The increase in home remodeling and improvements has spurred the growth of architectural coatings. Consumers see opportunities to remodel a home, and paint is a component that easily makes a home feel like new again.1 Consumers rely on exterior coatings to have excellent weather resistance, long-term durability and UV protection that can last 20+ years on average. There is also a desire for coatings to have a “clean” appearance and a decrease in the amount of cleaning needed to maintain this appearance over the years.
Self-cleaning and dirt-resistant coatings have become hot topics. Dirt repellency has always been important, but in the current climate it is now extremely crucial. Paint suppliers are hungry for marketing data, exterior testing, proof of concept on how to increase the dirt repellency of coatings, and to sell their paint as the best dirt-repellant technology. Silicones provide water-resistant properties that reduce the moisture content at the surface, thus increasing dirt repellency. This article will discuss the chemistry of silicones, multiple silicone technologies used in various paint formulations and the results of outdoor exposure testing with natural dirt collection.