How to paint exteriors

Q. What’s a good way to paint Summerhill stone without using a paint sprayer?

A. Summerhill stone was a type of concrete brick that was popular in the 1950s and 60s. It supposedly never needed painting and you could have all sorts of abstract geometric patterns. However the stone is very porous and prone to mould and algal growth particularly on the more shaded elevations. Ensure areas of mould/algal growth are treated with Resene Moss & Mould Killer then apply a saturation coat of Resene Sureseal and finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101.

The alternative finish is two coats of Resene X-200 as the finishing paint.

It’s best to brush the Resene Sureseal as this will give better penetration into the substrate.

November 2023

Q. I repaint each year and it goes powdery. Is there a product that will clean/prep the house so that I can paint the exterior without it going powdery?

A. The powdery surface is most likely chalking, This is usually due to environment or the wrong product for the area. To remove, wash down thoroughly using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash annually and prior to painting.

November 2023

Q. I have 5 year old plywood exterior cladding that has been painted but there are small cracks showing. I want to repaint it a different colour. It is in good condition apart from the cracks. Would it be best to use a primer or Resene TimberLock before I paint it. What product is best for the top colour coat?

A. Painting over wood stains cannot be done until the stain has weathered usually for at least 12 months. Scrub down stained cladding using Resene Timber and Deck Wash to remove unbound pigments, then prime with Resene Wood Primer and overcoat with two coats of any Resene exterior acrylic paint like Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101 (semi-gloss).

If the stained cladding has undergone extended weathering, or is showing signs of greying of the timber, which occurs due to prolonged U.V. exposure of bare timber, then an additional coating step is required. After the wash down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash, pre-treat the cladding with Resene TimberLock, prior to application of Resene Wood Primer. Resene TimberLock reinforces the weathered timber, to ensure adhesion of the subsequent paint system. In general, the Resene TimberLock step is usually required for the most exposed elevations, such as the north facing elevation.

If choosing a darker colour, consider using the Resene CoolColour version of your colour.

November 2023

Q. We would like to confirm if a dark colour in Resene CoolColour can be applied on timber bevelback WB and get BC approved?

A. You would need to check with the weatherboard supplier. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

November 2023

Q. I have a 4 litre can of Resene X-200 coating that could be 20 years old. It’s still runny. Will it still have enough of the waterproofing membrane functionality to make it worthwhile to repaint the outside surface?

A. If the paint mixes well and doesn’t have an 'off' smell, then it will still be okay to apply. Hard to say after so long the full function of the product. If you have concerns once painted you can always paint over it with an acrylic coating.

Resene X-200 did change its official description from waterproof/watertight to weathertight due to world regulations changing the regulations to exclude vapour permeable paints as waterproof/watertight. So, now, Resene X-200 is weathertight as is most of the range as they are vapour permeable.

November 2023

Q. We need to repaint and waterproof our exterior concrete block walls. The house was built in the 70s and we have stripped one wall back and it looks like it has butynol on it. What products should we use and should we strip the butynol off before repainting?

A. I am assuming you have repaired the areas of water ingress as any paint product that is painted without the source of water being fixed could blister again.

To remove the butynol you can try using a strong solvent such as Resene Thinner #6. Make sure you wear appropriate safety equipment.

Once the coating has been removed you could use the following system: apply two coats of Resene HydraBlock and then two coats of Resene Uracryl 802. Make sure you follow the instructions carefully.

Alternatively, after full removal of the butynol and once the surface is clean you could apply the following single pack system: one coat of Resene Sureseal and 2-3 coats of Resene X-200 or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

November 2023

Q. Can I successfully use an air spray gun with Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen paint? If yes, how best to go about this task? I wish to spray retaining walls.

A. Yes, you may need to thin out the product up to 10% with water as the nozzles tend to be small for lacquers etc. If the product blocks frequently, you could thin more but you will need to apply more coats of paint.

November 2023

Q. I'm painting some new concrete panel with Resene X-200. It looks quite rough. I’m just wondering if there is a smoother option more like a normal timber weatherboard please?

A. Resene X-200 is a membrane with tiny fibres - creating a textured look. This cannot be changed.

For a smoother finish, use Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen over the correct primer.

November 2023

Q. Can I use Resene Waterborne Woodsman over linseed oil (not boiled) on Macrocarpa timber weatherboards?

A. As long as the linseed oil is no longer there, treat with Resene Moss and Mould Killer, followed by a thorough wash down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash. Do a test patch first to ensure compatibility. Resene Waterborne Woodsman comes in a testpot size.

November 2023

Q. I'm painting the weatherboards on a 1903 villa, the window frames are Rimu, but I am not sure if weatherboards are Rimu or Matai. Can I use Resene Quick Dry on both Rimu and Matai and will Resene Quick Dry primer be ok on the window frames? The surfaces are in good condition overall, needing a light sand and only in some areas wood will be exposed.

A. Resene Quick Dry will be the right choice if it potentially is Matai. It can be used on Rimu also. Resene Wood Primer is the better primer for older timber but cannot be used on Matai.

November 2023

Q. I have to prep and paint some copper spouting which has been painted with white oil based paint. The paint is flaking badly. Can you please advise me the best way to deal with it?

A. It sounds like the copper wasn't primed correctly at time of painting so the existing painting will need to be stripped off. This would be best achieved using a gelled stripper such as Sea to Sky which is available in our Resene ColorShops. Once stripped ensure the surface is thoroughly rinsed with water also. If verdigris (green blue copper oxidation) is present wipe down the surface with a cloth wet with white vinegar, rinse well with water again and to allow to dry.

Resene Vinyl Etch is the primer for non-ferrous metals such as copper. Once primed you can apply an acrylic topcoat over to suit. Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen is often used in these situations.

November 2023

Q. We have new, preprimed Shadowclad cladding that has just gone on an extension and need to paint it! From what I’ve found, Resene X-200 is the recommended paint. I just wanted to check this is correct before purchasing.

A. I recommend you apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat in case there are missed areas or the preprimer is too thin. Then apply two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. Use CoolColour technology if using darker colours.

CoolColour technology has greater near infra-red reflection and therefore will reduce heat stress on a substrate when compared to the same colour made using no ‘cool’ pigments. The use of a CoolColour version does not however mean that the CoolColour paint will be cool to touch.

Keep in mind that the use of CoolColour technology will not eliminate all heat stress on the timber, and we do always recommend following the substrate suppliers guidelines etc.

You will need to re-prime the timber also to include a CoolColour primer (Resene Quick Dry) as it is integral to the performance of the system.

November 2023

Q. We have a Lockwood style home and would love to paint the exterior white. But we're not sure if the current colour (brown) is a paint or a stain (which might impact our painting process).

From a distance it looks like a stain and you can see the wood grain, but it seems to 'flake' off like paint.

One suggestion is that it's an oil based stain, and on a Lockwood DIY Facebook group the suggested process is:

1. Machine sand the timber
2. Apply a binding agent/timber prep
3. Prime
4. Topcoat

We'd love your expertise on if the original colour is a paint or stain, and what the process should be for painting it white.

There are some parts of the house that are definitely paint, so I presume this would need a different prep process?

A. I believe a film forming stain has been applied rather than a paint or a stain. Paint will keep its uniform finish (not see the wood grain) and delaminate when the timber underneath starts to erode over time. Penetrating stains/oils are designed to erode over time (2 years for maintenance). I believe it is a film forming stain due to the fact you can see some grain and it is flaking away.

For painting, you need to fully remove the existing coating which won’t be easy considering the prominent grain. Once removed, apply one saturation coat of Resene TimberLock followed by one coat of Resene Wood Primer followed by two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

For the red timber fascia, if the paint is in sound condition, you could apply two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen over the top. If the paint is flaking then the same preparation is needed.

If the foundation is painted concrete/plaster in sound condition, you could apply two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. If the paint is coming away, the flaking areas need to be removed and edges feathered out. Spot prime using Resene Sureseal followed by two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

November 2023

Q. I had my cladding painted recently. The paint used was a gloss acrylic. The painter applied both the first and second coats within 2-3 hours of each other. I am concerned as I understood latex-based paints should see a gap of four hours minimum while oil-based paints should see a 24 hour gap between the two coats.

A. Two hours recoat time in ideal environment conditions is our recommendation as a minimum for most acrylic coatings.

November 2023

Q. Can I paint your Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen exterior paint directly onto No More Gaps or do I need a primer or undercoat first?

A. You can paint directly over using Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat.

November 2023

Q. I have recently had my house renovated and painted in the last 12 months. Within six months of it being painted the caulking had appeared to crack and stretch. It was then redone and it has now happened again. Before I ask for the painters to redo their works, I was wondering if I could find out what the true reason is. So, in your opinion, is the issue because of the paint, painter, caulking, weatherboard or all of the above?

A. When caulking cracks it is usually down to the weatherboard moving. It is common practise to not seal up the gaps so the weatherboards can let air move freely and not retain moisture, even though sealing the gaps may look more uniform.

September 2023

Q. We are having to replace galvanised metal soakers on a weatherboard house. The original corner soakers have been on the house for over 80 years and are fine, but ones used in a renovation 16 years ago are all rusting including some that were replaced less than five years ago. I was told it was the quality of the galvanising coating, but I now suspect that it maybe to do more with the painting/priming or lack-of on the underside. I am changing to aluminium to make sure, but my question is after removing the faulty soakers how should we prepared/coat the weatherboards?

A. You need to mechanically remove it to get a clean surface. Depending on how good the removal is you may need one or two coats of Resene Wood Primer. Allow to dry well. Apply two topcoats as extra protection.

September 2023

Q. I have had a new build (exterior weatherboard) painted in the last fortnight with Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen paint and no primer used.

I have had a question raised if the house should have been primed before applying the paint. Can you please advise if the paint listed above acts as a primer so therefore not needing to do a primer undercoat?

Please also note the weatherboard was exposed to the weather for more than two months before being painted.

A. Resene Lumbersider is self-priming onto most timber surfaces when three coats are used completing a stable paint finish. Ideally a primer such as Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat is the best choice followed by two topcoats on most timber.

The Resene TimberLock and Resene Wood Primer paint system is best for aged timber that has had a season or two exposed.

September 2023

Q. A solid plasterer has reinstated stucco plastering on my Art Deco home and that new plastering needs to be painted. The remainder of the house is painted in Resene X-200.

How should I prep and paint the new stucco plastering? The plasterer said to first apply Resene Limelock and then topcoat. Is that correct?

Additionally, he said the concrete plaster that was completed last week does not need to be weathered before the Resene Limelock or final coating is applied. What do you recommend?

A. You are on the right path. The plaster/concrete needs to dry out (notice the change of colour from dark to light) and can take about a week or so – weather dependant. Apply one full coat of Resene Limelock followed by two full coats of Resene X-200 to match the existing. You will need to paint at least one of the two full coats of Resene X-200 over the entire wall, so it does not look like a patch from colour difference.

September 2023

Q. I have a 6-year-old weatherboard house [Align cladding]. The paint is badly faded and chalking where it gets the sun but has not cracked or peeled. To reduce the heat build up and improve future fading we thought we would use your CoolColour product and use Resene Half Raven. Does this sound sensible and should we have a primer coat before the two topcoats?

A. You are onto it with your thinking.

Wash down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash. This will remove chalking, dirt and debris. Apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat. This is useful for when you apply the CoolColour over the top for reflection. Apply two full coats of your chosen topcoat - either Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss.

September 2023

Q. We are about to paint the exterior James Hardie Linea weatherboards which are bevelled back fibre cement weatherboard. The colour will be COLORSTEEL® Cloud.

Can you please advise which combination below is more suitable for us to apply:

• Resene Limelock primer then Resene X-200 as the topcoats. I was told these are typically for rough surface like plastering finish?
• Resene Concrete Primer then Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen as the topcoats

A. A. For Linea, I would recommend one full coat of Resene Concrete Primer followed by two full coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

September 2023

Q. I'm looking at buying a weatherside cladded house that needs cleaning, preparing and painting. I wonder if I should avoid sanding it and if there's anything special about removing the remaining paint and painting it?

A. We recommend using Resene Wood Primer on bare areas followed by either Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101 assuming the existing coating is sound.

September 2023

Q. I have some outdoor masonry which is painted white. It gets stained by leaves dirt which I can't clean. Can you recommend a product that I can coat this with to either repel the stains, or which can be easier to clean?

A. As the masonry is textured it is a trap for dirt and debris – especially on a horizontal angle. Painting with a higher sheen level like a semi-gloss will assist when cleaning. I would try using Resene Deep Clean every six months to help keep them clean.

September 2023

Q. We have a board and batten house (Shadowclad) which is stained with Resene Shadow Match CoolColour Woodsman stain. We would like to repaint in a light grey. How do we go about prepping to house to do this? The last coat of stain was two years ago. It’s been done every two years with the CoolColour stain. It is in good condition with most of the checking on the eastern and northern sides. If we used the Resene Timber and Deck wash several times over the next couple of months do you think it would be possible to paint over the summer?

A. If the cladding is in good condition, it will be harder to get a paint coating to adhere and be stable enough as the Resene stain range has waxes and pigmentation that differs from paint coatings and they do not adhere well to each other.

If the current stain was in bad condition, it would be easier as you need to try and remove as much stain as possible, apply one coat of Resene Wood Primer followed by two full coats of Resene exterior topcoat of your choosing.

If you are wanting to paint, I would wait another two years (risk of more checking/weathering) and attempt it then. You can speed the weathering process up by using Resene Timber and Deck Wash as this will remove small amounts of stain each time as well as any dirt and debris.

In a couple of months after lots of washing – try a test area using the Resene Wood Primer. Leave on for three days (as long as its reasonably warm temperatures). See if it has dried hard and doesn’t scratch off. Test on an area where the buildup of stain is greater, as those areas will be hardest areas to achieve adhesion.

September 2023

Q. I have an exterior plastered home with a white slightly rough painted surface. There are patches of black on the wall from aphids that infested some roses. This doesn't wash off with water. My neighbour mentioned a product with an 'x' in it which could clean the wall without damaging it. Does this make any sense? If I wanted to repaint the exterior, which product would I use?

A. I am assuming you have Resene X-200 weathertight membrane as the paint coating (most common with plastered homes). Try using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash to remove the blackened area from aphids. Then apply one coat of Resene Sureseal pigmented sealer on only the patches. Then reapply Resene X-200 x two coats. Do a small test area first using Resene X-200.

September 2023

Q. I want to repaint plywood that has the grain showing through. Is Resene Timber Surface Prep the right product for the job if I’m wanting a smooth finish? Doesn’t have to be 100% perfect.

It is a large area in a sailboat, all the ceiling and walls are plywood unfortunately. I’m looking for a reasonably easy fix. Would you have any ideas on making it a smooth surface to paint over?

A. Resene Timber Surface Prep is designed for solid timbers and not modified like plywood as modified timbers can move and cause cracking of the high build product over time.

Resene do sell Repaircare SF which would work if you sanded the ply prior. Or have you thought about lightly skimming the ply using a GIB® compound product? My thoughts are if you did put a filler type product over and then painted you may run into issues when using the sailboat with movement and cracking later down the track.

September 2023

Q. We are using pine bevel back weatherboard and I need to know what is the maximum darkness we can paint it. I have been told it needs to be below 40%.

A. Most timber manufacturers stipulate a minimum of 40% LRV. You can then use any colour between 40% and 100% (98% being white).

September 2023

Q. What is the LRV range recommended for a large commercial concrete building built in the 1930s? I would like as dark a colour as possible.

A. Resene do not specify what LRV ratings should go on where or what. You may need to check with the local council for any LRV/colour requirements or restrictions.

If the building is to be painted a darker colour than its current colour, the use of a darker colour as well as a new paint coating may cause stress on the older paint coatings.

Resene has CoolColour™ versions of dark Resene colours, however the LRV of the non and cool version of any colour is the same as LRV is a measure of light reflection only. What changes is the TSR (total solar reflectance) of the CoolColour version. The TSR which is a measure of heat reflection, is always higher for the CoolColour version of a colour. To achieve the maximum CoolColour benefit, two coats of CoolColour topcoat needs to be applied over a white base coat. Note that CoolColours are not cool to touch but do reflect more heat than the non-cool version of the same colour.

September 2023

Q. Our Body Corp building is painted in Resene X-200. Does the LRV value affect how long the paint will maintain its integrity if correctly maintained and washed on a regular schedule. We are creating a long-term maintenance plan and looking at the length of time between repaints that are very expensive owing to scaffolding costs.

A. I am assuming the substrate of the building is cementitious. A lot of cladding manufacturers will only uphold their guarantees if set LRV (light reflectance values) are used. Traditionally they state that the cladding may only be painted with LRV values greater than 30-40. Most of the darker colours fall below that. With plaster systems or tilt panel buildings this isn’t entirely relevant.

A darker colour in CoolColour™ technology will never perform as well as a light colour but it makes a significant difference. The LRV value remains the same (reflectance in visible spectrum of light) but near-infra red absorption is reduced so the substrate doesn't heat up as much, which means it is subjected to less ‘thermal shock’ and stress. This means a decreased chance of damage to the substrate.

So CoolColours will never completely offset the reduced durability of using darker colours, but it makes a difference. If choosing a darker colour, you will notice colour fading or chalking between 5-7 years, this does not affect the integrity of the paint coating.

We can arrange for a local representative to get in contact with you to assist in writing a paint maintenance schedule that is designed for the building.

September 2023

Q. I am putting galvanised steel corners soakers on my weatherboard house. I then want to paint the soakers to match the house exterior. What preparation should I do on the soakers and what is the best primer to use?

A. If the galvo steel soakers are less than six months old we recommend degreasing and priming with one coat of Resene Galvo-Prime.

If they are older please use one coat of Resene Galvo One.

Then apply two topcoats of your exterior house paint, such as Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101, in your desired colour.

September 2023

Q. I'm after some advice for repainting my own house please. The house is timber weatherboard, timber joinery and timber soffits (some new fibre cement soffits). It's 120 years old and has been repainted most recently around 10 years ago.

Some areas will need stripping back to bare timber, and otherwise won't.

I purchased some Resene Sonyx 101 earlier in the year to paint the pergola. Is this appropriate for the rest of the house (weatherboards, soffits, barge, sills, joinery etc)?

Which primer should be used before the Resene Sonyx 101? Is a different primer needed on bare timber vs existing paint which will be sanded before primer is applied to allow the primer to key into existing paint)?

I see that Resene Lustacryl is recommended for opening doors/window sashes rather than Resene Sonyx 101, is that correct? I would like to limit the number of different types of paint we have where possible.

Any other compatibility issues I should be aware of?

The original weatherboards are likely to be kauri or rimu as far as I know.

I’m intending to repaint the sills a bit darker (they’re already mid-blue) so would need to use the CoolColour type too. Everything else will be repainted similar/light colours.

A. My recommendations for each area below:

The primer for all bare timber, weatherboards, soffits and windows is one coat of Resene Wood Primer (oil based). Please note our waterborne topcoats like Resene Sonyx 101 can be applied directly over the oil based Resene Wood Primer.

If replacing the putty in the windows be mindful of the primer requirements for the specific putty. The container should have instructions on this and repaint timeframe.

Prime new bare fibre cement soffit areas with either one coat of Resene Concrete Primer or solventborne Resene Sureseal.

Any of the topcoats mentioned below can be applied directly to the existing paint without the need to prime/undercoat as long as the paint is in good sound condition. Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss can absolutely be used as a topcoat for the weatherboards and soffits (not windows). Semi-gloss is the most popular option for soffits as it is slightly more cleanable than a low sheen. Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen (same paint as the testpots) is most popular for older homes as the lower sheen level hides more imperfections.

For windows, unfortunately, Resene Sonyx 101 cannot be used on windows. Resene Lustacryl waterborne enamel semi-gloss is our recommendation. If the window paint is in good condition and currently painted in a medium depth of colour, I'd recommend applying a coat of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat over the top of the existing colour. This will be the basecoat for CoolColour technology and help the technology reflect more heat and work to its fullest abilities.

September 2023

Q. I have painted my house with YSHIELD Dry 54 anti-shielding paint. This is a pure acrylate paint which contains graphite, and the colour is black. I want to paint it over with white. Do you know what type of paint I can use? The paint has been applied on the outside wooden weatherboards.

They recommend plastic bonded, water based emulsion paint; dispersion silicate paint; or silicon resin paint. Do you stock any of these paints?

A. The paint we have that sounds like it would suit is best described as a plastic bonded, water based emulsion paint. So, you can use a standard exterior waterborne finish as the topcoat. If sound, I would recommend after a wash down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash. Treat any moss and mould present also with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Thoroughly wash and allow to dry. Apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat. Do a trial section, leave for one week and check the adhesion before proceeding. Then apply two coats of either Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss in white or an off-white colour.

Please note as we do don’t have any history recoating this kind of paint system, we cannot offer any long-term assurances or guarantees. If at any stage you have any concerns, please do not continue with paint application.

September 2023

Q. I have a new home that needs a few paint touch ups. I got two testpots thinking they would be the perfect size. However, they both have a slight sheen to the flat matt paint originally used and it’s noticeable. Can you please advise what paint type I’ll need for a very flat no sheen or shine for the exterior/interior paints?

A. Resene SpaceCote Flat is a flat finish with no shine.

September 2023

Q. I have a house with walls clad in Versatile steel. What’s the best way to change their colour? There is no rust, and I think it’s powder coated. It looks like that’s the colour of the metal, basically.

A. We recommend cleaning with Resene Roof and Metal Wash and treat any moss and mould present at this time also with Resene Moss & Mould Killer.

Once dry apply one coat of Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer. Follow with two coats of your topcoat of either Resene Summit Roof Semi-Gloss or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in your desired colour.

September 2023

Q. I've painted one coat of primer Friday and did one coat of topcoat yesterday. We had a frost last night and It's too big to fit under cover, so it's gone matte/lost its gloss. I've got the final topcoat to do which I'm aiming for this Friday as weather looks OK overnight. In regards to the second topcoat, can I just paint over without sanding it? The paint has cured nicely just lost its gloss I assume because of the temp/condensation. Also, if I were to paint it earlier in the morning and get it done before lunch I'm assuming there's a bigger chance it cures before the night?

A. Yes, we call what you are describing as ‘Blooming’. I am glad to hear that the coating has hardened. We recommend a light sand, wipe off sanding dust, then continue with your second coat.

Temperature is important it is very easy to get caught out by dew points and the cold in winter. Earlier in the day is better to avoid the sudden drop in temp especially if there is sun that day.

August 2023

Q. We are looking to paint galvanised steel with a two-pack epoxy paint. The steel we are painting is external. Can you confirm what the best product to use would be?

A. Our standard recommendation is below, this is dependent on the condition of the substrate, council regulations etc. Apply Resene Armourcote 210 (if spraying) or Resene Armourcote 221 (if brushing and rolling), followed with a topcoat of Resene Uracryl 402.

August 2023

Q. I am going to repaint the exterior of my old house. The existing cladding is painted fibre-cement weatherboards. Which type of paint will be most suitable/durable for this type of cladding?

A. Both Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen and Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss are excellent topcoat options. The difference being the sheen level. Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen being a low sheen will hide more surface imperfections (please note this is the same paint used in our testpots if you like this finish). Resene Sonyx 101 being a semi-gloss will highlight slightly more imperfections because of the higher sheen but will be marginally more cleanable than low sheen finishes.

Please note any bare patches of exposed fibre cement board will be to be spot primed before topcoating with solventborne Resene Sureseal.

August 2023

Q. What is the difference between Resene Uracryl 404 (low sheen) and Uracryl 402 (semi-gloss) in terms of durability? Or are they the same?

A. Durability is the same. Cleanability will be better with the higher sheen level (semi-gloss) than the low sheen.

August 2023

Q. I wish to paint my steel shed. I have jet washed it to remove algae and mould and there is no rust. Since the surface is generally in good order which paint product(s) should I use?

A. We recommend the below system - treat any moss and mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Water blasting alone will only remove visible mould and not the spores that are not visible to the naked eye. Once dry, apply one coat of Resene Galvo One followed by two topcoats of your desired colour in Resene Summit Roof Semi-Gloss.

August 2023

Q. From experience is putting salt on the anti-slip coating a good idea? I have a deck that’s icing over in this weather.

A. We don’t have experience with salt on non-skid coatings. If you did want to go ahead, we would advise a trial area for a few weeks first, and that the salt would need to be thoroughly removed between applications.

August 2023

Q. I'm having several new rendered masonry walls built to match an existing wall. Can you also recommend primer and topcoat products most appropriate for the new rendered area?

A. Our standard recommendation for a new (less than 30 days) good condition masonry wall is one coat of Resene Limelock followed by three topcoats of Resene X-200 weathertight membrane.

August 2023

Q. I am painting my rusted steel tube scaffolding frames with two brush coats of Resene ArmourZinc 110. How much Resene Thinner No.11 can I add?

A. You can thin up to a maximum of 10%. Depending on the temperature where you are I'd start with 3% and increase as needed.

August 2023

Q. I had a professional painter paint my house in a dark colour. Within days of application the paint blistered. The painter offered to redo it if I paid for replacement paint, which we did. Sadly, within days the paint had blistered again. We decided that the paint was too dark.

A. There a number of reason paint coatings can blister however for the coating to blister very quickly after application, it would indicate that the coating may have been affected by environmental coatings at time of application – or possibly an issue with the older existing underlying coatings.

We have representatives who can visit site to give advice on issues – typically in conjunction with the painter involved as they are responsible for the work carried out and resolving issue that arise.

August 2023

Q. We have a lightweight fibre cement letterbox and want to change the colour. It comes pre coloured so we would need to prime and topcoat it.

A. We recommend the below system. Clean and treat any moss and mould present with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Once dry, apply one coat of solventborne Resene Sureseal, followed by three coats of Resene X-200 weathertight membrane.

August 2023

Q. We built our home five years ago with a weatherboard exterior. We have had issues with our house and moisture coming in which we have been told an additional weatherboard needs to be added to the bottom of the whole house. The insurer has said just the added board would be repainted and we are not happy as we believe after five years the house would've faded and that the new paint is going to be a different colour. A local painter in our area has come and taken a look and he agrees the colour will not match. What is your opinion?

A. It is likely especially on the north facing side that the colours will not match due to fading.

Depending which topcoat you used previously you could test this by cleaning the existing paint thoroughly then comparing to a Resene testpot of your colour. The testpots contain Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

To reiterate, after five years the colour will not be an exact match against new paint, as the existing coating has been exposed to weathering and U.V. and will have faded and chalked.

August 2023

Q. Could you advise the correct procedure for painting Axon Panel? We intend to finish it with Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

A. For Axon panel we recommend, for new (less than three months, since installation) apply one coat of Resene Concrete Primer. Or for old apply one coat of solventborne Resene Sureseal. Then apply two topcoats.

August 2023

Q. We are painting the exterior of our house and have been advised we need to use Decramastic paint on the monolithic cladding. Does Decramastic paint come in any Resene colour or am I restricted to a certain colour range?

A. Is this paint coating you have been recommended a specific council or building requirement?

For monolithic cladding our usual recommendation for topcoating is Resene X-200 which is a weathertight membrane. The primer/undercoat needed is dependent on the age of cladding and any repairs that may have been completed.

The colour selection is fairly large, most Resene colours except the bright greens, reds, yellows etc. The colour choice may be reduced if you have a cladding warranty that has colour or LRV (light reflectance value) restrictions that you need to follow.

August 2023

Q. I need advice on a paint system and prep process for an old 1911 school building with Matai - Totara weatherboards.

A. I would recommend starting with a lead test for the current coating and ensuring there is no lead present. We have free in-store service if you can bring some paint flakes in. Otherwise, we also sell take-home kits. It's best to test many samples from different areas too (weatherboards and windows).

If there is no lead:

Next, I would remove the existing coating thoroughly and treat any moss and mould present with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Ensure the boards are thoroughly dry (it’s best to do this in the warmer months if possible). Prime with one coat of Resene Quick Dry followed by two topcoats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in your desired colour.

Please consider using Resene CoolColour technology if you plan to use a medium to dark colour choice.

If there is lead, you may be best to contact a professional painter to assist.

August 2023

Q. I'm going to paint some black numbers on the side of my house (house numbers). The house is stucco and the house colour is Resene Half Mountain Mist. I'm going to paint the numbers in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen Black to match a fence right next to the house.

I am thinking about people trying to read the numbers at night and I wondered if Resene FX Nightlight on top of the black painted numbers would work? I suspect it would make the black numbers yellowish during the day?

A. You are correct applying Resene FX Nightlight over black will have a slight milky affect.

FX Nightlight glows brightest when the lights are first turned out and then gradually wanes after being in the dark for about two hours. The more paint you apply, the stronger the effect.

August 2023

Q. I have solid render (sand and cement) over my fireplace and pizza oven. It's 7 days old. I plan to use Resene Limelock as the sealer but I wonder if you can suggest a matt black paint that can handle a bit of heat which I could use for the topcoats?

The bulk of the oven and fire are okay heat wise, but at the front of the oven ‘above the bricks’ and above the top of the fire front this is where it will get hot, you can hold your hand there but it is hot.

A. Resene Limelock is recommended if you coat the oven before 30 days, any time after this we recommend changing to solventborne Resene Sureseal.

The most popular option for your topcoat would be Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen, which is an acrylic standard paint systems. For any high temp paint options we have, the surface needs to be much hotter than this for these types of coatings to cure.

August 2023

Q. I am going to repaint the exterior of my old house. The existing cladding is painted fibre-cement weatherboards. Which type of paint will be most suitable/durable for this type of cladding – Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101?

A. Both Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen and Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss are excellent topcoat options. The difference being the sheen level.

Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen being a low sheen will hide more surface imperfections, Please note this is the same paint used in our testpots if you l like this finish.

Resene Sonyx 101 being a semi-gloss will highlight slightly more imperfections because of the higher sheen, but will be marginally more cleanable than a low sheen finish.

Please note any bare patches of exposed fibre cement board will need to be spot primed before topcoating with solventborne Resene Sureseal.

August 2023

Q. We are looking to paint galvanised steel with a two part epoxy paint. The steel we are painting is external. Can you confirm what the best product to use would be, and what the product warranty is when installed by a qualified painter?

A. Our standard recommendation, dependent on the condition of the substrate, council regulations etc, is Resene Armourcote 210 (if spraying) or Resene Armourcote 221 (if brushing and rolling), followed with a topcoat of Resene Uracryl 402.

August 2023

Q. We have a beach cottage which is right on the beach on the West Coast. As a result, everything we put into/onto our cottage must be suitable for marine/extreme/high wind conditions. We did some renovations approx two years ago and because we wanted top quality, we chose to use Resene paints on the exterior. Today, we were advised that there should have been other paints we should have used.

A. I can assure you that Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen is a very durable product for the exterior. Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen is a hardy exterior product, however, being a low sheen it is harder to wash down or naturally with rain so salt/debris will remain for longer periods of time.

Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss or Resene Hi-Glo gloss are similar for their hardy and durable finish. Being both higher in gloss means they can be rainwashed easier and cleaned easier with a hose and brush.

Wild weather (your location) will always impact longevity of any paint product.

Using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash and a bristle brush every 6-12 months will remove salt deposits/debris so the paint will last a bit longer - no matter the sheen.

You can continue using Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or you can paint over using Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Hi-Glo if you want to change sheen levels.

July 2023

Q. I have used this service before and it’s been fabulous (thanks). I want to know about painting a building block wall. It’s just the back wall not the stone sides. It’s covered on the inside by a courtyard, so it’s dry. I already have some Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen paint ready to go. Do I have to seal it first or can I just paint a few coats of black paint?

A. If the block wall is currently uncoated then you can proceed easily. There may be a clear coating applied. This is easy to figure out. Flick water drops on the concrete block. If the water beads then there is a sealer on there. If the water sits but then soaks in leaving a wet mark behind then there is usually no existing coating.

Wash down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Apply three coats of Resene X-200 in accordance to the data sheet.

Or, as you already have Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen, apply one coat of Resene Concrete Primer and two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

July 2023

Q. Is there an additive for Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen to enable painting outside at lower temperatures, such as 10-12 degrees?

A. Yes, there is an additive it is called Resene Wintergrade Additive.

Please note you should only dose the amount you need at the time rather than the whole pail, and the temperature range it can be used with is 5-10 degrees Celsius. We do not recommend it is used in temperatures over 10 degrees Celsius.

