Most of us are guilty of paying more attention to color than sheen when choosing interior paint. And even though paint sheen never seems to get the most attention, it contributes significantly to the aesthetics of the final finish.
Today, we will be focusing on the problems associated with one of the most common paint sheens, the eggshell finish.
Apart from its many impressive features and benefits, eggshell paint is susceptible to a couple of issues that you need to familiarize yourself with. Especially if you are considering using it in your residential or commercial property.
1. It Wears Out Pretty Fast in High Traffic Areas
When shopping for eggshell paints, some manufacturers may describe their products as durable. What they don’t tell you is that eggshell paint finishes are only durable in medium-traffic areas.
If you use this paint on the corridors, living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms which are high-traffic areas, it tends to wear out pretty faster.
This is a problem that many property owners realize when it’s already too late. To avoid the premature wear of the eggshell sheen, use it in medium-traffic areas such as bedrooms.
2. It’s Difficult to Touch Up
The eggshell finish looks amazing. That’s something we can all agree on. But the big problem is that touching it up is no easy task.
Due to the nature of its sheen, brush marks are most likely to remain visible on areas where you have touched it up. If you want to repair this kind of finish, you have to re-paint the entire wall.
This can be quite inconvenient and expensive. Don’t go for eggshell paint if you are always repairing your paint job.
3. Some Brands Make Eggshell Paints that are Too Shiny
This isn’t a problem that affects all eggshell paint finishes, but it’s very common. If you have decided that you want an eggshell finish on your walls, you need to choose the paint brand very carefully.
The reason is that some manufacturers make eggshell paints that are too shiny. After you paint and let it dry, you will never get that matte finish.
The main reason you may settle for eggshell paint is that you want the best of both worlds, that is, some matte and gloss. If you wanted pure gloss, you would have gone for satin.
To avoid this problem, always go through the reviews of eggshell paint before buying it. If possible, ask for a picture of the eggshell paint finish when it’s dry.
4. It Doesn’t Clean As Good As Satin
Even though eggshell paint is washable, it doesn’t clean up as easily as satin. This is one of the main reasons why it shouldn’t be used in high-traffic areas.
Should you stain the eggshell finish, you can clean it up with some slight scrubbing. However, the more you wash the paint, the sooner it wears.
5. Poor Sheen Uniformity
Poor sheen uniformity with eggshell paint is mostly attributed to incorrect application processes. If you over-thin the paint or overspread it on the wall, there is a good chance that the eggshell sheen won’t be uniform.
The best part about this problem is that you can avoid it by using a roller brush that applies a generous amount of paint on the surface. If you are a newbie, delegating the painting project to an expert can help avoid sheen uniformity.
Are There Benefits of Eggshell Paint Finish?
Like all other paint sheens, eggshell paint finish does have a couple of issues. It also has several benefits. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be in the market if it was all bad.
If you have developed some interest in the eggshell paint finish, as you weigh the problems, it’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the benefits.
Here are some reasons why you should consider using the eggshell paint finish.
• It Conceals Flaws Effortlessly
The presence of matte in eggshell paint finish allows it to hide all sorts of imperfections, such as grooves and bumps. Unlike satin, which contains lots of gloss, eggshell paint will effortlessly conceal any flaws on your walls.
• It’s Relatively Easy to Apply
Your experience level doesn’t matter when it comes to applying eggshell paint. This type of paint doesn’t experience lapping, which is common with high gloss options.
As you press your roller on both dry and wet paint, the strokes will not overlap, leading to a smoother finish.
• You Can Clean Stains on Eggshell Paint
Paint stains are inevitable. But with a sheen such as eggshell paint, this should be the last thing you need to be worried about. Eggshell paint can be cleaned with a sponge.
It has an adequate amount of gloss, which prevents the soaking of stains. Also, because it has a minimal amount of matte, it won’t lose its sheen when you scrub it too much, as is the case with flat paint finishes.
• You are Guaranteed a More Accurate Color
One of the key features that differentiate eggshell paint from others is that it has an adequate amount of sheen. This paint doesn’t reflect light. It absorbs it. That gives your paint job a much truer color. It’s an ideal sheen option for darker colors.
What Makes an Eggshell Paint Finish Look Patchy?
This isn’t a very common problem, and that’s why I decided to discuss it separately. An eggshell finish will look patchy if you use little paint or brush it unevenly. It’s not just eggshell paint. All types of paint will look patchy if you apply them unevenly.
If you are planning a DIY eggshell paint job, make sure that you use a roller brush and apply generous amounts of paint on the wall.
It’s advisable to follow a grid fashion as it guarantees uniformity. Patches on eggshell paint can significantly lower the aesthetics.
And as mentioned earlier, they are very difficult to touch up or repair because eggshell paint leaves behind brush marks.
How to Avoid Common Eggshell Paint Finish Problems?
I believe eggshell is one of the best paint sheens on the market. It looks good, and it’s rare. Even though it has a few problems, most of them can be prevented. Below, I will share with you some expert guidance on how to avoid eggshell paint finish problems.
Always start the project by preparing the surface. This entails cleaning and smoothening the surface. Gaps and holes will still be visible when you paint the eggshell finish. It’s advisable to fill them up first.
Don’t forget to dust and clean the walls. Any contaminants can hinder adhesion between eggshell paint and the wall.
While we are still on adhesion, don’t forget to use a high-quality primer. You should give each coat enough time to dry.