Garden & landscape

Q. I want to paint the inside of wooden raised garden beds and am trying to find the best paint with no toxic effects at all, can you help with this please?

A. The reality is that biocides are required to reduce the decay potential of timber.

The prevention/reduction of wood decay on the outside of the planter boxes can be achieved using standard wood primers, these will not release chemicals that can then pass through the timber to the growing mixture for possible uptake by vegetables. So for the exterior surface you can use Resene Quick Dry primer, overcoated with Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen for colour. Alternatively, if you want a semi-transparent stain finish, use Resene Waterborne Woodsman.

The main concern for the interior facings would be when growing root vegetables. We have no test data for any of products to relate uptake by root vegetables. From experience over time, even treated timber for in ground use, does undergo decay when used for planter boxes filled with soil. A possible suggestion is to get a thick black plastic sheeting to line the inside of the planter box before filling, making sure drainage holes are punched in the bottom section.

If you were to use a paint system for the interior use Resene Wood Primer followed by Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen and plant no closer than 35cm from the edges. Again, there is no test data for this.

For an eco approach, use macrocarpa, cypress, saligna or any untreated hardwood, however if left in contact with the ground, the timber will eventually rot.

November 2023

Q. Can Resene supply a latex based paint that is suitable for beehive boxes?

A. Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen can be used for painting the exterior of beehives. The product is Resene Eco Choice approved and contains no heavy metals or formaldehyde. This is not a latex paint as such but is an acrylic.

September 2023

Q. I have a metal sculpture - theoretically for outdoors use - but I don’t want it to rust - so what is a colourless product I could use to protect it?

A. Without knowing the type of paint used on the sculpture, we are not able to give any long-term assurances about the longevity of a clear finish, especially in regard to adhesion. The best option we can offer is Resene Aquaclear, an interior water-based varnish. It’s available in satin, semi-gloss and gloss finish. Please note if any rust has already started to form, then under film corrosion will become an issue without any rust treatment or removal.

September 2023

Q. I have read your "Upcycle Wheelbarrow" brochure available at your website and have bought a good condition, very old (with sold rubber wheel) wheelbarrow for this project. I have been told by the prior owner of the wheelbarrow that it is ferrous metal, and I see that the product recommended by yourselves in the aforementioned brochure is only for non-ferrous metal. Can you please give me advice and if necessary, recommend a different enamel paint that will also be somewhat waterproof (if possible).

A. We recommend the same system is used for ferrous metal also, so Resene Rust-Arrest and then Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primer followed by two topcoats of Resene waterborne enamel, such as Resene Enamacryl gloss or Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss.

The prep with a wire brush/disc is important as it helps to remove loose rust and reduce under-film corrosion (but will not eliminate it, these coatings will only hold it back for a period of time).

This paint system is not defined as a ‘waterproofing coating' as most paint systems are what we call water vapour permeable, which allows vapours to pass through the coating.

August 2023

Q. I have a natural unfinished cedar letterbox and I want to paint it. What should I use?

A. Because of the oils and resin in Cedar, we recommend an oil based Resene Wood Primer. The risk of not using the correct primer could lead to resin staining and discolouring the topcoat and loss of adhesion long term.

August 2023

Q. I have 30 year old trellis in sound condition. It has been stained in the past but is long overdue for more stain. How do I tell if oil based or water based stain was used? If I can’t tell, is it best to use oil-based stain just in case? I have used Resene Moss & Mould Killer and given the screen a scrub.

A. It's not easy to tell if a stain is waterbased or oil based. The main thing we'd be looking at is whether it was a film forming stain or not.

As long as it is not film forming, we would recommend Resene Woodsman Wood Oil.

August 2023

Q. My son is making concrete planter pots. He has tried to use a sealer for the inside but has found hairline cracks appear in some of the pots approx. a week after adding a plant and soil. We also have Resene Concrete Clear and notice it says a coat of Resene Solventborne Aquapel should be applied to cementitious materials before the Resene Concrete Clear. Before I buy some Resene Aquapel, is this what you would recommend sealing the inside of the pots?

They were fine for three months until he added the soil and plants. He did a science fair project around it and has made it into the regional finals, so he’s quite into it. We’ve noticed it’s only the square ones getting cracks so far.

A few websites recommended 3:1 parts cement to sand for smaller crafts. He tested 1 part, 1.2 and 1.4 parts water and 1.2 worked the best. Now we’re wondering if he still needs more sand - the finish isn’t as nice though.

A. A water repellent won't prevent hairline cracking in the concrete, we may be able to offer another solution.

I’m not sure what's causing the cracking. I’m sure a concrete specialist would be willing to offer your son some assistance.

The best product we have that can seal the interior of the pots is Resene Water Lockout. This is a bitumen-style black coating.

August 2023

Q. We are wanting to paint the top 12 inches of the strainer posts in our vineyard. Some have white paint on already others are new tanalised posts. We are wanting to paint them Resene Black. We need a paint that is going to be durable, fade resistant and look really smart. I have seen some which look stained, but they have faded and don't now look black at all.

A. The posts that already have white paint on them can be cleaned and overcoated directly with the topcoat. The new tanalised posts require a primer.

The system we recommend is clean and thoroughly allow to dry. Treat any moss and mould present with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Prime with one coat of Resene Wood Primer, then topcoat with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss.

For an easier to clean shinier finish a semi-gloss is the preferred option, however we do have a full gloss available if you prefer.

Please note, there are risks involves when painting with a dark colour, such as warping, bubbling etc. The use of Resene CoolColour technology will help to reduce some of these risks (but will not eliminate them). All paints used outside are expected to chalk and/or fade over time due to our harsh weather conditions.

August 2023

Q. Can you tell me what product to use to for exterior rendered walls in a courtyard to achieve a rustic Tuscan finish?

A. We recommend Resene AquaShield which is a flat mineral effect for rendered surfaces.

July 2023

Q. I want to paint our retaining wall. It’s a block retaining wall around 20 years old in very good condition. Would Resene AquaShield work? Would it hide the joins of the block work?

It’s bare at the moment, no ingress happening from why I can tell.

A. If the wall is not waterproofed or lined from the inside, any moisture from the garden is likely to come through the brickwork.

Overcoating with a paint system will require maintenance as the hydrostatic pressure from that moisture travelling through the brick will create bubbles and blistering in the paint finish.

If you would still like to proceed, we can recommend a paint system for you, this won’t be guaranteed, and we can’t give any timeframes before blistering and maintenance will be required.

A plaster render system is what is needed if you want to remove visible block joins, unfortunately, a paint system will not achieve this.

May 2023

Q. A couple of years ago I repainted a very weathered timber framed pergola, which is built into a south facing corner of my house. My prep included sanding the patches of flaking paint back to the original pine timber colour, and an attempt to fill the many small splits in the timber with a flexible filler. Obviously I didn't do a good enough job because the paint including primer has begun to flake off again on the top flat surface. To protect the timber and for appearances I need to redo this project. Can you please advise how best to prepare and repaint this pergola?

A. The lifting paint will be because the water can settle and pond there. It would be best if you could angle (bevel) the top of the timber so the water can run off easier.

As the timber is aging and moving and you can get 'checking' cracking along your timber. It will likely keep moving over time and open the timber up to moisture - maintenance coats may be needed over time.

The best paint system that offers the most flexibility is an acrylic, which is likely what you have used.

Spot prime any bare patches with Resene Quick Dry, followed by two topcoats of either Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx semi-gloss.

May 2023

Q. We have a trellis garden arch that our daughters would like to paint in rainbow colours for their playground. The 4L tins will be too large for our needs so I was wondering if you sell testpots for outdoor paints?

