Mike Mitchell wrote:

On Sat, 26 Jun 2004 22:50:02 +0100, TP wrote:


"AK" wrote:

Can anyone tell me what the difference is between trade emulsion and
emulsion for sale in the sheds? I can buy both Trade and standard
emulsion at my local Brewers but I don't know what the difference
is!!


I remember when, several years ago on "Changing Rooms", one of the
couples proudly returned from a trip to B&Q with a large plastic tub
of Trade Paint ...

and Handy Andy said "I see you've bought some Three-Coat Emulsion".

;-)

Moral of the story; treat the sheds' own-brand "trade" emulsion with
the greatest caution.

Of course, if you go to a trade supplier and buy a *branded* trade
paint, you will find it is of very good quality, and often needs to be
thinned before use.


Dulux or Crown are fine for woodwork, e.g. satin wood, or gloss. But I
would *never* pay the extortionate price they demand for ordinary
emulsion for walls. I used the Homebase brand extensively (matt white
emulsion), which is roughly half the price of Dulux. After painting a
whole house with it, I know that it is just as good as the Dulux brand
in covering and whiteness, as I have used Dulux emulsion before. Also,
it doesn't smell so bad (the Dulux stuff seems to smell of rotten eggs
while it's drying).

As for all the "posh" paints, like Farrow & Ball or National Trust,
well, to my mind people just have more money than sense! It's only
paint, for heck's sake!


No, it isn't. NOTHING looks like Farrow and ball paint except Farrow and
ball paint.

It really is a different class altogether.

The secret is in the preparation, anyway. That's where the effort
goes, or should. Get a good surface to start with and you can get
excellent results with Woolworths own brand!

MM