Best value paint etc please

gillian62

We are decorating our son's first flat, and wondered what tips you could give us re cheap paint/ expensive paint and if there are any good offers at the moment. He is wanting to paint the flat an off white. Thanks, Gillian.

latecomer

Avoid any B&Q value paint, its crap. homebase were doing 3 for 2 on Dulux 2.5l tins but its probably finished by now.

BB1984

Homebase have got Crown on 3 for 2.

Cheap paint is a false economy, I've found - I only use Crown or Dulux now.

I bought a can of Crown's "Solo" paint (claims to only need one coat, haven't tried it yet but I'm dubious! But it was the only range in that colour) - and it rang through the till at half price. Didn't say anything on the shelf, so maybe it was just that one colour that was discontinued....

My local Homebase has discontinued some of their Dulux "Light & Space" range (mostly off-whites) so they're all half price - might be worth a look.

B&Q often have the 15l tubs of Crown matt white emulsion on offer - good for undercoating.

BB

Claire_Jones_3

I've used some of the Wickes Master paint and it was better than i thought it'll be. We used the kitchen and bathroom ones and the one coat paint and its done what it said on the tin even on brand new plaster. And the master paint range was on sale last weekend when we got some

latecomer

BB1984 wrote: »

B&Q often have the 15l tubs of Crown matt white emulsion on offer - good for undercoating.

Still did the other day when I was in.

The one coat paints are generally pretty good as long as you are painting over a similar colour. Otherwise its going to take 2 coats.

maryhillgirl

I swear by B&Qs Colours range, not the value range which is, indeed, not brilliant. I've just decorated a large lounge, rollering the walls, and hardly got any splashing or runs at all. I use the matt finish, simply because I prefer it. It stays on the roller well. Two coats of Soft Beige completely covered the previous pale blue.
Don't know the current prices, but it's a bit cheaper than Crown etc

sarah_elton

Have to say I HATE one coat paints!

1) They're much thicker than regular paint so you get brush marks. Definitely need to roller it on but you'll find it hard to avoid brush marks round the edges.

2) Unless the colour you're going over is pretty much identical, they still need two coats so they work out more expensive.

If you're going over darker colours with lighter ones, use a coat or two of a cheap white emulsion first. I made the mistake of going over a bright lilac with Dulux magnolia and it took about four coats to properly cover it. :rolleyes: A white base would have made it much easier and been considerably cheaper. But for the final coat I would definitely use a decent make like Dulux or Crown - you do get a better finish.

Slimcilla

If you go to a paint merchant you can often find paint made by a company called Gliddens. I have used it in the 4 of my 9 previous houses. I really like the quality and coverage. I use a colour called 10B15 which Dulux call Gardenia and Crown call Soft White - I think it's a classier colour than Magnilia and looks great with any coloured furnishings and accessories. It's cheaper than Dulux and Crown but that does depends of 10% days and offers at the DIY stores..

As quoted I totally concur that 1 coat paints are utter pants and so are cheap DIY store paints. Personally, I also avoid expensive Farrow and Ball as it fades and that makes touch-ups difficult..

TDA10

As a B&Q employee (and supposed paint 'expert' too!) I second that our 'Value' range is utter tosh unless you are a prop developer redecorating a rented student place, for e.g.

Our own Colours range is ok but not overly durable or wipeable, but would definitely do for a first time flat decorating job. Some of the Dulux Endurance (i.e wipeable and washable) range is currently on offer at approx £14 for a 5l tub - you'd pay £18 for the 2.5L normally! And the colours vary from Natural Calico which is a creamy one, to various blues, greens, whites etc.

Not all colours are on offer though.

At our store (a warehouse one) we also have, as previously mentioned above, the Crown 10L tubs of white or magnolia for a tenner. Pretty decent stuff for what you need it for I'd say - especially ok for ceilings I've found.

HTH!

vivatifosi

My brother is a painter and decorator and my source of all decorating advice. He too recommends the big tubs for a tenner - especially the brilliant white for a tenner, that's a great buy.

My preference is for Dulux diamond matt paints, are available from professional paint suppliers. It sounds pretty much like Dulux Endurance (which I hadn't heard of before, so thanks TDA10, I'm off to B&Q now to buy while on special) only the professional version. The finish is fantastic, and any marks wipe right off. Expensive, but I redecorated several rooms when I moved in 2 and a half years ago and they are the ones that don't have scuffs (because the scuffs wash off).

Edited to add: if you can get the Dulux Light & Space half price (see above), that's a great paint to use in small/poky rooms. Really opens them up.

jockster211

Slimcilla wrote: »

If you go to a paint merchant you can often find paint made by a company called Gliddens. I have used it in the 4 of my 9 previous houses. I really like the quality and coverage. I use a colour called 10B15 which Dulux call Gardenia and Crown call Soft White - I think it's a classier colour than Magnilia and looks great with any coloured furnishings and accessories. It's cheaper than Dulux and Crown but that does depends of 10% days and offers at the DIY stores..

As quoted I totally concur that 1 coat paints are utter pants and so are cheap DIY store paints. Personally, I also avoid expensive Farrow and Ball as it fades and that makes touch-ups difficult..

Glidden or McPherson, both v. good paints. Alternately owned by both Dulux & Crown over the years. So its backed by well known names.

Expect to pay around £20 for a 5Ltr.

Jockster