting so the paint sticks?

A. Ensure the glazed areas are clean then apply a coat of Resene StainLock and leave to dry for 48 hours before overcoating with an exterior Resene waterborne paint.

September 2018

Q. I want to paint a plywood & batten wall on a bach that has never been painted before. The surface is in good condition. I have access to a big pot of Resene X-400 which, I know, is intended for use on concrete surfaces. Would there be any problem with adhesion if I used that as an undercoat on the timber?

A. You can use the Resene X-400 as the finish coat but the ply will need to be sound, free of mould/algae, and then primed with Resene Wood Primer before applying the topcoats.

September 2018

Q. I have been told that there has to be two coats of paint before the barge flashing goes on but the builder says just get the roof finished then the painters can just paint up to it. Is there any code of practice for this as I’m worried about the effect on the paint as the flashing will expand and contract a little which may leave a small gap.

A. If the barge boards are not preprimed then they must be primed before installation. The painters can then coat sections that require coating to achieve weathertightness and aesthetics.

September 2018

Q. We have an old 70s wrought iron fence that has been painted in an oil paint (brown). We wish to paint it to a semi-gloss black. What options do we have in the Resene range of paints and techniques to make this possible? We tried an acrylic paint but this did not adhere to the original oil paint.

A. Scrub down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash  following label directions. If the existing enamel paint is well sanded to profile and then you apply a coat of Resene Galvo-Prime you should be able to topcoat with any Resene exterior waterborne paint finish.

September 2018

Q. I want to use Resene Colorwood Enhance White as an additive in Resene Aquaclear Satin for a whitewash effect. How many mls do I need per 4 litres?

A. The normal addition rate is 1 pottle of Resene Colorwood Enhance per litre of Resene Aquaclear.

September 2018

Q. I have been commissioned to paint an outdoor mural. I've painted a few indoor ones but I am curious to know what would be the best type of paint to use for this? Also is there a clear sealant I can/should apply to it when completed to protect it?

A. Most murals are created with Resene testpots or Resene Lumbersider. There are two clear coat options - Resene Clearcoat UVS or Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield.

September 2018

Q. The Formica laminate on the kitchen bench has worn though to hardboard in places. Is there a product that I can paint over the whole of the bench?

A. Using Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner ensure the surfaces to be painted are clean and free from grease, pay particular attention to hand contact areas. Use RepairCare DryFlex SF Filler to flush off areas where the laminate coating has worn away, sand smooth after the epoxy has cured.

Apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and allow curing without water contact for at least 48 hours before over coating. Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer is not designed to achieve a high wet film thickness or opacity.

Then apply two coats of Resene Lustacryl tinted to your selected colour.

The new paint system will take five days to develop good initial adhesion and continue to cure for an additional three weeks until full cure occurs. In the early stages the paint surface will not have good resistance to cleaners or abrasion as these features develop as the film undergoes curing.

Note that painting will not reproduce the original features of the laminate.

September 2018

Q. Seeking durable hard wearing water based paint for artwork on a guitar to be painted on an acrylic base coat (thinner based). The artwork has multiple and blended colours. We are currently thinking of a waterborne which once fully dry would be sealed with either clear acrylic or clear enamel (again solvent based).

A. Only possibility would be to use Resene Lustacryl as the base colour and overcoat with Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield.
Step 1: Allow the basecoat paint to cure for at least 48 hours.
Step 2: Thoroughly wash down with fresh water and allow drying before applying the clear system.

September 2018

Q. What paint can I use to make a clay pot a deeper terracotta colour?

A. Seal the interior face of the pot with Resene Terracotta Sealer.

Then to the exterior apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider tinted to the colour you require.

September 2018

Q. We have just purchased a house built in 1997. It has a deep yellow on yellow colour interior scheme, ceiling, walls, skirting etc. The walls and ceilings are in very good condition though. What’s the best paint to go over this for ceiling and walls before we apply the topcoat?

A. Clean down using Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner then sand to profile for recoating (220 grit sandpaper), apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen.

September 2018

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.

September 2018

Q. We have scrubbed the roof down and removed any loose paint on our beach utility building. There are some areas of bare metal, so do we need to prime before we paint? The roof is COLORSTEEL® that is at least 10 years old.

A. Bare metal will need to be primed with Resene Galvo One before topcoating.

September 2018

Q. I was just wondering since I forgot to ask in the shop, if all paint is heat proof? I brought a testpot of Resene Unicorn to put up on my wall as I’m planning on changing the wall colour. I thought with the leftover paint I could do my panel heater but I am unsure if it can go on it and it doesn’t say.

A. If it is the ceramic type, it should be fine.

September 2018

Q. I am looking to print on glass then applying a backing paint. I’m told you have a special paint that is called Resene Imperite.

A. Resene Imperite IF 503 is supplied to the splashback painting businesses. In the past we have looked at the area you are seeking a system for and found that unless the printing inks are totally resistant to solvents, that ink bleed occurs as the Resene product is a solventborne paint. However if a small piece of printed glass is supplied to us, we can test it for you.

September 2018

Q. I need info on brush painting my aluminium alpha caravan. Can you please help me on the type of paint I need to use? I have done extensive painting in past. Would probably like to roller the roof.

A. Clean down with Resene Roof and Metal Wash. Then apply a full coat of Resene Armourcote 221 and finish with two coats of Resene Uracryl 403.

September 2018

Q. I usually buy Resene paint but unfortunately I recently bought a different brand of ceiling paint from a big box store. Several days after applying the paint to the plasterboard ceilings a bad smell developed. I have since spoken to the relevant paint representative who informed me that the smell is caused by the paint being contaminated with bacteria during production. He said to fix it I would need to apply 2 coats of pigmented sealer followed by 2 topcoats. He offered to supply the materials free of charge, although I am not keen to use any more of their paint.

Would this actually fix the problem or only mask the smell for a period of time and would the bacteria continue to grow under the paint and eventually lead to an even bigger problem?

I know this is not a Resene problem but would appreciate your advice on this matter.

A. It is my opinion that the recommended fix would not guarantee resolution of the odour issue. Suggest that prior to repainting that the existing ceiling paint is wiped down with a mould killer such as Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted to label instructions then apply the sealer etc. You may find that application of the Resene Moss & Mould Killer will remove a proportion of the ceiling paint as some ceiling paints are easily dissolved with water and wiping.

September 2018

Q. Could you please advise which is the best paint to use on a weatherboard house?

A. I recommend Resene Sonyx 101 as the topcoat for appropriately prepared and primed timber weatherboards. Choose the Coolcolour version of the topcoat colour if using a dark colour.

September 2018

Q. I have some untreated 12mm 5ply sheets. I want to finish them with Resene Colorwood Whitewash. Would this paint provide suitable treatment for campervan cabinetry and prevent warping of the ply wood?

A. The product can be used for interior ply but will not add anything to the protection against fungi decay. Warping of ply is usually as a result of variations in the moisture content of the substrate, to avoid this you will need to envelope coat, two coats on both faces and all edges.

September 2018

Q. I have a slab of concrete underneath my clothesline that has discoloured. I have waterblasted it but there is no change, so I would like to paint over it. What would I need to prime the concrete with, and what sort of paint would you recommend?

A. Apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal and then apply two coats of Resene Walk-on.

September 2018

Q. I am painting an aluminium caravan that I have rebuilt. Approximately half of the caravan is new aluminium and the other half is existing aluminium, with the paint being in an ok condition. Does the frequently mentioned Resene Armourcote primer, fix to the existing paint? Is this best rolled on or sprayed for both undercoat and topcoat?

A. Resene Armourcote 221 and Resene Uracryl Series can be rolled. Use Resene Armourcote 221 for bare aluminium but application over an existing paint does depend upon the existing paint type. The same goes for Resene Uracryl.

September 2018

Q. I have wooden windows and am about to replace some of the linseed oil based putty. Could you please tell me how long the putty should be left to dry before it is painted and which primer/undercoat can be used and which is the best to use?

A. The requirement is for the putty to have developed a skin, then prime putty with Resene Enamel Undercoat.

September 2018

Q. I am looking for options for coating an existing concrete carport. Would you have: a clear coat option or a colour option to match a neutral concrete colour? Must be hot tyre pick up resistant.

A. We recommend Resene Uracryl system is the only paint we have for this application. Apply a seal coat of Resene Armourcote 510 then two coats of Resene Uracryl with Resene Industrial SRG added to the first coat of Resene Uracryl at 500g/L.

Concrete should be diamond ground to achieve a uniform texture similar to 180 grit sandpaper.

September 2018

Q. I am preparing a concrete floor for vinyl and carpet to go down. The previous floor covering was nylon carpet. We have not had any problem with water or efflorescence apart from some small mould, where the washing machine had leaked.

We intend to use carpet squares with a black rubber backing.

Your product Resene HydraBlock appears best; however I have not had any luck with two pot product (never full hardening) and the non-cured product stinking for months and the scraping up of the uncured product so difficult.

I was wondering if Resene Aquapel as a primer and Resene AquaShield as a topcoat might be nearly as effective.

A. Resene HydraBlock as two coats is the best for this situation. We recommend diamond grinding the floor first to achieve a dust free even texture similar to 180 grit sandpaper. If the epoxy is correctly mixed and used following the label/data sheet, there is no reason why the coating will not cure.

September 2018

Q. I want to use old wallpaper which was prepasted. Can I paste the wall or do I need to use paste on the paper?

A. Unfortunately you can't treat it like a paste on the wallpaper; otherwise it won't last long on the walls. Depending on how old the paper is you have two options:

1. If the paper is only 1-2 years old you won't need to add extra paste. You just need to follow the instruction on the back of the gaitor label. Put the paper through a water trough, let it rest (for the stated time) and then put the paper up.

2. If the paper is older than 2 years, you will potentially need to treat it like a paste the paper. Mix the paste to the correct ratio (see packet for details) then paste the back of the paper. This, along with the original paste, will then need to be rested and then you can put the paper up.

September 2018

Q. I have a three year old Vitex hardwood deck which I have sanded previous coatings off, using an electric sander. Is decking and furniture oil a durable product to use as I would like to keep the natural colour of Vitex? I don't want to use anything with pigments in it. I want a product that penetrates into the timber rather than sitting on the surface. I realise oil will need to be reapplied annually; any suggestions will be much appreciated.

A. I suggest you look to apply a Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in a colour to match your decking colour. Resene Decking and Furniture Oil contains a yellow transparent UV additive, which is fine for dark coloured timbers but will result in a significant yellow colour to paler coloured timbers.

September 2018

Q. We have a room built under a concrete deck and the ceiling becomes mouldy. We would like to clean, seal (repel) and repaint the surface, what do you recommend to use?

We have had advice from a waterproofing company and they advise that the deck above may never be completely waterproofed, so we should at least stop the moisture coming through into the room.

A. It has always been our position that the exterior face must be made watertight, to allow for interior painting. While Resene HydraBlock can be used to provide a hydrostatic barrier, it cannot be relied upon to provide a barrier to moisture ingress into the room space.

Treat the surface with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions then apply the Resene HydraBlock system.

September 2018

Q. We have a customer that wants to wet paint a red band on anodised aluminium doors that we are making to match the hand painted red band around the whole building. What are the best products and method options you would advise suitable?

A. Apply a coat of Resene Vinyl Etch as the adhesion primer and two coats of Resene Uracryl 403.

September 2018

Q. I wish to paint the asbestos cladding on our house. The advice is not to sand or waterblast this cladding. How should I clean it and prepare it for painting?

A. Before 1983, most fibrous cement in use in New Zealand contained asbestos. Fibrolite was reinforced with asbestos only. While James Hardies Hardiflex™ was reinforced with 4% asbestos and 4% wood fibre. Fibre cement products were used extensively for wall claddings on houses; garages etc., and also for corrugated roofing (the most common brand name being Super 6 roofing). Unless the exact age of the cladding/roofing can be established beyond doubt the assumption must apply that the material contains asbestos. These products pose a health hazard if care is not taken in surface preparation prior to painting or if just cleaning down.

Asbestosis is a chronic condition affecting the lungs and is caused by the inhalation and retention of asbestos fibres which results in scarring of lung tissue. Asbestosis is linked to almost all of the known types of asbestos fibres. Sufferers may experience severe shortness of breath and are at an increased risk of malignances including lung cancer. It usually occurs after high intensity and/or long term exposure and is regarded as an occupational; lung disease.

See the WorkSafe website for more details.

Removal and/or disposal of asbestos containing materials (or just cleaning down of them) may require special permission and /or a licence. Contact your local Council offices to determine your obligations under their bylaws. Also refer to the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016 or obtain a copy of the New Zealand Demolition and Asbestos Association publication New Zealand guidelines for the management and removal of asbestos available from the WorkSafe NZ website.

Release of free asbestos fibres into the environment as a result of surface preparation or cleaning must be avoided at all times.

The following procedures must be followed during the preparation and or cleaning of asbestos containing fibre cement cladding and roofing as part of any painting operation.

  • Do not waterblast asbestos containing claddings or roofing.
  • Keep the surface and any detritus/debris damp.
  • Do not use power tools except for removal of fixing screws.
  • Do not break the sheets into smaller sections, either when removing or disposing of. Wherever possible remove the complete sheet.
  • Wear personal protection equipment including disposable overalls and a suitable dust respirator.
  • Collect and contain all debris washed off the substrate and maintaining in a wet state in a sealed container.
  • Restrict access to personal other than those directly associated with preparation.
  • Remove all asbestos containing material from site for disposal at a refuse site approved by the local authority.

We strongly recommend that base line testing of air and ground samples is undertaken to establish if there is asbestos contamination prior to work commencing. Local authorities will need to be involved in decisions on sampling sites for a given location as some local bodies will require confirmation that there is no site or air contamination arising from preparation and subsequent painting operations.

Step 1: Treat moss and mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions. Note I: For heavy infestations, an additional application(s) may be needed.

Step 2: Apply a liberal wash of Resene Paint Prep and Housewash to the surface with a nylon bristle brush or broom and thoroughly scrub while ensuring that the surface remains wet at all times. Collect and contain wash off using filters placed either on the ground or at down pipe connections. The surface must remain damp while preparation work is under taken. Additionally do not allow debris to dry out and immediately place filters into tightly sealed heavy duty plastic bags for disposal.

Step 3: Allow to the surface to dry out and then apply by roller or brush a saturation coat of Resene Sureseal to bare areas. The surface will be highly porous and will require significantly higher volumes of Resene Sureseal to saturate the surface (typically, an application rate 4-6 square metres per litre, based on a flat surface).

September 2018

Q. The weatherboards on the house are creosote stained. Does that have to be stripped off if a different stain is used? The creosote weatherboards date back to 1949, with creosote having been reapplied at intervals since. I cannot remember the last time it was done, but I would guess at least 20 years ago so it is now very much in need of being redone. Some moss and mould needs to be cleaned off parts, other parts are still quite good in appearance.

We would prefer to keep to creosote, but it is not easy to source and painters are not keen!

A. Scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label directions, and then if you want to stay with a stained finish, apply two coats of Resene Waterborne Woodsman. For a paint option, two coats of Resene Lumbersider CoolColour if you are looking to stay with a dark colour. The Resene CoolColour™ topcoat will not render the painted surface cool to touch, but the Resene CoolColour version will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool technology. This will reduce heat related stress on the existing creosote stain.

September 2018

Q. I would like to stain the concrete paths around my house. The concrete is 40 years old but in pretty good condition. How should I prepare it and which products do Resene supply for the job?

