Dulux Paints Suitable for Exteriors?

[Eremos]

Hi All,

Does anyone know of ant Dulux paints that are suitable (i.e. breathable / microporous) for exterior painting?

I've come across a paint called 'Dulux Trade Weathershield All Seasons Masonry' but am having trouble getting past their marketing speak.

Does anyone have any experiences of dealing with breathable paints and roughcast 1920 / 30s exteriors?

Thanks in advance!

 

[nickc]

Don't know if this helps but my local trade decorating centre recommended Johnson's or Leyland Stormshield exterior paint which the manager assured me was microporous. It on offer this week at Leyland paint centres.

Does anyone know if this means it is truly "breathable" in a similar manner to limewash? Most of my infill panels have had some sort of impermeable weathershield paint applied over the previous limewash in the past. Stripping it off is not really an option given the size of the house, but I don't want to add yet more layers of non-breathing paint to trap the moisture in.

 

[MdB]

It has been rumoured here that the "microporus" modern paints have very poor breathability compared to limewash but I'm not sure anyone really knows.

 

[Mark]

No.


They all make claims but microporous is not breathable in an old building sense.

1930's roughcast may well not be breathable anyway. very likely to be a concrete based material.

 

[Gervase]

Mark's right - it's highly improbable that roughcast/pebbledash/harling would have been done in the Thirties without cement, so a breathable paint is not a major issue.
On a general note, though, it's my understanding that microporous paints in general are not 'breathable' in the accepted sense, and that Dulux/Crown (now that both companies are owned by the same parent) do not make any suitable paints for period properties. Period.

 

[nickc]

Interesting to hear that "microporous" is not as porous as it might seem.

So, what period paint is best to cover previously applied modern paints where removal is not a realistic option?

 

[MdB]

I would assume that if you have a cement render with modern paint on top, then you might as well continue to use modern paints if you want as you won't be making things much worse. Could be wrong though.

 

[Mark]

yep. In effect you have a non-breathing surface so it doesnt matter what else you put on the damage to the breathability is done.

If you have a timber frame building I would say check things out as a matter of urgency. esp the timber.

 

[nickc]

Timbers are generally in good condition although coated in nasty black stuff - a mixture of Victorian tar and modern black paint. would love to strip it off to a nice natural oak colour with limewash but tried a small section and it's clear the job would be enormous.

Main problem with all this rain is water finding its way on through the gaps between infill panels and the timbers and staining interior decoration. Gradually trying to fill the worst gaps with a lime mix. But want to paint over these repairs in something breatheable without having to re-paint the whole house. Hence the dilemma of what paint to use on the new lime patch repairs next to large sections painted in modern paint.