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Thursday, September 15, 2011

Taubmans Endure voted best interior paint by CHOICE magazine

Choice Magazine: Interior paint review   September 7, 2011



Taubmans Endure Interior Low Sheen wins overall best Interior Paint

Taubmans Endure Interior Low Sheen

              

·        Overall best performer, with excellent or very good scores in all categories

·        Excellent hiding power

·        Excellent scrub resistance – best in test

·        Excellent wash resistance

·        Very good stain resistance



Top 5 Requested Interior Paints
Product
Price
Overall Score
Taubmans Endure Interior Low Sheen
$16
90%
Dulux Wash & Wear 101 Low Sheen
$17
74%
Wattyl: Interior Design i.d Luxury Low Sheen
$16
73%
Dulux Once: Low Sheen acrylic for Interiors
$20
67%
British Paints: In Colour Interior Low Sheen
$18
66%













Prices are approximate and per litre, based on 4L can price where possible

How Choice Magazine tested:

Relative dry hiding power is tested by an accredited laboratory as per the Australian Standard AS 1580. This measures how well the paint hides a black test pattern, using two coats at the manufacturer’s recommended maximum coverage rate.

Resistance to washing is tested by the same lab as per the Australian Standard. This involves 200 wash cycles with sponge and soapy water, with the gloss of the paint measured before and after.

Scrub resistance is tested by the same lab, based on the US standard ASTM D2486. The paint panels are scrubbed with a bristle brush and an abrasive cleanser (jif): the number of cycles taken to significantly wear the paint is noted.

Stain resistance was tested using coffee (with milk), red wine, tomato sauce and crayon. Our tester applies stains to the panel for one minute, then assesses for stain removal using water on a damp sponge, if unsuccessful, then with water and detergent(Cussons morning fresh super strength), if unsuccessful,  then with Ajax spray and wipe.



CHOICE tested 21 low sheen acrylic paints – the most commonly used paint type for interior walls – for hiding power, how well they handled washing and scrubbing, and stain resistance. They tested white paint: adding tints may affect the hiding power, but should have no effect on resistance to washing, scrubbing or staining.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

LEAD PAINT MANAGEMENT WORK PROCEDURES


 

WORK PROCEDURE:

Identification


 

  • If property was constructed prior to 1970 - assume all painted surfaces contain lead and complete paint sample testing in accordance to


 

Refer To: Work Procedure 2: Paint Sampling Prior to Painting

Determine Scope of Work

The Company Representative shall determine the scope of work:

  • Determine whether the paint surface is suitable for encapsulation (i.e. painting over the paint surface) or whether the paint surface will require removal to facilitate painting in accordance with AS/NZS 2311: 2000;
  • Individual walls will be treated separately according to the soundness of the existing coatings
  • Document results of inspection and decision to repaint or remove paint layers prior to painting.


 

Results of Test

(See Appendix 1)


 

Notify the tradespersons:

  • That the job is a lead based paint job and that their quote must allow for costings to address all Company's parameters in relation to lead based paint including taking paint and soil samples, AND

  • That the tradesperson is a "Certified Lead Paint Contractor", OR
  • That the work procedures (through a site specific work plan) reflect the current standard procedures to manage a lead based paint job.
  • Keep owner and occupier of the premises informed of all times throughout the painting job;
  • Document results of inspection on the job file;


     

Sampling


 

Removal

Testing and Inspection Process

  • Clean – up on completion of a lead paint job in accordance with Work Procedure 6: Completion and Testing of the Lead Based Paint Job, AND


     

  • Work Procedure 7: General Waste Management Procedures for Painting
  • Inspect work and take soil samples (within 4 weeks) in accordance with Work Procedure 6: Completion and Testing of the Lead Based Paint Job;
  • If the laboratory results of the final soil samples tested reveal lead contamination on site contact Safety Professional.;
  • Job is completed when the soil samples are tested at a lead level in the soil at or below <300 mg/Kg.
  • Document results and record on the job file and send a copy to the WHS&E Officer so the lead paint register may be updated.


