Painting is one of the most common finishes in construction or renovation.
To avoid disappointment, it is important to choose the right paint. Acrylic paint for facade works successfully competes with other compositions in the market of finishing materials.
Let’s find out what is the reason for the popularity of this paint, and how to use it correctly.
Composition
When dry, the coating is a thin but strong plastic film. Organic-based compositions are usually used for finishing facades, as they dry faster and are well applied both in sub-zero temperatures (down to -20°C / -4°F) and in hot weather (up to +30°C / 86°F).
On a warm, quiet day, you can also paint the exterior of the house with a water-soluble product.
Acrylic facade paint has in its composition:
- tiny polymer particles;
- binder (water or organic solvent);
- pigments, responsible for color formation;
- fillers, which give the coating specific properties (moisture resistance, defoaming, antiseptic effect, and others).
Acrylic-based formulations are usually available in a wide range of colors, but if desired, you can buy white paint and tint it by individual order or by yourself by adding a liquid pigment.
Properties
Technological characteristics of polyacrylic facade paint are superior to compositions based on oil or alkyd basis. Especially in demand water-dispersion compositions because of the complete absence of a pungent “chemical” smell and high environmental friendliness.
The general properties of acrylic coatings are as follows:
- color stability even under the influence of ultraviolet rays;
- film elasticity after drying (the surface will not be covered with cracks, the paint will not fall off despite temperature fluctuations)
- water vapor permeability (painted walls can “breathe”);
- moisture resistance;
- fire safety;
- the high degree of adhesion to the substrate;
- resistance to mechanical damage;
- good hiding power (to get an even tone coating it is enough to apply two layers of the material);
- possibility of finishing surfaces of different materials (wood, brick, concrete, plaster, metal, etc.);
- ease of use, and affordable price.
In addition to the obvious advantages, there are some features. For example, to give a mirror shine to the painted product, you will have to cover it with transparent varnish and polish. Acrylic paint for exterior works gives a matte effect with a slight gloss.
Also, when working with this material it is necessary to wait until the fresh layer is completely dry before applying the next one, otherwise, the coating will turn out with visual and mechanical defects.
Interesting: when artistically painting walls, it is facade plaster paint for exterior work that is used. Thanks to the high technical characteristics of the material, the images are very durable, and the rich palette allows you to create paintings of any complexity.
Important: When buying acrylic whitewash, pay attention to the degree of whiteness of the solution. The whitest are considered to be the best. The quality of the white pigment determines the brightness and purity of the shade during tinting and after the material dries. The milky color of the base compound does not speak in favor of the product.
When ordering tinting whitewash or creating an original shade yourself, it is worth taking care of a small reserve, so as not to get into a predicament if the paint is not enough, because it is almost impossible to reproduce exactly the same color at home, and a second visit to the construction store will take time.
In general, how to tint acrylic paint, you can read in a special article.
Acrylic paint for different surfaces
Acrylic paint is considered universal, as it is used in work on different materials, but this does not mean that the application technology is the same in all cases. The choice of a particular composition is also important.
Woodwork
To finish the facades of wooden houses, painting gazebos, bathhouses, fences, and benches, you should buy paint, which has in its composition the following components:
- antiseptics (will protect the surface from mold and insect pests);
- flame retardants (substances that prevent combustion, will help to buy time and save the building in case of fire).
Wooden surfaces need to be prepared before painting. The process is divided into several stages.
- Cleaning from any kind of contamination. Dust, mold, and old coating are removed. If the walls are already painted with acrylic paint, and it is holding up well (no bloating, no flaking), then you can not scrub off the old layer, and do the washing off the dirt. This is usually done when doing cosmetic repairs to refresh or change the color of the building.
- The wooden surface is dried and putty. It is important to mend all the potholes and cracks with a construction paste.
- A special wood primer is applied. It is great if it will contain antiseptic, it will strengthen the protective properties of the paint material. Joints are processed sealant.
