The type of surface and condition determine the best paint or coating option.
The key to ensuring an effective match between paint and substrate is understanding label and material safety data sheet (MSDS) information, which is available from the vendor. The paint must protect the substrate while meeting a facility's need for proper air quality and sustainability. Products with high pigment percentages are more costly but offer greater surface protection and better hiding qualities.
Managers might have other objectives, though. For example, with the emphasis on energy efficiency, the goal might be to use paint with a ceramic additive, which provides insulation by adding an invisible, radiant-heat-reflecting barrier. For a high-visibility reception area, managers might need to specify a surfactant to reduce surface tension and smooth out brush marks.
New VOC-free rheology modifier additives are formulated to improve pigment dispersal, provide good leveling, and resist sagging. They also prevent misting and paint scatter during application.
Biocides — preservatives and fungicides — are additives to latex paints used for exterior or high-moisture interior applications. Manufacturers add defoamers to prevent air entrapment so the surface is free of pinholes. They also are developing multi-tasking additives, such as defoaming-coalescing agents.
Matching the texture of the surface to be painted requires using the same application method — brush, spray or roller — as used originally. Another technique is using clear spray-on sand or orange-peel coating before applying the final coat.
Green Seal's website lists 70 paints that meet the qualifications for green building materials. Managers also can check applicable local and state codes, which are different in California — and even in different parts of the state — than in other states and areas and might exceed EPA standards.
Thomas A. Westerkamp is a maintenance and engineering management consultant and president of the work management division of Westerkamp Group LLC.
Paints & Coatings: Low-VOC Formulations Meet EPA Standards
Paints: How to Match Formulation with Substrate
Paints and Coatings: Understanding Labels and Material Safety Data Sheets
