How to apply

Emperor Masonry Paint

Applying Emperor Textured Basecoat is something that can be done by anyone at home. To help you through the process we’ve put together this guide so you can achieve professional results, no matter your experience level.

Before starting make sure that the temperature is above 5°C for the full application and drying process. In the same vein, make sure that there is also no risk of rainfall while you are applying the product.

You may need: Emperor Masonry Paint, Emperor Masonry 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

The very first step when painting exterior walls is to ensure it 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 Masonry Cleaner to the wall where there are problems with organic growth. This contains a fungicide which kills any fungus. 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. If using a pump-sprayer, ensure you are using appropriate PPE such as gloves and eye protection.

2. Prepare

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 prevent any water getting into the wall so the paint can do its job. 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. Choose your finish

Before priming, ensure all surfaces are protected ready to spray. We recommend using window protection film and masking tape to cover any windows, doors and trim.

Any bare masonry that isn’t painted must be primed before you paint. You do not need to prime surfaces that are painted or silicone renders that are pre-coloured. You can apply Emperor Masonry Primer to the surface using a brush and roller, or if you would prefer, you can also spray the primer. If spraying the primer, ensure you use an airless spray machine on a low pressure and using a small tip size. You can expect to achieve a coverage of between 5-8m2 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. Apply

Make sure to mix your paint thoroughly with a paint paddle before use. Emperor Masonry Paint 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. Before starting, ensure you are using an airless spray machine that is able to achieve 2000 PSI. We also recommend a tip size of 517 or 519 for spraying Emperor Masonry Paint. As a high solids paint system, Emperor Masonry Paint should be diluted on the first coat of paint by 10% with water when spraying, but do not dilute your second coat. If you are spraying a heavily textured surface such as pebbledash, we recommend backrolling using a long-pile roller once you have sprayed to ensure an even distribution of paint. 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 Emperor Masonry Paint product datasheet.

Resources

You can download our product datasheet below, so you have everything you need for when you start spraying.

Download

Frequently Asked Questions

How much paint do I need?

With a coverage of 5-6m2 on smooth surfaces and two coats required, a 10L tub of Emperor Masonry Paint 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?

What surfaces can I apply Emperor Masonry Paint to?

Emperor Masonry Paint can be applied to any exterior wall, including brick, stone, concrete and all types of render. This means it can be applied to renders such as silicone render and lime render, unlike standard masonry paints. These surfaces can be either bare (with use of Emperor Exterior Primer) or previously painted.

When is Emperor Masonry Paint showerproof?

Emperor Masonry Paint is touch dry and showerproof in 1-2 hours at 20°C. This takes longer at lower temperatures. This is not to be confused with the recoat time of the paint, which is 8 hours at 20°C.

What other conditions must be present to apply the product?

As with any exterior paint, you must ensure weather conditions are permitting before starting. Avoid applying if there is any sign of rain, as this can impact the drying of the basecoat. It is crucial that the temperature is above 5°C for the full application and drying process.

If there temperature drops below 5°C, the product will stop curing, and thus the recoat time will be extended until the temperature rises above 5°C again. Relative humidity should not exceed 65%.