This issue of the PQI
Contractor Newsletter is the ninth of a
series illustrating the performance benefits of top quality
interior and exterior paints. The information can be
helpful for reducing the chance of complaints or call-backs,
and illustrating to customers the importance of using
quality paints.
Illustrating
Performance Benefits of Quality Paints:
 Maintain Gloss
Background: Homeowners,
designers and building owners rely on the glossiness
of paint to provide accent and interest to surfaces
such as trim, windows and doors. How well an exterior
paint maintains its gloss will depend on different
factors, some of which the painter can control.
Factors to be Taken Into
Account:
- How well a paint will maintain its gloss will
depend on how much exposure to bright sunshine
and UV it gets; and on how well the components
of the paint stand up to sunshine and UV.
- Of course, intensity of exposure to sunshine
and UV will be greatest with unshaded surfaces
facing southward, followed by western exposures,
then by those facing eastward.
- How well the binder
in a paint stands up to UV is an important
factor with gloss retention.
While oil-based and alkyd paint binders protect
wood from UV in clear coatings, this protection
is “sacrificial,” that is, the
binder is gradually degraded by the UV. This
results
in gloss loss, so oil-based and alkyd paints
don’t provide maximum gloss retention
in sunny exposures.
- The binder in quality latex
paints is generally
much less affected by sunshine and UV.
 Economy
latex gloss and semigloss paints may gradually
pick up airborne dirt and take
on a dingy appearance.
- Any factors leading
to chalking can reduce gloss.
- Applying a latex
paint at a temperature lower than the minimum
temperature recommended
by the manufacturer can compromise
gloss properties.
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For
a printable copy of the PQI sheet illustrating
the quality latex paint benefit of Better Gloss
Retention compared with oil-based paint, click
on the image.
To see sheets on other quality paint performance
benefits, please visit the Quality
Paint Page on the PQI web site.
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PQI News:
 The
Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute has just launched
a competition for finding the Prettiest
Painted Rooms in America! PQI is inviting professional
interior designers to submit photos of their work
illustrating the creative use of paint and color
in a residential interior. Perhaps you work with
an outstanding professional interior designer who
would want to submit work that they have done using
your services. Just direct them to the PQI web site
at www.paintquality.com.
Complete competition rules and entry forms are there.
Deadline
for receipt of entries is May 1, 2006.
Q & A:
 Q:
My contractor used latex paint on the exterior vinyl window casings and it can
easily be removed with your fingernail. I am concerned that it will peel within
a few months. Should the painter have used a different type of paint especially
made for vinyl or plastic? What should I do?
A: Latex paints applied to exterior vinyl materials
often will remain somewhat tender and easy to scrape off until all of the water
and co-solvents have a chance
to dry, and the soaps used in making the paint are flushed out by rain and dew.
(This is noticeable on vinyl because it is hard and smooth.) This typically takes
one or two months. Color paints take longer than white paints because they contain
more soaps. Then, the paint will be difficult to remove, and should be fine.
The PQI InfoSheet on painting
exterior PVC trim, etc., provides information on
surface preparation, and refers to the increase in adhesion and toughness as
the paint is exposed to the weather.
Q: What
is the best way to repaint semigloss trim so that it can be covered in
one coat? Chemical deglossing is not an option
for us. We can sand slightly,
but even with that the new top coat seems not too cover to well. Latex vs.
oil? Also, on a new painting job covering factory primed trim, and it varies
in
degree of the type of prime they use, slick, dull, etc., what would you recommend
for covering the trim in two coats so it looks great. Few brush marks, flashes
etc.
A: For repaint of trim, you will get better one-coat
performance with a quality oil-based product, than with latex. With latex,
try getting the painters to
apply the paint in just a couple of strokes and then re-dip the brush. The
idea is simply to apply a heavier coat. Work with them in seeing how heavy
they can apply it with out getting sags. The brush is important. Try a top
line all-Nylon brush. A thicker coat will flow out better than a thinner application,
as well as hide better. Make sure the painters are not thinning the paint.
For the pre-primed trim, make the first coat a high grade universal acrylic
latex primer. Follow tips above. Then apply the finish coat, oil-based or latex.
The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute
P.O. Box 1348
Philadelphia, PA 19109
215.592.3000
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