PAINT ADVICE
Using Mylands Paints
Using a Mylands primer is highly recommended for the best results, especially on bare, unpainted surfaces, stained areas, or rough, aged surfaces. Priming helps:
- Improve adhesion of the topcoat
- Ensure a smooth, even finish
- Enhance the durability and longevity of your paint
Mylands paints are designed for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts. With the right preparation and tools, you can achieve beautiful results yourself.
Yes, Mylands provides a bespoke colour consultancy service, designed to bring clarity and cohesion to your interiors through expert design guidance. This is perfect if you want professional help with selecting the ideal palette and finishes for your space. Learn more here.
Drying times vary slightly depending on the product, finish, and room conditions (temperature, humidity, ventilation). As a guide:
Marble Matt Emulsions: Touch dry in 1–2 hours, recoat after 3-4 hours.- Plant-Based Multi-Surface Paints: Touch dry in 2-3 hours, recoat after 3-4 hours.
- Floor Paints: Touch dry in 2-3 hours, recoat after 3-4 hours. Allow at least 24 hours before light use.
For best results, always check the instructions on the tin and allow extra drying time in cooler or less ventilated spaces. For further information please refer to the product advice sheet.
Note: Although the paint may be dry to touch it takes a lot longer to cure, and as it cures the colour will change slightly. Once fully cured they will be left with the final colour, as with all paints this can take 2-4 weeks.
For most projects, we recommend two coats of Mylands paint to achieve full depth of colour and a smooth, even finish.
- Primed or previously painted surfaces – usually 2 coats are enough.
- Bare, porous, or stained surfaces – a suitable primer/undercoat plus 2 topcoats may be required.
- Darker shades over lighter colours (or vice versa) – an extra coat may be needed for complete coverage.
Always follow the guidance on the tin for best results.
Mylands paints are versatile and formulated for a wide range of surfaces, including:
- Walls & Ceilings – fresh plaster, lime plaster and lining paper
- Woodwork – doors, skirting boards, furniture, and cabinets
- Metal – radiators, railings, and trim
- Floors – wooden and concrete floors
- Exterior Surfaces – brick, render, wood, and metal
With the correct primer or preparation, Mylands paints can be used on almost any surface to achieve a long-lasting, professional finish. Discover the right paint for your next project here.
Yes, Mylands paints can be applied with a spray gun as well as a brush or roller. Just follow your sprayer’s guidelines and, if needed, thin the paint slightly for a smooth finish.
We also have further details per finish on our product advice sheets.
Mylands paints are made using a blend of high-quality natural ingredients and modern technology. Key materials include:
- Natural earth pigments – for rich, deep colour and exceptional coverage
- Plant-based resins and binders – for breathability, durability and flexibility
- Water-based formulas – low in VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), making them safer for your home and the environment
All Mylands paints are crafted in London by our in-house lab and factory, designed to be both beautiful and environmentally responsible.
Yes, many Mylands paints are formulated to be breathable. This means they allow moisture and water vapour to pass through, helping walls and surfaces “breathe” naturally.
Using a breathable paint can help prevent peeling, blistering, and damp issues, making it particularly suitable for older buildings and lime plastered walls.
For the best results, always check the product details to confirm breathability for your specific surface.
For newly plastered or traditional lime plaster walls, we recommend using breathable, water-based Mylands paints. These allow moisture to pass through and help prevent peeling or blistering.
- Marble Matt Emulsion – ideal for a smooth, breathable finish.
- Plant-Based Multi-Surface – specially designed to work across multiple surface types.
Always ensure the lime plaster is fully cured and dry before painting, which may take several weeks depending on thickness and conditions. We also recommend using a Mylands primer to prepare your walls.
Yes, but only once the plaster is fully cured and dry. Fresh plaster contains moisture that must evaporate before painting, which can take several weeks, depending on thickness and environmental conditions.
For best results on newly plastered walls:
- Use breathable, water-based Mylands paints, such as Marble Matt or Plant-Based Multi-Surface.
- Ensure the surface is clean, dry, and free from dust
- Using a Mylands primer is recommended as fresh plaster can be porous. Painting too early can cause blistering, peeling, or uneven coverage, so patience is key for a professional finish.
Yes, some Mylands paints can be thinned slightly to make application easier, particularly for spraying or rolling. Thinning too much can affect coverage, opacity, and durability, so it’s best to only add a little at a time.
Please refer to the product advice sheet for individual recommendations for each finish.
Most Mylands paints are low-VOC and water-based, so are virtually odor free compared with traditional solvent-based paints.
Some finishes may have a mild smell during application, but it dissipates quickly with good ventilation. Properly ventilating the room while painting will help the paint dry faster and keep any odours minimal.
Mylands paints are designed to be safe and pleasant to use indoors, making them ideal for home projects.
We no longer sell Olive Stone Emulsion. However, the closest equivalent is our Plant-Based Multi-Surface Paint, which offers a similar durable, eco-friendly finish and is suitable for a wide range of interior and exterior surfaces.
We recommend checking the colour options and product details to find the best match for your project. Please let us know if you’d like any guidance on choosing the perfect shade or finish.