A. Resene testpot are made from Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. These are a waterbased exterior low sheen finish and perfect for your project.

I recommend you apply a primer undercoat of Resene Quick Dry. Not only will this help with adhesion long term, but it helps the bright colours pop more and make the surface easier and smoother for younger people to paint.

March 2023

Q. I’ve got two tall terracotta pots that have kind of gone mouldy. How could I repaint these?

A. We recommend first treating the mould with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Then seal with Resene Aquapel & Terracotta Sealer, followed by two coats of Resene testpot paint in any colour or Resene topcoat of your choice. You can apply Resene Clearcoat UVS also if you wish which will give extra fade protection to bright colours.

March 2023

Q. We have moved house and our metallic paint pots no longer look right. Can I paint with Resene Lumbersider or something over them and use a different colour of metallic paint?

A. Yes, you can put Resene Lumbersider over the top and repaint them with a different metallic paint.

February 2023

Q. I need a water based paint with very low voc. The paint is required for painting a live beehive box (externally only). The box is made of pine (new) and it will be outside. What should I use?

A. Best recommendation would be Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

June 2022

Q. I use tin cans to plant flowers in. If I paint the outside of the can should I give two coats or rather first paint an undercoat?

A. Apply a coat of Resene Vinyl Etch to clean metal, followed with an undercoat of Resene Quick Dry then finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl in your topcoat colour.

June 2022

Q. I’m having a feature trellis made and am not sure whether to stain or paint? Whichever is recommended will either of the above stain the concrete its sitting on? Also which of the two lasts longer without ongoing maintenance?

A. Staining is a higher maintenance option, depending upon exposure a maintenance coat may be required every third summer.

Painting will see the requirements for more coats, apply a prime coat of Resene Wood Primer, then spot prime staple points with Resene Rust Arrest and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen topcoat colour. Depending upon exposure recoating should be at year 8+.

June 2022

Q. Is a decking oil suitable for bamboo blinds for outdoor use? I expect it would waterproof the cotton string that ties the slats together but is there any prospect it would adversely affect them?

A. We have not evaluated the product for this purpose. The product is a modified oil and would likely have poor adhesion to the bamboo structure. Bamboo is a grass not a timber and generally doesn’t coat well.

June 2022

Q. I want to weatherproof or semi weatherproof a stained wooden headboard that I am going to use as an outside feature. What type of coating do you recommend? It is made of MDF. Currently it’s stained a dark brown. I would like to keep it a darkish brown and don’t particularly want it shiny or clear, so maybe a pigment finish would be better.

A. MDF is very water sensitive. For this reason it is not recommended for exterior use where the item will be exposed to rain. We have no paint system that we could guarantee for this situation.

June 2022

Q. We need a small quantity of gold or bronze to paint Buddha garden statues.

A. It sounds like Resene FX Metallic will be perfect for your project.

April 2022

Q. What type of paint do I need to paint black PVC plastic pots white for outdoor use in full sun?

A. PVC does not require an primer/undercoat. Acrylic exterior paint such as Resene Lumbersider can be applied directly to a clean and cool to touch surface.

February 2022

Q. I want to paint a glazed pot black and wondered what your advice is on the best combination of products to use to ensure the paint 'sticks'?

A. 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 Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen topcoat colour.

October 2021

Q. I have bought a Nordic spruce untreated cabin that I wish to paint or stain. I like the idea of stain as I want the cabin to blend into the vegetation but worry that the stain will not be dense enough and fence paint seems only recommended for rough sawn timber.

A. Untreated timbers may well be durable but in our climate, they often are subject to rot and decay. By all accounts this timber species possibly has reasonable durability in our conditions.

Prior to staining or painting scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Do not allow the wash solution to dry out on the surface (this includes window glass and joinery). Rinse clean or hose down with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution residues are removed. Allow to dry then apply two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain.

October 2021

Q. Is it safe to paint the inside of a wine barrel that will have a fig tree growing in it? Will chemicals from the paint leach into the soil and then into the fruit?

A. Resene Water Lockout is the only product we have for this application. Although untested to the best of our knowledge there are no harmful chemicals that could be released from the fully cured coating.

October 2021

Q. What do people normally use to paint beehives?

A. Most customers use Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. Remember to use different colours or colour combinations on the boxes to help the bees find their way to the correct hive. Focus on colours with good contrast (usually dark and light).

October 2021

Q. What primer, sealer and paint would I need for outside planters? Semi-gloss finish preferable. I think they are a combination of cement/resin?

A. You will need to seal the inside of the planters using Resene Water Lockout. If these are not sealed then water will move through the walls and cause the exterior paint system to fail by blistering.

Use Resene Sureseal to seal the exterior and then apply two topcoats in Resene X-200 in your chosen colour.

October 2021

Q. What do I use to paint raised vegetable gardens?

A. For this application you can apply one coat of Resene Wood Primer and two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

October 2021

Q. How do I stain finish a timber retaining wall? The retaining wall is made of treated timber, there are no signs of water coming through however, I note that there is some mould on the front of the timber.

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 Timber and Deck 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. Allow to dry then apply two coats of Resene Waterborne Woodsman wood stain. To address future mould growth, treat the wall using Resene Deep Clean at least once a year, at the beginning of spring or autumn.

October 2021

Q. What paint (undercoat and top coat) is best for a fibre glass garden planter?

A. Sand with 220 grit sandpaper. 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. Apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

October 2021

Q. How do I repaint a metal pipe pergola? The paint is now chalky looking. There are some rust spots also.

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. Thoroughly 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. 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.

Spot prime bare prepared areas of bare metal with two coats of Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primer then apply two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 topcoat colour, using the CoolColour version if available for your chosen colour, the higher gloss level will give an extended time till the onset of chalking.

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.

September 2021

Q.How do I paint old tanalised pine retaining walls which have never been stained or painted? I have washed them off to remove the worst of the mould moss and dirt and intend to now wash with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Please could you advise what stain product you would recommend for this job?

A. I recommend Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain. To control mould/moss growth spray on Resene Deep Clean at least once a year. This is best done in mid to late spring.

August 2021

Q. I am using Resene paint on treated plywood to put in the garden. Is there any sealer or primer (for next time) for the wood that would help the paint last longer in the weather? Or help the ply from splitting over time?

A. Surface checking of ply cannot be prevented from occurring. Painting in very light colours will delay but not prevent checking.

You will need to prime the treated ply with Resene Wood Primer then apply two coats of a waterborne exterior topcoat such as Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. If you decide to go for a dark topcoat colour we recommend applying 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. A CoolColour system will not necessarily stop resin migration from resin rich timber such as pine.

August 2021

Q. What do I use to prime and paint a new kitset cabin made of nordic spruce? Ideally a low sheen finish.

A. The best system is a primer coat of Resene Wood Primer followed by an undercoat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 in your topcoat colour. If possible envelope prime and prime end cuts with Resene Wood Primer prior to assembling the cladding.

August 2021

Q. What should we use to paint a zincalume shed that has not been previously painted?

A. If the Zincalume is new apply a coat of Resene Galvo-Prime and then apply two coats of Resene Summit Roof in your topcoat colour. If the Zincalume has been exposed to weathering for more than six months prime with Resene Galvo One.

August 2021

Q. How do I paint a terracotta plant pot to look like it's made of rough concrete?

A. Ensure the terracotta pot is sealed on the inside using Resene Aquapel & Terracotta Sealer, then on the outside apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal, then two coats of Resene Sandtex Mediterranean effect tinted to a concrete grey colour of your choice. Brush apply Resene Sandtex in a random fashion to give a patterned surface, sandy look, which is as close as we can achieve to rough concrete.

