Dulux Trade eggshell is an oil-based product which is “self-undercoating” on previously painted surfaces. However, you will need an appropriate primer for unpainted surfaces and an undercoat if you are going for a colour change.
Touch dry in roughly 6 hours, but wait at least 16 hours before applying a second coat. You can get this product in white or tinted into any colour from the extensive Dulux range.
How Well Does Dulux Trade Eggshell Perform?
The ease of use of this paint is fantastic. You can apply it via brush or roller and it’s very easy to achieve a good finish. Opacity is a bit of an issue, and sometimes you need to apply an extra coat to achieve a solid colour. Drying time is extended with tinted colours and sometimes you need to wait a full 24 hours before re-coating. Clean up with white spirit.
The Overall Finish
The finish left when using Dulux Eggshell is fantastic. White really is an “in your face white” which is exactly what you want. The tinted colours are equally impressive.
How Well Does Dulux Eggshell Age?
The sheen level of this product is way too high when you first apply it, but it does flatten off over the weeks which follow, coming down to between 10 and 20% sheen (half that of satinwood) Another thing to note is the paint isn’t very durable until it’s had time to cure properly (a week or so after you’ve finished painting).
One of the biggest problems with oil-based paints in general is the discolouration (yellowing) over time. Dulux eggshell seems to last a lot longer than it’s competitors. In fact, eggshell is often chosen over gloss as it retains it’s colour for longer.
Would I Recommend the Product?
Dulux Trade eggshell is a great product, except the opacity issue in white. You should easily be able to cover yellowed paint with two coats of any oil-based product in white, but that isn’t always possible with this paint. It’s a shame really. I do still use it on certain jobs and I like the end result.
Review Summary
Dulux Trade Eggshell Review (Oil-Based) - Decorator's forum UK
This is an oil-based paint used to coat interior woodwork and other trim. The sheen level is around 20%, and it’s available in any colour from the vast range a Dulux Trade.
Product Brand: Dulux Trade
4.2
Pros
- Fantastic, modern finish.
- Durable.
- Easy to apply.
- Retains its colour.
- Self-undercoating.
Cons
- Extended drying time.
- Opacity in white isn’t very good.
Where to Buy Dulux Trade Eggshell
Dulux Trade eggshell is available at many trade counters across Britain. I think it’s even available in B&Q, so you shouldn’t have any problems getting your hands on a tin. The most obvious place to go would be Dulux Decorating Centre. However, unless you qualify for a trade discount with favourable rates, it will almost certainly be cheaper to buy this product online.
Dulux Diamond Eggshell
This is the water-based alternative. The paint itself is quite good. You will need an adhesion primer if going over a surface previously painted with oil-based. The Diamond eggshell has a great finish, it’s nice and easy to apply and you get all the other benefits of water-based. Durability is good for a water-based paint and you can also used it as an emulsion (although it is an expensive emulsion). Click here to see online prices.
FAQs
How shiny is Dulux Trade Eggshell?
Dulux Trade Eggshell has a sheen level of around 20%. To give some perspective, matt has a sheen level of around 6%, satinwood 40%, and gloss around 80%. So, it isn’t very shiny.
Does Dulux Trade Eggshell go yellow?
Dulux Trade Eggshell has a little bit of alkyd oil in it, so theoretically it will yellow, particularly in low levels of natural light. However, I’ve used this paint a lot over the years and never noticed an issue. If it does yellow, then it’s barely noticeable. Dulux Diamond Eggshell is fully water-based, so doesn’t yellow at all.
Is Dulux Eggshell hard wearing?
All Dulux eggshell paints are hard wearing, washable, and waterproof.
Do you need to undercoat with Dulux Trade Eggshell?
It’s known as self-undercoating, which means it doesn’t require an undercoat when going over a previously painted surface. Although bare surfaces need to be primed, and I still recommend an undercoat when trying to achieve a colour change.
What do Other Decorators Think?
I completely agree with the majority of this. The opacity problem is easy to solve. All you need to do is give everything a coat of Dulux Trade undercoat, followed by a coat of eggshell. The finish paint flattens off really nicely.
I can’t believe people are still using oil-based paints. There’s no need to, especially for something like an eggshell finish. So many great water-based alternatives out there
The Dulux Trade satinwood is a better product. It’s easier to use, better opacity and much better finish. Two coats are perfect every time. I’m not keen on an eggshell finish at all really except maybe in colours. You’re definitely better with satin for white.
For the expensive money Dulux Trade charge there really is no excuse on poor coverage.
90pc most jobs woodwork will be in white…
Water based has came on leaps and bounds,
(other brands anyway).
Also far quicker to apply than oil based.
Can I thin down Dulux trade eggshell paint with white spirits or thinners for spraying
I rang the Dulux number on the tin and was told use a little white Spirit.
I’ve used Dulux Trade Eggshell on my customer’s kitchen cabinets after prepping with sugar soap, Rinsing off, priming with Crown Grip Extreme and four coats of Mallard Green as it was a deep colour and Dulux said I didn’t need a dark undercoat, now it scratches off, after my customer left it for nine days! Kitchen looks a mess!
I painted a wooden cupboard in Dulux Trade hardwearing eggshell and it is still very sticky after 30 hours drying in a warm room. Will it ever dry?