Crown Paints – Repainted Classroom Block At Kwa Njenga Primary School
Crown Paints is synonymous with quality and lifestyle transformations with various textures and special effect finishes which add aesthetic values, long term protection and a fashionable touch to our homes. For example Ruff N Tuff is quite popular as it provides varieties of beautiful designer texture for walls protection from mould & fungus attack while keeping the house more beautiful for years.
Through such products and finishes, Crown Paints has reinforced its involvement in fashion and lifestyle activities through participation in events such as the Divalicious fashion show and Nairobi fashion market in October 2015. The events provided an excellent forum for Crown Paints to promote lifestyle and fashion in homes through displaying their range of special effect finishes and textures.
Crown Paints participation in these fashion and lifestyles initiatives creates a wider audience for the brand enabling it to maintain its market leadership.
Research has revealed that over 80% of paint failures in developed nations are purely due to poor surface preparation and only about 10% due to product failure. Poor paint performance is attributable to a number of factors but often in reality end users apportion the blame to the product itself without looking at other factors.
These defects may occur during paint storage, during application and drying/curing or during the service life of the dry coating. This topic aims to give a brief of these defects and how best we can avoid or remedy them.
Characteristics: Formation of an insoluble skin like covering on surface of liquid paints and varnishes exposed to air.
Possible causes – container lid not air-tight, poor formulation (not enough anti-skinning agent or too much surface drier) and very hot storage conditions
Prevention: Use airtight container, avoid unnecessary opening of tin, the addition of slow evaporating solvent and good storage conditions
Remedy: Carefully remove skin and stir the paint till homogeneous. If any bits are present after stirring, sieve paint through a clean fine cloth before use.
Characteristics: Settlement of solid particles to the bottom of the tin. The soft settlement is easily mixed by just stirring while the hard settlement is not easily mixed and requires specialised machinery.
Possible causes: insufficient stirring during storage, storing paints under hot conditions or for too long (often beyond expiry date) and use of inappropriate thinner.
Prevention: Use recommended thinner, avoid long storage and ensure good storage conditions
Remedy: Stir in soft settlement till homogeneous. If hard settlement, return to the manufacturer for mixing using appropriate machinery.
Characteristics: Jelly-like flow of paint caused by a bacterial attack of binder or thickener or both
Possible causes Contaminated tools or thinner, mixing of different brands or different paint types
Prevention: Use clean tools/ solvents and avoid mixing different brands or paints
Remedy: Discard the paint.
Characteristics: Bad smell due to breakdown in resins, thickener and biocides
Possible causes Poor formulation (no or inadequate biocide), expired paint or contamination and poor storage conditions
Prevention: Good storage conditions and disinfect the warehouse/ factory
Remedy: Discard the paint to avoid contamination of good paint.
Characteristics: Paint or varnish flowing or drooping like a draped curtain of material from upper vertical surface to the lower part forming tear-like or wavy appearance.
Possible causes: Too much thinning or wrong/ slow thinner. Paint coat too thick or insufficient dry time between coats. Building, paint or surface too cold. Painting is done on a glossy surface without adequate surface preparation i.e., abrading.
Prevention: Use correct thinner. Apply thin, even coats. Avoid application in cold conditions. Good surface preparation sand & clean
Remedy: Sand down to a smooth surface and repaint.
Characteristics: Paint fails to form a continuous film on the surface, peeling back when it is applied leaving small round bare patches.
Possible causes Greasy or oily surface, application of emulsion paint over oil paint and painting very smooth and shiny surfaces.
Prevention: Ensure the surface is free of oil and grease. Sand shiny surfaces before painting. Apply an undercoat or sealer before overcoating oil paint with emulsion paint.
Remedy: Washed off the wet coat immediately with Crown White Spirit. Then thoroughly clean the surface and allow to dry before repainting. If the coating has been allowed to harden, sand down to even film and repaint.
Appearance: Pieces of dirt, grit or skin in the paint film
Causes: Use of dirty brushes or rollers, a dirty surface, bits of dried-up paint that gets stirred in (from removing skin) or pollution from the atmosphere.
Prevention: Use clean tools. Strain paint through a cloth before use and clean surface before painting.
Remedy: Rub down to a smooth surface and re-coat.
Appearance: Undulation, wrinkle like film
Cause: Too thick coats. Painting over insufficiently dry films. Poor formulation – too much surface drier.
Prevention: Apply thin coats. Observe overcoating intervals.
Remedy: Remove film, sand, clean and repaint.
Characteristics: A change in colour of the paint that results from the pigment, or other colored material in the surface beneath the coating, moving upward into the applied film and becoming visible.
Possible causes Soluble dyes or pigments (especially red) on the existing coating. Strong solvent in topcoat attacking underlying coat. Frequent brushing on the same spot
Prevention: Thoroughly clean the areas to be painted before and after sanding, especially when applying lighter colours over darker colours. Avoid using lighter colours over older shades of red without applying a sealer first. Select the right thinner and use correct paint system.
Remedy: Allow to dry thoroughly, sand and seal with +3Masonary or Penetrating Primer before repainting.
Appearance: Small pinholes on the paint film
Cause: Moisture in the substrate. Fast-drying thinner. Too thick coats
Prevention: Avoid painting in direct sunlight. Allow undercoats/ primers to dry adequately before overcoating. Use appropriate solvent and apply appropriate film thickness
Remedy: Sand out the bubbles and repaint
Characteristics: Paints taking longer than specified to dry
Cause: High humidity or low temperature during painting. Poor ventilation or moist surface. Oily, greasy or alkaline surface. Wrong or slow drying solvent
Prevention: Ensure good ambient conditions. Good surface preparation and use of correct solvent
Remedy: Remove coat and repaint
Appearance: Greenish or black patches which disappear when bleached.
Cause: Damp areas receiving little or no sunlight. Painting over an area that has had mould. Reusing opened containers that have received contamination from application transfer.
Prevention: Good surface preparation – use Fungicidal Wash or bleach to sterilise walls before painting. Avoid using fouling paints.