August 2021

Q. What paint do we need to paint an iron shed with Resene Touchstone?

A. Assuming the shed has not been previously painted, 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. 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.

Remove all areas of white corrosion material and as much red rust as is practicable 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. Note: The performance of the subsequent paint systems will be largely dependent on the thoroughness of this surface preparation stage. Appy a full coat of Resene Galvo One and finish with two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

August 2021

Q. I wish to cover some outdoor pots with fabric and if I glue the fabric on with PVA can I then paint over it with Resene Concrete Clear to protect it from water?

A. We have not evaluated using a clear applied over adhesively fixed fabric to exclude water. Suggest that you trial one pot first to see if the system achieves what you want. Apply three coats of Resene Concrete Clear Gloss.

July 2021

Q. I have a concrete sleeper wall and next to it is one side of an out of ground swimming pool. How would I paint both to match the Ironbark finish?

The pool is in in ground concrete pool with the north facing side out of ground (pool on slope facing water). The concrete on this side is rendered and is the side that we need to coat.

A. Ensure the substrate is clean and dry then apply a coat of Resene Sureseal and finish with three coats of Resene X-200 in your topcoat colour.

June 2021

Q. I have some timber boards in my shed that are leaking through the knots in the wood. What can I do to seal the knots - before painting?

A. Suggest that you look to use RepairCare SF Filler to seal over the knots and focus on open edges. The filler is not easy to sand so flush filling is required. Filled areas can be painted over with a standard Resene paint system. The filler comes as a cartridge and fits standard skeleton guns, the contents are a 2-pack epoxy and when you extrude a volume you get the correct mix ratio of base and hardener. After extrusion mix till uniform on a non-absorbent surface. The filler is available from any Resene ColorShop.

June 2021

Q. I want to paint a glazed ceramic pot. The glaze is matt and I want to paint it black. Do I need to undercoat it? I have Resene Lumbersider Paint in Resene Black.

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 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 your waterborne top coat colour.

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

June 2021

Q. I have recently bought a cedar shed. I want to paint it white, but I'm having trouble finding out what specifics primer and paint I need for the cedar wood.

A. Assuming there is no existing clear coating on the cedar, apply a coat of Resene Wood Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

May 2021

Q. We were given a plate and want to hang it outside. It is made of broken pieces of crockery and ceramic tiles set in a very porous plaster onto a glass plate. What clear product would you recommend that we could cover this with to protect it from the elements so that it does not disintegrate?

A. My only suggestion is to carefully apply multiple coats of Resene Solventborne Aquapel to the mortared areas to achieve saturation, not to the coloured sections. This will give a degree of water repellence which may be sufficient.

April 2021

Q. I want to stain/paint my large vegetable raised bed. Which paint/stain will not seep through and effect the plants?

A. I would use Resene Waterborne Woodsman, stains will not penetrate through a thickness of timber to make soil contact. Apply two thin coats as there will be water seepage from the interior mix and this may affect the stain adhesion.

April 2021

Q. We need to paint 22 outdoor timber crates with a community group. Please advise which paint type is best for this.

A. Use Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or for small accent colours Resene testpots.

March 2021

Q. I am looking to create my own concrete ornaments and have been advised to use latex paint. Do Resene have a latex range of paints or is latex just a word for water based?

A. Yes, we do, this is waterbased paint. Always best to prime before topcoating. Our primer would be Resene Concrete Primer diluted 10% with water followed by two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 (semi-gloss) or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

Will the ornaments be cast in a mould with a release agent? If so, the release agent will need to be totally removed from the concrete to be painted.

February 2021

Q. Can Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen be used to paint a previously painted tin garden shed. It’s factory painted in good condition – just faded and it has lost all gloss. If I didn’t have left over Resene Lumbersider I would normally use a roof paint.

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 water blast clean ensuring all surface chalk and salts are removed. Then apply a coat of Resene Pre-coated Steel Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider.

February 2021

Q. What is the best paint to repaint a large outside planter pot? I think it is ceramic.

A. If the planter pot is glazed, clean down to remove all surface contaminants then apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and allow to cure without water contact for at least 48 hours before over coating. 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 Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101. For accent colours or if the pots are small in area you can also use Resene testpot paint.

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

February 2021

Q. What do you recommend for painting bare retaining wall wood logs? I want satin or flat paint. I prefer not to prime or undercoat.

A. If new, then apply three coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

December 2020

Q. What should I use coat fibreglass pots?

A. Best to sand using 220 grit sandpaper then apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry. Then topcoat with Resene testpots or Resene topcoats.

November 2020

Q. I want to stain a new treated pine retaining wall. What type of stain would be suitable?

A. If the pine is a green colour this will be due to the preservative treatment used. As stains are semi-transparent, the green colour of the pine will change the applied stain colour. Suggest that the best stain to use would be Resene Woodsman Wood Oil.

November 2020

Q. I am planning to get quail soon and am not sure what to use to stain the hutch that I will be keeping them in. I am not too concerned about the colour or type of finish, but I am looking for something that is water-based, has low VOCs and free of heavy metals. The hutch will be made of fir wood.

A. I recommend you use Resene Waterborne Woodsman.

November 2020

Q. I have purchased a 3mx3m pine SheShed. I would like to dark stain or oil it; what would you advise? The wood is not treated but has a shiny surface, would I lightly sand it?

A. I’m surprised that the timber is shiny, this may indicate some sort of clear coating may have been applied which may prevent stain/oil form absorbing into the timber surface. I suggest that you scrub down the timer surfaces using Resene Timber and Deck Wash diluted and used to label instructions to see if this produces a non-shiny finish. If it does, then apply two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain.

June 2020

Q. How do I paint a wooden planter?

A. Apply a coat of Resene TimberLock (wipe excess at time of application and leave to cure for at least 48 hours) then apply a coat of Resene Wood Primer and finish with the Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen topcoat colour.

May 2020

Q. I’m looking at painting a new retaining wall black. I have not constructed it yet and thought it would be best to paint the timber before I do. The timber is H4 ground treated and I have it in my garage for the last week or so, so it is very dry. What paint or paint/primer would you recommend?

A. Assuming the timber will be back filled with soil, I suggest that all faces that are in contact with the soil be painted with at least three coats Resene Water Lockout to seal against possible movement through the timber. Then paint the exposed face with a coat of Resene Wood Primer and two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen.

May 2020

Q. We have acquired several terracotta pots that have been painted black and the paint is needing to be redone.

A. If there is no peeling/flaking, you can apply Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen to refresh.

May 2020

Q. I have a 30 year old concrete block retaining wall that was sealed really well but is now allowing damp to come through. It is on a boundary so is not possible to excavate and reseal from the outside. The wall is part of a garage not a habitable space. It has been battened with H3 timber with damp proof underneath then GIB® boarded over. We plan to take off the GIB® and would like to reseal the wall the best we can from the inside over the battens and exposed concrete blocks.

Do Resene produce a suitable alternative product that could coat over everything?

A. The only product that we have is Resene HydraBlock but to use this, you will have to remove the battens.

May 2020

Q. I've got an old implement shed with an unpainted corrugated iron/ zinc roof that's rusting in a few places. What would be the best way to prep it for painting?

I've got some Resene Paint Prep and Housewash and some Resene Galvo One. There's barely any visible moss or mould on it.

A. 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.

Prime the prepared red rusted areas with Resene Galvo One, then apply a full coat of Resene Galvo One and finish with two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

April 2020

Q. I'm thinking of building some raised garden beds from untreated pallet wood and thought I might be able to protect it with a paint system. I don't mind if it's a tinted paint or a clear coat, and I'd do the cut ends as well as all faces. It doesn’t need to be a full-on preservative per se (otherwise I'd just used treated timber) but more a simple protection to give the pallet wood a few more years. I know I'll have to replace the boards regularly, but I'm happy to do this as I've got time on my hands.