A. Treat concrete with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions then waterblast. Apply two coats of Resene Concrete Stain.

September 2018

Q. I am planning to paint my concrete garage floor with your Resene Aquapoxy product. My garage has large west facing windows and sections of the floor get quite a bit of sun. I've seen suggestions online that this can cause epoxies to yellow or chalk. One suggestion I've seen was to overcoat the epoxy with a urethane/polyurethane coat.

Would you please be able to let me know if Resene Aquapoxy is suitable to be overcoated, and if so, with which product(s)? I am happy with two pack products and have used a couple of different types of Resene Uracryl before.

A. Resene Aquapoxy can be overcoated with a Resene waterborne urethane finish such as Resene Uracryl 802.

September 2018

Q. Can we use Lumbersider on an iron roof?

A. Resene Lumbersider can be applied to any appropriately primed substrate, including roofing. Please refer to the Resene Summit Roof data sheet for priming requirements.

If you are planning to use a dark colour, our recommendation is to apply the CoolColour™ version of the colour. The Resene CoolColour topcoat will not render the painted surface cool to touch but the Resene CoolColour version will reflect more heat than the same colour, made on non-cool technology. Lower gloss level finishes applied to roofing will undergo surface chalking more quickly than a higher gloss level paint of the same type. The Resene CoolColour will help with this but not prevent the onset of chalking. The rate of chalking is dependent upon exposure conditions and elevation, with the northerly elevations always showing the first sign of chalking.

September 2018

Q. I would like to put a non-slip coating over existing vinyl tiles. The tiles may contain asbestos so we won’t scrape the tiles to make them a rough surface.

A. The only system we could offer is to ensure the tiles are degreased then apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and leave to cure for at least 48 hours (ensure the coated surface remains dry at all times). Then apply two coats of Resene Walk-on.

We suggest a test patch of the Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer, and adhesion checked after curing as given above.

October 2018

Q. We have a new rimu benchtop we want to get a satin finish on. Can we use Resene Qristal ClearFloor on a kitchen bench as this comes in satin?

A. Suggest you look to use Resene Qristal Clear Polyurethane. Resene Polythane would still be my go to product for this.

October 2018

Q. What can be used to paint over a powder coated Heat Shield that surrounds the back of our new woodburner? We have been told by the installer we would likely needing an etching primer and specific paint that is non-combustible or suitable for high temperatures

A. The only possibility is Resene Vinyl Etch followed by Resene Uracryl 400 Series topcoats.

October 2018

Q. I would like to paint a stainless steel board, could you please tell me what is the primer undercoat and the process?

A. Stainless steel does not readily corrode, rust or stain with water as ordinary steel does. However, it is not fully stain-proof in low-oxygen, high-salinity, poor air-circulation or industrial contamination environments. There are various grades and surface finishes of stainless steel to suit the environment the alloy must endure. Stainless steel is used where both the properties of steel and corrosion resistance are required.

Stainless steel differs from carbon steel by the amount of chromium present. Unprotected carbon steel rusts readily when exposed to air and moisture. This iron oxide film (the rust) is active and accelerates corrosion by forming more iron oxide which, because of the greater volume of the iron oxide, tends to flake and fall away. Stainless steels contain sufficient chromium and other rare metals to form a passive film of chromium oxide which prevents further surface corrosion by blocking oxygen diffusion to the steel surface and blocks corrosion from spreading into the metal's internal structure. Passivation occurs only if the proportion of chromium is high enough and oxygen is present.

There are over 150 grades of stainless steel, of which 15 are most commonly used. There are a number of systems for grading stainless steel. The most commonly used grades are 304 and 316.

304 Stainless is a Cr-Ni general purpose stainless steel. Grade 316 is the standard molybdenum-bearing grade, second in importance to 304 the molybdenum gives 316 better overall corrosion resistant properties than Grade 304, particularly higher resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments.

Where long term corrosion resistance is the prime requirement stainless steel is best left unpainted.

If damage to the protective oxide layer occurs stainless steel can show tea staining.

Tea staining can be described as: discolouration of the surface of stainless steel that does not affect the structural integrity or the longevity of the material. Visually it is a discolouration of the metal surface, which tends to follow the ‘grain’ of any surface finish. Although unpleasant to look at, it is not a serious form of corrosion. Aesthetically it is unacceptable so the following information is designed to help you understand its causes and institute a maintenance plan to keep your stainless steel looking better for longer. Tea staining of stainless steels occurs most commonly in coastal areas and becomes progressively worse the closer you get to water (note that most of New Zealand is considered a coastal area). Other factors such as pollution, higher temperatures, surface finish, (the smoother the better and more highly polished) and humidity can also increase the tea staining effect.

Painting is usually undertaken for aesthetics only. The stainless steel surface needs to be abraded to produce a mechanical key for a paint system and this damages the protective oxide layer.

Step 1: Scrub down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash.
Step 2: Lightly abrade the surface using very fine sandpaper e.g. 320 grit sandpaper or a red 3M poly pad. Care must be taken to minimise damage or scratching the surface as scratch marks may telegraph through the paint system.
Step 3: Apply a coat of Resene Armourcote 221 and finish with two coats of Resene Uracryl 402.

This is a decorative paint system only.

October 2018

Q. We have a concrete slab in a building which we want to convert into a habitable space. We are unable to ascertain if there is a DPC under the slab so we would like to coat the surface of the concrete with a damp proof barrier prior to putting down a floor overlay. Could you please advise which Resene product we should use?

A. Apply two coats of Resene HydraBlock each applied at 10 sqm/L to provide a moisture barrier.

October 2018

Q. We are a theatre company that has an open air playhouse. We have been trying to solve the problem of slippery surfaces when it rains. We also use a lot of fake blood, which is also slippery. We also need a surface that is not gritty (anti-skid) as actors are often dragged etc.

A. To achieve any wet slip resistance there has to be an aggregate addition to the paint. Resene Walk-on has a small sized aggregate that does give a degree of wet slip resistance so this is what I would suggest you look to use. Assuming the existing coating is sound then sand and apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry and then the two coats of Resene Walk-on.

October 2018

Q. What is the correct way to paint over existing vinyl wallpaper using Resene paint?

A. Most old wallpapers are vinyls and if these papers are painted with waterborne paints the paint can remain tacky due to plasticiser migration from the vinyl paper into the paint.

To block plasticiser migration we recommend applying a coat of Resene Vinyl Wallpaper Sealer before applying the waterborne topcoat paint.

October 2018

Q. I have a fibreglass exterior door. What I should I paint it in?

A. Degrease than apply a coat of Resene Galvo-Prime and finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl (use the Resene CoolColour™ version of the topcoat colour if available). Both products are waterborne.

October 2018

Q. What paint shall I use to cover lots of graffiti on interior plasterboard walls?

A. Spot prime graffiti with a coat of Resene StainLock, then apply two coats of Resene wall paint such as Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen.

October 2018

Q. I was told that some of the ‘commercial’ paints have a higher percentage of ‘solids’. The painter said the one he uses is approx 60% solids and some of the others are only around 30%. I don’t know if he’s pulling my leg or not. I got the impression he just preferred to use what he was used to, rather than go the extra mile and use what I wanted him to use.

A. Paints are formulated at a range of volume solids, there is a difference between weight and volume solids and many companies give the weight solids as the numbers are often higher. Solids is not a measure of ‘quality’ as quality is determined by the formulation components and not solids, as high solids paints can be formulated using low quality raw materials.

October 2018

Q. We have kwila decks that have had no stain and we'd like to stain them and wondered what we should do before applying your stain?

A. Treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions, and then scrub down with Resene Timber and Deck Wash, again diluted and used to label directions.

October 2018

Q. We have a plaster house and will paint it in your speciality paint that provides elastic paint coverage. The query we have is, we wish to paint it in a darker colour, is that possible?

