Trade Vs Retail Paint: What's The Difference?

what is the difference between trade and retail paint

Trade paint is available to all, but it is a common misconception that you must be a professional to purchase it. Retail paint, on the other hand, is commercial paint designed for DIY customers and sold at commercial outlets and DIY stores. Retail paint is cheaper than trade paint, but it is of lower quality, covers less surface area, and is less durable. Trade paint has a higher pigmentation and opacity, which results in a richer colour and finish. It is also easier to apply, can be thinned, and requires fewer coats.

Characteristics Values
Availability Trade paint is available to all, but retail paint is designed with DIY customers in mind and is sold at commercial outlets and DIY stores.
Quality Trade paint is higher quality and more durable than retail paint.
Cost Retail paint is cheaper than trade paint.
Coverage Trade paint provides better coverage than retail paint and can be thinned without compromising on coverage.
Opacity Trade paint offers higher opacity and richer colour pigmentation.
Finish Trade paint provides a superior finish that is longer-lasting and can be wiped clean without compromising the finish.
Ease of application Trade paint is easier to apply than retail paint.

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Trade paint is available to all, despite misconceptions

Trade paint is available to all consumers, despite misconceptions that you must be a professional to purchase it. Retail paint, on the other hand, is designed with DIY customers in mind and is typically sold at commercial outlets and DIY stores. While trade paint may seem more expensive upfront, it provides better coverage, requiring fewer coats and resulting in a more durable and long-lasting finish. Retail paint tends to drag when applying, leading to a poor finish, and it is more susceptible to yellowing or fading over time.

Trade paint offers higher opacity and richer colour pigmentation, providing superior hiding power and ensuring a consistent finish. This is achieved through a higher concentration of pigments and advanced thickeners, allowing for greater tailoring and flexibility. Trade paint can be thinned by up to 30% while still maintaining good opacity and coverage, which is particularly useful for bare plaster surfaces.

The durability of trade paint is enhanced by specialist ingredients such as Zinc Phosphate and biocides, which offer greater protection and ensure the finish retains its new look for longer. Trade paint is also easier to maintain, as it can be gently wiped clean without compromising the finish or colour. Some trade paints even offer a scrub-resistant range.

When choosing between trade and retail paint, it is important to consider the specific requirements of your project. Trade paint provides a higher-quality finish and better value in the long term due to its durability and coverage. However, retail paint may be a more cost-effective option for those on a tight budget, despite requiring more coats and potentially compromising on finish quality.

Ultimately, trade paint is accessible to all and offers superior performance, finish, and durability compared to retail paint. It is a popular choice among professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike, providing a versatile and reliable option for a wide range of projects.

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Trade paint provides better coverage and richer pigmentation

Trade paint is available to everyone, not just professionals. Retail paint, on the other hand, is commercial paint designed for DIY customers and is often sold at high-street stores. Trade paint is of higher quality than retail paint and provides better coverage and richer pigmentation.

For example, a litre of Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt covers 17 square metres, whereas the retail equivalent covers only 10 to 13 square metres. Trade paint offers higher opacity, richer colour pigmentation, and superior hiding power. This means fewer coats are needed, saving time and money. Trade paint is also more durable and longer-lasting, as it is designed not to yellow or fade over time and can withstand higher levels of wear and tear.

Retail paints tend to drag when applying, resulting in a poor finish, and cannot be thinned as much as trade paint. Retail paint may seem cheaper, but it requires more coats and does not last as long, making trade paint the more cost-effective option.

Some trade paints, such as Dulux Trade, use advanced thickeners to allow for greater tailoring and flexibility. These paints can be thinned by up to 30% while maintaining good opacity and coverage, providing a smoother and more even finish. Trade paints also undergo rigorous testing to ensure durability, colour consistency, and protection, resulting in a high-quality finish that retains its new look for longer.

