Matt paint on kitchen walls?

swingaloo

I have recently painted 2 of my kitchen walls in a dark grey Dulux matt paint. I had used it on a chimney breast and it looks great so thought I would use the remainder of the tin.

I used it on a wall around the patio doors and this morning across the top and down the sides it looked as if water had been pouring in, water marks all over  the paint. The doors are brand new and I am certain that there is no leak anywhere so I am assuming it is condensation. The wall around the window is a different colour and is a silk finish. There are no issues there even when the window has been steamed up the paintwork does not show signs of water marks running.

Is it just because the paint is matt finish that it looks so bad, even when the condensation is gone and the walls feel dry there are still water marks and streaks left showing on the surface. When I look on the Dulux website it does say matt is fine for kitchen use but it looks terrible. 

Would painting the walls again with a silk finish sort it out or are the water marks likely to appear through that coat?

 I'm 100% certain there is no water ingress from the doors. It can only be condensation causing the issue.

35har1old

swingaloo said:

I have recently painted 2 of my kitchen walls in a dark grey Dulux matt paint. I had used it on a chimney breast and it looks great so thought I would use the remainder of the tin.

I used it on a wall around the patio doors and this morning across the top and down the sides it looked as if water had been pouring in, water marks all over  the paint. The doors are brand new and I am certain that there is no leak anywhere so I am assuming it is condensation. The wall around the window is a different colour and is a silk finish. There are no issues there even when the window has been steamed up the paintwork does not show signs of water marks running.

Is it just because the paint is matt finish that it looks so bad, even when the condensation is gone and the walls feel dry there are still water marks and streaks left showing on the surface. When I look on the Dulux website it does say matt is fine for kitchen use but it looks terrible. 

Would painting the walls again with a silk finish sort it out or are the water marks likely to appear through that coat?

 I'm 100% certain there is no water ingress from the doors. It can only be condensation causing the issue.

Did you paint over a silk finish?

ThisIsWeird

As a general rule, matt emulsions are more porous to water than silk; if you spray water on each, the matt will show this by becoming darker.
There will be some exceptions, such as - perhaps - the scrubbable ranges of wall paints, or water-based paints that use a different technology - there are waterproof matt paints out there. 
Almost certainly what you are seeing is what you suspect it is - condensation from the kitchen environment has formed on that cold external wall so that it not only became absorbed into its surface making it visibly darker (just as if you'd spilt water on it), but even to the extent that rivulets formed, running down your wall.
That's a lot of cond, so there's likely to be another part to this whole issue around ensuring vapour production is managed and removed at source.
Anyway, almost certainly the use of silk paint would have been more 'successful' here, but only in not showing you what is actually going on! Almost certainly these walls would still have been running with condensation with 'silk', but you just wouldn't have noticed it, so perhaps the matt has done you a favour?!
So, research wall paints with anti-cond properties suitable - designed for - kitchens and bathrooms. They should include matt versions, 'cos let's face it, silk on walls is ugly. 
And review your extraction system and process during cooking - does it vent externally? Is it adequate? Do you run it fast enough? For long enough? I'd suggest that's the main issue, and hence solution. 
Along with a specialised paint.

Albermarle

So, research wall paints with anti-cond properties suitable - designed for - kitchens and bathrooms. They should include matt versions, 'cos let's face it, silk on walls is ugly. 

I think most paint sold as 'Kitchen and bathroom' paint is described as soft sheen. So something inbetween matt and silk.

I have used a Homebase 'Tough & Durable' matt paint. It does not say specifically it is for Kitchens & Bathrooms, but it is described as hardwearing, washable and stain resistant.

ThisIsWeird

Albermarle said:

I think most paint sold as 'Kitchen and bathroom' paint is described as soft sheen. So something inbetween matt and silk.

I have used a Homebase 'Tough & Durable' matt paint. It does not say specifically it is for Kitchens & Bathrooms, but it is described as hardwearing, washable and stain resistant.

Thanks. 'Washable' should surely do the job!

But, Swingie, you should look at where all this seemingly-excessive condensation is coming from as well.