Has Dulux Matchmaker undercoat changed recently?

[orcadian]

I've been using Dulux matchmaker undercoat (brilliant white) for some time now and used to find that it dried fairly quickly to a dull chalky surface. After a few coats I would rub down with a vacuum block and get a really good finish ready to apply a very good gloss finish. Many people remarked on how good my DIY paint finishes were.
The last couple of tins (outwardly looking the same) have taken ages to dry sufficiently to rub down and it has an almost satin sheen to it. When rubbing down (dry) it scratches and plucks and leaves a crap finish, as if it's still not dry enough after 3 days! - very disappointing! Have they changed the formulation, and have other folk found the same? What's the alternative? Have the 'Elf an safety' wallers beggered up a previously great product? (reducing VOC's etc)

 

[opps]

Sounds like the curse of the VOCs!!!

It might be the case that you need to wait a few more days before sanding, alternatively use the same grit number but use a sterate coated silicone carbide paper rather than aluminium oxide, assuming that you are using the later.

 

[TheDec]

I'm afraid you have crossed swords with the so called new 2010 paints, they are nothing short of disaster.

These paints are under review at present so lets hope the get it right next time around.

Dec.

 

[opps]

I'm afraid you have crossed swords with the so called new 2010 paints, they are nothing short of disaster.

These paints are under review at present so lets hope the get it right next time around.

Dec.

Hi Dec,

under review by whom???

I have been using an old tin of pre 2010 that I found at the back of the garage- it has been bliss.

I am considering complaining to my MEP/MP or whoever.

Its daft, i now put more white spirits in and Owatrol and have even started adding terebene.

Plus the quality of finish is lower and frankly looks below my standards for a week or two.

 

[TheDec]

opps.

I know exactly how you feel, applying these coatings are nothing short of soul destroying.

AkzoNobel and Johnstones/Leyland are I believe undergoing extensive research into the 2010 coatings, I don't as yet have proof of this research but my source is very reliable.

Dec.

 

[opps]

opps.

I know exactly how you feel, applying these coatings are nothing short of soul destroying.

AkzoNobel and Johnstones/Leyland are I believe undergoing extensive research into the 2010 coatings, I don't as yet have proof of this research but my source is very reliable.

Dec.

Thanks for the heads up

Do you mean with a view to challenging the EU directive?

Whilst a drop in the ocean I would be happy to set up a site b!tching about the stupidity of the rules if there is enough interest.

In the cold light of day it is hurting my pocket/soul and is counter productive

I took a tin of Dulux trade Cotton White to site, I had been recommending off whites to clients because of the yellowing. It should have a slightly grey tint but i looked at the dried drips on the outer of the tin and they are almost brown. The tin is 4 months old!!!

 

[TheDec]

opps.

Thanks for the reply.

As yet not going that far, well not yet perhaps. However I feel very strongly regarding the inferior coatings of which they have thrust upon us.

If you decide on taking the action of which you say I will without question offer my total support. As a matter of fact you've given me an idea.

Dec.

 

[orcadian]

Many thanks for the very informative replies - I suspected that I was not on my own! I feel let down by the system - why on earth should we put up with this stuff which is 'not of merchantable quality' How can we fight these Brussels imbeciles? It is creeping into every part of our lives - I am just trying to get the good finish which I have been used to - it is also happening in many aspects of my other hobby of vehicle restoration. With the power of the internet, we ought to be able to pick these companies off one by one until THEY themselves cry 'Enough is Enough' and get some of the tin-pot ideas shelved. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against saving the planet - but if you folk in the trade are having problems and having to add all sorts of lotions and potions to an inferior product - as well as having to bin some stuff in the process - then where is the benefit?

 

[joe-90]

It's mad. They allow gas guzzling Range Rovers on the roads yet go silly about a bit of paint.

 

[opps]

The silliest aspect of these changes is that projects will be repainted more frequently due to accelerated discolouration.

I just had a look at the ici voc pages and they suggest using , for example, the waterbased exterior undercoat and finishing with the oilbased gloss when the extended drying times are an issue. They point out that the the life of the finish is decreased by a couple of years. Again the project will need repainting earlier...

I would expect that the constant repainting far outweighs the gains from reducing the VOCs.