Eggshell paint for woodwork ?

[JohnM]

I'm looking for a paint with an eggshell finish for doors and skirting boards. I've tried Dulux, Crown and Homebase and they are all a bit too shiny. Does anyone have any other recommendations ? There seem to be some water-based paints around now, are they any good ?

Cheers

John

 

[Nemesis]

Farrow and Ball - but the oil not the water based. Not tried those, but reports are that they are not as good.

Not the dead flat either.

It's not the most eco-friendly, but doesn't need doing very often.

 

[Andrew Bodenham]

After using Farrow & Ball oil eggshell for a while I've now switched to the water-based equivalent, because it's so much nicer to use. No volatiles, less smell, quick drying, wash up with water. Durability looks good, so far.

When I bought paint for my latest project I went to a trade paint store and got them to mix a Farrow & Ball colour, but using a generic trade base. The result is identical to "genuine" F&B, but at about 60% of the price. Got some emulsion in the same way too.

The acrylic paint does handle rather differently, and you do need to trowel it on generously to get the coverage. Synthetic brushes are a must too.

I'd never go back to using oils now for internal work. Of course, the acrylic stuff is hardly traditional - I suppose it depends how much of a stickler for authenticity you are.

 

[Carrie]

We're thinking of using Farrow & Ball dead flat oil for woodwork. I'm wondering why you advised not to Nemesis.

 

[Nemesis]

Dead flat I am sure is fine - not tried it - but we have used the eggshell and it is very hardwearing.

The dead flat I have no idea how easy it is to clean and we are mucky people. I think will look very good though.

Not tried the water based - someone on this site wasn't keen.

Try also Rose of Jericho.

I can tell the difference between paint mixed from Dulux and the F and B we have used.

It's the way the pigment sits in the paint.

 

[Anita]

Yet another Farrow and Ball addict here! We've used their oil based egshell and the finish is quite matt - and also very forgiving for all of our old houses with woodwork that is not super smooth!!

I also find that Wickes own brand egg-shell is fairly good, as to get a slightly lighter shade than the F & B that we were planning to use, we mixed in some of Wickes' white (as no F & B available to buy locally, and the job just HAD to be done due to imminent arrival of guests) and it worked a treat!

However I find the "dead flat" paint can end up looking a bit like undercoat! Also, avoid the "one coat" paints at all costs - as any that I have seen applied appear to be full of brush marks, although I have never used them myself.

 

[skier-hughes]

Homebase are advertising heavily that they now stock F&B paint, as the only major shed to do so.

 

[MDE]

I've used Rose of Jericho which has a nice fairly flat finish

 

[NT]

Oil based paint can be made to any degree of flatness/glossness by mixing oil based undercoat (matt) with oil based gloss in any desired proportion. You can of course use other types of oil based paints in the mix instead.


NT

 

[Anita]

Homebase DO stock F&B - but only limited amounts and shades, and of course they are only open until 8pm which is no good when you are on a deadline and working until all hours (and didn't plan ahead) :? !

 

[michael]

Whilst you’re on this subject, I wonder if I could ask a question? I’ve seen some rather nice paint colours on the exterior windows of period brick houses over the past few years. I would call them “pavilion” colours or French farmhouse colours where they have gone for matt finish olive greens or kaki shades rather than the standard white. I’ve also seen some very subtle duck egg blues all of which contrast beautifully with old brickwork. Do F&B offer these types of ‘pastel shades?

 

[Nemesis]

Yes.

 

[Carrie]

Don't think Homebase do F&B "dead flat". It's very expensive but am painting a pannelled room and want a really flat look. (We're a bit mucky too so hope I don't live to regret it). The people at Farrow and Ball are really helpful if you have queries.

 

[Nemesis]

Rapid delivery too, if you phone.

I think you are right to go for really flat, it will look smashing I'm sure, historically correct, and I have heard it's easy to keep clean, but the eggshell goes quite flat in time too.

 

[Essex]

We used the F&B dead flat oil on our previous Georgian house 10 years ago. When we sold it 18months ago it still looked fab

 

[Pford75]

We tried both water and oil based eggshell....both looked good...but the oil based was much harder wearing.

I know others weren't keen, but I found the F&B distemper to be great. Wasn't a huge fan of their emulsion though...believe there are other paints just as good (without the name) for half the price

 

[Nemesis]

Did you use the modern or the Estate emulsion?

I certainly can see a difference.

 

[Ian Bond]

Just wondering if anyone's tried natural plant oil based eggshell paints?

I'm considering trying earthBorn Eggshell, and would be interested to hear of any experiences with this or similar (as sold through the PPUK shop).

Having been using linseed oil paint for exterior woodwork, I've just gone back to modern oil primers and undercoats in preparation for using RofJ Eggshell, and rediscovered how unpleasant decorating can be (fumes, messy cleanup with white spirit).

I know that you don't have to paint the interior woodwork that often - all I can say is that it's a good job. I've got a lot to do though, so something less smelly, but still durable would be a bonus.

Ta,

Ian