A. Resene X-300E is our elastomeric paint but it is not available in colours other than colours tinted off a white base. An elastomeric paint is relatively soft compared to other exterior paint types and application of a dark colour would see a potential for softening of the coating when exposed to full sun.

October 2018

Q. I want to paint a metal garage door, could I use Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer as an undercoat? There is one small area of surface rust. What would you recommend for topcoat? I was going to use Resene Lumbersider but I am open to suggestions.

A. Wash down the surfaces, using a 3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc to remove all lose rust and spot prime the prepared areas with two coats of Resene GP Metal Primer, prime all other bare metal with the same then apply two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

October 2018

Q. I am painting over interior concrete block work and precast panels around a plant room. What would be a good product to hide construction stains, prevent new staining and reduce dust? We are looking at Resene ConcreteSeal 3 in 1 without any topcoat (interior use).

A. Yes, you can use Resene ConcreteSeal 3 in 1 for this application.

October 2018

Q. I accidentally used a brush that had some turpentine on it (from cleaning it) with Resene SpaceCote. Will that affect the Resene SpaceCote badly? The brush had been brushed out on newspaper and left to dry for a few hours, but was definitely still wet with turps. I was loading it up with the Resene SpaceCote very heavily right from the start, and it seemed to paint very well and looks ok. Will there be any bad problems over time?

A. If the paint seems OK after drying then there should be no issues.

October 2018

Q. Can you get odourless turpentine?

A. Not aware of odourless turps but Resene Thinner No.2 is a lower odour equivalent to mineral turps and is available from any Resene ColorShop.

October 2018

Q. I am applying Resene Aquaclear waterborne urethane to some exposed beams/poles in our house over Resene Colorwood. The beams in particular are unlikely to be touched much as they are three feet off the ground - I am wondering whether it is necessary to apply four coats as recommended on the can. I don't want it to look too glossy. I have applied two coats so far and am happy with the look. What are the downsides of not applying four coats?

A. Three would be fine to achieve a uniform gloss level finish, the fourth is usually called up for heavy foot traffic areas.

October 2018

Q. I have used a clear on my terracotta tiles and I have some blooming on some of the areas, it has a milky appearance. Why is this?

A. The issue you describe is usually associated with water coming up from the substrate.

October 2018

Q. I will be painting over turpentine base paint. Is 240 grit sandpaper okay and then a good wash down if using a water based paint to finish?

A. Degrease and thoroughly sand. Yes, I recommend applying a full coat of Resene Quick Dry as an undercoat before applying the waterborne enamel topcoats.

October 2018

Q. I have a pergola that was stained with oil stain almost 20 years ago. It is now badly weathered in exposed areas. I want to paint with a solid water based product. Would I have to prime the stain first? I have just treated mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. What is the next step please?

A. Treat areas of mould/algae growth with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions. Then scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and again used to label directions.

Then apply a coat of Resene TimberLock to areas of weathered timber and leave to cure for at least 48 hours then apply a full coat of Resene Wood Primer and finish with two coats of a Resene exterior waterborne topcoat, in the Resene CoolColour™ version of your topcoat colour if you are after a dark colour.

October 2018

Q. We would like to paint over two pack lacquer in the kitchen, to change the colour. How do we go about this please as the painter does not deal in enamel?

A. Degrease and thoroughly sand, then apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl. This system will give the required colour change but may not achieve the same features as a two pack lacquer finish.

October 2018

Q. What is the best primer and paint to use on the outside of an aluminium caravan? We are hoping to use a cream colour and a light blue. Also, will it need a further sealer coat?

A. We recommend Resene Armourcote 221 overcoated with two coats of Resene Uracryl 403. You will need to degrease and thoroughly sand before applying the Resene system.

October 2018

Q. I have a small fascia on my house that is coated in Resene Resitex Coarse that now needs repainting. It has a few minor cracks but is in sound condition. The largest crack is on the joint, about 1mm wide and 15cm long, not getting any longer. The painter that lives down the road from me suggested recoating it with Resene X400 to give it a solid waterproof membrane. Another said Resene X-200 would be fine. Could you advise which coating is best?

A. I see no reason why you can’t use Resene X-200 for repainting. There will be an infill of the texture but this would apply to Resene X-400 as well.

October 2018

Q. Is it possible to paint a butanol deck? If so what products would you advise please?

A. Clean down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions then apply a coat of Resene Membrane Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider CoolColour™ version of the colour. The CoolColour top coat will not render the painted surface cool to touch but will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool technology.

October 2018

Q. We're renovating our bathroom. We have just had new plasterboard put up. We need to prime it. Is it best to use oil based or water based primer? The builder suggested water based but someone else said oil based.

A. For a waterborne topcoat system, apply the sealer then a full coat of Resene Quick Dry and two coats of a Resene Kitchen & Bathroom waterborne enamel paint.

October 2018

Q. What kind of paint do you recommend for an exterior sign? I was thinking the sign would be made of ply or some kind of wood.

A. Assuming it is a wood/ply substrate apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry (for best result prime both sides and all edges), you can then apply two coats of any exterior Resene waterborne paint finish. If using dark colours we recommend using 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.

November 2018

Q. I am looking at coating tiles, could you recommend a suitable substrate and clear topcoat for exterior tiles? Slip resistance isn’t needed.

A. We recommend Resene Walk-on Concrete Clear.

November 2018

Q. Our covered outdoor room ceiling of pine boards is discoloured from mould problems. It was originally finished with a light coloured stain. Should we paint or stain again and what to choose? Would it need a sealer after staining or would paint be best option?

A. Treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions, then apply two coats of Resene Quick Dry and topcoat with two coats of Resene Lustacryl Kitchen & Bathroom.

November 2018

Q. I am the event manager of a theatre and we need to paint the wooden theatre floor black. We need industrial paint for a high used area. The floorboards are currently stained and varnished, it could be out of commission for a couple of weeks.

A. Degrease then thoroughly sand and apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry and allow curing for at least two days before applying two coats of Resene Uracryl 802 Black. Ensure good ventilation during application and curing and allow five days cure after the last coat of Resene Uracryl 802 is applied.

November 2018

Q. We have painted our timber floor with four coats Resene Aquaclear. Is it possible and advisable to put a coat of Resene Polythane on top of that to get a harder surface and a better surface protection?

A. Resene Aquaclear is based on a crosslinking waterborne resin system and will cure to a clear film with good wear resistance.

While Resene Polythane (moisture cured urethane) is the ultimate clear finish for flooring we would not recommend applying this over the cured Resene Aquaclear system.

November 2018

Q. Can I please get two recommendations? Matt black for a bathroom? Doesn’t need to be super black, slightly charcoal would be good. And also a recommend for a concrete textured look that we can do on a feature wall?

A. For the bathroom you could use Resene SpaceCote Flat. For the feature wall, you could use Resene Sandtex applied using a crow’s foot technique.

November 2018

Q. I was told that Resene metallic and special effects are great for splashbacks. My question is do you paint on the wall or the glass? If it is the wall, how to you attach the glass? If it is the glass, do you paint the metallic coat, then the basecoat?

A. It is the back surface of the glass that is painted; the glass has to be low iron glass as standard glass will change the colour when looking at the opposite side of the painted glass. A backing coat of a solid colour (usually grey or black) of Resene Imperite is applied over the metallic basecoat.

November 2018

Q. I want to paint three bedroom ceilings an off white (Resene Quarter Alabaster). Currently the colour is creamy; I think it is Resene Quarter Spanish White. Will two coats of ceiling paint cover the creamier colour? Alternatively, should I undercoat first or use a different product such as Resene SpaceCote Flat to ensure good coverage?

A. You should be able to achieve coverage using two coats of a Resene ceiling paint but if you are concerned you could apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry as an undercoat before applying the celling paint.