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Trade paint is more durable and longer-lasting

The durability of trade paint means that it can be wiped clean without compromising its finish. Retail paint, on the other hand, can be easily removed if wiped clean, whereas trade paint allows for gentle stain removal without damaging the finish or colour. Some trade paints even offer a scrub-resistant range, which can withstand repeated scrubbing without damage.

Trade paint is also easier to apply than retail paint, with an advanced formula that ensures optimum performance and finish. This means that trade paint provides better coverage than retail paint, covering a larger surface area even after thinning. For example, Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt covers 17m per litre, while its retail equivalent covers only 10-12m per litre.

The higher pigmentation and opacity of trade paint contribute to its durability and longevity. The richer colour pigmentation results in superior colour quality and hiding power, allowing for fewer coats to be applied. Trade paint's higher opacity also enhances its ability to hide the surface being painted, whether it's the colour or the material itself.

Overall, the advanced formula and superior performance of trade paint make it a more durable and longer-lasting option compared to retail paint.

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Trade paint is easier to apply and has a better finish

Trade paint is a superior option to retail paint in terms of both application and finish. While retail paint is designed with DIY customers in mind, trade paint is formulated for professional use, offering better coverage, higher opacity, and richer colour pigmentation.

Trade paint is crafted with a higher concentration of pigments, resulting in enhanced coverage and a smoother, more even finish. Its advanced formula ensures optimum performance and finish, making it easier to apply than retail paint. Retail paint, on the other hand, tends to drag during application, leading to a poor finish.

The quality ingredients and their specific combination in trade paints contribute to a superior finish. Trade paint is designed to withstand higher levels of wear and tear and is resistant to yellowing or fading over time. This durability means that trade paint can be gently wiped clean without compromising the finish or colour. In contrast, cleaning retail paint will easily remove it, leading to potential damage to the finish or colour.

Trade paint's advanced thickeners allow for greater tailoring and flexibility, catering to the unique requirements of each job. For instance, trade paints designed for bare plaster can be thinned by up to 30%, optimising coverage while maintaining opacity. This adaptability ensures a comprehensive first coat and helps avoid unnecessary costs.

The higher quality of trade paint is also evidenced by its rigorous scientific testing and additional certifications. Trade paints undergo extensive testing for durability, colour consistency, and colour protection, ensuring they can withstand diverse environments. This results in a finish that retains its new appearance for longer.

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Retail paint is cheaper, but requires more coats

Retail paint is designed with DIY customers in mind and is sold at high-street shops, commercial outlets, and DIY stores. It is a cheaper option than trade paint, but it has lower quality. Retail paint often drags when applying, resulting in a poor finish. It also cannot be thinned as much as trade paint, so it doesn't go as far.

Trade paint is available to everyone, not just professionals. It has better coverage than retail paint, and even after thinning, it covers more surface area. For example, Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt covers 17m per litre, while the retail equivalent covers only 10-13m per litre. Trade paint also offers higher opacity and richer colour pigmentation, which means it has a superior ability to hide the surface that is being painted.

Retail paint will require more coats to achieve good coverage. It is thicker and doesn't roll out as easily as trade paint, so it takes more time and effort to apply. Retail paint is also less durable and will not last as long. It is more likely to yellow or fade over time and is more susceptible to wear and tear.

While trade paint is more expensive, it is the cheaper option in the long run as it requires fewer coats, has better coverage, and lasts longer. Trade paint is also easier to apply, ensuring optimum performance and finish. It is designed to withstand higher levels of wear and tear and can be gently wiped clean without damaging the finish or colour.

Frequently asked questions

Trade paint is higher quality than retail paint, with better pigmentation and opacity, meaning it provides better coverage. Trade paint is also more durable and longer-lasting, as it is designed not to yellow or fade over time and can withstand higher levels of wear and tear.

Trade paint may seem more expensive than retail paint upfront, but because it provides better coverage and requires fewer coats, it is the cheaper option in the long run.

No, it is a common misconception that only professionals can buy trade paint. Trade paint is available to all customers, including DIY customers.

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