Designing and maintaining busy interior spaces requires wall finishes that actively resist physical wear and minimise long-term repaint overheads. High-traffic environments are subjected to daily impact, scrubbing, moisture, and glancing light that quickly degrade standard wall paints, leading to high maintenance costs. To resolve this challenge, selecting specialised paint systems engineered for distinct physical demands is essential to optimise interior maintenance efficiency. Since 1935, Ballarat-founded family business Haymes Paint has manufactured high-durability, Australian-made paints designed to withstand demanding environments.
Resisting Scuffs and Stains in High-Traffic Corridors
Commercial corridors, classrooms, and clinical foyers present unique durability challenges. Standard low-sheen or matte wall paints subjected to frequent cleaning easily scuff, mark, or burnish. Localised scrubbing can polish flat paints, creating shiny, uneven patches that require repainting. To address this, we invested five years of dedicated R&D to formulate Eggshell.
This paint utilises advanced polymer technology to deliver exceptional scuff, stain, and scrub resistance. Its specialised polymer matrix forms a tightly bound barrier preventing dirt, ink, and hand oils from penetrating, enabling effortless cleaning without compromising the finish.
In comparative laboratory testing against leading market competitors, Eggshell demonstrated outstanding, class-leading results:
- Class-leading stain resistance: Laboratory data proves that 80% of stubborn household stains, including crayon, lipstick, tomato sauce, tea, coffee, red wine, and blue food dye, are successfully removed from the paint surface with a single wipe.
- Superior scrub resistance: The paint maintains its original appearance with a low sheen change after 800 abrasive scrub cycles, outperforming standard low-sheen interior paints.
- Exceptional washability: Routine cleaning and wear are much less visible on the paint film, which displays the lowest sheen change and best performance after 200 wash cycles.
- Sophisticated low-lustre finish: It dries to a velvety, low-reflective finish that sits perfectly between a traditional matte and low sheen, flattening glancing light to hide surface imperfections in long corridors.
Fending off Mould and Bacteria in Humid Environments
Steam and warmth in wet areas promote fungal and bacterial growth on standard plasterboard, leading to mould that degrades paint and releases allergens. If mould exists, all surfaces must be treated with an effective mould remover to eliminate spores before applying any new paint.
To protect wet areas, Kitchen & Bathroom features anti-bacterial protection and a 10-year mould and mildew protection guarantee. It is the premier choice for laundries and bathrooms subject to intense moisture, providing a hard surface that resists condensation.
For general interior walls where moisture and mild condensation may still occur, our Interior Expressions® paint provides robust versatility. It features an exceptionally washable film and is backed by a 7-year mould and mildew protection guarantee. These guarantees provide property owners and facility managers with written performance assurances under the Australian Consumer Law.
When painting wet areas, standard flat ceiling paints must be avoided due to their porous structure, which absorbs moisture. Instead, we recommend low sheen or semi-gloss paints for both walls and ceilings. Specifiers can view Kitchen & Bathroom to evaluate these solutions.
Hard-Wearing Trim Finishes with Fast Cure Times
Trims, doors, and skirtings face constant impact and abrasive contact. Traditional solvent-based enamels were once standard, but they release strong fumes and yellow over time, detracting from the fresh finish.
To provide a modern alternative, Trimplus is a quick-drying, water-based enamel matching traditional oil-based durability. It is non-yellowing, chip-resistant, and maintains its colour over time.
The technical specifications of Trimplus include:
- Rapid turnaround: Touch-dry in just 20 minutes with a quick 2-hour recoat time, enabling rapid turnaround for commercial office and residential fit-outs and allowing rapid room reoccupation.
- Low emissions: Formulated with under 48 g/L VOC levels, ensuring minimal indoor air disruption during application.
- Compliance: Fully complies with APAS 0260/2 standards and is accredited under Global GreenTag to GreenRate Level A and Product Health Declaration PlatinumHealth status.
For projects requiring an exceptionally tough trim paint, Trimplus serves as a durable traditional enamel replacement. This water-based semi-gloss paint delivers an ultra-smooth, hard-wearing finish with a 2-hour recoat time, making it highly suitable for skirting boards and window frames. Learn more about Trimplus to secure tough, non-yellowing finishes for interior woodwork.
Minimising Overhead Flashing and Hiding Surface Imperfections
Ceilings are prone to showing structural joint lines and plaster patches under harsh light. This flashing occurs when grazing light highlights variations in gloss. Standard low-sheen or semi-gloss paints reflect too much light, magnifying these blemishes.
To resolve this, Interior Ceiling Flat provides an ultra-flat finish that scatters light in multiple directions rather than reflecting it, masking plasterboard imperfections and joint lines.
The performance characteristics of Interior Ceiling Flat include:
- Ultra-flat finish: Effectively disguises minor plasterboard defects and joint lines under harsh, direct, or glancing light.
- Superior coverage: Highly opaque formula that covers up to 16m2 per litre, making it easy to apply and highly cost-effective.
- Low VOC profile: Formulated with VOC levels under 1 g/L, emitting virtually no fumes or odour, which supports indoor air quality.
- Compliance and protection: Fully complies with APAS 0260/5 and 0215/5 standards and is backed by a 5-year mould guarantee for dry overhead areas.
For professional application, we recommend using a microfibre roller with a 12-14mm nap on smooth plasterboard to ensure a uniform film build and prevent roller stipple. Homeowners and trade painters can explore Interior Ceiling Flat to achieve a flawless overhead finish.
Reducing Application Labour and Ensuring Total Coverage
In interior repainting, labour represents the majority of the cost. Applying multiple coats to cover dark colours or varied substrates increases expenses. Reducing required coats while maintaining quality is key to application efficiency.
To solve this, Coverplus is engineered to provide extraordinary coverage in just two coats over dark colours, streamlining applications without compromising scrub resistance.
The technical specifications of Coverplus include:
- Two coat coverage: Formulated with high-opacity pigments that block out dark underlying colours in just two coats when applied in accordance with the product data sheet.
- Film build properties: Dries to a solid dry film build of 31 microns (from a wet film build of 72 microns), creating a dense, durable barrier.
- Application parameters: Applied at a coverage rate of 12m2 per litre over dark colours using a 15mm nap synthetic roller, or up to 14m2 per litre on standard surfaces.
- Durable low sheen finish: Retains excellent stain and scrub resistance, with a 7-year warranty against biological growth.
By reducing coat counts and ensuring total coverage, Coverplus allows painting contractors and facility managers to complete projects ahead of schedule, reducing commercial downtime and occupant disruption.
Specifying with Absolute Confidence
Achieving interior maintenance efficiency is a strategic process of selecting the correct paint system for the physical demands of each zone. By matching high-traffic corridors with advanced polymers, damp areas with active antimicrobial guarantees, and trims with non-yellowing water-based enamels, property managers and homeowners can drastically reduce upkeep overheads.
For custom project specifications or technical assistance, use our store locator to find your local Haymes Paint Shop today and speak with a paint specialist in person.
