Modern paints flash off really fast so if you are used to oil based old stuff where you can go back over it you will make a right mess. You need to paint faster and never go back over it. As it flashes off, it looks horribly streaky, this is exactly the moment not to touch it. Or you could just have some crappy paint.
So, as you've seen, I bought Dulux water based satin wood paint and wasn't happy with the brushed results.
In the past I've only ever used Dulux trade solvent based and I wanted to go water based to get the job done quicker, regarding drying/curing times between coats and easy brush washing.
Other judgements can be based on price
- Dulux Trade solvent base Satin Wood 1 litre £20
- Dulux (regular) water based quick dry Satin Wood 2.5 litre £24
- Dulux Trade water based Satin Wood Diamond 1 litre £25
- Dulux Trade water based Satin Wood Diamond 2.5 litre £45
I did lots of reading last night which suggested that the Trade Diamond was the one to get. Valspur was also on my list as I've used their water based satin wood as I had to get a colour mixed. It was sponge roller applied but caused less of a texture (more flat) than the regular water based Dulux Satin Wood, so I figured it could well flat out better than the quick dry Dulux when brush applied.
So today I popped back to B&Q and picked up a tin of Dulux Trade Diamond Satin Wood and had a go on a small length of skirting on a small reveal.
Wow, very very impressed. It applies like solvent based, isn't thick and clumpy like the quick dry. Brush marks flatten out like the solvent based. To test a theory, I went back over it a few minutes later, the brush marks still flattened out. I can't see a single brush mark.
Superb.
Dulux Trade Diamond is the water based to get.
That window sill I did is going to be sanded down and redone with the Diamond!
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The only thing I will say about this paint though, is make damn sure any horizontal brush strokes are very even (skirting boards for example) as it runs very easily and you might come back to it later with it looking like curtains of drips. One area I had to sand down and re-do, but it is good water based paint that's for sure.