Remedy: Apply a few drops of house hold bleach, if the discoloured areas disappear, it’s most likely mould. Remove the source of moisture by fixing the leak source, sealing or ventilation. Apply Fungicidal Wash, scrub and rinse thoroughly. Recoat with paint that is protected with dry film biocide.
Appearance: Formation of powder consisting of broken down binder and freed pigment particles on the surface of coating exposed to temperature, UV and moisture. Chalking identified by rubbing the surface with a damp cloth which results in a light deposit on the cloth and the restoration of the colour to the cleaned surface.
Cause: Using interior quality paint for exterior work. Using low-grade paint with a low binder and high pigment content.
Prevention: Good surface preparation – use Fungicidal Wash or bleach to sterilise walls before painting. Avoid using fouling paints.
Remedy: Remove the friable chalk and rinse with water. Check for any remaining chalk after the surface has thoroughly dried. Repeat the cleaning process if the powder is still present. Apply 1 coat alkali-resisting primer and recoat with the Premium quality coat.
Appearance: Underlying surface still partially visible after being painted over.
Causes: Application of over-thinned paint. An insufficient number of coats. Wide colour changes e.g., from black to white with insufficient coats. Paint applied without stirring. Over spreading of paint. Application over porous surfaces without adequate surface preparation.
Prevention: Use Crown Universal Undercoat especially when making wide colour changes. Stir paint before use. Avoid over-thinning paint.
Remedy: Apply extra coats until the surface is obliterated.
Advantages of Textured paints:
Crown Ruff ‘N’ Tuff Exterior: A thick emulsion formulated to provide multi directional textures on plaster, cement rendering, blockwork, cement, stone, bag-washed and fair-faced concrete. It can also be applied to timber, glass and aluminium. It incorporates mould resistant biocides and breathes out trapped moisture, resists efflorescence, is graffiti resistant.
Crown Colour Creations Basecoat: A combination of emulsion and pearl designed to provide a silky washable, unique and elegant appearance to interiors of hotels, stores, restaurants, bars hallways, recess feature walls, staircases, lift wells etc.
Crown Rock-Fast High Build Textured Finish: A tough, high-build, textured coating incorporating a mould resistant fungicide and rock aggregates, designed for the long-term exterior protection of commercial and domestic buildings in the most severe tropical and coastal climates. Rock-Fast can be applied to new and previously painted plaster, cement rendering, blockwork, concrete, stone, bag-washed surfaces and fair-faced concrete, asbestos and timber surfaces including chip-board, block board, plywood etc. On internal walls and ceilings, Rock-Fast produces an attractive and fashionable tough coating.
Crown Duo-Tone Finish: An extremely tough and attractive 2 or 3 colour silk finish for use in buildings over suitably prepared plaster, wood, metal, asbestos etc, and on previously painted sound surfaces. Particularly suitable in bathrooms, kitchens, cloakrooms, staircases, corridors, entrance halls and lift lobbies, banking halls, office partitioning and walls in hospitals, clinics, laboratories, food factories, bottling plants, hotel reception areas and high traffic areas where regular cleaning is necessary and an attractive, durable finish is desirable.
Crown Stronghold Textured Emulsion: A tough copolymer-based exterior emulsion, reinforced with rock aggregate and a fungicide to resist mould. Specially formulated to provide exceptional weather-resistance to masonary surfaces and for coastal areas. The rock aggregate produces a fine textured, matt finish which masks surface irregularities.
Crown Variations: A range of textured exterior finishes offering the best modern technology, long term decorative appearance and protection. They replace the need for stone, granite or cladding thereby reducing costs by over 50% but enhancing the aesthetic condition of the building. They have excellent adhesion, water resistance, washability, abrasion resistance, tensile and impact strength, resistance to algae and fungi, non-combustible and resistance to acid and fading and are virtually maintenance-free.
Micalite – Trowel Finish: Micalite is impregnated with glass and mica. It offers sophisticated decoration appeal adding that touch of class of commercial buildings. Ideal for high rise buildings for that unique look to add prestige. Micalite is a two coat system consisting of one coat primer of the same colour and one coat of texture. Applied by trowel.
Stone Finish– spray finish that will create a granite finish at 40% of the cost.
Opus – spray finish will create a bubble like finish
Natural Stone – trowel finish will create a natural stone-like finish
Crown Glass Plaster Finish: A high build 2 coat pure acrylic-based, ready mixed texture coating system (1 coat Primer plus 1 coat Glass Plaster Finish) Plaster Finish used to decorate, restore and protect new and previously painted interior and exterior surfaces such as plaster, concrete, wood, etc. It produces a sparkling, washable and water permeable high build finish with excellent adhesion, water-proofing, acid, algae and fungi resistance. It is available in 12 colours.
What is Paint Systems?
A paint system is a planned sequence of coatings which are applied to a surface to give it protection, etc. where a single coating would be inadequate. Each coating used in the system provides its own special qualities which collectively provide the total protection, etc. to the substrate. No single paint coating can provide every quality required. Paint Systems consist of primers, undercoats and finishes.
Primers: or priming paints are the first paints applied to any new substrate and like the foundation of a house support all the paints which come over them. They must be selected with care for this reason and their functions are:-
a) Satisfy the absorbency of porous substrates like plaster, asbestos, wood
b) Stick tightly to smooth, dense substrates like galvanized iron & plastics
c) Slow down corrosion to acceptable levels on mild steel, etc.
d) Bind down loose, friable substrates such as old lime-wash.
e) Form a chemical-resistant barrier over active plaster, asbestos, etc.
f) Provide good adhesion for undercoats and finishes
Wall Primers
Crown Plus 3 Masonary Primer: A white, alkali-resistant primer which can be over-coated with both oil and water-based finishes. It is the most suitable primer for curing masonry defects especially efflorescence. It is best applied by brush to achieve maximum adhesion but can be applied by roller due to the large areas usually involved. It forms a chemical resistant barrier between the substrate and the subsequent oil-based coatings which are not alkali resistant. It should be overcoated within 72 hours to provide maximum “key” for the undercoat
Crown Universal Alkali-Resisting Wall Primer: An off white primer designed to seal new and unpainted (dry) plaster, cement, concrete, brick and hard asbestos sheets, etc., before applying undercoat and oil finishes. Should not be used for priming loosely bound or porous surfaces for which Crown Penetrating Primer is recommended.
