I’ve been using HMG paint products or a while now. They are the biggest independent paint merchant in the UK, and they’re based in Manchester. They manufacture a wide range of products, from Contract matt to water-based gloss, and everything in between. I thought I’d take the time to sit down and write a very quick HMG paint review. I hope you find it useful.
HMG Water-based Satinwood Review
This is a fully water-based paint which is touch dry in 10 minutes, and recoat in one hour. This is fantastic really, especially if you compare it to the 4 or 6 hour drying time of some other water-based products.
Both the HMG primer and satinwood drag, so they’re not very easy to use. But stick with it, because the opacity and overall finish are fantastic. I love this product.
My go to products are normally Caparol or Tikkurila Helmi, but I do like these products and would use again as I believe they are also a good price.
HMG Vinyl Matt Emulsion Review
As I opened the tin of HMG Vinyl Matt and gave it a stir, I noticed the paint wasn’t overly thick, like dulux for example. It was what I expected colour wise for a white (not brilliant white), and it had a very velvety, shiny appearance in the tin, very similar to johnstones covaplus.
HMG vinyl matt is a standard trade vinyl matt emulsion. Manufactured in Manchester, available online in white, or a wide range of colours, Touch dry in 2 hours, you can recoat this product after 3 – 4 hours depending on conditions,
Application –
out of the tin, I loosened the paint by approximately 5%, which I do as a rule with most applications. It applied very easily using a long pile 12″ sleeve onto an artexed ceiling. The ceiling had not been painted for 17 year’s, and was almost magnolia in colour. I must say that as it was going on, I thought “wow that’s covering well”…… But I held back on judgement due to so many other products going more and more translucent as they dry.
2 hours after first coat-
After 2 hours, not only did the ceiling look dry and feel dry, it wasn’t patchy, there was no picture framing, grinning ect. (although this would have to be tested on a smooth surface) and it had dried very flat. HMG vinyl matt is similar to Johnstone’s Covaplus with regards to finish, but can honestly say it may have slightly better opacity. I can honestly say that it did not look like it needed a second coat.
A second coat was applied, and I was struggling to see where I had gone over, hence the great results it achieved on completion. I was very impressed!
HMG Water-Based Gloss Review
Available online for around £80 for 5L, you can buy this fully water-based gloss in white, or any tinted colour from HMG’s vast range.
Being fully water-based, HMG gloss will never yellow over time. You can apply this paint via brush, roller, or an airless sprayer. It is touch dry in around 30 minutes (which is very impressive). The recoat time is 4 – 6 hours, meaning you can apply more than one coat of HMG water-based gloss in a day. Fully cured after 24 hours, which is almost unheard of! Most water-based trim products take weeks.
The paint is very thick and heavy, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing when you compare it to the “skimmed milk” viscosity of some of the comparable products. You’ll find the tins are filled to the top, so you need to be careful when opening and pouring.
The opacity of water-based gloss, particularly in white, is often a let-down. However, this is far from the case with this paint. HMG covers most surfaces in two coats after the primer. HMG gloss is also tough and durable, which is another plus point.
You will need to use an adhesion primer when going over old oil-based coatings. I use Caparol Halfprimer. Once cured, the HMG gloss is very hard wearing. This will be great for high traffic areas. Drying time is quicker than most water-based products.
This paint takes a little time to get used to. I first tested it on a wood sample at home. It passed the scratch test etc. However, once cured I could see and feel brush marks. I tried the usual methods damp cloth, good brush etc. On the tin it’s states good “flow properties”. I wondered if it’s like Tikkurila Helmi, so I fully loaded the brush and did very little laying off. This dried with a perfect oil-like finish with no brush marks. Once you get into it, you’ll get a lovely finish every time.
I’ve just used this method on 7 doors and trim and HMG water-based gloss is unbelievably good. It doesn’t run just a flawless finish.
Overall, it is a good product but took a while to find the correct viscosity and painting technique.
HMG Contract Matt Review
I have been using HMG products for a while now and I can’t fault them. I was using Tikkurila Anti-Reflex2 or eclipse on ceilings. However, Anti-Reflex is becoming too expensive, and eclipse is always full of skin.
HMG contract matt is smooth, the correct viscosity and awesome opacity. It doesn’t flash or dry too quickly, leaving you with a flat flawless finish. I know it is only a contract matt, but this paint is perfect on a ceiling. I even use it in my own house.
HMG have accepted numerous awards, such as the UK Coatings Care award. They were also the first independent UK Paint Company to be awarded British Standards quality BS5750 (FM1524). HMG’s Head office and primary manufacturing plant is based in Manchester, UK. It’s fair to say I’m a HMG fan. It’s a shame they tend to go under the radar with a lot of professional decorators.
TECHNICAL PROPERTIES
Contract matt water-based
Ideal for new work application
Good covering power
A full bodied matt finish
Suitable for walls and ceilings
HMG Contract Matt Emulsion is a water-based decorative trade matt emulsion which has excellent opacity which improves as the paint dries. Excellent results can be achieved with a single coat over previously painted surfaces. Two coats of HMG contract matt will easily cover bare plaster. Designed for easy application on interior plaster walls and ceilings. Touch dry in around an hour and recoat in 2 hours. You can buy HMG contract matt from TopDec Decorating Centre. Click here to see online prices.
I particularly like using HMG contract matt on ceilings, as the finish is dead flat. You see no flashing or picture framing. Instead, you’re left with a luxurious finish that any homeowner will love. It is a great product to use when painting large open plan room.
Although this paint will also look great on walls, as with any contract matt, it isn’t very durable. You might use a product like this on a building site, but you wouldn’t use it on the walls in a domestic bedroom or lounge.
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