Johnstone’s Trade Satin Review

Johnstone’s Trade Satin is an oil-based paint used for interior woodwork and other trim. It is self-undercoating over primed, or previously painted surfaces. Available in white, or any colour from Johnstone’s extensive range. Touch dry in roughly 6 hours, recoat in 16 hours.

The sheen level when cured is around 30% for white and very slightly more for stronger colours. This is slightly higher than the Johnstone’s eggshell alternative. Johnstone’s Satin is readily available from any Johnstone’s Decorating Centre, but unless you’re entitled to a trade discount, it is almost certainly cheaper to buy it online by clicking here.

My Johnstone’s trade satinwood review

As a professional decorator, I’m very familiar with Johnstone’s Satin. I find it very easy to apply, opacity is great, and the finish is fantastic. It takes a little while for this paint to cure and harden up, so go easy with the sandpaper in-between coats.

The paint comes condensed. You can use it straight out of the tin if you need to apply thick coats. For everyday use you can dilute it slightly with white spirit for better flow and less brush marks. It has a bit of a shine to it for the first few days, but this calms down slowly over the course of two weeks or so, leaving a contemporary flat finish.

There is a massive drawback to Johnstone’s Trade Satin; As with a lot of other oil-based products, Johnstone’s seems to discolour faster than its competitors. We’re not talking weeks, but you can see the difference after a few months. Some may argue that a few months of a painted surface looking fresh is enough. For me, I like to know the surfaces I’m painting will stand the test of time.

Conclusion

Johnstone’s Trade Satin is easy to apply, looks great, leaves an awesome finish, but will discolour after a few months. Especially in areas of low-light. Click here for more information, or to see latest prices.

Review Summary

A Water-Based Alternative

OK, we know Johnstone’s Trade Satin discolours over time. Luckily for us, Johnstone’s do one of the best water-based satinwood products on the market, Aqua Guard.

Aqua Guard is also available online by clicking here, or any JDC in a huge range of colours. Unlike Johnstone’s Trade Satin, the Aqua Guard is fully water-based, so will never discolour. You should use the specified undercoat as part of the system.

Johnstone’s Aqua Guard is one of my favourite satinwood products on the market. One of the reasons I like it is because it is it is easy to control and use. Even people who are die-hard oil-based fans will get on with this paint.

Opacity is also spot on. The finish is even better than Johnstone’s Trade Satin, plus it dries rock solid and remains durable. Click here for more info.

Best Tools to Use to Apply Johnstone’s Satin

I like to include a little section on the best brush and roller to use to apply a certain product. Any good synthetic brush with a thick stock is fine for Johnstone’s Trade Satin. It isn’t a difficult product to apply.

My preferred paintbrush is the Purdy Monarch Elite in 2 inch. You’ll find it comfortable to hold, easy to use, will hold loads of paint, and you’ll be able to strike a nice line. It’s good for both water-based and oil-based satin products, so it’s great to apply Aqua Guard as well as Johnstone’s Satin. Click here to see latest prices.

You’ll find a mini roller useful when painting flat objects such as doors and windowsills. A minimum pile is best for this type of paint. My favourite is Axus Decor Silk Touch, which leaves a noticeably better finish than any other roller I have ever used in satinwood. Click here to see latest prices.

FAQs

How long does Johnstone’s Trade Satin paint take to dry?

Johnstone’s Trade Satin is usually touch dry after around 6 hours, but this can change depending on conditions, and whether you’re using a tinted colour. The recoat time is 16 hours, and it takes roughly a month to fully cure.

Does Johnstone’s Satin need undercoat?

Johnstone’s Trade Satin is described as “self-undercoating”, which means you don’t need an undercoat when painting previously painted, or pre-primed surfaces. The only time you should undercoat is when going for a colour change.

Why is satin paint still tacky?

It probably hasn’t dried. There are things that can drastically effect drying time, including humidity, ventilation, and contaminants that may have been on the surface before you painted it. Open a window, promote air flow, and be patient.

Can you paint over satinwood without sanding?

You should always sand cured satinwood before painting over with a new product. This is to aid adhesion.

Is satin wood paint hard wearing?

Most satin paints, including Johnstone’s Trade Satin are very hardwearing, but it just depends on the product you’re using.