FAQS
Here you’ll find a compilation of the most frequently asked questions. If there’s something you want to know which isn’t here, please do just drop us an email at hello@coatpaints.com!
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Delivery
We aim to dispatch all orders placed before 2pm on the same day, 7 days a week. Make sure you check out the delivery options available at checkout as we offer both standard 2-3 working day delivery and premium next working day or weekend delivery options.
You can find this information at checkout.
Standard 2-3 working day delivery is available for free on paint orders over £100. Faster shipping is also avilable at checkout.
Sorry about that! Once your order has been marked as dispatched by us, Amazon Shipping (for colour charts and samples) and DPD (for paint & supplies) pick things up.
If your tracking number isn’t updating or working for you, please let us know as soon as you can at hello@coatpaints.com and we’ll get things sorted out.
You can change your order details within 30 minutes of ordering. Please email us at hello@coatpaints.com and we'll do our best to help
We deliver to the UK.
Nope.
Product
Coverage is approximately 10m2 per litre (so 25m2 for a 2.5L tin) Touch dry in 1 hour, recoatable after 2-4 hours. You may need to allow a tad longer in cool or damp conditions. Do not apply at temperatures below 5°C, that’s a bit chilly.
Usually not. COAT paint is considered self-priming and has excellent coverage, so it will easily tackle regular walls and trim in two coats. We do sell a water-based primer for UPVC, bare metal or unstable and glossy surfaces though - where the paint just needs that stable surface to adhere properly. And if you’re painting brand new plaster or unpainted trim, you'll need to apply a mist coat first - slightly watered down emulsion - before finishing with your COAT colour.
If you’ve ever found yourself down the paint aisles in a DIY shop completely losing the will, looking at thousands of tiny colour chips, we hear you. Less is more. We make it our job to curate the perfect range of 91 colours for all your interior projects - to spare you the hard work. Our colours have personality and only make the palette if we would paint it and be proud of the finish in our own homes.
Love COAT but can’t find the right colour? We get it - sometimes something else just catches our eye. The great news is our COAT database holds thousands of colour recipes, so we can match almost all premium paint colours with 95% accuracy in our own luxury eco formulation. Just head to our Custom Colour page, click add to basket, and enter the brand/ name/ colour ref in the Order Notes box. We’re very confident our custom colours will match with at least 95% accuracy - but if we really don’t think we can achieve this, we’ll let you know via email. There are naturally a few colours we can't do, but we'll always let you know.
Most of them, yeah. There are a few nuances which mean we can't get there every time - but in 99% of cases we can, and we'll always let you know if there's a good reason why not.
Yuhuh, you can grab 250ml tester pots in our custom colours, just head to our colour match page for more information.
If you've ordered 'off rack' with a custom colour or colour match, we don't print any other brand or colour name on the label because it's COAT inside the tin. If you're unsure about the label, just drop our friendly support team a message on hello@coatpaints.com to check.
Some of us are experts, and some of us are just home renovators with a passion for colour! We appreciate good design (home, fashion, products…) and like nice spaces, but we’re not going to rock up on Changing Rooms. We decorated every home we’ve lived in, and struggled through ridiculous product ranges looking for the right shades. We wanted to help people find their own style, from a range that’s effortlessly cool.
We don't offer virtual or in-house colour consultations but all our team are trained in colour so are always happy to support over e-mail, livechat or the phone. Just hit contact us and we'll be more than happy to help create your next scheme
That horrible wall of 1-inch colour chips in the local DIY store... it’s enough to turn anyone off. Often those cards aren’t even painted, they’re just printed representations of colour. Nobody can make a good decision for their room from one of those tiny chips.
COAT peel-and-stick samples are big, movable, and 100% accurate. They’re actually painted with two coats of COAT flat matt paint. Move them around the room, view in different lights, and get the best impression of your new COAT. Cheaper, simpler, and far less wasteful.
We had a lot of fun, to be fair. We were inspired by how colours made us feel. 2AM is like the end of a night out when you’re drunk-staring into space. My Island is an Ibizan sunset and bygone good times. And “Are you still watching?” is that awakening Netflix message when you’ve been glued to the sofa for about 5 hours. There’s a story behind them all. Ask us if you’re curious!
We believe in doing things differently, making honest decisions we can stand by. We’ve partnered with Carbon Jacked and had our business operations analysed to calculate our carbon footprint. We’re proud to say we offset our unavoidable CO2 emissions through projects verified by the Gold Standard for the Global Goals, the highest standard for carbon offsetting projects. Not only does this mean we’re carbon neutral as a company, but it means we also support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. By buying from us, you too are supporting these great causes.
We also partner with local charities to support them wherever possible. Look out for our collaborations or get in touch if you know of a good cause you think we could help out. Together we can do things better.
Carbon Jacked is an environmental startup that combats climate change through carbon offsetting and education. They only partner with projects verified under the Gold Standard for the Global Goals, which is the leading international standard for carbon offsetting projects and guarantees that projects actually offset the amount of CO2 they claim to. You can find out more about Carbon Jacked and how you can make a positive impact here.