Crown Penetrating Primer: Similar in most aspects to Alkali Resisting Wall Primer except it contains very little pigment and dries to a fairly glossy finish with good alkali resistance, penetration and adhesion. Formulated to bind down loose, crumbly plasters and over old, cement paints, distemper, lime-wash coated surfaces to form a solid foundation for subsequent paints. It can be overcoated with both oil-based and water-based paints. It is also sometimes used as a substitute for Alkali Resistant Primer where opacity is not a prerequisite and is best applied by brush to gain maximum penetration into the substrate and thus bind down the loose particles on the surface.
Wood Primers
Crown Aluminium Wood Primer: A matt, metallic grey primer for application to the interior and especially exterior new and bare, hard and soft woods and timber treated with non-bituminous based wood protection. It has good penetration, excellent adhesion and minimizes the risk of blistering. Supplied ready for use and can be applied by brush, roller or spray and has a good spreading rate up to 15m2/l.
Crown White Wood Primer: A white primer with good flexibility, penetration and sealing qualities, which tends to be slow drying and may need 36 hours before overcoating. Formulated for use on all Exterior and Interior woodwork such as barge boards, fascia boards, timber claddings, strip ceilings, doors, cupboards, skirtings and cover strips made of soft woods, plywood and chipboards, block board, chipboard and plywood etc. Ready for use after stirring it is normally applied by brush, dries to a slight sheen and provides a good foundation for undercoats and finishes. Extra attention should be paid to end grains and back edges of timber when priming as they are most susceptible to moisture ingress and must be sealed entirely by the primer.
Crown Sanding Sealer: A clear nitrocellulose based primer with very rapid drying and good sanding properties. It is mainly used by furniture manufacturers to satisfy the porosity of wood prior to finishing with Woodseal or single pack PU varnish. Its main asset is its speed of drying which allows more coats to be applied in a shorter period of time and thus speeds up completion of the job.
Metal Primers
One Pack Etch Primer (Wash Primer): A single pack, the yellow quick-drying primer for structural steelwork and galvanized iron surfaces, hard polished alloys, smooth ferrous and non-ferrous metals etc. to provide limited protection against corrosion during the fabrication period and maximum adhesion. It should be coated with a conventional rust-inhibiting metal primer within a month, particularly in coastal regions. Touch dry in just 20minutes and recoatable within 1hour, it can be applied by brush or spray and can give spreading rates of up to 20m2/l.
Crown Red Oxide (Pre-Fab) Primer Glossy or Matt Primer: An economical primer with moderate protective qualities, formulated for use on exterior and interior metal objects in mild environmental conditions. It can be applied by brush, roller or spray and dries to a glossy or matt finish. The former is recommended when a period of weeks/ months is likely to lapse before overcoating and the later if overcoating is to take place more or less immediately. For maximum protection of exposed steelwork, particularly in coastal regions and mining or industrial areas, the use of Crown Zinc Phosphate/ Chromate Primer is recommended.
Crown Zinc Phosphate Primer: A white or light grey, primer with excellent corrosion inhibition, adhesion & flexibility and dries to a matt finish which provides good adhesion for undercoats and finishes. It is formulated for use on steelwork such as gates, burglar bars, etc in mild to harsh environments such as mines, industrial and coastal areas. Being completely lead-free, Crown Zinc Phosphate Primer is non-toxic and can be safely used as a primer for galvanized and mild steel drinking water tanks and for general use in food factories, bottling plants etc. It is mainly applied by brush or roller but can be sprayed after minimal thinning.
Crown Zinc Chromate Metal Primer: Similar in most aspects to Zinc Phosphate primer but this one is available in yellow or red oxide colour and hence is not recommended for lighter colours. Zinc Chromate Primer is not recommended for application to new, un-weathered galvanized iron. However, galvanized surfaces that have been allowed to weather or which have been treated with an Etch Primer can be coated with Zinc Chromate Primer.
Crown Alkali Resisting Chlorinated Rubber Wall Primer: An off-white chlorinated rubber-based, quick-drying (4hrs), non-flammable and nontoxic primer designed for use on new (dry) plaster, cement rendering, concrete, brick, stone and asbestos cement sheeting, prior to the application of Chlorinated Rubber Finish.
Crown Chlorinated Rubber Zinc Phosphate/ Chromate Primer: A chlorinated rubber-based, quick-drying (4hrs), non-flammable and nontoxic primer designed for use on metals prior to the application of Chlorinated Rubber Finish.
Crown Two-Pack Epoxy Zinc Phosphate Primer: A light grey, 2 pack corrosion, water, chemical & solvent resistant primer with excellent adhesion on a variety of properly prepared surfaces. Suitable for use under Chlorinated Rubber and 2 Pack Epoxy finishes. It can be applied by brush, roller or spray to give a matt finish with exceptional topcoat hold-out. Base and hardener MUST be mixed in the correct ratio prior to application.
Crown Two-Pack Epoxy Zinc Chromate Primer: Similar to 2-pack epoxy Zinc Phosphate Primer in most aspects but available in red oxide colour.
Crown Two-Pack Epoxy Zinc Rich Primer: A metallic grey 2-pack primer incorporated with zinc metal powder which offers maximum corrosion resistance on bridges, pylons, industrial buildings etc, especially in coastal regions and damp and humid climatic conditions when used with the appropriate chemical resistant finishes. The high metallic zinc powder content gives sacrificial protection to blast cleaned steelwork. Suitable for coating welded areas between joined galvanized sheets and for patching defects in galvanized surfaces, being in effect, brush applied galvanizing. It has a low spreading capacity of 5-8 m2/l at 40µm dry film thickness.
