Q My tinted paint colours look different to the colour chart. We didn't use Dulux good quality base but the man in the paint store said he could match the colour with a cheaper paint.
A Paint manufacturers control the strength of their tints during manufacture, to special company standards. They all have their own standards, so only the same brand tints will be guaranteed to achieve an accurate colour. In addition, the base must also be the same. Tinting colours into an inferior base is generally unsatisfactory. Cheaper paints usually have less titanium dioxide which affects both the colour and the covering power.

Q I've been offered some undercoat, but it's not the same as the top coat brand. Does it matter?
A Yes. You should always use one brand of paint from the primer up. Manufacturers make their paints to work together, they have no control over the products of other manufacturers, so mixing brands will void any warranties.

Q How long should house paint last?
A Two coats of high quality paint, applied to a properly prepared surface will last for years. The higher the quality and the better the preparation, the longer it will last. Check the label for full details.

Q Should I select an exterior house paint that has a gloss, low sheen or flat finish?
A It's up to you. Gloss finishes are smoother and easier to wash. Flat finishes minimise the appearance of surface irregularities. Most people prefer a flat or low sheen finish for the body of the house and a gloss finish on the trim. Most weatherboard surfaces are painted in a gloss finish.

Q Is one heavy coat as good as two thinner coats?
A No. When the paint is applied too heavily it may not dry properly and perform at its best. A second coat also covers any thinner, or missed areas in the first coat.

Q Must acrylic paint only be put over acrylic paint and oil based paints only over other oil based paints?
A No. Each can be applied over the other if thorough drying is allowed, but there is one important exception. Exterior oil based paints do not perform well over the softer, more elastic acrylic coatings. The reason is that the acrylic layer is very flexible and will expand and contract with the surface of the house. The oil based paint on top is more brittle and the movement underneath will cause it to crack and split.

Q My white enamel woodwork looks creamier than it should.
A All oil based paints share the problem of yellowing. It's caused during the drying process and is particularly prevalent where enamels are drying in the dark, in high temperatures or where there is poor air circulation near where water based paints are drying and giving off ammonia. Ideally, you should allow water based paints to dry for two days before applying an enamel in the same room. The only way to be sure that your work won't yellow is to use a water based paint.

Q What are the differences between water based and oil based paints? A Oil based paints are traditional paints that have been available for many years. Water based paints are the paints of the future and offer many advantages.

The main differences are summarised in the table below:

Water Based Paints

• Clean up in water
  
• Thinned with water
  
• Little smell, if any
  
• Can be touch dry in 20 minutes
  
• Can be applied to a damp surface
  
• Generally not suitable for wearing surfaces subject to closing
  
• Generally more flexible
  
• Retain gloss levels for a long time
  
• Retain colour for a long time
  
• Not always suitable for humid areas
• Non-yellowing

• Clean up in turps
  
• Thinned with turps
  
• Strong smelling
  
• Usually touch dry in 6 hours
  
• Needs perfectly dry surfaces
  
• Suitable for surfaces which are subject to closing eg window frames
  
• Generally less flexible
  
• Do not retain gloss levels as well
  
• Do not retain colour as well
  
• Better durability in humid areas
  
• Tend to yellow in time