Our paint cans are made from tinplate, steel which is coated in a thin layer of tin. The great thing about tinplate is that it's infinitely recyclable. You can recycle empty tins at your local Household Waste Centre. Or you can send the whole lot back to us and we’ll recycle the tin and leftover paint for you. See how do I dispose of extra paint?
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are gases emitted from certain solids or liquids that have a negative affect on our indoor air quality. They come from the chemicals in paint, which are a necessary part of the recipe to preserve and stabilise the paint.
Happily COAT paints are all low-VOC, which means they have as little as is technically feasible for a paint product. This means the air quality in your room isn’t impacted, so you can get straight back into your space after giving it a COAT.
We make our paints using high-calibre raw materials. That means quality pigments, lots of good resin, and high-grade titanium dioxide. That’s what makes a good paint. There’s no rubbish or fillers that give you a tin of dishwater, or a lump of custard.
COAT only uses Grade-A ingredients, with as many sourced from the UK as possible. That means you get great coverage (fewer coats), velvet-smooth application, rich colour, and a finish that lasts - even if you need to clean it.
Obviously COAT isn’t tested on animals, and it’s Vegan too. Email us at hello@coatpaints.com if you’d like more details.
COAT paints are all low odour and low VOC (see What’s VOC?), meeting stringent standards for air quality. We even call this out on the back of the can. They’re great for every room, including nurseries and children’s rooms. All COAT paints are certified child safe (toy safety EN71-3).
Yes. Our paints have no animal derived products in them. Neither we nor any of our suppliers perform animal testing, as it should be. Pop us an email at hello@coatpaints.com if you need any more details.
Our popular Flat Matt paint has a rich chalky finish that’s easy to clean and long-lasting. It’s good for pretty much any interior wall or ceiling surface. It’s the most matt finish we do, and has a really premium look as well as being super hardy and easy to clean.
Soft Sheen is perfect for Kitchens and Bathrooms. With a slight sheen, it’s great for reflecting more light into spaces and it does well in humid rooms. It’s mould resistant, and easily wipeable too.
Eggshell is the one for woodwork and trim, as well as exteriors. One up from matt, this popular trim paint looks great and stands up to years of knocks and scuffs. It was made for the tough life in doorways, on skirting and upcycling furniture so it’s stain resistant and easy to clean. Our Exterior Eggshell is weather resistent and super durable too.
Lots of people have a bit of spare paint at the end of a project. You might want a bit for touch-ups in the future. But there are a few other options for getting rid of spare paint:
1. Send it back to COAT. Don't leave it gathering dust under the stairs, return it to COAT and we'll recycle the paint, tin and packaging. Pop it back in the original packaging and email us to arrange: hello@coatpaints.com. We're trying to make things circular, and more sustainable. There is a £15 charge for this service which includes collection from any UK location and 100% recycle. At this point we can only accept COAT paint.
2. Share it. See who in your network might want to spice up a wall or paint some furniture. Drop a note out on social and see if anyone is keen.
3. Pass it on. Community Repaint is an organisation that distributes leftover paint to worthy causes in local communities. They have drop-off points where it's easy to leave your spare paint and help out others who might need it: https://communityrepaint.org.uk/i-have-leftover-paint/
4. Recycle it. Your local Household Recycling Centre may accept leftover paint. Check the website of those around you to be sure: https://www.recyclenow.com/local-recycling
If stored properly your COAT paint should keep for about a year after opening. A few things like temperature, air exposure, and how much paint is in the tin could affect that though. Make sure you store the tin in a cool, dry place.
Check out our supply kits. They provide everything you need to create a masterpiece. What’s key is that you use a good quality brush or roller to make the most of a good quality paint - otherwise it’s wasted.
Why not? We’ve saved you the time agonising over colour, product and trips to the shop - so give it a go. Our paint is formulated to be easy to apply and work with, so you should find it a dream to use. Professional decorators often cost upwards of 4-times the cost of the paint and supplies. With COAT, you can transform multiple rooms for less than the cost of a big night out. With the right high quality paint and supplies and a few pro tips along the way, you can confidently transform your home in no time. Take pride in your new COAT, a job well done.
Yep absolutely. Check out our Exterior range and grab your outdoor COAT.
Not really. Exterior paint is formulated specifically to handle harsher conditions such as changing temperatures, frost and direct sunlight, but won’t look great on your bedroom wall. COAT interior paint is best used inside!
Orders & Returns
If you’re dying to get hold of your paint, check your inbox for update emails, log in to your account via coatpaints.com, or just drop us a note to hello@coatpaints.com. You’ll get information directly from the courier too - in most cases DPD.
Of course. You can cancel your order for free within the 30 minutes of placing it. Just drop us a message on live chat within working hours or e-mail us at hello@coatpaints.com We get to work producing your order pretty quickly, so if it’s already been processed and the team can’t change or amend it then you’ll need to return the item once it’s arrived for a refund.
