When it comes to selecting a suitable type of paint for homes, many people get confused. While scores of options are available, Distemper is a cost-effective paint to apply for protecting and beautifying walls. The paint can directly be used on a cemented surface without requiring a primer coating and yet last for many years. There are three types of Distemper paints in the market – Acrylic, Synthetic, and UNO Acrylic, each of which offers unique propositions. Read on to know more:
What is Distemper paint?
Distemper paint witnessed persistent use from the ancient Egyptian era until the 19th century. With the emergence of more durable oil as well as latex-based painting solutions, the application of Distemper paint has been reduced significantly. However, Distemper paint is an ideal painting solution for low-budget projects. Comparatively cheaper than its counterparts such as Emulsion paint, it can stay on the wall for four to five years. Also, it can be applied directly on a plastered wall. Unlike other paints, Distemper paint is available in powder form and is sometimes mistaken as a whitewash.
What are some key features of Distemper paint?
How can homeowners distinguish between a distemper colour and emulsion? Here are some key features to remember when shopping for the best distemper paint.
- Unlike glossy, reflective emulsion paints, distemper usually comes in a soft, matte texture, giving your interiors a graceful and elegant look.
- Distemper paint is known for its breathable nature. That means this paint will not trap moisture or vapour, resulting in less peeling and flaking. However, if you’re looking for a waterproof paint, distemper may not be the best option for you.
- Distemper paints are considered eco-friendlier than oil-based paints since they contain less toxic VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds).
- If you’re wall has minor indents, scratches, and bumps, distemper paint can smoothen out these imperfections with its high opacity and coverage.
- Moreover, distemper paint is super low maintenance. Simple dusting is enough to keep your walls clean, which makes distemper paint perfect for busy spaces like kitchens, hallways and drawing rooms.
- Lastly, distemper paint is as versatile as it gets. From bricks to concrete, wood, and POP (Plaster of Paris), distemper paint is a viable option for all surfaces.
What are the different types of distemper paint?
Generally, there are three broad types of distemper paint that are commonly used for home interiors and exteriors. They are as follows-
Acrylic distemper paint
Acrylic distemper colours are considered the best type for homes. These are water-based and come with over 1000 shade options. Acrylic distemper paint is durable, smooth, and fast-drying, making acrylic distemper an ideal choice for home exteriors.
Synthetic distemper paint
Synthetic distemper paint is also water-based and comes with a thin and uniform matte film to give home interiors an elegant look. Synthetic distemper ages like a fine wine, which means it gets harder over time, giving durability to your walls. The best part with this type of paint is that it can easily be wiped and cleaned using normal water.
UNO Acrylic distemper paint
If you’re looking for the best distemper paint at a pocket-friendly range, UNO acrylic distemper colour will be one of the best choices for your home interiors. Once again, water-based UNO acrylic comes with a smooth and matte finish and the shades retain their brightness over the years. UNO acrylic is also stain-resistant to some extent and can be easily cleaned using water.
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Pros and cons of using Distemper paint
Distemper is the most commonly used paint in India due to several reasons. However, the paint has several cons that a customer should be aware of before investing in it. Let us see the pros and cons of Distemper:
| Pros of Distemper paint | Cons of Distemper paint |
|---|---|
| It is economical compared to other variants. | The quality of the Distemper is not at par with other paint variants. |
| It can be used to paint both the interior and exterior walls. | Distemper cannot be used without thinner or it can lead to unnecessary coagulation. |
| After painting the surface with Distemper, one can get a pleasing matt and smooth finish. | It can chip off if an external force is used to scrape it. Also, wetness can lead to the wearing off of the paint easily. |
| The life of a Distemper painted surface is usually four to five years and it does not fall off by itself easily. | Distemper is not waterproof and hence can wash off easily. |
| The paint is resistant to cracking up during exposure to sunlight. | It is not stain-resistant. If the surface is stained, it cannot be removed leading to chipping off of the paint. |
| No prior coating of primer is required before painting the surface with Distemper. | Distemper paint fades away from the surface sooner than other paint variant. |
Distemper paint price
There are numerous variants of Distemper to cater to the needs of everyone. Here is the list of the paints along with their price:
| Paints | Rs/Litre |
|---|---|
| Dirt-resistant Distemper | 86 |
| Algae-resistant Distemper | 65 |
| Weatherproof Distemper | 40 |
| Washable Distemper | 64 |
| Matt finish Distemper | 86 |
| Water-based Distemper | 150 |
| High sheen finish Distemper | 350 |
| Anti-fade Distemper | 86 |
| Super adhesion Distemper | 255 |
Best Distemper paint brands with prices
Know the price per ltr of Distemper brand offered by different companies:
| Brand name | Price per ltr |
|---|---|
| Asian Paint Tractor | Rs 900 |
| Dulux | Rs 1000-1900 |
| Berger | Rs 880-1250 |
| Nerolac | Rs 1030 |
| Shalimar | Rs 1400 |
| Indigo Paints | Rs 1300-1500 |
| British Paints | Rs 1590 |
Disclaimer: Paint prices may be subjective based on brand, quality, and availability. For more accurate pricing details, please contact your local painter.
How is Distemper paint applied?
Applying Distemper over the surface of house walls is very simple. Know the complete process to apply it with some expert-suggested tips and tricks:
Prep up the surface
Prep up the surface by removing the uneven texture, dirt, and dust. You can go for sandpaper to even out the uneven surface. For removing dirt, dust, or mortar, you can also use a putty brush. Try to fix the holes or chipped-off surfaces as per the need.
Wall putty
Use a putty blade, or spatula to apply putty on the surface in the button to the top direction. Once it dries off, rub the surface with sandpaper to smoothen out hard edges. Go for the second coating ensuring that the minimum thickness of the coat is not more than 1.55 mm. Leave it to dry for the next eight to 12 hours.
Primer coat
Use a good quality roller brush to apply a uniform coating of primer on the surface. This process helps in smoothening the surface of the wall. It also helps in providing a good bond between the Distemper and the surface, besides increasing the life of the paint. Leave this to dry for eight to 12 hours.
Apply Distemper
The last step is applying a Distemper to the walls. Read the manual and use the dilution ratio to dilute Distemper with thinner before application. Paint the surface beginning from the top and then leave it for the next 12 to 16 hours for drying. Ensure that the surface does not comes in contact with dirt or dust.
Key takeaways
- Distemper is the affordable solution to pain interior and exterior walls
- The price of the Distemper paint starts from Rs 82 per ltr and can go up to Rs 350 per ltr
- It offers a smooth finish to the surface, dries off very easily, and is resistant to sunlight
- With time, the paint fades on it more quickly than any other kind of painting solution
