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Paint and coatings for art & murals

From the Resene Paint Experts Q&A

Do you have a question about how Resene products can be used in your artwork or murals? Browse through this painting Q&A for answers or ask a Paint Expert.

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

Sub-category: Artwork | Murals | Other


Q. I want to paint a geometric wall design in my son’s room, I have started and taped up the wall. The original wall colour is Resene Cloud and I was thinking could I or should I paint the wall white with the tape on and then paint the colours? My son is thinking orange and blue.

A. Using a light grey undercoat is recommended for bright colours such as orange and some blues so painting over Resene Cloud should be fine for coverage.

November 2023


Q. What paint would you suggest for painting dried flowers that I want to then put into a resin mould?

A. We have not had this question before but I imagine using our Resene testpots which have Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen inside, diluted with water up to 30% may work for you. Try with a Resene testpot and see if it works for you.

November 2023


Q. We are installing a temporary street project outside a school. It involves paint on the street which will have foot traffic but no vehicle traffic. It is possible it may need to be removed after three months so there must be a method of removal. It is on chip seal road.

Advice received from Waka Kotahi suggests acrylic asphalt paint/temporary road paint would work well. We would want to use this for the brighter colours as we are planning to install with the community. They also suggest chlorinated rubber paint which is noted must be installed by a professional but is longer lasting.

We have some stencils and may want to be able to spray the paint for those.

A. We would recommend Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen, an acrylic paint type. We would not advise to use a chlorinated rubber product – that would also have colour restrictions. High pressure water blasting will remove most of the paint. If paint is in a deep crevice, that will take time to erode.

Resene Lumbersider Low Shen can be sprayed but does not come in an aerosol. You could purchase a Colorpak mini spray unit which you can put the Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen into and then spray it. This is best for small areas.

September 2023


Q. I’m looking at painting some pebbles for a school project. I have seen your post painting pebbles for a garden. Are all your testpot paints waterproof - these stones sit in the garden so do they need some finish/protective coat on in them?

A. All of our Resene paint testpots are surface-forming, which will provide a protective layer. Our standard range of Resene testpots are filled using Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen and would be perfect for your project – no extra finish coat is needed. If you want to change the gloss though, you can apply Resene Concrete Clear gloss or Resene Clearcoat UVS.

July 2023


Q. This might be a strange request, but I’m an artist using polypropylene bale twine (among other materials) for my sculpture practice, and I need advice on a sealant, preferably sprayable, that will protect it in an exterior environment.

A. Sounds like interesting art work! We always love to see what people use our products on when slightly out of the normal.

However, none of our products will be suitable for this particular project as bailing twine has too much of a plastic film that paint will not adhere long term.

If you were to try something, you could try Resene Concrete Clear in gloss, brush applied.

May 2023


Q. We are looking at reproducing a Fijian flag and are looking for the best options for the blue.

A. We recommend priming the plywood with one coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat followed by two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

March 2023


Q. I want to paint using enamels to finish a sculpture to go outdoors for its life. It is wood and I have applied Resene TimberLock first The shop I went to gave me an acrylic primer which I’m concerned may cause problems with an oil based system?

A. Resene Quick Dry can be overcoated with solventborne and waterborne topcoat systems.

June 2022


Q. I have a fibreglass, gelcoat large apple I need to paint for exterior weather conditions. Can you please tell me what primer/etch then a gold top coat and probably a clear sealer to protect?

A. Ensure the fibreglass is degreased and sanded to profile. Apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry and then paint on the design using Resene testpots or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. Then finish with a coat of Resene Clearcoat UVS.

June 2022


Q. I am a resin crafter using it to make blanks for turning as well as stand along items. I have been using Resene testpots (metallics and standard colours) to create desired colours. However I am looking at changing my resin to Alumilite Clear resin which I have used in the past but only using their colouring agents. The data sheet for this resin indicates that this resin can be dyed or pigmented using non-water based dyes. My question is would your standard water based paints continue to be successful as a colouring medium for my work? What percentage water would typically be in your products? Would the ‘other ingredients’ in your paint negate the concerns regarding this view.

A. Paint is typically at least 50% water along with water soluble surfactants. The fact that non-water-based dyes are recommended would almost certainly preclude using a waterborne paint to achieve colour in the resin medium, in this case we can only advise to do a trial to be sure.

April 2022


Q. I was looking for a light teal(ish) coloured stain for a plywood map that I wanted to make and am really struggling to find anything. I was wondering if a stain is my only option or watering down some kind of paint could also achieve a similar effect. Could I possibly mix blue/green/light beige stains to achieve the desired colour?

A. Unfortunately, we can't recommend thinking any paint down more than the standard 10%. You can mix the stain colours together to create your new colour, remember to mix thoroughly at your own risk. Keep details of any mixes you make so you can recreate them.

April 2022


Q. Are your testpot paints waterborne? I'm using them for art projects, pregnant as well, and just want to make sure they're not solvent based.

A. Most Resene testpots are made using Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. The paint is Environmental Choice NZ approved.

October 2021


Q. My son is making some artwork with corrugated iron could you please advise what paint he should use?

A. If new corrugated iron, wash down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label instructions. Do not allow the wash solution to dry out on the surface (this includes window glass and joinery). Rinse clean or hose down with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution is removed. Allow to dry then apply a coat of Resene Galvo-Prime. Resene testpot colours can be applied for the artwork.

October 2021


Q. I am an artist and one of my most popular products are hand painted vintage silver trays which I find at op shops. I originally intended them to be for display only. Though, I have had a lot of people ask about what topcoat I use as they are wanting to use them as platters for food.

At present, there are no foodgrade approved resins in New Zealand. So, I was wondering if Resene Qristal Clear polyurethane would be safe to serve food off of? Or if there is another product you’d suggest? Basically it needs to be something that when fully cured, the chemical substances don’t migrate onto the food. I use Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen at present.

A. You can apply a clear but it would not be dishwasher cleanable or suitable for washing in hot water and detergent. Suggest that you use Resene Concrete Clear Gloss as the clear overcoat.

October 2021


Q. Are there any paints/polyurethane that are safe to be burnt off with a laser engraver? Some material will be removed and some will remain. It will not need to be very durable as it will be for interior artwork only. But I may overcoat it with some clear layer.

The substrate will be pine planks. As I want the paint removed cleanly it would not be desirable for the paint to penetrate deeply into the wood, but I would need to do testing to find what would work best.

A. I have discussed this with the R&D Manager and his suggestion was that something like Resene Ceiling Paint would be a good start. It could be tinted to off whites if required. A penetrating clear to finish would be helpful.

June 2021


Q. I'm doing an art project painting old partially rusty car panels and I'm looking to repaint all of the panels white. I would prefer a roll on or brush paint to aerosol. The panels will be displayed outside so something that can handle the sun and rain is ideal.

A. The rusted areas will need to be prepared and primed before painting.

Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Do not allow the wash solution to dry out on the surface. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all salts and surface chalk residues are removed. Water blasting without the prewash cannot be relied on to remove chalk residues.