July 2023

Q. I have concrete block walls that have had a cement plaster applied. There are some rougher areas around window edges (where tramlines were removed) and on walls (where channelling had to be done for electricity). The result I have is a very patchy and non-inform surface. I was thinking of replastering, but wondering if your Resene Sandtex would create a more uniform surface by hiding the imperfections (how much can the Resene Sandtex disguise?). I like the slightly rougher finish of the cement plaster, but just want to get a more uniform finish - especially when the light hits it at an angle.

A. Resene Sandtex can definitely help this to look more uniform, we do have some other options that have a larger grit, such as Resene Resitex which comes in standard, medium and course. It could be worth a trip to your nearest Resene ColorShop to look at the different finishes and choose one that matches the rest of the house best.

July 2023

Q. We are trying to repaint the exterior stucco of a heavily textured 1930s house. When I removed flaking paint with a stiff brush and painted an undercoat to stabilise it the coatings kept falling away. I’m not sure how to proceed without stripping all the paint off the wall!

A. You will need to remove this.

The best way to remove is a low pressure water blast and a scraper for any slightly tougher areas. You can use sandpaper to smooth any rough edges. Failing that a paint stripper is the next best thing but hopefully won't be necessary.

You may need a masonry filler for any large cracks, such as Multistop available from Resene ColorShops.

Once repairs are done I'd try and wait for better but more importantly warmer weather to really allow everything to dry out.

You can then use this paint system:

Treat any moss and mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer.

Wash with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash to remove any chalking, windblown sea salts and the like.

Apply one coat solventborne Resene Sureseal.

Then apply three topcoats of Resene X-200 low sheen in your desired colour. This topcoat will also fill any hairline cracks up to 1mm wide.

July 2023

Q. We are building a SheShed and the painting specifications state LRV over 40%. The colour palette for this doesn't suit my partner (who wanted Resene Forest Green 14%) and I was wondering if you could advise any wood stain options that would meet this criteria?

A. LRVs are particularly difficult to determine from semi-transparent finishes such as wood stains. Light travelling through these finishes gets absorbed and/or is reflected by the underlying timber. Hence, a stain applied over Pine will also have a substantially higher LRV than the same stain applied over, say Kwila. This is why there is not a standard LRV provided for wood stain colours.

You could have a discussion with SheShed about using Resene CoolColour technology. This does not change the LRV but lowers the TSR (total solar reflectance).

July 2023

Q. We have a cedar weatherboard house, stained (not painted) many years ago in a cream colour - stain is now heavily deteriorated. What process would you advise to paint (not stain) the house?

A. The existing stain will have to be stripped before painting with a solid paint as painting over the stain may well result in continued loss of adhesion due to failure of the stain from the surface. Following stripping back to bare timber the paint system would be a coat of Resene Wood Primer and two coats of any Resene exterior acrylic. If using a dark coloured topcoat we strongly recommend applying the Resene CoolColour version of the finish colour. If removal of the stain reveals any grey areas then treat these with Resene TimberLock following the label directions before priming.

Re-staining is easier and requires just new stain. Ensure surface is clean and dry – you’re ready to go.

Brushing stain is effective in getting the stain to penetrate the timber more so than spray applied. Going for a darker colour will put more stress on the timber and you may see more warping, cracking and other issues in the next few years. If you were to choose a darker colour, consider using the Resene CoolColour technology to help reflect more heat.

July 2023

Q. We like the Resene Charred Black colour but are not sure can it be used on James Hardie Linea oblique weatherboards. Can it be used or if not what can we use instead? We are thinking a low sheen finish.

A. Resene Charred Black is a stain colour and only recommended for timber. A low sheen exterior paint option would be Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

This is available in almost all Resene colours. If considering a dark colour please consider using Resene CoolColour technology to reduce heat-related issues (this does not eliminate all risks associated with dark colours) and double-check if the Linea is still under warranty from the supplier that they don’t have colour restrictions in place that you may void when using a dark colour.

July 2023

Q. We are about to repaint our house using Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen CoolColour exterior paint in FlaxPod.

The old owners used a low sheen acrylic. We are not sure if they undercoated prior to painting this. It doesn’t look like they have.

What would be the best approach to repainting this? Are we ok to just put the Resene paint over top or would you recommend we use Resene Quick Dry undercoat first?

A. Depending on the colour of the existing paint, a coat of Resene Quick Dry will help the CoolColour aspect of your paint work to its fullest potential.

If the original coating has not had a primer-sealer placed underneath the coating, applying a coat of Resene Quick Dry over the top will not help with adhesion to the substrate. The primer/sealer that touches the bare substrate is responsible for the adhesion of all following paint systems placed over the top.

There are risks when changing colour to a darker colour and adding more layers to the build-up of paint coatings, and these risks are increased if there is a lack of proper preparation or adhesion primers used originally.

The safest option if you believe no primers have been used is to remove the existing coating back to bare or perform an adhesion test.

July 2023

Q. I have Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen which I intend to use on a recently built wooden fence. Can you advise me on whether I should prime/undercoat prior to applying Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen topcoats?

A. Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen is self-priming for new pine timber less than six months old. A three coat system is recommended for 'film thickness' and longevity of the coating.

If you prefer to use a primer we recommend one Resene Quick Dry followed by two topcoats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

If you are using a dark colour with Resene CoolColour technology, the second option above is best to get the most benefit from the CoolColour.

July 2023

Q. I have unprimed dressed Accoya to be used as an exterior screen. Can you please advise what coating system to use? Accoya talk about a resin bleed blocker and anti-fungal. The colour will be Resene Friar Greystone.

A. We recommend one coat of Resene Wood Primer followed by two topcoats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss.

July 2023

Q. We have Shadowclad timber exterior cladding that we want to paint grey. It has previously been stained. What is the recommended paint for prep/undercoat and topcoats? Also will the previous stain bleed through the paint? Unfortunately I do not know what stain was used. This would have been done a very long time ago, at least over 15 years ago before we bought the house.

Would we be able to paint a test patch to see if it can be painted? For example, if we paint over the stain, would issues arise immediately or would problems come up in the future years, in which a test patch would be of no use now?

A. The best method to test for this is to find a small section of stain that is out of the way and apply one coat of Resene Wood Primer and leave for 24 hours and then check to see if it has dried and hardened.

It's best to add the primer to a section of stain that is unweathered and has some colour or even some shine on it. If the primer dries correctly, it is unlikely it is an unpaintable stain (mineral oil) and then I can walk you through a paint system.

July 2023

Q. I'm designing a barn and the intention is to clad the walls with 12mm CCA Ecoply plywood. This will be painted black and then decorative rough-sawn NZ Oregon planks will be attached over the plywood to get a rustic look. What I'm asking for is the best paint system for this type of application?

A. The paint system we recommend for CCA Ecoply Plywood is one coat of Resene Wood Primer followed by two topcoats of either Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss, in Resene CoolColour tinted to which ever black or off black you decide.

Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen is the most popular option. Popular off black colours are Resene Element and Resene Blackjack.

Please note, the use of Resene Cool Colour technology helps to reduce heat build-up but does not eliminate it. These is a risk or heat relation issues that are associated with dark colour choices, such as cupping, warping, blistering.

July 2023

Q. Is it OK to paint weatherboards in cold weather? What is the minimum outside temp we can paint outside in?

Is it true if you apply a darker colour like grey on top of existing old paint it might bubble up later due to the possibility of lead based paints applied long ago. My house is built in 1969 -70. When we bought this 20 years ago outside was painted white. About 10 years ago we changed it to an off white. Now we are thinking of a shade of grey. Do you see any issues?

A. There are risks with painting in cold weather but you can paint over winter. Standard waterborne paint cannot be applied at temperatures below 10 degrees or when the temperature is liable to drop during the drying period. If the weather is expected to be cooler you can add Resene Wintergrade Additive to many paints to enable them to dry at lower temperatures.

A darker colour applied over an existing light colour, has the risk of absorbing more heat and adding strain to the original coatings, As the new paint finish will still be dependent on the original adhesion primer than is many layers down and many years old. It is hard to say if the old primer will cope with extra layers, and the increased heat absorption from a dark colour. All dark colours carry a risk of heat-related issues like bubbling and timber movement. The use of Resene CoolColour technology will help to reduce some risk but will not eliminate it.

Lead-based paint can become brittle over time and again can lose adhesion as more coats are applied.

May 2023

Q. I am going to repaint my stucco exterior at the end of the year. It was last done five years ago. Firstly, is that the right time frame to repaint? Also, would I need only one coat as it has already been done? I will be using Resene X-200.

A. Resene X-200 is a great choice. We recommend two coats of any repaints. Resene X-200 can fill any hairline cracks that may have formed since the last coat. If you come across any cracks larger than this, please let us know and we can provide extra instructions.

Christmas is a good time, when the weather is behaving. It's good to choose a day without forecasted rain and try to paint out of direct sunlight. Between the hours of 9am until 3pm at that time of year is the safest. A small amount of air movement on the day is optimal.

May 2023

Q. I purchased 10 L of Resene Sonyx 101 Coriander house paint to begin the repaint of our house. Given the high UV in NZ we decided to get a CoolColour tint.

I have only just found out about U and Z CoolColour tints. My understanding now is that a U tint is used with Resene Coriander.

We are repainting so the base paint will be mainly washed and lightly sanded Resene Tallow and a light grey. These were applied from about 2002 to 2005. These paints are in reasonably good condition except on the north side wall. There are some small patches of bare wood that we would paint using a Resene white solventbased undercoat plus a waterbased white primer/undercoat on some patches of the Tallow and grey.

With the above paint bases are we on the right track to apply Coriander with a U tint CoolColour? Resene staff have suggested an entire undercoat in a white primer/undercoat, however, I thought I would maybe just undercoat in white the North side of the house and over paint the tallow and grey on the remainder of the house (some of which I have already overpainted).

Also can you advise whether overcoating with Resene Clearcoat UVS (for added UV protection) would fit anywhere in the above picture.

Thank you. We love the Resene Coriander colour.

A. I’m glad to hear you went with a CoolColour formula, the UV in NZ is high. Resene Coriander has an LRV (Light reflectance value ) of 53% which is on the safer side of heat-related issues, but the use of Resene CoolColour will reduce this risk even further.

If you painted your topcoat without CoolColours, the topcoat is the coating that is absorbing all the InfraRed heat from the sun (IR).

When you use CoolColour technology, the topcoat allows the InfraRed heat to pass through it, and the coating underneath is the coating that is now responsible for having a high LRV reflection percentage so more of the heat can reflect off and move away from the surface.

It is, for this reason, a white basecoat such as a coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat because white has an LRV percentage of nearly 100%, which helps a lot of heat move away from the coating.

I would definitely recommend doing what you suggested and add a white coat to the north side of the home, and personally I would do this to the Tallow coloured areas too.

Depending on the light grey, and if it is significantly lighter than Coriander, applying a white coat over it will still aid in getting benefit from the CoolColour technology.

In regards to a coat of Resene Clearcoat UVS, I don’t feel this will add much value to a colour like Resene Coriander. It is mainly used on bright colours susceptible to fading. It is also a full gloss finish and could change the look of the home or add more glare.

May 2023

Q. I am painting a new home cladding in Weathertex. The colour is Windsor Grey and the surface is textured rough sawn. What paint do you recommend?

A. We recommend priming with one coat of Resene Wood Primer (oil based) followed by two topcoats of either Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss.

Resene Lumbersider is a more popular option on rough sawn. It is ideal when possible, to prime and add the first topcoat before installation.

Windsor Grey being a dark colour we would highly recommend the use of Resene CoolColour technology. This helps to reduce some of the heat related risks. Some cladding suppliers have colour (LRV) restrictions, it would be worth checking if your colour choice may impact your cladding warranty.

May 2023

Q. I am renovating my house and would like to paint the exterior. Our house is a 1960s weatherboard home and as part of the renovation the back exterior wall only has new weatherboard timber that has been pre-primed with Resene True Prime (from factory). I went into a Resene ColorShop and was told that they usually advise to strip back the factory priming and start again, is this true?

A. If it’s within three months of installation Resene True Prime is absolutely fine to be left as the primer and topcoats can be applied directly to it.

If it’s over three months, we recommend a quick wash down and recoating with one coat of Resene Wood Primer, then apply the topcoats. Removal of the Resene True Prime is not necessary at any time.

May 2023

Q. I brought a cabin building. They told me it was waterproof which it isn't, it’s leaking through the knots in the inside of the building when it rains hard. We are not going to paint this. Can you please recommend a good stain that seals?

A. Unfortunately, a stain will not make this shed weathertight nor waterproof. We can recommend a stain from our range that will protect the timber from U.V that has anti-fungal properties, but it will not solve this issue for you.

A timber cladding supplier may be able to assist in recommending a clear resin to fill the gaps the rain is travelling through.

May 2023

Q. I need to repaint vertically hung zincalume. It had white rust, cleaned off by hand with a nylon pad then applied one coat Resene Galvo One then two coats of Resene Summit Roof. This lasted six months before we got white rust bubbling. What should I try next?

A. This problem is unlikely to ever be solved with a paint coating as once underfilm corrosion occurs all we can do is treat it and slow it down.

We recommend removing the existing coating and power tool clean the surface, e.g. 3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc, taking care not to damage either the substrate or the surrounding areas.

Once the surface is prepared, prime with Resene Armourzinc 110, followed by a coat of Resene Galvo One, followed by two topcoats of Resene Summit Roof Semi-Gloss.

During the prep stage if red rust is discovered, please advise as we can revise the recommended coating system if needed.

May 2023

Q. We want to paint under the eaves of my house white. The eaves have mould. Is there a mould resistant paint and any good solutions to prep eaves before repainting?

A. We recommend treating the mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer, followed by two topcoats of either Resene Sonyx semi-gloss or Resene Hi-Glo gloss. Moss and mould growth is due to the environment. Resene primers and topcoats have anti-fungal properties and having a smoother surface like a semi-gloss or gloss finish will help to reduce the ability to grow.

May 2023

Q. I have barge boards that are flaking and worn back to bare wood. What would be the coatings that would be best for this? I know that I have to sand back these surfaces before painting which will expose more raw timber, but need a solution for the painting of these.

A. It would be best to strip back the existing coating back if possible. Otherwise sand all flaking and loose areas and then feather the edges with some sandpaper will be the next best solution.

Once sanded back, wipe off all sanding dusts, apply one coat of primer, use Resene Quick Dry if the timber is pine, matai, totara or Resene Wood Primer if the timber is cedar, kwila or rimu. Then apply two topcoats. Resene Waterborne Lumbersider Low Sheen is our most popular option for this, but we do have different sheen levels such as semi-gloss Resene Sonyx 101 available if you prefer.

March 2023

Q. Our large 30 year old house is (predominantly) clad with cedar weatherboards that have never been stained or painted. We need to do some work to preserve these and are unsure of the most cost and time effective option. We prefer the look of stain, but don’t want to have to reapply this in a few years’ time.

A. It sounds like paint is going to be the best option for you.

Paint is more work upfront but doesn’t require as much maintenance as a stain. If the house is large, it may require scaffolding if it happens to be two storeys high, which is a big cost and not something you'd want to pay for every second year.

Stain, being a semi-transparent coating, is regarded as a high-maintenance product that does require less time and effort (plus cost) up front, but does need an additional coat added every two summers, as the stain is designed to erode and will need to be 'topped up' to provide the best protection.

March 2023

Q. I have a strawbale house and it needs a recoat. Can you please advise if Resene paints are suitable for exterior strawbale walls?

A. We do have many waterbased acrylic exterior paints that would be suitable. These have Environmental Choice approval, are flexible coatings and very low VOC (volatile organic compounds). Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen is our most popular option.

March 2023

Q. What type of paint should I use when painting new fibrolite on my soffits? Do I need an undercoat?

A. Apply one coat of Resene Sureseal solventborne, followed by two topcoats of acrylic paint such as Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss waterborne paint.

March 2023

Q. We are spray painting the exterior of a new build clad with Hardies Stria. We masked all the windows with plastic sheet, applied a coat of Resene Quick Dry primer and went home. When we managed to return a few days later we found a storm had destroyed the masking and all the over-spray on the masking had come off and got itself stuck onto every surface of the house - glass, powdercoat aluminium joinery and COLORSTEEL®. It is very difficult to remove and we are concerned we will damage the powdercoat finish. Could you please recommend the best method to remove the primer?

A. We recommend using, 'Latex paint remover spray'. Our Resene ColorShops have this in stock. Please complete a trial patch first.

March 2023

Q.Is it acceptable to spray paint exterior weatherboards? How do you measure the correct coverage?

A. Yes, it is, provided the correct amount of paint is applied to gain the correct film thickness.

There are two ways to check this. The first is by using a wet film gauge. This is the tool that measures the wet paint build-up.

See this presentation that has more information on paint coverage.

Or the most popular option is to work out how many litres per coat are needed and make sure that amount is used at the time.

Our labels tell you how many square meters the paint covers per litre. Resene Lumbersider for example covers 12 square metres per litre (please allow for things like texture, grooves and corrugation). Take your area to cover in square metres for example 50 square metres, divide by the coverage 12 = 4.16 litres needed per coat.

Then you can use our handy paint calculator to tell you how many litres you need to use.

March 2023

Q. Can I use any external paint over Resene Galvo-Prime? I am ready to topcoat a scaffolding plank that I have primed.

A. Yes, any Resene exterior topcoat can be applied over Resene Galvo-Prime.

March 2023

Q. We are planning on doing a DIY paint job for the exterior of the house. We have a monolithic home with a few cracks and saw a good product from Resene for getting this done. Can you just roll the paint straight on or do you have to fill cracks, prime and then do a million layers?

A. Treat any moss and mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer and wash the house down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash.

Fill any hairline cracks with the below depending on the width of the crack:

• Resene Brushable Crack Filler - for cracks up to 2mm wide, be sure to brush the filler across the cracks to work the product into the crack (this does require a primer after application, topcoat can be applied direct)
• Rockcote Multi-Stop for any cracks larger than this. (This option does require one coat of Resene Sureseal on top before topcoating).

Then apply two topcoats of Resene X-200 in your desired colour.

March 2023

Q. I have a cedar weatherboard home and have used Resene Ironsand CoolColour to repaint (was sealed first). Then two topcoats. How many years do you advise before a repaint? The house faces north west and has no trees around it so sunny except for the south side.

A. There are many variables that can change the lifetime of a paint system, a rough idea for your colour on exterior cedar cladding is approximately 8 years with a yearly clean.

March 2023

Q. Can Resene Lumbersider paint work over silicon sealer long term? It has painted over ok but I want to know if this will wear off over time?

A. It depends on the silicone, if it is one that is paintable and if it recommends a primer undercoat first or if acrylic can be applied directly. If it's been coated for a few days and adhered well then it sounds like you shouldn’t run into any trouble.

March 2023

Q. Can you paint Resene Summit Roof Commercial Spray Grade CoolColour onto a prepainted block wall and if so what prep is required?

A. Yes, it can, though it does have to be sprayed and not rolled or brushed. The block wall will need to be clean and free of any moss and mould. Any bare patches of block that are exposed will need one coat of Resene Sureseal, followed by Resene Summit Roof Commercial applied by spray.

March 2023

Q. What preparation and paint do I need to coat 100mm PVC downpipes?

A. PVC does not require a primer. Once clean you can coat with any exterior acrylic, such as Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen, Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Hi-Glo.

March 2023

Q. I've got an exterior concrete wall covered with Parchem Mulseal Plus to waterproof it. The product specifications advises to finish it by painting "with a bitumen compatible emulsion paint (paints containing organic solvents are not suitable as the solvent may attack the bitumen content of Mulseal". What would be the best product for this?

A. Resene does not have any testing data against this product, however, based on their guidelines from the product safety data sheet. We recommend: apply one coat of Resene Membrane Primer followed by two topcoats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. We do recommend completely a trial patch, before committing to the entire area.

March 2023

Q. I have a house which was remodelled in the 1950s with a lime based plaster on the outside. I normally repaint this with a breathable paint to allow moisture to pass through both ways. Does Resene have a suitable paint for this type of rough cast outdoor?

A. Treat any moss and mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer and clean with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash. To recoat we recommend two coats of Resene AquaShield, which is our most breathable paint coating. It is a beautiful mineral effect flat finish.

March 2023

Q. I have begun to paint the weatherboards on an old villa. I have only done the front door area and have noticed with the rain it's started to cry. Is another coat required?

A. This sounds like surfactant leaching. It is common especially if there wasn't a lot of air movement, high humidity, it was painted close to dew point or a rain shower. This is when the surfactants come out if the paint as it dries and instead of floating and dispersing from the surface like normal, they stay sitting on the surface.

Please use Resene Paint Prep and Housewash or soapy water to wash down the areas that are affected and after 1-2 washes (most cases one) they will be removed. Please note these are in no way damaging the paint surface, they just look undesirable.

February 2023

Q. What do I use to paint over creosote on the outside wall of our house?

A. To paint, we recommend cleaning with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash, followed by one coat of Resene Sureseal (oil based). Next apply two topcoats of either Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101 (semi-gloss).

February 2023

Q. Our house is an old villa and the weatherboards are probably a native timber. We are exposed to a lot of sun. We would like to paint the house a charcoal grey colour. Any thoughts.

A. Applying a dark colour to any exterior but especially timber can have heat-related issues and increased board movement. The use of Resene CoolColour technology doesn’t eliminate but does reduce heat-related risks.

A concern I would like to raise - If the villa has many layers of paint coatings on it already, we will always recommend the complete removal of the existing coating back to bare timber. The adhesion primer of the original coatings are usually very old and already has stress built up after many paint layers. The use of a darker colour than the existing colour will increase this risk significantly.

Lead can be in the coatings of older homes and you will need to test for that before you start removing the paint.

February 2023

Q. Our build was interrupted by covid lockdown and we are just getting into it again. One wall has Ecoply on it and has not been covered by the exterior ply so has been left uncovered for over a year thus nullifying any guarantee. My question is, does Resene have a product that can be applied to this Ecoply to give it a good degree of protection before the outer ply is put over it?

A. Treat any mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Once thoroughly dry, apply one coat of Resene Wood Primer followed by two topcoats of Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss, in white or a light colour (we do not recommend a dark-toned colour).

February 2023

Q. I am using Resene waterborne low sheen in black on MDF cladding and even though I have ‘laid off’ I can still see lines in certain light. The MDF was primed and lightly sanded etc.

A. It is very frustrating when it doesn’t look right! It sounds like it may be drying a bit fast and there’s possibly not enough paint on the roller sleeve.

I suggest you add Resene Hot Weather Additive to Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen to slow the drying time down – this will give you more work time. Also using the correct sleeve will help with paint pick up - the #7 sleeve is a great option.

January 2023

Q. I have some Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss I would like to de-gloss to a low sheen finish. If this possible what is the best way to go about it?

A. Unfortunately, there is no way to change the gloss level of paint. You could either just use Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or apply a clear coat of Resene Concrete Clear Satin over the Resene Sonyx 101 to make it less shiny.

January 2023

Q. What exterior paint would you use to paint a villa near the sea? What primer/undercoat would you use? We may use Resene Grey Friars for part of it.

A. Near the sea the better options are using a glossier finish such as Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss or Resene Hi-Glo gloss.

We would recommend using the Resene CoolColour™ version of Resene Grey Friars to increase the heat reflection of the colour. The CoolColour version of a colour has greater near infra-red reflection and does not retain as much heat compared to the same colour made using no cool pigments. The use of a CoolColour version does not however mean that the cool colour paint will be cool to touch.

We recommend a white basecoat (Resene Quick Dry) to achieve maximum heat reflection so your existing colour will give this. However the adhesion of the existing paint is the variable that we cannot assess. Application of dark colours will place stress on an existing paint system. Application of a CoolColour will reduce but not eliminate stress associated with application of a dark coloured topcoat.

You will need to thoroughly wash down all areas prior to painting using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash. As this is a larger project I suggest washing only the areas next to be painted first as salts will be windblown almost immediately.

Assuming the current timber substrates/existing paintwork are in good condition a simple application of Resene Quick Dry followed by two coats of either Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Hi-Glo.

If there is any rust on nail heads, sand this back using a 3m scrubber and spot prime using Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primer.

January 2023

Q. Do you have any information on how to apply Resene Resitex Plastercote? Is it a paint or do you paint over it?

A. Resene Resitex Plastercote is a finishing product and can be tinted to selected colours from our range. It must be spray applied using a hopper gun with a base coat of Resene Resitex Anchorcoat (as the product is very thick it is heavy and this helps stability).

January 2023

Q. We have a 610gsm white PVC container shelter that we need to paint. What would be best (most durable) to paint on the PVC fabric?

A. The PVC fabric has more flex than any paint system would be able to withstand. You could try Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in a testpot to see if it lasts. Acrylic paint such as Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen can be directly applied but I do not believe a paint system will be a long term solution.

January 2023

Q. I have an early 90s stucco home with an existing membrane paint that is flaking. There is also a few areas with small bubbles. I had planned to clean up the flaking in these areas and seal with Resene Sureseal before applying Resene X-200, but when I peel back the existing paint it keeps coming to the point I have very large parts removed still with slight lifting on the edges. There appears to be an old powdery coating in some areas also. Just wondering how far I need to go with removing the old coatings (I assume a membrane paint comes away a lot easier than a standard paint) and if the Resene Sureseal as a primers is the correct way to go to seal it all before coating with Resene X-200.

A. Unfortunately, this is going to be a larger project. All paintwork that is not sound i.e. lifting at the edges, coming away, blistering, needs to be fully removed back to a sound surface. If not, new paint that is applied can cause tension and bubble off the older paintwork. If some of the older membrane is left on, you will see surface imperfections and over time the older paint could lift at the edges causing water ingress.

Resene Sureseal will be the correct sealer to use once the older paint membrane is removed. From there you have options of topcoat of a weathertight membrane Resene X-200 or acrylic topcoats such as Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101.

Where the powdery areas are, wash down to remove.

January 2023

Q. I am looking at painting lead roof flashings to help protect them. They are fading, splitting and cracking in some places but other areas are good.

A. Thoroughly wash down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash to remove white staining. Once clean, apply one full coat of Resene Vinyl Etch followed by two full coats of Resene Summit Roof semi-gloss paint in desired colour.

January 2023

Q. I have a cedar-clad house that has been painted in a Resene CoolColour some time ago. In our forthcoming house renovation we want to considerably lighten the cladding colour to a much lighter grey like say Athens Grey. How can we go about this lightening process and what amount of coats do you think will be needed to achieve this?

A. After a good wash down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash to remove any dirt and debris you can either apply Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss, 2-3 coats depending on coverage. If there are any areas of concern, fill and repair and apply one full coat of Resene Quick Dry Primer undercoat in lieu of the third topcoat.

January 2023

Q. I want a durable paint system for Ecoply cladding for a project. The Ecoply will then sit under a further protective cladding layer (like a rainscreen). I was looking at Resene X-200. As the ply is under another screen it is UV and rain protected, however I need something on the ply that requires minimal to no maintenance.

A. We recommend using a white or as light as possible colour to help prevent heat build-up that causes heat related issues. The plywood supplier often have their own regulations around LRV that we recommend are followed.

Prime using one coat of Resene Quick Dry and apply two topcoats in Resene X-200.

Plywood is known to ‘check' causing problems in the paint coating when the movement cracks the paint surface. Resene X-200 is fantastic at filling these cracks once it has happened, but it will not prevent this from happening. It is a characteristic of the timber.

December 2022

Q. I've just finished painting a new build using your Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen CoolColour on a Enduroclad board and batten system. The council inspector has asked for the following: 'Formal acceptance/certificate from paint supplier of black paint to timber plywood and battens, meets LRV requirements per the NZBC.'

For background I'm an owner-builder doing a one off build, any help you can give me here would be greatly appreciated.

A. It is up to the substrate manufacturer to determine the LRV ratings for their product – not the paint coating company.

On page 10 of Enduroclad’s specs it has it loosely outlined.

December 2022

Q. I wish to repaint an existing house clad with plaster over polystyrene. The house is two storey. Although there are some fine hair cracks the paint system (I assume it's an acrylic paint) is in good condition. I'm thinking of using either the Resene X-200 or Resene X-300E paint system. The Resene X-300E system looks to be more high tech but is it more difficult to apply for a professional painter and what advantages does it have (if any)?

A. The most commonly used paint system for this type of cladding is Resene X-200. Resene X-300 is a high film build coating and is a little overkill on this type of project. A specialist applicator would be needed, and it is possible standard professional painters who don’t specialise in high build systems would struggle. Resene X-200 is much easier to apply and maintain, and in turn making it cheaper as it isn’t as high build and will cover further.

November 2022

Q. We are currently repainting our 1960 weatherboard home. Due to the condition of the paint we have removed all old paint (by heat gun), then sanded and used a Resene Quick Dry primer. We are now using Resene Sonyx 101 for two topcoats. This is being brushed on. We are not entirely happy with the end result as it appears patchy and there are heaps of brush marks. I am brushing in one direction and going back into the wet edge.

A. It sounds like the paint is drying to fast to keep an even wet edge and the paint is being slightly overworked (too many brushstrokes over the same area).

The ideal weather for painting, especially darker colours, is around 18 degrees and before the sun hits the area. Never paint in direct sun or in wind as the paint dries too fast.

You can add Resene Hot Weather Additive to Resene Sonyx 101. This is a retardant and will slow the drying time down to assist with the wet edge blending together and give the brushmarks a chance to flatten off.

Also, a good quality brush can help achieve a uniform finish. A brush like a 63mm or 75mm Legend Oval would be ideal.

You could do a light sand to smooth the brush marks and wipe off sanding dust before applying the last topcoat.

You could also consider a small roller in conjunction with your brush, this is especially effective if you have two people on the job, one cuts in under the weatherboard and the other comes along with a small roller The roller marks versus brush marks may disperse the light reflectance of the sheen level more evenly. Please note to remember to apply enough paint if you go this route as many people overspread (apply too thinly) the paint when using a roller. Make sure the width of your roller is more than the width of your weatherboard.

November 2022

Q. We have a mid-1970s plastic exterior cladding which is still in surprisingly decent condition. My experience with painting plastic in the automotive sector involves a lot of prep and a plastic adhesion promoter/primer before applying a flexible two pack primer. Since that is absolutely not practical in this case, what would you recommend prep-wise and what primer should go on?

A. Plastic weatherboards are made with the intention to never be painted. In the case of not having an exact substrate name, we recommend first doing an adhesion test on a small area before doing a complete paint.

Clean with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash. Apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat, please leave this to cure for around 5 to 7 days. After this time test the adhesion by scratching and by the adhesion test attached, if this is satisfactory continue. Followed by two topcoats of either Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss, we recommend sticking to a light colour to reduce stress and heat-related issues.

For the entire house paint, you can overcoat Resene Quick Dry after two hours (no need to wait the 5-7 days again). It will continue to cure under the topcoat colour.

If the results of the adhesion test are unsatisfactory, please let us know.

October 2022

Q. Eleven years ago the previous owner painted our house black, sadly I do not know what shade of black. The paint is fading and in need of a repaint and I would have liked to change to white but also believe covering black now has problems as friends of ours have had trying to do so. Does black come with a guarantee? Also this house is exposed to full sun all day and the exterior walls plus inside get very hot. The house is cedar planking.

A. Dark colours will chalk at a fast rate than lighter colours, and being near the sea, window-blown sea salts could also be creating a chalk look. Darker colours often require more washing than lighter to remove. We do not guarantee against colourfastness. Any new coating applied will be reliant on the original primer used and the additional coats will add more pressure and stress to the entire coating.

Change to white is an option and would reduce any heat-related issues, You could perform a test patch to address coverage concerns using one coat of Resene Quick Dry primer and two coats using a Resene testpot of any colour you are considering.

We do have CoolColour technology for our dark colours, that is much more popular now that it was 11 years ago. Please note the use of CoolColours can reduce some heat-related issues but not prevent them entirely. The colour will still heat up and CoolColours will not render the coating cool to touch.

Treat any moss and mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer and wash thoroughly using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash. Sand any areas that have been scratched or flaked and feather back the edges. Once dry spot prime any bare areas of cedar with Resene Wood Primer. Apply one coat over the entire area of Resene Quick Dry (this acts as the white base coat for CoolColour technology) followed by two topcoats of either Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101.

The lighter the colour the better. Most of our black or near-black colours are all within the same range for longevity and light reflectance and there is no major benefit to choosing one over the other.

