Johnstone’s Paint Review

If you’re looking for Johnstone’s Paint reviews, you’ve come to the right place. Throughout our articles on My Paint Guide, we’ve reviewed many different paints and Johnstone’s Paints feature heavily due to the quality of their manufacturing. Below you can find the various Johnstone’s Paints reviews, all in one place.

Johnstone’s Garden Colours Review

Johnstone’s Garden Colours is an all-rounder that comes in a variety of eye-catching colours and is definitely worth a look if you’re looking for high quality garden furniture paint and budget isn’t an issue.

Johnstone’s Garden Colours is formulated for use on exterior wood and when we say it’s an all-rounder, we’re deadly serious. You can use this paint on anything from sheds and fences to tables and garden chairs.

The paint is very smooth to apply and takes a couple of coats to get the perfect finish assuming your prep the substrate properly. The consistency of the paint is as good as it gets and you should be able to get a coverage of around 12m²/L. One thing you might come across is the paint looking a tad streaky when first applying. If you do face this issue, you don’t need to worry too much – its self-levelling properties fixes this once fully cured.

Johnstone’s Garden Colours is fairly durable and should last around 4 years before you need to get your paint brush out again. Whilst it’s marketed as fade resistance there’s no harm in giving it a fresh top coat after a couple of years so it’s worth saving any leftover paint.

Pros

• Has a variety of eye-catching colours to choose from
• Is fairly easy to apply
• Works on a variety of different exterior woods
• It’s easy to clean off brushes and equipment with warm, soapy water
• Quick drying (1-2 hours to become touch dry)

Cons

• You might need to give your garden furniture a fresh coat after a couple of years

Johnstone’s Aqua Satin Review

The best water-based satinwood paint is Johnstone’s Aqua Satin hands down. I’ve personally been using this paint for the last 2 years and I wouldn’t use anything else.

It’s suitable for use on any interior/exterior woods and metals which makes it an incredibly useful all-rounder. Skirting boards? Check. Exterior window frames? Check. Banisters? Check.

Application of this paint is very simple and you can expect to get a professional finish if used in conjuncture with the Aqua undercoat but you’ll still get a great finish without the matching undercoat. The water based satin is so convenient that you can apply it using brush, roller and paint sprayer.

In terms of durability it’s very hardwearing and only gets tougher over time as it cures. If you can avoid coming into contact with it for around a couple of weeks it’s going to be tough as old boots.

In the painting and decorating profession it’s widely regarded that Benjamin Moore’s Scuff-X (which is over £30 a litre by the way) is one of the absolute best satinwoods you can get but I would say there’s very little to distinguish the two and for the price difference, that makes Johnstone’s the best.

Pros

• Is durable and can be cleaned
• One of the quickest drying satins on the market
• The best low-odour satin paint out there
• It doesn’t yellow over time
• Suitable for use on any interior or exterior woods and metals

Cons

• None

Johnstone’s Retail Emulsion Review

Johnstone’s matt emulsion is a must for anyone looking to paint their interior walls. If you take the price, colour options, durability and the minimal fuss is takes to apply, it’s hard to find anything better.

When using a medium pile roller, you should be able to get a fantastically clean looking finish, especially as the consistency of the paint is top notch. You can also get a great finish using a brush assuming you’re not shy when it comes to loading the brush up with paint! This ultimately makes sure there’s no patchiness once the paint has fully dried.

It’s on the lower side of the scale when it comes to odour and VOCs which makes it easier to work with indoors. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep your room well ventilated throughout the painting process though!

The paint dries to a matt finish which is typically less durable than other sheens but in our experience it’s still very durable and hard-wearing. It’s been specifically formulated to be washable meaning you can wipe away any marks without worrying about the paint coming off. The full matt finish is perfect for disguising any imperfections on the surface of your walls or ceilings.

Johnstone’s matt emulsion comes in a number of colour options to choose from (around 40) which gives it a pretty big leg up over its competitors. It’s the huge variation of colours that just puts Johnstone’s as our number one emulsion paint overall.