All paint that is flaking or unsound must be removed by using mechanical methods, (3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc), chemical stripper or high pressure water-blasting taking care not to damage either the substrate or the surrounding areas.

Remove all areas of white corrosion material and as much red rust as is practicable and all paint that is flaking or unsound must be removed by using mechanical methods e.g. 3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc, to leave only soundly adherent corrosion products taking care not to damage either the substrate or the surrounding areas.

Where under-film corrosion is taking place the existing paint must first be removed as above and remove under film corrosion products taking care not to damage sound zinc coated areas. All paint edges must be feathered to a smooth finish.

Note: The performance of the subsequent paint systems will be largely dependent on the thoroughness of this surface preparation stage.

Ensure all edges of damaged paint are prepared back to a sound feathered edge and immediately spot prime all areas of corrosion and any other bare metal with a full coat of the specified primer.

May 2021


Q. I have been browsing your website for which polyurethane to use for my artwork but I am not sure which one to buy. I am a sculpture artist and have some off cut timbers from demolition sites. Some are NZ native timbers like Kauri and Rimu. The surface of the timber I have is not smooth but I would like to keep them natural as they are so I am not sanding them. The gold leaf needs something to sit on between the timber and them, and the gold leaf professionals in Japan usually use lacquer from trees for it.

I discussed at the gold leaves shop in Japan about my situation and they said I can substitute polyurethane instead of lacquer.

A. There are three types of polyurethane clears: waterborne, single pack solventborne and two pack polyurethane clears.

I was involved in a gold leaf project a few years back and the polyurethane clear that was used was similar to Resene Qristal Gloss Clear. You should only need the Resene Qristal Clear Polyurethane.

May 2020


Q. I have been asked to repaint some playground designs at the local primary school. What paint do you recommend to overpaint these very faded designs, some on tar-seal, some on concrete?

A. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Thoroughly scrub the surface with a stiff nylon broom to ensure complete removal of all loose surface contaminants then rinse with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all loose paint and salts are also removed. Then for bare asphalt apply an adhesion coat of Resene Membrane Primer and for bare concrete Resene Sureseal. Finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

May 2020


Q. I am in the process of finishing a mosaic picture that's mostly glass with a painted background. I'm looking for a sealant to protect the picture. There's a lot of little pieces of glass, some on top of each other as the main object is a tree.  I need to stop dirt and dust getting in as will be difficult to clean. It will then go on the wall.

A. We don't have a dedicated clear system, for this application, but I recommend a coat of Resene Imperite I.F 502 clear be applied as the adhesion coat, leave to cure for at least 48 hours then apply two coats of a Resene Uracryl 400 Series UVS Clear.

November 2019


Q. I'm painting an exterior mural on ACM sheets. I've been advised to get a self-etching primer for it but, would it be adequate to sand with a fine grit paper and then use Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and then a coat of Resene Quick Dry? Also, I'm planning to use an airbrush as well as normal brushwork, would Resene Lumbersider work for both applications?

A. If you sand the board to profile, then you can use Resene Quick Dry as the adhesion primer. You may not need to use Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer. I suggest you try sanding (using 240 grit sandpaper) then apply a test patch of Resene Quick Dry and leave for three days and see if the primer is adhering. Resene Lumbersider will require thinning for airbrushing. You will need to experiment with the thinning level when airbrushing.

October 2019


Q. I use Resene testpots for all my paintings but my fine paint brushes bristles are separating.

A. If you are using brushes made using natural hog hair bristles then this may be contributing to the problem. The brush filaments we now use for Resene waterborne paints are based on a synthetic filament. Natural filaments such as hog bristle are hollow and absorb water.

October 2019


Q. I am doing an art project and want people to do for me, three A4 paintings on card using your testpots. I want them to then post their paintings back to me. Obviously I want to avoid the cards and paint all sticking together. So my questions are: How long should they leave the paintings to dry before stacking them? And what should I provide as an interweave sheet between the A4 cards to give it extra protection? Butter paper or perhaps tracing paper? I think some of your colour charts have a non-stick paper in them so hopefully you understand what I mean.

A. Resene testpot paints are made using a conventional waterborne resin system, the cured paint will never have what is referred to as block resistance (two painted surfaces will stick if in contact and under pressure).

When we send out Resene drawdown samples made using the same paint, we place a sheet of strong tissue paper between the drawdown sheets to avoid the sticking together issue. Thin cardboard will be just as effective.

October 2019


Q. I am an artist and am in need of a high quality water-based satin varnish that doesn't yellow. I am going broke, buying the over-priced artist products from artist stores. What have you got that would be suitable for varnishing large acrylic paintings on canvasses and boards?

A. Resene Aquaclear would be the only product we could offer that would not have increasing yellowness as the clear ages.

December 2018


Q. I'm doing a large painting on canvas, it will probably measure 1m by 2m. I'm using Resene testpots as my colours for the image but I think I'll need to seal it. What clear product would you suggest I use for topcoat? I'm trying to make a backdrop like picture, for a work Xmas party and it may only get used once but I want it sealed in case it gets rain on it.

A. If you have a total cover of the canvas with paint, then this should give a seal to liquid water. You could apply a coat of Resene Clearcoat UVS over the completed paint system as a protective clear but this will result in a gloss finish.

November 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. Does your product Resene Concrete Clear work on timber? We have some artworks painted on construction ply with pine frame; these will be attached to a fence and will be exposed to all weather conditions, so, I need to know if the product will protect the artworks from the elements. The timber is H3 and is painted with your testpots, so there’s no problem with the quality of the paint used.

A. We recommend Resene Clearcoat UVS applied to the painted mural.

July 2018


Q. We are trying to create a school mosaic. However, I have no idea what we will need for it. Could you please let me know what kinds of paints etc you think we will need? This mosaic is going to be outdoors and we would like it to be very long lasting. Will we need some kind of overcoat/varnish? Which products would you recommend and do you sell these?

A. If you want to paint onto glazed tiles for an exterior artwork, the following applies.

Using Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner ensures the surfaces to be painted are clean and free from grease. Apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and allow curing without water contact for at least 48 hours before overcoating. If you want to use quite a few different colours, I would suggest using our testpots. The majority of testpots are an interior/exterior low sheen acrylic (Resene Lumbersider). If you don't want to use testpots, you could use Resene Lustacryl, which is semi-gloss waterborne enamel. When the painting is completed, you could use either Resene Clearcoat UVS which is a waterborne gloss designed to help prevent fading of strong colours, or even Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield which is a waterborne two pot clear finish, that would act as an anti-graffiti coating and would also help with durability.

June 2018

Q. I was sold your testpots for an outdoor art project. The containers say nothing about interior or exterior use.

A. Resene testpots are made with an exterior grade, low sheen waterborne paint. They can be used for exterior and interior projects.

May 2018

Q. Our team of year 3/4 are taking part in our school art project this year. We want to paint rocks as part of a permanent display that will be placed in the garden here at our school. We want to use bright colours and a paint that will last the elements. Could you please advise me on what paint is suitable and what protection could be used onto the rocks before and after painting so they do not fade or peel?

A. There are a number ways that you can paint the stones. We normally recommend Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat then two coats of colour using a Resene testpot. For added protection you can choose to use Resene Clearcoat UVS. We suggest the entire stone area is painted. Alternatively apply two coats of a testpot colour if you want a quicker option.

March 2018

Q. I am an artist experimenting with clay/ceramics. Recently I tried Resene Silver Aluminium on already glazed black ceramic. It looks sensational. I don't know now how it would react on outdoor artwork. Would it be ok for outdoor projects? Would it last? Do I have to protect it with polyurethane? I would be happy if I could use it on future projects as it looks stunning.

A. Resene FX Metallic colours can be used outside, the Resene Silver Aluminium and the 3 Resene Blast Grey variants are not prone to colour fade. For other colours you can use a coat of Resene Clearcoat UVS to give extended colour durability.

The metallic topcoat needs to be applied over an appropriately primed substrate and with a solid basecoat colour to match the metallic colour tinted in Resene Lumbersider.

February 2018

Q. I'm an artist wanting to know if I can use Resene Broadwall and/or even pigmented primer, as gesso for oil painting. I am experimenting with different materials to paint on such as hardboard, wooden panels, card, watercolour paper and potentially other things as well. I just need to know if these products are suitable for use on these surfaces and in conjunction with artist’s oil paint.

A. Recommended primers to use are:

December 2017

Q. I am looking for a vivid white, acrylic Gesso canvas primer.

A. Resene Quick Dry acrylic primer undercoat is the ideal primer undercoat for both stretched and unstretched canvases. A very flexible, easy to apply coating, Resene Quick Dry has excellent opacity and provides a very receptive finish for topcoating.

October 2017

Q. I am planning a primary school project, which involves painting gumboots. What product would you recommend, that is also suitable for 7-8 year olds to use? It is an art based project and the boots are not intended to be worn.

A. Use Resene testpots for colour and you will need to prime the bare rubber with Resene Membrane Roofing Primer first. All products are waterborne.

August 2017

Q. I have an artwork painted on sheets of ply. It was undercoated with, I think, a white primer (not terribly well, but that's okay). The art itself, was painted in acrylic art paints. The entire artwork was on display out-of-doors for about three months, and as a result got a little mouldy.

Would you be able to recommend a suitable product to clean and arrest the mould/mildew? Obviously I don't want to damage the artwork, with something too harsh.

A. We recommend Resene Deep Clean diluted and used to label instructions, not an instant kill but it will work over time.

June 2017

Q. I am a fluid acrylic artist and pour paint on primed canvas. No brushes. I have to add water to the paint to get the right consistency to pour. The paint can crack and craze. Do you have a product I can add to the paint to prevent it cracking and crazing? I also think I need to thin the house paint a bit more.

A. Waterborne paint when applied in thick wet films will have a degree of surface cure but as the paint ages the water retained in the paint below the surface will cause the cracking (known as mud cracking).

Our waterborne paints contain thickeners which are present to allow for application to a vertical surface without sagging/running. These thickeners will reduce the ability of unthinned paint to flow out, which I suspect is counterproductive to what you need. Water will be the only thinning medium that you could use to reduce the thickener effect.

April 2017

Q. I want to produce some artworks which are basically painted plywood for exterior use, hanging on fences, that type of thing. I'm wondering if your acrylic range is suitable for this, in particular whether I can use your metallic range. And most important, would I have to seal the paint with varnish for longer life. I have been told your metallic paint – e.g. Silver - loses the metallic look when varnished. Is there a way to have an exterior silver that is long lasting?

A. You will need to envelop prime the ply boards (exterior grade) with two coats of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat then apply Resene waterborne exterior paints. Then apply a coat of Resene Clearcoat UVS glaze. The glaze coat will enhance the metallic and also provide increased UV and erosion resistance to the underlying pigmented paint system.

March 2017

Q. I am using corflute as a support for an outdoor, temporary art project. Does Resene make a water based undercoat which will adhere to the corflute as well as being a sufficient basecoat for the topcoat paint?

A. Suggest you try Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat.

February 2017

Q. Can I paint waterbased acrylic varnish on painted canvases? If I can, which one do recommend?

A. We have not tested this application but Resene Aquaclear can be applied to standard waterborne pigmented paints.

September 2016

Q. I need to find a clear coat, durable finish product to protect some artwork I'm doing. I'm painting on the deck of a laminated, bamboo skateboard with acrylic paint and wanted to know if you had any products that would help protect the artwork from abrasion and also be water resistant?

A. The only possible product to meet what you are after is Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield. Allow the waterborne acrylic to cure for at least 48 hours before applying the first coat of the clear. Two coats are required.

September 2016

Q. I wanted to start using Signbond ACM panel as a support for oil paintings. The plan was to apply a grip coat to the polyester side of the panel and prime over that with acrylic primer. My question is, do you have a recommended adhesion primer to use on Signbond's polyester side? I was thinking maybe Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer as it says it's for use on Melamine and baked enamel. I thought baked enamel might include polyester, and melamine I read is similar to polyester, but I'm not technically-minded so I thought it was safer to make sure.

A. I would say that Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer was the most appropriate adhesion primer to use but suggest that you check adhesion before undertaking a large painting project.

May 2016

Q. I am researching paint for artwork on footpaths for my town. Can you please tell me what type of paint would be best suited? I need to present all information to the council before we can proceed with design.

A. We have two options, Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path or Resene Walk-on. Both are permanent paint coatings and not easily strippable.

April 2016

Q. I have an acrylic outdoor painting which needs some sort of U.V. sealer protection. What do you recommend we use?

A. We recommend Resene Clearcoat UVS.

January 2016

Q. My friend and son have recently got into painting and some of them are rather good. They have been using some Resene wall paints. Just wondering if this is ok to use on canvas or if we have to go and buy some acrylic or oil paints?

A. Many artists do use Resene paint for their artworks. Most commonly they use Resene Lumbersider, which comes as a product in cans and is also the product in most of our Resene testpots. The Resene Lumbersider is really popular as it is very durable and easy to work with and the testpots are a great alternative to more expensive artist paints. You can either use over primed canvases or you can prime the canvas yourself using Resene Quick Dry. If they decide to carry it on as a business they might like to be included in our online artist gallery.

December 2015

Q. Have purchased some resin type ornamental roses for display about the size of an apple. I painted them with waterborne enamel which has peeled. I tried sanding the surface, but it’s very hard and smooth. What would be a suitable paint? (exterior situation)

A. Only possible adhesion primer would be Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer.

December 2015

Q. I have just finished a painting using Resene Lumbersider on canvas and I was wondering if this would be suitable to put outside?

A. Resene Lumbersider is suitable for exterior exposure.

October 2015

Q. I am working on a temporary installation. The installation includes Plywood which we want to paint, preferably with grip paint. I see that you have a product which can used on decks and path. Would this work well on plywood and if so would it require any undercoats etc?

A. We recommend Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path applied to ply primed with Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat.

