Painting vehicles

Q. I have a 22 year old motorhome which has plastic linings to the interior doors, bathroom walls and window surrounds etc. The plastic is showing its age and has yellowed probably due to time and UV. I don’t know what type of plastic has been used.

I am intending to paint the interior but the plastic has a stippled finish so is not suitable for sanding to provide a key for paint. I intend to apply semi-gloss or satin finish paint by brush.

A. As long as the plastic areas are thoroughly cleaned down you can apply one coat of Resene Waterborne Sureseal followed by two topcoats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen Kitchen & Bathroom or Resene Lustacryl Kitchen & Bathroom semi-gloss. (kitchen and bathroom variants are preferred over the standard versions if possible for extra mould protection).

I recommend doing a test patch of the Resene Waterborne Sureseal, wait 48 hours and check to see if it has hard dried.

This paint system may not adhere to the previously sprayed areas. All painted areas will not render the surface to resemble the toughness of the original state.

November 2023

Q. I want to repaint my pop-top camper and I read online that I should just wash it down, prime it, then paint with two coats of exterior paint. Does this sound right and can you recommend a primer and range of exterior paints to choose from? I am just painting the metal base. It's aluminium I believe and I don't think the current paint (white) is in the best condition. When I wipe it, I get white residue on the cloth.

A. You need to wash down first using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash until all chalking has been removed. This could take multiple applications. Our recommended paint system would be Resene Armourcote 221 then Resene Uracryl topcoats.

September 2023

Q. Just wondering where and or if you sell paint suitable for painting a mural on a motor home. If so, what colours are available?

A. Treat areas of moss/mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all salts are also removed. All paint that is flaking or unsound must be removed by using mechanical methods, (3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc), chemical stripper or high-pressure water-blasting taking care not to damage either the substrate or the surrounding areas.

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

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

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

The lowest cost system would be a standard decorative house paint system. Spot prime bare aluminium with Resene Galvo One and apply two coats of Resene Sonyx 101. Resene Sonyx 101 is available in a large round of colours.

September 2023

Q. There were some surface rust scabs on the sump of my car engine. I sanded it back and applied one coat of Resene Rust-Arrest and two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. The sump is likely to reach approx 100 degrees Celsius. I would greatly appreciate your advice on the suitability of my paint system. The underside of the engine is fully protected from stone chips etc by the usual under engine covers.

A. Resene decorative paint such as Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen should not be on surfaces that reach over temperatures that your hand can not rest on for less than 10 seconds. I recommend you discuss your project with Resene Automotive and Light Industrial, which is a separate division of the Resene Group who focuses on finishes for vehicles.

September 2023

Q. After doing some research with various paint options to repaint the roof on my Toyota Coaster I've read up on Resene Armourcote 221 potentially being suitable. Can you please advise if so, and what primer (if any) is required? It's not back to bare metal, still has factory paint which is faded.

A. If the bus roof is aluminium the best more durable option, we have to offer is Resene Armourcote 221 (primer) followed by Resene Uracryl 402 semi-gloss or Resene Uracryl 403 Gloss. These products are two pack industrial coatings that have temperatures and timeframes to follow during application.

August 2023

Q. Can you please advise me of the best paint to use to paint a metal caravan? It has had a white coat and is aluminium.

A. If the white coating is in good condition with no rust. We have a two-pack industrial style system we can offer. Clean thoroughly and lightly sand with wet and dry sandpaper 180-220 grit. Apply one coat of Resene Armourcote 221 followed by two coats of Resene Uracryl 402 (semi-gloss) in your desired colour.

August 2023

Q. I am restoring an old glider trailer with fibreglass top, aluminium rear door and plywood floors. The top has a few spots where the paint has flaked off to the bare fibreglass, but still holds in others though cracked. I plan to sand it down to the fibreglass, prime and paint using rolling and tipping method. The fibreglass surface to paint is 28 square metres, aluminium rear door is 1.8 square metres, floor surface 18 square metres (top and bottom). The trailer will be parked outside all the time, so the paint must have a good UV and moisture resistance (plywood fully exposed on the underside). My preferred paint colours are white top and aluminium door, grey floor. What primer and paint options are available for this project? I would like the most durable option. How much primer and paint would be required?

A. We have two options available for the bare fibreglass and aluminium. The first is a decorative paint finish using single pack primers and topcoating with Resene Super Gloss oil based enamel.

The second is an using two pack industrial products. The two pack option will perform best.

For the fibreglass, scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Rinse clean or hose down with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution and surface chalk residues are removed. Then wet sand with 220 grit wet and dry sandpaper and wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Apply one coat of Resene Armourcote 221, then two coats of Resene Uracryl 403 Gloss. Optional if to apply two coats of Resene Uracryl 403 UVS Clear Gloss – for extra durability.

July 2023

Q. I want to paint my caravan roof to secure it from weather and also reduce noise from rain. The caravan roof is aluminium and there is very little if any paint on there.

A. I’m happy to advise some solutions, though a paint coating will not significantly reduce noise.

We recommend removing the existing coating before recoating. There are two options depending whether you are happy to use two pack industrial products:

• Option 1: Prime with Resene Vinyl Etch, followed by two coats of Resene Summit Roof semi-gloss in your desired colour.
• Option 2: Prime with one coat of Resene Armourcote 221 (two pack brushing epoxy), followed by two coats of Resene Uracryl 402 semi-gloss or Resene Uracryl 403 gloss (two pack urethane) in your desired colour.