November 2018

Q. I am about to clad a house with shadow clad, ply and batten, H3.1 LOSP treated. I want to stain in a Resene Crowshead colour, but looking at stain details am confused which is best. Oil based for timber penetration or waterborne as its film forming and likely to last longer?

A. There is no difference in the maintenance requirements between the two Woodsman versions. Resene Woodsman Wood Oil gives a more traditional stain look.

November 2018

Q. Do you have a primer suitable for covering epoxy fibreglass resin, prior to administering topcoat? And do you have a primer suitable for covering epoxy fibreglass resin, prior to administering an acrylic paint?

A. If topcoating with two pack polyurethanes, then apply Resene Armourcote 220 or Resene Armourcote 221 epoxy primer to the degreased and sanded fibreglass.

November 2018

Q. Do you have a primer suitable for covering epoxy fibreglass resin, prior to administering an acrylic paint?

A. You could substitute the Resene Armourcote 221 for Resene Quick Dry if using waterborne topcoats. Degrease the fibreglass, using Resene Heavy Duty Paint Prep and Oil Remover following label instructions and sand with 380 grit sandpaper to profile. Dust off and wipe with a damp cloth to remove dust residues then prime.

November 2018

Q. How do I prepare a cabinet finished in furniture lacquer ready for repainting? I would like a low sheen/satin finish.

A. Degrease using Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner then sand using 240grit sandpaper to profile for recoating.

November 2018

Q. Once I have used the degreaser and sanded back the surface, should I then apply one or two coats of Resene Quick Dry undercoat, followed by two coats of which Resene topcoat? What do you recommend as a topcoat?

A. Prep then apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry, then two coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen.

November 2018

Q. I am enquiring about the type of paint I would use to paint a large colourful mural outside at my school, does it need to be a specific outdoor paint?

A. Resene Lumbersider or testpots are commonly used for school murals.

November 2018

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.

November 2018

Q. We have soft board tiles in our holiday home, a few have been water damaged due to a roof leak during a recent storm. The roof has been repaired and we would prefer not to have to replace the tiles. Are we able to paint the ceiling and if so what paint would be best? Apart from this one spot the ceilings are in good condition.

A. If the tiles are water stained but otherwise sound you could consider painting. I suggest using Resene StainLock (stubborn staining can require more than one coat to hold staining back) followed with two coats of a waterborne topcoat such as Resene SpaceCote Flat.

November 2018

Q. I am painting a newly installed wooden fence with Resene Lumbersider. Should I use a primer first or not?

A. As the timber is new it is optional for you to use a primer (with weathered timber it is best to use a primer). Resene Lumbersider does have a self-priming element to it so can be applied direct to clean, new, bare timber. If you are using a Resene CoolColour™ it is recommended to prime with a coat of Resene Quick Dry to maximise the Resene CoolColour benefit. 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.

November 2018

Q. We have lived in a house from new, for 22 years. The ceilings are matt white - likely acrylic paint and they are in a need of refreshing. We have the old fashion downlights which have developed heat ‘rings’ on the ceiling around the downlights. What would you suggest I do to prepare the ceiling for repainting and will I need to apply an undercoat? I will be using flat white acrylic paint again.

A. We recommend washing down the surface with Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner to ensure all dust and contamination is removed prior to painting. Any staining or discolouration such as you mention, should be spot primed with Resene Sureseal first. Then apply two coats of Resene Ceiling Paint in your selected colour.

November 2018

Q. I am painting a stucco type cladding, what type of paint is best for this?

A. Assuming the stucco is already painted, two coats of Resene Lumbersider is a great option. Spot prime any bare patches with Resene Sureseal to bind up powdery areas, prior to applying Resene Lumbersider.

November 2018

Q. I painted Resene Woodsman English Walnut waterbased stain on our wood siding about five months ago. I got some on our white downpipes, which I never realised until I started painting near this area recently. Is there an easy way to remove the brown stain from the pipes? I have tried mineral turps and methylated spirits and neither worked.

A. Turps normally does the trick here so it's sounding rather stubborn. You could try a solvent wipe or Resene Graffiti Cleaner (which comes in a handy pack) however, you want to ensure you wash down with fresh water following using it, so as not to adversely affect the downpipes.

November 2018

Q. I am painting the house white and I painted a bit of our COLORSTEEL®, which is Ironsand. I didn’t realise I shouldn’t have painted it. Is there any way to remove the paint? It’s a single coat, do we need to replace the gutter fully or paint over with the original colour again?

A. If it hasn't been on long, it may well scratch off with your finger nail; however you could try a small amount of methylated spirits on a rag to remove the white acrylic paint. Just try a small area first to see if it removes the white paint (which it should). Failing that, you could use a Resene testpot in Ironsand to overcoat the area.

November 2018

Q. I have a friend, who had a friend help her in painting a bathroom. Drops of solventborne timber/plasterboard primer/sealer, landed on her plastic bath. It is probable that the bath is made from Perspex. Another company recommended using meth or Brasso to remove the splashes. Is there any other solvent that you could suggest using?

A. Meth can be used for the removal of waterborne paints (Perspex is reasonably resistant to this solvent), and then only if the waterborne paint is relatively fresh. Meth is usually ineffective against a solventborne paint. To the best of my knowledge, Perspex is not resistant to solvents that may remove a solventborne paint.

You may have to look to the Brasso option but I suggest a test is done, that is not visible to be sure there is no reaction. Brasso will rely on abrasive removal rather than dissolution.

November 2018

Q. I used paint stripper to remove paint on a hardboard ceiling panel in the bathroom. I have added a few screws to prevent flexing of the hardboard panel. I was intending to seal/prime the tempered hardboard with Resene Sureseal before using Resene SpaceCote. Will Resene Sureseal adhere to the hardboard? Does the hardboard need sanding before?

A. The recommended Resene sealer for tempered hardboard is Resene Sureseal.

November 2018

Q. What paint should I use to repaint a concrete fish pond? The pond has been painted but it is not known what paint was used. The pond has been waterblasted and cleaned.

A. Resene Swimming Pool Paint would be the only product, but it can only be applied to bare concrete or Resene Swimming Pool Paint.

You can solvent test the existing paint using meths and Resene Thinner No.6, to establish paint type (wet a cloth with the solvent and rub the paint surface). I suggest you carry these out and report back on the outcome.

November 2018

Q. We’re just nearing the finishing touches of mural in one of our carparks and we’re planning on getting it graffiti guarded. We’d like a matte finish; it’ll be applied by a sprayer over a wall approximate 135m2. The design has been done with spray paint.

A. Our anti-graffiti paints are isocyanate cured 2 pack polyurethanes and there are OSH restrictions on spray application of this paint type. For this reason we promote roller application. An allowance of a 20% loss factor is the common rule for spray application but this can be lower for flat surfaces.

Film forming anti-graffiti clears will inevitably need re application to maintain cleanability and the higher the gloss level of the Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield clear will give a longer interval to recoating. The re-application time is dependent upon the frequency of cleaning.

We don’t recommend application of a clear system over a spray can paint as the UV degradation of the spray can paint can still occur thorough the clear and this can lead to delamination.

November 2018

Q. I am a student at QUT and we are in the middle of a furniture design course at the moment and are looking for a black spray paint that we can use on steel as part of our piece.

A. We recommend Resene Vinyl Etch Black.

November 2018

Q. We have just used Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer, do we need to undercoat before topcoats are applied?

A. If applying a waterborne topcoat no, but leave the Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer to cure for a couple of days before overcoating.

November 2018

Q. Is there an odourless/low odour, washable paint which would be suitable for repainting larder shelves? Would I need to do any special preparation first, apart from normal cleaning of the existing (rather worn, forlorn looking) surface?

A. You could look to use Resene Lustacryl  and allow for curing with ventilation for at least seven days.

November 2018

Q. I am looking for some advice on whitewashing cedar exterior cladding. Can you achieve a pale whitewash look with cedar wood or is the pigment too dark/yellow to get this look? I am looking at using the Resene Woodsman Whitewash or would the wood require bleaching?

