Solvent free 'gloss' paint - your opinions please!

[sparkybird]

Hi there

We are redecorating our place and there's a lot of woodwork! Interested in using a waterbased/solvent free 'gloss' so that we don't get too high! (plus also for environmental reasons, of course)

Does anyone have an opinion on these and which they would recommend? I see that Dulux do one, plus we've tried a pot from ECOS (also organic!) but this was quite expensive.

Searched the fourm but didn't seem to come up, so I'd be grateful for your thoughts

Thanks
SB

 

[2scoops0406]

Not a pro, but I think it's awful, much worse finish, not as durable. Advantages, not so bad for your health, seems whiter than oil based, probably won't yellow as quickly, but then due to it's lack of durability will need re-painting fairly frequently anyway. Also, I have been told, although don't know if it is true, that all domestic paints will have to be water based by 2010. That's my 0.0292 € worth anyway.

 

[seaangler]

its not bad - but doesnt wipe clean very well
most important thing is DONT use a bristle brush , synthetic only Bristle brushed swell with the water which is why you get a crap finish. The only brush i have fouind worth while is the "purdey" brush (have you seen the price of them though !!) Harris have recently brought out a copy which seem ok , but i havnt tried them with water based gloss yet

 

[sparkybird]

Thanks folks - good tip on the brushes - could be why we had to do a few coats...

We've not got kids so the 'wipe clean' element isn't so important

seaangler - do you use any specific brand?

Cheers

SB

 

[seaangler]

not used it in quite some time (managed to avoid decorating in some years ) I used leyland but i gather that dulux was exactly the same stuff . The one problem that i had was getting colours , i was a leyland stockist at the time but couldnt get colours off leyland - could only get it from B&Q Now that really peed me off as the B&Q own brand at the time was made by leyland !!! plus i HATE shopping at B&Q as i really dont like to be ripped off.
I'm not sure who makes what these days but i still feel that you cant go wrong with leyland paints
the harris brushes are the "definition" range

 

[Zampa]

There are pros an cons for the product...I have been using water based gloss's for about 20 years now and hey have improved...but we are still way behind other countries...in some European countires oil based has been taken off the market, they keep trying to push for that here but the product just isnt up to the job yet.

Pros...

Quick drying, very low odour, doesnt yellow over time, flexible...ideal for outside wood work, easy to apply..it dries quick so less chance of runs and sags.

Cons...

Very slow drying in cold or damp conditions, most dont have a full glossy sheen, brush marks...becasue the paint dries quick the brush marks down have a chance to flow out, poor covering power,

Dulux make the highest glos level water based IMO but its very slow drying..it smells like an oil based...and covering pwer is dreadful..all these at the expense of a higher sheen level

So as you can see...the paint is nowhere near perfect...you have to buy it to suit your particular painting project..

As for anything 'eco'...i find them a total rip off...make a product without some of the ingredient that really make it work...slap 'eco' on the label and double the price!