Farrow & Ball expertise requested..

[FolyHuck]

Have bought F&B Estate Emulsion for the first time-have colour matched before. It was reduced -couldn't resist. Bought Green Smoke -this will cover a previously painted wall in a lighter shade. Also bought Purbeck Stone-this will go on a lighter shaded wall, but is a light grey. Green Smoke is v dark.
Do I really need to F&B undercoats?
Has anyone used the Estate Emulsion on woodwork? I'd love to do the colour drenching thing. Dead Flat finish would be my ideal, but not sold by B&Q (& it's v expensive...).
Thanks!

I have never used the undercoat when using estate emulsion on walls. It's not always necessary. May need to if you are trying to significantly lighten.

Estate emulsion is not particularly hard wearing. The dead flat is.

I would not use Estate emulsion on woodwork, you'll never be able to clean scuff marks off, and it probably will wipe off and scrape off.

I have used all of their paints for years and miss the dead flat oil, it was brilliant. The new dead flat is easy to use, much easier to work with than the eggshell and gives a better finish. That said I have spent over £250 on dead flat for the hall. It needs several coats. I find the Estate emulsion very pigmented in comparison and requires a lot less work. But to colour drench the hall the dead flat is practical.

I have had better results using their undercoat, but it’s marginal. I think if you’ve been happy with colour matched before, you should be fine with an alternative undercoat and a couple of coats of F&B on top. Do undercoat though - otherwise you might find yourself in for a multi-coat nightmare.

Looks like they've stopped making estate emulsion and have moved to dead flat. I'd use a colour matched paint as your undercoat, you might still need 2 coats of the F&B, it's very thin. The estate emulsion is gorgeous and powdery though, but I prefer Little Greene paint overall.

Have painted Estate Emulsion directly on painted walls and it’s gone on without any issue.

Have not tried using it on woodwork. If you’re anywhere near B&Q Greenwich they’ve got 750ml Purbeck Stone Modern Eggshell on clearance!

I never use undercoat. You can still get estate emulsion.