Farrow & Ball -worth it or cheaper alternatives?

Edwardia

I'm not a professional by any means but having painted a fair few rooms in the house so far, this is my experience.

Basecoat (I use Wickes Trade Paint for New Plaster in 10L tubs, brilliant white or magnolia) stops paint bleeding into walls and gives a uniform base so the emulsion on top looks even and goes on smoothly.

Cheap paint has a lot of white in it. When you open the can you'll see it and when you stir it in you'll see the paint getting murkier in colour. Farrow and Ball paint doesn't do this. Good trade paint doesn't do this either (I like Brewers).

When it comes to eggshell, I suggest going oil-based. Water-based stuff runs like crazy and I don't see the fun of paying out for designer stuff when oil-based trade paint low odour stuff from Brewers is better.

British Standard paints have numbers such as BS 10 C 31 even if they go by different names eg vanilla, parchment or tusk. All paints with that number should be made to the same recipe so you can shop around for the cheapest price.

I agree that F&B Estate Emulsion isn't even wipeable, but nor is Johnstone's obliterating matt or Crown Period Colours flat matt. The F&B has stood up to wear in our house better than the other two however.

I'm appalled that professionals just chuck in stuff from the back of vans or lie and tell customers it's F&B when it isn't. If they are paying for F&B that's their choice and they should get it. I'll continue to paint myself now to save the money and not get ripped off !

nickj_2

Edwardia wrote: »

I'm not a professional by any means but having painted a fair few rooms in the house so far, this is my experience.

Basecoat (I use Wickes Trade Paint for New Plaster in 10L tubs, brilliant white or magnolia) stops paint bleeding into walls and gives a uniform base so the emulsion on top looks even and goes on smoothly.

Cheap paint has a lot of white in it. When you open the can you'll see it and when you stir it in you'll see the paint getting murkier in colour. Farrow and Ball paint doesn't do this. Good trade paint doesn't do this either (I like Brewers).

When it comes to eggshell, I suggest going oil-based. Water-based stuff runs like crazy and I don't see the fun of paying out for designer stuff when oil-based trade paint low odour stuff from Brewers is better.

British Standard paints have numbers such as BS 10 C 31 even if they go by different names eg vanilla, parchment or tusk. All paints with that number should be made to the same recipe so you can shop around for the cheapest price.

I agree that F&B Estate Emulsion isn't even wipeable, but nor is Johnstone's obliterating matt or Crown Period Colours flat matt. The F&B has stood up to wear in our house better than the other two however.

I'm appalled that professionals just chuck in stuff from the back of vans or lie and tell customers it's F&B when it isn't. If they are paying for F&B that's their choice and they should get it. I'll continue to paint myself now to save the money and not get ripped off !

most painters avoid F&B like the plague becos it is 1/3rd more than decent paint, ei dulux, johnstones etc , it's hard to get hold of , most stores only hold a couple of tins in each colour ,my local builders merchant is a 5 min drive from my house , if i want f&B then i've got a 1hr hr round trip on my hands , if they haven't got what i need or the quantitiies then it has to be ordered which can take a few days - your average tradesman doesn't have time to faff around with the hassle , i want to go to my local metrchant and pick it up there and then , plus it doesn't cover as well as trade paints and can need extra coats

i was having a similar convo ina couple of F&B stores on the odd occaision when customers insist on F&B and even they admitted that most painters hate it .. and they are selling the stuff:eek::eek: