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OIL
VS. WATERBORNE
ACRYLIC
VS. VINYL
DIFFERENT
FINISHES
MASTERING
MASONRY
Not all paint
is created equal. Top quality paints provide tremendous benefits.
They adhere to surface much better and hide uneven colouration in
the substrate better. They also resist chalking and fading, dirt
and mildew better than economy paints. And despite costing more
per litre, they are actually more economical since they last longer
and cost less per year.
OIL
VS. WATERBORNE
This choice
is mostly a matter of personal preference, but it may help to make
your choice based on the advantages each type of paint offers.
Quality exterior
acrylic paints provide better retention of gloss and colour than oil
based paints, especially in sunny settings. They also resist chalking
and long-term cracking and peeling better than oil-based products.
Oil-based paints
offer superior one-coat hiding and better adhesion to difficult
chalky surfaces. If you must paint in conditions below 50 degrees,
oil based paints offer better durability.
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ACRYLIC
VS. VINYL
If you choose
waterborne paint, one with 100% acrylic binder designed for exterior
paint has advantages over vinyl acrylic formulations. The first
is adhesion in wet weather conditions where resistance to peeling
and blistering are important. Acrylic paints are also more
water resistant which gives them the advantage of absorbing less
water and drying more quickly, which minimises dirt collection and
mildew growth. Finally, a resistance to alkalinity in materials
like fresh masonry means colour applied to fresh stucco, cinder block,
concrete, and brick will fade more slowly and be more resistant
to deterioration if there is water infiltration.
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DIFFERENT
FINISHES
The level of
sheen or gloss you select depends as much on appearance as functionality.
Each finish has unique characteristics that will highlight or hide
the character and construction of the building.
Flat finish
paint is an excellent choice for a uniform appearance across a large
area. It tends to hide dents and dings , but it can trap dirt and
create a mildew-friendly environment more so than a sheen or semigloss
formula.
Sheen finishes
offer a crisp long-lasting just-painted look and are growing in
popularity for large wall areas. This finish can duplicate the original
sheen appearance of aluminium or vinyl cladding and will resist mildew
better than a flat formula.
Semigloss nicely
sets off doors, trim and other architectural details that deserve
attention. Increasingly homeowners are opting to use the finish
on larger surfaces. Semigloss also tends to resist dirt and mildew.
Gloss accentuates
trim, windows, doors with even more shine than semigloss. Once only
available as an oil-based paint, this finish is now made in
acrylic formulas.
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MASTERING
MASONRY
Specialized
masonry paints are available that provide excellent coverage and
durability. There are also elastomeric wall coatings (EWCs) which
are special 100% acrylic latex formulations. They are designed to
cover and fill in cracks that form in masonry, expanding and contracting
with the cracks as temperatures rise and fall. EWCs are applied
in two heavy coats using long nap rollers, or by spraying and then
back rolling. Final dry thickness is about 10 times that of conventional
paint and coverage per litre is just 3-6 square metres.
Quality exterior
acrylic house paint can be used on well prepared masonry, but all
manufacturer's instructions must be followed. Be aware that vinyl
acrylic paint should not be applied directly to masonry less than
one year old.
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