Looking for the right paint can be a pretty confusing process. It’s not as simple as walking into a paint shop and buying the first one you see. There are hundreds of brands available and there’s a huge variety of different features to choose from. Here at PaintAccess, we want to help simplify the process so you can spend your time on something you enjoy. To give you a hand, we’ve put together this useful guide to selecting a brand, featuring our expert advice and top tips on which brands are best suited for which jobs.

What features should I look for when selecting my paint?

Although personal preference comes into play, there is a standard list of features that you should be on the lookout for when selecting your paint. When you’re choosing your paint, make sure to take a close look at the label as it will describe the specific features of the paint. Below we have described some of the common (and important!) features of interior and exterior paints.

Paint Washability

Do you have children that are talented in making messes, or perhaps a dog who loves to roll around in the mud and ruin your nice white walls? If the answer is yes, the washability of the paint you choose is definitely an important point to consider. Everyone wants their walls to continue looking freshly painted for as long as possible, no matter what life’s circumstances may be. When you use washable paint, all that’s needed to remove pesky stains or scuffs from your wall is a wet cloth. Pretty easy, right?

Stain Resistant

Stain resistance comes along hand in hand with washability. However, stain resistance is more of a preventative measure - the better the stain resistance, the fewer stains for you to remove!

Low VOC

Low-VOC paints are paints that contain fewer ‘Volatile Organic Compounds”. High levels of VOC impact air quality and irritate your breathing tubes. In short, VOC’s aren’t good for your health or for the environment - so Low VOC is the way to go. If the protection of the environment is important to you, look for the” Good Environmental Choice” stamp on your paint.

Best investment

Budget is understandably a key concern for many DIY homeowners looking to give their house a fresh coat of paint. You want to consider which paint will give you the best value, but also which paint will be the investment in the long term. After all, you want a paint that will serve you well for a long time - you don’t want to have to keep reapplying new coats more than you have to! For maximum return on your investment, we recommend that you consider both the value for money in the short and long term.

UV resistant

UV resistance is an important consideration, particularly for homeowners living in sunny Australia. Over time, UV exposure can damage your coating and lead to sun fading, meaning that you’ll have to repaint it. However, UV-resistant paints may be your answer! UV resistant paint helps minimize fading and sun damage, keeping your exteriors looking good as new for longer.

Allergy-friendly

Bacteria and mould are common triggers for allergies and asthma. If you are afflicted with allergies, you might want to consider selecting a paint which has been specifically formulated to be allergy-friendly. These types of paint resist bacteria and mould growth, helping to prevent the triggering of your allergies. They are also beneficial for your health - preventing the accumulation of potentially harmful bacteria in your home.

What are the most popular paint brands on the market?

Haymes

Haymes Paint is Australia’s largest independently-owned interior and exterior paint manufacturer. Their colour range is particularly impressive, with over 1000 colours for you to choose from. As an Australian company, they also incorporate this into their brand. Their new “Unearthed” colour range features shades inspired by Australia, such as Gumleaf green, Roseate and Morning Rise.

RustLock

Haymes’ RustLock system is formed using Cross-Linkable Acrylic Technology which resists the penetration of water. It forms a protective barrier which prevents corrosion on sheet metal, wrought iron, castings, and steelwork. Even better - it has a 7-year guarantee! With Haymes’ RustLock, you can rest assured that your metalwork will be protected for longer.

SolaShield

Your exteriors are the surfaces that are most susceptible to UV damage. Haymes designed SolaShield specifically to combat this issue. It is formulated specifically to be UV resistant and maintain full colour with unprecedented durability. It is also resistant to mould - beneficial for your health! - and easy to clean and maintain. If you are looking for something with excellent adhesion, resistant to UV and mould, and highly durable against all conditions, SolaShield may be the best option for you.

Dulux

If there’s one brand you’re most familiar with, it’s probably Dulux. As Australia’s most trusted brand, you can be assured that you’ll always be receiving premium quality products no matter what your needs are.

