WOOD,
VINYL, ALUMINUM: HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT PAINT FOR THE JOB
When
painting exterior surfaces, the end result must not only
look good, but also must be tough enough to endure all possible
weather conditions. That is why, no matter what the substrate,
the key to a successful exterior paint job is surface preparation.
In order for the paint to adhere properly, all surface dirt
and dust should be removed by either hand-washing with warm,
soapy water, followed by thorough rinsing, or by power washing.
To remove mildew, prior to the washing step, apply a 3:1
water:bleach mixture and then rinse the surface clean. Wear
eye protection and rubber gloves.
Proper
paint selection is also crucial. The experts at The Rohm
and Haas Paint Quality Institute say you can’t go
wrong with top quality 100 percent acrylic latex house paint
for virtually any type of exterior surface, be it vinyl
siding, aluminum siding or wood. Here, the experts explain
why top quality paint will give you the utmost in appearance
and durability for each substrate:
Vinyl
Siding
Although manufacturers often describe vinyl
siding as “virtually maintenance free,” the
surface can eventually become marred, stained or chalky.
And even if it isn’t, you might simply want to change
the color.
When
painting vinyl siding, there are two compelling reasons
to use a top quality acrylic latex paint: excellent adhesion
and superior flexibility. Good adhesion enables the paint
to “stick” to the surface of vinyl siding. Flexibility
is especially important, because vinyl siding tends to expand
and contract more than other exterior materials when subjected
to rising and falling temperatures.
There
is another reason to favor top quality acrylic latex paint
when painting vinyl siding, one that will become apparent
when the paint is applied: This type of paint is specially
formulated to “level” well, enabling the paint
to retain the original nature of the surface, be it smooth
or textured. However, when painting vinyl, always select
a paint color no darker than the original siding. Darker
colors absorb the sun’s heat, which can cause panels
to warp and buckle irreversibly.
Aluminum
Siding
Given proper surface preparation, aluminum
siding is also an excellent candidate for top quality acrylic
latex paint. Because the factory finish on older aluminum
siding tends to chalk and fade over time, a coat of top
quality paint will freshen the appearance of this surface,
making it look almost new again. Moreover, the superior
resistance of top quality paint to moisture and ultraviolet
light will help prevent future chalking and fading.
When
selecting the sheen of your paint, keep in mind that older
siding may have dents. Using a paint with a flat finish
will help conceal these imperfections.
Wood
When applied to a properly prepared and primed
wood exterior, top quality acrylic latex paints can protect
and beautify a home or other building for up to 10 years
or more – far longer than ordinary exterior paint.
One
reason is the excellent adhesion characteristic of these
paints. In simple terms, the acrylic binder used in these
coatings enables them to maintain a better “grip”
on wood surfaces; the acrylic binder also gives high quality
paints an elastic quality. Together, these attributes help
prevent peeling, flaking and other paint failures that can
occur with ordinary paint after only a few years.
Top
quality paints also contain special additives to give them
better mildew resistance, which is especially important
on wood. In contrast, an ordinary paint may contain little
or no mildewcide, so mildew can quickly begin to grow on
the painted surface – especially in damp areas that
receive little or no sunlight.
For
complete information on painting a variety of substrates,
visit The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute’s
web site at www.paintquality.com.
Accompanying
Photograph
The best choice for any substrate is top
quality 100%
acrylic paint.
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