Undercoats: are coatings sandwiched between the primers and the finishes, or the coats applied to old, sound paintwork before re-finishing, when primers are unnecessary. Undercoats are used to provide –
a) Opacity or obliteration of the substrate.
b) Protection because of their thickness
c) Adhesion for the finish.
d) A good foundation when changing from water to oil based finish and vice-versa
e) Reduce the number of expensive topcoats when changing from a dark colour to a light colour
Crown Undercoat: A white, oil-based paint with excellent obliteration/ hiding and thickness required for filling minor surface irregularities. It dries to a semi-matt finish which provides good adhesion for subsequent coatings. It is used over suitably primed wood, metal, plastics, galvanising and plasters, concrete etc. on both exterior and interior surfaces when changing from oil-based to water-based finish and vice-versa. Applied by brush or roller or spray. The spreading capacity is up to 13-15m2/litre, normally only 1 coat is applied although 2 coats will give an improved finish.
Crown Acrylic Primer Sealer/ Undercoat: A quick-drying (1-2hours), water-based, matt general-purpose primer/ undercoat for timber and untreated hardboard prior to the application of Silk, Super Gloss, and Eggshell Enamel etc. Can be applied by brush, roller or spray and supplied ready for use but can be thinned to spray viscosity with clean water. Available in white only but customer-specific colours can be supplied by prior arrangement for large housing projects etc.
Finishes/ Topcoats: are the final or top coats applied to the surface either over an undercoat, primer or over a previously applied finish which is in good condition. Finishing coats are used to provide:-
a)Protection against weather, abrasion, chemicals, etc.
b)The desired colour.
c)The desired texture, i.e. Gloss, Matt, Sheen
Water-Based Finishes
Economy Vesta Emulsion: A low-cost interior coating which dries to a matt finish. Available in white and 8 selected colours, it has very poor washability and fades on exposure and hence is recommended for use on interior surfaces which don’t require cleaning at all. 2-4 coats are normally required.
Covermatt Emulsion: A water-based alkali-resistant coating which dries to a matt finish. Available in white and 12 selected colours. It has slightly better washability and durability compared to EVP. It is recommended for use on interior surfaces which don’t require regular cleaning. 2 – 3 coats produce a solid, opaque finish on most surfaces. It has also found use as a primer for alkali surfaces to be finished in water-based paints and as an economical ceiling paint.
Covermatt +2 Emulsion: Water-based, alkali resistant and dries to a matt finish. Available in white and 18 colours as per Solo Colourchart. Its washability is limited to mild sponging with soapy water as hard rubbing will remove the coating. Designed primarily as an ideal ceiling paint where it is highly cost-effective, potentially saving material and labour costs. Also used on Interior plaster, concrete, cement and asbestos walls and ceilings where frequent cleaning is not a prerequisite e.g., adults bedrooms. Can be used on exterior surfaces where there is minimal cleaning and minimal exposure to sunlight e.g., verandahs. 2 – 3 coats are normally applied to all new substrates to achieve the desired opacity.
Matt Emulsion: A high quality permeable, alkali resistant, dries to a matt finish. It is incorporated with special additive to give extremely high stain resistance which allows minimum to nil penetration of the normal house hold items like tea, coffee, juice etc, which are easily scrubbed off with soapy water. Available in a wide colour range, is highly washable and can be used on Exterior and Interior plaster, concrete, cement, wood and asbestos substrates where its improved washability and wear is called for. 1-2 coats are normally applied to new substrates to achieve the desired opacity. It is not recommended for Exterior use in coastal regions where Permaplast, Permacote & Sandtex Exterior smooth is better.
Permacote : Top of the range, Interior/ Exterior finish with special biocides to resist and greatly retard mould & algae growth and incorporated with special additive to give excellent stain resistance which allows minimum to nil penetration of the normal house hold items like tea, coffee, juice etc, which are easily scrubbed off with soapy water. Relatively expensive, it is permeable, alkali resistant, dries to a matt finish and has a high spreading capacity (up to 17m2/l) which compensates for the additional initial cost. Available in a wide colour range. Extremely washable, it is used for plaster, concrete and cement, Interior/ Exterior walls where wear and tear are expected and where a matt finish is desired. 1-2 coats are normally applied over a primed surface.
Permaplast Emulsion: A hardwearing exterior paint which is more up-market in cost and performance and is permeable, light fast, alkali resistant, dries to a low sheen finish and is available in a wide range of colours. Its washability is excellent and is formulated for use on hard-wearing exterior plaster, cement, concrete and asbestos where these qualities are called for. 1 – 2 coats are normally applied to new substrates to achieve the desired opacity.
Silk Vinyl Emulsion: A high-quality interior emulsion paint with a fashionable silky finish which is extremely tough and washable. Ideal for use in kitchens, bathrooms, stores, wash rooms and passages and recommended for use in hospitals, food processing areas etc. In addition to plaster, stone etc, Crown Silk Vinyl can be used on timber and is particularly suitable for use in office complexes on wallboards/partitioning etc. 1 – 2 coats are normally applied to new substrates to achieve the desired opacity.
Medicryl Silk Sheen Emulsion: Crown Medicryl Silk Emulsion is an interior premium quality anti-bacterial waterborne paint which provides a subdued sheen finish. It has been independently TESTED and APPROVED by IMSL UK (Industrial Microbiological Services Ltd. It is fast drying (1 -2 hours), has a low odour and is totally safe for use in public buildings like nurseries, bathrooms, wash rooms, schools, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, food courts, kitchens and other areas of high traffic and high sanitation to prevent growth of bacteria and fungi. It is especially resistant against Escherichia Coli & Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria. It is suitable for new and previously painted plaster, concrete, wood; partitions etc. 1-2 coats are normally applied to new substrates to achieve the desired opacity.
