DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

Can I use ordinary matt emulsion paint on top of specialist bathroom paint? I want to re-paint my bathroom the same colour to freshen it up but Dulux have stopped making their Realife bathroom paint in Eden. I can get matt or silk emulsion, but am worried I shouldn't use this on top of bathroom paint. Should I treat the walls with something first or can I paint straight over?
Probably a v. daft question to DIYers but I know nothing about paint!! :oops:
Thanks so much Amanda

Hi Amanda, there should be no reason that you can't paint it in your prefered colour. Just go into your local B&Q or similar DIY store and get them to mix it for you. They should be able to mix it in any colour that you want and in bathroom paint. It will be better to use this type of paint as it works better in the bathroom due to the moisture in the room, and it helps to keep the mould at bay. As to your question, you can use ordinary emulsion if you want and there should be not need to treat the walls any different to if you were using bathroom paint. Just make sure to give them a very light rub down with glasspaper first to help the paint adhere to the surface. Personally I would go for the first option and get the store to mix it for you. Good luck. Shed.

Thanks very much Shedman :D

Hi,
I am debating painting Homebase's own Kitchen and Bathroom Matt Paint onto my existing bathroom wall, which is a textured polystyrene type wallpaper, covered in a shiny-ish/soft sheen paint. I obviously can't rub this down. My questions are as follows:

1) Will the matt paint adhere to the slightly shiny wall if it is not rubbed down?
2) If I use a 'soft sheen' kitchen/bathroom paint instead, can I just apply it onto the wall after wiping down with sugar soap?
3) I read on another forum that a way round painting matt onto soft sheen was to paint over first with vinyl silk and then apply the matt. Does anyone have any experience of doing this?

Thanks a lot for your help,
Rhona :D

1) Will the matt paint adhere to the slightly shiny wall if it is not rubbed down?

A. No it will however need a few solid coats.

2) If I use a 'soft sheen' kitchen/bathroom paint instead, can I just apply it onto the wall after wiping down with sugar soap?

A. Yes, No real need to whipe the walls unless they are greasy.

3) I read on another forum that a way round painting matt onto soft sheen was to paint over first with vinyl silk and then apply the matt. Does anyone have any experience of doing this?

A. Soft sheen is just vinyl silk with less shine. So dont believe what they tell you.

Thanks for the info JRS, very helpful. I ended up using Dulux Bathroom soft sheen paint. Very lightly sanding the painted polystyrene wallpaper didn't seem to do it any harm (120 or 180 paper, can't remember which) and I'm glad I did as the walls WERE very shiny. I didn't use sugar soap - as you suggested - the walls weren't greasy. Gave 1 coat of white (bathroom was dark purple) then 2 of the colour. I lightly sanded and wiped down with damp cloth between coats. Really pleased with final results and it's been on walls 2 weeks without coming off, so a good sign! Eventually when I get new suite etc in few years I might take wallpaper off and paint one of these new matt bathroom paints. Thanks for the advice!