WeatherShield

Dulux’s WeatherShield range is tough, durable, and provides protection against all weather conditions. As weather conditions change, surfaces expand and contract. Dulux WeatherShield is specially formulated to expand and contract with the surface so you won’t have to worry about peeling, blistering, or cracking. Weathershield paints also feature strong adhesion, mould, dirt and stain resistance, and self-priming. Self-priming is a particularly handy feature as it means you don’t have to go out and buy a separate primer - saving you time and money! Whether you’re looking for semi-gloss, low-sheen, or matt...WeatherShield has an option for you.

Wash n Wear

Dulux Wash n Wear gives your walls the ultimate protection. Through rigorous testing, Dulux has developed a product with durable stain resistance, keeping your walls looking freshly painted for longer. In the old days, you had to choose between a matt finish and washability, but Dulux solves this issue by offering both. You don’t have to worry about bacteria accumulating on your walls either - Wash n Wear PLUS Anti Bac helps protect your home against mould and bacteria while keeping it clean.

Sometimes, you may decide you’ve grown tired of the current shade of your walls and want to repaint them in a new colour. Dulux Wash n Wear PLUS Super Hide features leading hiding power with high levels of concentrated pigment, allowing you to cover your walls in just two coats.

Wattyl

Wattyl has been providing protective paint and coatings to the Australian market for over 100 years. Over the years, they have established themselves as an iconic Australian brand offering professional paint solutions across Residential, Commercial, and Indstrial segments.

SolaGuard

Solaguard is a tough and durable paint which offers protection for your exterior surfaces in any weather condition. Intense sun or humidity - your exteriors will be protected with Solaguard. Solguard is also 100% acrylic which means it resists chalking and fading. Its powerful anti-mould and dirt adhesion ingredients mean your walls will remain looking freshly painted for longer.

Taubmans

Taubmans is one of the oldest paint brands on the market and it has been painting Australian homes for over 110 years. In 2007, it was acquired by PPG. Since it was founded in the 1900’s, Taubmans has become a major player in the painting industry.

All Weather

Just like the name suggests, Taubmans’ All Weather exterior paint provides protection in all weather conditions. It prevents blistering, flaking, or peeling of paint if applied correctly. Maximum protection from dirt and stains ensures that your exteriors will remain looking as good as new for longer. The paint is formulated to create a strong protective shield, allowing you to easily clean it without compromising the quality of the paint.

Endure

Taubmans’ Endure is specifically designed with 8-in-1 multi-benefit protection.

Wash resistant
Stain-resistant
Scrub resistant
Anti-microbial
Asthma & allergy-friendly
Low VOC & odour
Inhibits mould & mildew
Nanoguard technology

Its resistance to dirt and bacteria makes it ideal for families with children or pets who like to get a bit mucky. It also features Low-VOC, improving air quality and protecting your health against harmful chemicals. On the topic of health, Endure is also allergy-friendly. It has been approved by the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice Program.

TradeX Exterior

TradeX Exterior is a self-priming water-based acrylic paint suited for most exterior surfaces such as timber, galvanised steel, masonry, and surfaces used to collect drinking water. The tough UV barrier ensures your paint job maintains its quality finish for longer - no more touch-ups! TradeX is also easy to apply and quick to clean up, making it a perfect choice for beginners or those short on time.

Sun Proof

If your home is in direct sunlight, you may want to consider Taubmans Sun Proof - paint specifically designed to provide maximum UV protection in all conditions. It is guaranteed to protect against blistering, flaking, and peeling when used correctly. With a 20 year guarantee, you can rest assured that your exteriors will be looking great for years to come!

Tint Paint

Tint paint is an Australian technology company with expertise in colour selecting and colour matching. Tint offers express delivery of premium paints and supplies directly to your door. Recently they’ve made industry news in their new partnership with Go Industrial, which you can read all about in our news article here. If you are looking for expert colour matching services, you may want to check out Tint.

Colour matching with other brands

Colour matching is a big hassle when it comes to choosing paint. If you’ve found the perfect shade and it suddenly sells out - or you may need to find it in another brand - you might find yourself in a bit of dilemma. However, with Tint, colour matching is made easy. On their website, you can search for any colour or brand and find the perfect Tint match.

Match your own colour

Tint has established themselves as colour matching experts with their pioneering new product, ‘Pico’. Pico is a world-first that allows you to snap any surface and receive a custom paint colour mixed up especially for you. It’s conveniently USB charged and pocket-sized, allowing you to carry it around to any site you may need.