Trade paint

[WILLWONKER]

What is the difference between Dulux or crown white emulsion TRADE paint,and a tub of dulux/crown without trade written on the tub.

[The Builder]

Back in the day, Willy ........... wayyy before my time, there was only "trade" paint. DIY didn't exist. Decorators used to thin it, colour it, etc, and generally mess with it to get it the way they wanted it.
It's kind of a leftover from that. Apart from trade paint maybe having a slightly greater opacity, and more pigment, between you and me, I think it's just marketing today. I guess it's to make the punters think they're getting something special.
Stick to the good brands and you won't go wrong. Though, even the "DIY shed" own brands are now generally made by Crown or Leyland, or something similar.

[heathfield]

Like The Builder says, the 'Trade' paint tends to be made with more pigment and greater opacity so's decorators can play around with the consistency before they apply it. Here's Dulux's own explanation...

http://www.dulux.co.u...tions/faq/faq_005.jsp

[AlBags]

Used some retail Crown "Period" flat em. a few weeks ago for a customer. Like a dark lilac. Came out all patchy .. like clouds .. everywhere! Pigment problem, so Crown said.
Changed to Crown Trade flat mixed to same formula .. perfect.
Generally Premium trade paints are better to use and trust.

[WILLWONKER]

Thanks all