October 2015

Q. I was wanting to use testpot paint for indoor artworks. Is it true that they will most likely start to peel after 10 years? I need the paint to have a very long life span. How long would they last on a well prepared artists surface? Or the student's acrylic paints? The testpots are just so lovely to paint with.

A. Resene Testpots are commonly used by artists for painting (some very well-known artists use them). It's not true that the paint will start to peel in 10 years, it will perform just like other paint artists use and last many many years if applied properly over a properly prepared surface.

July 2015

Q. My husband is an artist working on some large scale fibreglass sculptures which he is painting in acrylic paints. We are trying to find the most suitable clear gloss top coat to finish the pieces. It is important that it is not likely to yellow as one of the pieces is largely white. Whatever the coating is it needs to be able to withstand being outdoors as it is likely the sculptures will be housed outside.

A. Resene Clearcoat UVS may suit. If graffiti protection is needed another Resene product may be needed instead.

June 2015

Q. Does Resene have any paint that I could use to paint on stones that will be left in the garden? They will be decorative with pictures of animals, plants, people etc.

A. Resene testpot paints have been used for this purpose.

May 2015

Q. I have painted with acrylic paint on plywood for a sign and want to know if it's ok to use clear enamel spray paint to spray over it for protection from rain?

A. Depends upon the acrylic but usually I would advise no.

April 2015

Q. Which type of Resene flat paint would be best suited to painting on canvas (as the backing colour of a wall painting).

A. We recommend Resene Lumbersider. The paint may crack if the canvas is rolled up. Avoid allowing two painted areas touching as the paint will fuse.

April 2015

Q. I am about to renovate a space into a gallery style space to display art. What paint and colour do you recommend?

A. I would use Resene SpaceCote Flat as the wall paint. Resene Black White is a popular choice for galleries.

March 2015

Q. What type of paint would I need to use if painting decorative artwork on my house windows? I want some that can be changed and removed every thirty days using a stencil design.

A. You could use an acrylic paint such as Resene Hi-Glo but you will need to use a blade to remove it.

February 2015

Q. I am looking to paint a geometric pattern over some plywood and was wondering what should be painted on first – the paint or the polyurethane?

A. Apply a primer coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat before applying the pigmented geometric paint pattern.

January 2015

Q. I am wanting a clear coat to protect a mosaic.

A. You could use Resene Concrete Clear. You will need at least 3 coats and use the gloss as the first coat. For exterior use I would use either 3 coats of gloss or 1 coat of gloss and 2 coats of satin.

January 2015

Q. I want to paint the rear of a large glass wall hanging panel with black paint. What type of Resene paint should I use for a long lasting and non-peeling finish?

A. Unless there is heat involved the easiest to use would be Resene Super Gloss enamel - it has good adhesion to glass.

November 2014

Q. I have been preparing the boards that my wife paints on, using non oil type hardboard. I have cut the most recent boards to a size of 600 x 760, then sanded the edges, painted the textured side with primer undercoat, then given the smooth side a light sanding and then several coats of gesso, sanding between coats, so that I have ended up with a nice smooth surface similar to an egg shell. As my wife is doing photo type portraits on these boards, she very much likes this smooth surface. Will one of your undercoats give the same effect as the gesso in every respect? She is painting in oils.

A. Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat can be painted with almost any paint type (water or solventborne). It is my understanding that gesso is used as a sealer and it is likely that Resene Quick Dry will act similarly but will not give the film build achievable with gesso.

August 2014

Q. I need a paint suitable for a newly made concrete torso. I am a mosaic artist and need a dark blue paint/stain - looking at your site I may need to use Resene Tennis Court Paint to get anything similar to the colour I want, but I need to know what sort of quantities they are sold in or any other suitable options as torsos are approx small to life-sized - so won’t need tennis court quantities.

A. Usually we require concrete to cure for at least a month before painting. However you can seal fresh concrete with Resene LimeLock which then reduces the time to application of the topcoats. Once sealed you can use any Resene exterior acrylic paint, two coats are required. Suggest the easiest way to arrive at a colour is to visit your local Resene ColorShop and look over the in store colour library. The store staff can also advise you of the cost of the paint and also available can sizes.

May 2014

Q. I am on the hunt for a chalkboard paint that would be suitable to use on porcelain/china mugs.

A. Our best system would be Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer then Resene FX Blackboard Paint. The Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer is designed for excellent adhesion so will help hold the topcoat onto the cup.

October 2013

Q. I’m coordinating a mural in a community park and we’d like to involve students from our local school. Ideally we’d like them to contribute at school so we’re considering asking them to paint tiles which we’d then use in the mural. The mural is outside and we want it to look great and last for years. Can we paint tiles for outdoor use? What paint should we use and will it last the test of time? If tiles won’t work well, can you suggest anything else to paint and then use in the mural?

A. This sounds like a great idea. Tiles may become heavy and possibly fall off the wall over time (worst case scenario I’m sure!). I have seen some murals painted onto fibre cement board and then fixed onto the wall – this is possibly lighter and easy to cut to size?

Usually, Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen is used over the appropriate primer for the substrate followed by Resene Clearcoat UVS which is a clear UV protective coating to assist in keeping the colour bright.

November 2023


Q. I might be getting my first big outside mural client and I just wanted to ask the best way to go about painting with prep and type of paint for quality and a long life. Also will it need a clear coating after? The paint I end up using should ensure that the client can clean the wall with water, that it is reasonably resistant to abrasion and that the colours will stay bright for years to come.

I may potentially need to consider spray paint as well.

A. The most common paint product used for murals etc (when going over an acrylic basecoat) is Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. Virtually all of the Resene solid colours can be tinted in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen and it is also the paint that is in our Resene testpots if only small amounts are required. It’s best to always to apply two coats to achieve a good film build and coverage of the colour.

We don’t recommend using the solvent aerosol type spray cans in murals as it’s random as to the type and quality of the paint being applied and they tend to fade fast. It’s better to use Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen and utilise the ColorPak type spray options where you are spraying the actual acrylic paint if you must spray.

To prolong the life and colour of the coating the most common clear coating used is Resene Clearcoat UVS. It’s an acrylic clear coat with added UV stabilisers.

Or you can also apply an anti-graffiti coating over this once it’s had at least 48 hours to dry using Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield. Gates and fences tend not to keep taggers away so you may want to consider applying Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield to all areas of the mural.

July 2023


Q. We are painting a mural on the exterior wall of an above ground pool and the client would like a protective coat as some chlorine/salt water spills over. We are going to use an exterior paint but can't seem to find a protective coat to put on. Do you have any products that would be appropriate?

A. The best product to use in this area is Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield, which is a clear anti-graffiti coating that is available as a flat, semi-gloss or gloss finish. It is a two-pack waterborne product.

March 2023


Q. I want to paint a mural in a small water tank in my garden. It’s made of high-grade polyethylene plastic. Do I need to undercoat? Can I paint on it with testpots?

A. The testpots we have are made in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen which could be used for the mural. I would sand the surface to get a key and then apply the paint. The mural will not last terribly long if knocked or moved as the polyethylene has more flex than paint.

