It is built to shed dirt. You will still need to look after your house.
What Sherwin-Williams claims
Sherwin-Williams says Rain Refresh is formulated so dirt washes away when rain or water touches it. The promise is a clean look with minimal upkeep. Read that last word again. Minimal, not none.
Where it works best
Walls that get rained on. Open siding, gables and fronts that face the weather. The dust and dirt that settle on siding are what it is meant to shed.
Where you still have to help
• Covered areas. Porch ceilings, deep eaves and walls that never get wet get no help from rain. Sherwin-Williams says rain or water, so a hose can stand in for a storm. A quick rinse works.
• Dry spells. A dry month gives the paint nothing to work with.
• Green growth. Sherwin-Williams’ Rain Refresh page talks about dirt. It does not promise to stop mildew or algae in damp, shaded spots. That is a different problem. Ask us if you have it.
Prep still decides how long it lasts
No paint cleans itself into a good bond. Chalky, peeling or dirty siding needs work before any coating goes on. Sherwin-Williams says Rain Refresh can go on many properly prepared surfaces. The words that matter are “properly prepared.”
On our jobs, the General Manager is on site every day the crew works. That is how we catch a skipped prep step while it is still fixable. See how a job runs from estimate to final walkthrough.
Is it worth the extra money
Probably yes if you have a light-colored house that streaks, lots of airborne dirt, or a wall you can’t easily reach to wash. Probably no if your house stays clean or most of it sits under cover.
Not sure which camp you are in? We can walk your house with you!
Sources:
• Emerald Rain Refresh product page, Sherwin-Williams
• Emerald Rain Refresh product literature, Sherwin-Williams (PDF)
