SA Affordable Housing March/April 2021 | Page 9

COVER STORY

All paint coatings are not created equal !

By Prominent Paints
When it comes to painting in general , we often tend to focus on the actual labour involved without really considering the actual paint coating . Cost considerations also influence our decision and often determine our choice of coating . What we need the paint to do , is often neglected .
PP high performance AR Sealer 20l .
ALL IMAGES : PROMINENT PAINTS

All paint coatings are not created equal . When deciding on which paint will be the best to protect our homes and properties – we really need to consider the coatings ’ ability to withstand the harsh South African weather conditions it will be exposed to .

For any paint coating and system to perform as intended , it is very important to do proper and correct surface preparation . The surface to be painted should always be sound ( not friable cement plaster or loose and flaky paint on the surface , clean ( free from debris , dirt , and grime ) and dry ( moisture levels should be 15 % or below ) for the paint system to adhere perfectly to the surface .
Application time and method are very important aspects to take into consideration when applying paint . Paint should never be applied in direct sunlight as the surface temperature will be too hot . It will cause the paint coating to dry rapidly and could result in the surface finish being unsightly .
It is also of vital importance to choose the correct roller for the specific surface to be painted ( rough or smooth walls ). The use of an incorrect roller could lead to poor hiding ability , over spreading or an extremely thin film build of the coating layer . Any or all of these factors could result in premature paint failure which would be extremely costly to rectify .
You know the age-old saying that you cannot build a strong house on a weak foundation ? Well , that sage advice is very applicable when it comes to primers ! The most important thing to remember is to never skimp on the primer . Seeing as this layer of paint will be hidden under the topcoat , it might be
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