Salt smart

Salt can be a real problem in areas not naturally washed by rain and rinsing of these areas with copious quantities of water is the best method of removing salt.

Often water blasters leave much of the salt behind or force it up behind weatherboards or into other crevices which causes problems later on. Old chalky paint and bare timber in coastal areas can harbour salt deposits and accumulate them over the years. Salt needs to be washed away or it will stain through waterborne paints and may also attack nails.

Once salt has been painted over it cannot be removed and stains can only be blocked off by a coat of a solventborne paint.

Most New Zealand cities are in areas rated severe or very severe corrosion zones. This means that contamination of buildings by salt spray from the sea is highly likely. Salt may accumulate in areas not washed by rain and can also be left behind as a by-product of killing mould using sodium hypochlorite type bleaches.

Salt will bleed through waterborne paints and cause staining. Fresh salt deposits may be left by strong off sea winds requiring daily attention. Stains can be sealed off using Resene Sureseal sealer. Resene Sureseal sealer is a pigmented, solventborne, alkaliresistant, penetrating sealer with the ability to penetrate and bond old decaying surfaces and make them suitable for painting. This lower odour formulation acts as a surface conditioner that also reduces bleeding of water stains and dries without the unwanted and strong solvent odours associated with traditional solventborne products.

Prevent salt problems by thorough washing with copious quantities of freshwater.

For more information on Resene Sureseal sealer visit https://www.resene.co.nz/archspec/datasheets/d42Sureseal-Sealer.pdf

This tech tip was supplied by NZCB National Partners, Resene Paints Limited. Resene Paints have been making quality paints, wood stains, coatings and colours in New Zealand since 1946. For more information visit: www.resene.co.nz

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