You can create a return within 30 days of ordering via our online returns portal. If you're in the UK, take a read of the terms below and go here: coatpaints.com/a/returns.
You’ll need to return products unopened and in their original packaging. Our couriers won’t accept paint that isn’t in the original boxes and fitments - it’s a condition of safe carriage (or they can end up a right mess, as you can probably imagine). Sorry but we can't accept returns and refund items that arrive back with us in a damaged/un-saleable state.
Unfortunately we can’t use returned paint or supplies that have been opened - they might be contaminated with dust or bits of dirt. We can’t accept samples that have been peeled from their backing or in any way altered either.
We won’t be able to accept returns of custom orders - that means anything that is not sold on our website for general sale at the time of purchase e.g. custom colours or colour matches.
If you want to request a return and you’re located outside of the UK please contact us on hello@coatpaints.com with your order number and we’ll be happy to help.
If you’re in the UK, to start a return just go here: www.coatpaints.com/a/returns You’ll need your e-mail address that you placed the order with and your Order number. This can be found on any order confirmation e-mail and it starts #COAT.
The Brief
- Grab a mate, stick the kettle on and pick your COAT playlist.
- Give the room a quick hoover then drop some old sheets, covering the floor and any furniture.
- Remove any old flaking paint from the surface and repair any damage with wall filler.
- Give the surface a quick clean with a damp cloth and check that it's dry.
- If you're painting a glossy (shiny) or heavily painted surface, give it a sand before painting (180 grit, check the back of the sandpaper), then clean again.
- On new plaster you should paint a sealer coat first, by adding 10% water to your COAT paint. This makes the plaster less absorbent and helps the topcoat stick.
- COAT paint is self-priming, so you don’t usually need primer, unless you’re painting bare wood or metal.
- Tape any areas where you want clean lines. Start in the corner, overlap edges of each section of tape and make sure it’s sealed to the wall. Don’t tape the ceiling.
- Give your COAT paint a good stir before you start.
- Use generously for the best depth and coverage, don't be shy.
- Start with the ceiling. Let this dry, then move on to the walls, finishing with the trim (skirting boards, door frames).
- For Walls - edge first using your 2 inch brush. Get eye level and work out from the corner in smooth strokes (hold your brush like a pencil). Now roller, load the paint in the tray and roll excess first before applying to the wall. Start from the top and work down in columns.
- For Woodwork - Use the brush for detail and the mini-roller for larger smooth surfaces and follow the wood grain.
- Avoid too much rolling or brushing, and use clean smooth movements.
- Don't apply in very damp or humid conditions or if the room is below 10°C.
- You'll usually need 2 coats of paint, but you could need more on new or darker coloured surfaces.
Touch dry in 1-2 hours
Recoat in 2-4 hours
Coverage up to 10m2/L
- Remove as much paint as possible from brushes and rollers before cleaning them with warm soapy water. Ideally use a bucket or basin to minimise water usage.
- Remove any decorating tape before the paint dries, this will ensure you get a nice sharp line and it doesn’t peel the paint.
- Store your COAT paint and supplies in a cool dry place so they’re ready for your next project.
- Don’t let any leftover paint fester and spoil, check out our ideas for passing it on or recycling.
We will keep your personal data for the period necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by applicable law.
Newbie Tips
Be confident, we’ve formulated COAT paints to be as easy to use and apply as possible. Follow these tips to avoid the pitfalls of a first time painter.
No.1 plea. Don’t settle for a £1 plastic brush or a cheap roller, it will make your life a lot harder and you won’t get the best finish. Plus it won’t help the planet either. COAT kits are high-quality, sustainable and made specifically for use with COAT paint.
For the smoothest possible finish avoid too much brushwork or over rollering. For woodwork, load the brush and quickly cover an area with paint. Then use a stroke or two to smooth it. Brushing over the same area, especially after the paint has started to dry, will cause brush marks and ridges. When rollering, load the roller and work from top to bottom with confident rolls, don’t keep going over the same area.
When you paint the edges (creating a border, also known as ‘cutting in’), work in 2m sections then roller the middle. Do one wall at a time so the paint dries evenly and you don’t get overlap marks.
If you try to paint too close to the floor or right up to the ceiling your roller could touch it. Particularly annoying on the floor as it’s likely to pick up dirt and need a clean up. Do the edges first and give yourself a decent border to blend in the roller without it getting too close to the floor or ceiling.
When it’s dim, the painted surface may look fine at first, but with brighter light you’ll likely see thin patches and other imperfections.
It’s all about being eye level, give your tip toes a break and grab a suitable step or ladder. Likewise make sure you get down to paint edges and skirting, you’ll find that by being as close to eye level as possible with the area your painting will really improve your finish.
For a super smooth finish on woodwork, such as skirting, cabinets and doors etc, check out our mini roller. It’s available in our large supplies kit and will help you get a really smooth finish on the bigger areas.