CASE STUDIES

Aside from luxuriant colours, these days paint manufacturers provide an extensive array of functional solutions for both traditional and other built environments. One such company blazing a trail in the paint and coatings industry is Nippon Paint. Such is its emphasis on research, development and innovative design, that the company has transcended its status as ‘The Paint Expert’ to establish itself firmly as ‘Malaysia’s No. 1 Total Coatings Expert’. Nippon Paint offers all-inclusive products catering to a wide spectrum of clients including those involved in architectural, protective, industrial, automotive and marine industries, providing comprehensive coating solutions for multiple segments and surfaces, as asserted in its pledge to turn “ordinary surfaces — from floors to roofs and everything in between — into extraordinary masterpieces!” FOUR KEY SEGMENTS SERVING DIFFERENT NEEDS The company’s concerted investment in pushing innovative boundaries and challenging the norm is reflected in its relentless and consistent achievement of product excellence. Commensurate with its status as a premier ‘Total Coatings Solution’ provider, Nippon Paint services four primary segments namely painting, protective coating, flooring and waterproofing. In the paint category, for example, clients will be spoilt for choice, not just by the extensive array of formulations and colour palettes, but also by various pioneering solutions on offer which promote practical benefits. Painting-Anti-Microbial Solutions Take for instance Nippon Paint Virusguard — the first anti-viral and anti-bacterial health solution deliberately concocted to champion indoor safety and better health. Formulated with ‘Silver Ion Technology’, the paint is scientifically proven to be 99% effectively against viruses and bacteria, thus ensuring that surfaces are safe to touch. Painting-Exterior Solutions Meanwhile, to preserve the health of exterior surfaces, the new improved formula of Nippon Paint Weatherbond with sun proof, rain proof and anti-fungus features presents a long-term protective shield against the adverse effects of inclement weather, including efflorescence, as well as, fungal and algae growth. Equipped with a 7-year warranty, its new improved weather resistant solution clothes the paint with greater durability, and promises long-lasting colour to defer the need to repaint. Painting-Design Solutions For the more artistically inclined, the company’s ‘Momento Series’ introduces contemporary aesthetic alternatives. Comprising chic and stylish selections such as the ‘Textured’, Enhancer’ and ‘Designer’ series for interiors. The trendy Momento Stone Art for exterior surfaces allowing to recreate intricate works of natural stone in your home. Royal Stone is a premium grade selection stone texture coating and gives a natural granite-stone finish. Classic Tile is a premium-grade selection of sandy ceramic textured coating. Protective Coating Through its specially formulated anti-corrosion coating solutions, surfaces — including structural steelworks, metal bridges, vessels, pipes and storage tanks — that are prone to damage from corrosion, rust, and the detrimental effects of the environment can now easily be protected. Ranging from conventional to heavy-duty coatings, the anti-corrosion solution is ideal for use on metal, concrete and cement surfaces. Flooring Solutions Nippon Paint also offers state-of-the-art flooring solutions, offering a range of products for industrial, commercial and car park. Formulated using either epoxy or polyurethane, its flooring systems combine colours with high performance and durability. Boasting characteristics such as resistance to chemicals, dirt and changes in temperature, the hardy and environmentally-friendly products are ideal for industrial needs. Waterproofing Solutions Similarly, Nippon Paint is well equipped with a range of waterproofing solutions to pre-empt and address problems and risks associated with water seepage and leakage. The company has developed product systems that range from liquid applied and sheet type membranes, to cementitious membrance. Resilient, seamless and long lasting, these all-inclusive coatings provide solutions for waterproofing defects in structures found above ground, in wet areas, and below ground. Thanks to Nippon Paint’s emphasis on conceptualisation and delivery of cuttingedge and sustainable coating solutions, the company has revolutionised the landscape of coatings, proving that there’s so much more to coating than just colour on walls. It’s no wonder then that the company has cemented its position as ‘The Total Coatings Expert’ and a regional powerhouse in the coatings industry. Call Nippon Paint for your Total Coatings Solution needs. Customer Careline: 1-800-88-2663 Email: customercare@nipponpaint.com.my

