Dove Paint FAQ
Theme Paint, Expoxy & Architectural Coating Solutions
FOUNDED IN SINGAPORE
Trusted coatings expertise since 1960.
THEME PARKS & ATTRACTIONS
Specialized systems for immersive environments
250M m²
MULTICOLOR STONE PROJECTS
Proven across large-scale architectural developments.
COMPLETE COATING SYSTEMS
From surface prep to protective topcoat.
Choose By Project Need
THEME PARKS & SCENIC ENVIRONMENTS
Scenic rockwork, themed surfaces, attractions, props, and immersive environments.
ARCHITECTURAL STONE-LOOK FACADES
Exterior facades with a natural granite or stone-like finish.
INTERIOR ARTISAN FINISHES
Decorative walls, feature surfaces, bespoke textures, and refined interior finishes.
1. Base Form
2. Sculpting Epoxy
3. Carve / Texture
4. Paint / Stain
5. Protective Topcoat
What is DOVE Sculpting Epoxy used for?
DOVE Sculpting Epoxy is a lightweight, solvent-free, high-solids 2-component epoxy system designed for sculpting, fabricating, texturing, repairing, and creating detailed themed elements for theme parks, zoos, exhibits, and themed environments.
What surfaces can DOVE Epoxy bond to?
DOVE Epoxy products can be used on a wide range of prepared fabrication substrates, including concrete, wood, foam, metal, fiberglass, FCB, and other composite materials. Surfaces should be sanded and cleaned before application to support adhesion.
Is DOVE Sculpting Epoxy suitable for indoor and outdoor projects?
Yes. DOVE Sculpting is engineered for indoor and outdoor exhibits and displays, making it suitable for all-weather themed environments when applied according to the correct method.
Is DOVE Epoxy fire-rated?
Yes. DOVE Sculpting and DOVE Flex FR are ASTM E-84 Class A flame rating, making them suitable for public spaces where fire performance is an important requirement.
Can DOVE Epoxy be used on foam?
Yes. DOVE Epoxy is solvent-free and safe for use on foam surfaces. This makes it useful for scenic fabrication, lightweight props, themed facades, and sculptural elements where foam is commonly used as a base material.
How long does DOVE Epoxy take to cure?
For several DOVE Epoxy products, the working time is around 1 hour at normal room temperature. Recoating, demolding, or solidifying time depends on the product and application, with some systems estimated around 8 hours.
What is the mixing ratio for DOVE Sculpting Epoxy?
The brochure states that DOVE Sculpting uses a 1:1 mix ratio by volume for Part A and Part B. Correct mixing is important to achieve proper curing, bonding, strength, and workability.
Can DOVE Epoxy be painted or stained after curing?
Yes. DOVE Epoxy accepts tints, paints, and stains, allowing it to be integrated into different themed finishes such as rockwork, timber effects, aged surfaces, props, and decorative scenic elements.
What is DOVE Flex FR used for?
DOVE Flex FR is designed for projects that need both flexibility and fire resistance. It is suitable for dynamic, movable, or flexible themed structures and props while still achieving ASTM E-84 Class A fire performance.
Why use DOVE Epoxy instead of traditional FRP methods?
DOVE Epoxy can reduce fabrication complexity by offering strong bonding, sculptability, fire-rated performance, lightweight handling, repair capability, and compatibility with paints and stains. For casting applications, DOVE Casting is described as a seamless alternative for durable props and ornaments, with a sandable, paintable, and customizable surface.
1. Surface Prep
2. Primer / Sealer
3. Theme Stain
4. Clear Topcoat
5. Maintenance
What are theme paints used for?
Theme paints are used to create realistic scenic finishes for theme parks, zoos, museums, attractions, hospitality spaces, retail environments, and themed interiors. They help replicate natural surfaces such as rockwork, timber, aged brick, sandstone, concrete, and other artistic textures.
What makes DOVE Theme Stains different from normal paint?
DOVE Theme Stains are high-latex acrylic stains designed specifically for theming. Instead of simply covering the surface, they penetrate into the material, adhere tightly, and preserve the original texture with a long-lasting flat finish.
Can one theme stain colour create multiple shades?
Yes. DOVE Theme Stains have high colourant content and can be diluted with water to create different shades from the same colour. This allows artists to achieve natural colour variation for rockwork, wood grain, brick ageing, and other scenic effects.
Are DOVE Theme Paints suitable for outdoor use?
Yes. The DOVE Theme Series includes primers, stains, sealers, and protective topcoats with water, alkali, salt, mildew, and dirt resistance, making them suitable for outdoor themed environments when applied correctly.
What surfaces can DOVE Theme Paints be applied to?
They are commonly used on carved mortar, cementitious substrates, concrete, masonry, brick, block, plasterboard, rockwork, scenic facades, and themed surfaces. Proper surface preparation and primer selection are important for best results.
Do I need a primer before applying theme stains?
Yes. DOVE recommends applying 1-2 coats of Supreme VS90 Clear Sealer and/or Supreme S80 Sealer before Theme Paint, with about 2-4 hours drying time per sealer coat under normal conditions. The surface should be properly cured where required, clean, dry, and free of dirt, dust, oil, grease, mould, mildew, loose paint, and other contaminants before coating.
How are DOVE Theme Stains applied?
Theme Paint can be applied by roller, brush, sponge or cloth, conventional spray gun, airless spray gun, pump sprayer, or trigger bottle sprayer. It can be diluted with clean tap water, applied until the desired shade and appearance are reached, and allowed about 2-4 hours drying between coats. Highlights can be applied once the initial coat is surface dry, about 15-30 minutes under normal conditions.
