Dulux Paint Quality

[Mr-H]

Has the quality of Dulux paints nosedived? My wife and I are decorating our hall, stairs and landing using Dulux Gentle Fawn in Matt Emulsion. The area to be covered is no more than in an average 3 bedroom semi, but coverage is such that with 2 coats applied, we have only done one full side of the hallway, about half of the other side, without even starting up the stairs and have already used 5 litres of paint at a cost of almost £20 per 2.5 litres (is no wonder B&Q are selling Dulux paints 3 for 2?) We also decided to use Dulux Satinwood in the same colour for the skirting boards, radiator etc. the colour is nothing like the emulsion (indeed it’s only and off-white), and the coverage is so thin that it’s already clear to us that it will take at least 2, perhaps even 3 coats to achieve an acceptable finish. I just wondered whether anyone else has unfavourable results using Dulux? Is it now no more than expensive rubbish? Perhaps next time I’ll buy cheaper ‘own branded’ paint? Surely it’s not just because of the removal of lead from paint. Last time I bought Dulux (some time ago admittedly) I thought it was fine.

[gness]

Mr-H I had dreadful problems last year with Dulux paint. One door...painted, sanded, painted on and on and it was as if I hadn't touched it. It was as if I wasn't using paint at all.
I then discovered Dulux had problems which resulted in them having to compensate some customers.
Google Dulux paint problems for more info....and it's not a sorted problem. My electrician had the same problem as you just weeks ago.

[beegeebee]

Unfortunately you have to blame (?) the E.U.. They changed the basic materials which could be used in the manufacturing of the paint.

[Fanriffic]

I totally agree with you. The quality of Dulux paints is not what it used to be.
It's very thick, almost like a tar consistency.
My painter and decorator friend tells me that he hasn't used Dulux for nearly ten years. He recommends "own branded" like Wilkos or Wickes.
Not that I'm advertising or recommending it but I've heard that Johnstone's Trade is rather good but expensive.

[silliemillie]

i was just thinking the same myself. Last time I painted my hall & stairs I could have sworn it used half the amount it has this time.

I always use 'good quality' paint as the own brands in my experience have always been false economy as they are thinner & need more coats, but its appears this is now happening with the better brands.

Paints not cheap either is it.

[abstibus]

I always try to use Trade paint (or rather, get him who does to use it).
The difference is quite remarkable, especially with eggshell and satinwood.

[duckcity]

I have found that Wilkinsons paint is excellent.I used to use Dulux but not any more.

[Mr-H]

I certainly won't be using Dulux again either. Unfortunately, though, 'own brand' like Wilko's has a reputation of 'cheap price = cheap quality'.I have found that coverage of B&Q own brand really was bad. Next time though, could well be Wilkos!

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Dulux paints are now owned by the giant Dutch company Akzo Nobel and are no longer part of ICI.......nuff said!

[humbersloop]

imo, johnstone's trade every time and stay off the own brand - you get what you pay for

[fbg40]

Hi Mr-H
Used to do a lot of decorating and one of the best paints I ever used was Blundells Permoglaze. Not sure if it's still available. Wickes Master range of paints aren't too bad either. I've also used some cra**y paints where three coats would have been the norm !!
FBG40

[carrust]

I'm a decorator & I've found that the quality of dulux retail paints has deteriorated since 2010 when the regs on solvents in the paint changed. This also affected their emulsion paints but I don't know why.
The main problem with their trade oil-based paints is getting them to dry, (16hrs minimum) which is not very practical if you want to apply another coat the following day. The trade emulsion is stiill good. However, the matt finish is too glossy for customers nowadays.
I now use Johnsons trade paints which have improved greatly since the regs changed. I have a good decorators merchant who can mix any colour (Farrow & Ball, Fired Earth etc) in Johnsons & save a lot of money on materials:-)

[theshedman]

I have also used Dulux paints for well over 30 years and must admit the quality has gone down over the past few. I always used to recommend Dulux to customers unless they specified a different brand. Same seems to go for many decorating items these days including wallpaper. Matching all the numbers on the rolls used to guarantee a good match but that doesn't always happen now even when you order them in.

[BAKERS DOZEN]

Our decorator advised we buy Johnstones Paint because of its good quality so to be helpful I went out and bought it before he arrived to start work. That was a mistake as I bought their everyday paint which was ok but when he bought the trade paint the difference was really noticeable. Brilliant paint but make sure you buy the trade paint as it is well worth the extra cost.

[Mr-H]

Are Trade Paints THAT much more expensive? From my experience here they are probably worth it. Probably a daft question, but do you 'have to know someone in the trade' to get them, or are they readily available please?

[gness]

Mr-H....My OH used to buy trade paint from a small local store in our last town. Others will tell you more but regarding the Dulux paint and probably too late but I took the remainder of the useless paint back to B&Q and fussed til I got a refund.

[humbersloop]

no you don't mr-h, johnstones outlets are open to the public - it's trade quality paint,rather than paint just for the trade

don't know how much dearer it is in practice, but it's well worth the money

http://www.johnstonestrade.com/store-finder.aspx

[Mr-H]

VMT folks - I'll make sure that 'the boss' knows about Johnsones paints for the future. She is actually talking about the Little Green Paint Company though! Any thoughts on them?

[nabilah]

Hi,

I had a similar problem and I contacted Dulux and they give me a full refund. I think you should do the same as long as you have proof of purchase - bank statement, receipt etc.

I hope this helps.

Nabilah

[elnacho]

I had a similar problem, on top of which the paint simply wiped off the wall with a damp cloth and no pressure once dry. After weeks of correspondence with Dulux, they absolved themselves of any responsibility for the problem, despite the same problem arising on a variety of surfaces. As a result, I will never use their paint again. Having also had a problem with unsandable pre-mixed Polyfilla, I have resolved not to use any products manufactured by AkzoNobel in future. Their inferior products and unrepentant customer service has left me with nothing but contempt for them.

[Frogit]

Just used Dulux Brilliant White Matt Emulsion ... And will never buy another Dulux product in my life. The quality has deteriorated hugely since I last bought Dulux, this stuff hardly sticks to the brush, takes several coats, and smears, clags, leaves line marks ... Really terrible. Not only that, but it has a cream tinge (compared to the White Matt Emulsion I am painting onto).

I have put the lid back in, and am returning the tin to Homebase as " not first for purpose" ... Will go for F & B, even though it's 8 times the price ...

They should be ashamed of themselves, the brand is going down the toilet ...