Sandtex X-Tra Exterior Eggshell Review
By Mike Gregory
Sandtex X-Tra exterior eggshell is an oil-based product for use on timber, metalwork, and cladding. This product is available in 1L or 2.5L tins and you can get it in white, or almost any colour from Crown Trade’s vast range. The sheen level is around 10% in white and slightly higher in colours, making it the ideal finish for contemporary looking windows, doors, soffits and fascias.
Bare timber should be primed using the Sandtex flexible primer undercoat, then prepared as normal. The re-coat time of both of these products is 16 hours according to the tin, but I know from personal experience that this time can be extended. If you rush additional coats, the paint can take an age to cure and go hard.
You should always apply two coats of eggshell to achieve the flexibility needed to cope with the British climate.
My Sandtex X-Tra Review
I can tell you now that I think Sandtex X-tra is the best oil-based exterior eggshell products on the market. I use loads of the stuff as a decorator and absolutely love it!
Opacity is bang on, whether we’re talking about white or a tinted colour. Bare timber takes one primer, followed by two coats of eggshell, and never any more than that. Same with previously painted surfaces to be fair, but I know a lot of decorators skip the primer and never have any comebacks. It just flies on and brush marks seem to fade away leaving a silky, flat surface. Colours are rich too, meaning just about everything about the initial aesthetics are desirable.
The sheen level may seem higher than it’s supposed to be when you first apply it. However, that will calm down in the weeks to follow leaving something close to matt.
The best thing about this product is the longevity. Exterior paints used on timber need to be robust and flexible, or they’re not likely to last. They also need to stand up to UV light, or the colour will soon fade. You don’t need to worry about either when using Sandtex!! I’ve been back to jobs 5 or 6 years after I’ve completed them and the paint finish has been fine.
Where to Buy
Sandtex X-Tra exterior eggshell is a premium product with a premium price tag. You should expect to pay around £60 for a 2.5L tin, but it’s worth every penny. Particularly if it means you’ll get an extra few years out of your paintwork.
You can buy this product from any Crown Decorating Centre, quite a few independent merchants, or online.
Sandtex X-Tra Exterior Eggshell Review