A. You can use Resene Woodsman Whitewash for exterior cedar but there is the possibility of tannin bleed if the cedar is new. There is more chance of tannin bleed on flat sawn cedar (the more patterned cedar profile). Tannin bleed is an orange brown stain that is extracted from the cedar when a waterborne paint/stain is applied. The staining only occurs with the initial application to new cedar and does weather off as the stain weathers.

November 2018

Q. I would like to specify a paint product for a block wall exterior as council's request below; could anyone give me some suggestions?

E2 - Please nominate a specific product for the external weather tightness system in accordance with 4.2.3 of CCANZ Code of Practice to demonstrate compliance with E2.

A. We recommend three coats of Resene X-200 applied to achieve a dry film thickness of 180 microns will render masonry watertight as per CCANZ CP 01 2014 Section 1.1.2.1 Wall weather tightness systems.

November 2018

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.

November 2018

Q. I have recently had a shower repaired, but the plasterboard wall the shower butts up to, needed to be replaced also. So I now have an area of naked uncoated plasterboard above my shower which needs painting.

Please advise what kind of sealer I should use on the plasterboard before painting?

A. Apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal and then an undercoat of Resene Quick Dry before applying a Resene Kitchen & Bathroom waterborne enamel. Allow the completed paint system to cure with good ventilation for at least three days before using the shower.

November 2018

Q. The interior of our beach utility needs painting; it contains a shower, toilet and washing machine. What do you suggest for the wall, the current paint is in poor condition with splitting and a small amount of mound is appearing? I am wondering whether, after cleaning and sanding, if I should prime with pigmented sealer or similar?

A. Treat areas of mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions. Then apply two coats of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat and finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl Kitchen & Bathroom. The paint system will give the best possible protection against mould growth but the initial mould kill is important, as the paint system is inhibitive only.

November 2018

Q. We have a client who has allergies to preservatives: Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone and apparently this can be in water based paints. Could you let me know if it's in your paints or if there are certain interior paints that it isn't in?

A. Methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone. Methylisothiazolinone (MIT or MI) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT or CMI) are two preservatives from the family of substances called isothiazolinones, used in some cosmetic products and many other household products and is a common preservative in waterborne paints, from most waterborne paint suppliers. The MIT level in our paints is very low but is present and does have the potential to trigger an allergic reaction to a presensitised individual.

However, we are working on MIT free from the point of view that we won’t add MIT. However, all our resins currently used employ MIT as the preservative so a totally MIT free system is still a work in progress.

The MIT allergy issue is associated with skin contact of wet paint, once the paint film has dried the residual MIT is locked into the paint film and in essence, neutralised. So if an allergy sufferer wants to use the paint, the best protection is to wear gloves and protective clothing to avoid skin contact.

November 2018

Q. I have a new kwila deck. What should I use to keep the colour natural?

A. Wash down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label directions then apply two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in a matching colour.

November 2018

Q. I want to paint a galvanised steel frame internally. What system/product should I use? The steel is all new and smooth. We hope to paint the portal frames in a black satin or semi-gloss that won’t scratch too easily and the remainder we are lining with plywood.

A. I suggest Resene Vinyl Etch Black. It will achieve the best adhesion but application to very smooth galvanising is always a challenge.

November 2018

Q. How do I prep an unpainted, weathered pergola for painting?

A. Treat any algae growth by wetting down to moisten then treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions. Then scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash again diluted and used to label directions.

Then apply a prime coat of Resene Wood Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider (use the Resene CoolColour™ version of the topcoat colour if you choose to finish with a dark colour).

The Resene 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.

November 2018

Q. We are planning to paint our rough sawn timber house, it was previously stained with Hackett Black stain. The timber is weathered and warped in places.

We were advised at a Resene ColorShop that the process we should use is:
1. Resene Moss & Mould Killer
2. Resene Paint Prep and House Wash
3. Oil based wood primer - 1 coat
4. Resene Lumbersider - 2 coats in Resene CoolColour Technology - we are thinking of Resene Ironsand, Resene Bokara Grey or Resene Double Cod Grey

We are thinking of painting, as opposed to staining for the extra protection.

My question is: When I looked on your website the product Resene TimberLock sounded ideal for our house as it mentions that it is suitable for weathered timber, but the Resene staff member said that it is only suitable for new timber and that we would be better to use an oil based primer.

Can you please confirm which product would be most suitable for our project?

A. The store advice is correct, the only benefit of Resene TimberLock is where you have areas of bare timber that have undergone extended weathering and are greyed.

November 2018

Q. I have been given conflicting views regarding waterbased/oil based paints. Firstly, if I was going over an oil based topcoat with a waterbased topcoat (not wet area), what options for prep (if any)? Secondly, the same question if I was going over waterbased topcoat with oil based topcoat.

A. Changing from oil to waterborne topcoats; ensure the existing paint is degreased and then sand with 180 or 220 grit sandpaper to profile for recoating, then apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with the two coats of waterborne topcoat.

Changing from waterborne to oil top coats; same as above (Resene Quick Dry can be topcoated with either water or solventborne topcoats). Take care when sanding not to create deep scratches.

The ease of sanding of a waterborne paint does depend upon the waterborne paint type. When sanding a conventional (not a waterborne enamel) paint, the heat created by the sanding may result in balling of the paint instead of dusting.

November 2018

Q. I have 10 large square concrete planters to paint which are 1m x 1m x 600mm. They are about 5 years old. Some have mould, and three have been previously painted but the paint has blistered/lifted. What prep/seal/topcoat system is the best to use? These are outside planters with existing plants.

A. I suspect the issue is that the interior faces have not been waterproofed to prevent water and salts from the mix passing through to the exterior face. Unless this can be done, there will always be the possibility of failure of a paint system applied to the exterior.

November 2018

Q. What paint should I use on fibre cement cladding? Can it be used in a good quality Graco sprayer?

A. Generally, painted fibre cement panels and boards will be in reasonable condition with some moss and mould and possibly lichen on the surface as well as salt, dirt and other contaminants and detritus. The degree of failure of the previously applied coatings will ultimately determine the amount of time and cost spent on preparing the surface.

Where the paint surface has badly deteriorated, more extensive preparation, including possibly complete removal of the coating may be required. This is likely if the initial paint system was a limewash or similar style of coating. These are typically poorly bound and present a poor base for future paint systems.

Earlier panels were manufactured using asbestos reinforcement and care must be taken during preparation to ensure the asbestos fibres do not become airborne. This is of particular concern when painting or coating old weathered fibre cement or preparing old previously painted panels and boards. If you are unsure or require advice, please contact Resene Technical Services or refer to the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016 or obtain a copy of the New Zealand Demolition and Asbestos Association publication New Zealand guidelines for the management and removal of asbestos available from the WorkSafe NZ website.

Step 1: Treat moss and mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions. For heavy infestations, an additional application(s) may be needed.

Step 2: Thoroughly scrub down using a solution of Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions, to remove all surface chalking, dirt, detritus, moss and mould residue, cobwebs and other contaminants.

Step 3: Thoroughly scrape and sand to remove all loose and flaking paint and to provide a good key for subsequent coats. Waterblasting is an alternative to washing particularly where large areas of flaking paint require removal.

Step 4: Any rust stains from fixings, etc., should be spot primed with Resene GP Metal Primer. Ideally remove and replace or remedy the source of any rust staining.

Step 5: Fill minor cracks and holes (less than 3mm deep) using Resene EzyFill GP or similar, or alternatively and for larger voids, use Resene Multistop FRP Bedding Compound (must only be applied to bare fibre cement). Fill and prime as required by the relevant manufacturer’s instructions. Cracks measuring less than 1mm should have Resene X-200 or Resene Brushable Crack Filler brushed into them.