May 2023

Q. Is there a paint I can use on new (weathered for six months) galvanised steel? I want to paint parts of my trailer orange.

A. We recommend priming with one coat of Resene Galvo One, followed by two topcoats of Resene Summit Roof semi-gloss.

May 2023

Q. I'm renovating a horse float. It has marine ply sides which I would like to do a woodgrain effect on the exterior. YouTube suggests a pine colour initially and then build up the colour. I have a wood grain tool. I want it to look super smart and super weather resistant as possible.

A. For marine ply we recommend the below. Treat any moss and mould present prior to coatings with Resene Moss & Mould Killer, following pack instructions. Apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat, followed by two topcoats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen in your desired colour and using your woodgrain tool. Once dry you have a couple of options for a protective clear finish, either Resene Clearcoat UVS, which is a gloss acrylic that will help with colour retention and is easy to reapply and overcoat. Or apply Resene Waterborne GraffitiShield, which is a clear two pack urethane that is available as a flat, semi-gloss or gloss finish and also acts as an anti-graffiti coating.

Please note that Plywood is known for 'checking'. There is no paint coating that will ever permanently solve this problem. High quality paints and regular maintenance will help but eventually as the ply ages checking is likely.

Our Resene ColorShop team can suggest colours to you if you have an idea of the type of timber colour finish you are after.

May 2023

Q. I have vintage caravan and have been doing the roof. The paint was good so have wet sanded it down and was wondering what paint should I use.

A. Thoroughly sand first and wipe off all sanding dusts. Wash down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label instructions.

Then apply two coats of Resene Armourcote 221 followed by two coats of Resene Uracryl 403, which is a gloss finish. Resene Uracryl 403 can be substituted with Resene Uracryl 402 semi-gloss or Resene Uracryl 404 low sheen if a reduced gloss level finish is required. A higher gloss finish will be easier to clean.

March 2023

Q. I have just sprayed surface sealer on my trailer aluminium coated panels and it has stuck well but not my best spray job. I was looking at spraying Resene Lustacryl as a topcoat but do you recommend another under coat of some type?

A. Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer will look semi-transparent when dry as it is meant to be a thin product. To get a more durable finish, however, leave for 24 hours. Apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat. Leave for 48 hours then apply Resene Lustacryl.

January 2023

Q. I am looking at painting my bus exterior. It is primarily aluminium however it has two steel corner panels at the rear and the front panels are fibreglass. Can I use a speed brush with engineered coatings?

A. While Resene Vinyl Etch is the common primer for bare aluminium in this case, I suggest that you use Resene Armourcote 221. After applying the Resene Uracryl 403 topcoat colour finish followed by a coat of Resene Uracryl 403 Clear UVS, this will give a reduction in fading of the colour.

For the fibreglass degrease and sand to give a light profile, then use Resene Amourcote 221 for priming.

We have never tried using a speed brush to apply paints that are based on strong solvents, I think that there may be fibre shedding from the speed brush pad with both products.

June 2022

Q. I have cleaned and sanded down (600 grit) a 1975 aluminium caravan. The roof has gone back to near bare aluminium but the sides were fairly good so only a few bare aluminium spots were created to get rid of scratches. I intend to use a brush and roller as I don't want to overspray. I purchased some Resene Vinyl Etch for bare aluminium but am not sure I will need it and should probably just go for Resene Armourcote 221 followed by Resene Uracryl. Can the Resene Armourcote go over Resene Vinyl Etch? Or just return the Resene Vinyl Etch and go with Resene Armourcote for bare aluminium? Is it best to put Resene Armourcote over all the remaining existing paint or just bare spots?

A. Yes the Resene Armourcote 221 can be applied over Resene Vinyl Etch.

June 2022

Q. I have a fibreglass glider trailer that needs painting. It is 40 years old and has been outside most of that so is well weathered. I washed it clean. The surface is still bonded and there are no glass strands showing through. Can I use one of your acrylic paints on it such as a roof paint? It will be white. Start by lightly abrading the surface.

A. You can use an acrylic system, such as Resene Quick Dry. Leave for 48 hours followed by two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen, Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Summit Roof if you prefer.

The best system we can offer is Resene Armourcote 221 followed by Resene Uracryl 402.

Adding any paint system will add a level of maintenance going forward.

April 2022

Q. I'm putting a new plywood floor in my trailer. I want to paint it. What’s the best paint for a topcoat and do I need to undercoat it. I'll be rolling it.

A. You have a few options depending on the hardness you want to achieve.

Sand to remove any loose nibs and ensure the surface is clean from dust and is dry.

Option 1, apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry, follow with two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen or Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss. This is a good system but will scratch under heavy items being pulled etc. It is easy to apply.

Option 2, apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry, follow with two coats of Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss.

Option 3 (best option). This will still scratch if under heavy or sharp but is the toughest coating system. The topcoat is a two pack product. Apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry and leave for two days. Follow with two coats of Resene Uracryl 402 (semi) or Resene Uracryl 403 (gloss).