     

APPENDIX 1 - Environmental Paint Management Work Procedures


 


Work Procedure 1:

Determination of a Lead Based Paint Job


 

  1. Determination of a Lead Based Paint Job


     

Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) eg. gloves should be worn for this procedure.

The Project Coordination Representative for the job site will:


 

  • Use a lead stick test kit (2 tests per pack) to test if the type of paint on the structure is lead based. Areas to be tested shall be soffit, window frames and sills, handrail areas and walls (especially if they are powdering).
  • Scratch back test sample points to bare wood at the sample point exposing all the layers of paint.
  • Wipe the stick over all exposed layers of paint.
  • Determine if the lead stick test chemical changes to a red colour, then the presences of lead is confirmed - the job is suspected of being a Lead Paint Job;
  • Determine if the lead stick test chemical does not change to a red colour, then the presences of lead is not confirmed - the job is not a Lead Paint Job;
  • Document results and send to WHS&E Officer so Lead Paint Register may be updated
  • As soon as lead is confirmed, the Project Coordination representative shall immediately contact the Housing Area Office Representative and advise that the work involves lead based paint.


 

Work Procedure 2:

Paint Sampling Prior to Painting


 


Taking Paint Samples for laboratory testing:


 


 

Work Procedure 3:

Soil and Dust Sampling Prior to Painting


 

Soil and Dust Sampling


 

Soil Sampling


 


 


 


 


 


Dust Sampling


 

Work Procedure 4:

Site Management for Lead Based Painting - Exterior


 

Exterior Site Management for Lead Based Painting

In carrying out physical removal of the external lead based paint job, the following procedures shall be implemented:


 


 

Work Procedure 5:

Site Management for Lead Based Painting - Interior


 

Interior Site Management for Lead Based Painting

In carrying out physical removal of an internal lead based paint job, the following procedures shall be implemented:


 

Work Procedure 6:

Completion and Testing of the Lead Based Paint Job


 

Clean – up on completion of a lead based paint job


 

Within 4 weeks, the operator shall:


 


 

NOTE:
No dust should be available to sample at the completion of the job as the site will have been vacuumed as part of the clean up process.

Work Procedure 7:

General Waste Management Procedures for Painting

Solvent Management – Management of contaminated solvents


 

Disposal of Excess Paints and Containers


 


 


 


 


Equipment Clean – up

Water Based Paints (Acrylics and PVA's)

The cleaning of brushes, rollers, spray equipment, etc. that have been used with water-based paints will be carried out using the two-container method.

  1. Any excess paint should be initially removed with newspaper or rags.
  2. Two containers of clean water are then prepared.
  3. The first container shall be used for the substantial removal of paint to a point where the equipment is no more contaminated than the water.
  4. The equipment will then be transferred to the second container for a final clean.

  5.  

N.B.

Equipment contaminated by water-based paints shall not be cleaned under a tap or where sullied water can escape. If equipment requires more thorough cleaning that the two-container method allows, this activity will be carried out off-site or where trade waste treatment facilities are available.


 

Oil Based Paints (Enamels and Varnishes) / Epoxy Based Paints and Coatings


 

N.B.

Work Procedure 8:

Site Management for Lead Based Painting Wall Wash Down Only

If the paint job has been determined as a lead based paint job, the following procedures must be followed by the tradespersons when the scope of work is deemed to be a sugar soap wash down and hand wet sand.


 

Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn for this procedure.

1. Site Management for Lead Based Painting - Wall Wash Down

In carrying out the Wall Wash Down
procedure for a lead based paint job, the following procedures shall be implemented:


 


 

Monday, May 16, 2011

Blackboard Paint!

Remember back to those school days, when the greatest honour would be to write on the teachers' blackboard?
Well now live out that dream (vicariously) and paint a wall in your children's room with blackboard paint!
And whilst they are having hours of fun creating artworks or playing "teachers", you can relax and know all you need is a wet cloth to clean it all up!

