Tikkurila Optiva 5 is a durable matt emulsion which can be tinted into any colour from Tikkurila’s extensive range. Touch dry in about an hour, re-coat time is approximately 2 – 4 hours depending on conditions. You can use this product on internal walls or ceilings.
Optiva 5 is perfect for high traffic areas, kitchens, Bathrooms with low condensation levels, schools and anywhere else normal vinyl matt emulsion would struggle to stay looking fresh. This is my Tikkurila Optiva 5 review, I hope you find it useful.
Priming Walls before Applying Tikkurila Optiva 5
A lot of modern durable matt emulsions recommend diluting the same product to prime bare plaster before applying topcoats. Tikkurila Optiva 5 comes with a specific primer called (wait for it) optiva primer!! Optiva Primer is a great product in itself. Opacity is bang on, as is ease of use compared to say, a contract matt. It does the job perfectly and creates an ideal base for your optiva 5 topcoats.
If you are using optiva 5 on previously painted walls or ceilings, then there is no need for an additional primer. Just apply a couple of coats of Optiva 5 and everything will look stunning.
How Durable is Tikkurila Optiva 5?
As mentioned, Tikkurila Optiva 5 is a durable matt emulsion. In actual fact the scrub rating is “class 1” which puts it right up there on the scale. It will easily withstand a wipe down with a damp cloth, as well as resisting stains, dust and scuffs. Perfect if you have pets or young children. It might not cope with severe condensation, but you don’t experience conditions too extreme in most homes.
How to Apply Tikkurila Optiva 5
You can apply Optiva 5 via brush and roller, or an airless sprayer. You should never dilute diamond products by more than about 5%, but with Optiva 5 you really don’t need to. You’ll find it flies on, especially the second coat. It is a joy to use. Opacity is great too!! You never need more than two coats. However, avoid spraying Tikkurila Optiva 5 in white as it doesn’t seem to settle too well.
Overall Finish of Tikkurila Optiva 5
Let’s get into the nitty gritty!! Durable matt emulsion tends to contain more polymer binders than a standard vinyl matt. This is what makes the paint durable and waterproof, but it does come with a downside. Durable “matt” emulsion tends to have a higher sheen level than normal vinyl matt. This isn’t ideal and can lead to problems with picture framing, roller marks and flashing.
This isn’t an issue with Tikkurila Optiva 5!! The “5” represents the sheen level of the paint. In actual fact the sheen level is between 5% and 10% which is still very low for a product of it’s type. It is what I would call a flat matt finish.
What a lovely finish it is too!! Brush and roller marks tend to level off and you’re left with a luxurious, rich, deep finish which is to die for!! It’s probably one of the nicest paint finishes I’ve ever used! I’d recommend this product to anyone. Again, the only colour that let’s Optiva 5 down is Brilliant White. The opacity and overall finish are lacking. But, if you use this paint in any other colour, you’ll be impressed.
Review Summary
Tikkurila Optiva 5 Review – Durable Matt Emulsion - Decorator's forum UK
A durable matt emulsion used to paint interior walls and ceilings. Perfect for high-traffic areas.
Product Brand: Tikkurila
4.5
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Very durable.
- Low sheen level.
- Great finish.
- Doesn’t show any defects.
Cons
- You must use Optiva Primer if going over bare plaster.
- White isn’t very good (which is a similar story for durable matt in most brands).
Tikkurila Optiva 3
You do have an alternative product in Optiva 3. This is another durable matt emulsion with an even lower sheen level than Optiva 5. This makes the overall finish luxuriously chalky. In fact, this is one of my favourite emulsions.
The only downside is; it isn’t quite as durable as Tikkurila Optiva 5. Still good in high-traffic areas, but avoid using it in bathrooms.
About Tikkurila
Tikkurila a Nordic paint manufacturer which has been in the UK for 15 years or so and it has taken the professional decorating market by storm. This is down to the quality and value of the products available. It can get a little bit daunting using a brand of paint with unfamiliar product names. We do have a product comparison list, as well as a full Tikkurila product review which should help.
Where to buy Tikkurila Paint?
Tikkurila is a trade paint which has started popping up in independent merchants across the UK. That said, you can deal with them directly online and order everything you need to be delivered to your door. Click here to visit Tikkurila’s website.
What do Other Decorators Think About Tikkurila Optiva 5?
Just started using this, it’s now my “go to”, I prefer it over Dulux diamond matt.
The coverage is good, the opacity is good and it’s cheaper! What more can you ask for?