October 2022

Q. I've been reading your article on how to paint cedar weatherboard. My current weatherboard cladding is exhibiting flaking from a previous coating done by tradie with a stain finish. I'm considering a Resene stain product but I'm not sure how to properly prep a flaking surface.

A. The flaking coating will have to be removed entirely before staining or painting. The flaking is due to a loss of adhesion and to paint over will only cause the new coating to flake too.

We wouldn’t expect a traditional stain to flake or peel, they are designed to erode. It sounds like you have a surface-forming stain which we don’t recommend outside because they are prone to flaking as you have described.

Sanding it all off completely is advised, or a water-based paint stripper may be a good option also using Sea to Sky paint stripper.

For cedar, I would recommend using Resene Woodsman Wood Oil, two coats now and a third coat a few summers from now and maintenance coats as needed. No primer needed, just apply the wood stain straight into the timber.

October 2022

Q. We have exterior steel cladding. The surface is powdery and the top of runs have rust pitting. Can you advise best products for cleaning prime and finish coats?

A. 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 Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label instructions Rinse clean or hose down with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution and surface chalk residues are removed.

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.

Prime sections or prepared steel with Resene ArmourZinc 110, then apply a full coat of Resene Pre-coated Steel Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Summit Roof topcoat colour.

June 2022

Q. I am going to be fitting Hardiflex sheet cladding to gable ends on my house – what are the best products to use to paint this cladding? One will have a plastic joiner.

A. Apply a primer coat of Resene Concrete Primer and then finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101. The plastic joiners will be PVC and can be painted with the same system, note that this is not a textured paint finish.

June 2022

Q. Our house is reinforced plaster system over cavity brick (ground floor) and lightweight concrete panels (first floor). It has a ten year old regularly washed paint finish in very good order but slightly faded.

A. Overall to achieve a weathertight paint finish we would recommend Resene X-200.

June 2022

Q. I have a wall at school that appears to lose its paint at the bottom of the sheets. This is the weather-side only as the rest of the building seems OK. What paint should I use.

A. To repair, sand back the failing areas to a sound feathered edge, including the underside of the boards. Prime bare substrate areas with Resene Sureseal then apply two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in your topcoat colour.

June 2022

Q. Can anodised aluminium wall corner flashings be painted with Resene paints? It will be new external flashing.

A. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Rinse clean or hose down with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution and surface chalk residues are removed.

Allow to dry then apply an adhesion coat of Resene Vinyl Etch followed by a coat of Resene Quick Dry then finish with two coats of a Resene exterior waterborne paint.

June 2022

Q. We have older Rimu bevelback weatherboards which have been stripped and sanded. What paint system do you recommend? The weatherboards are in good condition.

A. Ensure all stripping residues are removed according to the paint stripper manufacturer's instructions. Radius off sharp edges on the weatherboards by sanding. Apply a full coat of Resene Wood Primer and follow with a coat of Resene Quick Dry (as an undercoat) and finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in your topcoat colour. Use the Resene CoolColour version of the topcoat colour if selecting a dark colour. A Resene CoolColour system will not render the painted surface cool to touch, but the CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool pigment technology.

June 2022

Q. I am painting over a Linea house, built new 10 years ago. It has faded and has a powdery coating which cannot be removed using a waterblaster and scrubbing with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash. I’m not sure if the original painting was prepared properly or if more than one coat was applied. Originally I thought it was pollen but it seems to be only in areas exposed to direct sunlight. The colour used is Resene Zeus. I would like to repaint in a similar colour but am not sure whether the same thing would happen using a darkish colour.

A. We have seen this phenomenon on previous occasions, we believe the cause is migration of salts from the base Linea board.

Treat areas of moss/mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label/data sheet instructions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed. Scrub down using Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Rinse clean or hose down with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution and surface chalk residues are removed.

Apply a full coat of Resene Concrete Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. Use the Resene CoolColour version of the topcoat colour if selecting dark colours. A Resene CoolColour system will not render the painted surface cool to touch, but the CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool pigment technology.

June 2022

Q. I want to repaint the lower level of our house (bedrooms, bathroom, laundry) which has concrete block cladding. It was built in the mid-90s, and may not have been painted since then (we only bought the house last year so I'm not sure of the paint history). I've been looking at doing a coat of Resene Quick Dry primer followed by two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen but I've also been considering Resene X-200. I'm unsure if any of the darker spots need any prep work e.g. wirebrush, Resene Sureseal etc.

A. Our system to render blockwork weather tight is to apply three coats of Resene X-200.

June 2022

Q. What product do I use to paint concrete under a freestanding wood fire? It would probably need to be fire/heat resistant.

A. We have no coating system for this application that will give heat resistance and resistance to hot embers falling ono the concrete. Our suggestion would be to tile the concrete base.

June 2022

Q. I want to paint the outdoor soffits. Most of them are under the eaves of the house except above the garage door that goes up at an angle towards the apex of the roof (this part is more exposed to the weather). Which exterior acrylic paint would be more suitable? Semi-gloss or low-sheen?

A. We recommend Resene Sonyx 101 for this situation.

June 2022

Q. Our house is by the beach with a lot of strong winds and sea spray. Being in the South Island we also have quite some temperature variation. We have plywood soffits which we would like to protect. They are still in good nick. We want to do it right and do it once – to last a long time. Durability has TOP priority over aesthetics. What do you recommend?

A. If the soffits have been left uncoated for some time, but there is no greying of the ply, wash down using Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Rinse clean or hose down with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution, surface and salt residues are removed.

Allow to dry then apply a coat of Resene Wood Primer, followed by a coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101.

June 2022

Q. I currently have Resene X-200 on a plaster cement wall I have patched. I’ve established the Resitex Standard is the closest grade to what I have if I just roll or brush over the patch. Will the sheen be different and if so can I go back over with the Resene X-200 ? The wall was painted freshly on top of two existing Resene X-200 coats that were 8 years old.

A. The gloss of Resene Resitex will not match Resene X-200 but they will be similar. When patch repairing it is difficult to seamlessly topcoat the patch without the patch being visible. This is due to a degree of colour change and gloss change of the existing paintwork. Suggest that you make the patch repair using Resene Resitex then check the gloss level. Application of the Resene X-200 will change the texture of the Resene Resitex but this may have to be sacrificed for colour and gloss match.

June 2022

Q. Can I use oil based paint over Resene TimberLock?

A. Wipe excess Resene TimberLock at time of application and leave to cure for at least 48 hours before overcoating. Then apply a coat of Resene Wood Primer and topcoat.

June 2022

Q. I have a two storey colonial weatherboard home. The paint is blistering and lifting particularly where the rusticated weatherboards join or overlap with quite a bit of bare timber being exposed with sanding with an orbital sander and a majority of older paint coats holding fast. Should I use an oil based primer or primer undercoat to seal the timber? I want to topcoat in Resene Hi-Glo. The surface of the paintwork is not flat as it has pits and ridges from prior coats – character I figure. Stripping the paint is not an option for me.

What paint system will give me the best seal to the timber and last the longest time and give the best finished look?

A. The issue you describe is more than likely due to changes in the moisture content of the weatherboards resulting in expansion and contraction.

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 Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label/data sheet. 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 and surface chalk residues are removed.

Prepare areas of failing paint back to a sound feathered edge by sanding.

If the timber is Matai or Totara you will need to use Resene Quick Dry as the primer for bare areas, for all other timbers prime bare areas with Resene Wood Primer.

Then apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen topcoat colour.

If selecting a dark topcoat colour we recommend applying the Resene CoolColour version of the topcoat colour.

June 2022

Q. I have a lot of Resene X-200. Could this be used for timber weatherboards?

A. Resene X-200 is formulated for application to cementitious substrates not timber. While in principle it can be applied to appropriately prepared and primed timber this is not the norm. The finish is not smooth like a standard weatherboard paint and achieving a uniform brush finish is also not easy.

June 2022

Q. I have a traditional steel garage that I would like to paint the walls and roller door. The surface is all in good nick and tidy. Is Resene Lumbersider CoolColour a good choice and what is the best way to prep?

A. Assuming it is unpainted galvanising – treat areas of moss/mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label/data sheet instructions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed. Scrub down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label/data sheet. 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 and surface chalk residues are removed. Apply a full coat of Resene Galvo Prime and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen topcoat colour.

June 2022

Q. Can you add a small amount of water to Resene Lustacryl as it appears to be drying too quickly while painting.

A. Yes but we recommend using Resene Brushing Additive. Addition of water reduces the wet paint hold up thus increasing the chance for slumping.

June 2022

Q. We are looking at painting the concrete in our carport which is attached to our house and leads to our front door entrance. My work mate has given me some Resene Flexicover E and I want to know if this is a suitable product to prime the concrete before painting?

A. No to Resene Flexicover, this is far too soft to be subject to for or vehicular traffic. The only system we recommend for this would be Resene Aquapoxy for Flooring. If the area is exposed to direct weathering/UV then a polyurethane topcoat, like Resene Uracryl 802, will be required to protect the epoxy system.

Recommended preparation is to diamond and to achieve a uniform surface profile similar to 180 grit sandpaper. Ensure all grinding dust is removed, this may require wet mopping.

June 2022

Q. I’m looking for guidance on maintenance and re-application recommendations (i.e. years) for Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

A. The recoat time is dependent upon exposure conditions and colour. We define durability as the time to the onset of chalking, the northern elevation will be the first elevation to show chalking as this elevation receives the most intense weathering. As a rule of thumb recoating will be required from year eight onwards, again subject to weathering. We recommend an annual wash down Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions.

June 2022

Q. I have a query about which paint to use to paint my house. The cladding is plaster over polystyrene with a textured finish. I was wondering about Resene Sonyx 101.

A. Our recommendation for timber weatherboards would be Resene Sonyx 101. We recommend Resene X-200 for a plaster finish.

There is a fundamental difference between the two paints. Resene Sonyx 101 is a low build decorative topcoat for any appropriately prepared and primed substrate which could include a cementitious substrate.

Resene X-200 is a high build weathertight membrane system, primarily formulated for cementitious substrates where a weather tight finish is required. We would have recommended Resene X-200 as the system when you first painted the plaster areas. If these areas are not showing any signs of water ingress of cracking then Resene Sonyx 101 could be used to maintain aesthetics to these areas.

June 2022

Q. We are looking to do a blackened sheet steel fire surround for a gas fireplace. I was looking at doing a black patina but getting a uniform finish is very hard over large areas. I was recommended to get a heat proof clear sealer for steel and get it tinted with a translucent black. Would you be able to help with this?

A. The only heat resistant paint we have is Resene High Temperature Black Enamel, no clear version. Once painted the surface needs to be heated to at least 200°C to initiate cure.

June 2022

Q. I want to paint on corflute signs but in the past I haven't managed to get the paint to stick – it flakes off.

A. You could test Resene Quick Dry or Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer. 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. The sealer is not designed to be applied as a thick wet film thickness or give opacity, the thinner the coat the better. Then apply two coats of an appropriate waterborne topcoat paint.

June 2022

Q. I want to know if it is possible to paint plastic Palisade weatherboards. If so what paint should we use and what is the prep needed?

A. Yes, Palisade cladding is PVC and can be painted with any Resene exterior waterborne coating. Treat areas of moss/mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label/data sheet instructions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed. Scrub down using Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label/data sheet. 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 and surface chalk residues are removed. Then apply two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101 topcoat colour. Note that Palisade only recommend colours with a LRV (light reflectance value) greater than 60% can be used. This means you need to use a light colour. You can find the LRV for Resene colours on our colour chart and website.

June 2022

Q. I was curious if there may be a product you would recommend for refinishing a block wall from a freshly built state into a raw matte look finish in a consistent way.

A. The only solid colour paint finish we have for concrete block is Resene X-200 – this will give a weathertight membrane.

June 2022

Q. I'm after some advice for painting my house. The house was built in the 1930s and has painted Redwood weatherboards. It’s about 200m away from the harbour.

I see on the Resene website the following "Redwood is part of the same family as Cedar and while it is much less common for new or recently constructed homes it presents the same issues when painted."

I would like to know which type of Resene paint would be best for painting the weatherboards.

I had been planning on an oil-based primer and oil based undercoat (as I already have Resene Enamel Undercoat) as this will help deal with the Redwood timber. Then applying two topcoats. But is this the right way to go? What would you suggest?

A. Treat areas of moss/mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label/data sheet instructions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed. Thoroughly scrub down using Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label/data sheet. 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, salts and surface chalk residues are removed. All paint that is flaking or unsound must be prepared back to a sound feathered edge. Spot prime bare timber with Resene Wood Primer then apply a full coat of Resene Enamel Undercoat and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101 topcoat colour. The Resene Enamel Undercoat blocks residual salt migration into the waterborne topcoat layer. The higher gloss level finish does facilitate removal of salts by rain washing.

June 2022

Q. Following earthquake damage (cracking on exterior wall finish) to our 1993 townhouse. The exterior walls were 're-clad' using mesh and 'plaster'. The resultant finish was like a mini roughcast, much like the original. The time has now come for some exterior painting of one of the walls. The product previously used was 'Gotec Evo Elastomer exterior flexible membrane. As far as I can see, this product is no longer available. Do you have a product recommendation in lieu?

A. Treat areas of moss/mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label/data sheet instructions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed.

Scrub down using Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label/data sheet. 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 and surface chalk residues are removed.

If you have paint adhesion loss try to prepare these back to a sound feathered edge then prime bare substrate with Resene Concrete Primer diluted 10% with water. Then apply two coats of new topcoat paint.

June 2022

Q. I have a house next to the sea that is 60 years old. The exterior is native timber weatherboards with timber windows which look like rimu. The house was stripped back to bare wood and repainted 11 years ago using Resene Decorator acrylic undercoat and Resene Hi-Glo waterborne gloss exterior. The job was done by a professional and cleaned regularly. 95% of the paintwork is still in excellent condition. 5% has failed with flaking or peeling. What procedure and undercoat should I use to fix that?

A. We cannot determine what the original prep that was undertaken when the house was last painted.

If you are looking at repairs to areas showing flaking/peeling then the following prep is required. Treat areas of moss/mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label/data sheet instructions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed. Scrub down using Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label/data sheet. 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 and surface chalk residues are removed.

All paint that is flaking or unsound must be prepared back to a sound feathered edge by sanding. Sand the exposed timber to product a sound substrate, and to restore the original timber colour. Radius off any sharp edges on the board profile. For the windows sand existing sound paint to profile for recoating.

If the timber is Totara spot prime bare timber with Resene Quick Dry, if the timber is Rimu then spot prime with Resene Wood Primer. For the windows a full coat of Resene Quick Dry is recommended prior to topcoating.

For the weatherboards apply two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 in your topcoat colour and for the windows apply two coats of Resene Lustacryl in your topcoat colour.

This advice is given on the assumption that the existing weatherboard topcoat is a waterborne topcoat and areas not showing failure are sound.

June 2022

Q. I'm hoping to paint the exterior of my house (soffit and fascia only). I've been told I shouldn't paint at all in winter as a result of dew settling on the paint overnight. Is this correct? I have noticed dew on the soffit in the mornings, but professional painters paint year round, so I figure there must surely be ways to paint exteriors in winter.

A. Our wintergrade paints allow painting and drying down to 3 degrees C. The presence of dew precludes painting until the potential for dew is not present.

Even so, during winter months you may only have a few hours in the day when painting is possible. The paint must be applied and fully dried in this time to reliably form a protective film. The drying of a waterborne paint is determined by temperature, air and substrate temperature, humidity, and air flow. If all of these are at marginal, then painting is not recommended. While painting is possible it does come with a higher degree of risk.

Professional painters check the local conditions and paint when the conditions are right. When the conditions aren’t right for painting you may be able to work on prepping the next area you plan to paint.

June 2022

Q. I have had an issue with a semi-gloss acrylic not adhering to Resene Galvo One on steel.

The top coat is peeling away from the sound primer (Resene Galvo One), so I’m picking it was damp/cold when the first coat at least was painted (or curing) and the second has added enough tension to weaken whatever bond it did have.

Given temperatures aren’t going up anytime soon, do we have other options to improve adhesion?

If the Resene Galvo One remains sound, would a topcoat in Resene Galvo-Prime or Resene Quick Dry help at all?

A. If the substrate was cold or below dew point, then film formation of the acrylic can be irreversibly compromised and this will be seen as poor adhesion. There is no way to increase the adhesion of the existing topcoats. They would need to be removed and then the area repainted.

June 2022

Q. Is it okay to paint the exterior of a house in Wellington in the month of May?

A. Yes, as long as the drying conditions are present, we do have wintergrade options that extend the painting window.

With regards to waterborne paints there are three environmental conditions that dictate drying, temperature, humidity, and air flow. When conditions are not ideal it is best to apply thinner wet films of paint as loss of water from the wet paint is the first step in the drying/curing proves. With exterior painting airflow can help overcome the other two variables. In the Wellington area it is painting the southern elevation that presents the major challenge.

April 2022

Q. I have a holiday cottage on the Kapiti Coast (pine weatherboards). The cottage is within 50 metres of high tide line, so is subject to considerable salt and sand spray. For previous paint jobs I have used Resene Hi-Glo as the finish coat (two coats over Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat where needed). I see that you are recommending Resene Sonyx 101 when answering questions from others about painting weatherboards. I have two questions: (1) is using a semi-gloss finish coat purely a matter of aesthetic taste, or will it perform better than high gloss? (2) should I consider using a waterborne enamel (Resene Enamacryl or Resene Lustacryl) instead of Resene Hi-Glo or Resene Sonyx 101?

A. A Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss finish gives a balance of aesthetics and durability. We define durability as the time to the onset of surface chalking, the higher the gloss level the longer the time. Exterior gloss paints for cladding have lost popularity over time.

Waterborne enamels are used for joinery and not cladding. While they are waterborne they do not have the same exterior durability as a conventional waterborne paint in the same gloss level.

April 2022

Q. When I paint Resene TimberLock on my house exterior, how long will it be ok for before I need to apply the Resene Sonyx 101 topcoats?

A. Wipe excess Resene TimberLock at time of application and leave to cure for at least 48 hours before over coating. It’s best to apply the primer/topcoat system ASAP but do not leave it exposed for more than 4 weeks.

April 2022

Q. Would Resene Element CoolColour be suitable for a Shadowclad and batten finish that would be fairly exposed? Or would the LRV/TSR not be enough to stop the ply/wood warping?

A. We have rarely seen warping with board and batten, assuming the installation is to the cladding supplier’s recommendations.

The following are excerpts from the Shadowclad website:

Paints & Film Forming Stains – Three coats (1 undercoat, 2 top coats) of a good quality, 100% acrylic paint system with a light reflectance value (LRV) of 50% or greater (i.e. light colours) which is regularly maintained will provide the highest level of protection and durability for Shadowclad and is likely to require the least amount of coating maintenance over the life of the cladding.

Dark colours (LRV of below 50%) increase heat and stress on the panel surface, reducing the panels overall lifespan and increasing the level of coating maintenance required to maintain an acceptable visual appearance. For this reason CHH does not support the use of dark colours on Shadowclad exterior cladding.

Face Checking – Face checks are lengthwise separations of wood fibres in the face veneer of the plywood. They result from the normal swelling and shrinking of wood as it gains and loses moisture which is exacerbated by darker colours. It is important to realise that these checks are superficial, being confined to the face veneer.

They do not alter the structural integrity of the plywood in any way. If you are the specifier, it is important to discuss these issues with your client before finalising colour choice. If checking occurs, repaint with a good quality, 100% acrylic exterior house paint in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, thoroughly working paint into the face checks with a paint brush.

Our painting recommendation for pre-primed Shadowclad is to scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Rinse clean or hose down with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution and surface chalk residues are removed.

Allow to dry and apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry and then finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in your topcoat colour, apply the CoolColour version of the topcoat colour if selecting a dark topcoat colour. A Resene CoolColour system will not render the painted surface cool to touch, but the CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool pigment technology. The CoolColour system will reduce but not eliminate heat stress on the fixed cladding.

We cannot predict the impact of using a dark colour in your situation, however using the CoolColour version of the topcoat colour is the only way to reduce the impact of heat stress. Otherwise you could choose a lighter colour.

April 2022

Q. I am looking to purchase a house that is clad in Shadowclad. How often would I need to have the Shadowclad repainted, assuming it was painted with a Resene CoolColour?

A. Recoating frequency is determined by exposure to weathering, typically the northern elevation that requires maintenance. Typical recoat time of a solid paint finish is 10 years, but exposure and colour may see this reduced.

Shadowclad will develop surface checking, this is not a paint fault and only affects the top layer of the substrate and the manufacturer says that the surface checking does not affect nor alter the structural integrity of the plywood in any way.

April 2022

Q. Are ‘pinholes’ in a paint finish unavoidable? We’ve just had our house exterior repainted with Resene X-200. On the window ledges, I’ve noticed lots of little pinholes. I’ve been told they don’t affect the integrity of the paint. I can’t remember them being there the last time we had the house painted.

A. Pinholes are small blisters whose surface has broken during the drying process. Pinholes are often caused by trapped air, trapped solvents and trapped moisture escaping from the film. I assume that the sill was previously painted, re the integrity of the paint film, this depends upon how deep the pinhole channel is, to a lesser extent the diameter of the pin hole. In your case I suggest that the cause may be air entrapment.

April 2022

Q. I am about to paint a bach with Resene paint. New COLORSTEEL® spouting was installed a few months ago. I want to put the same house colour onto the spouting. What paint will adhere to the COLORSTEEL® please? The shade on the bach walls will just be a stronger shade than what is on the spouting (warm colour).

A. Scrub down using Resene Heavy Duty Paint Prep and Oil Remover diluted and used to label instructions. Rinse clean or hose down with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution and surface chalk residues are removed.

Allow to dry and then apply a coat of Resene Pre-coated Steel Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

April 2022

Q. We are looking at using Resene Uracryl 403 on a steel project. How long can the steel sit outside between the second and third coats before it needs the third coat?

A. It can be left for a maximum of five days. Any time after five days a sand to degloss will be necessary.

April 2022

Q. Our house is Hinuera stone and it is old and dated. We are thinking of painting it to modernise. What is the process to cover brick with paint? What are modern colours. We live in country with plenty of greenery around us.

A. Normally the Hinuera is sealed. You would need to double check with the supplier of about warranties for painting to ensure nothing is compromised first.

I would try a test patch of Resene Sureseal on an area to see if that would adhere, as you say it is old and the sealer may not be present. Leave Resene Sureseal for 48 hours, scratch with your fingernail or something with an edge to see if any comes away. Then apply either two coats Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

April 2022

Q. Is Resene X-200 a latex based paint? I'm trying to figure out what kind of paint sprayer I need to get for it or if I'll need to thin it down.

A. Resene X-200 is an acrylic, it’s most similar to latex but not exactly the same.

I find many customers will opt for brushing and rolling. We do recommend backrolling with a roller and extension handle after the first coat when spraying.

April 2022

Q. I am repainting the exterior of my 1970s weatherboard house and I think there is some asbestos cladding on the lower level. What is the best way to paint over this?

A. 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 water blast 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; use as directed on the label. Note I: For heavy infestations, an additional application(s) may be needed.

Step 2:  Apply a liberal wash of Resene Paint Prep and House Wash 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 applicate rate 4 to 6 square metres per litre, based on a flat surface).

Then apply two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in your topcoat colour.

March 2022

Q. A new 20 series concrete block foundation wall has to be sealed to meet the requirements for NZBC Clause E2 External Moisture. What product would you recommend (pigmented)? Resene X-200?

A. Three coats of Resene X-200 meets the requirements for as an external weathertight membrane system as per CCANZ CP01 2014.

March 2022

Q. I have an old villa 1908 and the windows/barge boards are decaying – they are 25mm – in the new timber world the closest is 18mm as H3.1. I wanted to use some timber I found which is 32mm thick but is only kiln dried clear dressed Pine – is there a Resene paint system which I could apply to these individual pieces (7) that would seal and give me a longer life than if I just primed and two coated?

A. Our recommended system would be one coat of Resene Quick Dry followed by two Resene topcoats. A timber conditioner or the like is not needed here and will not give you an extended paint life. The advantage you do have is that you can 'envelope seal' these boards before you installing them. Envelope sealing is where you paint all of the edges including the underside of the timber. This helps to protect from moisture from all ends and will help to extend the life of the paint.

February 2022

Q. How do I paint Accoya wood?

A. We recommend priming Accoya with one coat of Resene Wood Primer, followed by two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss for vertical surfaces, Resene Lustacryl for trim areas and joinery and Resene Walk-on for decking areas.

If you choose to stain rather than paint, our recommendation would be Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain (solvent based).

February 2022

Q. I have a technical question re using oil-based undercoat on weatherboards. Our house was painted (not that well) previously, from new. There is some mould and the painter suggested he sand, then use an oil-based undercoat, then I guess acrylic topcoats. He uses Resene products. I wanted to check it is ok to use an oil undercoat under acrylic, it sounded odd to me.

A. Yes all Resene water-based topcoats can go straight over Resene oil-based primers/undercoats. It is best to treat the mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer and then sand.

February 2022

Q. I have exposed steel at my place that is currently coated in zinc spray and Resene Armourcote 220. What can I topcoat it with to get a satin black finish? The Resene Armourcote 220 is now past its recoat window.

A. 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 (this includes window glass and joinery). Rinse clean or hose down with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution and surface chalk residues are removed. Then apply a coat of Resene Vinyl Etch before applying two coats of Resene Uracryl.

October 2021

Q. How do I paint over a HardiPlank exterior where the existing paint has oxidised?

A. 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 Paint Prep and Housewash 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 and surface chalk residues are removed. All paint that is flaking or unsound must be prepared back to a sound feathered edge.

Spot prime bare substrate with Resene Sureseal then finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101 topcoat colour. Suggest that you could contact James Hardies to see if there is an LRV limitation.

October 2021

Q. What paint should I use on Align vertical cladding? I want to use a dark colour. The problem is I have been told resin bleed may occur from timber in hot conditions or where painted in dark colours.

A. Application of dark colours can cause warping or cupping of exterior timber, more so with vertical cladding.

Assuming the existing colour is white and is sound, adhesion and no flaking you could apply a Resene CoolColour system.

Application of a Resene CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch. A CoolColour system will not necessarily stop resin migration from resin rich timber such as pine which as painted in dark colours or colours with an LRV that is below the timber suppliers LRV restrictions. There is no difference in the LRV values between the non-cool and CoolColours as LRV is a measurement of reflectance of visible light, colour only.

Assuming all of the above, 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 then 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 (this includes window glass and joinery). Rinse clean or hose down with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution and surface chalk residues are removed.

Then apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 CoolColour in your chosen topcoat colour.

October 2021

Q. What primer should I use for cedar shingles? Also do I prime the backs on installation?

A. Use Resene Wood Primer and envelope prime is the best as this will seal against water ingress.

October 2021

Q. We are renovating a house with a block base a brick upper level. We want to know if you have a high build textured paint so we can add some texture to the brick and hide the grout lines on the block without going to a full plaster system. The brick is clinker that has been ground off and the block is painted but flaky in places. Ideally we do not want to plaster.

A. The visual hiding of pointing will depend upon how deep the pointing is. If the block work has never been painted then assuming no algal growth is present and the wall is clean apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal, then three coats of Resene X-200. Assess if this gives the visual look that you are after, if not then apply Resene Sandtex. Resene X-200 will give some filling of the pointing.

October 2021

Q. We are needing to paint a few outdoor timber panels in Rotorua. We have access to spray equipment for a smooth consistent finish but need a paint that will withstand the geothermal environment in Rotorua. Equally we'd ideally like to add an anti-graffiti layer as a final coat. Can you provide direction? The timber is a composite board. Known as HPL. Essentially recycled timber product 70% with a 30% injected resin. It is in its natural form unpainted.

A. Traditional enamels probably have the best resistance to the acid environment but can’t be overcoated with an anti-graffiti system.

So my suggestion is to scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label/data sheet. 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 and surface chalk residues are removed.

Apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry then two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen and finish with two coats of Resene GraffitiShield Clear gloss or semi-gloss. This will give a system that will have the resistance to the geothermal environment.

Not sure what colours you are looking to use but some of our colours are best not used in a geothermal environment as the colour pigments are affected by sulphide.

You may want to consider doing a test patch after washing down to confirm primer adhesion.

Allow the Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen base colour to cure for 48 hours, wash down with water and allow to dry before applying the first coat of Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield.

October 2021

Q. What is the best option to paint a new galvanised steel structural beam? Most durable coat wanted (paint once, lasts forever).

A. Use Resene Armourcote 221 and Resene Uracryl – this will be better than a standard decorative paint system. Assuming you are in a high corrosivity zone then apply two coats of Resene Armourcote 221 primer.

October 2021

Q. I have a 1980s house with fibre cement cladding. Would you recommend using Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen?

A. It comes down to a personnel choice, the lower the sheen the less noticeable surface imperfections become. However, the higher the gloss level the longer the time to the onset of surface chalking.

October 2021

Q. What is the best paint to repaint a 1940s stucco house?

A. 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 Paint Prep and Housewash 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 and surface chalk residues are removed.

All paint that is flaking or unsound must be prepared back to a sound feathered edge. Spot prime any bare stucco with Resene Sureseal, overcoat areas primed with Resene Sureseal with Resene X-200, Then finish with three coats of Resene X-200.

For any parts of the surface that are cracked:

For hairline cracks spot prime with a coat of Resene X-200. Due to its high film build, Resene X-200 will completely fill cracks up to 1mm. For larger cracks up to 2mm, apply one coat of Resene Sureseal before flush filling the crack with Resene Brushable Crack Filler. Using a brush work filler into the crack (both along and across the crack), when applying multiple applications allow each application of filler to dry before applying additional filler. For larger cracks fill using Resene Construction Systems Ltd MultiStop Bedding Compound mixed and applied to manufacturer’s instructions.

October 2021

Q. What primer and paint do I need for Eterpan cladding?

A. Prime with Resene Concrete Primer and topcoat with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101.

October 2021

Q. I live on the beachfront of a surf beach. I am looking at painting the exterior of my house and want to find a paint (type) or additive that I can put in the paint to provide better protection from the salt and sea environment. The last paint job on the house was normal house paint and has only lasted 4-5 years before needing a major repaint.

A. The only way we can address this is to apply a coat of Resene Clearcoat UVS over a quality waterborne paint system.

This will give you a final gloss finish, so you need to consider this when making a repainting decision. 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 Paint Prep and Housewash 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 and surface chalk residues are removed. All paint that is flaking or unsound must be prepared back to a sound feathered edge and any bare timber spot primed with Resene Wood Primer, followed by a full coat of Resene Enamel Undercoat to ensure entrained salts are not able to pass through into the new paint system. Then apply two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 topcoat colour. We recommend the Resene CoolColour version of the topcoat colour if selecting a dark topcoat colour. Application of a Resene CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch. Then finish with a full even coat of Resene Clearcoat UVS.

If the breakdown is worst on the elevation facing the ocean then this may be the only elevation requiring Resene Clearcoat UVS.

October 2021

Q. How should I paint new stainless steel exterior domes?

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. Data Sheet D88 Step 2: Lightly abrade the surface using a very fine sandpaper e.g. 320 girt sand paper 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.

Apply two coats of Resene Armourcote 221, followed by two coats of Resene Uracryl 403 topcoat colour and then apply a full coast of a Resene Uracryl 400 Series UVS Clear. You can either have Resene Uracryl 400 UVS Clear in a gloss (Resene Uracryl 403), semi-gloss (Resene Uracryl 402) or low sheen (Resene Uracryl 404).

The UVS clear top coat protects the pigmented coat from direct weathering and gives additional protection from fading.

October 2021

Q. We have just purchased a house built in Hebel (aerated concrete) and would like to recoat in an elastomeric finish.

A. 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 Paint Prep and Housewash 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 and surface chalk residues are removed. All paint that is flaking or unsound must be prepared back to a sound edge and the bare substrate primed with Resene Sureseal then apply two coats of Resene X-300E in your topcoat colour.

September 2021

Q. We have some hot dip galvanised brackets that are fixed to concrete that is being painted and need to paint the brackets the same colour as the concrete.

A. The hot dip galvanised brackets can be primed with Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primer and then topcoated with Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. Not sure if you are aware that if a galvanised surface is placed onto fresh concrete without a barrier coat that the pH of the concrete will react with and consume the zinc layer, ultimately leading to the appearance of red rust.

