Whether you’re painting walls, woodwork, metal or floors, you can find detailed application advice below. If you need further detail, please have a read of Farrow & Ball's Product Advice Sheets.

Walls & Ceilings

Whether your surface is newly plastered or in need of TLC, this guide will take you through the steps to perfect painting.

The following guidelines apply to Estate and Modern Emulsion.

Surface Preparation

Before painting, ensure the wall and ceiling surfaces are sound, clean, dry and free from dirt, grease and any other contamination.

Apply a coat of Wall & Ceiling Primer & Undercoat. This will help you to achieve an even finish and seal the surface for the best coverage with your chosen topcoat. Wall & Ceiling Primer & Undercoat is available in four colours to enhance the intensity of your chosen wall or ceiling colour. Refer to the paint colour pages for each shades recommended Primer & Undercoat colour.

For plasterboard, skim plaster, sheet rock and lined walls:

• For some surfaces, such as newly plastered and dry-lined walls, we recommend a diluted layer of your chosen Farrow & Ball topcoat colour. This will seal the surface and promote adhesion.
• Dilution rate will depend on the porosity of the surface. A test patch is recommended to determine the correct dilution rate.

For pre-painted, non-porous walls and ceilings:

• If making a significant colour change, apply one full coat of Wall & Ceiling Primer & Undercoat in the correct colour tone for your topcoat.

For glossy or oil based surfaces:

• Sand down and then clean with a detergent.
• Apply one full coat of Wall & Ceiling Primer & Undercoat to promote adhesion and enhance the topcoat colour.

For plaster surfaces which are porous, chalky or slightly degraded but otherwise structurally sound:

• Use Masonry & Plaster Stabilising Primer before applying Estate or Modern Emulsion.

Paint application

1. When using more than one tin of the same colour, check that the batch numbers are the same (see the base of the tin). If not, mix the tins together before use.
2. Stir paint thoroughly before use.
3. Apply two coats using a brush or roller. To achieve an even finish, make sure you lay off in one direction for the final coat.
4. Estate Emulsion and Modern Emulsion are dry in two hours and can be recoated in four hours.
5. Clean brushes and rollers with warm soapy water.

Interior Wood

From cladding to cabinetry, bare wood to MDF, you’ll find guidance for painting all kinds of wooden surfaces here.

The following guidelines apply to Estate Eggshell, Modern Eggshell, Full Gloss and Dead Flat®.

Surface Preparation

Ensure the surface is sound, clean, dry and free from dirt, grease and any other contamination. Fill any cracks, holes and open joins with an appropriate flexible interior wood filler.

For bare wood surfaces:

• Lightly sand the surface to improve the paint’s adhesion.
• Where required, use Wood Primer & Undercoat to patch prime knotty or resinous woods.
• Then apply one full coat of Wood Primer & Undercoat in the correct colour tone for your topcoat.
• Allow a minimum of four hours drying time between coats.

For previously painted interior wood surfaces:

• Sand back areas of paint that have peeled or blistered, to achieve a good ‘key’.
• Apply one full coat of Wood Primer & Undercoat in the correct colour tone for your topcoat.
• Allow a minimum of four hours drying time between coats.

Paint application

1. When using more than one tin of the same colour, check that the batch numbers are the same (see the base of the tin). If not, mix the tins together before use
2. Stir paint thoroughly before use.
3. Apply two coats using a brush or roller. To achieve an even finish, make sure you lay off in one direction for the final coat.
4. Estate Eggshell, Modern Eggshell, Full Gloss and Dead Flat® are dry in two hours and can be recoated in four hours.
5. Clean brushes and rollers with warm soapy water.

Interior Metal

Your toughest materials and our toughest finishes go hand in hand – check out the metal painting guide to see how.

The following guidelines apply to Estate Eggshell, Modern Eggshell, Full Gloss and Dead Flat®, suitable for interior metal including radiators.

Surface Preparation

Ensure the interior metal surface is sound, clean, dry and free from dirt, grease and any other contamination.

For ferrous and non-ferrous metal surfaces:

• New and previously painted metal surfaces should be thoroughly degreased.
• Remove any rust or weak paint back to bare metal.
• Apply two coats of Metal Primer & Undercoat in the correct colour tone for your topcoat.
• Allow a minimum of four hours drying time between coats.