April 2022

Q. I have a motorhome with spot rust on the chassis and the inside of both rear wheels. The rust is not bad. If I use Resene Rust-Arrest, can I put it on non-rusted areas? Does the rust need to be sanded?

A. Yes, Resene Rust Arrest is ok to be on non-rusted areas. We do recommend that any loose rust is removed before application, sanding is usually the easiest method.

February 2022

Q. I want some advice on painting an old 11m aluminium bus roof, which has been painted before. It is stationary now in coastal Southland and used as a permanent bedroom. It does get a lot of adverse weather. I was wondering if latex paint would be a good option. The existing paint looks like an enamel, pretty old I’d say, in ok condition.

A. Given that the existing paint is an enamel and in reasonable condition it would be best to stay with the same paint type.

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

Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label instructions. Do not allow the wash solution to dry out on the surface (this includes window glass and joinery). Rinse clean or hose down with copious amounts of fresh water ensuring all wash solution and surface chalk residues are removed.

Sand existing paint to profile for recoating. Prepare any flaking paint back to a sound feathered edge.

Spot prime bare metal with Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primer then apply a coat of Resene Enamel Undercoat and finish with two coats of Resene Super Gloss enamel topcoat colour.

October 2021

Q. We have a 1986 NZ caravan that needs painting. We plan to do this with a spray gun. The van is currently painted and in good condition; we will give it a light sand. There are a couple of dings that will be taken care of that may end up needing a primer.

A. I suggest that you apply a primer coat of Resene Armourcote 220 to achieve a dry film thickness of 75 microns, and finish with a Resene Uracryl 400 Series topcoat to achieve a DFT of 100 microns.

October 2021

Q. What do I use to paint older aluminium outer panels on a trailer? I have given the panels a light sand and done an acid wash, what primer or etch should I use as the first coat? Then what paint type should I use as a top coat, I am using a roller and looking at a light grey, maybe semi-gloss finish.

A. Use Resene Vinyl Etch or Resene Armourcote 221 as the primer and two coats of Resene Uracryl 400 Series topcoat. Ensure the cleaned aluminium is thoroughly washed to remove any acid residues before priming.

October 2021

Q. We own a caravan which we are trying to renovate and want to paint the interior. Currently it has some type of board that's slightly textured and hard, my husband thinks it may be called Seratone. We have interior paint already but are wondering about the best primer to use and if the walls need sanding, considering they are already textured.

A. If it is Seratone you can look to use the following paint system (not within a shower lining): Using Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner ensure the surfaces to be painted are clean and free from grease, pay particular attention to hand contact areas. Apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and allow to cure without water contact for at least 48 hours before overcoating. The sealer is not designed to be applied as a thick wet film thickness or give opacity, the thinner the coat the better. Then apply two coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen or Resene Lustacryl. The new paint system will take five days to develop good initial adhesion and continue to cure for an additional three weeks until full cure occurs. In the early stages the paint surface will not have good resistance to cleaners or abrasion as these features develop as the film undergoes curing. Note that painting will not reproduce the original features of the laminate.

There will be a lingering chemical odour associated with the curing of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer, so allow it to ventilate until the odour dissipates.

August 2021

Q. I am painting a 1979 caravan roof only at this stage. It looks like someone has already rolled paint on. The paintwork is pretty shabby, but I don't really want to take it back to alloy if I can help it.

A. My recommended system would be Resene Armourcote 221 then Resene Uracryl topcoats.

February 2021

Q. I am using an oil based primer for the interior of my van (bought to prime a laminate cabinet and wish to use it for interior wall panels also). Can you recommend a suitable oil or latex based paint please? I cook in the van so condensation at times is an issue.

A. You can use a Resene waterborne enamel topcoat after applying an undercoat of Resene Quick Dry.

February 2021

Q. We have an old aluminium caravan we are renovating. It has a lot of moss and lichen on the outside we’ll need to treat prior to painting and will need sanding, priming of bare areas and then under and topcoats I guess. What products would you recommend? I want to do this pretty low cost, so will do the painting myself I assume with a roller? Not too concerned about finish quality as it is an old caravan and has plenty of character!

A. Treat areas of moss/mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label instructions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all salts are also removed. All paint that is flaking or unsound must be removed by using mechanical methods, (3M Rust and Paint Removal Disc), chemical stripper or high pressure water-blasting taking care not to damage either the substrate or the surrounding areas.

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

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

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

The lowest cost system would be a standard decorative house paint system. Spot prime bare aluminium with Resene Galvo One and apply two coats of Resene Sonyx 101.

February 2021

Q. I want to repaint an older caravan. It has weather/oxidised paint, very likely enamel. I plan to prep by sanding existing paint but not back to bare metal, wash and mould/lichen kill of course. Any bare areas I'll use an etch primer. Can you please advise primer/undercoat and topcoat products?

I want a semi-gloss finish most likely - not gloss. The environment is seaside, lots of sun. I'm not really in favour of using a two pack product.

A. Treat areas of moss/mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label instructions. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all salts are also removed. Check that the prep has achieved a chalk free surface, if not repeat the wash step. You can prime the bare areas, assuming these are aluminium with Resene Vinyl Etch then apply a full coat of Resene Galvo-Prime and finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl topcoat. If selecting a dark topcoat colour apply the Resene CoolColour version of the topcoat colour. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

January 2021

Q. I am renovating an aluminium caravan and need to paint both the exterior alloy, and the wooden floor. The floor is ply and needs sealing underneath to protect from water kicked up from the road, so it needs to be a pretty tough coating. Is there a product that you would recommend for that? And for the alloy sheeting, what primer and topcoats would you recommend?