A. You can use Resene Water Lockout for the internal surfaces and a Resene Woodsman Stain for exterior faces.

April 2020

Q. We have just had a block wall erected in the garden. We would like to seal it with Resene X-200 but might not get around to painting it for several months. Does the sealer breakdown over time if it isn't primed and painted immediately?

A. If you are going to seal the wall you can apply a coat of Resene Concrete Primer. This can be left for a few months before topcoating but if left longer you will need to wash down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions before topcoating.

April 2020

Q. I have built an outdoor boxed garden from macrocarpa sleepers. I would like to treat/stain the timber so it will retain its natural wood colour over time.

A. Apply two coats of Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain in a colour close to the timber colour. We don’t recommend a clear finish as clears do not perform in exterior exposure on timber.

February 2020

Q. I'm looking to oil/stain macrocarpa sleepers. Which products would you recommend for this?

A. We recommend two coats of Resene Woodsman wood oil stain.

January 2020

Q. I have a large blue glazed vase in the garden that I would like to repaint as the glaze has faded over the years. Is it possible to paint over glaze?

A. Yes, clean the pot down to remove dirt dust etc. 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. You can then apply any Resene exterior waterborne topcoat in two coats of the colour you select.

January 2020

Q. What would be the best alkyd paint for a new CCA H5 timber post that needs to be very well protected from moisture ingress?

A. Apply a primer coat of Resene Wood Primer followed by a coat of Resene Enamel Undercoat and finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl.

December 2019

Q. I want to paint my new zinc coated garden shed. Is this possible? What primer/undercoat/topcoat will I need to use?

A. Wash down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label instructions, apply a primer coat of Resene Galvo Prime and finish with two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

December 2019

Q. What paint should I use to repaint a metal letterbox opening and door set within brickwork? The existing paint has been removed so it is mostly bare weathered metal.

A. Assuming no corrosion is present apply a full coat of Resene GP Metal Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel in your chosen colour.

December 2019

Q. We currently have planted boxes that we have made and coated black with exterior paint. We want coloured exterior paint for our kids to draw on them. What do you recommend?

A. Resene FX Blackboard Paint would be our only suggestion.

December 2019

Q. I am looking for a sealant to use on painted terracotta pots. Is the Resene Aquapel & Terracotta Sealer recommended for this purpose or Resene Clearcoat UVS?

A. Resene Aquapel & Terracotta Sealer is recommended as the first coat on the interior and exterior to control water movement – i.e. so the water doesn’t go through the pot. Resene Clearcoat UVS is used as the final coat to give extended durability and colour fade resistance to the waterborne topcoats.

December 2019

Q. What paint do you recommend to paint beehives?  I'm about to buy some hives and boxes.

A. Resene Lumbersider is used for painting the exterior of bee hives. The product is Resene Environmental Choice Approved and contains no heavy metals or formaldehyde.

Q. I have just made three, small, two concrete block high spaces to fill with soil so I can grow vegetables in an area that is wet in winter but dry in summer. To counter the soil drying out quickly in summer, I thought I would paint the inside of the concrete blocks before the soil goes in. It wouldn't have to do the job perfectly, but I hate the thought of toxins leeching out of the paint and being taken up by the vegetables.

Could I use Resene Water Lockout or Resene Sonyx 101 or one of the products recommended for food producing factories or is it safest to just leave the naked concrete blocks? I see "Water Lockout" has, as one of its recommended uses...painting the lining of wooden planters...but is that intended for flower growing and not edible plants?

A. We recommend multiple coats of Resene Water Lockout until a smooth finish is achieved.

Q. I need an external pine treatment for a commercial landscape job for a retirement village. We have some timber bollards, timber posts, and timber signs, pine. The signs are tall, so using Glulam posts.

What stain or oil or treatment would you recommend, that will give a nice rich natural timber colour to pine, in both Glulam and standard posts (125mmx125mm)? The concern is having the laminated posts look too different than the other posts, they should be the same colour, but I'm ok with highlighting the laminated parts as is only natural.

A. For a stain option Resene Waterborne Woodsman stain (two coats).

Q. I have a pergola which has become weathered over the last 10 years or so. It had been painted white but now has moss and lichen growing on it. I intend to get it waterblasted, primed and painted. What type of paint would you recommend to address future moss and lichen problems?

A. Paint will not control of bio growth. Suggest you apply Resene Deep Clean diluted and used to label instructions at the beginning spring each year, if growth is heavy may be a second application at the beginning of autumn as well.

Q. We have some outdoor signs laser cut from Grade 316 Stainless Steel Plates (finish: polished) that require site painting to a satin/slightly reflective black. The project is located in a geothermal area. Could you advise on appropriate products and specification for this use?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Step 1: Scrub down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash. 

Step 2: Lightly abrade the surface using 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.

The paint system to use is Resene Armourcote 220 applied to achieve a dry film thickness (DFT) of 75 microns, two coats of Resene Uracryl 402  Black applied to achieve a total DFT of 100 microns, and finish with a full coat of Resene Uracryl 402 UVS Clear to achieve a DFT of 50 microns.

Q. I need to replace five letterboxes down my ROW and one of my lovely elderly neighbours suggested everybody has a different colour. Is it ok to use testpots, or isn't that paint suitable?

A. I’m not sure what the letterboxes are made from, but you can use testpots for the topcoat colour. However, the substrate will need to be appropriately prepared and primed prior to topcoat application.

October 2019

Q. We are getting a macrocarpa garden shed and want to paint it to help protect it. What do you recommend? We don't just want to stain it.

A. The premium system is a coat of Resene Wood Primer, a coat of Resene Quick Dry and then two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 colour.

A Resene CoolColour system will not render the painted surface cool to touch, but the cool colour 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 cool colour system will reduce but not eliminate heat related stress on the substrate.

October 2019

Q. How do you paint tyres? I want to use them in the garden for potatoes and other plants.

A. Wash down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label direction. Apply a prime coat of Resene Membrane Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider (also can use Resene testpot paints).

Q. I wish to waterproof the exterior cladding on my garden shed, which is clad with cement board. I'm after a clear finish; otherwise I would just paint it. I'm looking at your Resene Aquapel. Does this fit the bill?

A. Resene Aquapel is a water repellent treatment only, will not render the surface watertight. It would be better to paint with a solid paint system such as Resene X-200.

Q. I'm looking at painting concrete posts.  Will I need to put a concrete primer on first then the colours I'm needing?

A. For new concrete apply a full coat of Resene Concrete Primer, then two coats of Resene Sonyx 101.

Q. I am painting an unpainted concrete tank. Do I have to seal first or use an undercoat like normal painting? I am going to be using Resene Lumbersider paints.

A. If the concrete is new and sound, apply a primer coat of Resene Concrete Primer then two coats of Resene Lumbersider topcoat.

If old/weathered, treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. If algae/mould is present then apply a coat of Resene Sureseal before overcoating with the topcoats.

Q. I'm interested in purchasing some homemade untreated timber planter boxes for my garden. What would be the best product choices/options for finishing the planters so that they do not rot too quickly? I would be especially interested in low toxicity options, so that I could possibly grow vegetables in the boxes.

A. The reality is that biocides are required to reduce the decay potential of timber.

The prevention/reduction of wood decay on the outside of the planter boxes can be achieved using standard wood primers, these will not release chemicals that can then pass through the timber to the growing mixture for possible uptake by vegetables. So for the exterior surface you can use Resene Quick Dry Primer, overcoated with Resene Lumbersider for colour. Alternatively, if you want a semi-transparent stain finish, use Resene Waterborne Woodsman.

