Common Aalto Questions

Q: How environmentally friendly are Aalto products?
A: Aalto Acrylics comply with Australian and New Zealand standards

Explanation: A number are well under the Australian and New Zealand standard for VOC (Volatile Organic Content) emission. This refers to the volume of solvent that is released from a drying paint film. Care should always be taken to ensure that all paints are applied using adequate ventilation. Excess paint should be disposed of properly and not into water courses or drains.

Q: Can you remove Impasto?
A: Only with difficulty

Explanation: to restore to a smooth finish skim plaster over impasto.

Q:Why the name Aalto?
A: After world famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto

Explanation: Prue has long admired Alvar Aalto’s work. There is also another connection with Finland as all Aalto colours are coloured using pigments manufactured by a Finnish company.

Q: what is the main point of difference between Aalto and other brands?
A: The quality and complexity of pigment selection and use.

Explanation: Aalto is a premium product and quality/ price comparisons should not be made with trade line or budget brands. It is important that we compare ‘apples with apples’.

Q: Why is Aalto paint so expensive?
A: We do not compromise on raw materials either in manufacture or pigmentation.

Explanation: Comparing a product’s price to its value for money can often be confusing. At Aalto our raw material selection and multi-pigmentation approach result in a high quality product that is truly value for money in terms of colour and life expectancy.

Q: Do we guarantee our exterior products and if so for how long?
A: Yes – Aalto paints are guaranteed ‘fit for service’ in terms of consumer legislation.

Explanation: We guarantee that our products will perform satisfactorily if applied in accordance with our instructions over properly prepared surfaces. It is difficult to be more specific, given that under many circumstances we control neither the preparation nor application. Where more specific guarantees are required these can be given in conjunction with a QA system.

Q: Who makes Aalto Paint?
A: The entire range is manufactured to Aalto Specifications by Benjamin Moore pacific Ltd.

Explanation: Benjamin Moore & Co is a major US Based manufacturer with over a century of experience in manufacturing a full range of decorative coatings across a number of international markets. The company has been present in New Zealand since the early 1990's and moved into Australia in 1995. All Aalto products are manufactured to our specifications and are designed to combat high UV light levels in New Zealand and Australia.

Q: Can Aalto paints go over other companies undercoats?
A: Technically yes – provided the systems are compatible.

Explanation: Like All Manufactures we recommend that the full Aalto system be used from primer to topcoat and in that way we can be sure that the various components of the system are compatible. We do not recommend mixing brands as we (and very probably the other supplier) will not accept a complaint under this circumstance. Aalto has a full range of primers and undercoats.

Q: is Matt Acrylic cleanable?
A: when fully cured it can be washed to remove dirt ECT.

Explanation: Aalto Matt Acrylic has a unique, low sheen formulation that is smooth, durable and resists dirt. Care must be taken with all coatings if planning to remove marks by abrasion.

Q: Why should tradesmen pay more for Aalto when other companies can match Aalto colours?
A: Attempts to match Aalto Colours will results in a poor imitation that lacks the richness and complexity of the original. What they can do is provide their own interpretation of an Aalto colour.

Explanation: The complexity of Aalto’s pigmentation makes impossible for other companies to match Aalto Colours.

Q: Can Micaceous Iron Oxide be used on timber?
A: Technically yes

Explanation: While the product has been designed for use on steel substrates it may be used in the same way as enamel over properly prepared and cleaned surfaces.

Q: What is the qualified benefit of Aalto?
A: Complexity of colour supplied in a premium product.

Explanation: Our uncompromising stance on quality raw materials and multi-pigmented approach is what sets us apart in a market where cost drives both product formulation and pigment addition. In short - Aalto puts more in.

Q: What do we tell the public when they ask ‘what does Aalto Do’?
A: Make fine, original colours in high quality paint finishes.

Explanation: we are specialist colour makers – it is what we do better than other paint companies whose targets are led by both cost and volume. The individual nature of our colours ensures their originality.