Paint: Frequently Asked Questions

Colour Advice

Can you recommend matching/complementary colours?

Each of our paints and wallpapers features complementary colours so you can create a coordinated scheme.

在我们的网站上,每个车漆颜色和壁纸欧宝电竞苹果下载appourway features three coordinating colours. You can also find three complimentary colour swatches on each design in our wallpaper books.

You can also find colour advice in our 'Little Book of Colour' a compact colour tool which allows you to combine and coordinate Little Greene colours with confidence. The book contains all 191 Little Greene colours with a breakdown of the pigments used to create them and provides related whites, neutrals, coordinating, accent & dark colour suggestions for each shade on the colour card making it easy to create a harmonious, beautiful colour scheme.

For personalised colour advice, our showrooms provide aob欧宝体育app导航下载service both In Home and In Store. Clickhereto find out more.

We also provide a Bespoke Colour Consultancy service for projects that require a more specialised approach. Our Colour Specialist, Simon Hutchinson provides a bespoke colour advice and personal colour creation service.

Can you recommend a colour for a specific room?

For personalised colour advice, our showrooms provide aob欧宝体育app导航下载service both In Home and In Store. Clickhereto find out more.

Can you provide an RAL code for your colours?

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide either a RAL or BS reference, as we are unable to match our colours.

Viewing paints on the Little Greene website?

Depending on the device used and screen resolution, the paint colours depicted on the website can appear slightly different to the paint when applied to a surface. We do recommend testing a colour before purchase to ensure you are happy with the final result.

We are unable to accept returns as each can is freshly tinted to order.

Samples

Can I purchase sample pots in any finish?

Sample Pots are available in our most popular finish,Absolute Matt Emulsion- perfect for testing colour on your own walls.

We would advise painting the colour onto an A4 swatch and moving it around the room throughout the day. This will show you how the colour will appear in different lights.

You can watch our video on using sample pots here.

Can I purchase sample pots in 250ml or just 60ml?

All of our paint sample pots are poured by hand and come in 60ml tester pots.

What's the difference between The Little Book of Colour and the Colour Album?

OurColour Albumfeatures A5 sheets painted with all 198 colours, to give a large, accurate colour sample. The Colour Album is ideal for professional use, for interior designers or in showrooms.

The Little Book of Colouris a comprehensive colour tool with suggestions for using colours together. The Little Book of Colour is designed to help you combine and coordinate Little Greene colours with confidence.

Do you have technical data sheets available?

Product data sheets are available for downloadhere. Product MSDS documents can be supplied on request by calling 0845 880 5855 or via email usingmail@littlegreene.com.

Paint Finish

What's the difference between Absolute Matt and Intelligent Matt ?

Absolute Matt Emulsionis our original classic flat paint for walls and has the most matt finish offered by any Little Greene paint.

Intelligent Matt Emulsionis the most popular of our ‘Intelligent Paints’ family and is more durable and completely washable – perfect for high traffic areas.

What's the difference between Intelligent Eggshell and Interior Oil Eggshell?

Both our eggshell finishes are suitable for interior use, particularly when painting woodwork and primed metals.

Intelligent Eggshellis a water-based paint, formulated to resist moisture, staining and general wear and tear. It has a tough yet subtle finish and is a superb paint for woodwork and kitchen & bathroom walls.

Interior Oil Eggshellis a more traditional, oil-based paint with a gloss level of 10-20% suitable for most surfaces including woodwork and primed metals. Please allow time for the finish to fully cure following application, the paint should be cured after 4 weeks.

Please note that specific preparation and priming information will be dependent upon the nature of the substrate and the presence of any existing finish or treatment. Please contact our Customer Service team for more details.

Little Greene oil based finishes are formulated to the highest possible quality. However, due to current EU legislation on solvent levels, lack of exposure to UV light or exposure to heat may lead to yellowing over time.

What's the difference between water-based and oil-based paint?

Water-based paints are thinner and therefore dry quicker than oil-based alternatives, they also have a lower VOC (volatile organic compounds) content and are therefore more eco-friendly.