September 2021

Q. What type of paint is best for a repaint of an external plaster finish house. The house is situated 100 metres from ocean. The paint is about 10 years old but the location of the house is very close to the ocean and gets a beating from the prevailing Easterly wind. The existing paint is very faded.

A. Colour fade is usually a function of the colourants used to produce a colour, surface chalking is the outcome of the paint being exposed to UV and water. If you wash down an area and the original colour is revealed then this is chalking not colour fade. Clear coating of the base paint can improve both colour fade and chalking.

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 Paint Prep and Housewash 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 and surface chalk residues are removed. All paint that is flaking or unsound must be prepared back to a sound feathered edge. Spot prime bare substrate with Resene Sureseal then apply two full coats of Resene X-200 and finish with a full coat of Resene Clearcoat UVS.

The Resene Clearcoat UVS only comes as a gloss, if you want to reduce the gloss level apply an additional coat of Resene Concrete Clear Satin. However the best durability, time to the onset of chalking is obtained with the full gloss level.

September 2021

Q. How do we recoat exterior exposed beams? We live on the beachfront. The house was built 18 years ago and we do not know the undercoat for the new beams, however the topcoat was Altex Altra-shield 2000. The location is a high corrosivity zone and I suspect that some of the beam areas are not subject to regular rain washing.

A. Scrub 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 and surface chalk residues are removed.

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 Resene ArmourZinc 110. Then apply two full coats of Resene Galvo One and finish with two coats of Resene Summit Roof in your topcoat colour. Given the location we suggest Resene Summit Roof Metallic topcoat is used.

A six monthly wash down with fresh water to remove salt deposited on the painted surface is recommended.

September 2021

Q. What should I use to paint exterior plaster on aerated concrete cladding?

A. If new apply a coat of Resene Limelock and finish with two coats of Resene X-200.

September 2021

Q. What do we use to paint exterior smooth Cemintel Cladding Sheets?

A. Cemintel Cladding Sheets are compressed fibre cement. So the paint system is a coat of Resene Concrete Primer and two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101 topcoat colour.

The same system can be used for the existing cladding, 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 Paint Prep and Housewash 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 and surface chalk residues are removed. All paint that is flaking or unsound must be prepared back to a sound feathered edge. Spot prime bare areas using Resene Sureseal, not Resene Concrete Primer, then apply a full coat of Resene Concrete Primer and the two topcoats.

September 2021

Q. We are going to be doing some external painting (deck joists and decking balustrade) and have a few questions. Should we be sealing the timber before painting? Deck joists are existing timber which has been weathered. The decking balustrade will be new timber (pine). What is the best exterior paint to use?

A. Sealing/priming of exterior timber is always recommended to prevent UV and microbial break of the timber, exterior timber is treated to prevent the latter but not UV induced damage. The best system is a coat of Resene Wood Primer, an undercoat of Resene Quick Dry and two coats of an exterior waterborne topcoat such as Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen, if selecting dark colours then the Resene CoolColour version of the topcoat colour.

September 2021

Q. I've just purchased my first home. It's a 70s build made from the pink (think Himalayan salt) Summerhill stone bricks that were popular at the time. I'm not a huge fan of the pink and wanted to ask an expert what my options for a change in colour scheme might be.

A. Summerhill stone is a concrete stone replica. 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 Paint Prep and Housewash 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 and surface contaminants are removed. Apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal and finish with two coats of Resene X-200 topcoat colour.

September 2021

Q. I repainted my soffits with Resene Hi-Glo exterior gloss in Resene White about two months ago. We live on a lifestyle block. I am getting a lot of midges landing on the soffits and having to wash them off on a regular basis.

Can you suggest what would help stop the midges? I chose the gloss acrylic for easy washing.

A. Gloss waterborne paints are softer than lower gloss level paints.

To fully harden the paint will need to be exposed to weathering and rain washing, it is possible that at the time of application the weather conditions were not ideal for film formation and there may be an exudation to the surface of the paint film that is attracting the midges.

Suggest that you look to 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 (this includes window glass and joinery). Rinse clean or hose down with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution, allow the surface to dry out and repeat the washing. This may solve the issue or at least reduce the midge infestation.

September 2021

Q. What should I paint metal spouting with? Matt or low sheen.

A. Apply a primer coat of Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer before applying two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

September 2021

Q. What is the best paint for wrought iron? Do I need undercoat and if so which one? The wrought iron is slightly chipped and there is minor rust. It is currently painted black. I was intending to sand/wire brush the worst areas.

A. Treat areas of moss/mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label/data sheet instructions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed.

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 (this includes window glass and joinery). Rinse clean or hose down with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution and surface chalk residues are removed.

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 Resene Rust-Arrest, apply a full coat of Resene Galvo-Prime and finish with two coats of Resene Enamacryl or Resene Lustacryl Cool Black.

September 2021

Q. I have an exterior besser block wall. It’s never been painted since it was built 50 years ago, not core filled. Surprisingly it is in great condition. I wonder if it is wise to paint and if so what paint to use?

A. If the wall is not required to be weather tight then painting will only be for aesthetics. Assuming there is no bio growth then apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal and finish with three coats of Resene X-200.

September 2021

Q. How do I paint some wooden MDF letters for exterior use so that the MDF doesn't expand if water/rain gets on them? I did look at your Tech Spec page but I could only see MDF interior.

A. Given a choice, I would not use MDF as an exterior substrate. However, our best recommendation would be two coats of Resene Quick Dry and two coats of Resene Lustacryl topcoat colour.

August 2021

Q. We are about to start painting the exterior of our house. The exterior cladding is split half and half between a weatherboard looking product (James Hardie maybe) and plaster over polystyrene. To cover these different claddings do we need to use a different type of paint or can we just use one? Does the plaster over polystyrene require any special treatment, preparation etc?

A. Assuming there are no water ingress issues and the existing paint system is sound, 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 Paint Prep and Housewash 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 and surface chalk residues are removed. Then apply two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen topcoat colour for the Linea weatherboards and two coats of Resene X-200 topcoat colour for the plaster finish. For the plaster finish the LRV (light reflectance value) of the topcoat colour should be >40%.

August 2021

Q. How do I paint over a concrete chimney that has a stucco finish. It is not in use. It is north facing and gets a lot of sun. I am keen to go for a dark colour.

A. There is always increased heat stress placed on a painted substrate when the colour is changed from a pale to a dark colour. We can’t predict what the impact will be but application of a Resene CoolColour system will reduce but not eliminate the heat related stress associated with application of a very dark colour. The adhesion of the existing paint system will also influence the potential for failure.

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 Paint Prep and Housewash 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 and surface chalk residues are removed.

All paint that is flaking or unsound must be prepared back to a sound feathered edge.

Spot prime any bare stucco with Resene Sureseal then apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen colour tinted in the CoolColour tint formulation.

If there are any signs of water ingress through the chimney change the topcoat to Resene X-200.

August 2021

Q. We have red brick exterior on our home (ex-state house). We want to change the colour and are looking into stains to do so. Do you sell opaque stains (is there such a thing?) or is our only option with that method to go darker?

A. All Resene stains are semi-transparent. The only option we can offer is a solid colour paint system which would give a similar finish to an opaque stain. If the bricks are not glazed and all pointing is sound, 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. Apply a seal coat of Resene Concrete Primer thinned 10% with water and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen topcoat colour.

August 2021

Q. How do I paint new COLORSTEEL® flashing to match the roof?

A. Scrub down using Resene Heavy Duty Paint Prep and Oil Remover 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.

Apply a prime coat of Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Summit Roof topcoat colour.

August 2021

Q. What type of paint do you recommend for metal gutters and fascia? I want something that does not show brush marks.

A. Use Resene Sonyx 101 applied to an appropriately prepared and primed substrate. Brushmarking is not always due to the paint being used, application equipment and application conditions also influence the degree of brushmarking. In warm or windy conditions add Resene Hot Weather Additive to increase the open time of the wet paint to maximise flow and levelling.

August 2021

Q. I have eaves painted in Resene Karaka and wish to paint over them in a lighter shade, cream or white. The eaves are faded but otherwise is good condition, they were painted approximately six years ago.

A. Ensure the surface is washed down using. 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 Paint Prep and Housewash 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 and surface chalk residues are removed. 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. Apply a prime coat of Resene Quick Dry then follow with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 topcoat colour.

August 2021

Q. Would you please supply me with your recommended finish on Axon Panels? This is a James Hardie product in a sheet form with regular vertical grooves, used as an exterior wall cladding. It is face-primed.

A. Apply a primer coat of Resene Concrete Primer and follow with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

August 2021

Q. We are painting an exterior concrete block wall, which forms the back wall of a raised veggie box. I’m concerned about chemical leaching in to the soil but also want to protect the wall. Is there a paint you would recommend or should I put a barrier between the painted wall and soil?

A. Paint will not leach through the blockwork. The back side of the blockwork needs to be sealed to avoid water seepage through to the painted side. The Resene product for this is Resene Water Lockout. Alternatively you can install a layer of thick black polyethene sheeting but the soil level must always be below the top of the waterproofing product.

August 2021

Q. How do I repaint an already painted aerated concrete panel system on an exterior? The existing paint is sound.

A. 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 Paint Prep and Housewash 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 and surface chalk residues are removed.

All paint that is flaking or unsound must be prepared back to a sound feathered edge.

Spot prime bare substrate with Resene Sureseal and stripe coat areas primed with Resene Sureseal with a coat of Resene X-200 before applying two full coats of Resene X-200.

August 2021

Q. How do I prepare and paint vinyl siding on my house?

A. For PVC cladding, 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 Paint Prep and Housewash 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 and surface chalk residues are removed. Then apply two coats of Resene Lumbersider topcoat colour.

One manufacturer requires the colour of paint on its uPVC claddings to have a reflectance value of 62% or more, this restricts the paint colour to being very light. Application of a Resene CoolColour system does not override this as there is no difference in the LRV values between the non-cool and cool colours as LRV is a measurement of reflectance of visible light, colour only.

August 2021

Q. We are choosing between quotes for painting the exterior of our house. The main difference between them seems to be that one company is going to spray the exterior with one coat (after prep etc) and the other is brushing on two coats. What are the pros and cons of these approaches, and is there any preference in your professional opinion?

A. One coat of paint applied by spray application is equivalent to two brush coats. Spraying is quicker than brushing/rolling so there is a significant labour cost saving.

Spray application lightly deposits wet paint onto the surface, brushing/rolling places more force on the paint being applied and in some cases we recommend the first coat being brushed/rolled with spraying possible for subsequent coats. This applies to when the substrate to be painted is porous, this is the case for painting of bare concrete or blockwork.

There has been a steady move by trade painters to adopt spray application, and there are few any roofs that are now not spray coated.

For DIY application the application by brush/roller will continue for some time as the access to the required spray equipment is limited mainly by cost.

Professionally I have no issues with spray application being used when and where appropriate, there remains a requirement to apply the correct dry film thickness of paint to achieve the required durability outcome.

August 2021

Q. I am painting on fibreglass with Resene Lustacryl paint. I was told I need to degrease the fibreglass first and then seal it. What would be the best product to buy?

A. 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 copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution and surface chalk residues are removed. Carefully sand to profile using 380 grit sandpaper, dust off and wipe clean with a damp cloth then apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry followed by the two coats of Resene Lustacryl.

August 2021

Q. I’m thinking about removing the paint from my exterior brick chimney. I would love to return it to the brick finish but it’s quite a big chimney and I wondered how hard that would be and what product you recommend for that?

A. Paint stripper is the only DIY option, while this will remove the bulk of the paint it may not remove paint that has become absorbed into the bricks.

August 2021

Q. How do I prepare and paint the concrete base of my house?

A. 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 Paint Prep and Housewash 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 or water blast ensuring all wash solution and surface chalk residues are removed.

All paint that is flaking or unsound must be prepared back to a sound feathered edge.

Spot prime bare concrete with Resene Sureseal then if weather tightness is not an issue apply two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 in your chosen topcoat colour.

August 2021

Q. We need to paint the bargeboard before new spouting is installed. We have sanded it back almost to wood. What primer and topcoats do we need to use? We expect to use a cream colour or very pale yellow to help avoid blistering due to heat on the north side of the house.

A. If the timber is pine apply a full coat of Resene Wood Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

Application of a Resene CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

A CoolColour system will not necessarily stop resin migration from resin rich timber such as pine which as painted in dark colours or colours with an LRV that is below the timber suppliers LRV restrictions. There is no difference in the LRV values between the non-cool and CoolColours as LRV is a measurement of reflectance of visible light, colour only.

August 2021

Q. What advice do you have about painting the exterior of a weatherboard house in winter? Times of day, types of paint, etc

A. If you are using waterborne paint there are three factors which control drying, temperature, humidity, and air flow. Water must be lost from the wet paint as the first step, if this does not occur then not only will drying be delayed but the end paint film will be compromised.

Do not apply at temperatures below 10°C or when it is liable to drop below 10°C during the drying period, also the humidity must be well below 85%. However, if there is air flow/wind then as long as one of the other two requirements are met the waterborne paint can be applied. When painting under marginal conditions avoid applying high wet film loadings as this reduces the loss of water from the wet paint film. Thinner coats are best.

The other advice is not to paint late in the day as if the paint does not achieve water resistance, it can be washed off with dew.

A rule of thumb is if washing hung outside on a line will dry then painting is more than likely be possible. So only paint on days that have the required environment conditions. If in doubt don't paint.

You can add Resene Wintergrade Additive to your paint which will allow you to paint down to 3 degrees Celsius. Make sure you give surfaces a chance to warm up in the morning and stop earlier in the day than you would in summer, to give the paint time to dry well before evening.

August 2021

Q. I'm looking at putting up a PVC Plastic white wall that the retailer says can be painted with ‘specialist paint’.

Does Resene sell a paint suitable for painting a PVC wall, exterior use?

If so what product and what is your advice to prep the PVC wall prior to painting - light sand, primer etc.

A. I’m not sure why the supplier’s recommendation was to use a specialist paint.

Resene exterior waterborne paints can be applied directly to new PVC without sanding, the PVC needs to be cleaned down and for this scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label/data sheet. 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 and surface chalk residues are removed.

Did the supplier give any LRV, light reflection value, restriction of the colours that could be applied to the substrate? Most do.

August 2021

Q. We are looking at painting our brick house. It is an old Huntly brick the previous owners have painted. How do we prepare and paint it?

A. 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 Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Do not allow the wash solution to dry out on the surface (this includes window glass and joinery). Water blast ensuring all wash solution and surface chalk residues are removed. Prepare areas where paint has been removed back to a sound feathered edge. Spot prime bare brick with Resene Sureseal, overcoat areas primed with Resene Sureseal with a stripe coat of Resene X-200 and finish with two coats of Resene X-200.

August 2021

Q. We are building a house with Jennian Homes. The cladding is Axon panels, colour Resene All Black. My question is which is recommended: gloss or matte? Is gloss easier to clean and the Taupo pumice dust is less likely to stick to it?

A. The higher the gloss level the easier cleaning will be, so Resene Sonyx 101 would be the best gloss for the topcoat.

However, you have chosen a very dark colour, to reduce the impact of surface heating we recommend using the CoolColour version of the colour applied over a full coat of Resene Concrete Primer. Application of a Resene CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

Until the paint has weathered for some time and received regular rain washing the paint surface will become slightly soft when exposed to full sunlight, surface heating will make dust lodgement more likely and more difficult to remove.

August 2021

Q. What paint should I use on an external brick wall? The bricks are new and unfinished, it’s a boundary wall between a semi-detached house. Our side is external and for the neighbours it is their internal living space. We just want to paint it a colour to make it look nicer for our garden.

A. Apply a prime coat of Resene Concrete Primer thinned 10% with water then finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen, if deciding to use a dark topcoat colour use the CoolColour version of the topcoat colour.

Application of a Resene CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

The system will not change the existing weathertight status of the substrate.

August 2021

Q. We want to paint our home's exterior – in black – and I wanted a bit of advice. The home is a weatherboard, built in the 1960s. Currently painted a light blue. We want to use a Resene Black, and would definitely use CoolColour.

We will be having it done by a house painter (not doing the job ourselves) so the prepping etc will be done to a professional standard.

The colours we're looking at are either Resene Bokara Grey, Resene Nero or Resene Black – which of these would need the special CoolColour primer/undercoat?

A. Application of a Resene CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

A CoolColour system will not necessarily stop resin migration from resin rich timber such as pine which as painted in dark colours or colours with an LRV that is below the timber suppliers LRV restrictions. There is no difference in the LRV values between the non-cool and CoolColours as LRV is a measurement of reflectance of visible light, colour only.

The main issue with moving to a dark or black topcoat colour is heat generation, the increased heating of the surface can stress fixings but also see an older paint layer fail, seen as blistering or cracking.

The Resene CoolColour Black system requires a white base coat prior to application of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101 CoolColour topcoat.

A full coat of a white in the paint chosen is the best option.

A CoolColour system will reduce but not eliminate the potential for hear induced failure. The best advice is to strip the existing paint system back to bare timber, prime the timber with an appropriate timber primer and then apply the CoolColour paint system.

August 2021

Q. About how long should exterior paintwork on a house last?

A. Typically, a recoat from year 8 onwards would be expected, depending upon the exposure. There should be no peeling or flaking. Chalking will appear firstly on the northern elevation as this elevation receives to most intense weathering. Maintenance should only be to restore aesthetics and colour.

July 2021

Q. I am looking at your black paint for exterior brick render walls. I am planning to use a Resene CoolColour. What should I use?

A. Apply a base coat of Resene LimeLock and finish with two coats of Resene X-200.

July 2021

Q. What paint would you use to paint downpipes? The downpipes are new and will be white PVC.

A. If the pipes are clean with no grease/oil on the surface you can apply two coats of any Resene exterior waterborne paint finish, usually Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen is applied. Use the CoolColour version of the colour if choosing dark colours. Application of a Resene CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch. Full adhesion takes up to a week to develop, there is no need to prime the uPVC.

July 2021

Q. What should I use to paint the 1970s fibrolite exterior cladding. It’s likely to contain asbestos. It has never been painted before. I need advice on prep and paint products to use.

A. Given the presence of asbestos in the FC prep must not generate respirable fibres or fibre release to the environment.

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 malignancies including lung cancer. It usually occurs after high intensity and/or long term exposure and is regarded as an occupational; lung disease.

See 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 license. 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 water blast 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; use as directed on the label. 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 applicate rate 4 to 6 square metres per litre, based on a flat surface).

The primer surface can then be topcoated with two coats of any Resene exterior waterborne topcoat option (Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen).

Application of a Resene CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

July 2021

Q. Can I put Resene X-200 membrane paint over Resene HydraBlock on my panel fence? I have membrane paint on the plaster house and it is good but parts of the fence are backfilled and the membrane has bubbles.

A. If the Resene HydraBlock has bubbles then this indicates that the hydrostatic pressure of water from the opposite side has exceeded that of the membrane. Resene X-200 will not address this issue.

June 2021

Q. I recently purchased a house in Rolleston where the external walls are built out of AAC Enviro panel (lightweight concrete and linear board). The colour scheme is outlined below. What I do not know is how often these external walls need to be repainted. Would Resene have any indication for how often paint should be reapplied to this wall type?

A. The recoat time is determined by the paint used with only a minor influence from the colour unless the colour is prone to colour fade. The industry describes durability as the time to the onset of surface chalking of the paint, the higher the gloss the longer the time till the onset of chalking, a correctly applied paint system should not peel or flake. Surface chalking is not the same as colour fade but the two are often confused.

Typically, we would expect a pale to mid colour to require maintenance painting to restore aesthetics from year 8 onwards. A northern elevation will show chalking first as this is the elevation that receives to most intense weathering. Dark colours visually show the presence of surface chalking.

June 2021

Q.How can I encapsulate lead paint? I have an former old post office and the acrylic paint is bubbling because of earlier painting with lead paint.

A. Painting over a poorly adherent old paint system is a recipe for disaster. There is nothing we can apply to consolidate such a paint system.

Careful removal to OSH Guidelines is the only sensible solution.

Note II: Before beginning any surface preparation, tests should be done to ensure the old paint does not contain lead. Paint flakes with layers older than 1970 are likely to have lead in them. If lead based paints are identified on this job, then the OSH Guidelines for the Management of Lead Based Paint must be read and followed. Where these guidelines are in conflict with any part of this specification, the guidelines must take precedence. Flakes of lead paints and any sanding dust need to be carefully managed collected and disposed of.

June 2021

Q. Our house was painted 7 years ago. Over summer I repaired, sanded, primed, undercoated and two topcoated any bits that were not right. About 30% of the house. But the paint I used was close to match, but a bit different colour and the old paint has faded. So now next summer I need to recoat. Is there a topcoat that doesn’t need undercoat, where I can just buff the wall and paint?

A. You can apply Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen to a sound existing chalk free paint system. Only areas where prep has exposed bare timber will need priming. From a durability perspective Resene Sonyx 101 will have a longer time until the onset of surface chalking.

June 2021

Q. I have a garage door made of Cedar and will also have some outdoor furniture. I want the cedar looking like a Pine colour.

A. Sorry but this isn’t possible. Cedar is a dark red brown timber and these tones are absent from pine. It’s easy to go the reverse way from a light timber to a darker one. You could lighten the Cedar with something like Resene Woodsman Whitewash but it will not achieve the look of pine.

June 2021

Q. We are working on a project where we are providing consultation for concrete repair work on some reinforced concrete columns and spandrel beams. This involves concrete crack repair. The contractor has specified using Resene X-200 acrylic paint for sealing cracking up to 0.1mm from water ingress. The surface preparation involves water blasting of exterior weathered cementitious substrates. Due to time restraints the process of letting the concrete dry thoroughly is not desirable as there is the risk of water being trapped in the concrete due to the paint being applied too early. Is there an alternative method for surface preparation that does not involve water blasting?

A. Resene X-200 will bridge a stable gap up to 1mm in width on a vertical surface. If there is concern around structural integrity then the cracks should be epoxy injected.

Prior to painting the concrete surface has to be clean, dry, and preferably sound. Water blasting is recommended as this will remove loose cementitious material. If this is not possible and the concrete is friable or old then a coat of Resene Sureseal is recommended prior to application of the Resene X-200 system.

June 2021

Q. I have 67 LOSP treated plywood to paint for our board and batten house (about 190 m2). Can you please advise best exterior paint to use including primer/undercoat and how long they are expected to last before requiring repaint? We want to use a shade of black for the exterior colour. Please also advise on prep work – e.g. Do I need to sand all these sheets before priming?

A. You will need to leave the sheets until the LOSP solvent has evaporated. This will require fillet stacking (each sheet separated by two lengths of small diameter timber). The lack of solvent odour is the sign that the solvents have evaporated.

Then envelope prime (all four sides) with a coat of Resene Wood Primer, then the sheets can be installed. Apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry to the exposed faces, ensure any end cuts are sealed with Resene Wood Primer at installation. Then apply two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 topcoat colour, if selecting a dark topcoat colour apply the Resene CoolColour version of the topcoat colour. Application of a Resene CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch. There may well be surface checking of the ply face over time, more likely on the exposed northern elevation. The checking is not a sign that the paint system has failed. The lighter the colour the slower the development of surface checking.

The system will require a maintenance coat from year 10 onwards to maintain aesthetics. The most exposed elevations may require maintenance sooner than the less exposed elevations. The time to maintenance painting will depend upon the degree of exposure and location.

June 2021

Q. Can Palisade cladding be over painted in order to change house colour without risk of blistering etc?

A. Palisade cladding has a restriction on application of colours. If required, Palisade weatherboards and trims can be painted. The paint colour must have a TSR value (total solar reflectance) equal to or greater than 62%. For further clarification on the suitability of a colour please contact Dynex Extrusions Ltd. The colour restriction limits colour choice to white and colours tinted from a white base. Cladding suppliers in NZ usually use LRV, light reflectance value, when stating colour limitations. TSR, total solar reflectance, is a measure of heat reflectance, there is no liner relationship between LRV and TSR but we can calculate the relationship and a TSR cut off of 62% is equivalent to an LRV of greater than 60%. But this does vary with the actual colour.

You can access LRV values for Resene colours online.

June 2021

Q. Can you recommend an exterior ply coating that will ‘cover’ the small cracks that have appeared in the ply over a couple of years since new (normal ply checking). I’m happy to use a textured coating to help disguise the fine checking cracks. The cracks are 1mm wide x say 30mm long.

A. The cracks are not an unexpected outcome as the surface layer of the ply laminate can undergo cracking, hopefully without compromising weathertightness.

While cracking is expected the rate of onset is relates to colour, the darker the colour the quicker the cracking will develop.

The only way to fill/bridge the existing cracks would be to apply two coats of Resene X-200, Resene X-200 will completely fill stable cracks up to 1mm in diameter, and is available in a selection of CoolColour options if you want to maintain the existing dark colour. Application of a Resene CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

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 Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all salts and surface chalk residues are removed. Apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry before applying two coats of Resene X-200.

June 2021

Q. I have a 30 year old concrete tank which we would like to paint a darker colour to hide it a bit more. What surface preparation is required and which paint product is suitable and safe to use please ?

A. If there are no cracks/leaks/seepage the following decorative system can be used. Apply a full coat of Resene Sureseal and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

June 2021

Q. Is there a black exterior paint that can be used on roofing iron and plywood?

A. Yes, but we recommend using a Resene CoolColour system for the 'colour' as standard black attracts heat and this can cause issues with substrates especially timber that can undergo dimensional changes due to heat stress. Application of a Resene CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

June 2021

Q. Can I paint over foam insulation on an exterior cold water pipe, if so with what product?

A. Prime with Resene Quick Dry then apply a exterior waterborne topcoat. There must be no condensation formed on the outer insulation layer.

May 2021

Q. We would like to paint two brick walls – one is about 30 years old and the other is three weeks old. The bricks are not glazed.

A. Wait for at least another week before coating the new brick wall. This is to ensure pointing has fully cured. For the new brick wall, apply a coat of Resene Concrete Primer thinned 10% with water and finish with two coats of Resene X-200. For the old wall, remove any loose surface material and apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal then finish with two coats of Resene X-200. If you have any concerns about weathertightness apply three coats of Resene X-200 topcoat. All pointing must be sound.

May 2021

Q. I am getting my monolithic house painted with Resene X-200. With monolithic cladding then is often hairline cracks, which product is good as a filler? Is Builders Bog a good product to use to fill hairline cracks? The existing paint is Resene X-200.

A. 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 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.

Prime hairline cracks with a coat of X-200 then apply two full coats of Resene X-200.

It may be a good idea to contact nearest Resene Construction Systems Representative and arrange for them to undertake an assessment of the cladding integrity from a weather tight perspective.

May 2021

Q. We need to repaint some air valves to a dark green colour (they are currently blue) and need some advice on the best way to go about this. The air valves are cast ductile iron and are coated with fusion bonded epoxy. They are in condition, only a year old. We just have to change it due to resource consent requirements. What is the best way to go about repainting these so that we get a good durable coating?

A. Scrub down using Resene Heavy Duty Paint Prep and Oil Remover 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.

Apply a seal coat of Resene Vinyl Etch and finish with two coats of Resene Uracryl 403 topcoat colour. Resene Uracryl 403 can be substituted with Resene Uracryl 402 or Resene Uracryl 404 if a reduced gloss level finish is required.

May 2021

Q. What do I use to achieve a weathertight coating on FC sheet external?

A. There is no standard that applies to a weathertight paint system for exterior FC. However for a cementitious substrate the system would be a coat of Resene Concrete Primer finished with three coats of Resene X-200.

May 2021

Q. I am going to paint pine outdoor seats, what type of paint do we use?

A. Apply a coat of Resene Wood Primer, an undercoat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with topcoats of Resene Enamacryl in your chosen colour.

May 2021

Q. Can you please recommend a suitable system for painting on top of powder coated steel? We have a number of pieces of council owned playground equipment that we have been asked to refurbish. The condition is mixed, I understand that any rust and bare metal may need to be treated differently. The powder coating has varying degrees of fading and loss of brightness, some could be described as chalky.

A. Treat areas of moss/mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label/data sheet instructions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed.

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.

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. San remaining sound PC coatings to profile for re coating.

Spot prime bare metal and areas of prepared corrosion with a coat of Resene ArmourZinc 120 to achieve a dry film thickness of 75 microns. Then apply a full coat of Resene Armourcote 221 (75 microns DFT) and finish with two coats of Resene Uracryl 403 (100 microns DFTT).

For added wear protection and enhanced colour fade protection, apply a coat of Resene Uracryl 403 UVS Clear to achieve a DFT of 50 microns.

May 2021

Q. We have a ply and batten clad house that we had built in 1997 with a paint finish. We have a problem with rust showing up on the heads of the galvanised flathead nails that fix the battens. It seems the galvanising is breaking down or has been damaged in the building process (we wish stainless steel nails had been used). I have tried to punch the nail heads down, but as they are big and have flat heads this does not work.

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 are removed. Remove rust from corroded nail heads using a 3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc to leave only tightly adherent corrosion products. Alternatively wet sand using 220 wet and dry sand paper, again to leave only tightly adherent corrosion products. Wipe clean, allow to dry out then apply two coats of Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primer and reapply two coats of your topcoat.

April 2021

Q. We recently purchased a house with concrete Firth designer brick on the exterior and would be quite keen to paint it. Do you think you can?

A. For your application apply a seal coat of Resene Concrete Primer thinned 10% with water and finish with three coats of Resene X-200 applied to the recommended coverage on the label. We now don’t use the term waterproof but weatherproof which means no liquid water ingress.

April 2021

Q. I have some MDF boards that I need to paint. They will be exposed to water quite a bit. I'm not sure what to seal them with. I do have Resene acrylic outdoor paint for the topcoat, but I'm not sure about the primer.

A. Exposure of MDF to water is a real problem. The best system to restrict water contact with bare MDF is the following, envelope prime with Resene Quick Dry followed by an envelope coat of Resene Wood Primer. The finishing system is a coat of Resene Enamel Undercoat and two coats of an appropriate Resene waterborne topcoat.

April 2021

Q. What kind of prep and paint do I need to do to paint over Summerhill stone on the exterior of my house?

A. Summerhill stone was a type of concrete brick that was popular in the 1950s and 60s. It supposedly never needed painting and you could have all sorts of abstract geometric patterns. However the stone is very porous and prone to mould and algal growth particularly on the more shaded elevations. Ensure areas of mould/algal growth are treated with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions then apply a saturation coat of Resene Sureseal and finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101.

The alternative finish is two coats of Resene X-200 as the finishing paint.

It’s best to brush the Resene Sureseal as this will give better penetration into the substrate.

April 2021

Q. What do you recommend to coat reflective aluminium coatings for new torched bitumen roof coatings?

A. Scrub down using Resene Heavy Duty Paint Prep and Oil Remover diluted and used to label directions. Do not allow the wash solution to dry out on any surface. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all wash solution is completely removed. The possible system would be a coat of Resene Membrane Primer overcoated with two coats of Resene Summit Roof Aluminium. However, the aluminium pigment is not based on a leafing grade so light reflection will be reduced compared to a product made on a leafing pigment.

The only other coating we have for this application that is based on a leafing aluminium pigment is Resene Silvalusta.

April 2021

Q. We are working on a project where the original cladding has been removed and a render finish has been applied to the compressed sheet substrate. We need to specify a paint finish for weatherproofing.

A. Apply a coat of Resene Limelock finished with two coats of Resene X-200.

April 2021

Q. I have completed two topcoats of Resene Lumbersider on top of primer undercoat after sanding the weatherboards. It seems to look patchy. What is causing this?

A. Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen has always been manufactured as a thicker structure, and as a result the paint does not have the flow and levelling of some other Resene topcoats.

The issue may be where you are overlapping, if the first section has achieved a reasonable dry then when you lap in the lapin sections appear marked. You can thin (5-10%) with water to get a longer open time which will reduce lapping and give better flow and levelling. Alternatively use Resene Hot Weather Additive instead of water.

April 2021

Q. I have exterior wooden boards, e.g. soffits painted in Resene Thorndon Cream. We have overhanging Pohutukawa and they drip a brown resin onto the woodwork - it stains! Any tips or tricks or should I just look at painting it in a darker colour to mask the stains?

