| Name | Coverage | Dry Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rust-Oleum Universal All-Surface Gloss | 9 m2 /l | 8 hours | ££££ |
| Dulux Quick Dry Gloss | 16 m2 /l | 6 hours | £ |
| Crown Quick Dry Gloss | 16 m2 /l | 1 hours | ££ |
| Ronseal Ultra Tough Gloss | 7 m2 /l | 2 hours | ££ |
| Leyland Trade Fast Drying Gloss | 10 m2 /l | 4 hours | ££ |
When assessing what kind of paint finish you should buy, you usually have (broadly) three choices. There’s matt paint, which dries with a flatter, smooth understated effect. Then, the medium shine option is satin, which has some variations but more or less treads the line between matt and the third option, which would be gloss. Gloss paint is distinctive for its very shiny finish.
Gloss paint is bright and bold, and consequently is an excellent choice for breathing some vibrant life into all sorts of applications. For instance, gloss white is an excellent choice to make rooms appear bigger, as it reflects more light and makes the room brighter and appear bigger. However, white is of course not the only option, but simply one common use of gloss. There are so many fixtures, fittings and pieces of furniture that would look great with a coat of the shiny stuff.
Gloss paint is traditionally the most hard-wearing finish, although that’s not always the case as paints have developed. Regardless, a gloss paint might be exactly what you need for a multitude of household DIY applications. That’s why we’ve gathered up our selection of the best gloss paints available for you to buy right now.
Rust-Oleum Universal All-Surface Gloss
Rust-Oleum’s do-it-all gloss paint comes in a staggering 12 different gloss colours, ranging from neutral tones to ones that really pop. There are satin and matt black and white, but otherwise you get a vibrant rainbow of choice. It’s easily applied to just about anything – it’s designed as an all-surface paint, after all – and will adhere nicely even on top of rust. As a combination paint and primer in one, it also reduces the number of coats you’ll need to apply.
The paint will be touch dry in 2 hours and ready for use after 8. Should a second coat be required, you’ll need to give it 16 hours – this is more recommended of you want an even bolder colour. The gloss finish is ultra tough and durable, as well as being inherently resistant scratches, scuffs and moisture. This toughness, as well as the ability to be wiped clean, makes this a sure choice for countless projects around the home.
Pros
- Colour choices
- Hard-wearing
- Versatile application
Cons
- Strong fumes
Dulux Quick Dry Gloss
The purpose of Dulux’s quick dry range of paints is to make home DIY just that little bit easier. This high-sheen white gloss is perfectly suited to encouraging brightness and bold colour to almost anything around the house thanks in no small part to its versatile application to wood and metal both indoors and outdoors.
The paint is touch dry in just one hour and fully dry in 6 thanks to a water-based formula. Dulux recommend 2 coats for the perfect shiny finish, so while this might be a whole-weekend job the results will be undeniably worth it. The formula of the paint is non-drip for even greater ease of use, and it’s exceptionally durable to keep the beautiful white finish free from yellowing for longer. It’s also pretty solid value, with a good balance of quality and volume for the price.
Pros
- Quick to dry
- Excellent finish
- Durable
- Easy to use
Cons
- Limited colours
Crown Quick Dry Gloss
Crown’s quick-drying gloss is an excellent and versatile water-based paint for wood and metal surfaces, which can be both indoors and outdoors. Once dry, the paint is easily wiped clean with a damp cloth, and the final colour is colour is a true, bright white resistant to yellowing. By equal measure, it’s a touch and durable paint that will stand up to heavy use with no issues.
Crown’s unique design means that their gloss remains exceptionally low-odour – a solvent-free formula with the water base is to thank here, which ultimately makes the paint incredibly easy to work with. As it’s water-based it also dries very quickly; it’s dry to the touch in around an hour, and needs 6 hours between coats, should they be needed. It also represents excellent value for money.
Pros
- Great finish
- Good value
- Quick drying
- Low odour
Cons
- A little thick
Ronseal Ultra Tough Gloss
Ronseal lay their cards out very plainly with their classic tagline, something which is very much evident here. This super hard-wearing household paint will meet the needs of interior paint very comfortably; it’s super tough and will take all the day to day wear and tear that you can throw at it. It’s also usable for any kind of interior wood or metal surface, making it a very versatile choice.
By blending primer and paint into one formula, this allows you to paint directly onto your cleaned and sanded surfaces. The gorgeous white gloss finish is highly resistant to yellowing, with a literal “forever” guarantee from Ronseal. We’ll leave you to test the limits of that, but it’s worth at least 10 years. On top of everything, it’s also very quick to dry, making it a breeze to apply.