A. For the alloy sheeting the system would be two coats of Resene Armourcote 221 finished with two coats of Resene Uracryl 400 Series topcoat applied to bare aluminium.

We have no impact resistant coating for the underside of the ply flooring. Suggest you try Resene Automotive and Light Industrial for the coating for underneath the ply.

November 2020

Q. I have a trailer with a steel frame and wooden deck and side boards I wish to protect.

The timber parts will be replaced, and the inner lined with either a tuffdeck-type spray or a vinyl/lino type flooring product (the previous owner used this, it has clearly lasted a good 20 years and still in good condition), but the outer parts of the side/end boards will be painted (no idea what colour but a light wood brown is high on my preferences).

The metal will be cleaned and re-painted as well. I am looking for some durability but primarily protection as well. While POR15 has looked interesting for its hardness, I have also read a fair bit that it is prone to cracking and also can cause the metal to rust while the finish doesn't show the effect. Some think this comes from the POR15 and the metal expanding/contracting at different rates causing a separation between the two. Epoxy paints have some flexibility and aren't as prone to this, according to the material I've read (much of it from paint professionals supposedly).

There will be stages of work done on the metal parts, and as such I'll also be painting it in stages most likely. I may hold off some of the work until I can complete all of it at one time. Examples of this are, first, there are no tie points on this trailer, so some hooks will be welded on (and the steel at least primed to protect it from rust). Later I wish to add a place to fit a ‘bits box’ (rope/ties etc), and remove some leftover bits from past items. This may take place over months, so I'd be interested in a paint with a reasonable shelf life after opening - assuming proper storage of course.

I am unfortunately on a fairly tight budget, otherwise I'd be stripping the excess parts off the trailer and going for hot-dip galv (quoted at more than twice what I paid for the trailer!).

Surface prep will be by wire brush/wheel and grinder.

I do not mind hand or spray painting, however may not have access to proper spray equipment.

While a good finish is nice, it is not the overall goal. The goal is to help protect the trailer which will unfortunately almost always be outside. That said, I do NOT want to use the same rusty brown that has been used on the guards!

The trailer will mainly do 'charity work', e.g. the pallets on it when the pictures were taken are now at an elderly couple's home in Wanganui where they've become garden boxes for vegetables. Other uses will be for helping people move furniture and the odd lots of firewood, construction materials and gravel (in small amounts).

What primers and paints would you recommend?

A. For the steel prep please see the following;

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

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

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

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

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

The easiest and most economical system to sue is to spot prime the reared bare metal with a coat of Resene ArmourZinc 110 followed by a coat of Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primer and finish with two coats of Resene Super Gloss in your topcoat colour.

For the timber:

Thoroughly scrub down using a solution of Resene Paint Prep and Housewash and water to remove all surface chalking, dirt, detritus, moss and mould residue, cobwebs and other contaminants. Use as directed on the label then thoroughly scrape and sand to remove all loose and flaking paint and to provide a good key for subsequent coats. Sand any weathered bare timber (this will be grey) back to a sound timber surface. Ensure all areas of flaked paint are thoroughly sanded to a feathered edge. Ensure any sharp edges are arrised to a rounded profile.

Note II: Remove or punch in any rusty nails and replace with galvanised or stainless steel nails as is appropriate. Any exposed nail heads unable to be replaced should be punched and spot primed with Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primer, if practicable, and fill with Linseed oil putty. Any rust stains should be spot primed using Resene Wood Primer.

Spot prime all bare timber (including nail holes) with Resene Wood Primer.

All nail holes or areas of damaged timber having first been primed, require filling with RepairCare DryFlex SF in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions (flush fill as the filler is not easy to sand). Re prime the filled areas with Resene Wood Primer then finish with two coats of Resene Super Gloss enamel.

August 2020

Q. I'm wanting to revamp an older horse float and I'm wondering what paint I could use on the metal body of it? It has a bit of surface rust in parts and looks unsightly.

A. If any areas of moss or mould infestation exist then treat them with Resene Moss & Mould Killer diluted and used to label instructions. Leave for up to 48 hours to achieve full kill. For heavy infestations more applications may be needed.

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

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

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

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

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

Apply a full coat of Resene ArmourZinc 110 and follow with a complete coat of Resene Galvo One then finish with two coats of Resene Enamacryl.

June 2020

Q. I am going to paint a plywood shelf in my SUV a dark colour (black). It is untreated clean, bare pine plywood trimmed on the edge with pine timber H3.1. I have some Resene Summit Roof Nero paint. Can I use this and if so should I prime with any type of primer first?

A. Apply two coats of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl Cool Black. Application of a Resene CoolColour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool pigmentation and reduce heat related stress on the substrate; it will not make the painted surface cool to touch.

June 2020

Q. I need to paint the roof of an old caravan. My husband has given it a good coat of primer, and I went to buy Resene Summit Roof Paint to paint it with. I was advised not to buy Resene Summit Roof paint but was sold something else instead. My husband isn't happy and wants to know what you would recommend for painting a caravan roof.