A. The stains from the Pohutukawa may be tannin stains, if you are willing to you can try to treat an area of staining with a 5% solution of oxalic acid. Dissolve 5 grams of the acid in a litre of water with stirring, the crystals will easily dissolve. Then using a small plastic sprayer spray the solution onto the surface and scrub with a nylon brush. Leave for about 5 minutes then wash off with water. Oxalic is a poison, the same chemical is present in rhubarb leaves so wear eye/hand and clothing protection when mixing and using.

April 2021

Q. I am wanting to paint a large steel container in low sheen. What paint would be best for environment, heat prevention, and being able to clean or hose down relatively easily? The brand new cream steel container came pre-painted a cream colour. It is going over to Waiheke Island to store garage tools, a ride on lawn mower and a few boxed items of minor value until we get sorted with our house.

A. Based on there being no corrosion present, to follow is our standard paint system for shipping containers:

Scrub down using Resene Heavy Duty Paint Prep and Oil Remover diluted and used to label directions. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all salts and surface chalk residues are removed.

Apply a full coat of Pre-coated Steel Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider CoolColour topcoat. Application of a Resene CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

April 2021

Q. I am repainting a Hardiplank house (flat surface) which was previously painted with Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. I am using Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen again. My question is: do I need to sand the existing surface (it is in good condition) or do I apply the new paint straight onto the old Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen? It has had a very good wash.

A. As long as the existing paint is sound and chalk free there is no need to sand.

March 2021

Q. What paint should I specify on a concrete foundation wall? It’s old and previously clad with cement board.

A. Prime bare fibre cement with Resene Sureseal then apply two coats of Resene X-200.

March 2021

Q. Should a brush be used for the final coat of exterior house paint or is a roller still ok?

A. Brushing have been the long-standing application method for timber weatherboards. Using a brush allows easy coating of the horizontal overlaps of the cladding. Rolling using small width rollers, is considered to be a quicker way to apply paint and can be used but the overlap still requires coating and this is not easy to achieve with a roller.

March 2021

Q. I am looking for a treatment/paint system for structural steel beams, originally zinc sprayed and epoxy painted that have started to deteriorate. These beams are exposed or partially exposed under a house to a salt air environment approx 600m from breaking surf. On the seaward side of the beam the complete coating system has come off the top surfaces of the bottom flange which has started to rust. Other surfaces are starting to show signs of the zinc oxidizing through the paint system. Deterioration is worst at the end of the house closest to the sea where there is also some rain wetting. Beams under a timber deck are not as bad where there is some rain washing. Beams under the house that are dry vary in condition. The beams can’t be removed for re-treatment. They can be scraped and wire brushed - mostly.

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 any surface. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all salts are also removed. 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 waterblasting 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. To all prepared areas apply Resene ArmourZinc 120 to achieve a dry film thickness of 75 microns, based on the assumption that brushing is the application method, apply four coats of Resene Armourcote 221 to achieve a total DFT of 200 microns, and finish with two coats of Resene Uracryl 400 Series topcoat colour to achieve a total DFT of 100 microns.

The key requirements are to ensure that all salts and washed from the areas to be repaired and removal of all corrosion products to leave only tight adherent corrosion products. Prior to commencing painting on a given day wash down the areas to be painted with fresh water and allow to dry before painting. This is to address the potential for inter layer salt contamination.

March 2021

Q. Can you please provide me a paint spec for a laminated pergola beam?

A. For painting our system would be Resene Wood Primer and two coats of a Resene Sonyx topcoat colour, if selecting a dark colour then use the Resene CoolColour version of the topcoat colour. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

February 2021

Q. I want to paint over an oil base varnished soffit (soffits are in very good conditions). What can I use? And can I topcoat in Resene Sonyx 101?

A. 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 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 are also removed. My preference would be to sand – you just need to degloss, not remove, the existing varnish and apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry then finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101.

February 2021

Q. I used Resene High Temp Black Enamel on my logburner and over part of it I have obvious brushmarks that have not yet cured it. Have you advice about best way to rectify this?

A. I have spoken with our R&D and they say that there is no way to address the brushmarking once the product has air dried. A wet sand using 400 grit wet and dry sandpaper to remove excess brushmarks then reapplication is the only possible remedy.

The product is formulated to be applied as a thin film and when still wet should brush out to an even film. You could add a small quantity of Resene Thinner No.6 to further reduce the paint viscosity.

February 2021

Q. What can I use to paint Weathertex Millwood Ruff cladding?

A. A prime coat of Resene Wood Primer followed by two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

February 2021

Q. Can you please point me in the right direction. I’m currently at the finishing stages of a new build and want to paint the concrete ring foundations black to suit the black bricks. Is there something you can suggest?

A. Assuming the concrete is sound apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal and follow with two or three coats of Resene X-200 Black.

February 2021

Q. We are building a new home. It will be clad in James Hardie Linea and Stria board which is preprimed. We want to use Resene paint. Can you please advise the best product for this material and can it be applied straight over the pre primed material? Is any further preparation required other than perhaps a wash down?

A. 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 are also removed. Then apply a coat of Resene Concrete Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101, if selecting a dark topcoat colour use the Resene CoolColour version of the topcoat colour. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

February 2021

Q. Our painted barge boards have lichen moss etc. penetrating though the paint into the wood. How and who can treat this growth?

A. The only treatment would be to use Resene Deep Clean Trigger quick application, spray on and saturate the surface during an over cast day and leave. Over time the bio growth will die off, moss should die off quite quickly with the lichen taking much longer to do so.

Some forms of lichen do not change colour when they die so a visual recognition of the lichen being dead may not be possible. I expect that you may have to re-apply Resene Deep Clean after a month and then wait a couple of months. At the end of this to time you will need to access the treated areas and using a tungsten blade scraper physically remove the dead bio growth and the paint system back to a sound edge with no bio growth. Sand the bare timber back to a feathered edge and apply two coats of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 colour.

The conditions which gave rise to the bio growth will remain, so our recommendation is to treat the area with Resene Deep Clean at the beginning of spring or autumn to effect long term control of bio growth.

February 2021

Q. I want to paint over polystyrene panels that are laminated with precoated steel. Will I need a special paint or primer for this? Or do I sand the panels and then paint?

A. 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 are also removed. Apply a prime coat of Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer then finish with two coats of a Resene exterior waterborne paint.

February 2021

Q. I want to paint the black mould exterior varnished soffit and stained fascia of my Lockwood home. What is the best method of preparing the surface and painting it white?

A. 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 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 are also removed.

Sand the existing varnish and prepare any areas of flaking back to a sound feathered edge. Spot prime bare timber with Resene Wood Primer, then apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101.

For the fascias use the same prep but instead of the full coat of Resene Quick Dry apply a full coat of Resene Wood Primer before topcoating.

February 2021

Q. We need to have an exterior repaint done on a house. It is plaster cladding over pre cast concrete panels and we are told some form of elastomeric paint is the best idea. Can you please let us know which Resene paint would be recommended and then what colours are available in that particular format?

A. Resene X-300E is our elastomeric paint.

The use of this type of paint is not that well understood amongst the local specifying world or customers. While an elastomeric paint can give a weather tight finish to new masonry its real benefit is when there is substrate cracking particularly live cracking. In either of these cases it is critical to apply the elastomeric paint to achieve a dry film thickness at least 2 x the crack width.

For most exterior masonry and plaster finishes Resene X-200 is the product most commonly used, while it is not based on an elastomeric resin system is can bridge cracks up to 1mm in width.

February 2021

Q. I want to repaint an exterior, the exterior is around five years old the paint is still in good condition. Do I need to sand everything before I repaint it? I have washed the house and will be repainting it the same colour.

A. Assuming the existing topcoat paint system is a waterborne enamel, sound and chalk free there should be no need for sanding of weatherboards.

February 2021

Q. We want to paint our concrete block BBQ black. The concrete blocks get warm but not that hot that you can’t touch them. What paint would we use for this?

A. Our criteria to paint is that you must be able to maintain hand contact on the areas to be painted when the BBQ is at full heat. Apply a seal coat of Resene Concrete Primer thinned 10% with water and finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl.

February 2021

Q. I need to paint some old prepainted concrete blocks. I have scraped off most of the existing paint easily. There is a lot of white powder (efflorescence?) What sealer product should I use?

A. Efflorescence is caused by water getting into concrete often via cracks or faulty flashings, cappings etc. in an exterior wall. The source of the water causing the efflorescence needs to be found and eliminated before repainting. Affected areas should also be allowed to dry out thoroughly before repainting. Thoroughly wire brush to remove any remaining efflorescence, then apply a coat of Resene Sureseal. The original cause of the efflorescence should be eliminated prior to repainting.

February 2021

Q. I am putting up new Marley guttering that I want to paint. Do you have a suitable primer for this please? I will be using Resene Galvo One and Resene Quick Dry on surrounding a materials.

A. Marley guttering is uPVC and Resene exterior waterborne topcoats can be applied to this (clean) without the need for priming, adhesion takes 5-7 days to fully develop. If applying a dark colour use the Resene CoolColour version of the colour as this will give a higher heat reflection compared to the non-cool version of the colour and reduce the potential for changes in the dimension of the guttering during hot weather conditions. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

February 2021

Q. We have a new extension added to our house four years ago painted in the last two years by professional painters, and the paint is coming off between the weatherboards making gaps between the boards. What can be done to fill the gaps? Will water get in?

A. This is due to weatherboard shrinkage not the quality of application of the paint system. During dry periods there is a change in the equilibrium moisture content of the boards, the lowered moisture content causes the timber to shrink.

February 2021

Q. I’m putting external steel work up that has to comply to council building regulations and they specify Resene E22 I have your technical data sheet on E22 and have a few options. Can you advise what colour options are available for Resene Armourcote 510 and what’s the best zinc primer to suit?

A. The zinc rich primer is Resene ArmourZinc 120, for the best long term corrosion resistance applied to an abrasive blast cleaned steel to near white metal. Resene Armourcote 510 can be tinted to a range of our colours but if exposed to direct weathering we require overcoating of the Resene Armourcote 510 with a Resene Uracryl 400 Series polyurethane topcoat. Epoxies undergo chalking when exposed to weathering.

February 2021

Q. I need to paint some old aluminium guttering/fascia. In some patches the existing coating is completely gone. What paint system do you recommend?

A. 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 Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all salts are also removed.

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.

Spot prime bare metal with Resene Galvo One and finish with two coats of Resene Summit Roof colour.

February 2021

Q. We want to specify a robust paint/sealer system for the exterior of beach changing rooms right on the coast - what would you recommend for concrete blockwork and plywood linings?

A. For the new exterior concrete block apply three coats of Resene X-200 then two coats of Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield. The same system can be used for interior blockwork. Allow the Resene X-200 basecoat paint to cure for at least 48 hours then 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.

For the exterior/interior ply, apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry then two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen and again finish with the Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield clear.

February 2021

Q. I live near the coast and my three storey house gets battered by both stark sun and rain. I want to paint my house a dark blue but am worried about colour fade. My builder has said absolutely not given the amount of scaffolding to be erected to paint the house.

A. Colour fade is not associated with a specific colour group, it is a function of the quality of and mix of colorants used to produce the colour. Resene also sells Resene Clearcoat UVS which will significantly increase the level of protection of the base paint colour from both UV and weathering. Application of the clear over a tinted base colour will give a full gloss finish which may not be acceptable.

February 2021

Q. Is it OK to apply Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen on to external fibrolite panels that are the ceiling of an external veranda?

A. Yes, if new apply a prime coat of Resene Concrete Primer.

February 2021

Q. I want to paint gold onto bicycle inner tubes (I'm making earrings out of the rubber). Will Resene paint adhere ok?

A. I suggest that you apply Resene Membrane Primer to the cleaned rubber then apply Resene FX Metallic Gold. The flexibility of the inner tube may be greater than the applied paint system can accommodate so cannot say with 100% certainty that the applied paint system will not develop cracks.

Resene Membrane Primer is our adhesion primer for a bituminous surface. Rubber is a compound and adhesion of the primer to rubber seems to be on occasion different, although the primer does adhere to rubber tyres.

February 2021

Q. Do you have any paint that can be used on a PVC duct to protect the duct against UV deterioration?

A. Any Resene exterior waterborne paint, such as Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss paint or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen paint, can be applied directly to clean uPVC, adhesion takes up to a week to develop.

We would recommend the CoolColour version of the topcoat be used if painting with dark colours. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch. This will reduce but not eliminate the expansion/contraction of the substrate.

January 2021

Q. We have some existing exterior steel galvanised columns and beams that have been powder coated in an Ironsand colour, close to the sea as well. Some of the paint is starting to fade heavily, we are wanting to repaint and change the colour to a lower sheen black, what products would be ideal for this? Would we need to remove the existing paint to apply a primer?

A. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all salts are also removed. Assuming there is no breakthrough of corrosion products (white material) then apply a full coat of Resene Galvo-Prime and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Black.

January 2021

Q. I plan to paint several traffic light standards from yellow to metallic silver. The current standards appear to be a urethane finish in good order, probably Resene Uracryl or Altex 379 Urethane. I have decided to clean, sand, apply vinyl etch, apply one coat of Resene Imperite I.F. 503 Metallic Silver Steel and one coat waterborne Resene Uracryl gloss clear waterborne. My question is: can I use Resene Vinyl Etch? Having read the fine print on the data sheet you say no. So should I use any form of etch?

A. Resene Imperite IF 503 cannot be applied over Resene Vinyl Etch used as a primer. For the situation you have use Resene Armourcote 220 (spray) or Resene Armourcote 221 (brush/roll). We specify Resene Uracryl 400 UVS Clear for overcoating the metallic, there is no UVS version of the waterborne equivalent of the UVS coat.

January 2021

Q. Our house was built in nearly 20 years ago out of concrete blocks and has a cement render. There are a few hairline cracks. They haven't ever opened up and they are so fine that I doubt I would be able to get any sealant in there.

Would Resene X-200 be suitable for our house?

A. Treat areas of moss/mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to instructions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all salts are also removed.

Allow the blocks to dry out then apply a coat of Resene Sureseal, spot prime hairline cracks with a stripe coat of Resene X-200 then apply three full coats of Resene X-200.

January 2021

Q. I painted a plastered concrete block building over 15 years ago. I used Resene Aquapel followed by two coats of Resene AquaShield in white. It has been very serviceable. I now want to repaint to freshen it up. I was going to specify repainting with Resene AquaShield. The building has developed a few hairline type cracks between the blocks. A painter came on site and said he would need to paint it with an elastomeric paint. Can you please advise what paint system you would recommend?

A. Resene AquaShield does not have the bridging ability required for this repaint. If the cracks are hairline then we would recommend using Resene X-200 for the repaint. We do also offer Resene X-300E, which is an elastomeric paint, but is not required if the existing cracking is stable.

January 2021

Q. Do you have a paint system that will comply with the 15 or 50 year durability requirements of the building code?

A. The substrate is the prime determinant of durability. If the substrate is accessible for maintenance than the 50-year durability is not required. There is no paint system that will last for 50 years without maintenance.

January 2021

Q. I want to apply a Black matt finish to the steel connections for Glulam timber beams. Can you please recommend a Black matt finish paint which is more suitable for these areas?

A. Assuming exterior location, use low sheen Resene Uracryl 404.

December 2020

Q. We are specifying painted brick on a new job we are designing and need to know what you would recommend for this. They are new bricks and we need a decorative finish.

A. Apply a prime coat of Resene Concrete Primer thinned 10% with water then finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen colour.

December 2020

Q. The fascias on our house had been painted in a paint semi-gloss finish in a dark colour. Recently we had a painting contractor repaint these and, instead of repainting with a similar paint, he has used Resene Woodsman stain. He had been told to use the proper paint but did not. Will the Resene Woodsman stain adhere adequately and last as long as a paint finish? Can these be repainted with a paint finish on top of the current Resene Woodsman stain finish?

A. If a stain has been applied to a solid paint finish then there is a problem, the stain will not achieve good adhesion and my advice is that stripping of the complete paint system is required and replacement with a solid paint system.

December 2020

Q. Can Resene FX Blackboard Paint and Resene FX Chalkboard Paint be painted onto exterior hardwood timber?

A. Resene FX Blackboard Paint and Resene FX Chalkboard Paint can be applied to any appropriately prepared and primed substrate and can be used in both exterior and interior applications.

December 2020

Q. We have just purchased a cedar weatherboard house. The boards are past being restained so we are going to paint them - the cedar is not in great condition. How should we prepare and paint these?

A. If any areas of moss or mould infestation exist then treat them 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. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all loose material and salts are also removed. Then apply a coat of Resene Wood Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen topcoat colour.

December 2020

Q. I am about to repaint a roughcast wall on a house. I have water blasted it twice but am still finding loose paint and some still peels off like rubber and appears to not have stuck to the paint that was previously on it, so I am removing as much as we can by hand. Please confirm what the paint process is for this job. Is it possible that water is coming through the concrete?

A. If possible total removal of the existing paint system sems advisable, when water blasting there is always water ingress at a break where paint is removed and this can leave a rough or lifted residual paint. These edges need to be feathered back to a sound edge, which is not easy when the substrate is rough cast.

Assuming there is no water ingress then allow the concrete to dry out then prime bare concrete with Resene Sureseal. Then apply three coats of Resene X-200. You will need to discuss roller sleeve selection with your local Resene ColorShop staff as roller selection will depend upon the surface texture.

November 2020

Q. I would like to modify a galvanised square washer by filing the edges to make it smaller. Once I have done that, I would like to apply a coat of paint to stop it from corroding. What type of paint would you recommend? It will be exposed to rain.

A. Prime using Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primer then follow with two topcoats of Resene Lustacryl.

If you want a zinc rich paint to replace any of the galvanised metal apply a coat of Resene ArmourZinc 110, then apply a seal coat of Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primer to both the zinc rich paint and the galvanising before topcoating.

November 2020

Q. What's a suitable weathertight paint/membrane product on concrete blocks that complies with CCANZ Code of Practice?

A. On new masonry/block work use three coats of Resene X-200 to achieve a minimum dry film thickness of 180 microns.

November 2020

Q. I have a board and batten timber exterior to my house made of plywood sheeting with timber battens at 300mm centres. I have some cracking on the plywood face and have been told by Carter Holt (plywood manufacturers) that is only in the first veneer of the ply. Currently the affected areas need sanding back, priming, and a high built paint applied. What do you suggest?

A. This is from a CHH guide;

Face Checking

Face checks are lengthwise separations of wood fibres in the face veneer of the plywood. They result from the normal swelling and shrinking of wood as it gains and loses moisture which is exacerbated by darker colours. It is important to realise that these checks are superficial, being confined to the face veneer.

They do not alter the structural integrity of the plywood in any way. If you are the specifier, it is important to discuss these issues with your client before finalising colour choice. If checking occurs, repaint with a good quality, 100% acrylic exterior house paint in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, thoroughly working paint into the face checks with a paint brush.

Sanding checked areas to achieve a smooth finish is not what we would recommend. Application of 1-2 coats of Resene X-200 can fill cracking and is how we have addressed the checking issue in the past. While X-200 is usually used over a cementitious substrate it can be applied to any appropriately prepared and primed substrate.

November 2020

Q. I've been told by Council that the dark colour I have painted the client's fascia "will not pass E2 and will not get a CCC" because it is too dark. While I believe they are wrong (E2 says nothing about fascia colour that I can find), what I would like to do is to repaint the fascia in a Resene CoolColour. Our original colour is FlaxPod, which is very dark charcoal colour. Is it possible to get a CoolColour match to FlaxPod?

A. This is the first time I have come across any colour restriction for a fascia. The LRV, light reflectance value is the same for a the non-cool and CoolColour version of a given colour. However the TSR. Total solar radiation of the CoolColour system will be higher than the TSR of the non-cool system TSR measures reflection of near infra-red radiation, heat.

Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

November 2020

Q. We want to paint our letterbox. It is a Campbell letterbox by Northcote Pottery (brand new) - we want to paint the grey portion black. Could you please recommend the best preparation and paint to use for this?

A. The letter boxes are made from GRC (glass reinforced concrete). Our system for this substrate is to 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. Allow to dry then apply a prime coat of Resene ConcreteSeal 3 in 1 and finish with two coats of a Resene exterior waterborne topcoat colour.

November 2020

Q. I have recently painted over a patch using the Resene Quarter Surrender which is the same as the existing walls in the house but it has come up slightly darker than the existing paint. Are you able to tell me why this has occurred? The house was painted almost a year and a half ago beforehand. I’m assuming it’s because the existing painted walls have cured over the time making them lighter possibly.

A. If external then there will have been weathering of the existing colour and this may change the existing colour to a lighter colour. If the patch paint was a different gloss level then the eye would see this as a different colour, gloss level changes also occur upon weathering. Seamless touch up of an existing external colour is often not possible.

November 2020

Q. We are building a new house with weatherboards, is it fine to use Resene CoolColour Baltic Sea on them? The weatherboards are primed.

A. The quality of pre-primed paint systems used on timber weatherboards varies greatly and in the main, they should be considered as a transport primer only. They will require thorough sanding and priming. If the timber has been exposed to UV light and weather for long periods (6 weeks or more), the surface will have chalked and be generally unsuitable for painting without the additional preparation work.

There are well performing factory applied primers including Resene True Prime. Unless chalked due to excessive UV exposure, they will not require re-priming. Check with the timber supplier or refer to documentation supplied with the timber, as to the type of primer used.

Resene Wood Primer is preferred over waterborne Resene Quick Dry Primer, as it is solventborne and will penetrate further into and bind onto the factory applied primer.

Step 1: Thoroughly scrub down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash to remove all dirt, grease, stains, dust and other contaminants. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.

Step 2: Thoroughly sand (using P180 grit sandpaper) to produce a smooth, sound surface and to reduce any sharp arises to a rounded profile. Wipe surface with a damp rag to remove dust.

Step 3: Apply a full coat of Resene Wood Primer as per the paint specification.

Step 4: Fill all nail holes, damaged or split timber with Resene EzyFill GP or similar product applied, in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Spot prime filler (after 24-hour dry) with Resene Wood Primer.

Note I: To prevent the primed surface being exposed to damaging UV light and weather, apply topcoats within a maximum time period of 4 weeks after completion of surface preparation.

The total system to achieve maximum heat reflection (CoolColour System) is a coat of Resene Wood Primer, a coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen tinted to the CoolColour version of the topcoat colour.

Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

November 2020

Q. I want to paint a cement render on an outside wall. My understanding is the paint should be able to 'breathe' to avoid trapping moisture behind the paint film. Does Resene Sonyx 101 and Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen 'breathe'?

A. All waterborne paint systems breathe, this means that water vapour not liquid water can pass through in and out of the paint film. A weathertight paint finish is installed by application of a high build waterborne paint such as Resene X-200 to an appropriately prepared and primed substrate. Low build waterborne systems such as Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen do not give a weathertight system.

November 2020

Q. I need to paint over a logo that has been applied to a PVC Marquee. What paint would be best for this job?

A. The only possible paint would possibly be Resene Lustacryl, but you will need to check if this could cope with the marquee being taken down and rolled up for storage.

November 2020

Q. What options do you have for the external finish for Firth hot bloc?

A. The Hot Block is the same as a standard masonry block but has a polystyrene in fill. So to repaint, you can use the same Resene paint system for the substrate as standard masonry block. If you use three coats of Resene X-200 this will give a coating system that meets the weathertight requirements of CCANZ CP 01 2014.

November 2020

Q. Can Resene X-200 be use on surfaces other than concrete? For example Hardie Flex, Titan Board or wood.

A. In principle Resene X-200 can be applied to any appropriately prepared and primed vertical substrate. However the product is designed for application to a cementitious substrate.

November 2020

Q. I have some old sleepers where the creosote is coming through with the sun. What is best to use to remove the creosote and then seal them?

A. The standard way to remove any tar based product is to use a product like our Resene Emulsifiable Solvent Cleaner but in your case runoff form washing down would be an issue.

Use of a solventborne sealer can reactivate the tar in the creosote. The only option is to use a waterborne sealer such as Resene Quick Dry and then overcoat with a light coloured topcoat colour in either Resene Lumbersider or Resene Walk-on. Application of dark colours will continue to have the current issue. A test patch of Resene Quick Dry will need to be applied to verify adhesion.

November 2020

Q. I wish to paint my 1960s weatherboard house but want to protect the boards as much as possible. I am happy to buy CoolColours.

I'm having some real issues getting answers to my questions as initially I was told by Resene that LRV was the correct measure to ascertain what colours I could use on my house, but now I've been told its TSR.

Can I please have some guidance?

A. Cladding suppliers of finger jointed weatherboards place a LRV limit on the colour used to paint their cladding, this is usually set at a minimum of 40%.

Few accept TSR as their limiting factor. There is no linear relationship between LRV and TSR, the LRV of a given colour is the same for a non-cool and cool version of the colour as LRV measure reflectance of visible light that is colour.

TSR (Total Solar Reflectance) is a measurement of reflection of near infra-red radiation, that is heat. So the TSR of a CoolColour version of a given colour will always be higher than the non-cool version of the colour.

We have developed an algorithm that says that an LRV cut off of 45% is equivalent to a TSR of >40%. Based on this the CoolColour colours like Resene Eighth Marsala and Resene Grey Chateau would meet the TSR criteria.

September 2020

Q. I'm about to put some new 'preprimed' vertical weatherboards (I bought from a timber yard) on the gable of my house (to replace old ones that have deteriorated). The gable faces west and is the most exposed part to the weather. The rest of the house is finished in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. Should I undercoat, or prime before I put Resene Lumbersider on these preprimed weatherboards?

A. Thoroughly sand to the factory primer and re prime with a coat of Resene Wood Primer then for the ultimate system apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. If selecting a dark colour apply the CoolColour version of the topcoat colour.

September 2020

Q. I've been asked to enquire what the best paint/paint system would be to repaint a plastered AAC panel (Celcrete/Hebel etc). The house was repainted approx 8 years ago after earthquake repairs were completed.

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. Then apply three coats of Resene X-200.

September 2020

Q. We have an Insulclad (foam cladding) house, which gets very sunny and hot in summer. What sort of exterior paint do we need for exterior?

A. Assuming no water ingress issue, use Resene X-200 and stay with as light a colour as possible.

September 2020

Q. I have a plaster house solid concrete (not with polystyrene under it). What paint do you suggest I use? The surface has a few fine cracks.

A. We recommend Resene X-200 (three coats).

September 2020

Q. We have successfully been using Resene X-200 on our townhouse complex for 20 years. Can you please advise the lifespan of this paint?

A. Correctly installed, the Resene X-200 system will give a weathertight system for 10 years. After that, maintenance will be required to maintain aesthetics, again assuming no water ingress issues have developed over time. Resene X-200 or a low build exterior waterborne coating can be used for maintenance.

Certainly no film integrity issues should be present at 15 years. Guarantees offered by some paint companies need to be treated with caution as they will only reimburse the paint cost in the event there is a failure unless the failure can be shown to be attributable to the paint.

September 2020

Q. I have painted the outside of a plastic water trough. I used Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer as the undercoat, and then painted on two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen, however the paint seems to chip off quite easily. Is there a clear topcoat that I could apply to improve durability?

A. The tank is probably polypropylene and we have no paint system that will gain strong adhesion to this plastic, polyethylene is the same.

September 2020

Q. Is there a type of Resene paint that I could use to paint an unpainted wooden fence as well as a previously painted brick house? Also I would like to spray if possible. It is a new pine fence constructed with dry dressed fence pails. I have used Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen a few times before, so if it would be suitable for painting the house I will go with that.

A. If the paint system on the brick is sound, scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. 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. Then apply two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101 in your topcoat colour.

For the fence, Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen can be used for the topcoat. If the topcoat colour is pale than a coat of Resene Wood Primer will be required to lock in treatment chemicals from coming through and discolouring the paint colour. We would always recommend priming the top and bottom ends of the palings to provide a barrier to water uptake.

September 2020

Q. What is the best Resene product for painting soffits?

A. Resene Sonyx 101 is our recommended topcoat for soffits.

September 2020

Q. My house was painted with Resene Sonyx 101 approx 7 years ago, but I want to give it a fresh paint. Most paintwork is in good condition. Provided that the paint has not flaked, do I need to sand before applying the new coats? Or will Resene Sonyx 101 stick to already applied Resene Sonyx 101 from 7 years ago?

A. There is no need to sand if recoating with Resene Sonyx 101. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. 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. Then apply two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 colour.

September 2020

Q. We are about to paint a weatherboard house and will replace some boards but in some parts we will repair the rot. Do you have a suitable epoxy filler? What do you recommend to preserve the timber after I have cut out the rot? Do you recommend oil based paint for the first coat on bare timber (followed by acrylic)?

A. Rotten and cracked timber needs to be cut out or the rot will spread. Typically, rotted areas may be suspected but the extent and location not known until preparation work begins.

Step 1: Scrape out all cracks and splits in timber to obtain a sound surface for filling. Nail or screw where needed to secure the timber.

Step 2: Cut out and remove rotten timber. Ideally cut away 20mm of sound timber around the affected area to ensure the rot is completely removed.

Step 3: Treat all end grains and any other bare timber in the vicinity, as well as any replacement timber, with Resene TimberLock.

Step 4: Large areas should be replaced with a similar timber profile and / or filled using the repair care system as per RepairCare technical data sheets, using Dry Fix Primer and Dry Flex Filler. Cracks, nail holes and splits should also be repaired in accordance with RepairCare directions.

Step 5: Thoroughly sand all filled areas to achieve a smooth surface. Ensure all areas of flaking paint are thoroughly sanded to a feathered edge. Wash clean and immediately prime all bare timber and filled areas with the specified timber primer.

Step 6: Apply the specified primer to bare and repaired areas as per the painting specification.

August 2020

Q. I'm using Resene Alumastic high build epoxy. I need to buy 1 litre of Hardener, can I get this tinted one shade darker?

A. Resene Alumastic cannot be tinted, it is an aluminium epoxy.

August 2020

Q. I am just finishing a rendered house with a FlaxPod roof. We need to add downpipes. My husband wants white, but I would like to match the house but we can’t get FlaxPod. Can we paint the downpipes?

A. PVC can be painted with any Resene exterior waterborne topcoat, we can tint the colour. If using a dark colour, we recommend that you apply the CoolColour version of the colour. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch. The CoolColour will reduce but not eliminate the expansion/contraction of the PVC.

August 2020

Q. I am planning a repaint for a heritage building and we will be painting over the existing plaster. What do you recommend?

A. Spec Sheet 3:3/1 - New Exterior Plaster and Rendered Finishes

There are a number of proprietary and specialist plasters and renders available for use on exterior cladding. However, they have the same coating, painting and preparation requirements. It is important to ensure the manufacturer’s instructions and industry best practice is followed.

Lime, which can migrate from plaster and render finishes, can discolour and damage paint and coating systems unless sealed. Even modern acrylic plaster formulations can be affected.

Some hairline cracking is a feature of plasters and renders and, provided is not endemic and symptomatic of failing or unsound plaster, is best coated using a high build coating such as Resene X-200 membrane.

Step 1: Thoroughly clean to remove any surface contaminants, construction detritus and loosely bound material.

Step 2: Rake out cracks greater than 1 millimetre wide, voids and damaged areas to remove all loosely bound material.

Fill cracks and holes less than 3mm deep using Resene Construction Systems Ltd Multistop FRP Bedding Compound. 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 3: Apply a full coat of the Resene Limelock as per the painting specification.

Note I: Water is required to fully cure plasters (hydraulic cure). Modern acrylic modified plasters, which can be applied as thin plasters, lose water quickly and do not achieve full hydraulic cure. Resene Limelock applied as soon as the plaster is touch dry, acts as a curing membrane as water in the plaster mix is trapped within the plaster layer and available for hydraulic curing. The application of Limelock also allows painting be undertaken sooner than would normally be the case if the plaster was left to cure without the Limelock.

Note II: Construction joints should be filled with a suitable sealant as per sealant manufacturer’s directions. If a sealant is painted over, the paint may crack with movement and any cracks may transmit into the sealant with the risk of creating a leaking joint. Some sealants may also exude plasticiser into paint and create a tacky surface.

Note III: Step 3 does not require an additional coat of primer or sealer and should be read in conjunction with the painting specification for the project.

August 2020

Q. I am looking to fix up many large patches of loose paint on the exterior block wall at my house (the loose paint is causing water seepage into the interior of the block wall). I am wondering could you tell me which paint to use please?

A. Remove areas of failing paint back to a sound feathered edge. Spot prime bare substrate with Resene Sureseal (block work needs to be dry) then overcoat the Resene Sureseal primed areas with Resene X-200 and apply two full coats of Resene X-200.

