CONSIDERATIONS FOR PAINTING EXTERIOR PVC & TRIMS

 

It is beneficial to paint exterior trim and other PVC items in order to:

  1. Ensure you achieve the colour of choice

  2. Vary the degree of sheen or gloss

  3. Help obtain a smooth and professional finish over joints and nailing

To ensure adhesion of the paint, and an even finish:

  1. Clean any mildew or fungus away by mixing 3 parts water with 1 part bleach. Proper protection should be worn, i.e. safety goggles whilst cleaning the mildew away. Leave mixture on for 20min, then rinse thoroughly.

  2. Using a soft bristle brush and detergent scrub off any dirt or residue. Rinse thoroughly.

  3. Using fine sandpaper, lightly sand any PVC areas that are glossy. Wipe away the dust with a damp cloth.

  4. Test adhesion – It Is recommended to apply primer to a discreet section of the PVC and allow 7 days curing time before testing the bond with a cross hatch scratch test. You can try a scratch test as early as overnight; if the primer is already adhering then there is no need to wait the full 7 days to continue priming. If the primer does not adhere to the PVC, you should wait for full cure and test again. Re-do steps 1-3 if cross hatch test fails.

Apply the following:

A. Primer: use a quality primer, we recommend using Axolotl Primer under all Axolotl Paints.

B. Paint: choose a high quality exterior paint such as Axolotl Chroma in flat, low sheen, satin or gloss finish.

TIP: Flat paints work well to hide any unevenness or imperfections in the surface. Satin and gloss finishes will highlight trims, and make them stand out visually.

NOTE: As paints weather and cure, acrylic primers and paint will vary in adhesion, hardness and toughness. Full cure should be achieved from 1-2 weeks of application dependent on thickness of coats and weather conditions. Care should be taken prior to this to avoid marking the painted surface.

The information above is provided to assist our clients and is based on our experience in the paint industry. For further information, technical assistance or pricing please contact the Axolotl Paint sales team.

The information above is provided to assist our clients and is based on our experience in the paint industry. For further information, technical assistance or pricing please contact the Axolotl Paint sales team.