Leyland Trade Vinyl Matt Review

Leyland Trade Vinyl Matt is an emulsion used to coat interior walls and ceilings. Available online by clicking here in a range of different tin sizes and colours. You can recoat after around 2–4 hours, which is rather impressive. You can use it as a mist coat on bare plaster, and the spread rate is roughly 14 m² per litre of paint (one coat).

Leyland Trade and Johnstone’s Paint are both PPG brands.

Is Leyland Trade Vinyl Matt Emulsion any good?

This is a trade-quality product, which means it is aimed at the trade market rather than the retail paint options you might find at DIY shops like B&Q. However, Johnstone’s Trade is generally positioned as PPG’s more premium trade brand, while Leyland Trade is the more budget-friendly alternative.

That isn’t to say Leyland isn’t quality paint. I love a lot of Leyland products and use them regularly in my role as a professional decorator. I’ll talk about this paint in relation to its price. Yes, you could buy a better paint if you have a big budget, but how does Leyland Trade Vinyl Matt stack up against products in a similar price bracket?

The opacity of Leyland Trade Vinyl Matt isn’t too bad (it isn’t great either). You can usually achieve a colour change in two coats. Even bare plaster covers in two coats some of the time. The flow of the paint is OK. No real complaints, but it does drag a little bit on the second coat.

I like the overall finish. The sheen level looks a little high for a matt emulsion, but there are no major issues with picture framing or roller marks. Avoid using it in rooms like hallways, where you look across your walls, but it’s perfect for rooms like bedrooms and lounges, etc.

Click here to see online prices.

Leyland Trade Vinyl Matt in White on a Ceiling

I thought I’d talk about this as a separate section, simply because choosing a good ceiling paint can be tricky, particularly for large ceilings in rooms with a lot of light. A lot of products fall short, and you see defects like flashing and picture framing.

Not with Leyland Trade Vinyl Matt, which is quite impressive, really. The opacity in white is lacking, so occasionally you need to apply an extra coat, but the finish is a proper crisp white, and there are no such defects. This is a great paint for ceilings.

Review Summay

Best Tools to Apply Leyland Trade Vinyl Matt

Regardless of whether you go for Leyland Vinyl Matt or Covaplus, having the correct tools for the job will make all the difference. I like to use a long-pile roller for this type of material, simply because you can apply generous coats of paint without experiencing any defects such as orange peel.

Purdy Colossus is my roller of choice for this type of paint. You will need to de-lint the roller before you start, but it holds a fantastic amount of paint, and it will make your work a lot easier. Click here to see online prices.

As for the brush, my preference is ProDec Ice Fusion. These are brilliant because of the way the filaments are tapered. Striking straight lines in is nice and easy when using them. Click here to see online prices.

FAQs

Is Leyland vinyl matt breathable?

Leyland Vinyl Matt is not generally classed as a breathable paint. You wouldn’t use it on wet plaster, nor would you normally choose it for traditional lime plaster where a highly vapour-permeable coating is required.

How long does it take for Leyland trade vinyl matt to dry?

Touch dry after 1 – 2 hours. Recoat after 3-4 hours. You should apply two coats to achieve a solid finish.

Is vinyl Matt waterproof?

I’d categorise vinyl matt as ‘water-resistant’ rather than waterproof. It won’t cope with the environment in a kitchen or bathroom, and you’ll ruin your paint finish if you spill a drink on it.

What is the difference between Matt and vinyl Matt?

Contract matt generally contains less binder than vinyl matt, making it more porous and less durable. Vinyl matt contains more binder, which generally makes it more durable and easier to clean. Contract matt may be cheaper, but vinyl matt is generally the better option where durability is important.

Can I put clear varnish over emulsion paint?

Polyvine Decorators Varnish is a clear coating that can be used over other products, including emulsion paint, to make the surface more durable and water-resistant while having minimal impact on its appearance.

Final Thoughts

A quick summary – Leyland Trade Vinyl Matt is a good-quality product. BUT I still opt to pay a little bit more and buy Johnstone’s Covaplus instead. The difference in price can be less than £2 per litre, and in my experience, the finish you achieve WILL be better.

You can buy either of these products from Johnstone’s Decorating Centres, but unless you’re eligible for a trade discount, it can often be cheaper to buy them online. Plus, at some online stores, they can match colours from different brands into your chosen product.

Leyland Trade Vinyl Matt – Click here to see online prices.

Johnstone’s Covaplus – Click here to see online prices.

Leyland Trade Contract Matt Review

I thought I’d throw a very quick Leyland Trade Contract Matt review onto this blog, as you may be considering it as an alternative. Leyland Trade Contract Matt is a lot cheaper than vinyl matt and is very competitively priced for a contract matt compared to similar products.

Contract matt generally contains less polymer binder than more durable emulsion paints, which is probably one reason why it’s cheaper. You might not want to use it to paint your walls because it isn’t very durable, but it’s fine on most ceilings.

This paint can drag a little bit, and stain block can flash through the finish (but this can be true of contract matt in general). Leyland Trade Contract Matt has great opacity and, in my experience, will often cover bare plaster in two coats. It’s also ideal when painting white on white and you only want to apply one coat as a ‘quick freshen-up’.

This is a good contract matt. Pound for pound, it’s one of the best you can get.

Click here to see online prices.