PRIMED AND READY
Here, Steve Cotton, Senior Product Manager from Valspar Trade takes a look at the latest technologies in preparation coatings, which are designed to reduce time on site, whilst retaining a high-quality finish.
Traditionally, there has been a wide range of preparation products available to meet differing needs, such as primers, knot blockers and undercoats, each performing its own role. For example, a primer is designed to provide a strong base for your undercoat or topcoat to adhere to, as well as fully preparing a substrate and address issues presented by the underlying surface. A knot blocker on the other hand, is a type of primer that has been specifically developed for wood applications, helping to prevent seepage from knots and minimise discolouration of final finishes. Finally, there are undercoats, which perform a similar role, but are used for preparing an even surface for painting and are formulated to provide the best surface possible for your customers’ desired topcoat – promoting good adhesion, helping to achieve the chosen colour in fewer coats.
With this in mind, painters and decorators may have had to use all three products on a job before they can even begin applying the topcoat. However, thanks to advancements in technology, there are now products that can tackle the required preparation in just one coat, saving you both time and money.
Using a combined primer and undercoat is perfect for situations where you are looking to apply a brightly coloured topcoat to a bare surface. Products such as Valspar Trade Tintable Primer and Undercoat can be applied to bare wood, walls or ceilings to provide good adhesion and can be tinted to prepare for dramatic colour changes and to achieve optimal appearance for vivid shades.
When decorating bare wood, there are also products that incorporate a knot blocker too. Valspar Trade Knot Block Wood Primer and Undercoat, for example, will also stop bleed through from wood knots, whilst preventing cracking and peeling.
In addition to this, when it comes to painting metal, there are some products that can be applied directly onto the substrate without the need for any primer at all, such as Valspar Trade’s Direct to Wood and Metal paint. A high-quality, water-based formulation, it has been designed to be applied directly to bare or rusty metal, cast iron, galvanised steel, aluminium and stainless steel, as well as exterior wood and timber. As a water-based primer, products such as this have the added benefits of being better for the environment, due to lower Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and quicker drying times, to help you complete your projects quicker. Using a water-based product also makes your equipment easier to clean and maintains a malleable, crack resistant layer with good adhesion properties for the topcoat.
Related posts:
