SPEEDING UP YOUR JOBS
We all know a huge part of painting and decorating is getting the prep right. Here, Barnaby Jones from Valspar Trade delves into how innovations in coating formulations can make this process more efficient…
Delivering a high-quality finish takes far more than just putting some paint on the wall. In fact, the preparation stage is just as critical as applying the topcoat itself, helping to provide a smooth, clean surface for the paint to adhere to, as well as a brilliant colour and finish.
There have long been a wide range of products available, including primers, knot blockers and undercoats, each having its own role.
Primers provide a strong base for your undercoat or topcoat to adhere to, a knot blocker has been specifically developed for wood applications, helping to prevent seepage from knots in the wood and minimise discolouration of final finishes. Finally, undercoats are formulated to provide the best possible surface for the desired topcoat, promoting good adhesion and helping to achieve a brighter and truer colour.
So it’s actually possible that you may have up to three different products to apply before you can even begin with the topcoat, making for time-consuming preparation. Fortunately, thanks to new technology and coating formulations, there are products available that can tackle the required preparation in just one coat, saving you both time and money.
Combined primers and undercoats for example, allow you to block out bold colours and backgrounds, as well as providing great adhesion for the topcoats. New technologies have also allowed for them to be tinted, helping with dramatic colour changes and optimal appearance for vivid shades.
Maybe you’re looking to tackle wooden surfaces, such as skirting boards, door frames or bannisters. With our dedicated research and development team, we’ve developed formulations that also incorporate knot blocker capabilities to provide a smooth and reliable substrate, that can also help to prevent cracking, peeling or bleed through from the wood knots.
When the exterior season is in full swing, painting metal fences, gates or pipes can be common jobs, made trickier with the presence of rust. However, with the rise of ‘direct to metal’ paint formulations, this can be a thing of the past, able to be applied directly to rusted metal surfaces without the need for primer.
At Valspar Trade, our focus is on making life easier for the applier. With a dedicated research and development team, we’re proud to offer an expertly formulated range of high-quality trade essentials. Our Primer and Undercoat, Knot Block Wood Primer & Undercoat and Direct to Wood & Metal paint products combine multiple performance features into one product, ensuring you can deliver the perfect finish, every time.
