Johnstone’s Stormshield Paint Review and Guide

I’ve been a decorator for the best part of 20 years, mainly focusing on exterior painting during the warmer months. I’m also a little bit of a paint geek, and love trying the different brands.

Johnstone’s Stormshield is PPG’s premium exterior paint range. Widely available and very popular amongst decorators. I thought I’d take the time to talk about each product in turn as part of a Johnstone’s Stormshield paint review. I hope you find it useful.

All these products are available from Johnstone’s Decorating Centre, but unless you’re entitled to a trade discount, then it will almost certainly be cheaper to buy them online. To that end, I’ll link from each product so you can easily find them online.

Johnstone’s Stormshield Masonry Paint Review

This is a water-based masonry paint and primer in one. Shower proof in 30 minutes, the recoat time is more like 3 or 4 hours. Available online by clicking here in any colour from Johnstone’s extensive range. You can apply this paint via brush, roller or airless sprayer.

Johnstone’s Stormshield masonry paint is slightly strange. I can remember Johnstone’s changing the formulation a few years ago to extend the masonry season. However, it no longer feels like a masonry paint when you apply it. Johnstone’s Stormshield feels more like an emulsion, in that it’s thin. I don’t like this, as it makes achieving a solid finish on textured masonry paint very difficult. You can’t flood crevasses and imperfections the same as you could with the traditional formula, meaning they still show once you’ve finished.

I’m probably in the minority because a lot of other decorators seem to love it. Opacity and ease of use are fine.

Johnstone’s Stormshield Pliolite-Based Masonry Paint Review

This is the oil-based masonry paint. Slightly more expensive and harder to work with. Also available online by clicking here. Touch dry in roughly 1 hour, re-coat time is more like 16 hours.

I really like this paint. It is slow to use, but the overall finish is fantastic, you can use it during the colder months and it will last for years. A quality product!

Johnstone’s Stormshield Flexible Satinwood Review

Again, avaible online by clikcing here in white, or about a million different colours. Re-coat time is around 6 hours. This is an oil-based product designed for exterior trim such as doors, windows, soffits and facias.

I have mixed feelings about this product. The opacity of the primer is unreal! It really does cover any colour in one coat. Or you can dilute it to help it flow more easily. The finish is good in white, but I don’t like the finish in darker colours. In fact, you can get a better finish with water-based alternatives.

I may be coming across as a little critical. Johnstone’s Stormshield Flexible Satinwood is still a good product. I suppose I’ve just been spoilt by using Sandtex Trade Eggshell X-Tra, which is probably the best lower-sheen exterior trim product on the market.

Johnstone’s Stormshield Flexible Gloss Review

I have only used this product in white, but it is available online by clicking here in almost any colour. You use the same primer as you would the satinwood. Recoat time is 16 hours.

I really like this product. It stands proud, looks good and seems to last for years. I still prefer Dulux Weathershield, although Johnstone’s does have better opacity.

Johnstone’s Trade Woodstain Review

I absolutely love this product. Available online in matt or satin in a handful of colours. Recoat time is 16 hours, but it is touch dry in no time in well ventilated areas.

Most woodstains seem to compromise between opacity and overall finish. Johnstone’s have the perfect recipe to tick both boxes. Opacity is good, there are few brush marks, it is dead easy to use, and you’re left with a rich luxurious finish. This product is available online by clicking here.

Brand Summary

FAQs

What is Stormshield paint used for?

Stormshield is Johnstone’s Trade exterior range of paints. Most Johnstone’s Stormshield products are fantastic. Not only do they look good, but they seem to last for years.

What finish is Stormshield?

Stormshield refers to a full range of Johnstone’s products, which includes multiple finishes. These include satin, matt, gloss, and stain.

Do I need to PVA render before painting?

No, don’t PVA render before painting. If the render is chalky and unstable, then you might stabilise it with Zinsser Peel Stop. Otherwise, just apply masonry paint in the way the manufacturer instructs you to.

How do you seal masonry paint after painting?

Providing you use a good quality masonry paint; it won’t need sealing after you’ve applied it. My advice is not to ‘cheap-out’ when it comes to exterior paints. Go for good-quality trade paints that will last.