Thus the walls are prepared for painting. If the work is done with a brush, it is necessary to drive it in the direction of the fibers, and each dry layer – to grind. This condition is mandatory when you want to get a very smooth finish. Finally, the last coat is applied.
When painting large surfaces, you can simplify the task and do it without sanding. If all the rules are observed, the coating will have a presentable appearance and will last a long time.
Working on metal
Despite its strength, this material has its weak point – it is susceptible to corrosion. Unless the roof of the house is covered with gilding or other non-ferrous metal, and the gate is not cast in silver, it is better to protect the structure from the devastating effects of moisture.
So:
- Metal surfaces with traces of rust must be treated with a stiff metal brush or use a special rinse to remove the corroded layer.
- The clean and dried surface is processed with metal filler (if there are imperfections in the form of deep scratches or dents) and primed with a composition with an anti-corrosion effect.
- Now you can apply acrylic paint for exterior works. The cured film prevents moisture access to the metal and provides reliable protection against destruction.
Important: The coating is resistant to high temperatures (up to 120 ° C / 248 ° F ), so painting your metal roof with acrylic paint is an excellent solution. It is better to choose the lightest shade, so that in the summer in the house was not too hot.
Brickwork
Brickwork is in fashion, so often houses are not plastered on the outside, but painted with acrylic paint. This is a good way to keep the walls from deteriorating under the influence of temperature and humidity, as well – to give the structure an elegant and well-groomed look. Without preparation can not do it.
- The brick facade is cleaned from dirt, efflorescence and oil stains, dry.
- Remove traces of destruction with starter putty.
- Priming the surface twice, since brick is characterized by high absorption properties. It is good if the primer contains not only antiseptic substances, but also sealant.
For brick facades, paint consumption increases by about twice as much compared to smooth surfaces, and you have to work with a paint gun or flat paint brushes of different widths if you care not only about the aesthetic component. High-quality paint on the wall roller is not possible, the protective properties of coatings applied in this way leave much to be desired.
Working on plaster and concrete
Fresh, clean, well-dried plaster will not cause much trouble. It is enough to prim the surface, let the composition dry, and you can apply acrylic paint for facades. If the wall is not perfect, the actions before painting are standard: cleaning, puttying, sanding, and priming. Similarly for concrete walls.
Tools for working with acrylic paint
Acrylic facade paints are easy to apply to any smooth surface with the tools available and easy to handle:
- paintbrush,
- paint brush, paint roller,
- paint sprayer.
In the first two cases, you will also need a tray, where the composition is better poured in small portions. Material consumption when working with a brush will be the maximum. It is faster and more convenient to work with a roller.
A paint sprayer will allow you to apply the composition in a thin, even layer and save money if finishing work in windless weather.
When the work is finished, all tools can be washed from the dye under running water.
Important: Before using, the paint solution must be thoroughly mixed with a construction mixer or drill with a special attachment, so that the composition has acquired a homogeneous consistency, and the pigment is evenly distributed. Otherwise, the surface will have to be repainted.
Material Consumption
On average this figure ranges between 300 g and 400 g of the product per 1 sq. m. if we are talking about a more or less smooth and even surface. The greater the number of irregularities, the higher will be the consumption. A striking example is working on textured plaster or brickwork.
Porous material (concrete, brick) absorbs huge amounts of moisture. To reduce consumption, the primer mixture is actively used, and it is applied in 2-3 layers. It is better to choose a solution of the same brand as the acrylic paint. Primer consumption is from 100 to 200 g per 1 sq. m.
For your information
An important condition for painting with acrylic paint: the facade must be as dry as possible! Do not start working on a sunny morning in a succession of rainy days, the coating will not hold!
Store the water-based composition is acceptable only at plus temperature. After freezing, only materials with organic solvent in their composition remain suitable for use.
Surface drying time of 7 hours to 24 hours.
The service life of the coating is more than 10 years.
