Pro painters are experts in substrate, process and product, but they’re not the only ones committed to delivering a lasting and beautiful paint job. There’s another group just as committed to product performance, and it’s the paint chemists creating the product in the can.
The chemist’s job requires spending countless hours formulating and testing paint products in a combination of scenarios. Chemists work tirelessly to arm you with the right products and information that ultimately lead to a paint job that gets referrals and return business.
So, what do years of diligent work in the lab teach? And what can pro painters learn from chemists? Hint: A lot!
Research Fellow and Formulator Hai Nguyen has been innovating at Behr Paint Company for 17 years. Much of his time is spent researching raw materials and developing products. But when he isn’t in the lab, he’s working directly with pro painters onsite to tackle challenges and provide solutions. Nguyen shared some advice that can help contractors choose the right products, avoid coating failures and become an important resource for customers.
Hai Nguyen
Know what you are buying and why. Varying substrates and conditions require specific coating solutions for the best results.
While many products are versatile and can be used on a range of surfaces, they may not always be the best choice for every application.”
As a pro, you need a deep bench of products and a strong understanding of where those products perform best so you can educate your customer and avoid coating failures.
Glossy surfaces need to be sanded, even when using a bonding primer. Painting or repainting a glossy surface is one of the more advanced jobs painters are tasked with. It’s the project most often botched by homeowners, and proper prep and product choice are crucial to success.
While bonding primers are designed to bond to tough-to-paint surfaces, sanding creates a rougher surface that allows the primer to grip better, improving overall adhesion,” says Nguyen.
Alkalinity in new substrates is high. This means a primer for a new substrate is a must. A primer seals that substrate so that the final coating doesn’t blister or suffer from color burnout. Of course, you can use paint and primer in one, but you should apply two coats on a new substrate to avoid a coating failure.
When choosing premium paint, don’t just look at volume solids. Pro painters frequently talk about volume solids; however, the type of solids added is even more important.
More solids don’t mean more premium pigments. Ask yourself what would happen if you were to put in extender, which is a low-grade pigment, versus titanium dioxide, which is a high-grade pigment. If you put in more extender, then you drive up volume solids, but that doesn’t mean that the product is more premium. Actually, it’s now the opposite because you’ve reduced the overall amount of titanium, which gives the wet and dry hide, and substituted it with a low-grade pigment that doesn’t hide well at all,” Nguyen explains.
Refer to a product’s technical data sheet (TDS) and safety data sheet (SDS) for additional details about the materials used in the can of paint.
BEHR® products aren’t just for the DIY customer. Behr has a long history of creating highly rated DIY products, which are often recognized as one of the best value products in the industry. The team has leveraged that expertise to create outstanding products for paint professionals as well.
My job specifically focuses on paints designed for pro painters. We have a whole team of experienced pro formulators tasked with creating high-performing paint products for pros,” says Nguyen.
Chemists not only formulate paints that solve a host of challenges, but they also possess an abundance of information that can help pros achieve successful paint jobs and solve difficult coatings challenges.
If you have paint questions or want to learn more, contact your local BEHR Pro Rep.