A. Resene Summit Roof is a relatively soft coating and this may be why this was not given. Suggest that the best alternative top coat of Resene Lustacryl. Suggest that a full coat of Resene Quick Dry is applied before topcoating with a waterborne topcoat.

May 2020

Q. We have a 1986 caravan that we are wanting to paint the interior of (ceiling, laminate cupboards, and walls). Could you please advise as to how we should go about this?

A. Using Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner ensure the surfaces to be painted are clean and free from grease, paying particular attention to hand contact areas. Apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and allow to cure without water contact for at least 48 hours before overcoating. The sealer is not designed to be applied as a thick wet film thickness or give opacity, the thinner the coat the better. Then apply two coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen or Resene Lustacryl.

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

May 2020

Q. I would like to use Resene Mantle on the exterior of our 1963 Bedford bus - please could you advise the best paint type?

A. Total strip, then apply Resene Armourcote 220 to metal surfaces to achieve a dry film thickness of 75 microns. Finish with a tinted Resene Uracryl 403 topcoat to achieve 100 microns dry film thickness.

For added UV protection to the pigmented Resene Uracryl coat apply Resene Uracryl 403 UVS (ultra violet stabilised) Clear to achieve a dry film thickness of 50 microns.

April 2020

Q. I am repainting our small trailer and removed all loose matter and painted it with Resene Rust-Arrest Red Oxide. What product do we use to topcoat it? I’m thinking of a grey.

A. You could use Resene Super Gloss enamel as the topcoat.

April 2020

Q. I have recently brought a car that has been painted with house paint. The painting was done a long time ago and is cracked and very lumpy. How can I remove the paint as I cannot sand it because it fills the paper and I cannot scrape it due to the vintage steel underneath?

A. Chemical stripping using a paint stripper is the only way to remove the paint. The paint is behaving as a waterborne paint, the heat generated by sanding softens the paint and it balls up.

February 2020

Q. What should I paint the exterior of my aluminium skin caravan with?

A. Wash down using Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label instructions. Then apply two coats of Resene Armourcote 221 followed by two coats of Resene Uracryl 403. Resene Uracryl 403 can be substituted with Resene Uracryl 402 or Resene 404 if a reduced gloss level finish is required.

December 2019

Q. I am painting the interior of an old caravan which has a vinyl covering on the cupboards. Do I need to seal it and if so which sealer and then does it also need an undercoat before the topcoat?

A. Apply Resene Vinyl Wallpaper Sealer then two coats of Resene SpaceCote wall paint.

The sealer will dry very quickly, make sure that when you are applying the sealer that you establish good ventilation. Do not try to recover the roller sleeve or brush used to apply the sealer as the cleaning requires large volumes of solvent.

Q. We are going to put 7mm plywood as a flooring in our caravan. Which product (stain, varnish…) is best to use that can handle high traffic and is easy to wipe? Do we have to seal it before applying any paint/stain?

A. For single pack products our hardest wearing clear is Resene Polythane. If you did not want to use a solventborne system then the next best is Resene Aquaclear waterborne urethane. The higher the gloss level the better the wear. You can apply a Resene Colorwood stain colour prior to clear coating.

Q. I am going to repaint two permanently sited caravans which have a mixture of mostly aluminium and some fibreglass. There is a small amount of exposed aluminium where the paint has faded. What do you suggest in terms of prep and topcoats?  I really want to keep it simple. it's not a flash project and there are only a couple of spots that are exposed metal.

A. The simplest system would be to prime bare aluminium with Resene Vinyl Etch, followed by a coat of Resene Galvo-Prime and then finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl.

Q. We wanted to do a quick paint over of our caravan as we have to leave it at a pal's place for a couple of weeks. Unfortunately we used interior paint. Any suggestions for a quick fix here?

A. Easy fix here as you could just apply a couple of coats of exterior acrylic paint over the Interior acrylic you've used (acrylic sticks to acrylic - interior or exterior). I'd recommend two coats of Resene Sonyx 101.

Q. I have a Honda 4X4 quad bike at the beach. It has light surface rust on the underside of the frame. I would like to try and give the bike a few more years of service life. It is a personal use of the bike, not commercial. Could you recommend a base coat and topcoat please? I am not really worried about how the final surface looks and prefer black.

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

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,  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. Wet sand the sound paint, using 400 grit wet and dry to profile for re-coating.

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 sound and immediately spot prime all areas of corrosion and any other bare metal with a full coat of the specified primer.

Then prime bare areas with Resene Armourcote 221 and apply a full coat of the primer and finish with two coats of Resene Uracryl 403.

Q. We have put cork tiles down in a caravan and have done some test colours/stains on spare pieces. We prefer the look of Resene Aquaclear with black Resene Colorwood Enhance, as opposed to the black Resene Colorwood stain with a 'varnish' over the top.  Can we use Resene Aquaclear with black Resene Colorwood Enhance for the first coat and then do topcoats of Qristal ClearFloor 1K? Or can we add the black Resene Colorwood Enhance straight into Resene Qristal ClearFloor 1K? Would Resene Aquaclear (satin) be an OK final finish on the cork floor in the caravan (which will get periodic rather than everyday use)?

