Polycell Stain Block has been around on the UK market for ages – in all my years as a professional decorator I can’t remember a time when it wasn’t available. It’s one of those “problem-solution” products that you don’t use every day, or even every week, but when you do need it, you know you can rely on it to do its job properly.
With new stain-blocking products coming onto the market all the time (click here for our guide to the best paints to cover and block a stain), I thought it would be good to write a Polycell Stain Block review to see how it stacks up.
Having said that, you’re going to get two reviews for the price of one, because Polycell Stain Block is available in two formats – regular paint to apply with a brush or paint roller, and an aerosol. They’re very different, so I’m going to review the two Polycell Stain Block products separately.
Polycell Stain Block Paint – Key Facts & Figures
- Suitable for interior use only
- Designed to cover a great number of different stains, such as nicotine, soot, rust, grease, ballpoint pen and lipstick
- Pack sizes: 1L, 2.5L
- Colours: white
- Coverage: up to 9m² per litre, depending on the surface porosity
- Touch dry in 2-3 hours
- Recoatable – 12 hours
- Application by brush or roller
- Solvent based – clean tools with white spirit
Polycell Stain Block Paint In Use
On the positive side, the opacity of Polycell Stain Block is outstanding, and it covers stains very effectively, usually in one coat but really stubborn stains may need two coats. Additionally, it works out much more economical than the aerosol version.
On the downside, it is horrible to use! It’s really, really thick and very hard to apply without leaving awful brush marks. I’d be cautious about adding a paint conditioner or diluting it to thin it out in case it reduces its effectiveness as a stain block. And the recoat time of 12 hours means that if you apply a second coat on day one. it needs a second coat which you do on day two, it’s then day three before you can emulsion over your stain.
Polycell Stain Block Aerosol – Key Facts & Figures
- Suitable for interior use only
- Designed to cover many different stains, such as nicotine, soot, rust, grease, ballpoint pen and lipstick
- Pack sizes: 500ml Aerosol
- Colours: white
- Touch dry in 10 minutes
- Recoatable – 10 minutes
- Application by aerosol
- Solvent based – in case of accidental overspray, clean immediately with white spirit
Polycell Stain Aerosol In Use
The aerosol product overcomes many of the problems associated with the non-aerosol format. The opacity is still good, as is its stain-blocking capability (which, after all, is the main reason for buying the product).
Once you get the hang of using the aerosol (shaking the can properly before use, spraying from the correct distance, keeping the can moving while spraying, not applying too much product), it’s very easy to use. You can get a stain blocked and move on to painting over it with emulsion within half an hour, even if you need a second coat (which most times you don’t).
The downsides are that it works out much more expensive than the traditional format, and you do need to take care when applying it as it contains some pretty nasty chemicals. So, it’s a good idea to wear a mask and eye protection.
But for me, the ease of use makes this my preferred format when buying Polycell Stain Block, especially for the occasional minor stains I encounter on my domestic jobs. It’s just so handy to keep a can in my tool bag, and to be able to whip it out and treat a stain in a matter of minutes, with no hanging around, no brush marks, and no brushes to clean up with white spirit later in the day.
Polycell Stain Block Review
For me, the aerosol is a really handy product to have with you, but it’s not cheap. The traditional format has too many downsides, most notably the horribly thick consistency and the long drying time; there are plenty of alternatives nowadays in both oil- and water-based paints that are easier to use, cheaper, and dry quicker.
Review Summary
Polycell Stain Block Review - Decorator's forum UK
Pros
- Readily available.
- The aerosol is quick drying and handy.
- It does block stains.
Cons
- The paint is thick and gloopy.
- Difficult to apply.
- Slow drying.
- Can need two coats.
- The aerosol is expensive.
- There are better products on the market now.
FAQs
Can you paint over Polycell Stain Block?
Yes, in fact Polycell Stain Block is never used as the ‘finish coat’. Think of it as a problem-solving primer. You use it to overcome a problem and create a more suitable base before you paint over it with a different product.
How do you use Polycell Stain Block?
Make sure the surface is clean and dry, then apply 1 or 2 coats of Polycell Stain Block, allowing plenty of time in between coats.
Does stain block cover damp?
No, a stain block like Polycell will block the stains caused by damp, but it won’t stop the damp itself. The best you could hope is a temporary fix, but the damp will eventually build up behind the stain block and cause it to blister.
How long does Polycell Stain Block take to dry?
The paint version is touch-dry after a couple of hours, but it has a recoat time of 12 hours. You should adhere to the recoat time for the product to perform well. The aerosol version is dry enough to paint over after roughly 10 minutes.
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