As we approach this year’s exterior painting season, we decided to catch up with Tony Pearson-Young, Skills Development Consultant at AkzoNobel to hear all about his top tips and tricks, with help from the complete Dulux Trade Weathershield range, which provides the ultimate protection against the great British weather.
When is the best time for exterior decorating?
Exterior decorating is more about temperature, whether it’s too hot or too cold, it can greatly impact the 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. Conversely, 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 especially when there is a lot of moisture and condensation on surfaces, which will affect adhesion and the overall quality of the finish.
What preparation is needed for an exterior project?
With an exterior project, additional tools ensure a perfect finish:
- Stiff brush and a scraper: To remove dirt, grime or any loose paint across all surfaces.
- Sponge and cleaning solution: Wash down and rinse every surface before painting with a cleaning solution such as sugar soap
- Fungicidal wash: Exteriors often have mould and algae. Weathershield Multi-Surface Fungicidal Wash can banish existing mould and prevent future growth of fungi, mould and algae.
- Filler and repair tools: Before starting to paint, it’s essential that all cracks and holes are repaired with an exterior grade filler such as Exterior Polyfilla with a selection of filing knives.
- Sander: 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
- Stabilising primer: 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 Stabilising Primer.
How to ensure efficiency on an exterior project?
It’s important to use tools to save time on an exterior project, such as:
- A jet washer: Outside walls require a lot of cleaning before paint can be applied.
- A power-fed roller: Consider investing in a power roller or Jet Roller to save time and effort on big walls, as this will speed up the application process.
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.
How to ensure long-lasting results?
Dulux Trade Weathershield Smooth Masonry has been through rigorous testing and development. It can last up to 15 years in all weather conditions and has been specifically developed to keep exterior walls free from UV damage, mould and algae, which in turn dramatically extends the decorating 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.
Dulux Trade Weathershield products are perfect for this exterior season. It’s easy to apply and available in four ready mixed colours and thousands of tinted options, which allows professionals to cater to a wide range of client preferences to ensure every project is a masterpiece.