January 2023


Q. Which is the best coat option for anti-graffiti protection? The wall has had a commissioned mural (spray paint art) put on it, in the last week. The client would like a protective coat over the top without damaging the artwork. But allowing it to be easily cleaned and back to original state if the wall is defaced.

A. Ensure the paint system is clean then apply a full even coat of Resene Clearcoat UVS Clear, allow to cure for at least 48 hours then wash down with fresh water and allow to dry. Then apply two coats of Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield, the higher the gloss level the better is it will be for graffiti removal.

Spray cans are usually made using an alkyd resin system, these paints have poor exterior durability, and therefore the Resene Clearcoat UVS is part of the recommended anti-graffiti system.

Suggest you check with the artist what spray can brand was used. Where possible we always encourage mural artists to use Resene decorative paints, such as Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen for better durability.

October 2021


Q. I'm working on a concept for a small mural and my background board will be primed ready. My background colour will be Resene Gold, however it says that it needs a coloured background?

A. There is a recommended solid colour background colour for any Resene FX Metallic Colour. This is to ensure that the metallic topcoat colour is achieved. Metallics can have windows which allow light to penetrate through the metallic colour.

September 2021


Q. I'm an art student currently planning to do a mural on a shipping container. I'm new to this medium and was wondering what the best primer paint would be best to use on the container, and why?

A. If you are using waterborne paints to paint the mural there is a need to apply a base primer to achieve adhesion of the complete paint system to the existing container paint.

Before painting, scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Do not allow the wash solution to dry out on the surface. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all salts and surface chalk residues are removed. Then apply a full coat of Resene Galvo One primer (this will key into the container paint) then finish with two coats of a Resene exterior waterborne paint, such as Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. This is based on the assumption that there is no corrosion present over the container surfaces to be painted.

June 2021


Q. I have a question about Resene Clearcoat UVS. I have three wall murals at a shopping centre which has been painted onto the concrete walls using aerosol spray cans and they are now chalking. Would applying Resene Clearcoat UVS help prevent the wall from chalking further?

A. Spray can paints are usually based on standard alkyd resins and will chalk relatively quickly on exterior exposure. We recommend all exterior murals are painted with paints like Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

Resene Clearcoat UVS was developed to be applied over quality waterborne exterior colours and not for an oil-based paint base. The Clearcoat UVS will give the UV protection over any painted surface as long at the UVS clear wets out to form an even dry film and adheres to the painted surface. In your case we cannot predict that either of these requirements will be achieved, a trial area is the only way to establish this.

June 2021


Q. I’m working on a mural design for a concrete wall. The client has expressed interest in 'standalone elements' on the raw concrete as a possible option, so some areas would be painted and some would be bare. I think that moisture would get under the paint film and lift it if I just painted an isolated area and left the surrounding concrete raw. Could it work to cover whole wall in Resene Concrete Clear either before or after painting parts of it with Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen elements?

A. You are right that there will be an increased potential for water to get into the substrate and may cause paint to blister and lift. Before painting the topcoats you will need to seal the area to be painted with an appropriate concrete sealer/adhesion primer. The best way to then address the water ingress would probably be to apply a film forming clear system over the entire area after completing the design. A Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield system would achieve this and give a protective layer from which graffiti can be removed.

May 2021


Q. I have a long timber church pew - the back panel is made from ply which I have sanded back and primed. I am now wanting to paint a bit of art on it - like a small mural - would Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen be the best to use? It will be on a deck under cover - but still a bit exposed to the elements. Am I able to get multiple testpot sizes in this with different colours? My main concern is how to keep the artwork from fading or deteriorating with people sitting on the seat. What could I use as a clear sealer that won't yellow or crack over time.

A. Yes Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene testpots can be used to paint the mural design. Most testpots are made using Resene Lumbersider. The coating doesn’t need a clear finish but for extra protection you can apply 1 or 2 coats of Resene Clearcoat UVS which will help to protect the colours and paint.

May 2021


Q. Our community group has been donated a number of aluminium panels and we would like to hold a mural panting competition. They have previously been stripped of signage and are now bare. I would like to know what preparation would be required to make the surface ready to paint on? The surface is smooth but not glossy at all, it is used aluminium that has had signwriting removed, then cleaned.

A. Scrub down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label directions. Do not allow the wash solution to dry out on the surface. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all salts and surface residues are removed. Apply a coat of Resene Galvo One and finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl or Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen.

May 2021


Q. What is the best product to finish an outdoor mural with a clear, non-polyurethane topcoat that doesn’t yellow?

A. We recommend Resene Clearcoat UVS. This will not give a surface that can be cleaned in the event of tagging.

February 2021


Q. I've been contracted to repair one of my murals. The mural was completed some years ago and had an anti-graffiti finish applied, which I haven’t been able to find out what it is. It's shiny and looks like it dried fairly quickly. I'm thinking it's probably an epoxy based product but I know there's a wide range of products and what they all have in common is resistance to overpainting.

A. The existing gloss anti-graffiti clear is more likely to be a two pack polyurethane and not an epoxy. Repair/re coating of this generic type of anti-graffiti coating can be difficult unless the brand can be established. This is due to some being self recoatable with only the clear being clean, while others require sanding to recoat.

If the existing brand of the clear cannot be established then sanding to degloss will be required prior to reapplication of the anti-graffiti clear.

December 2020


Q. I have a mural project on a garage door, unpainted aged galvanised surface. I would love to know what process/product is the best for this type of material, I think it's galvanised metal.

A. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Thoroughly scrub the surface with a stiff nylon broom to ensure complete removal of all grease, moss and mould residue, and any other contaminants, then rinse with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all loose paint and salts are also removed.

Apply a full coat of Resene Galvo One and then use Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene testpot colours to paint the mural.

Step 1: Allow the basecoat paint to cure for at least 48 hours.

Step 2: Thoroughly wash down with fresh water and allow to dry.

Note I: Protection against tagging is only required for accessible areas and usually restricted to a maximum height of 3 metres above a given access point.

Note II: The smoother the surface the more easily graffiti is able to be removed. If the surface is heavily textured, graffiti, especially from spray cans, will not be able to be removed from recesses in the surface. This is a design issue rather than a coating issue.

Note III: The higher the gloss level of the clear anti-graffiti topcoat, the easier graffiti can be removed. Flat anti-graffiti clears are available however their effectiveness is reduced. They do have a place however, when used on stone, a flat finish has more natural looking aesthetics. Full gloss coatings also take longer to chalk, the ease of removal of graffiti decreases as the surface chalks so the higher the gloss level the longer it will resist the anti-graffiti cleaner solution. Then apply two coats of Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield Clear.

November 2020


Q. I painted a mural with your Resene Lumbersider waterborne low sheen (see pictures). I intended to protect it with your Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield (flat). When I was painting another muralist said they had used it and it turned milky.

A. As long as the Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield is correctly mixed and applied without air entrainment there is no issue using the product.

We recommend leaving the Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen base system to dry for at least two days then washing down with water and leaving the surface to dry before applying the first coat of Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield.

The only time we have seen milkiness is if the Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield is applied to a textured surface and there is a build-up of wet paint in the valleys.

