what is egg shell paint used for?

paddy147

I found 2 cans of Johnstones egg shell paint that the painter left behind in my house.The colour looks very close to the colour of my kitchen wall.

Can I ask,where would egg shell paint be used and what does it do?

Is it an under coat or used as a top coat for painting internal walls??

Im no painter,so forgive the question if it sounds dumb to anyone in the know.

Thanks.:)

looksee

Not at all dumb, my understanding is that it refers to the finish of the paint, slightly on the shiny side of matt. Like, in fact, an eggshell. Afaik it can be any kind of paint - oil or water based - but since you say it is kitchen wall coloured it is probably some sort of emulsion. I'm open to correction on this but that's my take on it

AckwelFoley

generally its used on walls where there will be alot of dirt and cleaning required, yet it has a low sheen.

Matt emulsion isnt good for walls that will be cleaned alot due to its dull finisg, so if you insist on a dull finish, but will need to be able to clean the walls without damaging the paint, eggshell is what is used


Its an oil based paint.

It can be used on timber too. It would be duller than satin which in turn is duller than gloss

paddy147

Yeah I read on the back of the tin that brushes are to be cleaned with white spirits,so I presume its an oil based paint then?

My kitchen/dining wall is like as described,not matt but not a glossy shine either,kinds in between,if that makes sense.


Actually heres a pic.Is that egg shell on the wall then??

Juwwi

Unless you specifically asked for it tobe put on the walls it would be very unusual for the painter to put it on walls.

what colour is your woodwork sounds like thats what its for to me.

paddy147

robbie1977 wrote: »

Unless you specifically asked for it tobe put on the walls it would be very unusual for the painter to put it on walls.

what colour is your woodwork sounds like thats what its for to me.

Skirting and door frames are white,and the walls were originally a greeny/yellow colour but this was then changed to a crown cream white type colour,as it was a nicer looking colour on the walls.

Juwwi

ls there a sticker with a colour on it on the can.
lf there isnt its most likely white.

Also white oil paint thats been left sitting for a while could look cream when u open the can as all the oil rises to the top.give the can a stir and see if it turns white.

Egg shell is more expensive to buy than emulsion,takes longer to apply and takes a full day to dry this is why l'd be surprised if he was to take it opon himself to put egg shell on your walls.

paddy147

Thanks for the advice folks.
I,ll open a can and gibe it a stir tomorrow and see what colour it comes up.

patwicklow

what ever you do dont put egg shell on the wall it,l run take ages to dry and be hard to cover next time you paint. egg shell is only for wood finish if you did,nt want gloss.

CBYR1983

Is there different terminology used in the States?

They seem to be calling wall paint eggshell?

http://www.zinsseruk.com/shop/Product.aspx?cId=128&pgId=344&tId=Overview

soundsham

eggshell relates to the sheen off the paint
its between matt & gloss

it may be oil based or water based
oil based was a lot in kitchens or bathrooms previously(in my own mothers) as it was a harder finish than emulsion so it withstood a little scrubbing or mould could easily be wiped off,on both ceilings and walls

as of late water based paints have caught up and generally acrylic eggshell which is water based is used now as its not as messy to use,touch up and way easier to clean the tools

Lilly232

HI,
IM READING SOME OLD REPLIES TO QUERIES ON EGGSHELL PAINTS & USE'S OF. I AM HOPING TO UPDATE MY BORING
LAMINATE CUBARDS, USE A PRIMER SUCH AS BIN, AND THEN PAINT USING AN EGGSHELL PAINT.
CAN ANYONE TELL ME, AFTER THE CUBARDS ARE CLEANED SANDED & THE PRIMER IS ON, CAN I THEN JUST CHOOSE ANY
EGGSHELL TYPE OF PAINT(COLOUR) AFTER THAT, OR DOES IT NEED TO BE A SPECIALIZED WOOD/LAMINATE PAINT.
ITS ALL A BIT CONFUSING WHEN YOU HAVE SUCH CHOICES AND I WILL HOPEFULLY BE DOING THIS MYSELF.

CarrickMcJoe

Lilly232 wrote: »

HI,
IM READING SOME OLD REPLIES TO QUERIES ON EGGSHELL PAINTS & USE'S OF. I AM HOPING TO UPDATE MY BORING
LAMINATE CUBARDS, USE A PRIMER SUCH AS BIN, AND THEN PAINT USING AN EGGSHELL PAINT.
CAN ANYONE TELL ME, AFTER THE CUBARDS ARE CLEANED SANDED & THE PRIMER IS ON, CAN I THEN JUST CHOOSE ANY
EGGSHELL TYPE OF PAINT(COLOUR) AFTER THAT, OR DOES IT NEED TO BE A SPECIALIZED WOOD/LAMINATE PAINT.
ITS ALL A BIT CONFUSING WHEN YOU HAVE SUCH CHOICES AND I WILL HOPEFULLY BE DOING THIS MYSELF.

Once prepped, you can put any eggshell/satinwood on. Waterbased is easier to apply but will need extra coats as oilbased covers better.