The Bahrain unit of Berger Paints, one of the leading paint manufacturers, is currently undertaking the painting contract for both the exteriors and interiors of the villas of the Riffa Views project.

The BD500,000 ($1.32 million) contract, which was started in June involves the painting of approximately 800 villas in The Oasis, Lagoon and Park Estates of the development. The contract will cover a surface area of over 1.5 million sq m and is expected to be completed by the last quarter of next year.
For the exterior surfaces, Berger has given two coats of Berger Powder Putty and followed it up with a coat of Berger Acrylic AR Primer and two coats of Weathercoat Smooth, says sales manager Krishna Kumar.
Berger Powder Putty is a specially-designed filler based on Portland cement, re-dispersible polymer and functional additives for application on concrete and plaster surfaces, which reduces surface imperfections and fills voids, thereby resulting in a uniform, smooth surface, he says.
Berger Acrylic AR Primer, which has also been extensively used on the project, is a premium quality alkali-resisting primer, which is based on acrylic co-polymer designed to penetrate into, and seal the surface. “It provides a sound base for improved adhesion of subsequent emulsion and conventional texture coatings from the Berger range, and is ideal for both interior and exterior usage,” he says.
For the final exterior finish, Berger has used Weathercoat Smooth, which is a premium quality smooth coating based on a tough, flexible acrylate-copolymer resin, pigmented with titanium dioxide and other high-grade, light fast and alkali-resisting pigment. Its special formulation incorporating fungicides and algaecides ensures outstanding weather resistance and durability and is ideal both as a decorative and protective coating.
For the interior finishes, Berger has used one coat of Berger Acrylic AR Primer followed by two coats of Super Wall Filler and two coats of Berger Royal Silk.
The Super Wall Filler is a premium quality acrylic-based filler pigmented with high-grade alkali resisting pigments for the filling of surface irregularities and indentations, hairline surface cracks. The filler, generally used for internal finishes, helps produce a smooth and level surface prior to painting.
Berger Royal Silk, on the other hand, is a premium product formulated using vinyl acetate-acrylate co-polymer and containing titanium dioxide and other high-grade, light-fast and alkali-resisting pigments. The paint was chosen for its outstanding scrub resistance and washability apart from a resistance to fungus and algae, easy cleaning properties, exceptional dirt resistance, and an appealing smooth finish with a silky sheen, says Kumar. In addition, the paint is also easy to apply and being water-thinnable, is also environment friendly, and is thus an ideal decorative finish particularly for the interior, he adds.
Commenting on the project, Kumar says: “Berger has been involved with most of the major projects in Bahrain and this is perhaps one of the main reasons that we were included on the project. These mega housing and commercial projects by themselves serve as references to our capability to undertake mega projects.”
“Contractors involved in Riffa Views were also aware of our supply efficiency and service. In addition, the fact that we also have a manufacturing unit in Bahrain could have been a decisive factor in our being selected for the project. Keeping up with the demand for paints and surface coatings, our production plant in Bahrain has been upgraded with additional machines to avert any production constraint, he adds.