With a nine hundred year pedigree, oil-based paints have long been recognised as the classic finish for woodwork. By forming a deeper bond with the surface than is possible with a quick-drying paint, traditional oil-based recipes are renowned for their increased longevity, excellent flow and smooth finish.

What should I use to paint kitchen cupboards?

OurIntelligent Satinwoodpaint is the perfect choice forpainting kitchen cabinets, as it is hard-wearing and washable.

Alternatively, for a lower sheen finish, chooseInterior Oil EggshellorIntelligent Eggshell.

Read our full advice article onKitchen Decor.

Do you sell paint suitable for wood?

For painting wood, including skirting boards and kitchen cabinets, we would recommend the quick-drying, hard-wearingIntelligent Satinwood. For a lower sheen finish,Intelligent Eggshellmakes a suitable alternative.

To paint wooden flooring, choose our revolutionary water-basedIntelligent Floor Paint. With a drying time of just two hours, life can continue virtually seamlessly.

Can I paint melamine or plastic surfaces?

Melamine can be painted if thoroughly sanded and then primed with ourIntelligent All Surface Primer (ASP). You can then apply two coats of ourIntelligent Satinwoodfinish.

What type of paint can be used on radiators?

For painting radiators, we recommended using Little GreeneIntelligent SatinwoodorIntelligent Gloss. Unlike all modern day solvent-based paints, they are guaranteed not to yellow upon exposure to heat.

If you are applying paint directly to bare metal, or painting over a radically different colour beneath, useIntelligent ASPto build up coverage and maximise adhesion. This robust water-based primer is available in a wide range of colours with a drying time of just two hours.

Read our full advice article onPainting Radiators.

Is your paint low odour, non-toxic and safe for children?

All our water-based paints are low odour. Our most environmentally-friendly paints, our Intelligent paints, have all been certified as Child Safe under EN 71-3:2019 (also known as the Toy Paint Regulations).

This certification includes:

Please consult theproduct data sheetsfor further detail.

What paint is best for painting a bathroom?

Formulated to resist moisture, staining and general wear and tear,Intelligent Eggshellhas a tough yet subtle finish. It is a superb paint for bathroom walls, especially for rooms which may have limited extraction or suffer from condensation.

Read our full advice article onPainting a Bathroom.

Do you sell floor paint?

Intelligent Floor Paintis a revolutionary water-based alternative, with a slightly lower sheen level. This durable, washable paint is low odour and dry within just two hours.

Painting the floor is an easy yet dramatic way to change the feel of a room and, with most of the Little Greene colour range at your fingertips, you can be as bold or as subtle as you like.

Does your external masonry paint have a minimum temperature for use?

Intelligent Masonry Paintshould not be applied to surfaces when the ambient temperature is below 5 degrees or if there is a risk of rain during application or drying. Avoid painting in full sun or on warm surfaces.

For best results, always attempt to time the painting of a given elevation prior to exposure to direct sunlight.

How do I paint a cast iron bath?

Ensure that the external cast iron bath surface is thoroughly clean and rust free. Apply one or two coats of ourIntelligent ASP - All Surface Primer.

Then apply your chosen colour usingInterior Oil Eggshell,Traditional Oil Gloss,Intelligent GlossorIntelligent Eggshell(highly recommended).

请咨询个人product data sheetsfor further information on surface preparation, application and drying times.

Undercoat

Which primer/undercoat do I need?

Order an undercoat in the same colour as your chosen top coat to acheive the best finish possible.

We recommend Little GreeneIntelligent ASP(water-based) for all interior and exterior priming, and for sealing wallboard, concrete, brick, woodwork, metals or plaster.

Read our full advice article aboutChoosing the Correct Primer or Undercoat for your Project.

是什么benefit of undercoat? (Compared to another layer of paint)

Using anundercoatwill ensure full depth of colour of your chosen paint colour. Undercoat is vital to seal unpainted surfaces or prepare the surface for painting.

If you are transitioning from a dark to a light colour, the undercoat has properties which will help obliterate the colour beneath before applying the top coat.

Paint Coverage

是什么average coverage of a tin of paint?

Paint coverage varies according to the chosen finish and the texture and porosity of the surface being painted.

Based on a single coat, you can expect an average coverage of 14 square metres per litre forIntelligent ASP,Absolute Matt Emulsion,Intelligent Matt Emulsion,Intelligent EggshellandIntelligent Gloss.