A. Yes to all these queries – Resene Colorwood Enhance can be used in Resene Aquaclear and Resene Qristal ClearFloor 1K.  Resene Aquaclear can be used on flooring.  Resene Qristal ClearFloor 1K is more durable than Resene Aquaclear on flooring.

Q. I am doing up a caravan and have pulled back one leaking part to reveal bare metal. Just wondering if there is any particular paint I can use to weatherproof temporarily and prevent rust until I am ready to fully paint the outside. 

A. Wire brush to remove loose rust then apply two coats of Resene GP Metal Primer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Q. I want to paint the exterior of my caravan which has been stripped back to bare aluminium in some places. What paint do I need to use to prime the bare aluminium? And what paint do you recommend I use for the rest of the exterior?

A. Best system would be a primer coat of Resene Armourcote 221 and finish with two coats of Resene Uracryl 403.

Q. Repainting our caravan. We have Resene acrylic enamel leftover from our house rebuild and wondered if it will be ok to paint on aluminium. We are priming the roof with your etch and just sanded the sides. We have bought Resene Lustacryl waterborne enamel for the bottom in Resene Tapa for a change of colour.

A. Apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry over the etch primer then you can apply the Resene waterborne enamel topcoats.

Q. I am painting the outside of a caravan, half fibreglass, half aluminium. We are sanding it back as far as possible to get the surfaces smooth. It will be mostly back to bare surfaces, or sanded smooth on solidly attached paint. We want to go single pack and have spoken to a Resene shop staff member and they suggested a vinyl etch base coat (I have this already) and then an acrylic topcoat (still to order). I just wanted to confirm it is acceptable to put an acrylic top over a dried solvent base? And also what topcoat would give the best wear/longevity?

A. Resene waterborne top coats can be applied to Resene Vinyl Etch primer. While this is a single pack system it will not achieve give the features of a two pack topcoat finish such as Resene Uracryl 403 (this can also be applied over Resene Vinyl Etch).

Q. What sort of paint would be best on my fibreglass motorhome? I have one small panel that has been replaced with a slightly different shade of white. I want to match it up.

A. Scrub down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Sand painted surfaces with 220 grit sandpaper and dust off. Apply a prime coat of Resene Armourcote 221 primer and finish with two coats of a Resene Uracryl 400 Series topcoat.

Q. A couple of friends (of maturish years) are building a car, and with mechanical issues all but completed, now wish to complete the ‘DIY’ theme personally - possibly by hand/brush painting. The car is an open, single seat rendition of a 1950s race car, and the body shell is constructed of a number of separate panels, variously of fibreglass, steel and aluminium.

Our interest is in identifying the most likely, suitable paint system - primer/undercoat and finishing - and discussion with paint retailers and car refinishers is getting us nowhere, as the whole idea seems to be beyond their experience or interest.

Our preference is for a 'strong' yellow colour, and the immediate question is, whether you are able to direct us towards the most appropriate system?

A. The collection of differing substrates is probably the reason why some may be struggling to help you. After degreasing and cleaning, apply at least two coats of Resene Armourcote 221 brushing epoxy, and then 2-3 coats of Resene Uracryl 403, tinted to the yellow you are seeking. However, we would not be able to match automotive colours.

For extra UV and wear protection, apply a coat of Resene Uracryl 403 UVS Clear, after the two coats of base colour.

Q. I would like to paint a caravan canvas awning. What paint would I use? What preparation would be necessary and would the paint stand up to being in a windy environment? The awning is permanently up.

A. We do not have a purpose built system but you could try this: three coats of Resene Lumbersider, with the first coat thinned out 15% with water. Canvas can have a hard time accepting coatings.

Q. I want to order paint but I am unsure which type to go for, please could you advise on which would be best? We are renovating our old motorhome. The new interior ply wall coverings have been painted with oil based primer. What paint type from Resene would suit best? It needs to be hard wearing and without odour, as we will be sleeping in there.

A. Apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry and then two coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen. There will be a low odour but this should dissipate after 48 hours of good ventilation.

Q. I have bought an old caravan and I want to paint the inside. This would mean all the walls, over the wallpaper etc. Could you please tell me how I go about this? I think the wallpaper is just standard old school wallpaper; sorry I know that probably isn't much help and the wood is plastic coating.

A. Could you strip the wallpaper? If not, then for these areas apply a full coat of Resene Sureseal. Then using a plasterboard stopping compound, flush fill defects and then when the plaster is dry, sand, dust off and reseal the plastered area with Resene Sureseal. Then apply two coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen.

Q. I have an 18ft caravan on site. It is not moveable. It needs a new coat of paint on the roof only. At the moment the roof is painted but dirty and oxidised, so will need cleaning and a primer. Can you please advise paint/prep? I would guess that it is an enamel and original.

A. Scrub down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions.
Then apply a full coat if Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat and allow to dry for 24 hours then apply two coats of Resene Uracryl 403.

Q. I want to paint the ceiling of my old caravan, it is laminate. What paint do I use?

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

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

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

Q. I want to paint my old caravan. It is aluminium with some of the original paint peeling off. I don’t know what the old paint is. What do you suggest?

A. If the aluminium is bare and clean then our best system would be a primer coat of Resene Armourcote 221 and two coats of Resene Uracryl 403. To achieve this you would have to strip the existing paint as we cannot be sure if this paint system is compatible with the existing.

