Thicker Paint Than You Are Used To?
Why Is Fenwick & Tilbrook Paint Thicker Than Mainstream Brands?
- At Fenwick & Tilbrook, we prioritise quality over mass production. Our paints are formulated with a significantly higher solids content – comprising premium pigments, binders, and additives – resulting in a thicker consistency compared to many mainstream brands. We pride ourselves on filling each tin with high quality, sustainably-sourced ingredients, designed to both cover and perform exceptionally well, so have opted for a thicker paint with an option to water down slightly if you wish to.
Application Tips for Optimal Results
Due to the high solids content, our paint may appear thicker, especially if it has been stored for some time or in warmer conditions. To ensure the best application we advise:
- Thorough Mixing: Before use, stir the paint thoroughly to reincorporate any settled pigments. Using a mechanical stirrer can help achieve a uniform consistency.
- Adjusting Consistency: If a thinner consistency is preferred for your project, our paint can be diluted with up to 10% water. This adjustment can facilitate smoother application, especially when using sprayers or rollers.
- Proper Tools: Pouring the paint into a ‘Paint Kettle’ or ‘Paint Tray’ can aid in mixing and application.
Coverage Expectations – our premium consistency paints are designed to provide excellent coverage:
- First Coat: Typically offers substantial coverage, laying a solid foundation.
- Second Coat: Recommended to achieve full depth and richness of colour.
- Additional Coats: Some brighter or more translucent colours may require a third coat to attain the desired opacity.
Patchy Claypaint?
Application of dark claypaints are notoriously trickier – we offer some more specific advice for this:
- It is advisable to lightly dampen the wall prior to application onto clay or lime plaster.
- For use on new lime plaster, we recommend an initial coat thinned with 10% water. Finished with an undiluted coat.
- Try to keep a wet edge and finish one wall at a time.
- Apply light and even pressure on your roller.
- Don’t worry if the wall looks patchy at first – this is normal for claypaint. Wait a few hours and you will notice that the colour evens out as it dries (dark colours take much longer to settle to their final colour).
- We advise that you wait until the colour has settled before applying subsequent coats.
- A ‘short-pile’ roller can help.
- Do not paint when temperatures are high.
Experiencing Some Colour Variation?
If you’ve noticed a slight difference in shade, it’s usually down to one of two causes:
1. The paint hasn’t been mixed enough
It might sound simple, but if you’re not used to paints as high in solid content as ours, it will require more than a quick stir with a bamboo stick! In this example, the paint can appear more shiny than the dab out on the lid or even a different colour to the colour at the time the paint was produced.
Pigments can naturally settle if the paint has been stored for a while. To restore the original colour, mix thoroughly – more than you might expect. We recommend using a slotted stirrer (such as a kitchen slotted spoon) or a mechanical drill mixer for the best results.
So long as your paint hasn’t been allowed to freeze in a garden shed (or stored in other unsuitable locations) then a good mix usually brings your paint back to the intended colour and consistency in a matter of a few minutes.
2. Different batches made at different times
Fenwick & Tilbrook paints contain naturally occurring ingredients. While we make every effort to ensure consistency, slight variations between batches are inevitable over time – though usually so minor they wouldn’t be noticeable to the naked eye.
Our equipment is regularly calibrated, and every tin is checked against our master colour standard. We even keep a small sample of every batch we produce for reference.
How to minimise the risk of variation
For the most consistent result, always purchase enough paint in one order to complete your project. This ensures the same batch is used throughout. However, because our paint is made to order, avoid overordering – unopened cans cannot be returned. Call us for advice or refer to our coverage calculator as a guide.
Framing?
What causes framing?
Picture-framing on painted walls occurs when areas that are cut in with a brush appear lighter or darker in colour and sheen than the surrounding rolled or sprayed areas, causing the appearance of a picture frame. Framing can also be caused by an uneven application of paint or the paint not being fully mixed.
This uneven appearance detracts from a room’s appearance.
How avoid framing
- Ensure paint is fully mixed before application
- Paint corners and edges of one section at a time, maintaining a wet edge when painting.
- Use a roller as they hold more paint and distribute the paint more evenly than a brush
- Take your roller as close to the corners as you can while painting a wall.