Crown Transeal Acrylic Emulsion: A versatile water-based product with a white opaque appearance in the container, but produces a clear semi-gloss film after application designed for interior use and should not be applied to exterior surfaces subjected to strong sunlight. The sheen level can be varied by the amount of water added; increased thinning will reduce the sheen level. Transeal can be applied to unpainted concrete, brick, stone etc, to produce an attractive, semi-gloss clear finish which will be more dust-resistant and more easily cleaned than the bare substrate. Transeal can also be applied over matt emulsion paint to produce a semi-gloss finish or over wallpapers to render them more washable. An attractive finish can be obtained by applying Transeal to quarry tiles prior to the application of wax polish.
Crown Tennis Court Paint: A water-based matt finish designed especially for use on concrete floor screeds on areas to be used for tennis and badminton courts, basketball, gymnastics etc. Available in green for the playing surface and copper for use on concrete areas surrounding the playing area. Line markings can be painted in Crown Road Marking Paint. Brush application is recommended. Re-coatable in 4 hours and will cover 8-10 m2/l when applied on good wood float floor screeds and 5m2/l on tar surface.
Oil-Based Finishes
Crown Super Gloss Enamel: An extremely hard, durable, smooth, flexible coating that dries to a high gloss finish. Relatively expensive (compared to water-based) and available in a wide range of colours it can be applied by brush, roller or spray. Formulated for both Exterior and Interior use on suitably primed and undercoated wood, metal, plastics, galvanising and to a more limited extent on plasters, cement, concrete, etc. Its main use, however, is on exterior substrates where its weather resistance and durability are called for whilst the use on interior plasters is limited due to the fact that it is not very decorative and tends to highlight unsightly plaster defects and white tends to yellow when used on dark places like cupboards. The spreading rate is up to 15m2/l and for interior use 1 coat is normally applied as a finish but for external use 2 coats are recommended.
Crown Eggshell Enamel: An interior semi-gloss, smooth and hard finish designed for use on properly primed walls in corridors, reception areas, canteens and high traffic areas where exceptional resistance to wear, dirt and steam is necessary because of its good washability, hardness and decorative finish which is more attractive than high gloss finishes on interiors where specula reflection is not normally desired. It can be applied by brush or roller or spray to suitably primed wood, plastics and metal. Eggshell is designed for Interior use only as it will not withstand exterior exposure. Its spreading capacity is up to 15 m2/l and 1 or 2 coats are applied to achieve a good finish.
Crown Schoolboard Paints: Available in black and green only and dries to a matt surface suitable to receive chalk. Highly pigmented, it must be well stirred initially and intermittently during use due to the tendency of the pigment to settle out in the base of the tin. It can be applied by brush or roller and two thin coats should be applied to suitably primed boards as thick coatings tend to produce a more glossy finish which does not receive chalk well. It has a spreading capacity of about 9 -10 m2/litre and the matt finish makes legibility on a school board much easier to read.
Crown GP Matt Finish Black: Available in black only but can also be supplied in Dark Green and White and dries to a matt decorative surface. Highly pigmented, it must be well stirred initially and intermittently during use due to the tendency of the pigment to settle out in the base of the tin. Can be applied by brush or roller and has a spreading capacity of about 9 -10 m2/litre.
Crown Chlorinated Rubber Paint: A hard wearing, chemical resistant, non-toxic, extremely durable and scrubbable finish for use in laboratories, chemical factories, breweries, dairies, food factories and bottling plants, hospitals, clinics, swimming pools, plastered walls, metals, wood etc. Available in a wide colour range and dry in 1-2 hours. Has a spreading capacity of about 6 -11m2/L. It is NOT solvent resistant and so should not be used where there are solvent splashes.
Crown Squash Court Paint: An extremely hardwearing, durable, smooth, oil-based finish specially designed for use on squash courts. The satin finish designed to restrict glare and is suitable for application on all playing surfaces. Unlike the emulsion paints and Chlorinated Rubber paint, which are highly thermo plastic and tend to hold the ball, thereby slowing the game, Squash Court paint conforms to the requirements of the British Squash Rackets Association. It is available in Off-White colour and can be applied by roller, spray or brush.
Crown Economy Oil Based Paints: These are a range of paints introduced to satisfy the demands of the lower end of the market as they are relatively inexpensive and of a reduced quality compared to premium quality products. Their spreading capacities may be similar to the premier range but their opacities are lower which means that extra coats must be applied to achieve the same results. They have similar finishes, drying times, methods of application and uses as premium paints but have a lower degree of durability and lower prices.
Vesta Regal Primers (Red Oxide and Grey Oxide). Economy Vesta Gloss is available in white, black and a limited range of colours. Economy Undercoat is also available.
The quality of surface preparation significantly affects the performance, durability and quality of the job. Coating integrity and service life will be reduced because of improperly prepared surfaces. As high as 80% of all coating failures can be directly attributed to inadequate surface preparation that affects coating adhesion. Even the most expensive and good quality coating system will fail if the surface preparation is incorrect or incomplete.
The first step should always be a thorough examination of the surface to be painted; checking for peeling and faded paint, dirt, chalking, grease, dust, cracking, knots, bare areas, mildew, algae, spider webs, rust, nail stains and structural problems. All surfaces, whether painted or unpainted, must be dry, clean and free from shine prior to finishing.
Good surface preparation is important to successful painting for reasons:
Plaster Contains moisture which if painted over, especially with oil-based paints will cause premature peeling off and at times discolouration. It also contains alkaline salts (caused by efflorescence) which attack oil-based paints, causing discolouration and peeling off (saponification). The third problem with plaster is that it is porous, thus consuming more paint than usual and making the estimation of quantities required difficult. Most plasters also have an uneven surface and this uneven profile will be more highlighted if painted with a high sheen or high gloss coatings.
Metals Producers of metals coat them with a thin oil film to prevent rusting during storage and for easy handling. If this oil film is not removed, it will prevent paint from adhering firmly. Metals also have a smooth surface which is difficult for paint to stick. Rust may also form on metal surfaces during storage and if painted over, it will reduce adhesion and discolour some paints.
Wood Wood is porous and thus takes excessive paint, requiring extra coats to give a good finish. Woods also contain knots from which resin will bleed, discolouring the paint. If not properly dried, the moisture will prevent paint from adhering correctly. Wood is also liable to attack by fungus or insects.