The main concern for the interior facings would be when growing root vegetables. We have no test data for any of products to relate uptake by root vegetables. From experience over time, even treated timber for in ground use, does undergo decay when used for planter boxes filled with soil. A possible suggestion is to get a thick black plastic sheeting to line the inside of the planter box before filling, making sure drainage holes are punched in the bottom section.

Q. I am adding a treated timber framed pergola to allow a deck to be covered. In a coastal town, what is the best type of Resene paint to use? Will it need an undercoat?

A. If the timber is treated pine then apply a primer coat of Resene Wood Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 (semi-gloss) or Resene Lumbersider (low sheen).

We recommend using the Resene CoolColour™ version of the topcoat colour if you are looking to select dark finish 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. 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 need a paint system to apply to Corten steel to stop it corroding when it is in the ground and also when attached to a H4 treated timber post, as I understand the tanalising chemicals and the Corten react.

A. Corten steel is designed to rust, to form a protective rust shell. The manufacturer strongly advises against application of a coating system, film or non-film forming. There are no paint systems that can be used direct to rusted Corten steel to achieve corrosion control.

The only way to control the corrosion, is to abrasive basalt the Corten section to near white metal, apply a coat of Resene Armourcote 220 to achieve a dry film thickness of 75 microns then apply a build coat of Resene Armourcote 510 to achieve a dry film thickness of 250 microns. The paint system must extend at least 150mm above ground level.

Q. I am part of a community group that wants to upgrade a tired public space that has many 1960s brick planter boxes that double as seats. The idea is to paint the brick planter boxes in a variety of bright, funky and vibrant colours to lift the area. We plan to waterblast and clean up before painting. There is no obvious efflorescence. What paint system would give us the best longevity on the brick given that they will be sat and walked on?

A. Our standard system for painting would be to apply a coat of Resene Concrete Primer thinned 10% with water then two coats of any Resene exterior waterborne paint tinted to your required colour. Suggest Resene Lumbersider.

The lack of obvious efflorescence suggests that the interior face has been made water proof.

Q. I've built a sauna and I'd like to seal the walls and benches with something so I don't get stains. This is a dry sauna, not a steam room. There will however be some steam when throwing water on the heater. It needs to be something natural, preferably waterbased and not produce strong smells or cause irritation when in contact with bare skin. It shouldn't create a hard surface (like a lacquer) as this will become too hot to sit on. The sauna walls are untreated ply and the seats are also made out of soft pine.

Can you please assist with what to use for this?

A. The only product we would recommend for this application is four coats of Resene Polythane. The product is solventborne but cures via a reaction with atmospheric moisture and once cured will not release any solvents or materials that will impact upon the interior air quality.

Q. I have used an alkyd exterior wood primer on an exterior pergola on areas where I have needed to sand down to the timber surface. The remainder of the pergola is painted in waterborne paint. Can I use the waterborne paint over the primer once dried?

A. Resene Wood Primer can be over coated with Resene waterborne topcoats.

Q. We have been asked to find a colour in your epoxy two pot range. We are having a steel pole galvanised then it is to be treated with your epoxy. Is there a choice of colours?

A. Resene Armourcote 510 high build epoxy can be tinted to a range of Resene colours, however we do not recommend epoxy coatings be left exposed to direct weathering as the epoxy coating will undergo surface chalking. To address this, we always recommend topcoating the epoxy with Resene Uracryl 400 Series topcoats.

Q. I'm presently cleaning down (waterblasting) three concrete water tanks on our local Golf Course. They have cracks that are seeping but these will be sealed. Two of them have previously been painted and the other is bare concrete. I have recently finished painting my house with Resene X-200 and question if that could be used on the tanks as it is user friendly paint. I realise the 'bare tank' will require to be sealed first or maybe not if using Resene X-200.

A. Yes if the leaks are fixed, prime bare concrete with Resene Sureseal then apply three coats of Resene X-200. If there are signs of bio growth, mould/algae, then treat these areas with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label directions.

The Resene X-200 system will give a durable decorative paint system.

Q. I have some Resene Lustacryl waterborne enamel left over from a previous job. I want to paint my outside washing line which is metal. Can I use this paint on a metal surface and if so, what undercoat should I use? 

A. Resene Lustacryl can be applied to an appropriately primed metal substrate. If the metal is galvanised then use Resene GP Metal Primer.

Q. Do you have a product to paint a 316 grade stainless steel tank? Exterior surface only. The tank is 750m3 capacity in rural environment.

A. Prep for painting stainless steel:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Step 1: Scrub down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash.

Step 2: Lightly abrade the surface using very fine sandpaper e.g. 320 grit sandpaper or a red 3M poly pad. Care must be taken to minimise damage or scratching the surface as scratch marks may telegraph through the paint system then apply Resene Armourcote 221 to achieve a dry film thickness of 100 microns then apply Resene Uracryl 400 Series topcoat to achieve a dry film thickness of 100 microns.

Please note that stainless steel is best left unpainted to achieve maximum corrosion resistance.

Q. I have a half wine barrel that I would like to protect from the weather.  It is oak with galvanised steel rings. I was thinking of using something like Resene Furniture and Decking Oil. If I used this would I need to try and keep the oil off the galvanised steel rings? Will I be able to remove any excess oil from the rings with a rag before the oil dried?

A. I would suggest that you consider Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain for this application. It may be easier to mask out the metal prior to application of the stain.

Q. I have been asked to repaint a steel container. The roof is in need of rust removal (it is not leaking at this time) but it will have to be painted by hand due to site constraints i.e. cannot be shot blasted. Have you any systems that you can recommend?

A. Containers have varying types of coatings on them however we've had good success using Resene Galvo One to spot prime, then apply one full coat of it across the entire container and topcoat with two coats of Resene Summit Roof. 

Q. I need to paint an old corrugated iron shed. Some of it has surface rust. We already have some Resene Roof and Metal Wash, and some rust converter but please can you advise on the best Resene primer to use after this and before the topcoats?

A. Resene has never promoted the use of rust converters. Wash down with Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label directions then remove all loose corrosion products from rusted areas using a 3M Rust and paint Removal Disc. Spot prime prepared corroded areas with Resene GP Metal Primer, apply a full coat of Resene Galvo One then finish with two coats of Resene Summit Roof.

Q. I have some timber trellis which I have painted with Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat. What spray paint can I use over this primer?

A. We would not recommend applying a spray can paint; suggest you use Resene Lumbersider for the topcoat.

Q. I carve Oamaru stone and sell it for outdoor placement. I want to either be able to coat it myself or give my customers advice on what they can coat it with, if they want to make it more water resistant.

A. Our only recommendation is to apply a saturation coat of Resene Solventborne Aquapel to render the stone water repellent.

We do not recommend application of a film forming system to the stone as the stone is cohesively weak and coatings peel from the substrate.

Q. The previous owners have painted a trellis white and appeared to have run the brush down the bricks also. How can I remove the paint from the bricks?

A. It could be a tricky job but suggest you try Resene Graffiti Cleaner. Avoid spraying it onto the painted trellis timbers.

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

A. Assuming it is a wood/ply substrate apply a full coat of Resene Quick Dry (for best result prime both sides and all edges), you can then apply two coats of any exterior Resene waterborne paint finish. If using dark colours we recommend using the Resene CoolColour™ version of the colour.
The CoolColour topcoat will not render the painted surface cool to touch but the CoolColour version will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool technology.

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

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

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

The Resene CoolColour topcoat will not render the painted surface cool to touch, but the CoolColour version will reflect more heat than the same colour made on non-cool technology.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Q. I want to paint a mural on a basketball court. Is there specific paint that needs to be used on concrete? Also it needs to be slip resistant and what needs to be used so that the concrete doesn't suck up all the paint?

A. Resene Sureseal as the seal coat and then two coats of Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path.

Q. I want to build raised bed gardens for veggies and economically, my best option is H3 treated wood. Do you have a product that seals the wood to prevent or significantly reduce the leaching of the preservatives in the wood that is safe for edibles and suitable for the garden environment? Ideally I want to retain the natural wood appearance.

A. If you are particularly concerned, it is suggested you plant no closer than 35cm to the timber edge or place a plastic or polythene barrier between the vegetable garden soil and the treated timber. For aesthetic reasons, you can paint the timber with a coat of Resene Wood Primer followed by two coats of Resene Lumbersider for a painted finish or two coats of Resene Woodsman for a stained finish. For an eco approach, use macrocarpa, cypress, saligna or any untreated hardwood, however if left in contact with the ground, the timber will eventually rot.

Q. Just wondering if I want to use Resene paint for wooden garden stakes to make a coloured sweet pea climbing frame in my garden do I use untreated wood stakes or treated wood stakes? What can I paint them with and do I need to use a base coat on the stake first. I have an old concrete bird bath that I don't want to use as a bird bath anymore so it doesn't have to hold water or anything but I'm wanting to paint it with one of the Resene Multi-finish colours - is that suitable paint and does it need some kind of undercoat and finish/seal?

A. Resene Lumbersider can be used for painting new wooden garden stakes. Resene Lumbersider is available in all Resene colours with the exception of metallic. To increase the durability of the paint system priming with Resene Quick Dry is recommended.

For the bird bath, ensure the surfaces to be painted are clean (free of mould/algae etc.) then apply a coat of Resene Sureseal and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider in your chosen colour.

Q. What product would you suggest for priming and painting a new timber pergola with?

A. Apply a primer coat of Resene Wood Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider.

Q. We are looking to install some Corten steel elements into a landscape design, but are worried about rust run off and maintenance. Are you able to supply any information about what products you recommend and also any examples of work?

A. This is a recognised outcome when using Corten steel. To lock rust in will require application of a film forming clear, but the application of a film to the rusted Corten substrate is not recommend by the US manufacturer of the steel.

There is currently no product that we are confident will achieve a long term control of rust run off that will also meet the Corten position on coating.

Q. I want to paint some tyres for children at my school, to use as planters in our vegetable garden. What should I use to paint them with?

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

Use a Resene testpot colour if you want to add colour details/designs to the base colour.

Q. I want to paint rocks and pebbles in the garden. What paint do I use?

A. Most people use Resene testpots which are made from products such as Resene Lumbersider (which is our most popular exterior paint) and Resene FX Metallic (exterior and interior use).

If you apply a white primer, such as Resene Quick Dry first, this will help the bright colours look brighter.

Most rocks are best coated all over and then the design painted on, for a consistent finish.

If you want you can do a final clear finish in Resene Clearcoat UVS, which helps protect brighter colours, or the Resene Lumbersider can be left as is (no clear finish needed).

Q. I would like to paint a large stone Buddha in a Resene colour which I already have in Resene Lustacryl. It has an antiqued finish, which disappears in 6 months of outside elements. I was wondering whether I have to strip, then prep and topcoat.

Or can I just prep and paint? I am uncertain what prep paint is suitable, and whether I can use the Resene Lustacryl as topcoat.

A. My suggestion would be to allow the statue to weather for the minimum six months to remove whatever the coating on the surface is, and then scrub down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Then apply a coat of Resene StainLock and finish with the two coats of Resene Lustacryl.

Q. I have some large pots made of fibreglass. They are streaky grey and I want to paint them, and then plant in them.

A. Clean down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions, then sand using 240 grit sandpaper. Dust off and apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl.

Q. I will be painting gloss Resene Ironsand onto a Zincalume shed, could you please tell me how to prep and apply? The Zincalume is on a new shed, yet to be constructed and installed.

A. The best system is to apply a primer coat of Resene Galvo-Prime and then two coats of Resene Summit Roof CoolColour™. CoolColours are not cool to touch, but reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool technology.

Q. We have an outdoor courtyard entertaining area. At one end is a COLORBOND® roller door and at the end is a pergola and TV mounted on the house wall. There is a lot of light reflecting from the roller door onto the TV. What is the best type of paint to limit the amount of reflection? I assume a matt black or grey. We would prefer a dark colour but not a black.

A. If there does not appear to be any corrosion of the roller door surface, clean down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label directions then apply two coats of Resene Summit Roof in the Resene CoolColour™ version of the colour you select.

Q. I am about to repaint some old totara posts. What should I use for this, and would it be a similar system to that for cedar?

A. Resene TimberLock yes, but then Resene Quick Dry as the primer, as oil based paints will not dry over totara timber. Wipe excess Resene TimberLock off at time of application, and then leave to dry for at least 48 hours before applying the Resene Quick Dry.

Q. I want to paint some plastic garden pots, what paint should I use?

A. Polyethylene and polypropylene are exceptionally difficult and even special adhesion promoted primers do not develop what would could be considered good adhesion. For this reason we don't recommend painting these types of plastic.

Unplasticised PVC can be painted directly with our waterbased topcoats like Resene Lumbersider or Resene Lustacryl. Dark colours should be avoided to prevent warping.

Q. I want to paint some new freestanding walls and planters in my garden. They are plastered concrete blocks, and are three months old. The interior of the planters has been sealed. All I want to do is paint the exterior of the planters and walls. What product should I use? Do I need a sealing or undercoat?

A. Ensure that the concrete is clean and dust free. Prime the bare concrete with Resene Concrete Primer. Then apply at least two coats of a waterborne topcoat - Resene Lumbersider will give a nice low sheen finish to these areas, or alternatively you could use a product like Resene AquaShield it is a mineral effect flat finish (often described as a Mediterranean effect).

Q. Can I paint an outdoor ceramic planter that is glazed on the outside?

A. Yes, ensure the glazed surface is clean, then apply an adhesion coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer (note the product is not designed to give film build or opacity, the thinner the better) and allow drying for 48 hours, and then apply two coats of any Resene exterior waterborne paint.

Q. I have a new outdoor pergola, constructed from laminated timber. Is it OK to use something like Wood-X wood oil, or does it need to be painted?

A. Yes there is an issue though - oils or stains need to penetrate and laminated timber is ‘closed’ with regards to cell penetration compared to that of say, band sawn timber with open cells such as cedar.

For laminated timber, the oils or stains don’t penetrate very well. It is better to paint or accept that a regular maintenance of the oil or stain will be required.

Q. Can I use a court paint to paint my new concrete slab for basketball?

A. I suggest you use Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path. The concrete will need to be diamond ground to produce an even texture similar to 180 grit sandpaper, then apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal and finish with two coats of Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path.

Q. I'm planning to paint some old weathered timber planters boxes with Resene Lumbersider in black. The weathered timber surface has been cleaned with a high pressure water cleaner, if I now coat with Resene TimberLock, is another coating required before applying Resene Lumbersider? Or will Resene Lumbersider properly adhere to cured Resene TimberLock?

A. Allow the Resene TimberLock to dry for 48 hours then apply coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat then finish with the two coats of Resene Lumbersider.

Q. I am looking for an exterior primer and topcoat paint to protect hot dip galvanised steel. It is for a pergola.

A. The simplest system for new hot dip galvanised steel is to apply 1-2 coats of Resene Galvo One and then finish with two coats of Resene Sonyx 101, tinted to your selected topcoat colour.

