Johnstone’s Trade Aqua Water Based Satin Brilliant White 2.5L with Avenue touch up brush

Product Information

You must use the correct system, so bare timber should be primed using an acrylic primer. Then you should use the Johnstone’s Aqua undercoat, followed by at least one coat of Aqua Guard. Previously painted surfaces take a coat of Aqua undercoat, followed by the satinwood. Because it’s water-based, this paint will also never yellow with age, making it a perfect paint for any areas that might not get a lot of sunlight, such as skirting boards behind furniture and the inside of cupboards. It also comes in a great range of colours, although mostly pastel or neutral shades.

Whether you’re touching up the skirting boards or planning a big interior redesign, finding the best satinwood paint for your specific project is key. And while you’d be forgiven for not spotting the difference between the various brands of mid-sheen white, choosing the right paint will make the painting process and end result that much better. This Dulux paint will usually only need one or two coats, and is ready to recoat after six hours, meaning you can easily complete a decent-sized painting project in under a day. Cleaning up is a cinch, too. Given the great sheen and decent coverage, you may be surprised to hear that this satinwood paint is actually water-based, meaning brushes and rollers can be cleaned with just soapy water. A lot of decorators who try Johnstone’s Aqua for the first time do not get on with it. This isn’t down to the paint being poor quality, but more to do with the decorator not knowing how to apply the product correctly. As for the roller. I like the Hamilton ‘For the Trade’ mini-roller. They hold loads of paint, will stand up well to use in Johnstone’s Aqua, and are reasonably priced. Available online here.

1 Litre Brilliant White

Gloss paints have been the go-to for windows, doors and skirting boards due to their robust nature and ability to be wiped clean, but are falling in popularity because of the dated finish and tendency to yellow over time. As for the paintbrush, I use the Purdy Elite Monarch XL. It holds loads of paint, is soft enough to lay-off, and will keep its shape well. Available online. Aqua” means water, and the tin boasts “water-based technology”, but in fact, the Johnstone’s Aqua satin and gloss are both hybrids. This means, although the paint is primarily water-based, it contains an alkyd (or oil) carrier, so it’s a mix of water and oil!! They do this for a few reasons, water-based paints do solve a lot of problems, but they create some new ones. I’ll give you some examples; Satinwood paint has risen in popularity over the last few years. Its medium-sheen gives a more contemporary look to doors, windows and skirting boards than traditional gloss paint. Most satinwood paints are also a great choice if you’re looking to paint a radiator or any exposed metal pipework, and can even be used on kitchen and bathroom walls.

The downside of being a hybrid is that it can ruin your brushes if you’re using the paint for a prolonged period. To combat this, you should keep your brushes wet by swilling them out every hour or so. Running a damp cloth over a surface before you paint it will also help with flow. It’s hard-wearing, easy to clean and usually very straightforward to use. While it’s most commonly found in only one or two shades of white, some brands offer a wider range of colours, giving you the option to truly personalise your space. This satinwood paint from Leyland is an excellent all-rounder. Suitable for almost all projects, it’s easy to use, long-lasting and durable. While it will need two coats to get the fullest coverage, a little goes a very long way, and as you don’t need to use primer, it’s great for those on a budget.Tough, Durable, Water-Based Paints ​The Johnstone's Trade Aqua System range offers you a high-quality alternative to traditional solvent-based products. Johnstone’s Aqua Guard is a fully water-based satinwood, meaning it will never discolour over time. Mixed to a wide range of colours including most major brands, simply enter the name and brand of the colour you would like, or select from the colour palette above to get your perfect colour. Last, but certainly not least, the Aqua Guard is a lot more durable than most water-based products. You need to give it a good week to cure, but after that it’ll be as hard and scuff resistant as an oil-based!!