is cheap value paint a waste of money?

Bollotom

I find that using a painting pad is far easier than brush or roller. Covers well, is very economical with the paint and fast to do a room. It's worth a bash as you will save quite a lot of money on paint.

DigForVictory

Base layer needn't be expensive & if onto fresh plaster, can be diluted down 50%...

Any attempt at one layer painting is risky, (if not doomed), so I'd layer Leyland on top of something even cheaper after ruthlessly thorough prep.

Catslovelycats

I always use Wilkinsons own brand of paint and never have any trouble with it.

lessonlearned

Every so often B&Q have offers on Dulux emulsion paint, the 2.5 litre size. 3 for 2 or 2 for £20.

They will probably have offers on in the run up to Easter.

Also if you have a family member over 60 you can get a 10% discount on Wednesdays. They just need to apply for a card - it's free.

chrisyd

I think it has already been said, but try the Dulux Decorator Centres for some trade paint, there is also a special at the moment for 7.5l tubs of white matt at the moment :-)

warmhands.coldheart

Only thing cheap value paint is good for is mist coat on fresh plaster in my view..

horsechestnut

I have just had some work done in my house and have had to buy Gallons (sorry Litres) of paint. B&Q have offers on Crown and Dulux in large tubs in white and 3 shades of cream (magnolia is the cheapest)
Again bought on a Wednesday for the 10% discount.
What I did pay extra for was the Kitchen/Bathroom paint. I once used ordinary paint and it cracked on the walls and ceiling after about a year; it was a very expensive few pounds that I had saved!!!!

Pipkin

I think it's hit and miss with cheap paint personally. I've found Homebase paint to be a false economy to be honest as it takes a good 3 or 4 coats to cover [properly sometimes, especially if it is a colour with any depth you are using. On the other hand I've bought a tub of cheap white emulsion from Asda and found it covered well enough for redoing a ceiling. My own preference (and I've painted a LOT! people always tease me about how much I paint) is Crown matt, I find it covers beautifully and is easy to paint with, and if you can be organised and wait it is always on offer at some point.

missesther

Just to add, it depends where you're painting. My kitchen has Farrow & Ball and my lounge, Dulux (for the colour) simply because these are the two rooms most used whilst awake (and able to see the colour and finish!). In any other room I wouldn't be too fussed about the quality as long as the finish is acceptable for you.

I do remember buying Dulux for my parents lounge and having to put on four coats to get a good even cover but that was unusual, normally Dulux can be done in two coats. I've seen the Wilko brand give a terrible cover in two coats and looked like it needed 2-3 more which doesn't make it much cheaper and a lot more time consuming. Take into consideration the state of the walls as well. Helpfully we'd replastered the lounge and kitchen which maximised the paint finish.

happenstance

Thanks everyone, looks like I will get the dulux paint on offer now.

The finish of the one room I've done is not great but think that is more to do with my skill ha, will stock up