Gloss, Satin & Eggshell
Credit: Giorgio Possenti/Vega MG
Gloss is a time-honoured choice for painting interior wood and metal. It is often a solvent-based paint that is a hard wearing finish on wood and metal with a high gloss brush-free finish. Gloss requires an undercoat, but a great selection when a high sheen is preferred.
Satin – sometimes called Satinwood – is a solvent-based paint similar to gloss, but the main difference is that it has a less shiny finish. Satin does not normally need an undercoat if used over a previously painted surface, and it’s particularly good for painting skirting boards.
An alternative to ordinary gloss, non-drip gloss has a jelly-like additive to make it easier to use as there is less chance of runs and drips forming, and they also don’t normally need an undercoat if applied over a previously painted surface. It is ideal if you have difficulty in painting without drips falling from the brush.
Eggshell paint traditionally refers to an oil-based paint with a silky finish, suitable for interior walls and woodwork, but many water-based alternatives are now readily available, as it flies back into fashion. It is now generally used for wood when a soft subtle finish is required or for an authentic period finish, and it is also a great base for paint effects. Eggshell can be suitable for using on wood, metal and plaster, and is a good paint for plasterboard.
Credit: Denise Bonenti/Vega Mg
One coat gloss formulas offer a considerable gloss that covers the surface in one coat and requires no undercoat. These paints are particularly effective if you want to quickly clean up paintwork in the same or related colour. But the paint must not be spread too thinly, and it doesn’t always work well over another strong colour.
Many people find the smell of traditional gloss and satin paint disagreeable, because of the high solvent content, but there are now water-based equivalents available with many advantages; they dry within a few hours, so applying several coats in one day is perfectly possible. The main drawback is that it is difficult to get a totally brush-free finish and a high gloss outcome is unlikely.
Nearly all bare surfaces need priming first and this is done, not only to seal the bare surface so that the topcoat paint does not sink in, but also to help the paint adhere properly and to give a protective layer. There are many different primers available for different surfaces – including tiles, wood, metal, plaster, tiles and MDF – in both water-based quick drying and solvent-based versions. It is important to use the correct primer for the job to achieve the best finish, but there are also some 'all purpose primers' available which are designed for two or more of these surfaces.
Usually oil-based, undercoat is applied on top of the primer and is largely used to give body to gloss paint. It is also useful when strong colour changes are required. The undercoat should always be of the correct colour to provide the right base for the finishing coats.
For use in humid conditions, such as in kitchens and bathrooms, this paint is specially formulated to prevent the surface becoming cold to the touch and therefore less conducive to condensation. It is not a cure for condensation, only a way of reducing its effect on painted surfaces. They often include a fungicide.
For more information on specialist paints, innovative and eco-friendly paints and what paint suits which room read Part Two >>