Pros

• Is durable and can be wiped
• Low odour makes the paint easy to work with
• Has a huge range of colour options to choose from
• Provides great value for money

Cons

• None

Johnstone’s Kitchen and Bathroom Review

Different rooms tend to require specific paints and that’s certainly the case for environments such as a kitchen which is the reason we’ve chosen Johnstone’s kitchen paint for this category.

Johnstone’s kitchen paint has been specifically formulated to be 10 times tougher than other emulsions and by extension, is much tougher than the others in this article. This toughness makes it ideal for use in kitchens which can be prone to things like grease stains and condensation.

This paint has a lovely consistency and is one of the easiest paints we’ve ever worked with. It’s got a nice thickness with good coverage and dries fairly quickly but not so quick that you can’t work in large areas which is ideal for beginner painters. Like the Dulux Once, the thickness of the paint ensures you’re not going to be creating any mess with drips and drops.

Once fully set, the paint dries to an attractive mid-sheen finish which works well when it comes to brightening your kitchen and making it feel bigger than it actually is. In terms of colours, you have so many to choose from it would be impossible to list them all out without boring you!

Pros

• Is very easy to apply
• Can be used as a one coat paint if used as a refresher
• Low odour and low VOC makes it more environmentally friendly
• Has an attractive mid-sheen finish
• Comes in a variety of different colours

Cons

• Can be a bit of a nightmare to clean rollers afterwards

Johnstone’s Cupboard Paint Review

When looking for the best kitchen cabinet paint overall, it’s hard to look past Johnstone’s durable Cupboard Paint. Made specifically for kitchen cabinets, this paint is a simple solution to giving your kitchen a fresh new look.

As it’s been specifically formulated for use on kitchen cupboards, you can use this to restore your cupboards, whether the surface is melamine or MDF.

The advanced water based formula has a nice consistency which makes it easy to apply by brush and still get a smooth, satin finish. It’s also handy that you won’t need to use a separate primer or undercoat – simply prepare the surface as you would for any other paint job and start applying.

The paint is water based which means you won’t need to put up with any strong odours, making it convenient to use in your kitchen without having to take all the doors off for exterior application. Of course, make sure your kitchen is well ventilated before, during and after painting.

Johnstone’s Cupboard Paint is very durable once set, however you will need to be careful around it during the drying process. Whilst wet it can be scratched very easily so due care and diligence is needed to ensure you don’t spoil the finish.

Colours include pale grey, white and antique cream, all of which have the ability to totally transform your kitchen. Our personal favourite is pale grey which has a modern chic look.

Pros

• Is durable and can be cleaned
• Incredibly quick drying allowing you to complete the job in half a day
• Low odour and low VOC making it more eco-friendly
• It doesn’t yellow over time

Cons

• Scratches off easily when wet so keep that in mind

Johnstone’s Interior Wood and Metal Paint Review

Unlike Johnstone’s specific Cupboard Paint, their Interior Wood & Metal Satin is a bit of an all rounder but don’t let that put you off. It’s been proven to have fantastic results for kitchen cabinets and that’s been backed up by hundreds of great online reviews.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that this paint is suitable for interior woods and metals but crucially, this includes plywood, MDF and plywood which are commonly used throughout kitchens across the UK.

Being a water based paint, it’s got a consistency that isn’t too thick and is easy to apply when using a synthetic brush. It’s easy to spread across wooden surfaces and overall, a little goes a long way. It’s also useful that this paint has minimal dripping so you shouldn’t be left with any drip marks assuming you take care during application. Low VOCs and odour make it friendlier on the environment and also means you can apply it safely indoors.

The paint sets in an attractive mid-sheen finish and it’s handy to know that the formula is non-yellowing in case you were thinking of painting your kitchen cupboards white. Durability is as expected with a satin finish – it’s tough, long lasting and can easily be washed.

The paint comes in a variety of chic colours including Frosted Silver, Pink Cadillac and Seashell, giving you ample choice to make your kitchen look unique.

Pros

• Is durable and can be cleaned without causing any damage to the paint
• Touch dry in around 1 – 2 hours
• Low odour and low VOC makes it more environmentally friendly
• It doesn’t yellow over time
• Incredibly cheap despite its quality

Cons

• None

Johnstone’s Colour Vibe Review

Our bedrooms are own our personal space and one of the easiest ways to make yours unique is by painting it. Our pick for the best paint for bedroom walls is Johnstone’s Colour Vibe.

