Supermatt as finish coat

[Diggory]

Hi all,

I’ve been using Dulux Trade Supermatt and I like the opacity and Matt finish; it covers well in a really old house with many imperfections. I appreciate that it’s very low vinyl content means it’s not tough and washable and that it will mark being ultra Matt. That aside, is there any reason why I shouldn’t use it as finish coat for walls and ceilings?

D

 

[footprints]

Fine for ceilings, as you say a bit too mark-able for walls.

 

[opps]

There is no reason why you "can't" use it but as per @footprints ' post, it will be impossible to keep clean on the walls.

Years ago I had to paint a massively long newly plastered ceiling for a customer in their new extension. I was concerned about any imperfections becoming visible depending on the angle of the sun. I recommended the more expensive Dulux Ultra Matt, but I made the customer aware of the caveats. One upside was any marks left by the kitchen fitters could be touched in without a noticeable halo effect.

Supermatt over regular matt is less likely to pass the "fingernail test" though.

 

[Diggory]

Thanks reply @footprints.

I’ve tried it on a few walls now and it covers really well; never seen the walls look so good. So much so, I’m tempted to leave the Supermatt finish in bedrooms / low traffic areas.

D

 

[opps]

Thanks reply @footprints.

I’ve tried it on a few walls now and it covers really well; never seen the walls look so good. So much so, I’m tempted to leave the Supermatt finish in bedrooms / low traffic areas.

D

Don't use it on bathroom ceilings though. I had a job where, initially, I was only there to paint cabinets. The contractor mentioned that whenever someone tested the shower the ceiling became dark. The other decorators had used supermatt over the newly skimmed ceiling. The paint allows moisture to travel in both directions (not surprising given that it is designed to let wet plaster dry out). I had to them coat the ceiling with waterbased eggshell.

 

[Diggory]

Thank you @opps and noted on bathroom.

I’ve just given some Trade Diamond Eggshell a go in bathroom and ummmmm - can’t get on with that at all. The old water based eggshell was lovely paint, this stuff is hard work. I might get some Johnstones Trade Acrylic Durable Matt for bathroom and kitchen.

D

 

[opps]

Thank you @opps and noted on bathroom.

I’ve just given some Trade Diamond Eggshell a go in bathroom and ummmmm - can’t get on with that at all. The old water based eggshell was lovely paint, this stuff is hard work. I might get some Johnstones Trade Acrylic Durable Matt for bathroom and kitchen.

D

With the DT diamond eggshell, the first coat is a bit of a pig to work with. It doesn't flow well. The second coat does though, it glides over the first.

You can add some Floetrol to help the first coat if required. Propylene glycol is a cheaper alternative.

 

[Diggory]

the first coat is a bit of a pig to work with

For sure.
Thanks for tips.

D

 

[aveatry]

I find that matt can also collect dirt in the air or dust near top of wall corners. I used johnsons acrylic eggshell in the kitchen and really liked it. The rest of the house apart from bathroom are painted with dulux satin - so not shiny and not mat - its a low sheen will all the benefits of vinyl and none of the drawbacks of mat

 

[opps]

I find that matt can also collect dirt in the air or dust near top of wall corners. I used johnsons acrylic eggshell in the kitchen and really liked it. The rest of the house apart from bathroom are painted with dulux satin - so not shiny and not mat - its a low sheen will all the benefits of vinyl and none of the drawbacks of mat

Years ago, I lined my kitchen walls, primed the paper and then applied oil based eggshell. The finish was lovely. I sanded the primer back to get it flat. Yeah, it stank for a few days but any cooking splashes could be scrubbed off using a green scouring pad.

Waterbased eggshell is easier to work with... but be advised that oil splashes not cleaned up quickly will soften the paint.

Path of least resistant- yeah, waterbased eggshell.

 

[Diggory]

I might get some Johnstones Trade Acrylic Durable Matt for bathroom and kitchen.

I did - it’s very nice.
Much prefer it to the Trade Diamond Eggshell.
And it had a nice matt (but smooth) finish; the Diamond Egshell has much more sheen than it once did.

D