Crown Trade Vinyl Matt Review

As a decorator, I use Crown Trade vinyl matt on a regular basis. You can pick it up from any Crown Decorating Centre, but unless you’re entitled to a trade discount, it will probably be cheaper to buy this paint online. Click here to see the latest online prices. The tin sizes range from tester posts, up to 10L buckets and you can get white, magnolia, or any one of about a million tinted colours!!

Out of all the trade decorating centres I use, Crown is easily the best option for the homeowner. The others can be very expensive unless you have a trade account. Whereas you can normally have a friendly chat with your local crown manager to negotiate better rates on single purchases. Their emulsions are generally a lot cheaper anyway.

My Crown Trade Vinyl Matt Review

So, we know Crown Trade is cheaper than Dulux and Johnstone’s Covaplus, you’d think that means it’s of lower quality, right? Well, it goes on nice and easily, leaves a nice flat finish and the opacity is spot on.  Two coats are easily enough to cover bare plaster and leave a solid finish. So, no complaints so far.

However, I don’t think Crown Trade vinyl matt contains much in the way of polymer binder. Your first coat is very porous, so the second coat can drag slightly. You can combat this by diluting the paint with clean water.

It’s also very easy to scuff the finished wall by knocking it with your elbow after you’ve finished painting, although it does seem to toughen up a bit as it dries. You can’t touch up either, but then that’s a complaint with most emulsions nowadays.

So, is it a Good Paint?

I may be over-criticising this paint because I actually quite like it. I think it’s better than Dulux, but not quite as good as Johnstone’s Covaplus. It’s far better than any retail matt out there and you can pick it up for a reasonable price. What’s not to love?? The best thing about this paint is the low sheen and the depth of colour. The finish really is gorgeous!

Crown Trade Vinyl Matt in Brilliant White for a Ceiling

I though I’d do a separate section for the application of this vinyl matt in white on a ceiling, simply because it performs particularly well. You see very little in the way of flashing and other imperfections, and you’re left with a very sharp, crisp finish. One coat is often enough to freshen up a ceiling that is already white, or two coats will cover bare plaster.

Review Summary

Need Something More Durable Than a Vinal Matt?

I have written a full Crown Trade paint review and guide which you can see here, but I just wanted to mention one other product. Crown Clean Extreme Scrubbable matt emulsion is one of the best durable emulsions on the market. It has a higher sheen level than a true matt, but the ease of use and overall finish are second to none. Not just that, but it comes with the highest scrub rating you can get. I really do rate this product!!

Best Decorating Tools for Crown Trade Vinyl Matt

Very quickly, I thought I’d mention the brush and roller I use to apply Crown Trade Vinyl Matt. As the paint can drag, I tend to stick to a long pile roller and a brush with a thick stock.

Best Paint Roller For Crown Vinyl Matt

The Hamilton Long Pile roller is good, but my favourite is the Purdy colossus. You’ll make your life easier by using this type of roller when working with Crown Vinyl Matt. The paint won’t drag as much, and you’ll achieve a nicer finish. Available online by clicking here.

Best Paint Brush for Crown Vinyl Matt

As for the brush, I like Purdy Monarch Elite XL. They hold a lot of paint and keep their shape well. They also last for years. Available online by clicking here.

FAQs

Is Crown Vinyl Matt emulsion washable?

Crown Trade Vinyl Matt isn’t what I’d call “washable”. If you need a more durable emulsion, then check out Crown trade Clean Extreme, which is one of the best durable matt paints on the market.

How long does crown vinyl matt take to dry?

It depends on conditions really. You can expect it to be touch dry after an hour or two, and you can recoat it after three to four hours. Never rush the recoat time.

Is vinyl matt paint any good?

Vinyl matt emulsion is the most popular finish for interior walls and ceilings. The low-sheen (matt) appearance is very desirable.

Is vinyl matt paint shiny?

Vinyl matt has a very low sheen (around 6%). This leaves a very chalky appearance. Eggshell has around 20% sheen. Silk is more like 50%.

Can you paint over vinyl matt paint?

Vinyl matt is the perfect base to paint over. You can apply pretty much any emulsion paint over vinyl matt without issue.

Final Thoughts

Crown Trade vinyl matt represents great value for money, which echoes Crown Trade as a whole. You will get a good finish with this paint and the price is very attractive. However, you will need to be careful not to let it drag on application, and your finished walls can scuff easily. You wouldn’t use Crown Trade vinyl matt in rooms with high traffic, or in homes with pets and small children.

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