Best Dulux Paints & Varnishes

I purchased Dulux Aquanamel gloss white to paint a baby cot. Aquanamel was reported as the lowest toxicity paint which is why I chose to use it. The… Read more

cot was sanded to a smooth finish and all defects were properly repaired with wood putty then sanded smooth thoroughly cleaned and then painted with the recommended Dulux 1 step prep water based primer. I used a Monarch advance soft bristle brush for the job. The Aquanamel top coat was drying so fast in my shed at 25° C, all I got was brush marks and patchy finishes. I sanded the surface to a good smooth finish for the second coat and got the same results. I moved the job inside with the air conditioner set at 18°C got the job done with very few brush marks but the surface finish did not come to a gloss finish. I was convinced that I’d got a faulty can of paint so I bought a second can from a different shop. The result was exactly the same.

I finished up doing 4 coats of paint on the cot with what I would consider very average results. The drying time was way too fast 10-15 minutes to have a complete touch dry finish.

Dulux needs to go back to the drawing board with this product.

It's like trying to apply chewing gum. I tried three different rollers, foam microfibre and nylon for epoxy. They all pulled air bubbles into the… Read more

paint. The only way to get it to look half decent was to keep going back over and over with the lightest pressure to knock the bubbles out but because it doesn't flow like normal enamels it was a stippled finish very uneven. Takes forever to dry and still smells a week later. If you don't give it more than 24 hours between recoat the new paint eats into the old paint and makes it even thicker and harder to roll. The paint seems to thicken in the roller tray as you go and the roller is useless after about an hour. Save your sanity and stay away from this product unless you are going to apply it by brush or spray.

Horrible paint - just like the others are saying on here. It dries on the brush and leaves beads of dried paint on the wall. I can't believe I was… Read more

foolish enough to buy it. Before this I was using Taubmans and British Paints and they were way better than this. I only bought Dulux this time because I wanted the Natural White. I would like a refund. It's the least they can do considering how much time and effort it took to prepare for the job.

Not sure why Dulux still make this product. It’s impossible to get an even finish. Followed all instructions used the correct rollers everything but the finish is uneven, bubbly and crap no matter what I do! Money wasted! Avoid at all costs! Show details

Don’t bother with this product, I’m a painter and decorator and tried this as it’s supposedly specifically for kitchen cabinet doors. It’s difficult… Read more

to get a good result and is definitely not durable enough for such a high wear application and isn’t cheap either. I would recommend oil based enamel or 2 pack for this type of work with a high adhesion primer first of course.

I have painted my wooden windows with this paint. It has bubbled twice. Wood surface was dry, sanded and primed. Yet it still bubbled. I have painted… Read more

the windows twice now using the same procedure with the result occurring again. The paint was applied on a 25 degree day. The wood had no moisture as they were painted after a week of warm weather. Cannot recommend this paint.

TAKE YOUR TIME – First time I’ve used this product. I’ve been doing home renovations for 30+ years and have lots of experience painting. The expensive roller sold… Read more

with this product, useless. Don’t waste your money. A roller with a nap of 15 works better. Definitely need to use a large sponge after rolling it on to spread the mix. After 2 coats it looks good. Use the product in the morning when it’s cooler.

Coloured chalk board – I don’t know why there’s so many bad reviews on this product. being a painter by trade it is important to follow the instructions on the can. do not… Read more

leave it for 3 days when it says 7 days minimum and then wonder why the paints coming off! If the chalk isn’t coming off then you haven’t primed the board properly you need to completely rub it with the side of chalk and dust off leaving no misses mine worked great.

Still not dry after 3 days – Applied 1 coat to external facade. There hasn’t been rain in a few days, and there is a constant warm breeze. During the day there is full sun. The paint is still soft! Wouldn’t ever use this product again. Show details

Water based 1 step prep over top of oil based – Hey can I spot prime old exposed timber weatherboards with the oil based 2 step prep, then after filling and sanding fillers spot prime with waterbased 1 step prep? Show details

I’ve used dulux super high gloss on a lot of windows trims doors skirts Ive found it can be thinner than some other brands but with saying this it’s… Read more

been manageable to apply. A foam roller has delivered the best results were applicable’ but the right brush with the right technique works well also . I’ve noticed a lot of negative reviews on lasting effects on this product I guess time will tell ‘but as for general painting I’ve had great success & a great finish I added few photos of wooden shutters I painted with foam roller with great results. If the paint gloss doesn’t last I will definitely be making an update review in time..4 stars because theses always room for improvement.

After alot of working out how to get this paint to its beauty I finally get it – When I first tried this paint I was confused and disappointed, but I was impatient and I expected the magic to just happen. After a few more trial… Read more

and errors I finally appreciated the beauty of this complex paint. You really have to work at it, if you want to get the full benefits from this paint depends on your application and the material. Alot of mixing and trying different ways to apply it, but once you learn how to treat this paint you will love it. It's truly beautiful and I love the shimmering that comes off my daughters bed when walking past it. It's not shimmering in your face, just certain angles and light, which looks stunning but not too rich, heavy and in your face. Play with this paint, alot of rubbing it in certain ways, a soft cloth works good. It's not a normal lets go paint, you need really give it the delicacy that it will give you in return.

