Commercial Decorating Question

[billshatner71]

Just wondering what emulsion and gloss paint commercial decorators here use?

Thanks.

Ed.

[David]

I don't know about here but I have seen commercial decorators use Crown trade paint. My family were impressed with the Crown full undercoat and full gloss and emulsion paint.

[Phil L]

A decorating freind of mine swears by Jhonstones - it is good quality paint, but then again, so is Crown, and to a lesser degree, Dulux

[The Medway Handyman]

Wouldn't call myself a commercial decorator, but I do 'slap a coat of emulsion' on walls for letting agents on a regular basis. Always magnolia and I buy the Wickes trade range.

[HappyHunter]

As did a decorator I know. Bought a load of Johnstones myself, think it is absolute and utter rubbish. It was the Matt emulsion. When fully dried, the slightest knock on the walls scuffs the paint. After about 1 month, the rooms (about 5 of them), looked liked they needed repainted.

Haven't yet got round to doing them, and the walls now look a complete mess (full of scuff marks), this is now about 3 years later.

I've still got a load of the stupid stuff in the loft. Will maybe use it as undercoat (I'm loath just to chuck it out).

[Peter Johnson]

I used to work for Crown. We used to rate Johnston's and Leyland, from the same company as I recall, against 'our' Brolac/Macpherson [1], 'value for money' ranges. Of course, we always said that Crown was better than Dulux but then the Dulux people would say that theirs was better than Crown. Can't remember the name of the Dulux value range.

[1] Brolac and Macpherson were made to the same formulas in different factories and sold/marketed in different parts of the country. Both were owned by Akzo Nobel, which also owned Crown. About four years ago Brolac was replaced by Macpherson nationally. A year or so back Akzo Nobel bought ICI, including Dulux, and sold Crown to its management.

[Rod]

No wonder I am (maybe we are?) confused, if it ain't owned by Akzo Nobel, it was...

[David]

Does he swear by Johnstones Trade professional range or the standard range?

[billshatner71]

Thanks everyone. Useful answers. I've never had much success with Crown paint but the walls in my house were done with that by the previous occupants (tins in the garage) and they still look very good.

[stuart noble]

Last time I used Dulux emulsion it appeared they had taken the non-drip formula to extremes. The stuff was so thick, it would have been better marketed as a ready mixed plaster. Crown had a lower viscosity but covered just as well, and was much easier to use. Interesting to see Berger paints in my local ironmongers at very competitive prices. Seems that some of the older brands may be scraping the barrel in terms of retail outlets

[Andrew Gabriel]

Emulsion takes many weeks to set to full strength. Drying and setting aren't the same thing.

[sm_jamieson]

Local decorators around here (Midlands) use Leyland paints mostly. Simon.