Built in 2009, the stunning 77-storey Peppers Soul building on Queensland’s Gold Coast has been an iconic feature of the Surfers Paradise skyline for over 15 years.

Originally coated in Dulux Acratex more than a decade ago, the high-rise required a full repaint to ensure continued and lasting protection against the Gold Coast’s sub-tropical coastal environment.

The challenge

The bespoke, 77-storey architecturally designed building presented a number of technical challenges, with applicators having to abseil or use swing platforms to reach the higher or more intricate parts of the building.

To minimise premature curing, optimise application conditions and minimise delays, applicators carefully managed their work schedule to accommodate the weather and the position of the sun. Being a coastal property, minimising salt contamination from sea spray was an important consideration.

Due to the busy Surfers Paradise tourist trade, the project had to be carefully managed to minimise downtime for commercial tenants, while ensuring the highest levels of safety for tourists in the vicinity of the works.

“The project had to be completed within strict timeframes and to the highest standards,” Dulux Commercial Account Manager, Brendan Blake said.

“Because of the size and complexity of the job, the client wanted a top-of-the-line system to ensure longevity and optimal performance. They did not want to be doing this again in eight to ten years.”

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The solution

Brendan created a comprehensive DuSpec+ paints and coatings specification document for the project, specifying a proven Dulux Acratex system of Dulux Acratex Green Render Sealer and Dulux Acratex AcraSkin to provide an attractive, lasting finish for the building’s facade.

Dulux Acratex is a water-based primer and sealer designed for the preparation of fresh ‘green’ masonry surfaces. It minimises efflorescence migrating through the coating system and fast-tracks project coating schedules by reducing the typical concrete and render waiting period to only two days.

Dulux Acratex is a high-build, elastomeric membrane that can bridge superficial cracks and offer long-term protective performance. Thanks to its excellent crack-bridging performance, AcraSkin is capable of accommodating masonry crack movement of up to 2.7mm at 300 microns dry film thickness.

With stringent application standards and processes agreed and observed by the project management team, applicators and Dulux specification team, this system of Green Render Sealer and AcraSkin allowed Dulux Acratex to offer a 20-year material warranty for this project.

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Product support and expertise

Prior to the start of the project, Brendan met with applicators and the project team to brief them on the specified products and provide application advice and training. Once spalling work had commenced, on-site training was provided. These sessions were important in ensuring there was a clearly defined and agreed way forward to deliver the 20-year warranty required by the client.

Throughout the project, Brendan was regularly on site, conducting application inspections and taking dry film thickness readings.

Step-by-step application

Building inspection and remediation

The building was inspected for damage, with rust spots excavated and patched with Emer-Patch Repair 40. Raw concrete was treated with Dulux Acratex.

Surface cleaning

Cleaning was completed in small manageable sections to ensure that a first coat of AcraSkin could be applied within 24 hours to avoid recontamination.

Application

Two coats of Dulux Acratex AcraSkin were applied over the entire facade. Applied largely by roller with some brush application, applicators minimised the risk of salt contamination by carefully planning the painting schedule around prevailing winds.

The Wet Film Thickness was tested continuously to ensure a Dry Film Thickness of 250 microns.

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The results

Approximately 35,750m² of AcraSkin membrane were applied to the facade of the building, delivering a great-looking finish that will provide excellent protection against moisture ingress, carbonation and surface cracking. Thanks to the ready supply of product and a well-managed application schedule, the ambitious 10-month project was delivered on time and on budget.

“When it comes to quality and performance, Dulux products speak for themselves. Even after over a decade, the original coating of Dulux Acratex AcraSkin was still in good serviceable condition. The client was looking for a long service life in this new coating, and Dulux Acratex was the only product that could provide the client with a 20-year warranty. With a high emphasis on quality control at Alder, Dulux's user-friendly nature simplifies the application process. Alder will continue using Dulux for these reasons,” says Shane Pelczer, General Manager, Alder Asset Renewal.

“Dulux has proven a commitment to quality through market-leading service. Their collaborative approach has ensured that the client’s needs are in focus throughout the project,” adds Adam Husband, Managing Director, Structural Diagnostics.

Project details

Project: Peppers Soul, Gold Coast

Location: 8 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise, Queensland

Scope: Complete repaint of the facade of a 77-storey high rise on the beachfront of Surfers Paradise

Products: Dulux Acratex Green Render Sealer, Dulux Acratex AcraSkin in Eternity Steel, Tamed Texan and Silver City 20%, Emer-Patch Repair 40

Project Manager: Structural Diagnostics

Applicators: Alder Constructions

Architecture & Design Team

Dulux AcraTex

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