Plastic/Fibreglass have smooth surfaces which are difficult for paint to adhere on. There is also a problem with an oily surface which is difficult for paint to stick. Some plastics may also be attacked by solvents and thus cannot be painted with oil-based paints.
Dirt, Grease, Oil, chalk, grime: Remove these deposits by washing with a detergent using a sponge or brush, rinse thoroughly with clean water and allow to dry.
Mildew, fungus and bacteria: Spotty patches that look like dirt, but do not come off when scrubbed with soapy water, are probably mildew. These can occur on any side of the house but is more likely to grow in shaded areas or behind shrubbery. Can easily be identified from other forms of discolouration by applying a few drops of bleach (Jik or HTH). If present, the black, grey or brown colour will bleach out and disappear within one or two minutes. These must be killed and removed before repainting. If not completely removed, the active spores will continue to grow and may almost immediately begin to reappear on a recently repainted surface. Where these are present, apply a solution of one part household bleach and three parts water, or Crown Fungicidal Wash.
Porous substrates: Seal with suitable sealer; Crown Alkali Resisting Wall Primer, Crown Plus 3 Masonary Primer or Penetrating Primer for plaster or Crown Acrylic Primer Sealer Undercoat for boards and Sanding Sealer for wood. Plaster can also be primed with good quality matt water-based paint if it is to be finished in water-based paint.
Powdery/ chalky walls: Seal with Crown Penetrating Primer.
Rust: Remove with rust remover, sandpaper, wire-brushing or steel wool.
Cracks, splits, dents & open joints: These must be filled with suitable filler like Crown Polyfilla, Gyplast, Wallcare or Sandtex Exterior Filler, allowed to dry and then sanded to a smooth surface before painting.
Glossy surfaces: Always dull surfaces with sandpaper or wire brush.
Loose or peeling paint: Remove as much loose and peeling paint by scraping or wire brush. Sand rough edges with fine sandpaper until they blend with bare surface and apply a sealer or primer before painting.
Nails: Punch in all nail heads. Replace loose nails with slightly larger, galvanized nails. Prime with a corrosion-resistant oil-based primer.
Knots: Treat with knot sealer before painting.
Previously coated surfaces: Maintenance painting will frequently not permit complete removal of all old coatings prior to repainting a particular surface. Any surface preparation short of removal of all old coatings may compromise the service life of the new coating system. Check the compatibility of previously painted surfaces using a test patch with the coating if there is any doubt on re-coatability.
New Aluminium & Galvanised Surfaces: Solvent clean (with White Spirit) or degreaser to remove any oily residue until ‘water-break free’ surface. Prime with an etch primer and then Zinc Phosphate/ Chromate primer
Aged Aluminium: (Exposed to the weather for at least 6 months.) Wipe clean from dirt & prime with Zinc Phosphate/ Chromate primer.
Copper: Clean free of dirt, oxides and foreign matter. Acid etches with hydrochloric acid to remove oxidation. Prime with Zinc Phosphate/ Chromate primer
Brass & Bronze: Remove only loose tarnish, but not all tarnish needs to be removed. Then wash with detergent to get rid of dirt and grease. Rinse well and allow to dry. Prime with etch primer.
Chrome: Roughen up the surface with fine sandpaper or emery cloth. Wash with soapy water, then rinse and allow to dry. Prime with Zinc Phosphate/ Chromate primer
New iron, steel & ferrous metal: Wipe clean with mineral spirits to eliminate any oil or grease. Remove all rust and mill scale. Prime with Zinc Phosphate/ Chromate primer
Previously painted iron, steel & ferrous metal: If the old film is in good sound condition, de-gloss the old surface with light sanding and clean with solvent. If the old film is in poor condition, it should be removed with paint remover. If metal has rusted, that too must be removed with Crown Rust Remover. Prime all bare spots with Zinc Phosphate/ Chromate primer
Stainless/ Mild Steel: Wash to remove grease with a degreaser. Sand lightly to etch the surface. Prime with Zinc Phosphate/ Chromate primer
New unpainted concrete floors: Check for any dampness by placing a rubber mat down and leaving overnight. Upon inspection, if dampness occurs on the underside of the mat, or concrete surface has been darkened by moisture – Do Not Paint. New concrete should be allowed to cure for 30 days prior to painting.
Etch with a solution of one part hydrochloric acid to two parts water before painting. Allow the solution to bubble, then rinse with clean water. Brush while rinsing to remove all loose concrete. Allow drying completely. Additional vacuuming may be required to remove powdery residue left from etching. Concrete can also be prepared for painting by lightly sandblasting.
The first coat of paint should be a 10 -15% thinned-down version of the finish. The topcoat should be used straight out of the can.
Painted concrete or wood flooring: Ensure surface is free from dirt, dust, etc. by sweeping or vacuum cleaning. Remove grease, oil, floor compound and wax by chemical cleaning. Scrape carefully to remove deteriorated coatings. If the remaining coating is glossy or very hard, sand it lightly for good adhesion of subsequent coatings. The surface must be thoroughly dry before coating.
Masonary (Block & Concrete): Allow to dry 30 days under normal drying conditions prior to painting. If efflorescence or cement dust is present on masonry and concrete, it should be removed by etching with a 10% solution of muriatic acid. Flush off the surface with clean water after etching and allow to dry. If etching is not possible to neutralize efflorescence; sand, scrape and wire brush; then coat with +3 Masonary Primer before painting. Surfaces should also be free of all dust, dirt and loose or excess mortar. Porous surfaces should be filled with appropriate filler before painting. No special primer is required if water-based finishes are used. For oil-based finishes, apply an alkali-resistant primer.
Unpainted stucco, brick and stone: This needs no special preparation. However, stucco should be allowed to sit and dry thoroughly before it is painted. If the surface is soft or slightly powdery, first apply one coat of Penetrating Primer then apply two coats of exterior water-based paint.