Step 6: Spot prime all exposed fibre cement and filled areas with Resene Sureseal.

Then apply two coats of a Resene exterior waterborne topcoat such as Resene Sonyx 101 (use the Resene CoolColour™ version of the topcoat colour if choosing a dark 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).

The waterborne topcoat can be sprayed with a Graco airless unit.

November 2018

Q. I have poured a concrete top and as it settles, there are some little air holes that appear and I want to fill them in before polishing it.

A. What you have are bug holes, and the filling can be a real challenge unless the bug holes are fully opened for filling. The holes are like an eggshell that only has a small piece of shell removed.

If you are going to polish by diamond grinding, I suggest that type of look to get a coarse grind, first to open the bug holes, then possibly fill using Resene Construction Systems MultiStop, then complete the polishing. There can be no guarantee that the filled bug holes will not be seen after the final concrete polishing.

November 2018

Q. I'm looking for a UV protective coating I can either spray on or roll on to my permanently placed, polyester caravan awning. Camping, RV products nor automotive suppliers have an exterior UV protectant product. Can you help please? It's a full awning, the length of the caravan with walls, 'permanently' in use - i.e. it doesn't get rolled up and transported. It will be in-situ for several years. It's a quality UK polyester awning.

A. The only possible product would be Resene Clearcoat UVS but we have no test data to show adhesion to the awning fabric.

November 2018

Q. I want to make some exterior signs for a charity I work for. I need small quantities of paint in primary colours, as well as black and white. Do Resene do small pots of paint suitable for outdoors that will last and not fade? I need to make a large variety of pastel tones but haven't got a huge budget. They will be painted on white acrylic on h3 plywood.

A. We have a large range of small testpots in each Resene ColorShop that would be perfect for your project. Generally, the paint in them is Resene Lumbersider which is perfect for your requirements and is one of the most widely used paint products on exteriors. All exterior paints will fade/chalk over time and this is usually more noticeable with darker and brighter colours.

November 2018

Q. I am replacing a few rusty soakers. Should I treat the soaker with Resene Galvo One and then paint it, or can I just paint directly onto the soaker seeing as it is galvanised?

A. Degrease if needed and use Resene Galvo One as the primer prior to painting.

November 2018

Q. I am looking to paint a concrete garage floor which is 20 years old. What is the best product and what preparation do I need to do? Also, it has a couple of cracks which are 1-2mm wide. What would I fill them with?

A. I assume the floor is unpainted at present. For long term success and particularly to avoid ‘hot tyre pick up’ (where the tyres pull the paint coating from the surface), we recommend completely acid etching or diamond grinding (best option) the surface prior to painting with a two pack epoxy, such as Resene Aquapoxy. To fill cracks, you're best to use epoxy filler such as Resene Epox-O-Bond.

November 2018

Q. I have a 1980s brick and cedar home and I would like to paint the brick. Bricks are in good, clean condition in a very sheltered area. I plan to give them a light waterblast. What product should I use first as the undercoat? And what do you recommend as a topcoat? The colour will be Resene Triple Black White.

A. Apply a seal coat of Resene Concrete Primer thinned 10% with water then apply two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lumbersider.

November 2018

Q. What is the best product to remove some paint spills, mainly drops, from a wooden timber deck?

A. If the deck is unpainted then I suggest Resene Graffiti Cleaner.

November 2018

Q. I’m after a clear primer, which we can spray onto acrylic sheets (we have a spray booth in house), in order to assist the UV inks from our flatbed printer adhere to the acrylic surface. Currently they do adhere, however, when we try to rout or laser cut the acrylic after printing, the inks tend to chip off on the edges.

I know that you produce something similar for a company that prints directly to glass. I understand that acrylics and glass are quite different substrates; I’m just hoping that I can have your technical team work on something for us if you don’t already have a suitable product.

A. You might like to try a thin coat of Resene Concrete Clear Gloss.

November 2018

Q. Can I paint outdoor concrete footpaths, one half is two months old and the other is old? If so, what do I use and how do I prep it?

A. Apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal then two coats of Resene Walk-on.

November 2018

Q. We have a Lockwood home built about 1980. The exterior is the standard treated shiplap pine, with embossed/pressed/glued aluminium skin. What do you recommend for touch up as small areas are flaking back to the aluminium? The entire home will be repainted at a later date. Can you advise re touch up, i.e. etch primer?

A. Carefully wet sand areas of flaking back to a sound edge, the aluminium layer is thin, so aggressive sanding may well cut through.

Then apply a prime coat of Resene GP Metal Primer and finish with two coats of any Resene exterior waterborne topcoat.

November 2018

Q. Can Resene Walk-on flooring and paving paint be applied be applied directly over the Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path paint which we plan to waterblast beforehand?

A. Yes as long as the Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path is clean.

November 2018

Q. I recently bought Resene Enamacryl in Resene Half Thorndon Cream. I am putting it on with a good brush and over a good undercoat. I am painting doors and it is drying very patchy where I am over brushing. I went back to the store and they thought it sounded as though it might be drying too fast, even though it is no more than 16 Celsius. They sold me some additive to slow the drying down; however this has had very little effect, if any.

A. The advice given by the ColorShop was correct, waterborne enamels have a very short open time and the applied wet film sets up very quickly and if you go back over an area that has set up, then the effect is exactly what you are seeing. The dry time of a waterborne paint is not determined by temperature alone, humidity and air flow also impacts on dry time. We have recently introduced a new Resene Lustacryl formulation, which has a much longer open time and we are looking to soon do the same for Resene Enamacryl.

November 2018

Q. Can exterior plywood, board and batten be stained black? Do you have the correct product to use and appropriate instructions?

A. Yes to staining, as long as the cladding does not constitute a bracing element. Use Resene Waterborne Woodsman in a Resene CoolColour™.

November 2018

Q. We want to have our ensuite painted and this includes a shower. At our last house, I painted the bathroom with another product, and now water runs down the walls and has left permanent marks. If we have our ensuite painted will that develop marks from water runs?

A. The issue is surfactant leaching. This can still occur with any waterborne paint that has not been cured under the right conditions and is then exposed to steam or if there is poor extraction of steam from a small bathroom space. Resene does not recommend painting a shower lining with a Resene system. Installation of a Showerdome can significantly reduce the amount of condensation released to the room atmosphere. We recommend leaving the waterborne enamel paint to cure for at least three days before steam exposure and using a heater and dehumidifier for the cure time, a must for small poorly ventilated bathrooms.

November 2018

Q. I need to repaint my boat and was told by the previous owner he used a Resene two component product. I have sanded the surface and tested with thinners and the paint does not come off onto the cloth.

The paint system can only be applied with a roller and tipping off with a brush. It must have excellent flow properties to produce a smooth high gloss finish.

Which of your paint systems would be suitable?

A. The only possible Resene paint that would fit this use would be Resene Uracryl 403.

November 2018

Q. I’m after some help selecting polyurethane to paint over plywood in a wet area. What product would you recommend for this application?

A. We recommend four coats of Resene Polythane.

November 2018

Q. I have been using your paints for 40 years and love the quality. I find I am not getting the coverage with waterborne enamels that I used to get with oil based enamels. Am I by any chance doing something wrong as I have tried and tried and cannot get the coverage?

A. If a waterborne paint is applied at the correct wet film thickness, two coats is enough to achieve coverage for most colours. The issue we see is that it is very easy to apply waterborne paint at greater spreading rates and this then can result in a dry film thickness, which gives lower hiding. The choice of brush and more importantly roller sleeve also impacts upon coverage and therefore opacity.

The only better feature of a paint film that traditional solventborne enamel offers compared to waterborne enamel is hardness. Only a gloss solventborne enamel can be used for exterior painting and in the main these undergo early chalking.