- Try to apply the same amount of paint with your brush (when cutting-in) to your roller.
Additional notes
- If you have this problem additional coats might be the only solution.
- Ensure your paint is thoroughly mixed before application. The heavier solids will, over time, sink to the bottom of the can. These will normally be the colourants. So, it is vital they are fully re-activated into the paint before use. Pouring you paint into a ‘Paint Kettle’ or ‘Paint Tray’ can often help with this. Mechanically stir if possible.
Blistering & Bubbling?
What causes Blistering or bubbling of paint?
Blistering or bubbling is caused by either lack of adhesion or moisture trying to escape from below the surface.
How avoid Blistering & Bubbling
- The surface must be fully prepared, clean & dry.
- Sand back to create a stable, uncontaminated surface.
- Prime, when necessary, with a suitable quality primer.
- Ensure the primer has fully adhered to the prepared surface (see technical sheet for more info).
- Lightly sand between coats.
- Then apply two topcoats.
- Leave 4-7 days to fully cure.
Flaking?
What causes paint to flake?
Paint will flake when it has not adhered to the surface properly and is therefore being lifted, normally by moisture trying to evaporate. It may also be caused by a contamination on the surface that is resisting the adhesion of the new paint.
How avoid Flaking paint work
- The surface must be fully prepared, clean & dry.
- Sand back to create a stable, uncontaminated surface.
- Prime, if necessary, with a suitable quality primer.
- Ensure the primer has fully adhered to the prepared surface.
- Lightly sand between coats.
- Then apply two topcoats.
- If the issue is caused by evaporation of moisture, you will also need to; either allow the surface to fully dry or use a breathable alternative.
- Leave 4-7 days to fully cure.
Chipping?
What causes paint to chip?
Paint may ‘chip-off’ if it has not fully adhered to the painted surface. The bond is not strong and easily broken when knocked.
How to avoid paint chipping-off
- The surface must be fully prepared, clean & dry.
- Sand back to create a stable, uncontaminated surface.
- Prime, when necessary, with a suitable quality primer.
- Ensure the primer has fully adhered to the prepared surface (see technical sheet for more info).
- Lightly sand between coats.
- Then apply two topcoats.
- Leave 4-7 days to fully cure.
Marking?
Paint will easily mark whist it is still curing (fully drying). Although it might be dry to the touch it may well be still moist under the surface.
How to avoid / remove paint marks
- Leave 4-7 days to fully cure – (we leave paint 30 days before doing a scrub test)
- Depending on the paint used you can gently wipe or wash with a soapy cloth
- Eggshells & our Pure Matt Plus can be fully washed down
- Pure Matt & Claypaint can be gently wiped
- Do not scrub or burnish the paint work
Additional notes
- Dark painted surfaces can often show finger marks if touched, even after they are fully cured. These marks can be wiped or washed off (depending on the finish of paint used – see above)
- Softer finish paint like our Claypaint need to be breathable. They will therefore, mark more easily.
Need to Touch up?
What is touching up?
Touching-up is required when a painted surface requires a small area to be re-painted to match the existing paintwork.
How to touch-up paintwork
- Ideally, use the same brush or roller as previously used.
- Ideally, use the same tin of paint
- Apply thin layers
- Try to blend / feather the new paint onto the existing paintwork
- If you are using an older tin that has been stored for a while, ensure the paint is fully re-mixed. (We recommend mechanical stirring in this instance)
Additional notes
- You may need to paint a larger area than hoped
- Finishes with a higher sheen levels are often trickier to touch-up
What is Curing?
All water-based paints need the evaporation of the water to be completed before they are fully cured. It is only when the moisture has completely gone the paint is at its best.
How to ensure paint has cured?
- We recommend 4-7 days to allow our paint to fully cure. Although additional coats can be applied once the paint is hand touch dry. (Normally 2-4 hours)
- Paint will cure at different rates based upon the following factors:
- The surface painted
- The ambient temperature
- The air humidity
- The applied paint thickness
- The original water content of the paint
- Paint is only at its best when all the moisture has fully evaporated
Additional notes
- When we do a ‘scrub test’ we leave the paint 30 days to ensure it is fully hardened.