This matt emulsion comes in a variety of unique colours and is perfect for bringing a bit of personality to your bedroom. If you really want to make a statement, this paint is equally as effective when used to paint features in your living room too.

The paint consistency is great and makes for a smooth application. One thing to note is that it is rather quick drying so you’ll want to be a little bit hasty when applying to make sure you’re getting an even coverage. Johnstone’s Colour Vibe has barely any odour which is a friendly feature but of course make sure your room is well ventilated just to be safe.

Once fully set, the paint is both hardwearing and wipeable. This means that spills or blemishes can be wiped away without having to worry about damaging the paint. The matt finish creates a rich, non-reflective surface that’s capable of disguising any imperfection on your walls.

Moving on to the colour selection, and this could well be the best feature of this paint. Coming in 12 vibrant and unique options such as Strawberry Daiquiri, Cobalt Dream and Fiery Sunset, you really are spoilt for choice.

Pros

• Has a highly unique colour selection
• Fast drying means you’re not waiting around all day for the paint to dry
• Has next to no odour
• Creates a wipeable and hardwearing surface

Cons

• Will need to be quickly to get the best possible finish

Johnstone’s Feature Wall Metallic Paint Review

Finding the best metallic paint for walls involves looking for something that not only gives a great metallic effect once set but is sophisticated too. Often you’ll find some of the cheaper metallic paints that look, for lack of better terminology, tacky. Fortunately, Johnstone’s Feature Wall Metallic emulsion avoids this.

As the tin suggests, this paint is more suited to use on a singular wall rather than the entire room and will be particularly useful to those looking to create a stunning feature wall.

The consistency of the paint is ideal for ease of use and the 15m²/L coverage is about as good as it gets when it comes to emulsion. A little really does go a long way when it comes to this paint and after a couple of coats you should still have plenty left in the tin.

One thing to bear in mind is that you’ll need to be VERY thorough when stirring the paint before use. The paint contains metallic particles so you’ll want to make sure they’re all mixed properly before painting. Failing to do so might mean the metallic effect isn’t uniform.

Pros

• Has a variety of sophisticated metallic colours to choose from
• Perfect for use as a feature wall
• A uniform metallic effect is easily achieved after thoroughly stirring the paint

Cons

• If painting over a contrasting colour you’ll need to use a different emulsion that’s similar in colour to your metallic paint

Johnstone’s Chalk Paint Review

If you’re after something that looks great but also has high durability, you don’t need to look much further than Johnstone’s Chalk Paint. Not only does it set in an attractive matt, it’s been specifically formulated for use on any surface without the need for preparation.

Due to the special formula, this paint can be used on a variety of household surfaces or objects, giving you the freedom to transform anything including furniture, fireplaces, tables and even bed frames. The low VOC and low odour makes it ideal for use within children’s bedrooms too.

Perhaps the most impressive feature of this paint is its durability. While matt finishes are typically associated with durability issues, Johnstone’s Chalk Paint gives you nothing to worry about. It’s highly resistant to scratches and scuffs and more importantly doesn’t give in to wear and tear.

Application of the paint is simple due to its wonderful consistency which results in a decent coverage as well as an even spread. All you need with this paint is one coat although we would recommend doubling down with Johnstone’s Finishing Wax which will ensure longer-lasting protection. For a shabby chic look, we’d recommend using a brush but if you want a smoother finish it might be worth using a roller.

While Johnstone’s chalk paint is great overall value for money, it does have its limitations. In this case, the colours are lacking some diversity. It comes only in a selection of 4 colours including Duck Egg and Antique Sage which for us is a real shame. If the colours suit your interior decor however, this might be the best chalk paint for you.

Pros

• Is very durable
• Resists scuffs and scratches
• Low odour and low VOC makes it ideal for use in children’s bedrooms
• You’ll only need one coat for most surfaces, saving you time and money

Cons

• It only comes in a few different colours

Johnstone’s Exterior Gloss Review

If you’re looking for the best paint for exterior wooden windows you don’t need to look too much further than Johnstone’s Exterior Gloss. It has a 6 year life meaning it not only looks fantastic but is durable too without needing too much maintenance.

