Why the Dulux Elements Range is Perfect for Durable, Everyday Surfaces
Why the Dulux Elements Range Stands Out for Durable, Textured Finishes
The Dulux Elements range (officially Duratec Elements₂) is a super durable powder coating system for demanding architectural and industrial applications where mar resistance and lasting colour are critical.
Quick Overview: What is the Dulux Elements Range?
- Product Type: Super durable polyester thermosetting powder coating
- Finish: Flat textured finish across 12 distinctive colours
- Key Benefit: Superior mar and scuff resistance compared to smooth finishes
- Standards Met: AS 3715, AAMA 2603, and AAMA 2604
- Ideal For: Architectural aluminium, steel substrates, commercial and high-end residential projects
- Environmental: TGIC free, low VOC emissions, meets GBCA requirements
The Duratec Elements₂ range evolved from the original Elements line, offering expanded colours and improved performance. It's designed to reduce visible damage during fabrication, transport, and construction. The textured surface provides a distinctive aesthetic and masks minor imperfections better than smooth coatings.
I'm James Maranis, and with over 30 years in coating technologies, I've helped countless people find the right paint for the job. At Eastern Auto Paints, our expertise is colour matching the Dulux Elements range into custom aerosols for precise touch-ups, removing the need for full powder coating equipment.
This guide covers the Duratec Elements₂ range, its technical specs, application advice, and how we provide the exact colour match for your project.
What is the Dulux Duratec Elements₂ Range?
The Dulux Elements range, officially Duratec Elements₂, is a super durable polyester thermosetting powder coating for tough architectural and industrial jobs. It represents an evolution in powder coating, where durability meets sophisticated design.
Unlike liquid paints, powder coatings are applied dry and cured with heat, creating a hard, robust layer. Duratec Elements₂ improves this technology with a distinctive textured finish and a flat sheen level for both aesthetic and functional benefits.
This textured surface is engineered for advanced mar and scuff resistance, making it ideal for high-traffic areas or surfaces prone to knocks, from architectural facades to commercial window frames.
The Duratec Elements₂ range expands on the original with a core palette of 12 distinctive colours and improved performance, with additional custom colours available if required.
At Eastern Auto Paints, our advanced colour-matching technology allows us to create custom aerosol solutions that precisely match these textured colours. This is a game-changer for on-site repairs and touch-ups, eliminating the need for full powder coating equipment.
This range combines material science with practicality, delivering a sophisticated appearance that withstands the elements and time. It's for those who need a surface that performs under pressure. Explore the full technical details at Duratec Elements₂ | Dulux Powder Coat Range.
Key Features and Performance of the Dulux Elements Range
The Dulux Elements range protects surfaces from everyday wear while maintaining its appearance through years of harsh Australian conditions. The real test of any finish is how it performs long-term, and this range delivers.
Best Mar and Scuff Resistance
Damaged panels from transport or installation are a common and frustrating problem. The mar and scuff resistance of the Dulux Elements range is the solution.
The textured surface of Duratec Elements₂ isn't just decorative; it significantly outperforms smooth and other textured coatings in abrasion tests. This means less visible damage during fabrication, transport, construction, and throughout the product's service life.
For high-traffic areas like commercial entrances, balustrades, or window frames, the hard-wearing finish acts as a shield, maintaining a pristine appearance far longer than standard coatings and saving on costly touch-ups.
Superior Durability and Weathering
Australian conditions, with high UV radiation and humidity, are brutal on coatings. The super durable polyester formulation of the Dulux Elements range is engineered to handle these challenges, offering excellent colour retention that keeps deep metallics and light stone looks true year after year.
The range meets both AS 3715 and AAMA 2604 standards, rigorous benchmarks for architectural powder coatings. It is also suitable for coastal environments (greater than 10 metres from the high tide mark), making it a reliable choice for waterfront developments where performance in marine conditions is non-negotiable.
Environmental and Safety Profile
The Dulux Elements range features a TGIC-free formulation, a move away from the traditional curing agent Triglycidyl Isocyanurate for a safer product. It also has a low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions profile with no added VOCs, meeting the stringent requirements of the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).
With a TGIC-free formulation and effectively zero VOC emissions, this range contributes to better indoor air quality, making it an excellent choice for interior applications in commercial and residential buildings.
Colour Matching the Dulux Elements Range at Eastern Auto Paints
On-site touch-ups and repairs for powder coated surfaces can be a challenge. Sending a damaged panel back for re-coating is often impractical.
This is where our advanced colour-matching technology is invaluable. At Eastern Auto Paints, we precisely match any colour from the Dulux Elements range and create custom aerosol spray cans for on-site repairs. This service saves our clients time and money on projects across Victoria, Sydney, and Queensland.
Access to precise colour-matched aerosols provides flexibility and peace of mind for fabricators, builders, and facility managers, allowing for seamless repairs without full powder coating equipment.
Applications and Project Suitability
The Dulux Elements range is a go-to choice for projects where both appearance and longevity matter, from commercial towers to high-end residential builds.
Duratec Elements₂ excels on architectural aluminium. This includes window and door joinery, louvres, balustrades, perforated screens, curtain walls, and shop fronts. Its textured surface cleverly conceals minor imperfections, which is invaluable on large architectural elements.
While ideal for aluminium, the range also performs excellently on properly prepared steel substrates, including mild, bright, black, and blue steel. It can also be applied to galvanised steel, stainless steel, and Zincalume; however, warranty coverage may not apply to these substrates.