Ceramic tile and glazed brick: Wash with detergent, then roughen surface with sandpaper. Paint with a 2-pack epoxy paint.
Unpainted exterior wood surfaces: Should be clean and dry. No painting should be done immediately after rains or during foggy weather, or when the temperature is below 10°C. Knots and pitch streaks shall be sanded and spot primed before receiving a full coat of primer. All nail holes or small openings should be filled after the priming. Prime with Crown Wood or Aluminium Wood Primer.
Cedar or Redwood: The main problem with painting these is that they discolour. This is known as tannin bleed. To control bleed, prime with Crown Wood or Aluminium Wood Primer which will afford better stain blocking characteristics. In wood containing an extremely high amount of tannin, two coats of primer may be necessary.
Hardboard: Before finish is applied to the panels, they must be cleaned. Apply Crown Wood Primer or Crown Aluminium Wood Primer, even if hardboard is pre-primed, then finish with the desired topcoat.
Asbestos: If glazed, allow at least two years before painting. If shingles are porous, treat with Penetrating Primer. If shingles are weathered, remove all dirt and dust.
Plaster: Allow to dry thoroughly for at least 30 days before painting. Bare plaster should be dry, cured and hard. Fill any holes and cracks and sand smooth. Paint with water-based paint. If previously coated with a cement-based coating or lime wash, treat first with Penetrating Primer.
Drywall, sheetrock, gypsum board: Prime with Acrylic Primer Sealer Undercoat. Do not use a solvent-based primer since it will raise the fibre of the wallboard.
Acoustical Tile: Clean thoroughly and finish with matt PVA to retain acoustics. Spraying is the best way to paint these surfaces, but brush and roll-on methods may also be used.
Wood panelling: Sand lightly and clean with mineral spirits to remove any wax. Prime with Sanding Sealer for 1K Varnishes or White Wood Primer for painting.
Interior Woodwork: Sand smooth, with the grain -not across it. Surface blemishes shall be corrected. If painting use Crown Wood Primer as primer and Sanding Sealer for 1K Varnish.
Wallpaper: Remove loose paper. Test for bleed by applying water-based paint to a small area to make sure wallpaper is water-fast. If bleed occurs, seal paper with one coat of white shellac reduced with an equal volume of alcohol. Avoid skips when applying shellac. Allow drying one hour before top coating.
Fibreglass: Solvent clean and lightly sand. Apply etch primer. Light surface area may only require an alkyd topcoat.
Glass: Wash and allow to air dry. Apply either an epoxy or alkyd enamel.
Plastic: If flexible, Do not paint. If stiff, wash with detergent and roughen with sandpaper or steel wool. Prime with etch primer.
These are products used to prepare the surfaces prior to painting to eliminate or reduce problems encountered in painting.
Crown Metal Putty & Okay Metal Putty: For glazing /bedding glass into metal or primed wooden frames which will subsequently be painted.
Bondcrete: For use with sand cement renderings as a bonding agent for direct application to the substrate to increase the waterproofing, tensile strength and dustproof properties of internal and external concrete floors and plaster, repairing damaged concrete and for filling cracks in wall surfaces.
Crown Silicone Waterproofing Solution: A transparent solution used as a waterproof barrier to prevent moisture ingress on exterior porous masonry surfaces.
Crown Mordant Solution: A light blue acidic wash which, when applied to newly galvanized surfaces, produces a reaction which aids adhesion of subsequent paint coatings. The surfaces will blacken if the wash is functioning correctly – contaminated areas will not show any change in colour, so indicating a further application is required.
Crown Fungicidal Wash: An aqueous solution of biocide, designed to destroy and sterilize mould and algae on surfaces.
Crown Polyfilla: A powder mixed with water 1:3 to form a thick paste for filling interior minor dents and cracks on plaster or wood. Can be mixed with 10% gloss paint to make ‘Swedish Putty’ for exterior use.
Crown Gyplast: A gypsum based powder, mixed with water 1:3 to provide a white, smooth and matt finish on internal brick, block and concrete.
Crown Wallcare Putty: A water-based, ready mixed thick material for smoothening/ skimming interior and exterior uneven plasterwork, block boards and timber surfaces before paint application.
Crown Paint & Varnish Remover: A corrosive, colourless dense liquid applied by brush or spatula for removing paint from metal and wood.
Crown Rust Remover an acidic colourless liquid for removing rust from metal surfaces before painting.
Crown Thinners other than thinning paint, White Spirit can also be used to wipe off oils and greases from metal and plastic surfaces before priming.
Crown Thinners other than thinning paint, White Spirit can also be used to wipe off oils and greases from metal and plastic surfaces before priming.
What is Paint?
Paint is a coloured or clear, liquid or solid substance which when applied to a surface and exposed to heat, certain chemicals or air converts to a dry, coherent and adherent film offering protection, etc., to the underlying substrate. Paint consists essentially of 3 main ingredients:-
Paint Ingredients
To the 3 main ingredients in the paint may be added many other ingredients in very small quantities (called Additives) to enhance or suppress specific qualities desired of certain paints, e.g., anti-foaming, biocide, thickener, drier, etc.
Paint Classification
It is very difficult to classify or group the wide variety of paints available for decorative use.
It is very difficult to say which of these classifications is best since each one is more useful in one situation or another.
Paint Quality
What makes good quality paint?
Painting is an investment in product, time and labour so it is important to choose high-quality paint with a long-lasting finish. If you take the time to select high-quality paint when you begin, you will reap the benefits for many years to come. All paint companies make different grades of paints to meet different application and performance requirements.
High-quality paints provide complete coverage with fewer coats on any surface. Having high durability, they can withstand more wear and tear, scrubbing and washing than lower-quality paints saving you time in labour and money in the product. Other paint grades with names like Professional, Architectural or General Purpose grade will work but won’t do as good a job as true premium quality paint.