November 2020


Q. I'm a muralist using Resene products. The board will be painted by kids then put up on buildings by adults. I've worked on board lots of times. My preference is to use ‘signply’ because it’s got a face that has been made with epoxy and the wood is really sound. I may not be able to get signply this time and may have to use plywood or MDF. Would priming with 'Aquapel' or using any 'AquaLAQ' products help either remediate the plywood or protect MDF enough for exterior conditions?

A. Surface checking is a feature of exterior ply subject to weathering. The ply manufacturers say that it will occur but only in the top most layer of the ply laminate and it does not affect the overall durability of the ply when used as a cladding.

There is no way to control the checking although the checking develops sooner with application of dark coloured topcoat paints. In the good old days we used to say to expose the ply to weathering, until surface checking occurs then apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry and 1-2 coats of Resene X-200. The Resene X-200 will fill gaps up to 1mm in width and give a sound surface for subsequent painting. However this practice has now dwindled due to customer pressure to complete a paint job and also that there is always the chance of weathering of the ply surface. Note that surface checking must precede application of the Resene X-200 system.

June 2020


Q. Our school is working on designing and painting a mural with Resene paints for your mural competition.

We have some questions regarding materials and paints:

  • Which board we can use to screw up on an exterior wall getting full on east sun.
  • What undercoat do we seal it with and how many coats does it require?
  • Are all Resene shelf line paints good for exterior use on the mural?

A. Best to use quality exterior grade plywood as the board.

Prime all sides of the board with Resene Quick Dry (back and front faces, edges) with a full coat of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat.

For the mural you can use any of the Resene exterior waterborne paints, Resene Hi-Glo, Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lumbersider along with Resene testpot colours.  Most murals are created using Resene testpots and Resene Lumbersider.  Most Resene testpots are made using Resene Lumbersider.

August 2019


Q. We are a school and looking to do a mural. What is the best type of paint to use for a mural?

A. We recommend Resene Lumbersider and for small quantities of accent colours use Resene testpots – most of which have Resene Lumbersider in them. A primer will be required; primer selection will be determined by the substrate.

March 2019


Q. Our students have done a community mural that will be put up at our local MP's office. They have painted on corflute and want to protect it with some sort of graffiti guard. What product do you have that would do the job?

A. Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield is the anti-graffiti clear that can be applied over an exterior waterborne system such as Resene Lumbersider. The product is a two pack clear and mixing and application does require care and a level of skill, so we would recommend this is done by adults.

The higher gloss level finish will give the most durable anti-graffiti system.

December 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. 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 intend to create a mural on a wall. Tagging has been a problem over a long period of time and the wall is covered in 'anti-tag' paint with varying degrees of thickness. Could you provide an outline of the products I would need to prepare the surface, execute the mural and preserve the final product?

A. As long as Resene waterborne colours are used, two coats of Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield can then be applied.

While there are a wide range of anti-graffiti systems available, we use the term to reference film forming coating systems from which graffiti can be removed using dedicated cleaners.

While hard and tough the surface will not resist gouging with sharp objects etc. However most pens, paint and spray tagging of walls coated with a Resene anti-graffiti coating can be removed using Resene Graffiti Cleaner with minimal effort and bother.

Resene has two systems that can be readily used as anti-graffiti systems:

Both systems have been developed for brush and roller application, thereby removing the need for spray application.

Step 1: Allow the basecoat paint to cure for at least 48 hours.
Step 2: Thoroughly wash down with fresh water and allow it to dry.

Protection against tagging is usually only required for accessible areas and usually restricted to a maximum height of 3 metres above a given access point.

The smoother the surface the more easily graffiti is able to be removed. If the surface is heavily textured, graffiti, especially from spray cans, will not be able to be removed from recesses in the surface. This is a design issue rather than a coating issue.

The higher the gloss level of the clear anti-graffiti topcoat the easier graffiti can be removed. Flat anti-graffiti clears are available however their effectiveness is reduced. They do have a place however, when used on stone; a flat finish has more natural looking aesthetics. Full gloss coatings also take longer to chalk, the ease of removal of graffiti decreases as the surface chalks so the higher the gloss level the longer it will resist the anti-graffiti cleaner solution.

Resene anti-graffiti clears can only be applied to acrylic basecoat paint. If available it is always prudent to use the Uracryl UVS (ultra violet stabilised) clear formulation, when clear coating a base colour which is prone to fading.

Graffiti is removed by wiping the affected area with Resene Graffiti Cleaner, scrubbing with a stiff nylon brush can assist removal. Once removed, hose or wash the area down with fresh water. Experts strongly advise that graffiti is removed as soon as practicable.

Repeated cleaning of graffiti will ultimately generate the requirement to reinstate the clear surface.

March 2018

Q. I am attempting to paint a mural, using a large cinema film poster as a surface. I've tried using Resene testpots and Resene Quick Dry primer, but both of these peel off easily. The poster is a kind of soft plastic or rubber. I've also tried sanding the surface, but this didn't seem to help. What should I do to the poster to make it a useable surface for painting on?

A. Resene waterborne paints including testpot paint do have good adhesion to rubber and some plastics such as OVC.

However, they do not adhere to plastics such as polyethylene or polypropylene. There are no adhesion primers that we have found to allow our waterborne topcoats to be applied to PE or PP plastics. The plastic is the issue.

The adhesion to PVC does take a few days to develop to the point where the applied film cannot be scraped off.

December 2017

Q. We are having an artist paint a 3m x 5m mural on a concrete block wall on a house - south facing - she spray paints it with solvent based paints. Currently the blocks are uncoated cinder blocks behind a tennis court. Firstly, what should I prepare and seal the wall with and secondly, what would I seal it with to protect once it is complete? I guess thirdly, what would I use to maintain it? I will put a metal flashing on the top of the wall.

A. Suggest that the block work is sealed with Resene Sureseal. Spray can paints are not that U.V. durable and we have no clear overcoat systems for this paint type in an exterior location to give UV and weather protection.

September 2017

Q. I need to paint a mural on a metal which is magnetic laminated with a matte black finish; I'm just wondering what paint you would suggest to use for this surface. The wall needs to last for 10 years. It is for an indoor exhibition.

A. I am not familiar with the substrate but I suggest that you apply a test patch of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and check adhesion after 48 hours. If successful then you can apply any Resene waterborne paint to the surface.

November 2016

Q. I am undertaking a large mural approximately 14 metres long and 4.5 metres high on a tilt up precast concrete wall. The wall has been acid cleaned in the factory and in situ for 12 months. I have used Resene Concrete Primer but I notice in your case studies most use Resene LimeLock. I am painting a blackboard effect in parts as well as colour and metallic paints. Will this primer be enough? This is for a hospital and I have to make it last!

A. Resene LimeLock is recommended where there is the possibility of lime leaching. In this case I would recommend an application of a second full coat of Resene Concrete Primer to ensure there is sufficient blocking of the underlying concrete.

November 2016

Q. How do I prepare varnished pine kitchen chairs for painting?

A. Clean down using Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner then apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and leave to cure for 48 hours before applying two coats of Resene Lustacryl. The paint system will take 7-14 days to harden.

