Everything you need to know about eggshell paint

We are delighted to share that you are able to deck your walls (and anything else) in all your favourite Lick colours with an eggshell finish as well as matt. Now, why might you want to use eggshell, rather than matt, for some projects? Read on to find out.

What is eggshell paint? 

What is eggshell paint? Let’s start here. The main difference between matt paint and eggshell paint is the finish. An eggshell paint finish is noticeably glossy and, well, not matt. It has a slight sheen to it and is a bit more lustrous than matt paint. It’s reflective, but still super pigmented so you still get that pop of color you’re after.

Let’s be clear though, eggshell paint is not shiny, it’s sheen-y. The finish looks similar to (you guessed it) an egg surface. Head to your fridge to see what we mean.

When should you use eggshell paint? 

Like our Matt paint, our mid-sheen Eggshell paint is super durable, so you can use it in rooms with lots of ‘traffic’ without worrying about any fading, staining, etc. Eggshell provides a hard-wearing, wipeable and high-pigment finish to weather scuffs and scrapes for years to come. A winner, therefore, for woodwork and high-traffic or wet interior areas. This makes it a popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms. 

But it’s not all about function - let’s talk looks. Eggshell paint has a soft sheen and you’re going to want to show that off, so it works well for main living areas. It’s also a nice finish to wake up to, if you want to add a touch of easy glam to your bedroom without much effort.

Eggshell paint for bathrooms

Eggshell is the best paint for bathrooms if you want to keep your bathroom looking ‘fresh’ (and let’s face it, who doesn’t?). The main benefit of the finish for bathrooms is that the reflective sheen maintains its lustre, even after it’s been exposed to moisture or washed down multiple times. It's also perfect when you're painting areas that would come in direct contact with splashing water from e.g. the shower or sink splashback.

Eggshell paint for kitchens

Eggshell paint is very easy to clean, which makes it a popular choice for kitchens. Wipe off any grubby fingerprints or splodgy stains with the easy swipe of a wet sponge or cloth. The reflective nature is just reflective enough so light bounces off it, but it doesn’t enhance any imperfections. This also makes it perfect for smaller kitchens, as it can create the illusion of a little more space. Which means a bigger, brighter kitchen with just a few licks. 

How to prepare surfaces for eggshell paint

Preparing laminate surfaces (melamine, vinyl, IKEA Furniture)

As laminate can be hard for even a multi-surface paint to adhere to, we do recommend preparing the laminate first using a Zinsser primer like B-I-N or 123. Let this dry completely and then you can begin painting!

To summarise, you would just need to follow these steps:

1. Give them a little wipe down
2. Sand thoroughly using 100-150 grit sandpaper to make the surface less smooth so the paint has a better surface to adhere to.
3. Clean again to get rid of anything you sanded off
4. Prime, ideally using Zinsser B-I-N Primer Sealer Paint
5. Paint
6. Once painted, be careful for a full 7 days while the paint cures.

Preparing previously gloss painted wood

As the glossy surface can be hard for even a multi-surface paint to adhere to, we do recommend sanding thoroughly back before painting with the new paint.

To summarise, you would just need to follow these steps:

1. Give them a little wipe down
2. Sand thoroughly using 100-150 grit sandpaper to make the surface less smooth so the paint has a better surface to adhere to.
3. Clean again to get rid of anything you sanded off
4. Paint
5. Once painted, be careful for a full 7 days while the paint cures.

Preparing unpainted wood/mdf/brick/masonry

To prepare for painting we suggest cleaning the surface first using a warm water and washing liquid solution, then rinse off and dry. Next you'll want to lightly sand the surface if it’s wood, and clear off any dust, this helps to ensure the paint can adhere properly.

For wood/MDF/brick that hasn't been painted before, this can be quite a porous surface so we'd recommend applying a mist coat (70% paint mixed with 30% water) and letting that dry. You can then paint as normal with your Lick paint.

Preparing metals for painting

Most metals you come across in your home can be painted with our paint, whereas others would just require a little extra prep.

When it comes to specialist surfaces like Chrome, Galvanised steel, Copper and Brass you would just need to follow these steps:

1. Give them a little wipe down.
2. Lightly sand the surface with a high grit sandpaper to make the surface less smooth so the paint has a better surface to adhere to.
3. Clean again to get rid of anything you sanded off.
4. Prime, ideally using Hammerite Special Metals Primer.
   Paint.
5. Once painted, be careful for a full 7 days while the paint cures.