Visit this ideabook, for some totally trendy ideas:
Decorating a Kids' Room with Chalkboard Paint!



Emidios Room traditional kids

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

PAINTING FAQ - Study up and get results!

What is HWI (Home Warranty Insurance)? Do I need to get it?

HWI is an insurance introduced by the Home Building Act. It is taken out by the painter/builder/tradesman on behalf of the client on a job by job basis for the client’s protection. Should a warranty issue arrive and the painter does not honour the warranty or the company goes into liquidation, a claim can be made under this insurance. This insurance is run by the Department of Fair Trading and compulsory if the contract is over $ 12,000. It covers the whole project on a certain site, ‘job splitting’ (dividing a quote into 2 or 3 components to stay under the limit) is illegal. If the client decides to sell his home/unit within the warranty period, it will become part of the settlement condition of a sale and has to be provided to the conveyancor. They will always ask for it. The cost of this insurance depends on the actual contract amount and starts at around $ 250. Quotes have to be obtained on an individual basis.

Why do quote prices vary?

1. Different specifications/scope of work:

When obtaining quotes, make sure that all painters quote on the same specification. Compare ‘apples with apples’. On larger jobs, it is wise to get an independent consultant to write the specification and even pay and oversee the work. Detail to your painter what you expect. A good painter will ask what your motivation is and what you are looking for in the finished paint job. You might only want a ‘clean up’, such as for a rental property or to prepare a house for sale. Or, on the other end of the scale, you might expect a high quality job and are prepared to pay a little extra for it. Preparation is the key to good and lasting paint work and usually takes about 2/3rd of the time spent on the job. Make sure your painter has this covered.

2. Painter has no work:

This is a bad sign. If painters have no or little work, they are often not very sought after. Good quality tradesmen are always busy. In order to get the work, they quote cheap, but later give an excuse such as health reasons for quitting the job, once a better paying on comes in.

3. Painter does not know how to quote:

When you get a quote which is a lot cheaper than other comparable quotes, it is possible that the painter has made a mistake (left items off the list) or does not know how to quote efficiently. Once you have engaged this painter, you might find that they charge for ‘extras’, do a low quality job, or simply walk away as they realize they cannot finish the work for the price quoted.

4. Painter does not engage his employees properly.

Many contractors can work for ‘cheap’, if they are not paying employee allowances, taxes and most dominantly insurances, such as WorkCover, Public Liability and Superannuation for their employees. Make sure all workers on site have White Cards and are properly instructed under the WorkCover Act.

Many painters also engage painters on holiday visas, paying them as little and $ 6/hour. This might sound attractive, but is highly illegal and destroys the industry. These contractors never honour their warranty.

5. Using inferior paint:

Make sure all paint tins delivered to site are new and from reputable manufacturers. It is quite common that old Dulux or Taubmans/Bristol paint tins are refilled with poor quality paint. Inferior paint will not last and is difficult to look after. It does not make that much different to the cost of a paint job as painting is labour intensive (this is where the cost is), so it does not make much sense cutting costs that way.

Touching up your paintwork:

Paint does not touch up mid wall. Touch-ups need to be done wall to wall. Shade and sheen differences occur even with the same type of paint, especially if the original work has been done a while ago.

Why do windows and weatherboards always peel?

After about 30 years, primers become oxygenated. This causes the primer to powder and become an unstable substrate. The result is ‘crocodiling’ and peeling. If paint is applied over unstable surface, the paint job looks good for about 6 months and then peels again.

The only solution is to start again. The underlying paint and primer will need to be burnt off or Summit Coatings uses a non-caustic paint stripper on larger areas. Preparation is the only thing which will guarantee lasting paintwork, but it is time consuming and hence a little costly.

Why do clear finishes fail?

On new timbers, tannin needs to leach out of the timber. On hardwood, that can take up to 6 months.

Tannin boils under clear coatings and ‘pops’ off the coat.

