Norah Head Lighthouse
Acratex® case study
Dulux Acratex® sponsored the refurbishment of Norah Head Lighthouse on the NSW Central Coast, providing expert advice and highly protective coatings capable of withstanding extreme weather and environmental conditions.
Revitalising the lighthouse
The heritage-listed tourist attraction and function venue underwent façade remediation work and repainting to protect and preserve it in early 2023 having last been coated about a decade ago. Dulux proudly assisted the Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve Land Manager team to keep the 120-year-old building in first-class condition through technical advice and a donation of about 275 litres of Dulux products, 90 per cent of which were Dulux Acratex® coatings.
The challenge
The lighthouse maintenance is a constant battle. Set on a headland, it is exposed to harsh UV rays, wind and rain, and sea spray. The lighthouse requires a protective coating that can withstand extreme weather and environmental conditions while retaining its aesthetic appeal.
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The solution
All masonry, steel and metal components, internal stairs and the light room needed recoating. The Dulux Acratex® team and Dulux Trade Centre staff at Tuggerah advised lighthouse management and specialist lighthouse painter, Mark Sherriff (pictured), on products and application.
Learn more about Dulux Acratex®-->Lighthouse renovation step-by-step
Access
To enable the lighthouse to remain open throughout the refurbishment, scaffolding could not be used. Instead, the majority of the external work was completed using ropes.
Prime
Dulux Acratex® Green Render Sealer was applied as a primer. This water-based sealer is designed for the preparation of "green" masonry surfaces.It minimises efflorescence and fast-tracks coating schedules by sealing the underlying masonry and creating an evenly porous surface for the application of subsequent coats. It is safe to paint after only two days.
It is the best primer I have used because it adheres extremely well to the substrate.
Mark Sherriff, painter
Topcoat
Two coats of Dulux Acratex® AcraSkin® were applied using a Wagner 3.29 High Boy with a Low Pressure 621 Spray Tip (Graco 621 LP) to minimise over-spray and ensure the correct film build for maximum asset protection.AcraSkin® was chosen for its advanced crack bridging technology and ability to tolerate masonry crack movement. When a dry film thickness of 300 microns is applied, AcraSkin® can accommodate crack movement of up to 2.7mm.The matt finish produced the desired aesthetic and maintained the lighthouse’s historic appeal.
Dulux is the only product I'd ever apply on a classic lighthouse.
Mark Sherriff, painter
The result
Shining a light on Norah Head
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