Solutions to Problems

Recommended Solutions for Particular Applications (substrates)

The following is a list of common substrates/surfaces and situations, and our recommendation for the best way to paint, or otherwise treat, each one. Of course, no list can be complete exhaustive so, please email (tech.help@ecospaints.net) us with any situations we have not covered here. We will be pleased to help!

  1. Interior Surfaces
  2. Exterior Surfaces
  3. Various Other Surfaces

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Main Interior Surfaces

Interior Walls & Ceilings

  • Bare plaster/Plasterboard: 1 Plaster Sealer + 2 coats paint1
  • Painted walls and ceilings: 2 coats paint1
  • Papered walls and ceilings: 2 coats paint1
  • Lining paper: 2 coats paint12
  • Anti EMR-ELF Paint: 2 coats + 2 coats paint¹ finish (any).
1 ECOS Matt, Soft Sheen, Eggshell, Feng Shui, Masonry, Super Chalky, Air Purifying Paint, Cover-Up Matt, and Insulating Paints are all appropriate.
2 Note: Eggshell and Feng Shui cannot be used directly onto lining paper. A pre-coat of Soft Sheen is required.

Interior Woodwork/Joinery (not floors or worktops)

  • Bare wood - depending on desired finish, one of:
  • 1 Primer + 1 Undercoat + 2 coats Finish3
  • 2-3 coats (minimum) Clear Varnish
  • 1 coats Clear Varnish + 2 coats Woodstain Varnish (min)
  • 1 coat Woodwash (+ 2 coats Clear Varnish if needed)
  • Painted wood: 1 coat Undercoat + 2 coats Finish3
3 Suitable paint finishes include Gloss, Satin, or Feng Shui.

Interior Wooden Floors

  • Bare wood - depending on desired finish, one of:
  • 3 coats Floor Paint
  • 3 coats Clear Varnish
  • 1 coat Clear Varnish + 2 coats (minimum) Woodstain Varnish
  • 1 coat Woodwash + 3 coats Clear Varnish
  • Painted wood: 3 coats Floor Paint

Interior Concrete Floors

  • Bare or painted: 3 coats Floor Paint

Interior Tile and Stone Floors

  • 1 coat Stone & Tile Sealer

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Exterior Surfaces

Exterior Walls and Masonry

  • Good condition: 2 coats Masonry Paint
  • Crumbly/flakey brick, stone, masonry, render, etc.: 1-2 coats Stabilizer + 2 coats Masonry Paint
  • Ingress of dampness: 1 coat Stormseal water repellent

Paths and Patios

  • 1 coat Long-Life Instant Algicide

Exterior Woodwork

  • Rough sawn wood: 1 or 2 coats Shed & Fence Treatment
  • Smooth joinery - depending on desired finish, one of:
  • Bare wood = 1 Primer + 1 Undercoat + 3 coats Gloss paint
  • 3 coats Exterior Woodstain Varnish
  • Painted wood: 1 Undercoat + 3 coats Gloss paint
  • Varnished wood: 3 coats Exterior woodstain varnish

Exterior Bare Ferrous metal (gates, railings, etc.)

  • 1 or 2 coats Stainblock + 3 coats Gloss paint.
  • Cast iron rain goods: ask for advice

Exterior Painted Metal (gates, railings, etc.)

  • 1 Undercoat + 3 coats Gloss paint

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Various Other Interior Surfaces

Interior Ferrous Metal (not hot)

  • Bare: 1 or 2 coats Stainblock + 2 coats Finish3
  • Painted: 1 Undercoat + 2 coats Finish3
3 Suitable paint finishes include Gloss, Satin, or Feng Shui.


Interior Aluminum

  • Bare or painted: 1 Undercoat + 2 coats Finish3
3 Suitable paint finishes include Gloss, Satin, or Feng Shui.


Radiators (not storage heaters/steam radiators)

  • Bare = 2 coats Stainblock + 2 coats Finish4
  • Painted = 1 Undercoat + 2 Finish4
4 Radiator paint gloss or satin, AFR, Feng Shui. (bare cast iron or shot-blast: please ask for advice).


Interior bare MDF, Ply or Chipboard

  • 1-2 coats MDF Passivator + 2 coats Satin or Feng Shui

Interior Melamine (not worktops)

  • 3 coats Feng Shui

Garage/Workshop Bare Concrete Floors (under cover)

  • 1 or 2 coats Concrete Sealer

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The advice on this page is offered in good faith but does not constitute a specification and, as the conditions and techniques of application and use are beyond our control, no liability whatsoever will be accepted on our part for its use in full or in part. Always follow the instructions on the can. Follow preparation guidelines thoroughly - surfaces should always be clean, dry, sound and free of dust, efflorescence, grease, oil, rust, etc. The number of coats stated may sometimes seem to be onerous, but these are the ideal for best overall performance.




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