For galvanised metal surfaces (metal that has been previously coated to prevent rusting):

• New and previously painted metal surfaces should be thoroughly degreased.
• Remove any rust or weak paint back to bare metal.
• Treat with Etch Primer or Mordant Solution, taking care to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Apply two coats of Metal Primer & Undercoat in the correct colour tone for your topcoat.
• Allow a minimum of four hours drying time between coats.

Paint Application

1. When using more than one tin of the same colour, check that the batch numbers are the same (see the base of the tin). If not, mix the tins together before use.
2. Stir paint thoroughly before use.
3. Apply two coats using a brush or roller. To achieve an even finish, make sure you lay off in one direction for the final coat.
4. Estate Eggshell, Modern Eggshell, Full Gloss and Dead Flat® are dry in two hours and can be recoated in four hours.
5. Clean brushes and rollers with warm soapy water.

Interior Floors

Open up a whole world of possibilities with robust Modern Eggshell and Farrow & Ball's guide to painting tiles, boards, and more.

The following guidelines apply to Modern Eggshell, suitable for interior wood or concrete floors.

Surface Preparation

Ensure the interior floor surface is sound, clean, dry and free from dirt, grease and any other contamination.

For wood floors, sand back sharp edges and any raised grain.

For bare wood floors:

• Fill any open joins and cracks with a dedicated non-flexible wood filler.
• Ensure the floor is thoroughly clean using an appropriate floor cleaner.
• Sand to a smooth finish, vacuum, and wipe down with a damp cloth.
• Where required, use Wood Primer & Undercoat to patch prime knotty or resinous woods.
• Apply one full coat of Wood Primer & Undercoat in the correct colour tone for your topcoat to seal.
• Allow a minimum of four hours drying time between coats.

For painted wood floors:

• Areas of old paint that have peeled or blistered need to be removed as per the instructions for bare wood floors.
• For the best finish and longest life, as much of the previous paint as possible should be removed.
• Ensure the floor is thoroughly clean using an appropriate floor cleaner.
• Where required, use Wood Primer & Undercoat to patch prime knotty or resinous woods.
• Apply one full coat of Wood Primer & Undercoat in the correct colour tone for your topcoat to seal.
• Allow a minimum of four hours drying time between coats.

For varnished floors:

• We recommend testing an area first if painting over existing varnish.
• Areas of varnish that have peeled or blistered need to be removed.
• For the best finish and longest service life, remove all the existing varnish by sanding back to bare wood
• Ensure the floor is thoroughly clean using an appropriate floor cleaner.
• Where required, use Wood Primer & Undercoat to patch prime knotty or resinous woods.
• Apply one full coat of Wood Primer & Undercoat in the correct colour tone for your topcoat to seal.
• Allow a minimum of four hours drying time between coats.

For waxed or polished floors:

• These may not accept Modern Eggshell. Contact Farrow & Ball Customer Services for more guidance.

For new concrete floors:

• These should be left for at least three months before painting.
• Repair and fill any unsound concrete surfaces, allowing adequate time for the filler to cure, before applying one coat of Masonry & Plaster Stabilising Primer.

For painted concrete floors:

• Remove any surface debris and clean.
• Rub down any areas that have peeled or blistered to achieve a good ‘key’.
• Apply Masonry & Plaster Stabilising Primer to areas of exposed concrete.

For heated floors:

• Prior to application, the heating must be switched off for 48 hours to allow the surface area to cool down.
• Once surface has been painted, allow a further 48 hours before the heating is switched back on.

Paint application

1. When using more than one tin of the same colour, check that the batch numbers are the same (see the base of the tin). If not, mix the tins together before use.
2. Stir paint thoroughly before use.
3. Apply two coats using a brush or roller. A third coat may be necessary depending on the colour of the topcoat and the original surface colour. To achieve an even finish, make sure you lay off in one direction for the final coat.
4. Modern Eggshell is touch dry in two hours and can be recoated in four hours.
5. Allow 24 hours for normal use and 14 days before placing or moving heavy items (such as furniture or vehicles) on to the surface.
6. Clean brushes and rollers with warm soapy water.