August 2020

Q. I want to repaint the wooden beams in my house white. How do I go about preparing them and then what paint would I use?

A. For the beams apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal and then finish with two coats of a Resene interior topcoat.

August 2020

Q. Could you please advise the type of paint I would need to paint H5 round poles and stepping posts for a children's playground?

A. Prime with Resene Wood Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen tinted to the required colour.

August 2020

Q. Are Resene's paints self-priming? If the surface is weathered timber boards do they require priming?

A. Self-priming paints should only be applied to a new sound substrates. If you check the fine print of self-priming paints there is always a recommendation to prime weathered timber before top coating.

August 2020

Q. I would like to know if I can paint an untreated Nordic Spruce, natural timber, cabin with a Resene paint system?

A. For a solid colour system apply a coat of Resene TimberLock, wipe off excess at time of application and leave to cure for at least 48 hours before applying a coat of Resene Wood Primer and finishing with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen topcoat colour.

For dark colours we recommend the Resene CoolColour version of the topcoat colour. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

June 2020

Q. Resene sponsors NZ Remembrance Army and provides white paint to use restoring granite headstones. Some cemeteries have some headstones which have the lettering picked out in light silver and one in gold. Can you advise if Resene FX Metallic will perform on this?

A. Yes, you can use FX Metallic colours for this purpose. Some gold colours may require a coat of Resene Clearcoat UVS to be applied over the base metallic paint to protect against colour fade.

June 2020

Q. I am after some direction around how to go about painting a Shadowclad with a black colour for our new build.

A. First, check if your consent authority will allow black as a topcoat colour for code of compliance. If they do, apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen Cool Black topcoat colour. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch. Note the Quick Dry must be used as the basecoat to achieve the CoolColour effect.

June 2020

Q. I have a building in brick veneer which I would like to paint. What paint do I need?

A. Apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider. Depending on the brick texture, you may have to use a Resene No.2 sleeve to apply the topcoats.

June 2020

Q. I am very keen on using Resene Bokara Grey CoolColour on my 50s weatherboard house but my painter is not so keen! I have insisted on going with the Resene CoolColour and he agrees to do it, provided I supply the Resene paint myself.

My question is: if he's stripping the paint right back, what primer should be used under the Resene Bokara Grey CoolColour paint? We are stripping the old paint back to bare boards so we start from scratch.

A. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

If there are many layers of paint on the cladding and they have always been light in colour then while the benefits of a cool colour system are still present application of the cool system may be a tipping point for failure of an underlying paint layer. The CoolColour system will reduce but not eliminate then potential for this mode of failure to occur.

A total strip does increase the chance for a good outcome.

Prime the bare timber with two coats of Resene Quick Dry then finish with two coats of the CoolColour topcoat. The two coats of primer are to give a solid white base colour prior to topcoating as this will maximise heat refection of the system. The CoolColour benefit is achieved with the CoolColour topcoats.

June 2020

Q. We own a 1940s weatherboard bungalow in Auckland. The back of the house is a newer add-on, about 10 years old, also weatherboard. We have been painting our house exterior over the last two summers. Summer 2019, my husband and I painted the back half of the house ourselves, this last summer we got professionals to do the older front half. We have been having issues with paint cracking on all of the window frames around the entire house and the French doors at the back (west facing). To our knowledge everything was prepped correctly, cleaned, sanded, then painted with one coat Resene Quick Dry undercoat primer and two coats of the Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel. The paint is cracking on the drier North and West facing windows, as well as the more shadowed East and South facing walls. More cracks appear each time it rains. Some cracks are really fine surface cracks, others are deep splits in the paint. Did we need to use a different paint? Or is this just something that happens with wooden houses expanding and contracting and we have to live with it? The paint on the weatherboards appears to be completely fine.

A. It is timber and timber moves. The performance is affected from the species cut and from what part of the tree and how the joiner makes the thing in the first place, then how one paints it and when during the year they do this and then what type of weather we have for 1-2 months before they painted it.

Any timber item joinery is made of many parts and thus has many points of potential movement, hence why good quality joinery should use/have used stable timber species cut in a dimensionally stable manner (1/4 sawn - Radial cut).

In addition, this is why in old houses you get windows/doors ‘sticking’ in winter time as the timber has dimensionally swelled and in the summer they can rattle as they have shrunk.

This is why people in the late 1970s and early 1980s ripped out their wooden windows and replaced with aluminium as they were sick of the higher maintenance on doors and windows. However this can cause other issues as well as looking ugly on nice old villas and bungalows.

Windows and doors have more egress points for water (by their very design) therefore are more in movement compared to weatherboards boards and also weatherboards boards have a more flexible acrylic on them (even then if it’s not thick enough it will split and crack still).

When the timber expands, this is when the cracking appears.

Sorry but all I can really advise is that these joinery items really do need a lot of care and meticulous preparation and paint application. So with all that in mind, I can only offer the below suggestion/s;

1. Wait for timber to be at its mid-point EMC and MC%, it will then be at its average dimension (Mid-Spring Mid-Autumn) so less % movement either way (expansion/shrinkage).
2. Seal all egress points. Paint onto glass to seal the glass/putty interface, don’t mask it leaving a drip point ridge. Fill/seal any joints with a good semi-flexible paintable material to help offer a bridge (rather than the paint doing this).
3. Sand the surface smooth and if underlying coatings are degraded, then remove as they are not helping (especially if they are brittle).
4. If different timbers are used half vs quarter sawn then there will be differential movement between the joints (difficult to fix with paint and should have used ¼ sawn for frames/doors etc) so nothing we can do except to try and reduce moisture vapour uptake rate (diffusion) by using cross linked coatings applied evenly at correct DFT.
5. Apply the coating evenly (avoiding valleys and peaks using a high quality synthetic brush at the correct application speed to achieve an even smooth film) at the correct thickness.

I have personally used this paint system and it performs very well. That being said, it is timber and will require more regular maintenance than say aluminium.

For now, I would suggest a quick sand and then apply a nice even coat over the top to help seal the splits as best as possible over the winter and readdress the situation late spring.

June 2020

Q. We have 100 year old paint on existing interior brick. The loose and flaky lead paint was stabilised and encapsulated with a clear coat. Then a waterproofing clear sealant was applied. It is flaking off.

A. As you apply more paint layers over the existing paint there will be an increasing amount of stress on the adhesion of the lead based paint. Sorry, but there is no way to treat the system to achieve sound adhesion of the lead based paint. You will have to carefully strip the system using a wide flat scraper and collect all of the paint flakes for disposal.

June 2020

Q. Would it be possible to paint over red bricks so they blend in with the rest of our house? We used to have a red roof but now they don’t match anything.

A. If the bricks are not glazed, apply a prime coat of Resene Concrete Primer thinned 10% with water and then topcoat with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

June 2020

Q. I am building a two room cottage. The exterior is board and batten. Some of it will be 6mm cement sheet and the remainder will be Weathertex. I would like to paint it black, and possibly stain the battens a rich chocolate. I am concerned about the building heating up and I understand you have a selection of cool blacks that can be painted over a white undercoat.

A. The Weathertex cladding is the only real issue. We have not looked to using a Resene CoolColour system over this substrate.

Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch. The CoolColour system will reduce but not eliminate heat related stress on the substrate.

The whiter the basecoat the better, so you could use a coat of the same paint but white that the CoolColour topcoats will be tinted to. Any dark colour will require the CoolColour top coats to be applied.

June 2020

Q. Some of the decorative features on our house, such as the corbels, were reinstated using plywood. The end grain of the plywood faces out and the texture of the ply layers can be seen/felt under the paint. Now that we are repainting we’d like to see what we can do to smooth out the surface.

A. Unsealed cut ends of ply can take up water and swell. If this has happened, the only way to look to remedy is to sand back to achieve the required profile and prime with Resene Wood Primer. Then you can use Resene Timber Surface Prep (multiple coats may be required) to re profile the ply. After this, sand flush then reprime using Resene Quick Dry and topcoat with two coats of a Resene exterior waterborne paint.

June 2020

Q. I am painting a PVC type material that children will jump on. Can I use Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen exterior paint? How long does it take to cure so it won’t get all scratched up? Or can you recommend a better paint?

A. Resene exterior waterborne paints, including Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen, can be used to paint a pure PVC substrate. Waterborne paints being softer than the PVC will always have the potential for scratching, if the painted substrate is subject to deformation then this introduces another possible film damage pathway. I suggest you look to trial the Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen system (two weeks) and then make a decision on its fitness for purpose.

June 2020

Q. We plan to use the James Hardie Product – Hardie Groove on the ceilings of a pool house. This will be a fully enclosed building but will include a ventilation system to help with the heat/moisture/air flow etc. If you could let me know what the most suitable sealer and topcoat would be for this situation, I would really appreciate it.

A. The Resene system for this project would be to apply two coats of Resene Armourcote 221 epoxy primer to achieve a nominal dry film thickness of 100 microns then finish with two coats of a Resene Uracryl 400 Series topcoat. The Resene Uracryl 400 Series topcoats are available in three gloss levels, Gloss (Resene Uracryl 403), semi-gloss (Resene Uracryl 402) and low sheen (Resene Uracryl 404). Due to the HardiGroove design, brush application is recommended for all coats.

June 2020

Q. We are extending our weatherboard home and have 1000 lineal metres of new preprimed weatherboard ready to go onto the house. The existing house has been painted in Resene Sonyx 101. We want to paint the first coat on the boards before they go up. Do you recommend that we use a primer or is it ok to add Resene Sonyx 101 onto the factory preprimed board? We are using Taranaki Pine bevel back weatherboard.

A. Resene Sonyx 101 is relatively soft and cannot be stacked without damage to the paint coating. If you are going to precoat then Resene Lumbersider would be a better choice for the first coat, slip stack then you can then apply Resene Sonyx 101 once installed.

June 2020

Q. I would like to paint a powder coated steel entrance way tower unit. Would the Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer be a suitable undercoat to allow the topcoats to adhere?

A. Using Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner ensure the surfaces to be painted are clean and free from grease, paying 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 overcoating. The sealer is not designed to be applied as a thick wet film thickness or give opacity, the thinner the coat the better. Then apply two coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen or Resene Lustacryl. 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.

June 2020

Q. We'd like to paint our house with Resene CoolColour black. It is clad in Hardiplank fibre cement cladding. Some of the cladding will be replaced as we renovate but some of the older boards will remain. What is the best preparation process for the older cladding? The newer replacement boards will be pre-primed. It was probably last painted five years ago.

A. Our system for fibre cement boards is to apply a full prime coat of Resene Concrete Primer then finish with two coats of the Resene CoolColour version of the topcoat colour tinted in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101. You do need to apply the Resene Concrete Primer as this will give the maximum heat refection when the full system is applied.

Wash down the existing paint work using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions, then apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish as before with two coats of CoolColour topcoat.

Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

If the existing paint colour is pale, the application of a darker colour will increase heat stress upon the existing paint, this may cause the existing paint system to fail. The CoolColour system will reduce but not eliminate the potential for this to occur.

June 2020

Q. What is the best paint for existing rendered block walls of house which have previously been painted? The existing paintwork is sound and not chalky or flaking. There are small hairline cracks in a few places which we will fill with MS silicone if necessary.

A. Wash down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Stripe coat hairline cracks with Resene X-200 then apply two full coats of Resene X-200.

June 2020

Q. Could you give me some advice on an exterior painting job please?

My wife reacts badly to VOC in paint and we have trialled Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen and found this works well. However, the painters think this might be too sticky around the opening edges of windows and doors. Do you have a low VOC alternative? They also suggested a higher gloss would be better for windows and doors. Is there a low VOC alternative for this? Do you have a low VOC water-based primer?

A. As long as the painters are using a Resene Environment Choice Approved waterborne paint then the VOC will be less than 100 g/L in most cases well below this level. If two surfaces painted in a waterborne paint based on a conventional non cross linking waterborne resin system touch each other (e.g. on working joinery) the two surfaces will stick/fuse. In this situation use a waterborne enamel paint such as Resene Lustacryl or Resene Enamacryl as the topcoat. Resene Quick Dry can be used as the primer/undercoat with the exception of priming bare cedar and timbers that contain tannins.

June 2020

Q. We are looking to paint backfill machined patterns on reclaimed timber sleepers. Can you recommend a suitable black paint for use on timber which offers the best durability and lifespan?

A. Prime the areas to be coated using Resene Wood Primer and then apply an undercoat of Resene Quick Dry then finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 CoolColour Black. The CoolColour black needs a solid white base coat system. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

May 2020

Q. I have a small shed that is clad with Hardie Sheet. It has arrised edges where they join. My house is plastered in a fine texture and I want to match (doesn’t have to be exact) the shed. I will need to fill the arrised joins including the edges where the walls meet and then apply some textured finish to match the house. What can you recommend?

A. After joint filling to apply a prime coat of Resene Concrete Primer and finish with 2 or 3 rolled coats of Resene Resitex Standard. However we cannot predict if this will disguise the filled joints.

May 2020

Q. I have a house with external exposed timber rafters. They have previously been painted with a bitumen paint. I was previously told by another company that I could only paint over bitumen paint with bitumen paint. I have started painting with Ormonoid water based brushable waterproofer. It is not UV stable so I need to find a way to paint over it. Ormonoid have told me that I can use a water based acrylic elastomeric paint. I don't need the bitumen paint as a waterproofing membrane, it has just been used instead of paint. It sounds like your Resene X-200 might be able to be used over the new bitumen paint, and possibly even over the old surface (so I don't need to give it a fresh coat of bitumen paint first).

A. Resene X-300E is the only elastomeric paint that we have. The paint is only available as white or colours tinted from white.

May 2020

Q. I am needing to get paint for my house soffits and gutters. I am not sure what kind of paint I need, I only know the name of the paint colours I need.

A. If the gutters are PVC then you can apply the paint without a primer. If metal then spot prime bare metal with Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primer before applying two coats of topcoat (two coats also for the PVC).

If the soffits are fibre cement, spot prime bare areas with Resene Sureseal then apply two coats of topcoat. Resene Sonyx 101 is the topcoat for both substrates.

May 2020

Q. I recently purchased a property with stabilised pressed earth bricks.

Unfortunately, over the years, it has not been well maintained so some of the earth bricks have been exposed to leaking spouting etc. and are suffering from efflorescence and flaking/weather damage (the face of the brick can be rubbed off with your finger).

I would like to bind the brick face and then seal the house. Is this something that 'Resene Stone Strengthener' could be used for and would you have an appropriate sealer?

A. We are in somewhat unchartered territory on this one. Resene Stone Strengthener works by the deposition of mineral crystals in the pores of the structure and creates virtually no residual stress. Finish with a saturation coat of Resene Solventborne Aquapel.

The combination of both products should achieve a degree of consolidation and water repellence.

May 2020

Q. We have an irrigation system with galvanised steel pipes - I would like to paint the pipework - suction side of pumps in blue and the pressure side in red - what do you suggest?

A. Prime the sections to be colour referenced with Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primer then apply two coats of Resene Enamacryl.

May 2020

Q. I was touching up soffit lining which is COLORSTEEL® and has been spot painted previously with a Resene waterbased paint. The COLORSTEEL® paint has blistered in parts so I cleaned it down with a wire brush also removing areas showing rust spots. Then I sprayed the areas with rust converter, then a heavy duty automobile primer then a spot coating of Resene Galvo One. Next day I applied a coat of the Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen touch up paint tinted to match the original COLORSTEEL® colour. After washing the whole area and as the paint dried you could see light ‘pink’ splotches. I was thinking it needed another coat so I went ahead and recoated. I did this again but it still showed through. Can you please identify the problem and suggest how I might fix this?

A. I think the rust convertor may be the cause of the Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen pinking. To block the staining apply a coat of Resene Sureseal over the Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen and then recoat with the topcoat.

May 2020

Q. I’m painting an old rusty steel beam with your Resene Rust-Arrest primer. What are suitable undercoat and topcoat paints to go over it? It’s a support beam out of sight under the house so I’m just wanting to give it some long-term protection against rust (it won’t be in view).

A. Before applying the Resene Rust-Arrest the following surface prep is required; Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label/data sheet. 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 or high pressure water blast ensuring all loose paint and salts are also removed.

Remove as much red rust as is practicable using mechanical methods, (3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc), to leave only tightly adherent corrosion products.

The easiest topcoat system is a coat of Resene Enamel Undercoat and two coats of Resene Super Gloss enamel topcoat.

May 2020

Q. I have a powder coated cabin which is made from the same panels as a fridge is made from. Its looking a bit dull and some of the powder coating has come off, so now there are streaks showing. is it best to re-powder coat the cabin or paint it?

A. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash following label instructions to achieve a chalk free surface. Apply a full coat of Resene Pre-coated Steel Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 in your topcoat colour.

May 2020

Q. The bottom of the wall of our house is concrete, the upper is red brick. What would we use to paint the concrete? Do we have a gloss level option? Does it need an undercoat? I'm interested in Ironsand to match our garage door and roof.

A. Assuming your brick isn’t glazed you can paint it out as below:

Step 1: Treat moss and mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer; use as directed on the label.

Note I: For heavy infestations, an additional application(s) may be needed. Data Sheet D80

Step 2: Thoroughly scrub down with Resene Paint Prep and House Wash in accordance with the data sheet to remove all dirt, dust, grease, any moss and mould residue, chalk, cobwebs and other contaminants. Alternatively, water blast 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.

Apply:

• 1 coat Resene Concrete Primer
• 2 coats Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen

May 2020

Q. Can you apply Resene X-200 over Resene Armourcote 221 on galvanised steel structural beams?

A. The normal topcoat for Resene Armourcote 221 is Resene Uracryl 400 Series topcoat not Resene X-200.

May 2020

Q. We want to paint our 1960s red brick house. We have water blasted so far, would the next step be using Resene Limelock prior to painting with say Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen? I worry about the paint flaking/chipping.

A. Apply a coat of Resene Concrete Primer diluted 10% with water and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. If selecting a dark colour use the Resene CoolColour version of the colour. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

May 2020

Q. We are wanting to paint our brick exterior. We live very close to the ocean and want to paint our brick white. Should we be painting or staining the brick? What is the best product/s to use?

A. Painting is the only option. The brick needs to be rinsed well with water to flush out salt. Water blasting will not achieve this. After the brick has dried out apply a coat of Resene Sureseal and finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101.

May 2020

Q. I have a house that is roughly 16 years old that has cedar weatherboards that were originally stained with a solid film forming stain in a dark colour from another company. The product has faded out to nothing in places and in the exposed areas while the stain is still there it has turned to powder. I have sanded the whole house by hand and in some areas, I have gone back to bare wood. Based on what I see of stains in general, I am thinking I would rather paint the weatherboards by using an oil based primer where the boards are bare and then a waterbased paint to finish.

A. Film forming stains do not give total UV block which is why they fail. If you want to restain or paint with a solid colour, all of the film forming stain must be removed. Once this is done for a solid paint system apply a coat of Resene Wood Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen CoolColour.

With the stain to paint conversion there will always be the chance of some future failure usually the paint system delaminating from the timber. The darker the colour, the greater the risk.

April 2020

Q. What do I need to do to properly protect wooden beams under a deck in full sunlight? I stripped the existing paint back to bare wood in a lot of places and then put Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat on it. However, it cracks and blisters.

A. After stripping did you notice cracks in the timber? If there was then paint will not bridge the crack as the paint dries. The other possibility is that drying out of the timber is occurring, which may be leading to cracks appearing along some of the timber grain lines.

Only suggestion is to apply the primer only and wait and see the extent of the cracking and then go back and redo the cracks.

April 2020

Q. I will be repainting the exterior timber weatherboards on my house and need advice. I will waterblast the exterior and then should I use an undercoat or only top coats?

A. We do not recommend water blasting timber as this can damage the timber and compromise subsequent painting. The following applies to timber weatherboards; treat moss and mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer; use as directed on the label instructions. For heavy infestations, an additional application(s) may be needed. Thoroughly scrub down with Resene Timber and Deck Wash, in accordance with the data sheet to remove all dirt, dust, grease, any moss and mould residue, chalk, cobwebs and other contaminants. Rinse thoroughly, do not allow the diluted solution to dry out on any contact surface.

Remove or punch in any rusty nails and replace with stainless steel nails or equivalent. Thoroughly sand to remove any grey, weathered timber and to produce a smooth sound surface for painting. If timber is rough sawn then diligent brushing with a stiff nylon brush can be employed for this purpose. Ensure any sharp edges are arrised to a rounded profile.

It is recommended that weathered and greyed timber, in particular rough sawn, is treated with a saturation coat of Resene TimberLock. Allow 48 hours dry, then wipe off any still tacky material with a turps wet rag.

Then spot prime with Resene Wood Primer and apply two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

April 2020

Q. I am building a motel and there are quite a number of aluminium flashings going on the building. Please can you advise what paint product I can use for the flashings rather than powder coat?

A. The best paint system is a prime coat of Resene Armourcote 221 and finish with two coats of Resene Uracryl 402.

April 2020

Q. What is your recommended paint for Linea® weatherboards? They are 10 years old and slightly faded.

A. Scrub down the Linea® using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Then, if the existing paintwork is sound, apply two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101.

April 2020

Q. I’m looking for a white bargeboard paint. Which is the best one? I’m using Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss for the window frames and Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss for the house itself.

A. Resene Sonyx 101 is ideal for timber bargeboards.

April 2020

Q. I just bought some brand new Shadowclad ply to line my shed. It’s been treated with CCA. What type of undercoat do I use? Can I get away with a water based primer or do I use pigmented sealer?

A. Our recommended primer would be Resene Wood Primer which is solventborne.

April 2020

Q. I have just painted my weatherboard house with Resene Waterborne Woodsman penetrating oil stain. I now want to change one wall to white. What do I need to do and what paint do I use?

A. We would usually recommend leaving the stain to weather for at least 12 months before looking to convert to a solid colour system.

April 2020

Q. I want to paint a bottom rail that is west facing, so there is lots of hot afternoon sun. The previous paint has peeled. What is the best for us - oil or acrylic or something else?

A. Strip the existing paint system and sand the timber, apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry and two coats of Resene Lustacryl. Use the CoolColour version if your topcoat colour is dark.

April 2020

Q. I need a paint suitable for the final coat of exterior paint that is for a steel beam. It is primed with an oil based steel primer.

A. For exterior steel, the primer should be a zinc rich primer or alternatively be galvanised to achieve long term corrosion resistance.

You will now not be able to change the priming system, so follow the prep details below and the best advice is to then apply two coats of Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl. This will still not be a system to achieve long term corrosion protection to the exterior steel.

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 or high pressure water blast ensuring all loose paint and salts are also removed.

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, (3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc), chemical stripper or high pressure water-blast, to leave only tightly 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 outlined in the previous methods, including 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.

April 2020

Q. I have cedar weatherboards that have been previously painted. Some areas have started to crack and have been letting in water. Some bits of the boards have become soft. Please advise how I repair this? Also, how do I test if I can paint over existing paint or if I need to strip the paint back?

A. The scalloped sections of rusticated weather boards receive twice the weathering intensity of the vertical face. Paint and substrate breakdown is always seen first on the scalloped sections. Where there is cracking, sand back to expose the full extent of the crack, spot prime the bare timber with Resene Wood Primer then flush fill the cracks with DryFlex SF 2 in 1 filler, available from any Resene ColorShop. Prime filled areas with Resene Quick Dry and reapply the topcoats. Do not overfill the cracks as the cured filler is not that easy to sand flush with the surface.

April 2020

Q. I want to paint the base of our house which is a concrete texture. It is currently painted with a waterbased paint. What paint would you best recommend to use? I want to paint it in the colour Resene Ironsand.

A. Wash down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Then apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry and then two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101 tinted to the CoolColour version.

April 2020

Q. My house is weatherboard clad and there are spots that have bubbled. I’m not sure why as this wall was painted 12 years ago and has, only in the last year or so, developed bubbles or blisters that are 20 to 40 mm in size.

My question is, instead of using a tungsten scraper and taking the whole board back which is like a sledgehammer to crack a walnut, is there a 'filler' that can be used to fill the depression after scraping it off, that can be painted over?

A. The bubbling is most likely due to adhesive failure of the paint system, the only way to remedy these areas is to strip back to bare timber. Sand back areas where the paint was removed to a sound edge and spot prime with Quick Dry. Then use Resene Timber Surfacer to restore a flush finish. Prime the sanded surfacer using Resene Quick Dry, then apply two coats of waterborne topcoat, such as Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

April 2020

Q. I have a weatherboard house built about 7 years ago. It was painted poorly by someone else and the paint is peeling off the pine weatherboards. I suspect it was never primed or undercoated properly. What primer or undercoat would be best to use after I have sanded the wood back? I have some of your Resene Quick Dry primer but wonder if an oil-based product would be better. The topcoats will be Resene Lumbersider.

A. You can use either but given the choice I would use the Resene Wood Primer.

April 2020

Q. Can you paint over a plastic weatherboard home?

A. Yes, the plastic is a PVC type and can be painted with any Resene exterior waterborne paint. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions then apply two coats of your selected topcoat.

If selecting a dark topcoat colour use the Resene CoolColour version of the colour. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch. I would suggest that you restrict the colour chosen to colours with an LRV of greater than 40% to minimise heat related issues.

April 2020

Q. I’ve got a block wall painted in Resene X-200. If I grew a vine up the wall would that effect the paint and its waterproofing properties?

A. If the vine, such as ivy, uses tendrils to attach to the surface then this can pull paint off the substrate and therefore exposes the bare substrate to the elements.

April 2020

Q. What is the best way to paint bricks white?

A. You need to determine if the bricks are glazed or not and that all pointing is sound.

If any areas of moss or mould infestation exist then treat them with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label instructions. Leave for up to 48 hours to achieve full kill. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed.

Then if the bricks are glazed apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and allow to cure without water contact for at least 48 hours before overcoating. The sealer is not designed to be applied as a thick wet film thickness or give opacity, the thinner the coat the better.

If the brickwork is not glazed apply a seal coat of Resene Concrete Primer thinned 10% with water.

For very old brick work apply a saturation coat of Resene Sureseal.

Once appropriately primed the bricks surface can then be top coated with either Resene Lumbersider or Resene Sonyx 101 in the required topcoat colour. When a dark topcoat colour is selected apply the Resene CoolColour version of the topcoat colour. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

April 2020

Q. What is the best paint to use for the sheltered steel columns on a commercial building to protect against the elements?

A. The steel work is located in what we call a sheltered corrosion micro-environment. The lack of rain-washing means that slat and other contaminants do not get washed off the surfaces.

If any areas of moss or mould infestation exist then treat them with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label/data sheet. Leave for up to 48 hours to achieve full kill. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed.

Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label/data sheet.

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 high pressure water blast ensuring all loose paint and salts are also removed.

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 waterblast 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, (3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc),to leave only tightly 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 previous methods including 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.

Prime prepared areas of corrosion using Resene ArmourZinc 120 then apply two coats of Resene Armourcote 221 and finish with two coats of Resene Uracryl 403 colour.

April 2020

Q. We are planning to paint our new exterior fence and would like to select a black colour. Could you please advise what to buy for this job?

A. Apply a saturation coat of Resene TimberLock and leave to cure for at least 48 hours then apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider CoolColour Black. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch. The CoolColour system is recommended as fence timbers can undergo distortion when painted black, the CoolColour system will reduce but not eliminate this form occurring.

April 2020

Q. I have an inbuilt fire with a flue goes up through an old concrete/brick chimney. There is quite a bit of soot and creosote on the outside of the chimney that I have to repaint. What are the preparation requirements?

A. Thoroughly scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Then apply a coat of Resene Sureseal before topcoating with two coats of a Resene exterior waterborne paint.

April 2020

Q. I have a problem and hopefully you could help me. Our house has internal water guttering which I believe is a copper base with butynol edging for waterproofing which is overlapped onto the soffits. The rain has caused the butynol to weep (for want of a better word) and stains the soffits or the paint work. Do you have a Resene product that would help solve this problem please?

A. The staining is coming from UV induced break down of the butynol. Assuming you can access the butynol then scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions then prime the butynol with Resene Membrane Primer to the butynol then overcoat with Resene Sonyx 101. Where the staining has run down the painted surface scrub down using the paint Prep and Housewash then apply the Resene Sonyx 101. No need for the Resene Membrane Primer if painting onto an existing painted surface.

April 2020

Q. Which is the best product to cover cracks in exterior roughcast walls?

A. If the cracks do not compromise the structural integrity of the walls and the crack width is within the product guidelines you can use Resene Brushable Crack Filler.

April 2020

Q. We are painting our mid 70s fibrolite house. It was previously painted 12 years ago. We have washed it thoroughly but are wondering how many coats to put on. The original paint is just faded, hence repainting it.

A. Given the age of the cladding there may be asbestos present in the cladding so do not dry sand or water blast the substrate as this will release asbestos fibres into the atmosphere. If the existing paint system is sound then the wash down should achieve a chalk free surface, then apply two topcoats of any Resene exterior waterborne topcoat tinted to your required colour.

At the time your house was previously painted it was common to apply the topcoats direct to the FC without priming. Recoating may stress the original paint system so either stay with a pale colour of apply the Resene CoolColour version of the topcoat colour as this will reduce the stress on the existing paint system. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

April 2020

Q. Would Resene Lumbersider be suitable for painting the underside of a shade sail in a light colour?

A. It depends upon the shade sail material. If PVC the yes, most other plastics no. You may want to apply some to a small section and see what adhesion is achieved.

April 2020

Q. I have painted some exterior walls with Resene Sonyx 101 CoolColour semi-gloss cool colours in Resene Bokara Grey. I'm happy with the colour but would prefer a lower gloss. I was wondering my options, paint over it with a matt clear coat or use another paint over the top?

A. You can overcoat Resene Sonyx 101 with Resene Lumbersider if you want a lower gloss finish.

April 2020

Q. I have painted my front door with a waterbased gloss paint but have patches of different gloss levels. Is this my painting technique? I have tried to stick to long brush strokes in one direction, but still have a slightly patchy finish.

A. When applying a waterborne paint under conditions which lead to a fast loss of water from the wet paint film the film can partially dry and set up. If you back over (lap in) an area where this has happened then the existing film is disturbed and due to the increased solids there is no flow and levelling possible and I think this is the reason.

Suggest that you add Resene Hot Weather Additive to the waterborne paint to reduce the possibility of this happening. Resene Hot Weather Additive extends the open time of the wet paint to give more time for flow and levelling.

April 2020

Q. We are working on a heritage project. In retaining the facade there will be a series of cut ends of reinforcing we need to protect, especially in this coastal environment, before we refinish the existing concrete facade. Can you recommend a suitable, non bituminous sealer for this task, that will fit with subsequent topcoats of Resene waterbased acrylic?

A. Our primer for this would be at least three coats of Resene Armourcote 221 epoxy primer. Use emery paper to roughen up the cut surface as this will significantly improve adhesion.

April 2020

Q. We are painting the exterior of our house, timber weatherboards. There are steel box corners which are slightly rusty. I saw a Resene Rust-Arrest product which we could use first.

A. The metal soakers were probably originally galvanised. You could use a GP Metal Primer after removing loose rust. Resene Rust-Arrest cannot be applied to galvanising.

April 2020

Q. I have a couple of barge boards presumably pine where resin is causing the paint to bubble in patches. After sanding back and applying sealer undercoat then repainting this still happens. What should I apply/do to prevent this again?

A. Prime areas of resin exudation using Resene Aluminium Wood Primer, this will reduce resin bleed but if there is a resin pocket resin bleed may still occur. Dark colours will exacerbate resin bleed. The primer is slower to dry than our other solventborne wood primer so check the film is hard dry before topcoating.

April 2020

Q. I have copper spouting, unpainted, weathered two years. What should I use to prime it?

A. Use Resene Vinyl Etch primer for this application.

April 2020

Q. Would you please be able to advise on the best way to clean an external wall. It's had plants alongside it and the spores over time have discoloured the wall. It only appears on some of the wall but not all. I've cleaned a small patch by hand with just water and a brush but is there is a quicker way to clean that you could please suggest?

A. Treat the areas with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label instructions – this should deal to the spores.

April 2020

Q. We are installing Titan Board cladding behind a metal rainscreen cladding (concealed) and a Fixed Aluminium Louvre (more open). Maintenance of JH cladding says paint every 7-10 years. What is the best option for proof paint that will last in a cavity situation without needing to be repainted too often?