High-quality paints are made with more and better ingredients than lower-quality paints making them easier to apply, look better and last longer. Quality paints contain both the best pigments and binders, but in addition, they contain more of these ‘solids’ than lower quality paints, and it’s the solids that remain behind after the paint has dried. Economy paints provide hiding by using less pigment then extending it with fillers that may have good hiding capability initially but lose their hiding capabilities and colour over time – particularly when exposed to weather.
Almost all high-quality paints offer one or more unique features such as extended durability, low/zero VOCs, washability, ultra-smooth finish, one-coat hide, superior touchup, mar-resistance and low odour.
Some myths about paint quality
Oil based paints are better than water-based paints because they are more washable. NOT NECESSARILY.
Today is a time of change in the paint industry. With environmental issues coming to the fore, paint manufacturers are busy formulating new products that cut down on VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which may have adverse health effects. We now have water-based products that can match and even out-perform the ‘traditional’ durable oil-based coatings. Besides obvious advantages of water-based paints like low VOCs, easy cleanup with water, quick-drying, alkali resistance and stable non-yellowing colour over time, some products which were previously not very washable can now be formulated to be washable e.g., Vinyl Matt Emulsion and water-based products are finding more use on metals. Oil-based paints have advantages of an attractive highly washable gloss, good levelling (brush strokes fill themselves in to create a smooth finish) and a hard, durable finish. But these are far outweighed by the advantages of water-based paints and they have two major disadvantages of yellowing when used in dark areas like cupboards and they are prone to alkali attack when used directly on plaster and concrete.
Is thick paint necessarily better than a thin one?
NO. A fat guy is not necessarily healthier than a thin one! Paint may be made thick by just adding thickener with no addition of resin or pigment. Furthermore, when you dilute thick paint you gain on covering a larger area but you lose on opacity (hence need more coats) and lose on durability because you now have less resin per litre to provide protection.
Is an expensive paint necessarily better than a cheaper one? YES.
If you are comparing paint from a single manufacturer, price and name are usually good indicators. Manufacturers need to charge more for their premium quality paint since it contains more of more costly ingredients. Price is a good indicator of quality since, a manufacturer isn’t going to charge more for a lesser quality paint (or label it as a premium paint when it’s not), since their name is on the product. Be careful when comparing products from different companies as some companies will charge more for the same quality as others simply because they are known to be market leaders!
Is there any benefit of using good quality paint? DEFINATELY.
Premium quality paint saves you time and money. If you only need to paint your house once every five years instead of every second year, you can see that paying even twice as much for quality paint, in the long run, will be less expensive in terms of labour costs, time, money and effort. Paint prices go up every year, labour charges also increase, using a good quality paint may also mean fewer coats and less labour costs if labour is charged per coat and also reduced hustles of having to move furniture or vacating your home for some days every two years instead of once every 5 years.
Protection: All man-made structures consist of materials which will either erode or corrode if left exposed to the elements of wind, rain, sun, etc. Painting these materials protects them, gives them a longer life-span and makes them more economical to use.
Decoration: Nature provides a vast array of natural colour in the form of trees, grass, flowers, etc. which we take for granted in our exterior environment. Man-made building materials tend to be grey and dull and we therefore paint them to enhance our environment, make them distinct or different and increase their value.
Sanitation: Areas in the home such as kitchens and bathrooms require being more stringently clean than others as these areas are more susceptible to the spread of disease or germs. Painting these areas with smooth, easily washable paints is often the most practical solution.
Identification/ Information: A less obvious reason for painting is that of identification. By colour coding various items we can thus identify them more easily and may also use them as safety features as in “safety doors” in hotels, factories, etc. Roads are also painted to convey certain information.
Modify properties: Some articles characteristics may be altered by merely changing the colour or introducing some special effect by painting. Fuel storage tanks and fuel tankers are invariably painted silver or white to reflect heat, military aircraft and vehicles are camouflaged by painting etc
Painting may involve one or more of the above reasons and each job must be judged on its own criteria if total success is to be achieved by the painting process. When selecting paints for a certain job, always start with the primary objective of painting.
After a huge success in April, DIVAlicious was back again this past weekend. October 10th.
This prestigious festive fashion & lifestyle exhibition is an established brand from Dubai. They represent the creme de la creme in exhibitors for apparel, accessories, gifting solutions, home decor & more by getting brands across the globe.
For their second season in Kenya, DIVAlicious had a special line-up of renowned Fashion Week Designers for Nairobi shoppers!!
Check out more pics on our Facebook page, feel free to tag a friend.
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Leading paint manufacturer, Crown Paints Kenya Limited has unveiled its fifth high-end showroom in Nairobi’s Karen area after opening another one in March last year in Lavington.
The latest facility, located at Africa Reit house next to Karen Hub, will showcase the latest brands in the market ranging from decorative, automotive and protective paints, as well as interior and exterior finishes, coatings and flooring product. These finishes and textures include Elephant Skin, Ruff n’ Tuff, Metallica, Armourcoat, Crown variation and Glass Plaster.
While unveiling the showroom, Crown Paints CEO Rakesh Rao said the new outfit is meant to tap into the robust construction sector in Nairobi’s upmarket. He said with the coming up of new houses each day the market is changing very fast with more people embracing texture and stone finishes of houses.
“We want to work with professionals in the construction industry who have been asking for higher quality paint and finishes and this is part of the solution we intend to achieve”, Rao added.
Setting up of another facility in Nairobi is seen as part of the company’s strategy to hold a tight grip of the market particularly the city’s rapid growth.
“Our plan is to work with architects, builders, constructors and homeowners in all aspects of designing home and residential spaces to reflect their style and come up with solutions that improve the look of their buildings,” he added.
Rao said the showroom will enhance the customer experience as they will be able to tour the room while ‘splashing’ different paints on ‘furniture’, ‘floors’ and ‘walls’ to make an informed choice on a good buy.
Currently over 80 per cent of paints sold by Crown Paints in the region is water-based paints with high quality acrylic emulsions that offers excellent durability, quick drying time, and fewer odours emissions.
The firm has so far opened showrooms and depots in Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa, Kisumu, Dar es salaam, Mwanza, Arusha, Kigali and Meru as part of market expansion.
