Following on from Danbo's triumph in the decorating stakes.
Paint I buy now, is, to be frank, C***. Utterly poor. (No lead I guess is the reason)
I've tried all sorts, Dulux, Crown, own brands, cheap as chips toss, trade paints, you name it. It flows poorly, covers intermittently, lasts not very long and if it is a water based paint (such as I have on the stair bannisters and hand rail) it collects dirt and hand grease at an alarming rate. No amount of wiping gets it properly clean and it you clean it with some vigour the stuff rolls up in little balls and peels off.
So as an experiment I have painted a small section with a plain white undercoat, left it to dry for a couple of weeks and have gone over it with a clear, gloss, water based varnish. It looks good, just like white gloss. And it cleans easily.
Early days yet though.
Paint I buy now, is, to be frank, C***. Utterly poor. (No lead I guess is the reason)
I've tried all sorts, Dulux, Crown, own brands, cheap as chips toss, trade paints, you name it. It flows poorly, covers intermittently, lasts not very long and if it is a water based paint (such as I have on the stair bannisters and hand rail) it collects dirt and hand grease at an alarming rate. No amount of wiping gets it properly clean and it you clean it with some vigour the stuff rolls up in little balls and peels off.

So as an experiment I have painted a small section with a plain white undercoat, left it to dry for a couple of weeks and have gone over it with a clear, gloss, water based varnish. It looks good, just like white gloss. And it cleans easily.
Early days yet though.