New timber and weatherboards

Note: Refer to the PDF flowchart for a visual of the steps below:

1. Wash thoroughly to remove any dirt, contaminants etc. Rinse thoroughly

2. Options...

   • Primed with Resene True-Prime Primer
     1. Proceed to step 3
         
   • Unpainted
     1. Prime using Resene Quick Dry Primer, proceed to step 3
         
   • Pre-primed with Holding or Transport Primer
     
     1. Sand throughly using 100-120 grit zinc sterate sandpaper refer notes
     2. Prime using Resene Wood Primer, proceed to step 3

3. Fill any holes and gaps, lightly sand filled areas with 220 grit sandpaper and reprime with Resene Quick Dry Primer

4. Topcoat options...

   • 2-3 coats of Resene Hi-Glo waterborne gloss
   • 2-3 coats of Resene Sonyx 101 waterborne semi-gloss

Also consider using: Mouldefender and CoolColour

Notes:

• With the notable exception of Resene True-Prime the manufacturers of the primers used to pre-prime timber in NZ and Australia require that the timber is sanded and primed with an oil based primer – such as Resene Wood Primer. These pre-primers are thin, holding primers and only designed to provide temporary protection during the building process. They should not be considered part of the coating system.

• Unfortunately most are so poorly bound together that unless the primer is sanded off completely an oil based primer (as opposed to waterborne primer like Resene Quick Dry) will be needed to help stabilise the preprimer and ensure a good base for future topcoats. Most paint failures on new exterior timber are due to the poor quality of these primers.

• As noted the exception is Resene True-Prime which was developed specifically to overcome the issue identified above. It is blue in colour but unfortunately this has been copied, so the only true indicator is if the required identification sticker has been left on site.

• There will always be dirt and other contaminants on timber surfaces and these must be removed before painting can commence. A thorough wash ideally with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash is recommended.

• It is always best to prime any holes or cracks before filling – large filled areas may need re-priming especially if Resene Sonyx 101 or Resene Hi-Glo is used.

• Bargeboards inevitably have more issues than weatherboards and often deteriorate quicker due to higher U.V. exposure and differing timber qualities. To help overcome this recommend a third topcoat. Three coats are also much better over sharp edges.

• We recommend either Resene Hi-Glo or Resene Sonyx 101. Apart from the gloss level there is no difference in long term performance between the two – although as a rule lower gloss paints are easier to apply so Resene Sonyx 101 has a slight application advantage. As a trend sales of Resene Sonyx 101 for use on weatherboards and exterior timber have increased substantially over the past five years.

Key accessories

• Resene Paint Prep and Housewash
• A good quality brush is recommended
  • 75-83mm Legend brush for men
  • 63-75mm Legend brush for women
• Contract filler for any cracks or nail holes
• 120 grit zinc sterate sandpapers for preparing transport primers and 180 grit for sanding fillers etc.
• Paint pot to decant into if using 10 litre pails

Add ons

• Drop sheets
• Resene Hot Weather Additive for hot dry conditions
• Sunscreen
• Sanding blocks
• Painter’s gloves (good for sanding and painting)
• Turps for Resene Wood Primer
• Resene MoulDefender

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