Aside from your wooden windows, you can also apply this gloss to a variety of exterior wooden and metal surfaces including doors, cladding and various types of joinery.

The formula is on the thick side but this is handy in that the application is smooth and the coverage is very even if applied correctly. It doesn’t leave any brush marks which is a major plus, especially for beginner DIYers. Being as thick as it is does mean it takes longer to dry than most glosses so be sure to only apply this when dry weather is forecast.

The 6 years life is achieved by having a formulation that is both water resistant and flexible. Water resistance prevents any discolouration whilst the flexible paint film avoids problems such as flaking and cracking which is typically associated with exterior paint. Overall, beyond a touch up, this gloss should last a long time. For optimal performance we’d recommend using Johnstone’s Exterior Undercoat.

Colours include anything from Admiral Blue and Chocolate to Cream and Victory Red meaning you have a variety of unique colours to choose from and to really create your own exterior style.

Pros

• Nice thick consistency gives a smooth, protective finish
• Great colour selection available to create your own unique exterior style
• Very easy to apply
• Can be used on a variety of wooden or metal surfaces

Cons

• Takes a while to dry fully – schedule your painting during a period of warm, dry weather

Johnstone’s Weatherguard Paint Review

Metal front doors are becoming more and more popular in the UK due to the fact that they’re more secure, require less maintenance than wooden doors and simply give an attractive contemporary feel to your home. If you’ve decided yours needs a new colour, we’d recommend Johnstone’s Weatherguard.

Offering a high gloss finish, Johnstone’s Weatherguard is a tough and water-resistant exterior paint that’s highly proficient at dealing with the British elements. The flexible formula also ensures your front door paint won’t be prone to peeling, cracking or blistering and outperforms typical gloss paints by around 2 years. To ensure maximum efficiency we would also recommend using Johnstone’s Weatherguard Exterior Undercoat.

It’s water-based with a nice thick consistency so is both easy to apply and easy to clean once you’re done. This paint can be bought in a range of colours including Victory Red, Brilliant White and Chocolate.

Pros

• Is durable and can be cleaned
• Offers weather protection for roughly 6 years
• Comes in a variety of interesting colours
• Resistant to cracking and peeling

Cons

• Best used in conjunction with Johnstone’s Exterior Undercoat which will add to the cost

Johnstone’s One Coat Emulsion Review

Our runner up to Dulux is Johnstone’s with their One Coat Matt which is in our opinion the best one coat emulsion available. Whilst overall it falls slightly short of Dulux’s quality, this particular emulsion makes up for that with ease of use and convenience.

Being a one coat emulsion means that, assuming you’ve prepared your walls and ceilings beforehand, one coat should be enough to get a great, modern finish. The coverage is roughly 8m²/L which should comfortable paint a room with one coat with some to spare.

We’d recommend using a medium pile roller for this specific emulsion. The fibres are great for carrying more paint meaning you don’t need to reload your roller as often. Moreover, medium pile rollers tend to give you an even coat when used with water-based matts like this one.

Like Dulux, cleaning is easy, simply wash tools and equipment immediately after use with soapy water.

Pros

• There’s a lot of paint out there that claims to be ‘one coat’ but isn’t. Be confident in knowing that this one actually lives up to its name if applying over light colours
• Provides a lovely matt finish which hides minor imperfections
• It’s got a nice thickness to it and is easy to paint with
• Low VOC makes it safe for interior use
• Has good durability and can be cleaned as and when needed

Cons

• Will likely need 2 coats over darker colours thereby making it expensive

Johnstone’s Water Based Gloss Review

Johnstone’s water based gloss is one of the best value for money paints on the market. Its advanced formula means you get the benefits of water based gloss while the finish represents the hallmarks of a more traditional oil based gloss.

The coverage is solid at around 11m²/L which should comfortably cover small to medium sized paint jobs. When they say this paint is quick drying, they’re not lying – a second coat might be ready for application after just 4 hours.

You can also apply this water based gloss in a variety of ways. It’s easy enough to apply using either a brush, roller or sprayer although a combination of a 5″ roller and a brush to level the paint would be our advice for application.

