Features & reviews
Getting to grips with 2010 paints
By January 2011, it will be illegal for merchants to sell solvent-based paints and coatings which fail to conform to the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) regulations. With a whole host of compliant products now available, Dulux Trade caught up with some members of The Painters and Decorators Association (PDA) and some Dulux Select Decorators to find out how the new paint formulation has impacted on their work.
The overriding opinion among the decorators was that the quality of their paint work has certainly not been negatively impacted by the new VOC 2010 formulations. In fact, the majority stated that any products that had to be reformulated in order to make them compliant with the VOC legislation perform to at least the same, if not a better, standard than their predecessors.
In addition to re-formulating solvent-based paints, manufacturers have extended their water-based ranges as these are naturally VOC compliant. For most of the decorators, this increase in choice has meant using more water-based products than ever before.
When it comes to water-based products, although the decorators interviewed conceded they needed to apply more coats to achieve the same effect, the change in flow and drying times means that no extra time has been added.
"You can easily put three coats of a water-based product on in the time of two oil-based coats," explained Ron Taylor, a Dulux Select Decorator. "The quality of water-based products has increased dramatically in the six years I've been using them. Sikkens Rubbol BL Satura, for example, is easily as good as any oil-based paints, proving that there's no reason for decorators to be concerned about switching to water-based products."
Nathan Clay, a PDA member and owner of Ramsay Clay, admitted: "It's only the legal changes to permitted VOC levels that led my team to switch the paint products they use, but I'm pleased to say the new reduced VOC levels haven't affected the quality of the solvent-based products out there. However, while I've found Dulux Trade Weathershield Quick Drying Satin to be a great water-based exterior performer, I personally prefer using the company's solvent-based paints outside as they're more compatible with some other products, such as putties and oil-based primer."
It is crucial for professional decorators to equip themselves with the new products and explore how best to maximise results. According to Ron Taylor and Dulux Select Decorator, David Cox, the key to using the water-based paints is all in the technique.
"It's all about re-assessing your processes and equipment," Ron commented. "I strongly recommend using angular brushes as they are better for cutting in."
David added: "Since I've started using the upgraded paints, I've had to change my method ever so slightly. For example, I make sure my brushes are wet before using water-based products, as it aides the application and spreading."
Robert Howcroft, owner of Howcroft Decorators and a member of the PDA, explained: "The paints have really improved and this is most evident in warmer weather as they dry even more quickly.
"The money that paint manufacturers such as Dulux Trade have invested into their research and development is very noticeable - the quality of water-based paints has increased dramatically and rapidly over the past few years."
All in all, the VOC legislation has presented the industry with a big challenge, but it seems paint manufacturers have made considerable progress, successfully developing products which satisfy the requirements of professional decorators and their customers. It is evident that there are areas for growth, but with further investment in product development, the quality and performance of paints is only set to improve further.
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