Deciding which paint is for you
Choosing the perfect paint colour can be easier with Mylands’ expert tools and guidance:
- Explore our swatch cards, sample pots, and inspiration guides to see colours in action. Discover our colour tools.
- Use your samples to apply paint swatches in different areas of your space, as you want to observe how light and surroundings affect the colour. Read about what you need to consider here.
For personalised guidance, our Colour Consultancy service provides expert advice on palettes, finishes, and application to achieve the perfect result.
By combining our colour tools, sample testing, and professional advice, you can confidently select a colour you’ll love for years.
If you would like personal advice, then please contact our team about our Colour Consultancy service.
For help choosing the right finish, see our useful guide here.
You can either use the paint calculator on the product page or read in full guide on how to calculate how much paint you need here.
If you are still unsure, please contact our customer service team by phone on +44 208 670 9161 or use the contact form here.
Marble Matt Emulsion is an ultra-matt, breathable paint infused with real Carrara marble, ideal for interior walls and ceilings in high-traffic areas. It’s scrubbable and mould-resistant.
Plant-Based Multi-Surface Dead Matt is a versatile, flat finish made with natural earth pigments and plant-based resins, yet still highly durable. It works on walls, wood, and metal, inside or out. Perfect for colour drenching projects and built-in furniture.
In short, choose Marble Matt Emulsion for a luxurious interior finish on walls, and Plant-Based Multi-Surface Dead Matt for a flexible, option suitable for multiple surfaces.
Mylands Plant-Based Multi-Surface paints are ideal for mixed surfaces. This paint performs as well on cabinets and skirting as it does on walls and ceilings. Available in four sheen types, use together with our Plant-Based Primer to ensure the perfect flawless finish.
Mylands Plant-Based Multi-Surface paints are the perfect choice for use on radiators. Suitable for use on metal and walls, you can achieve a seamless look with one paint. Available in four sheen types, use together with our Plant-Based Primer to ensure the perfect flawless finish.
Samples & Colour Tools
Our 100ml sample pots are available in Marble Matt Emulsion finish.
We also have larger 250ml pots available in selected Plant-Based Multi-Surface finishes.
Jinny Blom Collection - These 100ml sample pots are Plant-Based Multi-Surface Dead Matt
Our standard sample pot size is 100ml but we do also have 250ml pots available for testing larger areas or multiple walls.
- 100ml sample pot should cover approx 1.5sqm
- 250ml sample pot should cover approx 3.75sqm
Discovering your perfect paint shade shouldn’t require a leap of faith. By using Mylands samples pots your can be sure you’ll be happy with your colour choice. For sample pot success follow these easy steps:
- Make sure your surface is clean and free from dust, soap or grease.
- Apply paint generously, on all walls and surfaces your are planning to paint.
- Observe the dried sample swatches in different lights - morning, afternoon and artificial.
- Compare you choice against other elements in the room, furnishing, curtains, flooring to ensure a harmonious result.
Once satisfied with your selection, proceed to purchase your full-sized paint with confidence.
A Colour Card is a your first introduction to Mylands colours. These cards contain our full colour collections and each swatch is painted in real Mylands paint. Discover our colours and refine your selection.
Our Fan Deck features all our colours from our Colours of London, Greys & Neutrals and FTT collections. Used by professionals or for larger projects, the generously sized swatches give you a more comprehensive sense of our colours.
Mylands Box of Colour is the ultimate introduction to our signature collections. Each individual A5 sized swatch is painted in real Mylands paint and can be flicked through in the box or attached to your walls to get the most close-to-life experience of Mylands colours.
Explore our tools now >
Paint Aftercare
You can clean brushes and roller using water and soap/ mild detergent.
Yes, can touch up the surface you have painted. Particularly necessary in high traffic ares where scuffs and marks are likely to appear. Our paints provide a smooth even finish, so touching up at a later date is easy and will leave no trace.
Note: When you touch up a spot the paint may look different but as it cures it should blend in. However if the wall was painted some years ago and has been bleached from light and experienced wear and tear then we would recommend repainting the whole wall for a uniform finish.
Our water-based formulations can be removed with soap and water, we recommend using a putty knife to scrape off the excess and pat the area with a dry absorbent cloth to soak up as much of the paint as possible without rubbing. Then use a clean cloth with soap and water, gently blot into the carpet trying to avoid any rubbing motion and keep patting the area to remove paint that is being lifted with a dry clean cloth.
Removing the paint is easier whilst it is still wet, but even dry paint is removable. For dried on paint, you may need to use some hot water to help soften it first before the removal process.
To remove paint from brick or concrete, you can use:
- Pressure washing – Effective for large areas and exterior surfaces.
- Chemical paint strippers – Apply a paint remover, then scrub or rinse off.
- Wire brushing or sanding – For small patches or stubborn spots, manually scrub or sand the surface.
Once opened paint can be kept for up to 18 months if kept in the right conditions. We recommend you store in a cool dry place that is not exposed to extreme temperatures (hot or cold). Check our product advice sheets for more details.
We recommend you store in a cool dry place that is not exposed to extreme temperatures (hot or cold). Check our product advice sheets for more details.
