External Woodwork Paint Recommendations

[mm289]

We are finally getting round to fitting our custom made (read expensive!) slimline DG wood casements. They look great but need a couple of coats of paint to finish.

The carpenter has finished them in 2 coats of water based undercoat/primer so I am looking for a water based topcoat that has a matt or satin finish.

Looking at the usual suspects I can only find Ronseal and Sikkens in a satin water based exterior wood paint, so just wondered if anyone had any experience of these or recommendations on others.

Frames are made from Accoya so very robust but want them to stay that way

Cheers,

MM

 

[mardinor]

Jotun Demidekk Fonster. Claims 7 year life. Mine has been on 2 years only but looking good so far. (I'm encouraged though because their Butinox paint has lasted 5 years slapped onto a south facing shed with no prep and is black! Only just starting to show wear in places and isn't flaking).

 

[MikeG]

Bedec Multi-Surface Paint (MSP). It's wonderful stuff. I wouldn't expect to be repainting for a decade.

 

[Me!]

Jotun Demidekk Fonster. Claims 7 year life.

I think I was told that the official expected life for Jotun Demidekk Fonster is 12 years.
However, more important than the official figure is the fact that 15 years seems to be realistically expected and achieved by people using it in Sweden.

 

[MikeG]

Jotun Demidekk Fonster. Claims 7 year life.

I think I was told that the official expected life for Jotun Demidekk Fonster is 12 years.
However, more important than the official figure is the fact that 15 years seems to be realistically expected and achieved by people using it in Sweden.

This is certainly the minimum you would expect from a factory applied finish of modern breathable elastic microporous water-based paint. Site-applied paint has too many variables to be certain of the same durability.

 

[TheRoost]

Are you sure you want a water based finish?

On my modernish window repairs I've been using Sadolin superdec satin, which is water based but quite oily, it dries quickly but its very matt and like most water based paints its difficult to get a nice smooth finish without brushmarks, Im not sure I'd want to use it on nice new windows.

On my original fascia boards I recently used Sikkens oil based satin, it gave a superb flat finish and I think they recommend 8 year maintenance cycle. Would depend on compatibility with your primer though.

 

[TheRoost]

Double post.

 

[malcolm]

I am a big fan of linseed paint. There are many downsides, mostly to do with drying time and the need to apply it in the summer, also the lack of shiny gloss, but the advantage to me is it doesn't crack when it ages so there is no need to strip everything back to wood when it needs to be repainted (unlike the big window I painted in modern stuff 3 years ago). I don't see how waterbased modern stuff won't crack after a while.

 

[Feltwell]

Bedec Multi-Surface Paint (MSP). It's wonderful stuff. I wouldn't expect to be repainting for a decade.

I'm giving it a go - thanks to positive reviews both here & elsewhere - I have to say it goes on very well, and dries quickly. My scepticism over a "does everything" product has been allayed, so far at least.

The brush you use makes a big difference to the finish quality with water based paints. A top quality synthetic brush with soft bristles is a must I think.

As to durability - I'll try to remember to post an update in 2027 :wink:

 

[MikeG]

Ooooooh......I hope you're following Bedec's instructions. Are you doing this painting indoors? Because this time of the year isn't great for using water-based paints outdoors.

 

[Feltwell]

Ohh yes - I'm making it all happen indoors.

It's a bay window. Sashes are removed and being painted inside, window is boarded over on the outside so I can paint the inner part of the sash box in a temporary "inside".

I'm very popular with Mrs F, there's currently a 4' square sash on the dining table being painted :lol:

It's much more than just painting, it's full on restoration, lots of woodwork involved.

When the weather picks up I'll do the outside bits. Bedec gave me dire warnings not to paint below 8 degrees, so I'm not even painting bits in the garage. Mind you the temperature is getting very close, 7 degrees today.