Colour choices - performance versus aesthetics

Very often we get requests from customers to tint colours that we know could be problematic. Despite the warnings we give, most times our advice is ignored - often with the predicted consequences. There are two cases that we saw recently, the first involving our paint, and the second involving a competitor's product.
The first case involves product supplied to an entry level housing development in Cape Town. The 'accent colours' specified for the project raised concerns. Blues and greens on the exterior of buildings in a high rainfall area are going to be subject to alkali attack should there be any moisture ingress. Sure enough the original window sill design was cost-driven, allowing moisture ingress. The end result is shown below.

For the remainder of the phases of the project, the window sill design was changed - moisture ingress eliminated and the coatings have survived the first winter without a problem.

The second example of alkali attack we saw this week involves a competitor's product. The house was painted 6 months ago - just before winter. The effects of alkali attack are alarming - indicative of a high degree of moisture ingress.

Hopefully these images will encourage people to check with the manufacturer before colour selection is finalised. Organic colours (bright greens, blues, oranges, reds and yellows) are subject to alkali attack in addition to being less light-fast than oxide shades. They cost a lot more too......