I’ve been using Dulux Easycare paint sporadically over the past couple of years as more and more customers request it.
Whilst using a retail-standard paint is a bit of a taboo subject in the professional decorating trade, it’s no secret that professionals and DIYers alike have jumped on the Easycare bandwagon, not least because it’s a cheap emulsion that’s ALMOST trade quality.
But how does it actually compare to trade paints? Is it easy to apply? What’s its opacity like in both white and colours? And is it as durable as Dulux say?
With minimal reviews of the product from professional decorators, I’ve decided to have my say on the matter. With that being said, here’s my Dulux Easycare review.
Consistency and Ease of Application
In my experience, Dulux Easycare is quite thick. But I’ve found that its consistency doesn’t necessarily pose a problem – it’s all about how you use it. I’ve learnt to approach this paint in a slightly different way. If you find it too thick, adding a drop of water can help. Mind you, this also lengthens its drying time, especially if you’re painting over silk.
I’ve learned the hard way that Dulux Easycare requires a minimum of four hours between coats, or else you’ll find yourself dragging off the previous coat.
I also found that it doesn’t spray when you roll it, which is a bonus for me. While its consistency does mean it needs an extra coat due to picture framing, the finished product is usually worth it.
Opacity
The opacity of Dulux Easycare is generally good. A majority of colours, like Egyptian Cotton and Just Walnut, can almost cover in one over a white wall, and usually take just two good coats. Whites, however, are a different story. The opacity is quite poor, and I’ve found myself having to apply multiple coats to achieve a satisfactory finish.
Durability
The durability of Dulux Easycare can be a bit hit-or-miss.
On the plus side, I’ve returned to projects months later and the paint has stood up well.
It’s also quite resistant to most household stains, with ketchup, mustard, and non-permanent pen all wiping off with ease. But, I have also had experiences where it was marked easily when touched, wiped, or knocked. This instance involved the Sapphire Salute variant of Easycare.
It’s worth noting that its durability, in my opinion, doesn’t match up to the robustness of Crown Clean Extreme or Dulux Diamond Emulsion, which are my go-to choices for high-traffic environments.
Colour Selection
The colour selection of Dulux Easycare is quite decent. Ranging from Egyptian Cotton to Natural Hession, they have a broad palette to choose from. However, I’ve noticed that when I get Dulux Decorator Centre to mix it, the colour doesn’t always match perfectly.
If you’re considering mixing it for a job, it might be worth letting the customer know that it might look slightly different.
The Pros of Dulux Easycare
Overall, the key benefits of Dulux Easycare include its good coverage, decent colour selection, and its wipeable nature. I’ve found it to be just as good as Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt, with a cheaper price tag to boot. Notably, it’s also quite good at resisting household stains in the short term.
I’ve also noticed that it’s much better value than some other Dulux trade products, and with its competitive price of £30 for 5 litres, it provides an affordable, reliable option for various domestic projects.
The Cons of Dulux Easycare
Despite its benefits, Dulux Easycare isn’t without its drawbacks. Its main flaws lie in its inconsistency, poor white opacity, and potential durability issues.
It’s also a struggle to apply more than one coat in a day due to its long drying time. Compared to Dulux Diamond and Crown Clean Extreme, it’s less durable, and its scrub rating falls short at 80 compared to the Diamond’s 1000.
In certain situations, I’ve had issues with it marking easily.
Additionally, I’ve also encountered problems with the paint being lumpy, leading to lots of time wasted straining and whisking the paint.
Final Thoughts
All in all, Dulux Easycare is a decent choice for many projects, but it isn’t perfect. It’s got solid coverage, a broad colour range, and is resistant to everyday stains.
However, its opacity, particularly for whites, could be better, and it’s not as durable as some trade paints.
If you’re considering using it, my advice would be to consider the nature of your project, the traffic the painted area is likely to endure, and whether you can work with its drying times.
Remember, trade paint like Crown Clean Extreme or Dulux Diamond might be more cost-effective in the long run for high-traffic areas, due to their durability and longevity.