In terms of what it can be used on, it’s pretty versatile. You can paint this on interior or exterior and the surfaces it’s suitable for include iron, steel, softwood and wood.

Pros

• Very easy to apply
• Provides a durable, high quality gloss finish
• The white colour doesn’t yellow
• It’s one of the quickest drying paints on the market without leaving that ‘sticky’ feeling
• Suitable for use on interior or exterior woods and metals

Cons

• It’s a rather thin paint so depending on the surface you’re painting on you may need more than 2 coats

Johnstone’s Tile Paint Review

Johnstone’s are synonymous with formulating high quality paints at affordable prices and Johnstone’s Tile Paint gets our vote as the best tile paint overall.

This Revive tile paint lives up to its name – it’s designed to ensure outdated ceramic tiles are given a new lease of life. Once dried, it produces a lovely glossy finish which helps achieve that squeaky clean look. Of course, with a glossy finish comes durability thus making this paint perfect for kitchen or bathroom tiles.

It doesn’t need an undercoat or a primer and is touch dry in about 2 hours, depending on the temperature of your home and is very easy to apply with either a roller or a brush. Feel free to paint each tile individually or paint over the grout. If painting over the grout in between each tile, make sure to go back over the lines with a good quality grout pen.

Who said you need a small loan for high quality?!

Pros

• Very easy to apply even for amateur painters
• Provides a high quality glossy finish
• The grey colour gives a modern look
• In some cases you’ll only need one coat
• Suitable for use in either the kitchen or the bathroom

Cons

• None

Johnstone’s Garage Floor Paint Review

Johnstone’s get our vote as one of the best garage floor paints overall when taking into consideration ease of use, durability and value for money.

Johnstone’s are renowned for creating good quality paint at accessible price points however, this particular paint is a little bit more expensive than some of the others on the market. We think the price point is justified when taking into account the quality of the paint however.

If you’ve only just laid your cement or concrete, we’d recommend waiting several months before painting with this particular paint for best results.

Features

• Semi-gloss finish
• Designed to resist oil and grease spills
• Suitable for concrete floors
• Available in a range of colours

Pros

• It’s one of the highest rated paints according to customer reviews
• Has a gorgeous semi-gloss finish
• Comes in five different colours
• Guaranteed to be long lasting

Cons

• It’s a little bit expensive

Johnstone’s Exterior Wood and Metal Paint Review

Johnstone’s Exterior Wood & Metal gloss paint is our pick for exteriors. With a 6 year life, this should stand the test of time, ensuring you won’t need another paint job for a good few years.

Johnstone’s get a rating of 5/5 for durability whilst scoring highly when it comes to ease of use and how easy it is to clean which is essential with British weather!

This particular gloss comes in a variety of colours including cream, white, barolo, victory red and vine green.

Features

• The paint is very thick and you could apply just the single coat although we’d recommend two coats to ensure durability
• It spreads very easily and efficiently giving you better coverage than other brands
• Highly durable means it should last you up to 6 years before you need to repaint
• Perfect for exterior wood, metal and plastic

Pros

• Excellent value for money
• Easy to apply
• Easy to wash
• Nice range of colours to choose from

Cons

• It does have a tendency to run so will need a good stir before it’s ready to be applied

Johnstone’s Acrylic Durable Matt Review

With 35% of the vote share from the 136 participants in our poll, Johnstone’s Acrylic Durable Matt is a clear winner, getting almost twice as many votes as 2nd place. To be honest, this doesn’t totally surprise us.

Over the last few years we’ve seen more and more professional painters embracing Johnstone’s new products with the Aqua Guard (satinwood) being another favourite of tradesmen. So what’s all the fuss about?

Johnstone’s durable matt is pretty much any professional painter’s dream paint. It goes on interior walls and ceilings like a dream which means you don’t need to worry about any unevenness or brush marks. It’s also very low odour which is a particular selling point, especially if you’re working with paint all day.

It’s also an incredibly versatile paint. It is suitable for use anywhere around the home and due to it’s remarkable durability, it can withstand many washes as well as withstand the environmental demands of kitchens and bathrooms.

Pros

• Washable without having to worry about damaging the paint
• Very low odour
• Resistant to condensation
• Resistant to yellowing

Cons

• None