FAQs

For cars and vans, the paint code is usually on a sticker or plate in the driver's door frame, under the bonnet, in the boot or spare-wheel well, or in the service book. It may be labelled "Paint", "Colour", "Lack" or "EXT". For trucks and plant, check the chassis plate or the manufacturer's paint specification. For RAL, BS, NCS and Pantone colours, use the reference from your specification or colour chart (for example RAL 7016 or BS 381C 101).

If you can't find it, contact us with the make, model and year (or registration) and we'll help.

Our paints are supplied for industrial and professional use. All prices are trade prices and you don't need an account to order.

Yes. All prices include VAT, and every order comes with a VAT invoice.

Yes. Every tin and aerosol is mixed to order in the UK from the paint code you choose, using the manufacturer's original colour formula.

We mix to the original factory formula. However, many colours have several factory variants, and paint fades with age and weather. We always recommend spraying a test card first and comparing it in daylight before painting the whole job. Blending into the adjacent panels gives the most invisible repair.

Tins come in 1L, 2.5L and 5L. Most colours are also available as 400ml aerosols. The aerosols are ready to use, so they are ideal for touch-ups and small repairs.

Yes for tins: they are supplied as the colour only, so add the matching hardener and/or thinner to your basket. Each product page lists exactly what you need. Aerosols are ready to use and need nothing extra.

1K (one-pack) paint is ready to use once thinned. It dries as the solvent evaporates, so there's no hardener to mix and no pot life to worry about. Our 1K UPVC & DTM Paint is ideal for UPVC, galvanised steel and aluminium where you want a quick, simple satin / semi-gloss finish.

2K (two-pack) paint is mixed with a hardener that chemically cures the paint. That gives a harder, more chemical- and scratch-resistant finish, so it's the choice for vehicles, machinery and heavy-wear surfaces (our 2K Direct Gloss and 2K Direct To Metal). 2K products contain isocyanates and need proper spray protection.

• Basecoat – the colour layer for modern car refinishing. It dries matt and must be finished with a 2K clearcoat for gloss and protection.
• 2K Direct Gloss – a single-stage topcoat that dries to a high gloss without a clearcoat. Popular for solid colours, commercials and classics.
• 2K Direct To Metal – a tough two-pack coating that goes straight onto prepared steel and industrial surfaces, for chassis, machinery, trailers and plant.
• 1K UPVC & DTM Paint (Satin / Semi-Gloss) – a one-pack paint for UPVC windows, doors, fascias and cladding, galvanised steel and aluminium.

Yes. Use our 1K UPVC & DTM Paint. Clean thoroughly with a plastics cleaner, lightly abrade, then apply two coats. It bonds directly to UPVC and other construction plastics, so no primer is needed.

Yes. Our 1K UPVC & DTM Paint bonds directly to galvanised steel and aluminium. For the toughest finish on steel, machinery or vehicles, use 2K Direct To Metal. Always degrease and abrade the surface first.

As a guide, 1L of 1K UPVC & DTM Paint covers about 5–6 m² per coat. Coverage depends on the product, colour, surface and spray method. Most jobs need two coats, and lighter or brighter colours (yellows, reds, oranges) may need more. If you're unsure, ask us and we'll suggest a quantity.

It dries to a smart finish between satin and semi-gloss, the classic look for UPVC windows, doors and metalwork. Thin it with ESS Thinner at 30–35%. No hardener is needed.

2K products contain isocyanates and are intended for professional use. They must only be sprayed with suitable respiratory protection (air-fed equipment is recommended) and good ventilation. If you don't have this equipment, choose our 1K paints or aerosols, and always follow the Safety Data Sheet.

Every product page has a link to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and Technical Data Sheet (TDS) for each paint type. These cover mixing ratios, drying times, application and safe handling. Please read them before use.

Keep tins tightly closed, upright, in a cool, dry place away from heat and frost (processing temperature +5°C to +40°C). Unopened 1K UPVC & DTM Paint has a shelf life of 2 years. Mixed 2K paint must be used within its pot life and can't be stored.

We deliver across the UK by DHL next-day delivery. Delivery is £9.60 including VAT for the first parcel (up to 22kg). Larger orders are sent in extra parcels at £8 including VAT each. Paint is classed as dangerous goods for transport, so we deliver by road within the UK only. Unfortunately we can't currently deliver to the Scottish Highlands and Islands, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Wight, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands. If you're in one of these areas, please contact us before ordering and we'll see what we can arrange.

Orders placed before 2pm Monday to Friday are mixed and dispatched the same day wherever possible, and every order is dispatched within 24 hours (excluding weekends and UK public holidays). DHL then delivers the next working day.

Every colour is mixed to order to the code you choose, so we can't accept returns or cancellations once your paint has been mixed. This includes orders placed with the wrong paint code or colour. Please check your code carefully, and ask us if you're unsure.

Colour match: we mix every order accurately to the manufacturer's formula for the code supplied. Original paintwork can differ from the factory formula because of production variants, fading, weathering and previous repairs, so a difference from your existing paintwork is not a fault when the paint has been mixed correctly to the code ordered. That's why we always recommend spraying a test card and comparing it in daylight before painting. Blending into adjacent panels gives the best result.

Damaged or incorrect items: please check your delivery as soon as it arrives and tell us within 48 hours if anything is damaged, leaking or not what you ordered, ideally with photos. That way we can claim from the courier and send a replacement quickly. If a product is faulty, your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 still apply, including the right to reject faulty goods within 30 days. Nothing here affects your statutory rights. See our refund policy for full details.

All our prices are already trade prices. For larger or regular orders, get in touch and we'll be happy to discuss bulk pricing.

Yes. We can mix many more codes than we list online, and we can colour-match from a sample you send in. Contact us with the code or details of your sample.