As a Professional Decorator, I’ve been working on a new-build house where the customer was supplying the materials. For the woodwork, he had provided Dulux Quick Dry Undercoat and Satinwood. After reading people’s thoughts about these products on the Decorators Forum UK, I was dreading it.
Most of the woodwork was pre-primed MDF, apart from the door frames that I knotted and primed before the usual prep (as you do), then filled, rubbed down, and caulked.
I decided to get some Dulux Diamond Satinwood to compare the two on the job. Both products are made by AkzoNobel. Here’s what I found –
Dulux Quick Dry Undercoat Review
On first impressions, I thought the Dulux Quick Dry Undercoat was really good. It felt the closest thing to oil-based in a water-based product that I’ve used. It had decent opacity, was nice to use, and dried quite solid over the pre-primed MDF, pulling out smooth like oil.
One issue I noticed was that it was terrible for runs. This isn’t down to inexperience with water-based paints — I converted to water-based about three years ago — but this product isn’t normally like this. I found the Dulux Quick Dry Undercoat sagged in places, with small runs on vertical caulk lines.
I also used it on some grey windows. Even though it seemed to have good opacity while applying, it dried back much more transparent. On the window sills, where plaster had been, even though I had sanded it off and very little trace remained, the undercoat in those areas severely crazed or peeled away. The same thing happened on filler, though not quite as badly.
Overall verdict: It feels good and looks good, but it doesn’t sit well on anything porous. It dries with poor opacity and is prone to runs.
Dulux Quick Dry Satinwood Review
It started off like the QD Undercoat — felt like oil-based and seemed to cover well. Over pre-primed MDF that had one coat of QD Undercoat, the first coat of Satin was solid, and it felt like we were off to a good start.
Once I had applied one coat of Satin on all the woodwork, I found it behaved much like the QD Undercoat: it dried more transparent, with runs appearing in the same places. After the second coat of Satin, coverage was solid everywhere except the windows (which were originally grey). These required a full third coat and selective fourth coat (yes — one undercoat and four Satins!).
Another issue was the colour. It wasn’t very white, more like an off-white rather than “Brilliant White.”
The one positive: the Dulux Quick Dry Satinwood levels out beautifully, very much like oil. I think this is because it’s a hybrid — you can tell from the tin, which says “longer lasting whiteness,” whereas fully water-based paints usually state “non-yellowing.”
Verdict: I won’t be using this product again.
Dulux Diamond Satinwood Review
While doing this job, I had been very unimpressed by the Quick Dry Satinwood. Then I remembered I’d won a tin of the new Diamond Satinwood from a Brewers competition on Facebook. It felt like the perfect time to try it out and compare it to the QD Satin.
I’ve got to say, I was blown away by this product — it’s the water-based Satinwood I’ve been searching for years! It had great opacity, dried as solid as it went on, and was bright white. Over the grey windows (which had one coat of QD Undercoat that dried like milk with no opacity), the Diamond Satin nearly covered in one coat, but I gave it two.
I also tested it on a door frame next to skirting boards that had been finished in QD Satin. The Diamond Satin was so white that it made the QD look slightly grey, so I ended up redoing the skirting boards with the Diamond.
Another bonus was how it performed on the window sills. It actually pulled back like oil, leaving little to no brush marks — all without the faffing around you usually have to do with water-based paints (like dampening the surface or adding Smith and Rodger Flow and Bond).
Verdict
Dulux Diamond Satinwood is now my absolute go-to water-based satinwood, and for good reason. It has great opacity, is nice to use, can be picked up off the shelf, gives a finish like oil, isn’t a hybrid, is fairly priced, dries bright white, and is fully water-based. I haven’t tried it over old oil yet, but if it sticks well after a good key, then this product is faultless. And, being part of the Dulux Diamond range, you know it’ll be bombproof — just like their other Diamond products (Matt, Eggshell, Diamond Glaze, etc.), which I also highly recommend.
Dulux Quick Dry Satinwood, on the other hand, really shouldn’t be on the shelf when there’s a far superior product available for only a couple of quid more per tin. The comparison between the two is like chalk and cheese.
So, if you’re looking for a truly decent water-based satin you can grab straight off the shelf — one that knocks spots off most others on the market — Dulux Diamond Satinwood is the one.
Where to Buy
You can get either of these products from any Dulux Decorating Centre. However, unless you qualify for a trade account, it’s almost always cheaper to buy online. Click here to see online prices.
Best Tools to Use to Apply Dulux Diamond Satinwood
As with any water-based paint, the tools you use to apply Dulux Diamond Satinwood will make all the difference in terms of finish. So, I thought it would be useful if we added a little section on the best tools to apply it.
You will need a microfibre roller for the larger areas, and it needs to be capable of applying an even layer of paint without causing orange peel. Our recommendation is Two Fussy Blokes, which not only performs well in terms of paint application, but there is no need to de-lint it before you start. Click here to see latest prices.