To many, repainting an old building is merely the act of giving it a new colour. How hard can it be, right? Just pick up a brush and paint away. But do you know, a good paint job takes some preparation and is a more meticulous process than we think. The first and most important step is to get the surface area ready for the new paint. No matter how expensive or good quality the paint is, it will be a waste of the building management’s sinking fund if underlying issues with the surface area are not addressed. This was evident in some of the buildings visited by the judging panel carried out in conjunction with EdgeProp Malaysia’s Best Managed Property and Sustainable Property Awards 2020. Common faults and defects to the existing external masonry wall include peeling, cracks, dampness and paint failures to external walls as well as hollowness to wall plastering. For instance, if there are fine surface cracks or egg shell patterns or delaminating caused by incorrect plastering mix or excessive thickness resulting in shrinkage during curing, the appropriate surface preparation act would be to wash the surface with high pressure water jet and to cut out loose, hollow and delaminated wall plastering before re-plastering with a premixed non-shrink grouting wall plaster according to manufacturer’s specifications.   The Repainting and Repairing Combo Repainting should also be done hand-in-hand with repairing. While preparing the external façade of the building for repainting, the management could take the opportunity to “spring-clean” other parts of the building as well such as cleaning the air-conditioning ledges, replacing the window seals and repairing window grills or hand rails that are not in good working condition. Water seepage or leakage in the common areas and car parks can be identified and fixed. Inevitably, the repainting works and “spring-cleaning” will not only prolong the life span of the property, it will also improve the image and livability of the property. This will drive a higher occupancy rate while improving the resale and rental value of the property as well. On top of that, building occupants can enjoy a healthier living environment. For instance, before repainting is carried out, dirt and dust on ledges or mould caused by water seepage on the walls will need to be removed which results in better indoor air quality of the building. Thus, it is important that besides setting a budget for repainting, funds for repairing and surface preparation must also be adequate. The estimated budget differs from building to building depending on its condition and building structure. Painters will usually need to have high level access and the site condition will determine the appropriate equipment to be used such as ladder, sky lifts, scaffoldings, gondolas and others. Depending on the building design, gondolas are a cheaper alternative to scaffoldings. Hence, two buildings that may look and “feel” the same, may each incur very different costs to repaint them.   Benefits Of Regular Repainting Prolong the life span of a property Improve the indoor air quality Increase the appeal and liveability of the property Increase the resale and rental value of the property Give a good first impression and image (kerb appeal)   Before  Building Undergoes Repainting Prepare a one year timeline for the repainting project Set aside budget for repair and repainting works Engage a professional paint manufacturer Clean and repair (spring-clean) building Prepare the surface area   When And Where To Start? A building would usually need to undergo repainting from year five onwards while those that used better quality paints can last up to seven or eight years. Management corporations (MCs) are advised to prepare a year in advance so that there is enough time to source for a paint manufacturer and applicator that can provide the most effective painting solutions for the building. MCs also have to get the approval of property owners via an Annual General Meeting and to have a certified building inspector conduct checks on what rectification works need to be done before the repainting is carried out. Planning should be done during the monsoon season so that painting of the building can be carried out during the drier months. It is important to engage a paint manufacturer who can provide a one-stop painting service and advise you on what is needed before, during and post repainting to ensure that the final result is of the highest quality. For example, Nippon Paint will be able to detect the common defects, determine the methodologies to prepare the surface for repainting, conduct a substrate moisture content testing and suggest the appropriate type of paint for the different types of building surface. With more than 50 years of experience in the market providing solutions to thousands of clients, it would also be equipped with the experience and be able to provide first-class technical and colour consultation. Its team will also be able to give a comprehensive method statement and performance warranty post repainting.   Waterproofing your building Another important issue that often poses a challenge to building managers is waterproofing. When a proactive approach is not taken to address this issue early on, it will result in water leakages, structural breakdowns and mould which will eventually lead to high maintenance cost to rectify the problems. Water leakages can also cause issues such as ponding at ledges and sills leading to stains, delamination and growth of fungi. Not only that, it will eventually damage the external walls’ painting regardless how good a quality the paint is. In order to prevent these issues from happening in the later years of a building, it is best to enlist the help of a reputable professional manufacturer who can offer a onestop waterproofing solution such as Nippon Paint Malaysia. It has worked closely with their counterparts in China with a long standing presence in the waterproofing industry backed by knowledge and evolving technology. Over the years, Nippon Paint Malaysia has developed various systems of products including liquid applied membrane, cementitious and sheet type waterproofing membrane, as well as accessory items for applications that require special care. Their myriad selection of products offering waterproofing solutions for above ground, wet area and below ground structures bear testament to their efforts as a total coating solutions provider.