A. Apply a saturation coat of Resene Solventborne Aquapel to all faces and allow to cure for at least 48 hours then apply an envelope coat of Resene Concrete Primer and finish the exposed face with three coats of Resene X-200.

Cannot give an accurate time frame on recoating but if this system was fully exposed to weathering a recoat would be needed around year 10 to maintain aesthetics.

April 2020

Q. We are looking for some black paint to finish painting the exterior painted concrete blocks of our cowshed.

A. Wash down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Assuming the existing paint system is sound apply two coats of Resene X-200. If there are areas where paint has lifted/blistered then prepare these areas back to a sound edge and spot prime with Resene Sureseal. Stripe coat areas primed with Resene Sureseal with a coat of Resene X-200 then finish with two full coats of Resene X-200.

April 2020

Q. I have lichen on exterior paintwork. What's the best way to remove and kill it?

A. Two options treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer or Resene Deep Clean. The latter is a slow acting treatment. Lichen takes time to die and then detach.

April 2020

Q. I want to paint a Marley downpipe, do I need any special primer/undercoat or type of paint?

A. All Resene exterior waterborne paints can be applied directly to clean PVC, full adhesion takes a week to develop.

April 2020

Q. I am looking at purchasing a house. However, the exterior of the building is brick. I would like to paint it.

A. Apply a coat of Resene Concrete Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider or Resene Sonyx 101.

April 2020

Q. I was looking at the Resene Lumbersider waterborne paint as recommended for mural art. I am painting a mural on a shipping container and wondered what the best primer and paint is to use?

A. Scrub down the mural area using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label/data sheet instructions. Thoroughly scrub the surface with a stiff Nylon broom to ensure complete removal of all grease, chalk and any other contaminants. Rinse or water blast clean with fresh water ensuring all salts are also removed.

Apply a prime coat of Resene Galvo One then proceed with the mural painting using Resene Lumbersider, for accent colours or small areas you can use Resene testpot colours.

March 2020

Q. We have a property that I am currently in the process of renovating before we go to live in it. We bought this property 4½ years ago. After renovating the inside I then plan on repainting the exterior cladding which is 'direct fixed' Cedar Shadowclad" type timber.

Yesterday a plasterer who lives nearby and whom I had asked to quote me for some work, advised me that the previous owner had painted the exterior with used motor oil. Can you advise me what I should do about repainting and if there are health concerns regarding this?

A. Used oil was a common fence 'oil' many years back but its use has thankfully declined. I undertook a google search and the following came up in one discussion: Used ‘waste’ oil is full of heavy metals, dioxin, benzene and a bunch of other nasties. Applying this sort of toxic waste to fences and then having it weather off into the soil and general environment doesn't seem like a real clever idea.

Post application the benzene would evaporate and will not be present now.

Scrub down using Resene Heavy Duty Paint Prep and Oil Remover diluted and used to label/data sheet instructions. Then apply a test patch of Resene Wood Primer and Resene Quick Dry and leave for four days then check if the primer can be scratched off. Hopefully one of these primers will achieve adhesion and then you can proceed to prime with the primer and then topcoat with Resene Lumbersider. If possible avoid dark colours as the heat associated with application of the dark colour will draw oil to the surface and cause paint failure. If you are looking to apply a darker topcoat colour then use the Resene CoolColour version of the topcoat colour. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch. In your situation the CoolColour benefit will reduce but not necessarily stop any oil migration for the timber.

March 2020

Q. I am doing a reclad on my house with Axon panels. What do I paint it with?

A. Apply a full coat of Resene Concrete Primer then finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider CoolColour Nero.

Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

March 2020

Q. Could you please advise a suitable prime and paint spec for new exposed aluminium which will be the exposed part of an aluminium saddle flashing in a sea spray zone?

A. Scrub down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label instructions.

Apply two coats of Resene Armourcote 221 primer and finish with two coats of Resene Uracryl 403.

For the ultimate system apply a coat of Resene Uracryl 403 UVS Clear over the pigmented Resene Uracryl 403 base colour.

March 2020

Q. I have cedar weatherboards painted with a Resene paint system (Resene TimberLock, oil based primer then two coats of acrylic). I want to put weatherboard soakers on 135 degree corners on an extension. Can I use galvanised iron ones if they are first primed with Resene Galvo-Prime (and use silicone bronze fixers)?

A. We recommend you envelope prime with Resene Galvo-Prime then install and topcoat the exposed faces (x 2 coats).

March 2020

Q. We have a situation that we need to fold some of 0.9mm powder-coated flashing end to create a stop end. What is your recommendation to repair damaged powder coating?

A. Scrub down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted to label/data sheet directions. Rinse clean with copious quantities of clean water to remove all oils, grease, dust and any other contaminants. Test surface is degreased by wiping with clean cotton wool. Repeat process if necessary.

Prepare areas of coating damage by wet sanding back to a sound feathered edge and the same for areas of sound powder coating that will be recoated.

Spot prime bare metal with Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer and finish with two coats of tinted Resene waterborne topcoat.

March 2020

Q. We have used H4 timber to clad a large installation. We ‘shabby chiced’ the surface but there is some bare timber showing through along with some raw edges (no paint at all). What would be the best coating to put on this to help preserve the timber and paint and help prevent warping over time?

A. We recommend two coats of Resene Quick Dry for bare timber (raw edges) then apply a white waterborne Resene topcoat.

March 2020

Q. I am looking to repaint my entire house/shed/workshop starting with the latter. Can you advise a general primer/undercoat for painted steel beams, bare wood (macrocarpa) doors and plastic (PVC) columns? All the above have been water blasted, sanded and cleaned. The topcoat colour will be a dark grey/black.

A. Prime the prepared steel with two coats of Resene GP Metal Primer then apply two coats of Resene Lustacryl.

For the timber apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry and then two coats of Resene Lustacryl – use the Resene CoolColour version of the top coat colour. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

For the PVC spouting/downpipes apply two coats of Resene Lustacryl CoolColour.

February 2020

Q. Is it ok to use Resene Lumbersider on Hardie® fibrous sheeting?

A. Yes, apply a primer coat of Resene Concrete Primer before applying the Resene Lumbersider topcoats.

February 2020

Q. I wish to paint a 37 year old brick house. Please advise if any preparation is required before applying two coats of Resene Lumbersider? The brick has clinkers which I plan to cut off. Does that change the paint recommendation?

A. Firstly make sure that there are no pointing defects. Painting over a clinkered brick substrate can result in issues as paint will not fill the spaces that are in the clinkered brick area. Our suggestion is to remove the clinker protrusions then apply a solid plaster finish to achieve a flush surface then paint.

February 2020

Q. I own a beach house with a stucco exterior. Which coating would you recommend?

A. Assuming the existing paint system is sound wash down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash following label instructions to remove all dirt and salts, then apply two coats of Resene X-200.

February 2020

Q. Is there any requirement regarding frequency of precast wall panels to paint or coat? Or if you have a 100 years lifespan of the precast panel, how often does that precast need to be repainted or coated as part of the maintenance?

A. If the precast concrete is weathertight then painting is only for aesthetic reasons. Given this an appropriate standard paint system should only require maintenance to restore aesthetics approximately every 10 years but this will vary with exposure conditions, for a northern elevation the time will be reduced possibly by 2 years.

February 2020

Q. What do I specify for external paints to reduce colour change over time?

A. To give an increased level of fade and wear resistance we recommend that Resene Clearcoat UVS is applied over the coloured waterborne basecoat paint system. The higher the gloss level the longer it will take for the paint surface to chalk. However most people prefer a lower gloss finish despite the technical benefits of a higher gloss level. We can apply a lower gloss level clear over the Resene Clearcoat UVS – this will maintain fade resistance but not time to onset of surface chalking. The northern elevations will show paint degradation and chalking before other elevations as this elevation receives more intense weathering.

February 2020

Q. I have just purchased a 1989 plaster house. The previous owner used Resene paint for painting the external plaster walls 7 years ago outside. Which type of paint and other primer do you recommend?

A. The northern elevation will be the first elevation to show break down, this is usually surface chalking.

Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. My preference would be to apply two coats of Resene X-200 weathertight membrane but as long as there are no water ingress issues you can apply two coats of Resene Lumbersider if you prefer.

February 2020

Q. I am looking to clad an upstairs exterior wall with a H3.2 CCA treated plywood product. We will be collecting drinking rainwater below this product Do you have a paint system to seal this product, primer and topcoats, to prevent leaching?

A. Best system would be to apply a seal coat of Resene Wood Primer then finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 tinted topcoat.

Disconnect water collection and allow the newly coated areas to be rain washed for a few good rain showers before reconnection for water collection.

February 2020

Q. I was wondering if Resene Concrete Primer with two coats of Resene Lumbersider low sheen would be any good at waterproofing precast concrete panels.

A. The system would be to prime with Resene Concrete Primer and then apply three coats of Resene X-200 to achieve a weathertight system. If the substrate is old and weathered you will need to substitute Resene Concrete Primer for a saturation coat of Resene Sureseal.

February 2020

Q. I have a building consent application for a new house and Resene Aquapel has been specified to protect the block walls (above ground). Can you confirm if Aquapel is suitable for the area intended? Your website talks about the product repelling water, but it is not clear if it is suitable for ensuring the block remains weathertight.

A. Resene Aquapel will only deliver water repellence, in the event of wind driven rain there is a high probability of water break through.

We have two systems to render masonry weathertight – Resene X-200 and Resene XC-700.

January 2020

Q. I am sealing minor cracks in our plaster finish house with you paintable crack filler. Excellent product by the way. How long do we need to leave it before overcoating with Resene X-200?

A. It can be overcoated with Resene X-200 after 48 hours drying.

January 2020

Q. We are proposing to repaint our 1950 house exterior walls which are paint over plaster over brick. We are keen on Resene AquaShield for durability and matt 'Mediterranean' look but our painter advises against this. His view is Resene AquaShield is only suitable for porous surfaces and would in any case need an overcoat. He recommends Resene Lumbersider. Is he correct and can Resene Lumbersider come is a matt finish?

A. Resene AquaShield can be applied to any appropriately prepared/primed substrate – it does not require surface porosity. Overcoating will in fact remove the natural weathering that is required for the paint finish. Resene AquaShield is the only flat exterior finish we market, Resene Lumbersider is low sheen.

January 2020

Q. I have a concrete stucco wall where the paint blisters in patches. When I remove the blistered paint it is full of water. This just occurs in the odd patch, the rest of the wall is fine. Obviously water is coming through the block work in these patches so before I repaint these patches what should I seal the concrete wall with before I repaint to prevent it happening again?

A. Efflorescence is caused by water getting into concrete often via cracks or faulty flashings, cappings etc. in an exterior wall. The source of the water causing the efflorescence needs to be found and eliminated before repainting. Affected areas should also be allowed to dry out thoroughly before repainting. Wire brush areas showing efflorescence (white crystalline deposits) to remove loose material from the surface.

The water source leading to the blistering needs to be corrected and then the concrete allowed to dry out before applying Resene Sureseal.

January 2020

Q. I'm repainting my weatherboard villa and have fitted some lead flashings over the window canopy shingles. My question is what paint/primer to use on the lead. The paint on the weatherboard and shingles is Resene Sonyx 101.

A. When priming lead flashing it would be best to use Resene Vinyl Etch. You can overcoat this with Resene Sonyx 101.

January 2020

Q. I have a clinker brick home and want to modernise it.

A. After knocking off the protrusions we recommend application of a coat of plaster to produce a flush finish then proceed with application of an appropriate paint system.

January 2020

Q. We have a property which has cedar cladding over approx 200m2 of external area. We are advised the cedar was given two coats on all surfaces (front and back) at time of construction in 2003 and repainted in 2015 with Resene Laurel. The current coating is in very good condition though we wish to change the colour to a grey. The colour we like is Resene Half Baltic Sea. Our main concern is heat absorption by darker colours and potential negative effects on the cedar.

A. A change to a much darker colour can result in failure of one of the existing layers of paint due to increased surface temperatures. As far as the cedar cladding is concerned this can increase the potential for cupping/warping of the timber.

Application of a Resene CoolColour system will reduce but not eliminate the potential for failure on either situation. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

January 2020

Q. Could you please advise what paint system we need to paint over exterior roughcast painted plaster from the 1960s? There’s a chance there may be a paint from the 80s over it but we aren’t too sure. Does the roughcast need to be thoroughly washed or waterblasted?

A. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions, then while the wash is still wet waterblast.

Spot prime any bare concrete areas with Resene Sureseal, prime areas of Resene Sureseal with a coat of Resene X-200 then apply two full coats of Resene X-200.

January 2020

Q. Do you have a specific paint for PVC downpipes? We want to match the roofing and spouting which is COLORSTEEL® Karaka.

A. There is no need for a specific paint for PVC guttering/downpipes. Any Resene exterior acrylic topcoat paint will develop very good adhesion to clean PVC. We do recommend using the CoolColour version of the colour if selecting dark colours. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

January 2020

Q. We wish to paint PVC weatherboards with Resene CoolColour Raven. Which paint type should we use?

A. Resene Sonyx 101 will give a longer time to the onset of chalking compared to Resene Lumbersider. Both are available as CoolColour options.

January 2020

Q. I was just wondering if Resene Lumbersider was self-priming as one of my friends has said it was and if so is it ok to paint a bit of semi exposed block work?

A. Resene Lumbersider can be self-priming to new timber. The adhesion/performance will reduce if applied to weathered timber. For this reason we would always say that priming with the appropriate wood primer is the only way to maximise coating performance. Our environment also presents a challenge to self-priming paints. There are many self-priming paints available that are designed for some surfaces but they need a separate primer on other surfaces.

December 2019

Q. Is humidity of concern when using waterbased low sheen exterior paint? I'm painting gutters and downpipes on my home.

A. There are three environmental factors that determine the dry rate of a waterborne paint – temperature, humidity and air flow. Under very humid conditions release of water from the wet paint film is slow and this can lead to a slower dry rate.

December 2019

Q. We have replaced the metal corners on our weatherboard house with stainless steel ones as we live at the beach. What do we use as a primer on the stainless steel before applying the house paint?

A. Wash the soakers down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label instructions then apply a coat of Resene Galvo One and finish with two coats of any Resene exterior waterborne topcoat.

December 2019

Q. I have bought some zinc strips which I'm wanting to paint the same colour as my house. Do I need to prime it with something first?

A. Yes prime the zinc strips with Resene Galvo One before topcoating with a Resene exterior waterborne coating.

December 2019

Q. I need some quick ways to improve my home for resale but I don’t have the time or money to do a full exterior repaint. What do you recommend for some quick improvements?

A. The key is to make a good first impression so people aren’t turned off when they drive by for a look or before they get in the front door.

• Front door – paint in a bold colour, update the handle potentially. Generally only 1-2 litres of paint is needed.
• Stain/paint letterbox if needed. Often you can use up leftover paint or else use the same paint you plan to use elsewhere on your home exterior. Paint needed would be 500ml or less – cost would be under $50 – best done when using the paint for other projects also so you don’t end up with leftovers.
• Wash down pathways etc leading to front door – e.g. with products like Resene Paint Prep and Housewash or Resene Deep Clean – if you are not selling for a while, as Resene Deep Clean works over a longer period of time.
• Wash your exterior paintwork down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash.
• Paint exterior planters or similar to decorate entranceway/deck areas. Can seal terracotta pots with Resene Terracotta Sealer then paint with Resene Testpots. Generally best to do multiple pots at one time (to avoid too much leftover paint). Good thing is that they add colour without being permanent.
• Stain decks – generally most decks take 4L-10L only. Prep is normally easy and just requires a wash down with Resene Timber and Deck Wash. You can also stain outdoor furniture – in most cases using the same product as on the deck (depending on what is chosen).
• If your garage door is prominent re-stain or paint it. Generally needs up to 2L of paint or stain. Often can use the same stain as the deck (e.g. Resene Kwila Timber Stain can be used) depending on what is being used.

December 2019

Q. I recently bought a house built in the 1950s. It has several layers of paint on the exterior and is completely redone in the interior. It wasn't until after I bought it, and did some more research that the dangers of lead paint came up (the builder’s report never mentioned a thing).

I am wondering the best way to determine how bad the paint is? The interior is fine, in terms of everything is sealed or redone (so I would say low chance of toxic paint. The exterior has been painted over but there is some flaking around the windows and soffits.

I have had one painter come and look and he said he doesn't do lead paint jobs with wet sanders etc only the old fashioned way.

I really love the house and location. But the fear of a toxic house full of lead is scaring me somewhat (after reading and googling on the internet).

Also, is old red concrete paint likely to have lead paint?

Could you advise the best process for sorting it all out?

A. Given the age of your property and assuming that the paint older paint system has never been stripped than it is more than likely that lead will be present especially in the older paint layers.

It is generally accepted that lead-based paint does not present a health hazard as long as the paint is not chipping, flaking, crushed or sanded into dust. High levels of exposure to lead may cause lead poisoning and other issues such as anaemia and impaired brain and nervous system functions. To follow is a link which gives information of the safe removal of a lead based paint system. We can test for the presence of lead in paint system but the test does not quantify how much lead is present only that there is lead in the paint system.

There are painting businesses that will undergo removal of a paint system, containing lead, if you do find one make sure that they undertake the removal in accordance with all OSH Guidelines as you have already encountered there are some that dismiss the dangers of lead based paint removal.

However be duly warned that a total strip will not come cheaply. Difficult to say if a paint contains lead unless the test is undertaken.

December 2019

Q. We have a very old concrete water tank (1970ish) that requires painting as the leaks have been sealed. Please advise which primer/sealer would be the best: Resene Concrete Seal 3 in 1 or Resene Concrete Primer. I have painted two tanks but the remaining tank has never had paint on it and I can imagine it will soak up plenty of paint unless sealed/primed. I am using your Resene Lumbersider as the topcoat on the two tanks painted and it has worked very well.

A. For the exterior apply a saturation coat of Resene Sureseal then apply two coats of any Resene exterior waterborne paint finish.

December 2019

Q. My concrete brick house (1999) was painted over brick, and I believe the paint was original. We are looking at repainting it and would like to know what the correct product to use is. I am not sure what paint was used previously but believe it is waterbased paint – I used some methylated spirit wipe and some paint came off.

A. Wash down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Spot prime any bare areas with Resene Concrete Primer and then finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101.

December 2019

Q. I have exterior pressed metal gable ends – which have been painted with Resene Lumbersider - which are a touch rusty. Is there a Resene primer or undercoat I could put on them before I put another coat of Resene Lumbersider on them. They are a bit delicate so I don't want to attack them too much with as wire brush etc.

A. Wash down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash to label instructions to remove surface salts.

You will have to expose the rusted areas using a 3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc to leave only tightly adherent corrosion deposits. Spot prime prepared areas of bare metal with two coats of Resene GP Metal Primer and then apply the Resene Lumbersider topcoats.

December 2019

Q. I'm a muralist using mostly Resene products I have a client wanting some paintwork on powder-coated aluminium downpipes.  Do I have any acrylic options or options apart from more of the same?

A. The issue here is to the topcoat but getting adhesion to the powder coated surface. For small areas carefully wet sand the powder coating using 400 wet and dry paper, wipe clean then apply a coat of Resene Galvo-Prime before applying two coats of a Resene external waterborne topcoat. You can use Resene Lumbersider or Resene Sonyx 101.

You can apply a coat of Resene Clearcoat UVS to achieve an increase in durability to U.V.

Q. I live in a 1970s 'townhouse' just around the corner from the beach. My son is going to be painting the exterior of my house.  This is the first time I haven't used a commercial painter and so I need to buy my own paint.

The walls of the house (Hardiplank on the bottom half and fibre cement sheeting on the top half and side walls) were previously painted in Resene Sonyx 101 waterborne semi-gloss, and the wooden window surrounds in Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel.   As far as I can tell, Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat was used throughout.

The paint on the walls has lasted really well, whereas the enamel on the wooden window surrounds is cracked and peeling.

Should I go ahead and buy exactly the same paint this time?  Is there any advantage in painting the walls of the house in waterborne enamel (can I paint enamel over acrylic?) or the wooden window surrounds in oil-based enamel (I'm pretty old school!!!)?

Can I use up the old paint first (it's 8 years old), or should I dump it?

A. Resene Sonyx 101 is perfectly suitable as the topcoat for the cladding (walls). There is no need or benefit in changing this to a waterborne enamel paint.

I would suggest that the windows are stripped back to bare, prime the bare timber with Resene Quick Dry then apply two coats of Resene Lustacryl or Resene Enamacryl waterborne enamel. Resene Enamacryl gloss is not a high gloss finish but it will have a longer time to the onset of chalking compared to a solvent borne enamel such as Resene Super Gloss. Resene Lustacryl allows for a semi-gloss exterior topcoat.

Re the old paint, open the can and stir well to see if the paint can be re constituted to a homogenous mix, then carefully smell the paint odour.  If it smells 'off' (only way to describe this is socks that have been repeatedly worn without washing) then the paint has bacterial contamination and should not be used.

Your son will need to wash down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions before painting to achieve a clean chalk free surface.

Q. I have a 1960s rimu weatherboard house. I will be taking it back to bare wood by removing all previous layers of paint and undercoat and would like to know the best undercoat to use. I will be applying a light to mid grey colour. What would be the best paint type for this situation?

A. Suggest Resene Wood Primer is the most appropriate primer to apply to the stripped rimu. Are you sure that the timber is rimu?

It may be matai and if it is the Resene Wood Primer will not dry when applied to bare matai. Resene Quick Dry is the primer for matai. Resene Quick Dry can be used to prime rimu but my preference is to use Resene Wood Primer.

You may need to purchase a 500ml can of Resene Wood Primer and test drying over a bare section of the timber.

Q. Can waterbased acrylic paint be used on a skyline cottage (COLORSTEEL®)?

A. Yes, but a coat of Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer must be applied first.

Q. After cleaning down a veneer brick wall what product would you use to restore it to look like the original?

A. Resene Concrete Clear would be our only option for this. I'd recommend trialling an area first if possible to ensure you achieve the look you are after.

One thing to keep in mind is when you apply a clear coating over brick or concrete they can be affected by any moisture that is in or exiting the substrate. If moisture is present it will cause the clear coating to go cloudy/milky in that area. Any efflorescence occurring (white powder deposits where moisture is present) in the substrate will also create problems as it will continue.

Q. My home is a 1935 original which was extended, refurbished and modernised in 2016. The exterior is breaking down to varying degrees in multiple places and areas both on the old 1935 cedar and the new pine weatherboard section on the sunnier sides of the home.

A. The breakdown on the new pine is resin exudation from the timber, a common issue. The darker the colour the greater the potential for this to occur. Difficult to get 100% control of as I have seen resin exudation occur even with a white topcoat. 

Using a tungsten blade scraper scrape the areas showing exudation to remove the paint and surface resin deposits. Sand back to achieve a sound feathered edge, note that the resin may clog the paper which will require new paper be used. Prime the prepared areas with Resene Aluminium Wood Primer, then apply two coats of topcoat colour.

Areas showing breakdown on the old cedar need to be similarly prepared but change the primer for bare cedar to Resene Wood Primer.

Q. Among your numerous products are there any recommended products for painting intertenancy block walls?

A. The Resene X-200 system is our long standing system for exterior block walls – use three coats to achieve a weathertight system.

Q. I am looking for a stone textured style paint and think I will use Resene Sandtex which recommends applying by crows feet.  Please can you help me get this application right?

A. Apply a solid base coat colour of Resene Lumbersider then using a wide brush apply the Resene Sandtex in an X pattern with overlap of each X.  Continue this over the whole area.

Q. I am considering repainting stucco walls with Resene X-200. The walls were painted 7 years ago with a non-Resene product and are showing some cracks and minor deterioration. I am not familiar with stucco texture but it looks like medium sand finish. My concern is that after appropriate prep/repair, the wall will look patchy. Would it be a good idea to apply Resene Sandtex Mediterranean finish with brush on repaired/irregular textured area, like spot-prime, before painting two coats of Resene X-200? For 1-2mm cracks, would Resene Brushable Crack Filler + Resene Sandtex + two coats of Resene X-200 be good idea?

A. Yes, you are on the right track with all of your info. Once you've repaired the cracked areas, you do really need to reinstate as best you can a similar texture before repainting. Resene Sandtex is a sandy texture; Resene Resitex is coarser if required.

Resene X-200 is a very good choice for stucco properties.

October 2019

Q. We have a decorative cedar rain screen over a 12mm Shadowclad plywood on cavity cladding. The rain screen is held over the cladding with double battens. The plywood and battens will have to be painted for durability.

When speaking to the manufacturer (Rosenfeld Kidson), they mentioned that we need to enquire about a paint system that will last for 15 years before requiring maintenance.

They mentioned that they often use a four coat paint system using ‘Black Magic’ CoolColours.

Would you be able to provide any advice/documentation with regard to this?

A. For this situation, the Resene system would be to prime the bare cedar with Resene Wood Primer, a full coat of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat and then two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 CoolColour topcoat.

However the Resene CoolColour system will not render the painted surface cool to touch, but the CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool pigment technology. Dark colours may cause the rapid drying of damp timber with the ensuing danger of warping, though this effect will be lessened when a CoolColour is selected in place of a standard colour. The CoolColour system will reduce but not eliminate heat related stress on the substrate.

The system should go the 15 year time frame with no peeling or flaking, but it may be heavily chalked/faded at the end of 15 years. We have no documentation to give the system lifetime.

The measured TSR (total solar reflectance value) of the Black Magic CoolColour is 26.4 %, while the TSR of the non-cool version of the colour is 6.9%. The higher TSR reduces the heat stress on the substrate and also extends the durability of the paint system but the latter cannot be quantified. TSR is a measure of the reflection of near infra-red radiation, which is heat.

The LRV (light reflectance value is the same for both the non-cool and CoolColour versions of the colour, as LRV is a measurement of reflectance of visible light, that is colour.

October 2019

Q. I'm building a new house. My cladding is going to be LINEA® and I've selected Resene Truffle as the main colour with Resene Half Alabaster for window trims, corner boxes etc. I'm getting a COLORSTEEL® roof (Windsor Grey colour) and also COLORSTEEL® downpipes. I would however like the downpipes to match the Resene Half Alabaster colour and unfortunately COLORSTEEL® doesn't have a match. Are you please able to advise, given these will be new downpipes, the best way to repaint them prior to installation? For instance do I need to prime them given they are new or can I just apply topcoat to them?

A. Wash down the COLORSTEEL® downpipes with Resene Heavy Duty Paint Prep and Oil Remover following label instructions then apply a full coat of Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer and finish with two coats of a Resene exterior waterborne paint.

October 2019

Q. When using the Resene X-200 paint system on a previously painted 20 year old plaster house (in very sound condition) do I need to use a primer or is two topcoats of Resene X-200 enough?

A. Treat any areas of moss/mould/algae with Resene Moss & Mould Killer following label instructions then scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash following label instructions to achieve a sound chalk free surface. Then you can apply the Resene X-200 system without the need for priming.

October 2019

Q. We are using Resene Black on James Hardie Stria and quadruple strength Resene Surrender on Axon exterior. What paint do you recommend and can we use low sheen with CoolColour?

A. The Resene CoolColour™ Black system would be recommended; apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry white and then finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider CoolColour Black. A Resene CoolColour system will not render the painted surface cool to touch, but the CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool pigment technology.

Q. What is the recommended coating system (paints or sealants) for exterior H3.2 glulam beams?

A. We recommend Resene Wood Primer topcoated with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101.  Use the Resene CoolColour™ version of the topcoat colour if selecting a dark colour.

Q. We have siding weatherboard and in their specification they ask for a continuous waterproof coating system.

A. Under the accepted NZ definition of waterproof no waterborne paints will achieve a waterproof surface. What will be achieved is a weatherproof system; the difference is that a weatherproof system allows water vapour to flux through the film but not liquid water.

Q. I have just had the exterior of my home plastered and the colour of the plaster matched the joinery. I'm keen to find a clear undercoat/sealer that does not require painting so that the concrete look/colour can remain. Please can you let me know what product you recommend?

A. We recommend Resene XC-700 system, which is a clear finish.  It's not a DIY application and it will not have the same gloss level to the finish as bare concrete.

Q. Would you recommend use of Resene X-300 or Resene X-400 versus Resene Sonyx 101 for better protection and seal of previously painted fibrolite asbestos cladding?

A. The sealing/consolidation of the fibrolite asbestos cladding (FC) substrata is from the sealer applied and not the topcoat system. Resene X-300E and Resene X-400 are high build topcoat systems which really do not add to the encapsulation of the asbestos fibres in the FC substrate.

Resene Sonyx 101 is a low build equivalent to the other two products but the same would apply to Resene Sonyx 101 as regards encapsulation.

The Resene sealer for bare FC containing asbestos is Resene Sureseal  which can be topcoated with any Resene waterborne topcoat system.

Q. How long until I can paint my house that has been solid plastered, with stucco. I understand the lime in cement mix is an issue.

A. You can apply Resene LimeLock as soon as the plaster is touch dry.

Q. Our house is clad in Onduline. It's 10 years old, in good condition but a little faded. We would like to paint it. What product do you recommend please?

A. Treat areas of mould/algae growth with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions. Then scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Then apply full coat of Resene Galvo-Prime and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider. If selecting a dark topcoat colour, we recommend using the Resene CoolColour™ version of the topcoat colour.  Resene CoolColour system will not render the painted surface cool to touch, but the CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool pigment technology.

Q. We are working on a new project with an in-situ exterior concrete wall and concrete block wall. Are there any products we can apply to the surface to give it a nice finish?

A. We usually focus on achieving a weathertight paint system for exterior concrete/blockwork. Resene X-200 is used for this application.

Note that application of the Resene X-200 system (3 coats) does not fill the block pointing, so if the blockwork is adjacent to a solid concrete wall there will be a visual difference.

Q. We have Shadowclad on our house. Is it better to use Resene Wood Primer or Resene TimberLock first? We will use Resene Lumbersider as the topcoat.

The Shadowclad was not primed and some was fitted 10 years ago and some 12 months ago. It's in good condition, some needs the green washed off but otherwise it's good and solid and has never been coated with anything.

A. The green is more than likely algal growth and must be treated with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions to kill the bio growth, if this is not done a return of the bio growth will occur.

Suggest that you also apply the same treatment to the sections that are 12 months old. Scrub down using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label directions and allow the substrate to dry.

Then apply a coat of Resene TimberLock (wipe off excess at time of application) and leave to dry for at least 48 hours before applying a full coat of Resene Wood Primer then finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider tinted to your selected topcoat colour. If selecting a dark colour we recommend applying the Resene CoolColour™ version of the colour. Resene CoolColour system will not render the painted surface cool to touch, but the CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool pigment technology. Dark colours may cause the rapid drying of damp timber with the ensuing danger of warping, though this effect will be lessened when a Resene CoolColour is selected in place of a standard colour. The CoolColour system will reduce but not eliminate heat related stress on the substrate.

Shadowclad, painted or unpainted undergoes surface checking upon weathering, but this is said to only affect the outer layer of the pine laminate.

Q. Can I paint Resene Lumbersider over the top of Resene Sonyx 101 paint?

A. Yes, as long as the base paint is sound and chalk free. Suggest you wash down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions first.

Q. What is the Shadowclad painting process when new but has weathered over three months of winter? How do I clean it and what primer do I use? Is a low sheen required?

A. Treat any areas of mould/algae with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions follow this with a clean down with Resene Timber and Deck Wash again diluted and used to label directions. Allow to dry out and apply a full coat of Resene Wood Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider tinted colour.

If choosing dark colours we recommend the Resene CoolColour™ version of the colour. A Resene CoolColour system will not render the painted surface cool to touch, but the CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool pigment technology.

Dark colours may cause the rapid drying of damp timber with the ensuing danger of warping, though this effect will be lessened when a CoolColour is selected in place of a standard colour. The CoolColour system will reduce but not eliminate heat related stress on the substrate.

Q. Could you please give advice for a clear concrete paint for facade and roof, to apply on concrete cement sheets - James Hardie Hardiflex™?

A. Apply a saturation coat of Resene Solventborne Aquapel and leave to cure for at least 48 hours then apply a coat of Resene Concrete Clear Gloss thinned 10% with water and finish with two coats of Resene Concrete Clear of any of the available gloss levels.