November 2018

Q. I am having trouble getting a smooth finish with Resene Lustacryl. It dries so fast when I’m painting the trim outside and I am trying not to over brush. By the time I get more paint on my brush, there is already a sticky film and it looks patchy. I have tried the Resene Hot Weather Additive but are there any tips you can give me please? I may be applying thinly, as I don’t want runs.

A. We recommend addition of Resene Brushing Additive. Apply a liberal wet film and lay off. Do not overwork the wet paint as the wet paint sets up quickly and once this has occurred, you will create a disturbed film.

November 2018

Q. I am painting wooden stairs in your colour Resene Double Stack and I also want to paint the kitchen batten ceiling in the same colour. Can you advise the best Resene paint for each area please?

Should I decide to paint the front door the same colour, could I use the paint you recommend for stairs or ceiling? Also is there paint with less slip for the stairs?

A. We recommend Resene SpaceCote Flat for the ceilings, Resene Lustacryl for the front door, and given the dark colour we recommend applying the Resene CoolColour™ version of the colour over a white basecoat, such as Resene Quick Dry. 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.

I assume for the stairs that you want to better the slip resistance. This can only be achieved by addition of Resene SRG Grit to the first coat of paint, then apply a seal coat of unmodified paint. Resene Lustacryl would be the more durable paint for a flooring application. Sand the stair timber and then apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry before applying the two coats of Resene Lustacryl.

November 2018

Q. I want to paint my child’s wooden high chair and want to use non-toxic safe paint. What do you recommend?

A. Ensure the surfaces are clean and then sand (220 grit sandpaper) to profile for painting. Then apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat and finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl. Allow the paint to cure for at least two weeks then wipe down with warm water and detergent before placing in use. Both products are Resene Environmental Choice Approved and contain no heavy metals or formaldehyde.

November 2018

Q. Can you paint a deck that has been previously stained with oil based stain?

A. Yes, but you would have to remove the deck stain back to bare timber.

November 2018

Q. If over painting powder coated skylight mullions with a new paint what is the correct procedure? Is an etching paint advised or necessary?

A. I assume this is for the exterior surfaces? Scrub down with Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label directions to get a chalk free surface. Apply a prime coat of Resene Vinyl Etch and finish with two coats of any Resene exterior waterborne paint.

November 2018

Q. If we get our roof painted in a first anti-sun protecting coat and the weather or the season intervenes and the next coat is delayed, suppose we get a pollen deluge or say a lot of bird droppings (we are very near a pine plantation and reserve).

How long does it take for a coat to cure and be ready for a good waterblast before the next coat? And, is there any chance that such a waterblast could threaten the durability of the first coat and its warranty?

A. The paint should be touch dry after three hours post application, but will take at least a week to fully harden to final film hardness. The other factor is how hot the roof will get (colour determined), the roof paint can be touch dry but when the roof coating warms up this will certainly result in a greater chance of pollen deposits becoming fixed to the paint. I would allow at least two weeks before trying to waterblast and then avoid high blast pressures. Waterblasting should not affect the initial coat unless the underling paint system has poor adhesion.

November 2018

Q. I bought a tin of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer on the advice of an interior designer who saw the cupboards I wished to paint. Having stirred the paint, it resembled bubbly milk - the same consistency. No way did it cover or adhere to the surface. It blotched and slipped down and I had to wipe it off. What has gone wrong?

A. Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer is supplied at water like viscosity and is not designed to be applied at the same wet film thickness as a standard waterborne paint, or to give opacity or a high dry film thickness. The product is an adhesion primer and does not need to cure/adhesion of the sealer and requires a thin film only.

November 2018

Q. Can your Resene X-200 be applied over current acrylic paint or does this have to be removed?

A. As long as the existing waterborne paint is clean (grease and chalk free) and sound, there are should be no issues with the application of Resene X-200.

November 2018

Q. We have a painted, concrete wall with a stippled finish which is due to be repainted. Please advise the most suitable sheen for durability?

A. The rule is, the higher the gloss level the longer the time to the onset of surface chalking. Resene Sonyx (semi-gloss) gives a good compromise between an acceptable gloss level and time to chalking.

November 2018

Q. What's the best product for painting an indoor brick fireplace, which hasn't been painted previously? They are not glazed - just bog standard red brick. Which product should I use?

A. Painting can be undertaken as long as hand contact can be maintained on the surfaces to be painted. Use a seal coat of Resene Sureseal then two coats of Resene Lusta-Glo.

November 2018

Q. Are you able to advise (approximately) how many sqm a 10L pack size standard exterior paint will cover?

A. On average, the coverage rate is 10 -12 square metres per litre to achieve the required dry film thickness per coat. There are suppliers who recommend higher application rates but if you check the DFT (dry film thickness) it is always lower film thickness per coat.

November 2018

Q. Two years ago we had our apartments repainted with Resene X-200 by professional painters. We now want to wash the building for the first time since painting. The contractor is using a Resene wash product. How does washing the building affect the paint and does it reduce the warranty in any way?

A. Washing down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions will have no effect on the Resene X-200 other than to remove surface contamination.

November 2018

Q. I have stripped the wallpaper in my bedroom. Is my next step to roll on the pigmented sealer? Then do I give it a light sand and look at where I need to skim with plaster, or do I get a plasterboard stopper in first? The walls are only six years old and all in very good condition, the wallpaper came off easily.

A. Apply a full coat of Resene Sureseal after stripping of the wallpaper.

November 2018

Q. I am repainting windows - some of these have oil based paint and I understand you recommend your acrylic enamel to go over top. What primer/undercoat would I use?

A. Sand the existing paint, dust off and then apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry followed by two coats of waterborne enamel topcoat.

November 2018

Q. I have had advice that if the paint is sound, then I just need to wash the house with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash, apply Resene Quick Dry and then two coats of paint. Is this only for the weatherboards? Will I need to sand windows even if the base is sound?

A. Yes this is what we recommend for weatherboards.

It is always a good idea to sand an existing window paint, to profile for recoating. Dust off then apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry and then two coats of waterborne enamel colour (use the Resene CoolColour™ version of the topcoat colour where dark colours are being used).

November 2018

Q. I have a problem with a repaint of kitchen cupboard doors. I diligently sanded and applied the products, waiting 48 hours between coats and results were good. Now after 3-4 months the paint is coming off the doors at the area around the handles and by my observation, is only at the contact point where fingers/hand comes into contact with the paint finish. What has happened is that the contact area becomes sticky and then comes off when wiped with a cloth, no other area is affected only the skin contact area. Could you please advise on a remedy?

A. The most likely reason is oil from hand contact, it is critical to thoroughly degrease areas of hand contact before applying three adhesion primers.

November 2018

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.

November 2018

Q. I have a 1974 Lockwood home. Can you provide 'How to' information for painting the exterior?

A. Repainting of sound coating is relatively simple, clean down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions to achieve a chalk free surface. Then spot prime any bare aluminium with Resene Galvo One and then finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101.

November 2018

Q. We have a project that has a coating on a new concrete wall. Sika Black Seal is used to below ground level of the wall and Resene X-200 is used above ground.

Sikalastik 152 is put 150mm over and under ground level to the threshold of Sika and Resene products. I had a conversation with one of your technical people last week to find if Resene X-200 is compatible with Sikalastik 152.

Would you please confirm this detail is appropriate to this situation?

A. Resene Concrete Primer is the primer for a cementitious substrate only. For a bituminous substrate (and sealants) the primer is Resene Membrane Primer. Both primers can be overcoated with any Resene exterior waterborne topcoat systems and that includes Resene X-200 (above ground level).

There is always a potential issue over coating elastomeric sealants with a standard paint system, as the sealants extensibility may exceed the paint.

November 2018

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Always make sure you read the product label and data sheet prior to application. If in doubt about any aspect of your project, please ask our Paint Expert for help or come in and see our staff at your local Resene ColorShop or Reseller.

 

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