The name Duramax has been dropped from the tin- it now just says Gold BRIGHT FINISH. It does take an absolute age to dry (cure?) If you are not in a… Read more

hurry it will harden eventually - talking days!. It is a much more 'gold' like finish than their other spray called gold metallic finish. I have found a way to minimise the process by first layering it up with Dulux spray 'silver metallic finish' The silver dries a lot quicker and you can then give a top coat with the Bright Gold.

I had my bathroom ceiling redone after I had had a roof-leak. the new ceiling was painted with Dulux Ceiling White and I experienced a migraine from… Read more

that evening until the morning of the 4th day after. So far it looks good and the paint itself did not smell too bad, but there must be some substances in that paint that I reacted to very badly. As I am a renter, this was organised by the Body Corp.

Absolutely horrible product! Used the renovation paint and it looked amazing, then applied the clear coat as instructed and it ruined everything!!… Read more

I’ve done it again like 4 times painting and clear coating again with different rollers, days of work 100s of dollars and it looks terrible!! Very disappointing, please offer some customer service as Bunnings isn’t doing much….

Awful product DO NOT PURCHASE – Absolutely awful product Literally would have been better off if I’d painted the tiles with house paint. I am a professional painter of 10 years.… Read more

Followed all directions very carefully.

Primer does not hold to tile, peels straight off.

Waited 12 hours between each coat and found that each time it was not at all set. Waited longer between coats.

Then after finishing the job waited 10 days before any use of the bathroom to find that the paint is not waterproof at all and comes off with a light swipe of a damp rag.

My clients are not happy, I have lost time, money and ruined their whole bathroom with a product I cannot guarantee for any length of time.

I am at a loss as to what to do now as we have used the wall tile product on the walls (with the recommended clear coat) and the floor product on their floor - as recommended - and now I will need to strip all of it to re coat with an appropriate product.

This will cost me thousands to do as the time and cost of products will not be covered by the client for the fix.

I have been brought to tears twice by this product.

Do not use. Go buy the rustoleum tile coat - it actually works.

Patchy finish, poor coverage, expensive, strong smell – Another patchy result after 2 coats over a clean white ceiling in kitchen/diner, unfortunately I didn't consider looking up paint reviews before… Read more

buying due to Dulux's usually quality product. I live in Darwin so I upped the spend for the mould protection ($99/4l). A/C on before, during and after painting, ceiling prepped accordingly. Bought 4l thinking that would be enough but had to get another as it is quite thick and doesn't go very far. Thought that due to this at least I'd get great coverage but the finish has visible yellowish patches. I now either need more to cover the patches, or do the whole job again with a different paint. After seeing another review reporting patchiness appearing months after application, I'll likely choose another paint so I don't have to do it a third time in a few months. It also smells quite strong after application and gave my wife and I headaches. This is my first review, motivated to share my experience with others to consider when deciding what paint to choose. Obviously it's not just the cost of the paint that I have lost, a lot of time and gear also goes into it. Very disappointed, especially considering the high price point.

Terrible! – Applied 3 coats over water stains and bled through on top coat, have also tried on texta marks bled through again. Used zinnser cover stain worked in… Read more

one coat, can’t believe they still sell this garbage and the price tag is incredible so overpriced

Called dulux and they told me to use oil based, can’t even back there own products

We got a nice finish on my sons bike but it marked easily. The can leaked so bad from the valve half way through we needed to finish the job on the grass Show details

Touch dry after 90 minutes? Hahahahahahahahaha no – Can says touch dry after 90 minutes. Left it overnight, still tacky as hell and sticks to everything. Won't buy again for the exorbitant price. Show details

Garbage – As a painter, ive used this on a many occasions. It has zero adhesion to any metal surface. I probably would only use it interior only, or not even… Read more

at all if it was up to me. Use Metalshield products, they require chemical solvents and might be harder to use for some people but at least the primer doesnt come off with your fingernail.

Wish I had read the reviews before I bought it – This stuff is terrible, its like painting with glue. The end result is awful my new garage roller door is ruined. I followed all the instructions… Read more

including using the primer. It says its easy to apply, which it is not. The end look is uneven, not a wet look (which would have been fine), more matt in places. It looks terrible. Wish I had not used it.

I wish I had not put this product on my garage floor and had left it at the paint. I did all the prep work as instructed. It took several days all up… Read more

and as soon as my Mum and I started to use it I knew I was going to regret it. The first metre looked uneven and crap and it did not improve. Its overpriced and near impossible to get it consistently even. Now I have to repaint my newly painted garage walls because its also impossible to spread without it flicking everywhere and figure out how to fix it because I'm not spending more money for a third and fourth coat when I'm doubtful it will improve anything. If you are also looking for an epoxy type finish then avoid this product. It's nothing like it.

the worst paint i have ever had. leave mark by just touching it with finger. it ruins my theatre room. Show details

Spatter Paint not Spray Paint – There is something wrong with this product. You shake the living daylights out of the can before use and it spatters. You clean the nozzle in turps… Read more

and clear all the junk out of it with a needle and blow it out with compressed air and it spatters. You try another can (I bought three) and it spatters. They all spattered. It is spatter paint not spray paint. You try another, cheaper brand (Dy-Mark) and it sprays perfectly to empty with no spatter. The slower drying Duramax primer and clear coat sprayed fine but the project was ruined by the fast drying colour coats. I have used their Epoxy Enamel in the past without these issues but Duramax was just a spattering mess. Very disappointed in Dulux. I wont be fooled again.