For use on wood and floorboards,Intelligent SatinwoodandIntelligent Floor Paintshould both cover 12 square meters per litre.

Our oil-based paints, includingTraditional Oil GlossandInterior Oil Eggshell,cover around 16 square metres per litre.

More specialist paints have a wider variance in coverage:Intelligent Masonry Paintcovers around 13 square metres per litre,Distempercovers 15 square metres per litre andLimewashcovers an average area of 6 square metres per litre as is soaks into the porous stone.

How many coats of paint should I use?

There are conditions specific to your project that can affect this, but we would always recommend a minimum of two coats.

Our paints have excellent coverage; they are formulated on a high-opacity base and contain up to 40% more pigment than many ordinary paints. Using a tintedPrimer Undercoatwill significantly help you achieve a full and accurate depth of colour, whilst also priming the surface underneath.

How long should I leave paint to dry between coats?

Please refer to thetechnical data sheetfor your chosen paint finish for drying time.

Application

Is your paint suitable to apply by roller?

Our paint can be applied using traditional brushes or rollers, depending on the desired final appearance.

Rollers provide a smooth uniform finish on well-prepared walls; whereas paint brushes can be useful for edging and uneven surfaces.

For further information about application of each paint type, see thedetailed product data sheets.

Can your paint be applied with a spray canister?

我们的一些油漆完成es can be thinned (with the addition of 5-25% clean water) suitable for application using a spray canister.

For further information about each specific paint finish, please see thedetailed product data sheets.

How long must I wait before painting over new plaster?

We recommend leaving a fresh plaster skim for at least four weeks, as the plaster needs to be completely dry before applying paint.

For new, fully plastered walls, allow at least six months for the plaster to dry thoroughly.

What paint should I use on lime plaster walls?

For painting internal lime plaster walls or walls that require a breathable finish, we would advise usingDistemper.

For exterior walls that are old and damp,Limewashis a very traditional finish, used to decorate and protect porous stone and lime-rendered surfaces. Like Distemper, Limewash is a breathable finish. Unlike paint, limewash penetrates the surface and the colour is built up by applying successive coats.

What should I use to clean my paint brushes?

For water based paints, use water and for oil based paints, use white spirit or a specific solvent-based cleaner.

Can I touch up the wall after the paint has been applied?

We wouldn’t recommend touching up the wall following the application of the paint as there can be a slight variation between batches of our shades. We would always recommend repainting the larger area

Archived Colours

Can I still order colours that are not on the colour card?

在小格欧宝体肓app林我们从未停止一个颜色,wever we will remove colours from the current colour card to make way for new shade. We keep all these colours archived.

You can orderArchive Coloursin a 250ml sample pot by calling our Customer Services team on 0161 230 0880 orbrowsing online.

I can't find the Traditional Oil Eggshell finish, do you still make it?

Traditional Oil Eggshell has been discontinued; our new oil-based eggshell isInterior Oil Eggshell.

Designed specifically for interior use, the formula has been developed to give superior, glide-on application characteristics with extended workability and open time, making brushing out a real pleasure, even for the least confident of painters.

Ethics

Are your paints cruelty free?

Little Greene has not, and never will commission or support animal testing.

All our paint finishes are free from any animal derived products. We always source the highest quality materials with our environmental and ethical values in mind.

What is a VOC?

VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compound and these contribute to atmospheric pollution when they evaporate (while you're painting). There are chemicals used in all industries that are classified as VOCs, from paints and building materials to soaps and cleaning products.

As a rule of thumb, water based paints generally very little VOCs, whilst traditional oil based paints contain some, but in very insignificant levels. If you suffer with asthma it’s definitely worth choosing a zero VOC paint, otherwise the decision is usually just a preference for one type of paint over another.

找到更多关于涂料中挥发性有机化合物的仪器our guide.

Delivery

Where do you deliver oil-based paints?

Please note, we are currently unable to deliver oil-based paints to the following locations: Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, Outer Hebrides, Inner Hebrides, Orkney Islands, Northern Ireland. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

For more information on delivery, see ourOrdering FAQs.