Additional information & Supporting references

For an expert contact:
Heritage Victoria
Nauru House
Level 22, 80 Collins Street
Melbourne 3000 Vic
Telephone: 9655 6519

Paint Colours

Sampling by paint scrapes

Sampling by paint scrapes can be done by the amateur for a general idea of what paint colours once were but for more accurate work it is better to use a heritage expert. (Note 2)

Process

For a general idea, using a scalpel, pen-knife or sand-paper, carefully scrape back the surface to reveal paint layers in concentric rings. Or cut into the paint layers at an obtuse angle to obtain a sliver and shave the paint layers down to the first layer. Always take several samples from several locations of each element.

Understanding colour layers

Do not expect there to be more than four or five different colours. (Two or three is to be expected as a maximum.)

Distinguish between finishing coats, primers and dirtied or faded layers.

Sampling locations

Walls, base, window and door frames, doors, window sashes, fascia*, eaves soffit*, frieze*, spouting, downpipes, verandah posts, verandah valance*, render mouldings* and dressings*, etc.

Samples are best taken in areas sheltered from exposure to sun and the weather where the colours have not faded.

Early colours may also be revealed at edges, or under more recently installed fixtures such as electrical meter boxes, switches, architraves, plumbing or wallpaper.

Supporting References

Blake. A, and Miles Lewis. M Exterior Paint Colours. A Guide to Exterior Colours for Buildings of the Victorian Period. Technical Bulletin 1.2. National Trust of Australia (Victoria) 1983 (1977)

National Trust of Australia (Victoria) 1991 Our Inter-War Houses. How to Recognise, Restore and Extend Houses of the 1920s and 1930s A good reference for this period. Pages 56 and 60 have a list of 27 appropriate colours for this period.

Evans I, Lucas C, and Stapleton S Colour Schemes for Old Australian Houses Flannel Flower Press Sydney Needs to be used carefully because of regional differences in colour schemes. Includes material on Edwardian colours.

Note 2: Heritage Experts undertake more detailed research in paint sampling by carefully selecting samples from a number of areas, recording these samples by building name, location of the sample and date and then examining these more precisely under a powerful electron-microscope. Up

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Further information

Urban Planning Branch
Richmond Town Hall
333 Bridge Road Richmond
Telephone 9205 5373
Email info@yarracity.vic.gov.au

Links

Within this site
What not to paint
For materials that should not have been painted
Selecting a colour scheme
Paint colours

External sites (Yarra City Council accepts no responsibility for the information or opinions contained within external sites)
Victoria Online
Information supplied by: Electronic communications & design officer - 9205 5214 - 20 January 2006

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