This issue of the PQI
Contractor Newsletter is the eleventh 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:
 Last
Longer
Background: How
long an exterior paint job will last before re-do is
needed will depend on many aspects of the job, ranging
from the nature of the substrate and the climate, to
surface preparation and the conditions under which
the paint was applied. Under any set of these conditions,
a top quality paint will tend to last longer than will
an economy product.
Factors to be Taken Into
Account:
 In
general, a paint job on a new, unweathered surface
will stand up better than on a weathered
surface. This pertains to wood, stucco, and
repaint surfaces.- Surface preparation is of course
key – chalk,
dirt, mildew, loose sand, cracked and poorly
adhering paint all will contribute to earlier
need for repaint.
- Use of a suitable primer
is important. Priming impacts properties
such as crack resistance,
sheen uniformity, stain blocking, corrosion
resistance and resistance
to mildew growth.
- Application of the paint in a heavy coat is
important because dry film thickness impacts
crack resistance
and thus resistance to water penetration,
mildew
resistance, and general longevity.
- Moisture getting behind the paint is
often a cause of early failure. It is important
to check all caulking and sealants at joints
where water
may
enter,
such as where
siding or stucco meet window and door frames, and where pipes, wires
and conduit enter the building.
- If there are signs of water intrusion
such as rotting or efflorescence, identify
the source of the water and eliminate it.
|
For
a printable copy of the PQI sheet illustrating
the quality latex paint benefit of Lasting
Longer compared with economy 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.
|
PQI News:
 The
Paint Quality Institute competition for finding the
Prettiest Painted Rooms in America is underway! PQI
is inviting professional interior designers to submit
photos of their work illustrating the creative use
of paint and color in a residential interior. If 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: You
advise about not applying an exterior latex paint if the outdoor temperature
will not stay above
the minimum application temperature for the next 24 hours. Why so long?
A: Latex paints,
primers and stains form their film as the liquids
in the product evaporate and the microscopic latex
particles fuse or “coalesce.” This
process is not instantaneous, and is not done when the coating is dry-to-touch.
If conditions drop below the minimum application temperature established
by the manufacturer before the film has completely formed, the quality
of the film may be reduced, and durability compromised. The film-forming
process will typically take 24 hours before it is not affected so much
by low temperature.
Q: I know that water-borne
primers and paints for use on steel have been available
for years. But I still
get uneasy about using water on steel. Should I be
so concerned?
 A: Quality,
properly formulated water-based primers and paints
do very well on steel
in mild
to moderate
industrial atmospheres. One important aspect of preventing
corrosion of steel is keeping moisture away from
the metal. A thick, flexible coat of latex metal
primer
is key. Latex metal primers are generally made with
special binders and thickeners that work together
to provide a uniform, continuous film that keeps
moisture
away from the metal. Corrosion-resistant pigments
are included in the formula. Direct to metal (DTM)
paints
utilize these aspects, as well. Thorough surface
preparation is of course important for good performance.
Application
temperature should be in accordance with the guidelines
of the primer or paint manufacturer. For more information,
refer to our industrial paint web site, www.industrialpaintquality.com.
The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute
P.O. Box 1348
Philadelphia, PA 19109
215.592.3000
|
