Anything durable in life is built on quality foundations. Enduring success is based on great formulas.

Sigma Paints offers a wide range of quality primers and fillers designed to provide a platform that stands the test of time. It is the success factor and formula for long life for all paint systems and great finish coatings. It is the right foundation within the world of paint and colour.
Sigma Paints is now launching its new improved and revised assortment of primers and fillers. These high performance products have been re-formulated, resulting in even higher performing paint systems in terms of durability and protection.
“Ongoing development work has been done during the past years to improve and harmonise our assortment of primers and fillers. This exercise, which included extensive product research and development, has resulted in improved product and system quality and clarity,” Yanal Shekem, marketing manager Middle East, proudly explains.

High performers
“All of the improved products have already been integrated into our current stock item lists, and the Sigma decorative technical data sheets have been updated to reflect the new additional features of the products. Your Sigma contact - dealers and Sigma representatives – can advise you in detail on the advantages for your projects. Our Research and Development department has done a superlative job with these products, which are providing a tangible benefit to our appreciative clients,” Shekem continued.

Beauty of the Invisible
As opposed to the more glamorous, colourful and quality aspects of Sigma decorative finishes, primers and fillers are very often underestimated in their importance. Yet, the professionals recognise both the true value and importance of this invisible group of products.
“Even the most durable and highest quality finish coats will fail without the support of correctly specified primers and fillers. They are the ‘invisible support team’, the foundation products that prevent the common paint system failures, as in the field of building construction; the more advanced the building, the higher quality it represents, the stronger foundation is required. The very same principles apply with paint systems,” emphasises Mike Murphy, Sigma’s decorative technical support (DTS) manager, who has decades of both practical experience in the provision of technical paint solutions in Europe and the Middle East.
Sigma’s Training Academy with the DTS team of technical trainers has over the past five years, trained thousands of applicators to understand the added value of complete paint systems. Murphy knows there are no cheap short cuts within the paint field and that long-term thinking has the greatest economical value for the proprietor of any commercial construction or any residential building. A professional is not looking at the price of a drum at all. He is focused on the cost per sq m during the lifecycle of the entire paint system, which includes extended maintenance intervals.
The selection and application of primers and fillers is based on a thorough assessment and knowledge of the substrate to be painted. A cement render substrate for example requires very different pre-treatment than does a steel or timber substrate, the former being more chemically active, uneven and porous due to its composition and human application method, the latter being more naturally dense, compact and smooth. Sigma’s DTS Team of site assessors are well equipped in the use of the modern measuring devices that can ascertain chemical activity and humidity levels in all construction substrate types.
 
Champion protectors
Only when primers are appropriately formulated around selected high-quality resins and binders, the main performance and quality consideration, can they fulfill their crucially important task of providing system adhesion. Our premium product “Sigmafix” combines this critical attribute with deep surface penetration, tough bonding and alkali resistance. High alkalinity can cause de-adhesion and colour bleaching, with consequent adhesion failure and unevenness of colour. “Sigma Acrylic Primer Sealer” is an environmentally friendly waterborne product which also provides alkali resistance and can now be overcoated using solvent borne products.
Good substrate assessment will also identify surface unevenness and areas which will require repair prior to further applications. The main functions of fillers being: to fill cracks, smooth and level the surface, providing a surface suitable for the application of finishing products. “Concrete Filler” has outstanding exterior durability, excellent filling properties, unrivaled cohesive and adhesive strength and can be over-coated even by solvented systems. “PVA Wallfiller’s” unique properties include easy application, extremely smooth finish, high filling properties, high whiteness and excellent opacity and can be over-painted with alkyd paint directly. It provides the foundation for a glass-like smooth white finish to be watched and touched.

Ultimate test of time
In summary, primers and fillers may not appear to be as exciting as stand alone products. But once you understand the philosophy and the process of creating a platform for durable protection and beautiful shining artistic finishes, you will respect their essential and significant contribution in achieving successful and enduring paint systems. They are the ultimate protectors and provide the solid foundation that stands the test of time.