Q. Our painter has put Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss black on our house and did three coats within 8 hours on Friday and it looks terrible. I see Resene Lumbersider low sheen is recommended by James Hardie, so obviously he's used the wrong paint and can you advise the minimum time between coats with this Resene Sonyx 101 paint?

You can see brush marks, in areas it looks thick and there are runs and it looks like cross over roller marks. What do we need to do before we put the low sheen on i.e. sand back to undercoat or just give semi-gloss light sand etc?

A. There is no technical reason why Resene Sonyx 101 could not be used as the topcoat, James Hardie recommend a low gloss topcoat as this assists with hiding substrate variations.

To get three coats on in one day is not what we would recommend for brush/roller application.

There should be no runs or sags in the applied film, as this can only occur of excessive paint thickness was applied per coat or the paint was over thinned.

Sanding of a waterborne paint such as Resene Sonyx 101 is not an easy undertaking as the heat created by sanding causes the paint to ball up rather than dust off. This is even worse when the paint is fresh. This is a feature common to all waterborne paints based on a conventional waterborne paint resin.

Wet sanding using wet and dry paper is the only way to attempt sanding to remove surface defects, the coarsest grade of wet and dry paper we sell is 150 grit and I suggest that this is the grade you start off with to remove gross imperfections then more to a finer grade to finish.

You may well have to reprime, if possible avoid sanding through the entire paint system to the base substrate.  Then recoat in two white coats to get complete coverage in white, then the Resene Lumbersider Black.

There will always be the potential for brush marking to occur when applying waterborne paint, even more so if a dark colour is applied in direct sun as the paint dries quickly and does not have sufficient time to flow and level. Resene does have Resene Hot Weather Additive to extend the open time of our waterborne paints, to allow for more time to get flow and levelling. Brush marking is always more visually obvious with darker colours.

Q. When using Resene X-200 paint system on previously painted 20 year old plaster house (in very sound condition) do I need to use a primer or is two topcoats of Resene X-200 enough?

A. Treat any areas of moss/mould/algae with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions then scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions to achieve a sound chalk free surface. Then you can apply the Resene X-200 system without the need for priming.

Q. I am painting the exterior of a small unit that has Summerhill stone cladding and looking for advice on how best to do so please.  The existing paint has been on there for well over 10 years, do I need to waterblast it off? Following that do I need to prime it or just paint two coats on top?  What is the recommended paint product for exterior Summerhill stone? Some people say elastomeric, Resene Lumbersider or premium acrylic.

A. Treat areas of mould/algae growth with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions then scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash again to label directions. Then assuming the existing paint system is sound apply any waterborne Resene exterior paint system.

If you are considering changing the topcoat colour to a dark colour, as the heat associated with a dark colour may well see failure of the existing paint system. A Resene CoolColour™ system will not render the painted surface cool to touch, but the Resene CoolColour system will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool pigment technology.

Q. I want to repaint my 6 year old townhouse which has Linea® boards painted in Ironsand.  The north facing side has faded quite a lot and has a matt finish to it.  I am unsure of what has been used previously.  I would like to paint as much of it as I can myself and have seen that you recommend Resene Sonyx 101 for Linea® board but when I went to the Resene ColorShop I was not sure of whether to get that or the Resene Lumbersider paint (which I used on the fence).  Are you able to advise and is the Resene Sonyx 101 easy to paint with (similar to the Resene Lumbersider paint)?  I do also have a few joins in the Linea® boards that show at the moment as well.

A. Resene Sonyx 101 is a semi-gloss finish whereas Resene Lumbersider is a low sheen finish, both waterborne exterior paints. Both products are easy to apply.

While Resene Sonyx 101 will give a longer time to the onset of chalking the higher gloss level does highlight surface imperfections more than a lower sheen finish and for this reason many choose to use Resene Lumbersider.

The existing dark colour will cause filled joints to expand and contract with changes in sun intensity. While application of the Resene CoolColour™ version of a dark colour will increase heat reflection the CoolColour does not result in a surface cool to touch so joint expansion will still occur.

Q. I am looking to revive the outside of a stucco clad house. After making some repairs I'm looking for a very thick paint which will hide any minor flaws as well as be good future protection. Do you have such paint?

A. We recommend Resene X-200.

Q. I like Resene Nocturnal and Resene Alabaster. Can these go outside or can you help with what we can use?

A. Yes, we do not have separate interior/exterior colours. If using Resene Nocturnal for exterior painting, we recommend using the Resene CoolColour™ version not the standard 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.

Dark colours may cause the rapid drying of damp timber with the ensuing danger of warping, though this effect will be lessened when a CoolColour is selected in place of a standard colour.

Q. I am about to paint a new house. The weatherboards are 50x25 H3.2 radiata pine from KLC/South Pacific Timber. What is the best undercoat for these?

A. Sand any sharp edges on timber profiles to a rounded edge. This particularly applies to scalloped weatherboards.

Ensure all surfaces are clean and free from contamination before painting. Thoroughly sand the factory primer and then apply a full coat of Resene Wood Primer followed by two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 topcoat. If selecting dark colours use the Resene CoolColour™ version of the topcoat 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.

Dark colours may cause the rapid drying of damp timber with the ensuing danger of warping, though this effect will be lessened when a CoolColour is selected in place of a standard colour.

Q. I have replaced some cement panels on the exterior of our house - on the triangular end sections below the soffit above the weatherboards, what sealer/undercoat/finish products do you recommend?

A. Prime the new fibre cement with Resene Concrete Primer then apply two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Lumbersider.

Q. We have recently moved a glasshouse to our property and wondered what you recommend to paint the glass with, to protect the sun sensitive plants.

A. Often shade cloths etc. are a good and cost effective option to protect plants against UV as once the glass is painted you can't remove it.

However, to paint out glass we recommend (following a good clean down of the glass) applying an adhesion coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer - allow to dry for 2-3 days as this will aid adhesion to the glass then topcoat with two coats of Resene Lumbersider.

Select a lighter colour, as dark colours could cause heat stress on the glass. White is best to deflect heat.

Q. Can you tell me please what makes Resene AquaShield a good product to put on exterior stucco cement plaster and what does Resene product description mean when it says that it gives a 'Mediterranean look'?

A. Resene AquaShield is a flat mineral effect type coating which gives it that ‘Mediterranean' look i.e. that type of coating/look you commonly see on older buildings in Italy, France etc. It is a great match for the look of stucco houses.

It has a hydrophobic nature to it, so water will bead up and roll off the surface more than a standard paint coating. This means that you will get less dust and grime build up on the surface.

It also has the best level of Moisture Vapour Transfer in our range therefore is our most breathable coating.

Q. I want to paint my 1950s weatherboard house. I'm pretty sure the weatherboards and windows are hardwood. I'm not sure exactly what wood. I'm planning on sanding the flaking areas of paint and spot priming before painting. Can you suggest the best way to prime/paint the hardwood?

A. Full preparation information is below for you. For paint products use:

1. Spot prime with Resene Quick Dry
2. Two topcoats of Resene Sonyx 101
3. Spec Sheet 2:1/3 - Previously Painted Exterior Timber, Weatherboards and Plywood

Generally, painted exterior timber will be in reasonable condition with some moss and mould 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 (see also the notes above).

Where the paint surface has badly deteriorated, more extensive preparation, including possibly complete removal of the coating, may be required.

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 and water to remove all surface chalking, dirt, detritus, moss and mould residue, cobwebs and other contaminants. Use as directed on the label.  

Step 3:  Thoroughly scrape and sand to remove all loose and flaking paint to provide a good key for subsequent coats. Sand any grey weathered bare timber back to a sound timber surface. Ensure all areas of flaked paint are thoroughly sanded to a feathered edge. Ensure any sharp edges are arrised to a rounded profile.

Note II:  Remove or punch in any rusty nails and replace with galvanised or stainless steel nails as is appropriate. Any exposed nail heads unable to be replaced should be punched and spot primed with Resene GP Metal Primer, if practicable, and fill with Linseed oil putty. Any rust stains should be spot primed using Resene Wood Primer.

Step 4:  Spot prime all bare timber (including nail holes) with the specified timber primer. 

Step 5: All nail holes or areas of damaged timber having first been primed in Step 4, require filling with Resene EzyFill GP or similar, in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. Sand smooth and spot prime the filled areas, with specified timber primer.

Note III:  Treat rotten and cracked timber as per Spec Sheet 2:1A/3.

Note IV:  Where paint coatings need to be stripped refer to Spec Sheet 2:1B/3.

Note V:  Before beginning any surface preparation, tests should be done to ensure the old paint does not contain lead. Paint flakes with layers older than 1970 are likely to have lead in them. If lead based paints are identified on this job, then the OSH Guidelines for the Management of Lead-based Paint must be read and followed. Where these guidelines are in conflict with any part of this specification, the guidelines must take precedence. Flakes of lead paints and any sanding dust need to be carefully managed and disposed of.

Note VI: Older timber weatherboard clad homes, especially those located close to a coastal location are likely to have rusting nails which are susceptible to bending and breakage when weather boards undergo dimensional change such as can occur when there is a colour change to dark colours. We recommend replacement of nails with new galvanised or stainless nails to ensure dimensional changes are minimised.

Q. What paint do you recommend on James Hardie Stria and Axon?

A. For new a primer coat of Resene Concrete Primer and two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss or Resene Lumbersider low sheen.

We recommend using the Resene CoolColour™ version of the topcoat colour when selecting dark topcoat colours.  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.

Q. Is there any specific Resene colour/range for weatherboard exterior painting in terms of durability?

A. There are two components to durability, time to the onset of chalking and colour fastness. The higher the gloss level the longer the time to the onset of chalking.  Given this, we recommend Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss as the exterior paint as the gloss level of the product gives an excellent balance between a low sheen and full gloss exterior acrylic from the time to onset of chalking.

Colour fastness is determined by the colourants used to make up a given colour, Resene high quality colourfast pigments to produce our colourants so that tinted colour has the best resistance to exterior colour fade.

There is no correlation or grouping of colours to answer your question re specific colours, to achieve the best exterior durability as this is a function of the product and the tinted colour. Suppliers of finger jointed weatherboards have a limitation of the LRV (light reflectance value) that they will give their cladding guarantee for. Typically, this is a minimum LRV of 45% and this restricts colour choice to lighter colours. The restriction is based on the effect that heat attracted by application of darker colours, will have on the timber cladding stability.

Q. What paint type should I use on Onduline fibre cladding?

A. A primer coat of Resene Galvo-Prime and then two coats of any Resene exterior waterborne paint, we strongly recommend using the Resene CoolColour™ version of the topcoat colour if selecting darker topcoat colours.

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.

Q. I have just had my house re-clad with new timber. I am wondering about the thickness of the paint on the weatherboards because I have noticed that I can sometimes see where the nails have been puttied over - usually early in the morning. Could this mean that there is insufficient paint? Can it easily be checked?

A. There is no testing equipment to check the dry film build, of paint over timber substrates; nail heads are too small in diameter to use standard film thickness testing equipment for metal substrates.

It is possible that there is a slight difference in the gloss level of the paint over filled nail heads, this may be seen when the nail hole area is wet with dew or when looking down the walls (side sheen).

Q. What is the recommended paint system for new Hardigroove?

A. The recommended paint system for new exterior Hardigroove, is to apply a coat of Resene Concrete Primer then finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss or Resene Lumbersider low sheen.

Q. I have a block wall unit that isn't sealed properly from the outside, the condensation is coming through the blocks. I need to seal the blocks from outside with a paintable product that I can paint over etc.

A. Check pointing to make sure this is not a potential source of water. Then apply three coats of Resene X-200.

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.

Q. What Resene paint do I use on sheets of new Hardiflex?

A. This is the info on painting Hardiflex from the James Hardies installation manual; Use only quality exterior paints complying with AS 3730.

Manufacturer's specification for the selected paint must be followed. Note that some paints require undercoat before applying the finish coat. Prior to coating, the surface should be examined to ensure it is clean, dry and free of any dust or contaminants. When using PVC flashings, the light reflective value (LRV) for the colour must not be less than 40%.

Paints with a low LRV will absorb more solar heat and could cause the components used in the wall to expand or contract.

This combined with glossy paints and wet timber used at construction stage, could lead to increased chances of fastener read through as is common with any other building material.

There is an LRV (light reflection value) limit placed on topcoat colour selection, while Resene CoolColour™ technology allows for a given colour to be tinted to achieve a higher TSR (solar reflectance value) the LRV remains the same.

Our standard system for a cementitious based board is a coat of Resene Concrete Primer and two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 topcoat, we recommend using the CoolColour version of the topcoat colour if available.

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.

Q. We have bricks on our ground level and blocks on our basement. I wanted it to be the same colour as the brown red bricks. Can we paint on top of Resene X-200 with a desired colour?

A. Resene X-200 can be topcoated with any Resene exterior waterborne paint.

Q. What paints are needed on new raw cedar shingles? Sealer? Undercoat?

A. For a solid paint finish, apply a prime coat of Resene Wood Primer then a coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider tinted topcoat colour. If selecting a dark colour as the topcoat colour use a Resene CoolColour™ version of the topcoat 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.  Dark colours may cause the rapid drying of damp timber with the ensuing danger of warping, though this effect will be lessened when a CoolColour is selected in place of a standard colour.

Q. I am about to install H3.2 plywood (with green tinge) and batten cladding to my house. I want to paint a top colour of Resene Bokara Grey. Can you clarify what I should be using for all preparation and top paint coats for this application please?

A. Prime using Resene Quick Dry primer and topcoat using Resene Lumbersider Resene CoolColour™ version in your chosen colour – Resene Bokara Grey.

Q. We are considering a satin metallic gold finish paint system, to be applied to a new exterior old rolled galvanised standing seam roof and walls.

A. For new ZINCALUME®, the following system is required for a metallic finish: first coat Resene Galvo-Prime, second coat Resene Lumbersider tinted to the basecoat colour for the metallic topcoat colour, third coat Resene FX Metallic, fourth coat Resene Clearcoat UVS.

The clear coat will give a gloss finish and will help protect the metallic colour from UV degradation which causes colour fade.

Q. I intend to paint the exterior of my 1960s weatherboard house this coming summer. There are a number of old layers of paint on it so a lot of sanding and scraping is required particularly on the weathered side. I do not intend to take the weatherboards back to timber all the way around the house. I quite like the look of the dark colours (dark grey/black) on weatherboard houses. However I have been warned about using dark colours over old existing paintwork. Is this something Resene tends to agree with? Ideally I do not want to be painting my place again in five years' time. How do I stop the dark colour heating the old paint underneath and bubbling up?

A. Dark colours will increase the surface temperature and stress the existing paintwork, where there are many existing coats of paint application of a dark colours may cause an existing paint layer to fail. Application of a Resene CoolColour system will reduce but not eliminate the risk.

To be 100% sure strip if changing to a dark topcoat colour.

Painting over old coating always carries some risk as you never really know what state they are in. New acrylic coatings are more flexible than older coatings and can often create ‘surface tension' through the extra movement/flexibility which lifts the older coating in the form of bubbles. Darker colours transfer more heat into the older coatings and this can exacerbate this type of issue. In simple terms black is a risky colour choice.

We can't guarantee you won't have an issue however the use of Resene CoolColour™ technology reduces the amount of infrared heat transferred into the old coatings and substrate and therefore will reduce the heat related issues when compared to standard coatings.

My personal advice would be to choose a lighter colour and not select black or dark colour.

Q. We've just painted the outside of our house with Resene paint.

We'd now like to touch up and remove paint from our aluminium window frames. We've tried turps and careful scraping but that has not worked. Can you please advise a product and technique that could help us?

A. Suggest you carefully wet the areas that you want to remove the paint from with Resene Graffiti Cleaner and then follow the directions for removal. Note the word carefully, is to warn against getting the Resene Graffiti Cleaner onto any other painted surface.

Q. I have undercoated an exterior rough sawn cladded area of my house and unfortunately the weather conditions changed quickly to be cooler and foggy (moist). The undercoat has not dried in certain areas. What can be done to remediate this problem? 

A. I would have expected the primer to dry off when drier conditions returned.

However given that the substrate is rough sawn, sanding of the affected areas will be difficult. Suggest you get a Scotch Brite pad for sanding, rub down the affected areas then re-prime.

Q. Can you provide information on how to halt ongoing weeping of gum from painted weatherboards?

A. This can be a difficult problem to completely control to achieve no future resin bleed.

Scrape back the area showing bleed to the bare timber, removing the gum exudate, then apply a coat of Resene Aluminium Wood Primer and allow to hard dry (note this may take many days to occur). Then reapply two coats of the topcoat colour. Dark colours will exacerbate resin bleed potential.

I have seen resin bleed when pine weatherboards were painted white, the above remedial system did achieve a degree of reduced bleed.

Q. I have 100 Merinta Plywood sheets which need to be sealed prior to installing on site. On the face of these sheets I will be gluing some pressed steel lightweight panels. Can you recommend a suitable sealer from your range or can we use the Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer as a suitable product for this application?

A. This timber is very prone to irreversible fibre swell if waterborne sealer is used. Suggest you try a coat of Resene Qristal Clear Poly-Gloss.

Q. We have painted ‘Resene Lumbersider low sheen paint on our Hardiplank® house and it looks very shiny. What can we do to flatten the look?

A. Resene Lumbersider is our lowest gloss level exterior finish for standard waterborne paints. I am surprised to hear that it is shiny as this is not the norm.

Curing conditions can lead to exudation of the wetting agents in the paint to the surface and this can appear shiny. Suggest that as a first step, you scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions.

Q. I am looking for some technical advice regarding the selection of a coating product for exposed reinforcing bars in a concrete panel. We are proposing to cut a hole in an existing precast concrete wall panel which will leave the ends of some reinforcing bars exposed on the cut edge of the opening. Do you have an appropriate coating system in your range that we can locally apply to the exposed ends of the reinforcing bars to protect them? The exposure category is B1 so it is not in an aggressive environment. I was hoping that something along the lines of an epoxy coating would do the job.

A. We recommend 2-3 coats of Resene Armourcote 221 epoxy primer. The rebar steel will need to be roughened using Emery paper to profile for coating adhesion.

Q. Can you let me know what paint you would recommend for repainting an existing metal workshop and roof please. Should I use Resene Lumbersider or something else? 

It is a COLORSTEEL® workshop.  The overall paint condition is excellent, no evidence of rust etc. I am painting the house so need to change the workshop colour. 

A. Depending upon the degree of weathering, it can be tricky to get adhesion to COLORSTEEL®, so for best results apply a full coat of Resene Pre-Coated Steel Primer then two coats of a waterborne topcoat. We usually recommend Resene Summit Roof. Resene Lumbersider can be used but for a roof it is not as durable as Resene Summit Roof.  Resene Lumbersider works well for vertical claddings.

Q. Generally, when will I have to reapply paint in a regular maintenance schedule and reapplication with no maintenance.

A. Typically a recoat to maintain aesthetics for a semi-gloss or gloss finish on a vertical surface would be required around year 8 onwards. There should be no peeling or flaking but loss of gloss and possibly colour fade. Northern elevations which receive the most intense weathering may require earlier attention.

Q. What sort of paint should I use on COLORSTEEL®?  It is 15 years old and very good condition.

A. Wash down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label directions. Apply a full coat of Resene Galvo One and the two coats of Resene Summit Roof paint.

Q. We were due to have the exterior of our house painted at the end of January but the painters have delayed twice and now plan to start this week, weather permitting. It is now April and I am wondering if it is too late to paint the exterior. Could you please give me some advice on when the painting 'season' is?

A. Resene has paints that allow painting almost all year round, so the convention of a paint season really is a thing of the past.

Q. What are the differences/advantages/disadvantages between U and Z CoolColour tints?

A. Z tinter is used to achieve a jet black colour, the tinter is infra-red transparent and a solid white base colour is what gives the infra-red reflectance to achieve the CoolColour.

U tinter is infra-red reflecting and in combination with a white base colour will give the maximum infra-red reflectance. A CoolColour made using the U tinter will have infra-red reflectance.

Q. I am repainting some concrete block work on my house. I purchased all the Resene paints I thought I needed, ( Resene Sureseal and Resene X-200).

However, after removing the old paint I can now see that the concrete blocks have been previously sealed by some sort of black, almost oily looking sealer.

I think this would have been done when the house was built in the 1980s. The paint came off simply using a waterblaster so I am concerned if I do not use the correct primer the new painting will fail also.

Should I use the Resene Sureseal or should I actually use Resene Membrane Primer? Looking at your tech specs, the Resene Membrane Primer might be correct, if the black stuff is what is referred to as ‘exposed bituminous membrane'. 

A. The black is probably old bitumen based waterproofing layer. To get adhesion of a waterborne paint system, you will need to use Resene Membrane Primer to prime bare bituminous areas.

Q. I am painting the exterior weatherboards of my house using Resene Sonyx 101 in Resene Black White and wondered if there is a maximum time I can leave between coats? 

A. In theory, there is no maximum recoat time but we would normally recommend application of the second coat within four weeks. Ensure the first coat is washed down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions prior to applying the second coat to ensure the paint is cleaned from surface contaminants that may have settled on the first coat.

Q. We have some steel lintels that support brick veneer on a house. We are replacing the windows with aluminium windows and having the steel lintels sandblasted and repainted. Do you have a cold galvanised type product you could recommend to apply to the steel lintels to the brick veneer?

A. We recommend Resene ArmourZinc 110 applied to achieve a dry film thickness of 75 microns.

Q. I was wondering if you would be able to provide some advice around the Resene Forester colour range. I have exterior Shadowclad® plywood texture, but it has come with a primed coating. 

I want a stained look for the exterior, will the Resene Forester range work on primed Shadowclad®? Other companies I have spoken to, have said that their paint stain ranges won't work unless I was able to sand back the primer. 

A. Resene Forester can be applied to pre-primed Shadowclad®. The colour range available is essentially the Resene Woodsman exterior stain colours.

Q. I have a three storey, concrete block house that has been plastered over. It has been painted in the past with a flexible rubbery paint but needs to be redone. Can you suggest a similar flexible paint that will be able to be applied over the existing product?

A. The Resene equivalent product would be Resene X-300E.

Q. I have small sleepout which is 5x8m and was built in 2000 with Shadowclad® that has never been stained or painted. What do I use to protect the cladding which is still in good condition? I live 50 metres from the sea. It has certainly greyed and I had it chemically washed 4 months ago. The bottom baseboards which I closed in under the dwelling, need another scrub, but it's the Shadowclad® I really want to paint or stain as I am not young and want whatever I do to see me out.

A. Ensure the surfaces are free of mould and then apply a coat of Resene TimberLock, wipe excess at time of application and leave to cure for at least 48 hours then apply a full coat of Resene Wood Primer. Then apply two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss or Resene Lumbersider (low sheen). If selecting a dark colour, use 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. Dark colours may cause the rapid drying of damp timber with the ensuing danger of warping, though this effect will be lessened when a CoolColour is selected in place of a standard colour.

Staining will be a high maintenance option; you may have to re-stain every couple of years. The system given is our best shot at a long term coating system.

Q. I'm wondering how to paint the Hardiplank® exterior of our house. It was built in the 1970s and was repainted about 5-10 years ago. The paint is in good condition but I don't like the colour. I would like to use Resene Sea Fog but I'm unsure exactly which Resene paint to use on Hardiplank®.

A. Wash down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions, apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry then two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 tinted to the required colour.

Q. Can you paint a house clad with Hinuera Stone, and if so, what is the process and what colour would you recommend to make it look trendy?

A. Resene does not recommend painting Hinuera stone claddings. The stone is cohesively weak and while painting can be achieved, the paint film will, more than likely peel from the surface at a later date.

Q. l want to paint my plasterclad house, what type of paint do you recommend? Which one is better Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene X-200?

A. As long as there are no weathertight issues, and the paint system is sound, then I would recommend two coats of Resene X-200. Prepare the surfaces by a wash down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions.

If there are any areas showing mould/algae infestation, treat these with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions then Resene Paint Prep and Housewash also diluted and used to label directions.

Q. We are repainting our weatherboard home, which is in an extremely rough condition. We have used a paint shaver and a sander to remove the paint and then undercoated, filled, sanded, re-undercoated and painted in Resene Double White Pointer for the main part. Resene Black White for used for the windows, both in semi-gloss. We have noticed that every little imperfection shows up in the weatherboard no matter how much we fill and sand. Is there a better undercoat that you could recommend to stop grain raising? Also, is it normal to have a not perfectly flat surface on repainted weatherboard homes?

A. Not sure what undercoat/topcoat system you have used but on average two coats of a standard paint will only give a thickness that is akin to a piece of cello tape, so will not fill to any real degree but will telegraph the base to which it has been applied.

Repairs to a multi-layered paint system where there has been removal of a section of the old paint, can be difficult to repair to a flush finish and close up or at side angles the substrate defects will be visible.

Resene Timber Surface Prep can be used to repair the surface for a flush finish.

Q. How do I prevent moisture penetrating a block wall, also through cement board? Would two coats of Resene Hi-Glo waterborne gloss be adequate?

A. Blockwork can be rendered weathertight by application of the Resene X-200 system to the exterior face of the blockwork. All pointing must be sound and flashings functioning as designed. Low build waterborne paint systems such as Resene Hi-Glo will not give weathertightness.

With fibre cement cementing the jointing system must be sound as jointing failure is where most water ingress issues arise from. A primer, Resene Concrete Primer and two coats of Resene Hi-Glo should render the FC weathertight.

The definition of a weathertight system is a paint system that does not allow liquid water to pass through the paint system but allows water vapour to pass both ways.

Q. I used Resene X-200 for the original coat of paint on my plaster on brick house 10 years ago. The original paint is still in good condition. Do I use X-200 again or a different topcoat?

A. If all in good condition then yes, Resene X-200 would be ideal again. Ensure you clean down suitably prior to painting.

Q. Can Resitex be applied over mill finish aluminium cladding?

A. Yes as long as the aluminium is primed with Resene Galvo One.

Q. With brand new preprimed James Hardie weatherboard, do I need to apply Resene Quick Dry before applying Resene Hi-Glo? The Resene Hi-Glo product label says, fibre cement in sound condition does not usually need priming first but this might be referring to when previously painted. 

A. For best results, we recommend application of a full coat of Resene Concrete Primer for this substrate prior to application of a Resene waterborne topcoat system.

Q. Can you please advise what paint is suitable for the Palliside weatherboard system?

A. Palliside can easily be painted. You will need to give it a good clean down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash first, then simply apply two coats of acrylic using Resene Lumbersider or Resene Sonyx 101.

Palliside advise to paint only in lighter colours so you should refer to their Tech Guide for the guidelines on colour choice before proceeding.

Q. I have a concrete block wall that has been plastered over that I painted about 15 years ago. It needs repainting as it has what looks like lime stain bleeding through in places.  What would you recommend to do this job?  Can I coat the whole thing in a sealer, then paint?

A. Efflorescence is the possible cause of the white staining. Wash down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions.

Apply a coat of Resene Sureseal and finish with two coats of Resene exterior waterborne topcoat paint. Use the CoolColour™  version of the colour if selecting 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.

Q. I am looking at buying a house with matai weatherboards and I wanted to check what the recommended method of repainting is given matai exudes an anti-oxidant which prevents proper curing of paint (your helpful tech bulletin). The paint on this house is in fair condition but there are places where it has lifted due to the above.

The main issue I wanted to check was whether existing paint needed to be removed to allow an appropriate paint system to be applied? The paint is in fair condition but with patches where it has lifted due to the anti-oxidant exuded by the weatherboard.

A.    The need to strip the existing paint system depends upon the condition of the paint work. Not sure of the age of the paint system but lower layers may contain lead so removal must take account of this.

The other case for removal is if you are going to change to a darker colour than the existing colour as due to heat effects the new colour may result the old paint system failing by blistering. Resene CoolColour™ technology will reduce but not eliminate the potential for this to occur. Prepare areas of flaking back to a sound edge then prime bare matai with Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat. If you suspect that lead based paint may be present use wet sanding.  Resene ColorShops have lead test kits available so you can test the paint.

Q. We are constructing a pump station and generator building out of concrete blocks. The exterior needs to be waterproofed and painted and the interior painted.

Is Resene Lumbersider a waterproofing paint or is it best to apply Resene X-200 to the exterior. Does the Resene X-200 need a concrete primer if we are applying it to new blockwork? Also, what would you recommend for painting directly onto the blockwork for the interior?

A. The Resene system to achieve a weathertight system for new block construction is Resene X-200. Based on the definitions given in CCANZ CP01 2014, a weather tight paint system will be breathable (water vapour transfer) but does not allow liquid water to pass through the membrane.

For new masonry there is no absolute need to apply a primer coat but this can be done if an increased film build is deemed necessary. It is the exterior face that needs to be made weather tight, using Resene X-200 for the interior face is not required and a Resene Lumbersider system applied over a coat of Resene Concrete Primer is an appropriate interior system for blockwork with the proviso that the external face is weather tight.

Q. In our basement we have a concrete block wall which has been painted with water based paint and the paint is being blown off from behind. Would the Resene HydraBlock product you sell be able to stop the moisture coming through the blocks or should the wall be strapped and plasterboard fitted?

A. Resene HydraBlock would be the fix but it cannot be applied to a painted surface.  It must be applied to the bare block.

Q. We live in a three level apartment block.  The construction is concrete block plastered for the two lower levels and the top is weatherboard and plaster over. The block is 20 years old and was last repainted seven years ago. Doing the hand on test shows it is now powdering but there is no sign of blistering or bare areas etc. There is mould in 'dark' hard to get at areas.

Quotes have been obtained for repainting. Two propose waterblasting and then painting with two coats of Resene Lumbersider, the other proposes chemical and clean, and then two coats of a membrane system to all plastered areas and then two coats acrylic on weatherboards etc. 

A. Our surface prep for your situation is to treat areas of mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions, then scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash, diluted and used to label directions. Waterblasting alone does not kill mould spores or remove surface chalking.

Topcoat selection for the concrete block levels depends upon the weathertight status of the substrate, if no issues, then two coats of Resene Lumbersider will suffice.  Two coats of Resene X-200 is a belts and braces system.

Q. We have old cedar weatherboards that we've taken back to bare wood. What is the best system to use from primer right to topcoat please? We have existing Resene Half Pravda on the rest of the house. The weatherboards (a mix of what I think is pine from the 80s and cedar from probably 1950) have been stripped back and are in good condition. So the cedar is quite old and I would have thought not prone to leeching.

A. Dark colours may cause the rapid drying of damp timber with the ensuing danger of warping, though this effect will be lessened when a Resene CoolColour™ is selected in place of a standard colour. If you are going to do a solid paint finish, then apply a full coat of Resene Wood Primer and follow with an undercoat of Resene Quick Dry then finish with two coats of a Resene exterior waterborne topcoat, tinted to your selected colour. We recommend the Resene CoolColour™ version of the topcoat colour if available. 

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. 

Q. I have an early 1900s villa that we are stripping back for repainting. The weatherboards are kauri, with some preprimed pine replacements where there has been rot.

A. Resene Quick Dry must be used to prime bare matai or totara.  For other timbers you can in theory use either Resene Quick Dry or Resene Wood Primer. My preference after many years in the paint business would be to use Resene Wood Primer for priming bare kauri.

Q. What paint/primer products do you recommend for exterior cedar boards that have deteriorated and have been previously stained? Not flaking or mouldy, just looks and feels a bit ‘thinner'. I was thinking of having it painted in a paler colour so it won't get so hot (north facing).

A. If this was to convert a Resene stain system to a solid colour, the following would be required;

Scrub down with Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label directions, allow to dry and apply a full coat of Resene Wood Primer and then finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider, tinted to your selected Resene CoolColour™ topcoat if available. The CoolColour™ topcoat will not render the painted surface cool to touch but the cool colour version will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool technology. Dark colours may cause the rapid drying of damp timber with the ensuing danger of warping, though this effect will be lessened when a CoolColour™ is selected in place of a standard colour.

There will be an element of risk as the existing stain cannot be established.

Q. We have a painted block base, however the blocks are wet inside (I drilled a hole to check), and salty residue and moist patches come through on the inside the garage. We will be painting shortly and wanted to ensure the base is sealed. What would be the best products and method? The exterior is painted and accessible. 

A. Resene X-200 system applied to the exterior face will render block work weathertight.