Can DOVE Theme Paints be used for large project areas?
Yes. For large surfaces or project-scale theming work, gasless spraying tools are recommended to improve coverage speed and consistency.
How do DOVE Theme Paints help reduce maintenance?
The system includes Armour Shield Protective Clear Coat-UV and Armour Shield Protective Clear Coat 2K-UV topcoats, which help improve water resistance, dirt resistance, surface durability, and protection of finished thematic work. This can reduce maintenance requirements in high-traffic attractions.
Are DOVE Theme Paints environmentally friendly?
Yes. Several products in the DOVE Theme Series are water-based and environmentally friendly, and the brochure states that they do not contain mercury or lead.
1. Wall Substrate
2. Primer / Base Coat
3. Middle Coat
4. Multi-Color Paint
5. Clear Coat-UV
What substrates are suitable for Multi-Color Stone?
Multi-Color Stone is suitable for properly prepared concrete, masonry, cementitious rockwork, character facades, stone walls, and similar exterior substrates. The surface should be cured where required, dry, stable, clean, and free of dirt, dust, oil, grease, mould, mildew, loose paint, and other contaminants before coating begins.
How is the Multi-Color Stone effect created?
Unlike traditional stone finish, which uses coloured sand to create texture, DOVE Multicolor Stone uses advanced Water-in-Water (W/W) emulsion technology. During manufacturing, multiple coloured water-based emulsions are encapsulated into stable coloured droplets. When the coating is sprayed, these droplets remain intact instead of mixing together. As the coating dries, the individual coloured droplets create the random colour variation, depth, and mineral patterns found in natural granite. The result is a lightweight coating that closely replicates the beauty of real stone without the weight and cost of natural granite.
Why Water-in-Water Technology matters?
Water-in-Water Technology is the core mechanism behind the Multi-Color Stone effect, helping the coating achieve natural stone appearance, stable colour performance, and practical exterior durability.
- Natural granite appearance through distinct multi-coloured droplets.
- Excellent colour consistency, with stable coloured particles.
- Higher flexibility than traditional sand-based stone finishes, helping accommodate substrate movement and reduce the likelihood of cracking.
- Better dirt resistance, thanks to a denser, more uniform resin film that helps reduce dirt accumulation and makes the facade easier to clean.
- Lightweight, reducing structural load compared with natural stone cladding.
- Environmentally friendly, as it is a water-based technology with low VOC emissions.
How long does the system take to complete?
Timing depends on wall condition, project size, access, weather, and drying between coats. As a technical guide, Middle Coat should dry for at least 6 hours, Multi-Color Paint needs about 4-6 hours between coats, and Armour Shield Protective Clear Coat-UV also needs about 4-6 hours between coats under normal 25-30C conditions.
What topcoats are recommended?
Armour Shield Protective Clear Coat-UV is the recommended clear topcoat for this system. It is a water-based PU clear topcoat designed to protect undercoat paints from exterior weathering, with UV protection, non-yellowing performance, dirt resistance, water and alkali resistance, and stain resistance.
How durable is the Multi-Color Stone finish?
When the complete system is applied correctly over a suitable prepared substrate, Multi-Color Stone provides a durable exterior decorative finish with a natural granite-like look. The MCP source materials support water, alkali, salt, UV, scrub, stain, and dirt resistance claims when the system is applied according to the relevant TDS instructions.
Since 2000, Multi-Color Stone has been successfully applied across 250 million m² of projects, supporting its long-term performance in real-world applications.
Traditional Stone Finish vs DOVE Multicolor Stone
DOVE Multicolor Stone is designed to provide a more refined natural stone appearance with improved flexibility, dirt resistance, and long-term appearance retention compared with traditional sand-based stone finishes.
| Traditional Stone Finish | DOVE Multicolor Stone |
|---|---|
| Rough surface traps dust more easily | Smoother surface with better dirt resistance, making facades easier to keep clean |
| Lower flexibility | Higher flexibility helps accommodate substrate movement and reduces the risk of cracking |
| Colour can appear flat | Multi-layer colour particles create a more natural granite appearance with greater depth |
| Mainly imitates stone texture | Replicates both the texture and colour variation of natural granite |
| More frequent maintenance may be needed | Better long-term appearance retention, reducing maintenance costs |
| More economical | Premium system for luxury developments and landmark projects |
Technical Performance & Compliance Highlights
Exterior Durability
Built for long-term decorative performance with system options supporting weather, UV, scrub, stain, dirt, water, alkali, and salt resistance where specified by the relevant TDS.
ASTM E-84 Class A
DOVE Sculpting and DOVE Flex FR are ASTM E-84 Class A flame rating, making them suitable for public spaces where fire performance is an important requirement.
Low-VOC Options
Selected DOVE systems support low-odor, low-emission interior applications when specified according to the relevant product documentation.
System Support
Get help matching primer, finish, protection layers, substrate preparation, and TDS/MSDS documents to the project condition.
Technical Resources & Project Support
1. Choose System
Select the right DOVE system for your project needs.
2. Request TDS / MSDS
Access technical data sheets and safety documents.
3. Confirm Sample
Review samples and finishes before you build.
4. Apply On Site
Expert guidance for successful application and performance.
Need Expert Support?
From concept to construction, our team can help you choose, specify, and apply the right coating system for your project.