September 2016

Q. I have been asked to paint murals on the community's rubbish drums, but I am unsure of what type of paint to use or the preparation required and is there anything else I would need to know about painting metal?

A. The paint on the drums will be a stoving enamel. If you are going to use waterborne paints for the murals then apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer, leave to cure for a few days then apply the waterborne mural paint.

August 2016

Q. I have painted a mural with Resene testpots and used some black permanent marker pen then overcoated in Resene anti-graffiti paint but it has smudged the marker.

A. Resene anti-graffiti clears are used over Resene testpots to give a surface that can be cleaned to remove tagging. Marker pens can be both water and solvent soluble so application of our water or solventborne two pack clears may well cause the marker pen ink to run.

March 2016

Q. I am currently facilitating a mural project. The mural is on concrete breeze block, on a building at the beach with lots of sun and salt winds. We have used Resene paint. I want to get the most longevity out of the mural. Is there a waterborne Resene clear topcoat that will protect the mural against UV fading and salt wind abrasion?

A. Resene Clearcoat UVS (UV protection) overcoated with Resene Concrete Clear to achieve a higher build for abrasion resistance. However this system is not recommended for anti-graffiti.

March 2016

Q. Our school has a large mural down a hallway that was smoothed with dry wall mud prior to painting it. It is now more prone to gouges. Will putting a varnish on it help it from getting chipped or not?

A. Clear coating can protect a painted mural from damage including graffiti tagging. But the ideal time to apply is at the end of the mural painting.

August 2015

Q. I have drawn a large sharpie (permanent marker) mural on my bedroom ceiling that I need to paint over as we are selling the house. Could you please advise me on how to achieve this and what Resene products to use. My main concern is that the sharpie will bleed through the topcoat. I was thinking either Resene Sureseal or Resene StainLock as a basecoat? Also do you think it will require sanding?

A. A coat of Resene StainLock should do the trick before applying a new waterborne paint. More than likely there is a waterborne finish on there now so a light sand (dust off after sanding) should all that is required for recoating.

June 2015

Q. Some students at my school have painted murals on marine ply using classroom acrylics and some Resene testpots. I am looking for a clear product to seal and protect the surface so they can be placed outside and have been told that I can't use an oil based product over acrylic paint. I have only found interior water based varnish products. Does Resene have a product which would be suitable?

A. You could apply a full coat of Resene Clearcoat UVS. This clear coating will protect the painted surface. We also have clear anti-graffiti systems – such as Resene Uracryl Graffitishield – but this product is not suitable for children to use.

May 2015

Q. We want to paint a mural onto asphalt ground.

A. Ensure the asphalt is clean then paint using Resene testpots or Resene Lumbersider.

February 2015

Q. I am quoting to paint a mural on a 15m wooden weathered fence. Please advise what undercoat you think would be suitable (the fence is quite porous) and then what paints to paint the actual pictures with? I normally paint watercolours on paper!

A. Scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash following the label/data sheet directions then apply a coat of Resene Wood Primer. For coloured topcoats suggest you use Resene Lumbersider.

October 2014

Q. I have been asked to paint a mural in a school on a prepainted cinderblock and plastered exterior wall approximately 5m x 3m. Could you please tell me what I should use to prime the wall?

A. Recommend using Resene Sureseal as the seal coat then you can apply Resene exterior waterborne paint colours.

August 2014

Q. We are painting a mural on an outside wall of a classroom and we were wondering what we would need to do to prepare the surface. Once we have painted the mural which overcoat should we use? The wooden wall is already painted white and has a weather coat. The size that we hope our mural to be is 3m x 4.5m, using five different colours of paint.

A. If the paint on the wall is sound then you can use Resene testpots for painting the mural. To protect murals from tagging they are often overcoated with an anti-graffiti clear coat such as Resene Uracryl Graffitishield. However this will need a degree of application expertise as the anti-graffiti clears are two component paints.

June 2014

Q. I am planning to paint a wall mural for a tramping hut in the Waitakere ranges. It will be on a bare wood board, approx. 1.5 x 2m, inside the hut (but still exposed to damp etc due to the bush conditions). Wondering about prep options, paint for the design, and also a finish to protect the painting.

A. Prime with Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat then apply two coats of Resene Lumbersider with added MoulDefender mould protection (this additive is added at point of sale to the tinted colour). You can request the MoulDefender is added to the paint at selected Resene ColorShops.

May 2014

Q. I am about to start painting a mural on a toilet block close to the sea. It is in the open so I need to know exactly which paint to use for a lasting result.

A. For the base colours use Resene Lumbersider, allow to dry for 48 hours then wash down with fresh water and allow to dry then apply three coats of Uracryl 402 UVS Clear. The Uracryl UVS Clear is an anti-graffiti coating which also provides extra weather and U.V. protection to the mural colours.

February 2014

Q. I have a situation where I was planning to install a stained glass creation, but have been told that in this situation I can only install safety glass. Because I wish to have a coloured design on this glass door, I am researching the possibility of having an artist paint a mural type artwork on the glass, allowing clear spaces on the top half of the mural whilst creating opacity on the bottom half, more or less.

A. The only paint we sell for glass is a two component paint that must be spray applied and given these two features it is really not suitable for mural painting. Solventborne gloss enamel paint such as Resene Super Gloss does have good adhesion to a cleaned glass surface and this may be a better option for you to consider.

November 2013

Q. I'm going to be painting a mural on DD Plywood. I was wondering if you could recommend to me what type of undercoat/stain I might need to treat the plywood, and then what type of paints I might need to use for the mural itself. The mural will be fastened onto the outside of the building and will be exposed to rain, etc.

A. Plywood with face grades A, B, and C are recommended for paint finishes. If you are committed to using D faced ply for painting then there exists a possibility of failure of the applied paint system due to the substrate. Our standard waterborne paint system for ply is to prime all sides with Resene Quick Dry Waterborne Primer Undercoat (envelope prime, that is both sides and cut edges) followed by two coats of a Resene exterior acrylic paint, such as Resene Lumbersider. All ply grades undergo a degree of checking when subject to weathering (even when painted): this is the development of fine surface cracking which is more pronounced with dark coloured topcoats and is also related to the ply grade used.

August 2013

Q. We own a wood carving. It was originally an attractive reddish colour - oregon pine. As time passed, it became bleached grey-white. We applied two coats of boiled linseed oil which immediately soaked in and we are now left with an unattractive appearance - very black looking. We would like to coat the sculpture in a stain that will restore the colour - we were thinking of using Resene Heartwood. Would you recommend this, or can you suggest a more appropriate treatment? We need to preserve the wood grain appearance, so straight out painting isn't an option.

A. The black will be heavy black mould growth which has been facilitated by application of the linseed oil as the oil is a food source for the mould. Treat areas of moss/mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label instructions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed. Scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label directions. Do not allow the wash solution to dry out on the surface. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all salts and surface chalk residues are removed. Allow to dry out and then apply two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain.

