While some paints can leave a strong odour for a lengthy period of time, you won’t get that problem with Brilliant White The Dulux Once Gloss gets our vote when it comes to one coat perfection! It’s easy to apply, has high durability and is easy to wash.

Ensure that wood to be painted is clean, dry and free from dust, dirt and any other surface contaminants. The best things about Ronseal One Coat is that it’s scratch and scuff resistant, heat resistant and most importantly stays white! There’s a decent choice of colours (nine, including magnolia and the white we’re testing here), but no finishes are available other than gloss. This paint isn’t marketed as brilliant white, though users seem quite satisfied with its hue. Finally, if you have a period home and want to keep your skirting boards looking like natural wood, you can go for a wood-stain paint and have the dado and picture rails to match. Oil or water-based paint? Last but not least, you want a foam roller for the larger flat areas. These help you apply an even layer of gloss in less time, thus achieving a better finish. Any foam roller will do, but the Rota Concave stands out as the best, simply because their shape means you avoid tram lines. Available online here.

Whilst the Dulux Weather Shield is pricier than almost all other brands, it’s worth the price if you can afford it in our opinion. We’ve used this gloss many times and it’s the undisputed best when it comes to longevity. There is another little frustration to tell you about, Dulux Trade gloss can “creep”. So say you do your walls, then cut a lovely straight line down a doorframe with your Dulux Trade gloss. Some gloss may ‘creep’ a few millimeters from your doorframe onto your wall. This means your lovely straight line is no longer lovely and straight. You will need to then touch your emulsion up again. This is the main product on the list. Dulux Trade oil-based gloss leaves a very bright glossy finish which can stay white for years. The most popular colour being “brilliant white”, however you can get in tinted into any from Dulux’s vast range. You should always use the proper system, so bare timber should be primed using Dulux Trade acrylic primer, followed by at least one coat of Dulux Trade undercoat, then your gloss. Previously painted surfaces should have a full coat of undercoat, followed by a coat of gloss. This is for adhesion, longevity, and durability more than anything. You will need a good dust brush when applying oil-based gloss, simply because every little grain of dust will show a mile off. Any dust brush is fine. Available online here. Don’t press too hard because you want the brush fibres to remain as close together as possible as this prevents brush marks

Johnstone’s get a rating of 5/5 for durability whilst scoring highly when it comes to ease of use and how easy it is to clean which is essential with British weather!Although we’ve linked to tins of varying sizes, it’s important to note that gloss paint often comes in diverse quantities. While Rustins remove the tyranny of choice by only selling their paint in 250ml tins, Dulux customers can choose from 30ml tester pots, five-litre tubs, and everything in between.

Traditionalists regard oil-based paint as more durable (and therefore better) but it usually takes longer to dry and has a stronger smell, which takes longer to dissipate. Another bonus is it keeps its shine well. After use, brushes need to be cleaned with a spirit-based product, so that’s something else to keep in mind. Dulux says their range is suitable for internal and external wood and metal. Indeed, the only real downside we can find is it’s not the cheapest product on test — though it still undercuts the 250ml Rustins once you start buying in bulk. Pros To understand why gloss paint goes yellow, it’s important to first understand the two types of gloss paint available within the UK. Gloss paint, sold in either oil-based or water-based formulas – with oil-based gloss paint the most popular choice among homeowners. Compared to the wealth of choice provided by Dulux, Johnstone’s range of non-drip gloss paint looks somewhat underwhelming. There are only four colours, though pure brilliant white is available (unlike the Rustins range, branded as ‘white’). Even with a specific roller for gloss, you’ll want to lay it off with a good gloss brush once you’re done just to make sure you get that nice, smooth finish. How do you get a smooth finish with gloss paint?Get Prices for a Professional Decorator Near You Best Gloss Paint Overall: Leyland Trade High Gloss, Brilliant White