7 unexpected surfaces you can paint or stain

When it comes to painting, you may only think of homes, fences and feature walls, but did you know there is a wide range of different and perhaps unexpected surfaces you can transform with a lick of Resene paint or stain? In fact, it’s quite incredible the scope of the materials and home furnishings that can be given a new lease of life with a paintbrush.

A fresh topcoat can instantly refresh your space, both inside and out, on a budget, especially if a major renovation is off the cards or more a long-term goal. The key for the paint finish to look its best and ensure its durability is to prepare the various surfaces correctly beforehand, using the appropriate Resene product.

Read on to find out more about the different surfaces you can paint or stain around your home and how to achieve the best finish.

Cork tile flooring

Very common in 70s-style homes, cork tiles can be updated with a modern twist instead of replaced during a renovation. These individual tiles were first coated with Resene Colorwood natural wood stain, then had patterns painted on using the colours Resene Becalm and Resene Rising Tide from the Resene Colorwood We Speak Beach range. Finally, the crucial last step was that the floor was sealed with Resene Qristal ClearFloor 1K waterborne flooring urethane.

A metal garden shed

When exposed to the elements long term, galvanised garden sheds can be quite the eyesore in your outdoor area. However, a facelift using an on-trend Resene colour can make a huge difference. Rust needs to be removed first, then the surface cleaned with Resene Roof and Metal Wash and primed with Resene Galvo One. Afterwards, simply apply Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen over the top – a CoolColour formulation is a good choice here. For more detailed instructions, check out our how-to article and video on how to refresh an old metal garden shed.

Flooring coated in Resene Colorwood natural wood stain in Resene Becalm and Resene Rising Tide from the Resene Colorwood We Speak Beach range and sealed with Resene Qristal ClearFloor 1K.

This garden shed is painted in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen CoolColour in Resene Nero.

Wallpaper

Using the Resene Anaglypta Wallpaper Collection is a great way to add texture and depth to a space. It comes in white in a wide range of patterns and is designed to be painted over in your chosen Resene colour.

Asphalt driveway

An unmaintained asphalt driveway can be easily reconditioned using Resene Blacktop. It’s a heavy-bodied, slip-resistant topping that’s based on a bitumen emulsion with graded fillers. It’s easy to apply with a high-solids roller, or large areas can be sprayed. Once it has dried, Resene Blacktop produces a durable weather and wear-resistant finish.

Garage door

While you may have previously thought so, the colour of your metal garage door is not set in stone. It can be repainted in the same or a more modern colour, which can completely transform your home’s street appeal. Treat areas of moss or mould infestation with Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Then wash down using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash. Rinse clean or hose down with fresh water ensuring all salts and chalk residues are removed. If your garage door is already painted with a waterborne paint and in good condition, once it’s clean and dry you can usually topcoat it directly. Or you may need to prime it first with Resene Galvo-Prime or Resene Galvo One.

This benchtop and the Resene Anaglypta Wallpaper Collection RD819 in the under-bench area are both painted in Resene New Denim Blue. Flooring coated in Resene Colorwood natural wood stain in Resene Becalm and Resene Rising Tide from the Resene Colorwood We Speak Beach range.

To complement the existing orange brick, this homeowner painted their exterior flashing and garage door in Resene Bokara Grey. Entrance pillars and entryway walls painted in Resene Merino, concrete deck in Resene Walk-on in Stonehenge and front door in Resene Nero.

Fireplace tiles

No need to rip out old fireplace tiles – simply paint over them. Using Resene Sandtex Mediterranean effect on your tiles will take the look to another level and results in an textured finish that brings out the depth of your chosen colour. First clean with Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner, sand and dust off, then prime with Resene Waterborne Sureseal pigmented sealer. Apply two coats of Resene Sandtex using a criss-cross technique. You can get your Resene Sandtex tinted to a range of colour or apply tinted Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen over the top.

Kitchen cabinets

Old laminate kitchen cabinetry can be hugely dating – with very interesting colour combinations used to adorn some older homes. These don’t need to be replaced if you want to modernise the space – they can be painted over to complement a more contemporary interior palette. Once the cupboards are clean and free from all surface contaminants, apply one coat of Resene Laminate and Melamine Primer. Allow 24 hours to dry, then apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry. Once this has dried for 48 hours, apply two topcoats of Resene Lustacryl Kitchen & Bathroom in your chosen colour. Paint takes around 28 days to cure and will be susceptible to damage in this timeframe, so take care when you’re cleaning and using the cupboards while they are fully curing.

If you have areas inside and outside your home that you’re considering replacing, bring a photo into your local Resene ColorShop – you might just find you can refresh them with paint or stain instead and get the job done quicker and cheaper and with a lot less hassle. Or use the online Ask a Resene Paint Expert service for advice.