As for the brush, The Purdy Monarch Elite XL is perfect when applying any water-based satinwood. It keeps its shape whilst cutting in, but it’s soft enough to lay-off. It also has a nice thick stock, so it holds loads of paint. Click here to see current prices.
FAQs
How long between coats of Dulux Quick Dry Satinwood?
You normally need two coats of Dulux Quick Dry Satinwood to achieve a good finish. You should wait at least 6 hours between coats (slightly longer if it’s cold).
Does Dulux Diamond Satinwood go yellow?
Dulux Diamond Satinwood is fully water-based, so it will never turn yellow. Dulux Quick Dry Satinwood is a hybrid, so it may yellow slightly over the years. Dulux Trade Satinwood is oil-based, but even that paint is very slow to yellow.
What is Dulux Diamond Satinwood used for?
Dulux Diamond Satinwood is mostly used to paint interior wood and other trim. It’s available in Brilliant White and tinted colours, and it will look fantastic if applied correctly.
Do you need undercoat with Dulux Diamond Satinwood?
You will need an adhesion primer if using Dulux Diamond Satinwood over previously painted surfaces. This is particularly true when using the product over old oil-based paints.
Can you use Dulux Diamond Satinwood without primer?
Yes — you can use it without a primer over previously painted surfaces with proper preparation. However, Dulux recommends using a primer to aid adhesion, and you should always prime bare surfaces. Dulux UniPrimer is a great option.
Is Dulux Diamond Satinwood durable?
Yes. Dulux Diamond Satinwood is very durable once it has properly cured. Many decorators even use it for hand-painted kitchens, where toughness and longevity are essential.
What Other Decorators Think
I agree wholeheartedly with this review. The Dulux Diamond satinwood may run a little bit, but it is the nicest white finish of all the water-based satinwoods I have used. Durability is spot on too. The only little grip I have is the long re-coat times, but it isn’t much of an issue.
One other thing I’d say about the Dulux Diamond satinwood is the ease and speed you can apply it. I coat doorframes and skirting boards with a 3 inch Purdy with no issues at all. This is my preferred coating when I’m not using oil-based.
I’ve never really used Dulux Quick Dry Satinwood. Hybrids have had their time really. We’re now spoiled for good quality fully-water-based satin products. I love the Dulux Diamond; You need to make sure you use a good adhesion primer first, especially when you’re painting over old oil-based gloss, or something similar.
Opacity is good and the finish is fantastic. You can get it tinted too, which is a massive advantage. However, the “Brilliant White” is absolutely spectacular. Dulux Diamond Satinwood does sag unfortunately. It flows off your brush well, so painting with it is nice and quick, but you do need to go back over your work as it’s drying to knock the runs out.
I use this all the time in the hotel I work in the finish is lovely and doesn’t smell much either
Just tried Dulux diamond satinwood on my landing and I’m not impressed for one minute. It seems to give about 50% coverage so I’m crossing my fingers that the second coat will be sufficient. And runs, I’ve never used anything that runs as much. I’m so concerned that I may be trying something else for the hallway and stairs
Have to say very disappointed in the Dulux Diamond Satinwood, even over old white paint sanded down it needs at least two full coats, it runs drags and dries so fast any overcoating even straight away starts to pull the paint off.
Never had a problem with Dulux Trade paints until this one.
Used Trade Diamond Satinwood for the first time on a project on a 5 Bedroom house that is 11 years old.
Dulux Trade centre said Gloss is slowly going out as it goes yellow over the years and that Trade Diamond Satinwood is the next best paint also its water based.
Purchased 4 x 5l tins and 2x Zinner Bullseye 123,
My Decorator found the paint very cloggy, it drags, dries on the brush very quickly and if you paint over the paint plays up.
Sadly we applied 3 coats in total, the paint does not travel well and the doors are still grey in some areas.
Spoke to Dulux Tech may times and was fobbed off, even talking to the Leadership Team was to Deaf Ears.
Most disappointed with Dulux ‘s new range and the service from the Tech Team, STRONGLY suggest that the Senior Management address matters and look onto QR Coding to help users understand the best way in applying this new paint,
A very disappointed Customer.
I was interested to read the last three comments, as my own experience has been much more positive.
I had always used oil-based paints for woodwork, being very disappointed with my first attempts using water-based satinwood. However, recently I had to do extensive renovation and repainting in a large extension and decided to try the Quick Dry Dulux undercoat and standard Satinwood topcoat. It’s not been without it’s problems but I would never go back to an oil-based system again.
Oil gives you the ability to achieve an almost-miraculous smooth, opaque finish that you will never get with water-based paints. However, cleaning up is a nightmare, the fumes are unhealthy and unpleasant, and drying times make the job last for days.
I found the QD undercoat excellent and felt that two coats was more than good enough to prepare the surface (New wood, pre-primed MDF and old previously painted doors). Two topcoats of Satinwood gives a finish that is “whiter” than the oil and (I’m assured) does not yellow anywhere near as quickly. It also becomes (after a few days) incredibly durable to knocks and is very easy to clean.
