The Best Exterior Paint

Which paint is the best for outside painting? You can not go wrong it you choose a a premium quality paint from one of the main manufacturer like:

• BRISTOL - Weathertough;
• DULUX – Weathershield;
• TAUBMANs - All Weather;
• BERGER - Solarscreen;
• BRITISH PAINTS - 4 Seasons;

All these paints are very-very similar and I do not think any brand stand up in quality. They are of a premium range quality, self-priming, have very similar coverage, performance & features (like durability & UV protection). They all have 10 years manufacturers’ warrantee. They also were on Australian market for many years and are fully tested in Australian conditions. So really - just choose the best priced premium qiality paint.

Which Paint Brand is the Best

I'm a big fun of paint from the main manufacturers (eg. Bristol, Dulux, Taubmans, Berger, British Paints) in a premium quality range!

I do not believe that any particular paint brand stands up significantly in quality, even if they have a different pricing and amount of TV commercials :))). Paints of the same quality range are actually very-very similar. They all are consistent, with a good coverage and long term performance. They are widely available as many shops stock them.

I try to avoid “Designer”, “Boutique” and "Hand-Made" type of paints unless the client specifically requests them. I found these often require more coats, may differ from drum to drum in colour and texture. I've seen some paints changing colour or texture significantly in a short period of time. Also they usually are much more expensive.

But it is true that some designer brands have some unique finishes that can't be reproduced by any major paint manufacturer.

Project of a Month - JANUARY 1

THEN - Sugar Mill, [built 1842] at Canterbury, ca 1895

(Photo from City of Canterbury Library) AND NOW Here’s a bit of history. Built in 1842 Sugar Mill is the oldest industrial building in NSW! This original sandstone mill on a Cook River was converted to apartments about a decade ago. We were asked to repaint it.

Getting access was the challenge! The rear yard is surrounded by retaining walls and stairs. To get here 8.8tones and 22m tall boom-lift we had to think creative. We booked a huge 9tones crane to carry boom lift over the fence and the retaining wall into the yard!

And then there was a lawn... We were told us not to worry about. Residents expected it to be ripped by a boom lift and planned to replant it after painting is done. But we built a board track under boom lift wheels to protect the lawn. It’s was harder then it looked. 8.8tone boom-lift was easily smashing even thickest boards. But we are very proud that glass and paving was left undamaged!

Project of a Month - DECEMBER 1

This Vaucluse house was one of the largest wallpaper removal jobs we did! Huge 3 stories, 4 living areas, 7 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms (or 5… I lost count really!), even a garage (!!!) were wallpapered!

But all wallpaper is gone now. The house is painted in gorgeous off-white and ready for the new owners to move in!

Which Paint has the Best Quality?

I’m often asked how to tell which paint is good. It’s actually much easier then it seems. All main manufacturers produce paints in 3 main quality categories:

• Premium Range;
• Medium (or trader's) Range;
• Low Quality Range (different brands use different pretty names for this range);

Different brand paints of the same quality range are actually very similar. I do not see any particular brand standing up significantly from the competition (do not believe everything you see in TV commercials).

Premium range paints are highest in quality, give the best performance and coverage, and usually have 10 years manufacturer’s warrantee. They cost extra, but provide saving in a long term, as they last longer.

Ol’ Painting uses only premium quality paints. Right now I mostly work with Bristol and Taubmans - simply because their premium qiality paints are priced almost 20% lower then other brands. I just pass this saving to my clients.

See this article on how to choose paint for your DIY project.

Project of a Month - DECEMBER 2

We were called to spray paint aluminium windows of the 27th floor office on Castlereagh St at Sydney CBD. Those full height windows are very dramatic! Anyone who is afraid of heights couldn’t go further then middle of the office. We had a good laugh truing to convince our manager to get to the window. It did not work well. :)))

This office looks exactly like the one from the first Matrix movie! You know the episode when Morpheus was caught and tortured by agents? I wonder if this is the same room. Or may be they were on a lower level. Have to watch the movie tonight to check it!

Project of a Month - NOVEMBER 1

In last 2 weeks Ol’ Painting painted inside and outside one of the houses in the complex built around Anglican Church Sydney Diocese‎ on Balmain’s Darling Street.

I absolutely fall in love with this place! It’s a modern development. But it feels like you are in monastery! It is so peaceful - the job was almost a meditation.