RESEARCH ON THE DURABILITY OF PAINTWORK

Putaruru Press, Volume XXVII, Issue 1373, 27 April 1950, Page 3

RESEARCH ON THE DURABILITY OF PAINTWORK

SCIENTISTS AT WORK Wide Variety of Paints Tested The maintaining of a good paint coating on a wooden house is probably the costliest single item in periodical expenditure by the houseowner on his dwelling. For years scientists have carried out research in order to obtain greater durability in paint. One of the most important programmes of research carried out by the paint section of the Dominion laboratory, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, is on paint for exterior woodwork. Laboratory analytical work and accelerated weathering tests have provided much information that has been of considerable economical value, and tests under natural. weather conditions, although not complet-ed, have already shown many ways in which the durability of the paint may be increased. In these tests a wide variety of paints is used, different priming paints and many knotsealing compositions are tested with the various paints. Varying forms of application are also made with the primers and sealers. Some formulae evolved by Dominion Laboratory research workers are undergoing long-term tests. Several of these are giving indications of long durability, but as the controlled exposure tests of these were started only three years ago final conclusions cannot yet be drawn. Those that have so far shown good results are an aluminium priming paint, a priming paint and a knot-sealer combined, and a paint in which mica is used as a pigment. The mica-pigmented paint is of especial interest because it also seems to repel the accumulation of dirt on its surfac, and this despite the fact that it has a slightly rough surface. Other tests are being made with this paint in co-oper-ation with the Railways Department; crossing-boards and other painted notices that are subject to considerable dirt contamination and are frequently washed are being used for test pieces for this paint.