There are drawbacks: You have to work like lightning over the surface and make damned sure you have a good brushed-out finish in a relatively small area before moving on. There is no going back to “fix” runs and clumsy execution in the way you can readily do with oil-based paints. A foam roller works great on sills and smooth surfaces but you still can’t afford to hang about. Never leave a corner or join with a visible ridge for more than a few minutes or you’ll never brush it out. However skilled you are, I do not believe that it is possible to achieve the smooth surface finish, free of brush marks, that you can get with oil. Even so, if you can adapt your technique in the ways that I suggest, I think that the slightly-textured surface is attractive and practical and the result very pleasing. In spite of the drawbacks, I would never go back to using oil-based paints again, except for outside gloss woodwork.
I have used all these products over the years, I even developed some in my earlier life.
At the end of the day in my opinion they are still no match for oil based products.
Their only big plus is that they are non yellowing and that is enough to convert many people.
We’ve been using these quick dry satinwoods ,glosses from DULUX for years now,obviously because the oil based products yellow very quickly and for some technical reason takes weeks to dry properly.
Now with the gloss,one undercoat,two coats of gloss we’ve got no problem at all,for a water based Finnish it’s very,very good,no complaints,but as for the satinwood,we’ve never used such rubbish in all my life(decorating now for 40 years),most of our work is very high end and the hassle we’ve had with it is no ones buisness.
For example a job we are on now,brand new hand made doors,knotted,primed,filled,rubbed down,primer touched up,two water based under coats,followed by 4 coats of the satinwood,yes 4 coats and it still looks crap,we’ve been having this trouble now for yonks,phone DULUX up and they make out your the only one!! Everyone you talk to has the same to say about it,it’s crap,it makes us pros look like cowboys.
The best one we ever used was the sickens satura water base satinwood,trouble is they’ve taken it off the shelf now,and do you know why? Because DULUX bought them out!!!
I’ll stick to Johnstone’s Trade Aqua Satin or Crown Fastflow Satin. I reckon Dulux falling way behind the competition with WB paints. Neither ever let me down. Great finish, hard wearing, easy brush clean and great opacity. The only Dulux I recommend to customers is their Easy care range of emulsions
Used dulux diamond satinwood for the first time in a while yesterday and i need to agree about runs and drag. It doesn’t hold on the brush well and is practically translucent putting it on. I’m hoping when i go back today it has bleached out but at this moment in time its not filling me with confidence.
How was it in the end? I need a paint that won’t yellow as it’s a dark room so oil based is a def no no. I’ve used the quick dry satinwood but it’s been stained so hoped the diamond wouldn’t stain and stay white.
I am using Dulux Satinwood Quick Dry for the first time having not used water-based paints in the past. I did what I thought was a fair amount of research albeit not on this forum and have to say I am very disappointed. The wood work was washed down with sugar soap and a coat of Zinsser Bulls Eye 123 White Primer Sealer Paint applied. The new Suffolk composite doors are acceptable as they have a grained finish anyway but 2 coats of Dulux have only just about covered. Worse though are the door frames , the paint doesn’t flow, coverage is poor and full of brush marks. Once dried it looks just like a scruffy undercoat. I have invested a lot of money in this project so will need to take stock before going any further even if it means dumping £30.00 worth of Dulux paint. Is brush marking a characteristic of water-based paints? If anyone has advice it would be appreciated. Thanks.
Dulux quickdry satinwood (non-trade) – for the few surfaces I’ve done (over wet, wet n dry’d zinser stain block primer to even things out), went on well, no significant brush marks,seemed to dry, but placing a jug on it a several days later and it marked. Put felt pads under the jug, checked maybe a week later, and you can see fine hairmarks from the pad in the surface. Over a month later an the other sill is showing some marks despite almost nothing being put there for any duration.Had bought this for high-contact areas in a hallway – sills nr the door, stairway timber work, skirtings, and it looks like a waste of money (and time if I use it). Looks like I’m back to oilbased eggshell and the nuisance that is with trying to minimise brush marks.
Ive just used quick dry satinwood for the first time too, trying to convert over from oil based. I used 2 coats of dulux primer undercoat (water based) on previously painted wood, that seemed to go on ok, no shocks. The satinwood top coat was horrible to use, dried way to quick, and no matter how little paint I applied I had runs, and you cant back over them to feather them out. The dried finish is also very matt, compared to the previous oil based satin. I would not recommend however I am reluctant to try the Diamond satin due to the high cost.
I’m not a professional, but I’ve done a fair bit of painting in my time, and pride myself on the good finish I can achieve. I have usually found trade paints to go on easier and give better coverage. But the Dulux Trade QD Satinwood I have just attempted to apply to a bit of pre primed skirting board is the worst paint I have ever used. It is absolute rubbish. First coat barely covered, left to dry overnight (12 hours plus) second coat barely covering and worse still seems to be drying too fast as it is bobbling up like I’m painting over dust, which I’m most definitely not. Will leave it to dry, sand it down and start again. But not with Dulux.