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 and can be recoated 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 Trade 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, so go easy with the the sandpaper between coats.

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

There is a significant drawback to Johnstone’s Trade Satin. As with a lot of other oil-based products, it 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, and leaves an excellent finish, but it 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 Johnstone’s Decorating Centre in a huge range of colours. Unlike Johnstone’s Trade Satin, Aqua Guard is fully water-based, so it won’t 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’s easy to control and use. Even decorators who are die-hard oil-based fans will get on with this paint.

Opacity is spot on, and the finish is even better than Johnstone’s Trade Satin. It also dries rock solid and remains durable. Click here for more information. 

Best Tools to Use to Apply Johnstone’s Satin

I like to include a little section on the best brush and roller to use for a particular 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, and it holds loads of paint, allowing you to strike a nice, clean line. It’s suitable for both water-based and oil-based satin products, so it’s great for applying Aqua Guard as well as Johnstone’s Satin. Click here to see the latest prices.

You’ll find a mini roller useful when painting flat surfaces such as doors and windowsills. A short pile is best for this type of paint. My favourite is the Axus Décor Silk Touch, which leaves a noticeably better finish than any other roller I have ever used with satinwood. Click here to see the 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 vary 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 an 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 use an undercoat is when going for a significant colour change.

Why is satin paint still tacky?

It probably hasn’t fully dried yet. There are several factors that can drastically affect drying time, including humidity, ventilation, and contaminants that may have been on the surface before painting. Open a window, improve airflow, and be patient.

Can you paint over satinwood without sanding?

You should always sand cured satinwood before applying a new product. This helps improve adhesion.

Is satin wood paint hard-wearing?

Most satinwood paints, including Johnstone’s Trade Satin, are very hard-wearing, but it ultimately depends on the specific product you’re using.