Q. I used your semi-gloss exterior paint on my motor home and used etching primer then sprayed two topcoats 24 hours after applying a last coat. I used cold water to assist with the removal of the masking tape and the water left streak marks on the paint. I don’t know what to do about it.

A. Did you use Resene Sonyx 101 as the topcoat? If you did then the explanation of the streaking is that the waterborne paint did not achieve water resistance before washing down. The only solution would be to apply another thin coat of the topcoat.

Q. I would like to paint the interior and cabinets in my camper. The interior and camper wall are Formica®. I would like to paint the walls white and the top cupboards white and the bottom cupboards a mint green, what can I use to achieve this?

A. Using Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner ensure the surfaces to be painted are clean and free from grease, paying particular attention to hand contact areas. Apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and allow to cure without water contact for at least 48 hours before overcoating. Then apply two coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen. Roll all coats using the recommended roller sleeve. The new paint system will take five days to develop good initial adhesion and continue to cure for an additional three weeks until full cure occurs. In the early stages the paint surface will not have good resistance to cleaners or abrasion as these features develop as the film undergoes curing. Note that painting will not reproduce the original features of the laminate.

Q. I have an old caravan that I want to paint by hand. What type of paint would you recommend for the best finish? I am still hoping that with a bit of time and effort it will come up pretty good!

The caravan is approx. 1970 and made of aluminium. The paintwork isn't in great condition. I have sanded it back to smooth and got rid of any flaky paint.

A. The simplest system would be to prime bare aluminium with a coat of Resene Galvo One then apply two coats of a Resene waterborne topcoat such as Resene Sonyx 101. The alternative is a two pack system - spot prime with Resene Armourcote 221 then apply two coats of Resene Uracryl 402.

Q. I own a motorhome which has an EPDM roof and is 12 years old. I would like to repaint it but the problem is getting something to stick to the surface. A forum I read recently mentioned that your company had a primer and topcoat that would be suitable. Could I get some information about this product?

A. Use Resene Membrane Roofing Primer and then two coats of any Resene exterior acrylic paint. Scrub down first with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash following label directions before applying the primer and paint.

Q. What should I use to paint a freshly galvanised trailer?

A. Degrease using Resene Roof and Metal Wash diluted and used to label directions. Apply two coats of Resene Armourcote 221 and finish with two coats of Resene Uracryl 403.

Q. I need advice on a suitable product to apply to marine ply. We have a large trailer box made of marine ply and we need the maximum weather protection from rain etc. The colour will be a dark NZ Army green.

A. We recommend two coats of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat and two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 using a CoolColour™ version of the colour.

Q. We have a closed in trailer. We are looking for a product to reduce the heat on the roof as it's black and also to waterproof the joins. Is there such a product available?

A. The best reduction will be achieved by painting the roof white - white reflects 100% of light, black absorbs 100% of light. Use an Automotive joint seal for the leaks.

Q. I have been asked to paint a small caravan and after doing some research have come to the conclusion that a system using Resene Armourcote 221 with Resene Uracryl 403 is probably the best way to go. The substrate is a mix of new, bare aluminium and previously painted aluminium. Please could you let me know if the above system would be correct under normal circumstances? Please also advise if it is suitable over an old thermoplastic paint such as acrylic lacquer. I will be doing solvent tests and adhesion tests on the existing paint but would like to know if there are known compatibility issues with this sort of coating. I am not certain what it was previously painted with but it looks as though it is a DIY home job and suspect it is acrylic lacquer.

A. The system you have proposed can be applied over appropriately prepared substrates. In the case of an existing paint system it can be applied to any sound clean two pack paint system as long as the existing paint finish is sanded.

Q. I have a large motor home with an EPDM rubber roof. Can any of your Engineered Coatings Systems products be used to put a protective white coat over this EPDM?

A. For EPDM protection from UV breakdown, scrub down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash diluted and used to label directions. Apply an adhesion coat of Resene Membrane Roofing Primer and then two coats of Resene Sonyx 101. We do not recommend using solventborne paints for EPDM.

Q. I am restoring an old caravan and wish to repaint the exterior. It is half fibreglass and half aluminium. What product/s would be best for these surfaces? Ideally I'd like to be able to tint the products to the same colour and sheen. Would that be possible? The original paint has been stripped so we're back to bare. I haven't any experience with 2 pack but I am ready to learn.

A. After complete removal of the existing paint system the new system would be: Prime both substrates with a coat of Resene Armourcote 221 epoxy primer and finish with two coats of Resene Uracryl 400 Series topcoat tinted to your selected colour. Note you can choose between flat, semi-gloss and gloss for the topcoat gloss level. For best long term durability I would recommend you use either Resene Uracryl 402 (semi-gloss) or Resene Uracryl 403 (gloss). For additional durability you can apply a coat of Resene Uracryl UVS Clear in the same gloss level over the tinted Resene Uracryl base colour.

Q. I have a horse float and I want to repaint its fibreglass top. I have filled holes with epoxy resin and sanded back with 80 grit. What is the best undercoat sealer and topcoat to use please?

A. Apply a coat of Resene Armourcote 221 and then finish with two coats of Resene Uracryl 403.

Q. I have a mobile home that has powdercoated aluminium internal walls and I would like to repaint in a decorative colour. What do I need to achieve this? Do I need to prepare the surface with a primer and then use a waterborne or solventborne product?