For high-end residential projects (up to four levels), it delivers a premium aesthetic and durability for cladding, garage doors, fencing, and interior features. In commercial spaces like offices, retail, and healthcare facilities, it stands up to heavy use.
A key advantage is its suitability for both interior and exterior applications across all Building Code of Australia (BCA) classes, allowing for a consistent look. This provides reliable protection and finish consistency for our industrial clients. For more on our industrial offerings, visit our Industrial Paint Supplies page.
A few practical considerations: maintain at least 1 metre distance from splash zones of pools or showers, and avoid strongly acidic or caustic environments (pH should be 5-9).
For a perfect colour match for your project, Eastern Auto Paints offers custom aerosol solutions. Our colour matching services allow for seamless on-site touch-ups and repairs, a game-changer for contractors needing quick, accurate results without full powder coating equipment.
Colours and Customisation with Eastern Auto Paints
The Dulux Elements range is a design statement, offering a sophisticated, textured aesthetic for modern architecture. Its distinctive flat finish creates visual interest with understated elegance.
Exploring the Core Dulux Elements Range Colours
Duratec Elements₂ features a curated palette of 12 distinctive colours, reflecting the trend towards tactile, textural surfaces. The palette includes natural stone aesthetics, authentic industrial looks, and subtle metallic effects. It also features popular COLORBOND® steel colours for a familiar reference point with superior Duratec performance.
The flat, low-sheen finish helps mask minor surface irregularities and reduces glare, while the texture adds depth and visual interest that smooth coatings cannot match.
Always request a physical swatch before finalising your colour choice. Seeing the actual texture and finish in your project's lighting is crucial. For a visual overview, download the Duratec Elements₂ Product Solutions Brochure - Dulux Powder Coatings.
Perfect Colour Matching for the Dulux Elements Range
Real-world projects often require more than the standard palette, such as touching up damage or coordinating smaller elements. This is where Eastern Auto Paints' expertise is essential.
Our advanced colour-matching technology allows us to precisely match any colour from the Duratec Elements₂ palette. What truly sets us apart is our ability to create custom aerosol solutions for Dulux Elements range colours. These custom powdercoat colour spray cans provide the exact shade in a convenient format, invaluable for clients across Victoria, Sydney, and Queensland.
Our aerosols enable seamless on-site touch-ups, eliminating the need to re-coat an entire panel. This ensures perfect colour consistency across all project elements, bridging the gap between industrial powder coating and accessible repair solutions. Learn more about our colour matching capabilities.
Technical Specifications and Application Guide
Proper preparation and application are critical to achieving the best performance from the Dulux Elements range. Understanding the technical foundation ensures a finish that lasts.
Recommended Surface Preparation
Excellent surface preparation is non-negotiable for Duratec Elements₂.
For aluminium substrates, preparation must meet AS 3715 and AAMA 2604 standards. This multi-stage process includes:
- Etching: A minimum etch rate of 1 g/m² is required (>100m from coast), increasing to 2 g/m² closer to the coast (10-100m).
- Conversion Coating: A chrome or chrome-free layer for corrosion resistance and adhesion.
- Final Rinse: Use deionised water with conductivity below 30 micro Siemens/cm².
The maximum time between pre-treatment and application is 24 hours. Handle pre-treated sections only with lint-free cotton gloves.
For steel substrates, the process involves thorough cleaning, grinding sharp edges (2mm min radius), and abrasive blast cleaning to AS 1627.4 Class 2.5. This creates an ideal surface profile of 35 to 65 microns. Apply the powder coating within 4 hours of blasting to prevent flash rusting.
Our range of Protec Etch Primers can provide excellent adhesion for steel preparation.
Application and Curing Process
Apply Duratec Elements₂ using electrostatic spray for even coverage. The recommended cured film build is 80 µm (acceptable range 60–120 µm), with a tighter range of 70–100 µm for lighter colours. Curing transforms the powder into a durable finish. Typical curing schedules are: 210 °C for 4 min, 200 °C for 5 min, or 180 °C for 8 min (metal temperature); Weathered Steel may require longer. Always measure the metal temperature, not oven air, to ensure complete curing.
Colour Matching Support from Eastern Auto Paints
While powder coating requires specialised facilities, our extensive colour matching service provides a practical solution for repairs and touch-ups. We create custom aerosol solutions that precisely match any Dulux Elements range colour, capturing its unique texture and finish. This service is invaluable for on-site repairs, saving time and cost. Learn more at our colour matching service page.
Always consult the latest Technical Data Sheet (TDS) before starting any project.
Conclusion
The Dulux Elements range (Duratec Elements₂) combines a sophisticated textured aesthetic with the extreme durability that modern architectural and industrial projects demand. Its key benefits include best-in-class mar and scuff resistance, superior colour retention against harsh Australian conditions, and a responsible TGIC-free, low-VOC environmental profile.
Versatile enough for both interior and exterior use on aluminium and steel, its 12 distinctive colours suit a wide range of contemporary designs. From commercial curtain walls to residential window frames, Duratec Elements₂ delivers performance and style.
At Eastern Auto Paints, our expertise allows us to colour match the Dulux Elements range into custom aerosols for precise touch-ups, offering a practical solution when full powder coating equipment is unavailable. For a perfect colour match, visit our colour matching service page.
With over 30 years of experience, our team provides the technical knowledge and practical solutions to ensure your project's success. For all your coating needs, explore our powder coatings selection or contact us to discuss your requirements.