How to apply
Dark by Emperor Paint
There’s nothing more rewarding than transforming the outside of your home yourself. To help you on your exterior decorating journey we’ve put together this guide to applying Dark by Emperor Paint, so you can achieve professional results no matter your experience level.
Before you pick up your brushes, here are a few pieces of advice from our technical team. Always check the weather before starting to ensure the temperature is above 5°C when you are painting and for the full drying time. Also be sure to check that there is no risk of rainfall before the paint has dried. While cold and wet weather poses the biggest risk, we also recommend avoiding painting in direct sunlight when temperatures are above 25°C as this can impact how paint dries. When temperatures are high like this, try to create some shade or avoid the hottest parts of the day.
You may need: Dark by Emperor Paint, Dark Primer (if required), Emperor Masonry Cleaner (if required), Emperor Textured Basecoat (optional), long-pile roller, masonry brush, paint scuttle, dustsheets, masonry filler, sandpaper, paint scraper, filling knife, window protection, masking tape, paint paddle.
1. Clean
Start by ensuring the masonry is clean and free from dirt, debris or contamination. Painting a dirty surface will mean the paint is stuck to the dirt rather than the wall. Cleaning is a two step process. Firstly, wash the masonry down with a pressure washer (on a low pressure), hosepipe or a stiff brush and hot water. This removes the surface level dirt from the wall.
Once this has been done apply Emperor Exterior Cleaner to the wall where there are problems with organic growth. This contains a fungicide which kills any fungus so that it cannot bloom underneath the paint once applied. Simply apply the cleaner to the wall using a brush, roller or pump-sprayer and allow this to dry for 2-3 hours at 20°C. You do not need to wash the cleaner off once dry.
2. Repair
The surface you are painting must be sound before you can paint it – this is not only to ensure the surface looks its best but also helps to prevent any water getting into the wall. If there are any cracks or holes in the wall make sure you fill these with a good-quality exterior filler.
While any loose or defective paint may have been removed during the cleaning process, this is the last opportunity to check whether all previous paint is still sound. If there is any peeling paint, remove this using a paint scraper back to a ‘firm edge’, where no more paint can be removed.
3. Prime
Any bare masonry that isn’t painted must be primed before you paint. It is crucial to use the primer that is specifically designed for the paint you are using. When using Dark, ensure you use Dark Primer as this has been engineered to work specifically with the paint and is 100% compatible. This is not to be confused with Emperor Exterior Primer, which is designed for use with Emperor Masonry Paint.
Simply apply Dark Primer to the bare surface using a brush or roller at a coverage of between 4-6m2 per litre, depending on the porosity of the surface. Make sure you allow the primer to dry for 3-5 hours at 20°C, or longer at lower temperatures.
If you are using Emperor Textured Basecoat to create a textured finish, you do not need to apply primer as this is self-priming.
4. Paint
Make sure to mix your paint thoroughly with a paint paddle before use. The easiest way to apply the paint is a combination of a masonry brush and a long-pile roller, although you can also use an airless spray machine.
Dark is a two-coat paint which must be applied at 5-6m2 per litre on smooth surfaces, which can be reduced down to 2-3m2 per litre on rough, textured surfaces such as pebbledash. You can dilute your first coat of paint by 5% with water but do not dilute your second coat.
While touch dry after 1-2 hours, it is crucial to allow 8 hours at 20°C for the first coat to dry before you apply your second coat. Lower temperatures will extend this drying time. For full application details, read the Dark product datasheet.
Resources
Want to print this guide for when you need it? We recommend downloading this guide and the product datasheet so you have everything you need for when you start painting.
DOWNLOAD THIS GUIDEFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need to remove all previous paint before applying Dark?
No, you only need to remove any loose and flaking paint. Remove this back to a firm edge where no more paint comes off when scraped and all paint is sound.
What surfaces can I apply Dark to?
Dark as with most masonry paints can be applied to a range of exterior walled surfaces, including brick, stone, concrete and render. If you are painting renders such as silicone render and lime render, we recommend using Emperor Masonry Paint instead.
How do I know if I have a smooth or rough surface?
So you know the coverage will depend on the roughness of the surface you are painting, but not sure whether it would be deemed a smooth, semi-smooth or rough texture? Dark has a coverage of 5-6m2 per litre on smooth and semi-smooth surfaces. These include bricks, concrete and renders with a small dashed finish.
A smooth or semi-smooth surface doesn’t mean perfectly smooth like the finish you would achieve from plaster, it just means properties that do not have a heavily textured finish. Rough, textured renders reduce the coverage rate down to 2-3m2 per litre. These include finishes such as pebbledash and roughcast, which are typically found in rural and coastal areas. Need some help? Get in touch with our experts who can help you identify whether you have a smooth or a rough surface if you aren’t sure.
When is Dark showerproof?
Dark is touch dry and showerproof in 1-2 hours at 20°C – with this extending at lower temperatures. This is not to be confused with the recoat time of the paint, which is 8 hours at 20°C.
Do I need to apply Emperor Exterior Cleaner?
The simple answer is it depends. If there is any signs of organic growth such as mildew, algae and lichens then yes, you do need to apply Emperor Exterior Cleaner. If you do not apply the cleaner, this organic growth could continue to bloom underneath the paint and over-time cause problems.
The reality is, some organic growth is not visible, which is why we recommend that everyone applies Emperor Exterior Cleaner before painting, just to be safe. After all, by applying it you can have full peace of mind knowing that there is nothing that can cause the paint problems in the long-term.
Do I have to use Dark Primer or can I use any primer?
The short answer is unfortunately not. Dark Primer is fully compatible with Dark, which is not always the case with other primers, depending on their formulation. Primers are specifically designed to work with the topcoat paint – if you use any primer, there is no guarantee that they will be compatible and you compromise the quality of the paint if you use a less breathable, less durable primer.
How much paint do I need?
With a coverage of 5-6m2 on smooth surfaces and two coats required, a 10L tub of Dark will cover 25-30m2. As a guide a mid-terrace property is roughly 40m2, so you would need 15L of paint for a property this size. Why not try our handy quantity calculator to estimate how much paint you will need?
Can I paint over Dark with Emperor Masonry Paint?
As Emperor Masonry Paint is silicone-based, it cannot be overcoated using an acrylic-based masonry paint like Dark. This means if you are using both paints, apply Dark first in case their are some areas of overlap.
Do I need to mix the paint?
Yes, it is recommended that you thoroughly mix Dark before application to ensure that the product is ready for use.
This combats any settlement that you may get and ensures each ingredient is evenly dispersed throughout each coat of paint.
We're here to help
Our dedicated team are on hand to help you no matter what the problem is.
You can get in touch with us by emailing [email protected], calling 01254 936121 or by chatting to us on Whatsapp.
PRODUCTS FEATURED
Get your copy
Exterior decorating project planner and checklist
Have an exterior decorating project planned but not sure where to start? Download our free project planner and checklist that guides you through the process, from a checklist of what tools you’ll need to a full step-by-step guide on how to get beautiful results.