Pros
- Huge guarantee
- Excellent finish
- Versatile
Cons
- Limited colours
Leyland Trade Fast Drying Gloss
Leyland Trade aren’t always everyone’s first thought in household DIY paints, but the British company have a long heritage in providing quality paint for professional trade, something that the at-home decorator can now capitalise on. This water-based gloss bears all the hallmarks of a high-quality paint at an incredibly reasonable price.
Owing to the water base, it’s a very low odour option. By extension, it’s also fairly quick to dry, and is durable and highly resistant to yellowing. On top of that, it’s also a great choice for all manner of different applications around the home; Leyland claim that it’s suitable for wood and metal in both interior and exterior applications.
Pros
- Great value
- Low odour
- Versatile use
Cons
- Only white available
Which Gloss Paint To Go For?
Applying gloss paint to interior and exterior woodwork is a popular way to ensure a smart, durable finish that looks great and brings plenty of light and life into your home spaces. While it can be confusing to know where to start or what to go for in the varied world of gloss paints, we’ve broken down our list into the best gloss paint, as well as the best value option.
Best Gloss Paint – The Rust-Oleum Universal All-Surface Gloss marks itself as the prime choice overall for gloss paints. This comes thanks to myriad options for usage on lots of different household surfaces, quality finish and a wide range of colour options.
Best Value – Dulux Quick Dry Gloss is undeniably the best value option. It’s high-quality, easy to use and cheaper by the litre than anything else – what more could you ask for?
Gloss Paint FAQ
How long does Gloss paint take to dry?
While this will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, a good rule of thumb for gloss paints is 4-6 hours until it’s touch dry and between 16 and 24 hours for full dryness to allow for a second coat.
How to apply water-based gloss paint
Applying water-based gloss effectively depends on you, the painter, as well as making sure you’re using a high quality brush with synthetic bristles. It’s better to focus on smaller areas at a time, ensuring you’ve got even coverage before moving onto another section and allowing everything adequate time to dry.
How to remove gloss paint from clothes
The key is trying to catch the paint before it dries. However, if it does dry, work to scrape or chip off as much as you can before treating it further. Once any excess has been removed, dab at the stain with warm water and laundry detergent or washing up liquid. If necessary, you can also follow on with a stain remover treatment running the affected clothing through the washing machine.
How to get gloss paint out of carpets
The most important thing with gloss stains on carpet are to get them before they dry. Once dry, even a professional carpet cleaning service may struggle to remove everything. If paint does end up on the carpet, carefully scoop at it with something like a putty knife, cleaning that off after each pass. Then, carefully and with gloves, use white spirit or paint thinner with a clean cloth to dab at the stain. Finally, to get rid of any remaining residue, use warm water mixed with washing up liquid.
How to paint over gloss skirting
The key to painting over gloss, if you’d prefer not to go through the process of sanding the whole thing down, is not too difficult. The first stage is to really thoroughly clean the skirting boards, using something like sugar soap or a stronger concentration of washing up liquid and water. Then, a layer of primer will create a surface that you can paint straight onto.
How to get gloss paint off skin
This depends on the type of gloss that’s you’ve got on yourself. If it’s water-based, warm soapy water usually does the trick. However, if it’s more stubborn or not water-based paint, substances like baby oil can be applied first to loosen the paint. Then, and very carefully, dab the affected area with a paint thinner such as turpentine – water it down first, as prolonged exposure to things like turpentine can cause redness and irritation to the skin.
How to clean gloss paintbrushes
Fill a container with; warm, soapy water for water-based gloss; or white spirit for oil-based paints. Swill the paintbrush around in the liquid, gently rubbing the bristles with your fingers to work the paint off. If using white spirit, make sure to wear gloves for this stage.
How to get a smooth finish with gloss paint
The trick to getting a smooth finish with gloss is to paint evenly and with careful strokes. Try to paint in the same direction as much as possible, for instance following the grain when painting wood. Try not to overload the brush as well, as this will minimise drips.
How to get rid of gloss paint fumes
Fumes from gloss paints can sometimes be unavoidable. The simplest way around this is to ventilate the area you’re painting as much as physically possible – windows and doors should be opened to create a steady through-flow of air.
How to stop gloss paint going yellow
White paint especially may be prone to yellowing over time, especially when not properly cleaned or under-exposed to light sources. Ensure that the paint has ample space and ventilation to fully dry. Water-based paints are significantly less at risk of yellowing compared to oil-based paints. It’s also vital to keep your painted surfaces clean.