Optiva 5 is one of the best durable matt emulsions on the market. It can need 3 coats on occasion, but only very rarely. It is definitely durable, but you don’t get any of those annoying brush or roller marks.
Fantastic gear, I don’t use anything else but Tikkurila products 👍
I have been using this product for at least the past 3 years.
- Brushes and rolls nice it doesn’t drag or picture frame.
- Sprays great like all Tikkurila products
- Great durability and a lot less sheen than other durable products on the market
- Better priced than the main 3 competitors
- Great colour matching
- Touches in great even on deep base tints
- Great opacity. I know it will cover trim paint over lap in 2 “cut ins” without flashing.
- My go – to for durable emulsions.
This is the best durable on the market
I had my doubts after using optiva 3 as it polished up after a clean, but optiva 5 doesn’t. Really tough. Opacity isn’t as good in comparison to Johnstone’s cleanable in my opinion, but I really rate it.
The sizes annoy me though, I want 2. 5 or 5 L
I actually came upon this by accident when Brewers was shut during lockdown and needed something ASAP. Someone managed to get me this mixed to a Johnston’s colour. Won’t be using anything else. Really lovely to use and looked fantastic once dry. It’s just one of those paints you know is going look good as soon as you start using it.
I started using this about 2 years ago, at first I was using it in a dark colour and couldn’t fault it. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the coverage and opacity was for the price. I was fooled.
The following few jobs were all medium to dark based colours which I’d matched to Dulux daffodil white, 3 coats over Egyptian cotton and then it still needed a fourth roll. This put me off and I haven’t used it sin
Great Matt finish, unlike the sheen you get from diamond Matt. Great scrub rate too. Same par on scrub rate as Johnstone’s perfect white and Crown Clean extreme but just a hell of a lot cheaper. The other positive thing is it comes in plastic 2.7L tubs which can not only be recycled but come in handy for a paint kettle.
Not once had a problem with it in any colour…Great finish and goes for miles. Can’t say the same for it in white though 👍👍
3 coats of Wimborne white over maggy . 5 coats of dark blue over white! I won’t use it again
Optiva 5 gets a 10 out of 10 from me. Used in some coffee shops I look after and definitely durable and great flow properties
The only thing I’d add would be make sure you give it a good stir before use and “box together” if you get different tins. I don’t use anything else now!
I use Optiva 5 all the time. brilliant stuff!! I use Tikkurila products as much as I can. Anti-Reflex 2 is the best for ceilings, optiva 5 on walls and you can’t go wrong..
My go to paint now. It’s a dream to put on and I’ve not had an issue with any colours needing more than 2 coats in light and dark shades. I used to use Johnstone’s durable acrylic before I tried optiva 5. I push to use it on all my jobs.
But the can sizes! 1L which is 900ml, 3L which is 2.7 L and 9L. I’m getting used to it now!
Optiva 5 is a great paint. I pretty much use nothing else now, goes on lovely covers great and a tough durable finish at a great price. Also, no picture framing.
As far a durable matt emulsion goes, I think Tikkurila optiva 5 is up there as one of the best. It just goes on so easily and the finish is lovely. I’d maybe avoid it in a hallway and go for something a little bit duller like optiva 3, but only because you’re looking down the walls in a hallway.
I use optiva 5 on most of my jobs now. I’d recommend it to anyone.
Been decorating for 40yrs the best emulsion I’ve ever used,fantastic finish and so easy to use.If you have a problem with optiva
5
The problem is you .!!!
Between tikkurila optiva 5 and Johnstone’s perfect matt which one is better for ceilings? Thanks
Optiva-5 is a diamond product. It’s great at what it does, but there are better suited products to use on ceilings. Tikkurila Anti-Reflex is ideal. Perfect matt is very much a premium product, which would be fantastic, but expensive
Yet another brilliant Tikkurila product and priced to use as standard and not sold as an expensive upgrade from vinyl matt.
Beautiful to cut in and roll, great opacity, flat finish and goes a heck of a long way.
Even smells nice! 😀
Do we get the same white with Optiva 5 on walls and the anti reflex 2 on ceilings? I’m a bit worried to get 2 different White and I want a durable one on walls (hallway, stairs, kitchen/family room with a big roof lantern).
Reading the review, the part about it not being good for brilliant white.
Does that extend to any white? Ie Paper, or a F&B match?
Or just specifically brilliant white. Doing the kitchen in ‘All White’ and torn between Optiva 3 and 5