A. Ensure the surfaces are clean and grease free then apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer, leave to cure with good ventilation for 48 hours then apply two coats of Resene Lustacryl Kitchen & Bathroom. Maintain ventilation to allow the paint system to develop adhesion and cure, this will take at least five days.

Q. What should I use to paint a caravan exterior?

A. If it is aluminium then there are two options, Resene Armourcote 221 and Resene Uracryl (preferred) or Resene Galvo-Prime then two coats of Resene Summit Roof. Resene Galvo-Prime and Resene Summit Roof is easier application wise but Resene Armourcote/Uracryl is the most durable option.

Q. I am wanting to paint the outside of our caravan bright orange (not fluoro). Can you please advise which paint would be best? The paint is in good condition, no flaking etc, we just don't like the mustard colour. The white sections are really good so it's just the band around the middle. We would prefer to sand it rather than strip back to bare metal.

A. I would recommend a 2 pack polyurethane such as our Resene Uracryl 403 for the best durability and to clear coat the colour with Resene Clearcoat UVS as your colour choice may be prone to colour fade. Sand down the existing paintwork (assume that it was probably a two pack originally), dust off and apply a primer coat of Resene Armourcote 221 epoxy primer before applying the two coats of Resene Uracryl colour and then the clear.

Q. I would like to paint the inside of our caravan to make it lighter. It is constructed of wood panelling laminate.

A. Ensure the surfaces are clean and free of dirt, grease etc then apply a thin coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and leave to cure for 48 hours with good ventilation, then apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat and finish with two coats of Resene Lustacryl waterborne enamel. The system will take 5-7 days to develop adhesion.

Note that the paint finish will not have the features of the original laminate.

Q. I am looking to restore my pop top caravan. What paint should I use on the fibreglass top and the aluminium siding (painted)? Looking for a high quality finish, hardwearing, high shine and preferably a one pot paint.

A. Scrub down with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash following label directions, sand painted surfaces with 220 grit sandpaper and dust off. Apply a prime coat of Resene Armourcote 221 primer and finish with two coats of a Resene Uracryl 400 Series topcoat.

Q. I wish to paint the walls and ceilings in my American RV. The walls and ceiling are done with vinyl covered board. What preparation is needed before I paint with the colours of my choice?

A. We would treat this as painting vinyl wallpaper so you need to apply a coat of Resene Vinyl Wallpaper Sealer first. Please ensure you wear a face mask fitted with an organic cartridge if using the product in a confined space. It is best applied by roller and discard the roller sleeve after you have finished.

Q. I have a mobile home with a Seratone lined bathroom which I want to paint. It is secured with PVC corner mouldings. I have read your previous advice to others and as the room is only subjected to periodic use would you recommend the laminate system finishing with Resene Lustacryl or the other method using Resene Armourcote 221 with a Resene Uracryl 402 finish? Should I mask off the mouldings or can they be painted?

A. Ensure the walls are clean and grease free then apply a coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer and leave to cure for 48 hours with good ventilation. Then apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat and finish with the two coats of Resene Lustacryl. Ensure good ventilation after applying the last coat of paint.

Q. What is the best paint for an aluminium caravan?

A. If bare then degrease and prime with Resene Armourcote 220 and finish with a Resene Uracryl 400 Series topcoat.

Q. What paint should I use for undercoating and painting the interior of our caravan? It needs to be able to cover stains. Most of the stains are very old water stains.

A. Wash down all surfaces to be painted with Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner following label directions. Sand the existing paint to provide a key for subsequent coats. If the walls are oil tempered hardboard you will need to prime bare areas with Resene Sureseal. Also apply the Resene Sureseal to areas of staining. Then apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat to all areas followed by two coats of a Resene waterborne enamel such as Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen. Ensure the interior is well ventilated to facilitate curing of the Resene SpaceCote.

Q. Can you please recommend a cost effective system to restore and protect rusted galvanised metal sheet and steel? I have an old trailer with sound metal but large areas of the galvanised sheet have surface rust as well as some breakthrough in the general frame.

A. Use a 3M Rust and Paint Removal disc to remove all loose corrosion material. Then apply two coats of Resene Armourcote 221 epoxy primer and two coats of Resene Uracryl 403 colour.

Q. I have a mobile trailer unit of toilet cubicles which are lined with Seratone on the walls, and some kind of fibreglass membrane over plywood on the floors. I want to paint the whole thing with something that can be hosed down easily enough but also will not crack under the pressure of the unit being towed/used. What is the best way to go about this?

A. We can recommend paint systems for both substrates but cannot give any guarantee re the ability of the paint to resist cracking due to substrate flexing, which is what I assume happens when the unit is mobile. Ensure there are no soap residues on the surface then sand down to a dull finish and apply Resene Armourcote 221 epoxy primer followed by two coats of tinted Resene Uracryl 402. Ensure ventilation is maintained during application and allow the paint to cure for five days with good ventilation before exposing the painted surfaces to water.

Q. I have a caravan pop top that needs painting. It has an aluminium skin. Do you have a paint that will work on that?

A. The best paint system we have is to prime the aluminium with Resene Armourcote 221 then apply two coats of any Resene Uracryl 400 Series topcoat.