Alternatively, two coats of Resene Armourcote 221 epoxy primer and finish with two coats of Resene Uracryl 402 tinted to your selected topcoat colour (this is a heavy duty industrial two pack paint system).

Q. Could you please advise what paint I can use to paint beehives, and are thus not unhealthy for the bees?

A. We have no approved system for this application but I see no reason why a Resene Environmental Choice product such as Resene Lumbersider cannot be used. I would suggest that the best way is to paint the hive when uninhabited, allow the paint to cure for two weeks then wipe down the painted surface with warm water and a cloth before placing back into use.

Q. I have bought the Resene Woodsman Banjul to paint my pergola. The pergola posts have large cracks in them so I wanted to fill them before staining. What filling product can I used with the stain so the fill doesn't show through the stain?

A. Sorry but we are not aware of any filler that can be used under a stain finish. There are two possible issues - the filled areas will be seen through the semi-transparent stain and also most fillers will not accept stains due to the filler surface.

Q. Our pergola has a floor made of exposed aggregate. We want to paint the aggregate.

A. Paint adhesion to stone/aggregate can be difficult to achieve. For a clear finish use Resene Walk-on Concrete Clear will achieve very good adhesion to the surface you want to coat.

For a paint (colour) finish apply a coat of Resene Concrete Clear gloss then finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl White. This is the best system we can offer for this situation. Paint adhesion will take 5-7 days to kick in.

Q. Can I apply Resene Lumbersider to a new retaining wall? H4 Timber has been green gauged. Also, would using Resene Quick Dry primer improve durability?

A. Priming will always extend durability in respect to timber protection but has no influence on time to the onset of topcoat chalking. There can be some timber treatment leaching through a total waterborne system for priming. I would recommend Resene Wood Primer which is solventborne.

Q. I have an Oamaru stone statue which is in the garden. It is porous and has previously been painted with an acrylic paint which is now badly flaking off. What type of paint should be used which will be durable?

A. We don’t recommend painting Oamaru stone with a film forming paint as the stone surface cannot be stabilised to accept paint. We only recommend application of a saturation coat of Resene Solventborne Aquapel to the bare stone.

Q. I have some red glazed large outdoor pots that I would like to paint black. What prep do I need to do and what paints should I use?

A. Clean down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash then apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer, leave to dry for two days then apply two coats of Resene Lumbersider.

Q. We have new unpainted garden walls built with cement fibre board. What paint options would you recommend, ideally with a textured finish, but all options considered? Also can the same product be used over a bituminous primer? The back filled areas are filled with soil and have been sealed with 3 coats of bituminous paint and with a layer of polythene between the boards and soil.

A. Irrespective of topcoat apply a prime coat of Resene Concrete Primer. For a light sand- ike texture apply two coats of Resene Sandtex; alternatively apply one of the Resene Resitex textures (these must be spray applied).

Q. I sell painted fibre cement pots (composed of fibreglass and cement). Currently they can only be used indoors and not planted directly in to. I would like to be able to use the pots outdoors, and I was wondering if you have a product I could use to waterproof them? I realise it might not be possible to plant directly in them and have moisture constantly against the surface, but I would like for them to be able to withstand rain. The paint would need to be clear as I would like to keep the white matte cement finish.

A. The product I would recommend is Resene Aquapel waterborne water repellent. It is a clear finish. It will not waterproof against driving rain or water under hydrostatic pressure but gives a water-beading effect to deter water penetration.

Q. I want to change the colour of three large dark grey ceramic pots that I have had for years and would like white. Can you let me know what paint is best and also what undercoat I need please?

A. Clean the surfaces to be painted with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash following label directions. Allow to dry then apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and leave to cure for 48 hours then apply two coats of Resene Lumbersider (low sheen) or Resene Sonyx 101 (semi-gloss) white.

Q. I've been refinishing the frame of our pergola and used some exterior filler to fill surface cracks. The filler has been sanded with 60 grit and then undercoated before applying a topcoat. After two coats the finish is patchy where the filler has been used. Any suggestions please?

A. You could overcoat with a low sheen paint such as Resene Lumbersider to reduce the gloss refraction levels of the surface. Alternately sand the filler smooth with 180 grit sandpaper, spot prime with Resene Quick Dry primer and recoat with your topcoat.

Q. I have a zinc steel Yardsaver shed that I am putting up. I want to prime it and then paint it. When I went to the Resene store they suggested Resene Galvo One. However, I think I should have bought Resene Galvo-Prime as I don't think I can use waterborne paints over the top of Resene Galvo One. The shed specifications say zinc steel not zincalume. I was planning to use a Resene roof paint like Resene Hi-Glo.

A. Resene Galvo One is our recommended primer for galvanised steel that has been exposed to weathering for longer than six months. It can be overcoated with any Resene exterior waterborne topcoat paint.

Q. What product should I use to protect an outdoor concrete garden sculpture?

A. For a pigmented system: Apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal then finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider. Any release agents must be removed prior to application of the sealer.

Q. I have used your metallic effects on a rendered concrete garden bed. After a few months the paint has started turning black in certain parts of the wall. Why is this happening? It has been three months since I painted it and only now has this started happening.

A. Did you apply a sealer first? If not then the alkalinity of the concrete is reacting with the metallic flake in the Resene Enamacryl Metallic.

Q. I have some pine trellis that I would like to paint with Resene Lumbersider. It has been installed for two years and is weathered but otherwise clean. Would it be sufficient to do a light waterblast clean?

A. Care is need when waterblasting timber to avoid damage to the timber surface. Given the time that has elapsed since installation for long term adhesion I would recommend application of Resene TimberLock before applying the Resene Lumbersider.

Q. I have a cast iron bowl that I am using as a water feature in the garden. It is currently in use and is constantly rusting. I want to paint it black and want to know what paint system I need to use? Also I have two galvanised poles I want to paint the same colour.

A. The galvanised poles no problem, degrease then apply two coats of Resene Armourcote 221 primer and finish with two coats of Resene Uracryl 403.

The cast iron bowl is not so easy. Drain clean and allow to thoroughly dry out then apply a seal coat of Resene ArmourBond. Apply two coats of Resene Armourcote 221 and the two coats of Resene Uracryl 403 as for the pole.

Q. I have a galvanised iron garden shed that has started rusting internally. I have some Resene Rust-Arrest but I note the label says "Limitations: Do not apply directly to zinc rich surfaces, such as bare galvanised steel". What product can I use? Alternatively can I just paint the rusted area (but not the bare 'unrusted' iron) with Rust-Arrest?

A. We recommend Resene GP Metal Primer. If you can apply the Resene Rust Arrest to the red rusted area only then you can use the product. Remove as much loose rust as possible before priming. Note rust can never be stopped; all we can do is reduce the rate of corrosion.

Q. I make outdoor garden wind models and toys and I would like some advice to which paints are suitable for use outside in all conditions. I use old wooden pallets as the main material.

A. Best paint system would be a prime coat of Resene Wood Primer and then finish with two coats of Resene Lumbersider.

Q. I am looking for a water or oil based timber stain for exposed external use on some Macrocarpa posts. Does such a product exist? Your Resene Woodsman range does not seem to have a ‘clear' colour.

A. We do not offer any water white, that is non coloured clears, for exterior timbers. A complete block of U.V. from passing through the clear needs to be achieved in order to prevent breakdown at the film/timber interface. This can be achieved in part but not to the 100% level or over a sustained time.

Q. We have two existing white concrete water tanks. They have been painted white and there are no obvious signs of water leakage. What would you recommend to paint them with and could we use a dark colour ie. black?

A. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash following label directions and then apply two coats of any Resene exterior acrylic paint in the Resene CoolColour™ formulation. Note that the darker the paint colour the hotter the surface will get and this heat may transfer through to the water held within the tank.

Q. I have painted lots of large terracotta plant pots with multiple layers of spray paint, starting with spray primer, then different fluorescent colours using spray cans. I have sprayed three or four coats of clear gloss on the top of them.

However two pots have already started peeling right back to the terracotta in just a fortnight. My final three large pots are just finished. I was hoping to paint Resene Clearcoat UVS over the top of all of them as it seems a lot more hard wearing. However it says that you cannot paint it over solvent based paints. I have read every bit of the small print on the clear gloss sealer spray and it doesn't mention what type it is although judging by the strong smell it must be a solvent. I've spent weeks on this project and my pots look stunning and I just want to protect them but don't know what will happen due to the paints that are underneath. Can you let me know what you think before I make a big mistake?

A. To the best of my understanding all solventborne spray cans are based on resins which have reduced chalk resistance when exposed to weathering. If clear coated with Resene Clearcoat UVS there is a chance that the Resene Clearcoat UVS may delaminate off the spray paint base.

Q. I have a clear poly-carbonate covered awning covering a garden seat setting. Is there a Resene non-oil based paint I can use on the underside (non-weather exposed) to cut down the sunlight and generated heat please?

A. Any Resene waterborne paint will achieve excellent adhesion of poly carbonate but this will give a totally opaque paint finish not semi-transparent paint film.

Q. I have a household steel wheelbarrow leaning up against a fence showing the underneath to all. This is not pretty. What paint would I need to use? I intend to paint it black. The wheelbarrow bottom has small bits of rust where it has been scratched.

A. Use a 3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc to remove all loose corrosion then spot prime corroded areas with Resene Rust-Arrest. Apply a full coat of the same product to all areas. Then for a decorative effect only apply two coats any Resene exterior acrylic paint in selected colour.

Q. I am painting ceramic planters. What product do I need before painting?

A. Clean down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash following label directions. Apply Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and leave to cure for 24 hours then apply two coats of any Resene exterior acrylic.

Q. We are going to paint a dam as part of a community project. We will remove weeds and clean the area beforehand. The surface is concrete. What paint should we use for best adhesion?

A. If the interior face of the dam surface in contact with water is not waterproofed then painting the other side is likely to be unsuccessful as any water that gets through the dam face will cause the paint to blister.

Q. I have a square garden plot approx 4 feet by 4 feet that I plan to divide into square foot sections using a trellis-like grid that lays on top of the soil. I have come across an old trellis to use but believe it was treated pine originally. Do you have an eco-friendly paint or varnish I can coat the wood in just as a precaution? I'll be growing vegetables in the plot.

A. I suggest Resene Lumbersider; this product is an Environmental Choice approved paint.

Q. Can you advise what product I should use to spray paint concrete/ceramic pots? They have already been painted inside with a sealer.

A. If glazed apply a coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and allow to dry for 48 hours then apply two coats of a Resene exterior acrylic topcoat.

Q. Can I paint Resene Sonyx 101 straight onto a COLORSTEEL® shed? I have cleaned the shed down and the existing coating is in good condition.

A. As long as the COLORSTEEL® factory applied finish is sound and the COLORSTEEL® has received direct weathering for at least a month.

Q. How do I get wood/BBQ coal smoke stains off the front of our outside fireplace?

A. My only suggestion is to scrub down using Resene Emulsifiable Solvent Cleaner following label directions.

Q. I've just got a metal penny farthing bicycle for garden decoration and it isn't painted but appears to be lacquered. I want to paint it with some Resene paint I have and want to know if the lacquer has to be stripped and if a metal primer is needed?

A. Yes if you want long term exterior exposure without rusting.

Q. Do you have any advice on how to remove 'creeper' type plant growth on blockwork, before I paint it?

A. Ensure the creeper is cut at ground level, leave to die off until the leaves have fallen, then from experience you can pull off most of the dry stems. However there may be residual attachments remaining on the wall. These can removed by power wire brushing taking care not to damage the blockwork.

Q. Can you paint over a glazed pot for the garden?

A. Yes you can apply a coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer to the cleaned surface and leave to cure for 48 hours then apply 2 coats of any Resene exterior acrylic finish. System will take a minimum of 5 days to achieve adhesion.

Q. What paint would you use to paint on Perspex for a garden feature? I was thinking of a kind of screen, or garden artwork.

A. Any Resene exterior acrylic is OK (e.g. Resene Lumbersider, Resene Sonyx etc). It will take a few days for adhesion to fully develop.

Q. I have had planter boxes made of macrocarpa. In the corners of the boxes the builder has used fence posts (100 x 100) to hold the structure together. I want to stain the posts to try and keep the ground retention chemicals from contaminating the soil. Can you suggest a product to use?

A. We recommend you could use two coats of Resene Wood Primer.

Q. I am looking for the paint specification for a low concrete block garden wall. Our builder has indicated it needs to be a 'non-sophisticated, breathable paint' to allow water movement to help reduce the chance of cracking.

A. To paint the front face the reverse face would need to be sealed with a bituminous tanking membrane. There is no paint that I am aware of that will allow liquid water to flow from the masonry through the paint coating without disrupting the paint layer. If the back face is water tight you could use Resene X-200 or a low build acrylic like Resene Lumbersider for the front face.

Q. I want to paint a concrete outdoor pizza oven with a water proof paint that can withstand heat. What Resene product would suit best?

A. If you can maintain hand contact with the surface you want to paint when the oven is at full temperature then it can be painted. Apply Resene ArmourBond as the sealer coat then two coats of any Resene Uracryl 400 Series polyurethane.

Q. Can you advise what undercoat I should use on an unpainted concrete tank? The tank has a plastic liner and there is no seepage from the water in the tank.

A. Use Resene Sureseal to prime the old concrete before applying a Resene exterior acrylic topcoat.

Q. We have bought a house with concrete water tanks and are on tank water. Can we paint the outside of these tanks as they look horrible coming up our driveway?

A. Yes, as long as there is no seepage or leaks.

Q. We have concrete/plaster finish planters where the soil dampness causes discoloration of the plaster. Could we use Resene Sureseal inside the containers? If used outside we then would like to paint them a colour using Resene Lumbersider.

A. In theory yes, however Resene Sureseal will not necessarily give a barrier to the passage of water. I suggest that you first treat the interior and exterior surfaces of the planters with Resene Solventborne Aquapel then apply the Resene Sureseal. Resene Aquapel is a water repellent which will add to the barrier properties of the painted areas.

Q. What can/should I paint a birdbath/fountain in - keeping in mind that some of the paint will be submerged?

A. Assuming that it is a concrete bath use Resene Swimming Pool Paint. Normal waterborne paint will not waterproof and the concrete will need to be dry and clean. After application of the last coat of Resene Swimming Pool Paint leave to dry for at least 7 days then wash out the bath at least five times with water and discard the washing each time before refilling.

Q. What paint would you recommend to paint the top of a concrete water tank (the rest is buried)? The tank is approx 5 years old and has never been painted other than the light grey done by the manufacturer. It has worn away down to bare concrete in places.

A. Based on the assumption that the previous coating was a waterborne paint then a minimum of two rolled coats of Resene Thixalon 5 is recommended. Ensure that the old painted surface is free from mould, moss, lichen, grease etc and sound. If mould/moss is present treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer, then scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash. Ensure that run-off from application or washing down of either product does not enter the tank as this will result in contamination of the contents.