May 2021


Q. We are looking for a product that can make our totara log more pliable to carve and possibly be used as a wood preserver for them outside.

A. There are a number of methods to soften wood, steaming or treatment with ammonia is used when bending wood to permanently re shape.

For carving the acceptable method appears to be spraying a 1:1 mix of water and rubbing alcohol onto the timber, rubbing alcohol is iso propanol. The other method is to soak the timber in water, the timber takes up the water and there is fibre swelling making the timber softer, the danger is that the timber will split when drying out. Both the water/rubbing alcohol and water treatments cause fibre swelling which softens the timber. There may be extraction of coloured components in the timber, tannins, which may not be acceptable.

I have not tried to soften Totara but it is a hard timber especially when dry.

May 2021


Q. I am using Resene testpots as my paint source for painting model aircraft - the reason I use testpots is I only need small quantities, and the testpots are a cost-effective way to go. Also, the colour range makes for a great palette to choose from. I understand testpots contain Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen, which I find to be a wonderful all-round paint.

However, I am using a high-quality airbrush with a .35mm nozzle, and I find I need to thin the paints to get a suitable viscosity. Typically, I use about 66% paint and 33% water, and then strain the paint through a very fine filter before spraying, and this seems to work well. Is thinning this much a problem, or is there a better way to reduce viscosity? I have heard some people thin the paint with meths, but I'm not sure if this is advisable. Because I only spray small quantities and light coats, having the paint run or sag is not a problem.

I know I'm not the only modeller out there who loves Resene testpots!

A. Interesting application. Apart from thinning with water there is no other way to reduce the viscosity, the paint is designed for brushing so has a good amount of thickeners to allow for wet film hold up on a vertical surface.

The water volume is high but as long as you are getting the correct colour and the paint dries then there is no problem I can see. With excessive thinning, you can see resin flocculation or separation but from what you have described this is not occurring.

May 2020


Q. I am a sculptor and am working on a community project involving a build using harakeke, which will be dyed in red. The project will involve local weavers. The dye needs to be protected from fading. Which of your varnishes would be most suitable? 

A. The easiest Resene product to use would be Resene Clearcoat UVS. The UVS additive in the clear will provide UV protection to pigments that are prone to colour fade when subject to exterior exposure. The product is only available as a gloss but if reduced gloss levels are required then the UVS Clearcoat can be over coated with Resene Concrete Clear to extend the gloss range of the finish.

We have not tested the adhesion of Resene Clearcoat UVS to harakeke (assume we are dealing with harakeke fibres) so this will need to be checked. If the dye to be used is water soluble then there will be dye bleed into the Resene Clearcoat UVS; this will need checking.

July 2019


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. I'm writing in regards to a school project. It involves painting on wood and I need advice as to how/what to prime the wood with? After this we are going to apply colour paint from testpots.

I was also wondering what to use as a waterproof sealer/finish in order to protect the artwork and allow it to be hung outside.

A. Prime bare timber with Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat then apply two coats of testpot colour. Resene testpot colours are suitable for exterior exposure but for added protection for bright colours you can apply a coat of Resene Clearcoat UVS over the colours.

August 2017

Q. I'm making interior products using concrete (specifically glass fibre reinforced concrete and ultra high performance concrete). I'd like to paint some of these products to give more diversity with regard to the colours I can use. Can you suggest the most appropriate primer and paint types that would cope with both the alkalinity and porous nature of concrete? I'd also like to avoid using anything that goes on too thick, as some of my products have detail and texture that I'd like to keep if possible.

A. For adhesion priming of GRC we only recommend Resene ConcreteSeal 3 in1. This primer can be overcoated with almost all Resene tinted paints with the exception of Resene solventborne enamels.

May 2016

Q. I have a group of students who want to paint small jars. What type of paint should they use? Cheapest option please. Have been told that if they add glue to paint it will be ok?

A. Resene testpots (waterborne paint) will adhere to glass but not tenaciously. Addition of PVA glue can actually have a detrimental effect on the paint.

August 2015

Q. I am using household paint to make paint skins. I have been experimenting with Resene acrylics, donated and from recycle centres. Is waterborne better than solventborne?

A. There are a number of artists creating paint skins. Most use acrylic paints as it tends to be more thermoplastic (stretchy) and are nicer to work with (less toxic, less fumes and easier to clean up). However at Designday there were paint skins exhibited using solventborne paints.

July 2015

Q. I am wanting to paint a design on a new powdercoated letterbox. Is it possible to paint on a powdercoated product and what preparation would I need to do before painting it?

A. Wash down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash then apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and leave to cure for 48 hours then you can overcoat with any Resene exterior waterborne paint.

May 2015

Q. I want to make a sign for my daughter's room. I have read that you can transfer laser printed material to wood using xylol. As I have already painted the sign with a base of your gloss (Resene Kermit) will the xylol act as a solvent to the paint too and ruin the effect?

A. If you have used a waterborne paint, yes. If the paint was a solvent borne enamel then depending upon the state of cure, the longer the cure the less likely it will be that xylol will affect the paint.

January 2015

Q. What do you recommend for a waterbased primer and topcoat for ESP foam model aircraft?

A. Prime with Resene Quick Dry Waterborne Primer Undercoat then apply any Resene waterborne enamel topcoat in your selected colours.

December 2014

Q. I want to paint a design on my polyethylene mailbox. Can I use Resene testpots for this? And if so, do I need to apply another clear layer of something over the design to protect it from the weather?

A. Adhesion of waterborne paints to new polyethylene is poor. It may improve with weathering but cannot be 100% confident as it will depend upon the degree of weathering.

December 2014

Q. I have a terracotta warrior and his paint coating is lifting. I need to seal him because I want him to be outdoors. Can you suggest a product?

A. Resene Sureseal will seal the bare terracotta but it will not adhere lifting paint.

June 2014

Q. I work at a gallery and we repaint our walls about 6 times per year. What paint would you recommend? We are looking for white, low sheen, something that doesn’t protest too much to touch-ups.

A. I would recommend Resene SpaceCote Flat or Resene Zylone Sheen Zero. Both products have been assessed using the Oddy test method.

February 2014

Q. Can you please advise what I can mix into acrylic paint to make it thicker? I am wanting to paint on canvas and have a lot of texture in the paint to make it three dimensional.

A. We do not recommend trying to thicken our paints. If you are wanting to achieve a texture then use Resene Thixalon. However as you apply thicker paint films there will be a tendency for the paint to crack if the canvas is flexed. When using Resene Thixalon as the paint you cannot roll the canvas up.

January 2014

Q. I have recently built a bird house and was just wondering what I could put on it in order to make it waterproof? I was thinking of using craft paints.

A. Normally for a bird house you could paint it with standard exterior house paints – e.g. Resene Lumbersider (which comes in Testpots) or similar. The only time that wouldn’t be recommended is if it is immersed in water (e.g. a bird bath). House paints aren’t designed for water immersion – for that you would need a Swimming Pool Paint or similar. We generally wouldn’t recommend craft paints as they don’t tend to have the kind of exterior durability required.

November 2013

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