Any failures in clear coatings need to be completely removed. It cannot be treated like paint, where you can sand patches. Clear coating is hard to match and the failure usually runs along the whole section.

Clear finishes must be maintained. In high UV areas, once the finish looks flat, it will need another coat. The darker the stain, the more UV stable is the finish, as it blocks the UV from getting into the tannin.

If you consider a clear finish on your weatherboards, it is wise to seal the back of them to stop moisture ingress. This is particularly advisable when building decks.

Why do timbers rot?

End grains should be painted before the timbers are put up, as they suck up moisture. This is a job for the carpenter as it needs to be done at the time of construction. Tops and bottoms of doors should also be primed and not installed too low to the ground as water will swell the door and cause rotting. Untreated pine or Oregon timbers cannot be used in external building.


Why do newly rendered buildings stain and peel?

Lime burn from uncured render causes this staining. White marks and eventual hair line cracks appear. It takes 6 weeks for new render to cure. However, it is common that builders don’t adhere to this timeframe as they want the areas completed and scaffolding removed. Try to persuade your builder to stick to it. The problem is unsightly and rectification can be costly. Sometimes all the paint needs to be completely removed and the job started again.

Why do planter boxes and retaining walls always bubble?

When this occurs, it is usually that an inadequate membrane had been installed or that there is no damp course.

Bitumen painted behind will not work. A qualified water proofer will need to be engaged during construction to avoid paint to bubble due to water penetration.

Water based epoxy paints can be used to alleviate some of the problem, but eventually, water will win.

Summit Coatings can install DRYZONE, a siliconing agent, to stop rising damp, but this will not work on retaining walls, where hydrostatic pressure is the problem.

Can COLORBOND be painted?

The answer is yes. Summit Coatings has been successfully painted numerous Colorbond roofs and gutters, using Zinseer primers for adherence. Forever Finish as a finishing coat which makes these areas look like new.

I have faded aluminium windows, can they be painted?

The answer is yes. Prepared properly and sprayed with auto paints, they look like new. Visit our website for pictures.

I tried to wash marks off my walls and it leaves a ‘shiny spot’:

Good quality paint washes, but you have to be gentle. Don’t use abrasive products like gumption as they will sand the surface. Use water, then a product like ‘Nifty’. Flat paints don’t clean very well at all. For an easy to maintain surface, use low sheen levels. The glossier the paint, the better its serviceability. Some paints have Teflon added for low maintenance, and it works.

Why are my ceilings mouldy?

Mould is a result of a moist environment. Old paint goes mouldy, because the additive stopping the mould starts failing.

Sub floor and roof ventilation are the best prevention of this to happen. It is important that you remove the moist air. Install ventilation fans in bathrooms and laundries and whirly birds in your roof. A damp house is unhealthy.


Once rust has appeared on your metal surfaces, it needs to be sandblasted, or it will return.

Ungalvanised metal within 20 km of the coast will not last. If you live very close to the ocean, make sure everything you put into your house is stainless steel or plastic. Take a lesson from boaties, they have figured it out. Zinc only works on sandblasted metal. Epoxy mastics are rust tolerant, but need to be treated. There are some new age rust inhibitors, such as Rust Master and Penetrol, on the market, which work quite well. Be prepared to maintain rusted areas. Wash to salt off as much as possible. Metal under overhangs where rain does not wash salt off on a regular bases, does fail.

Rust and what to do about it:

About Me

Summit Coatings is an established company with experience in all aspects of painting and decorating. For over 30 years, we have serviced and maintained residential, commercial and strata properties. ◦We guarantee longevity of our work by spending extensive time on surface preparation. ◦We only use quality paint products. ◦We fully comply with OH&S requirements and are accredited by Trades Monitors. ◦Home Warranty Contracts and Work Method Statements will be supplied with each job. ◦Our pricing is competitive & all inclusive – no hidden extras. We respond to requests promptly and pride our business on being reliable. We are fully insured and members of the Master Painters Australia. Robin Ottowa is a member of the board of the Master Painters Association.