TACKLE THIS YEAR’S EXTERIOR PAINTING SEASON WITH WEATHERSHIELD

As we approach the exterior painting season, Tony Pearson-Young at AkzoNobel provides his top tips on the ultimate protection against the great British weather.

Exterior decorating is more about temperature, too hot or too cold, it can greatly impact the quality and longevity of the paint, and its application!

Painting in extremely hot weather (over 30°C) can cause paint to dry too quickly, leading to a poor finish and potential adhesion problems. The paint will likely crack and blister which can result in peeling and lead to visible brush or roller marks, further affecting the professional finish. It will also dry on brushes and rollers which will affect the application.

Painting at below 10°C is also not advisable, as it can slow down the drying and curing process causing the paint to become tacky and wet to the touch. Although daytime temperature might suffice, it’s important to check what the temperature will fall to overnight, as if it’s expected to drop below 10°C, it could negatively impact the finish. Towards the end of Autumn and early Spring, there will be a lot of moisture and condensation on surfaces, which will also affect adhesion and the overall quality of the finish.

Getting prepped

Additional tools are needed to ensure a perfect finish, including a stiff brush and a scraper to remove dirt, sponge and cleaning solution to wash down and rinse every surface. A fungicidal wash is essential where exteriors often have mould and algae.

Before starting to paint, it’s essential that all cracks and holes are repaired with an exterior grade filler such as Exterior Polyfilla, and a good quality sander is needed for the exterior woodwork to ensure the surface is free of blemishes and to provide a key to help the paint stick to the surface.

If the walls are chalky and leaving a coloured dust behind when rubbing against the surface, then the paint has started to break down and will need to be primed with Stabilising Primer.

Time is money

Use tools to save time on an exterior project, such as a jet washer for cleaning. Consider investing in a power roller or Jet Roller to save time and effort on big walls, and using Dulux Trade Weathershield Smooth Masonry will save a lot of time as it is fast drying and shower resistant within 30 minutes – so there are no worries about the paint washing away if the weather turns. Additionally, Weathershield offers excellent opacity.

Looks that last

To keep surfaces looking their best for longer, I’d recommend using premium paints that offer better adhesion, colour retention and resistance to fading and stains to extend the maintenance cycle.

Another tip is ensuring that redecoration work is planned in the couple of years prior to the product’s end of life expectancy. In those final few years, the aesthetic can deteriorate. To keep properties looking their best, beat the clock and schedule in the redecoration work before issues arise. n

Weathershield products are perfect for this exterior season. Available in four ready mixed colours and thousands of tinted options, so professionals can cater to a wide range of client preferences to ensure every project is a masterpiece.

To find out more about the complete Dulux Trade Weathershield range, visit www.duluxtrade.co.uk/Weathershield-Smooth-Masonry