No more Dulux mixing at B&Q?

[HamAndPlaques]

Went to B&Q today for paint to freshen up our living room in the same colour as before, a Dulux shade which is only available as a mix. The Dulux mixing service had gone, and been replaced by a Valspar mixing service instead. We left empty-handed and will need to make a trip across town to Homebase tomorrow, which is a pain.

I hadn't heard of Valspar but having googled them it loos like they are American. Has anyone used their paint? Is this a national change for B&Q, does anyone know?

I've just done a lot of decorating (3 rooms) with Valspar. Really like it, goes on well, good coverage, good finish good colour. They'll colour match Dulux colours. I don't know how widespread b&q's move away fromDulux mixing is, but I've seen Valspar in 3 branches across S/E/W Yorkshire. I wouldn't worry, embrace Valspar ! I believe they are a very well established US brand.

Valspar was very well known in England years ago, Its been getting some very good reviews on here recently.

Yes a national change as we have it here in the depths of Northern Ireland. I have just got some tester pots for DD's bedroom. Was really pleased with the range of colours on offer and the paint options seem better too. Have yet to try it out though!

If you actually want dulux, you could always go to a dulux decorator centre. They're all over the place.

My friend works for b&q and raves about the valspar in everyday conversation we lead really interesting lives

Apparently it's MUCH better than the dulux, but as I am tight always get what's on offer, I don't have first hand experience.

They should still be able to make the same mix (wouldn't you have got a receipt with the mix ratio on)?

Dulux paint mix you are only given the code for the colour, not the recipe and its meaningless for other brands

Complete change for b&q, homebase are currently reaping the benefits but there are fewer homebase stores and they are also closing stores so its either find a Dulux decorator centre or change brand

The colour match thing is a bit of a con anyway -the scanners don't actually match the colour, they pick the nearest colour in the database

Have a look at encycolorpedia.com type in your favourite dulux colour and it'll give you the equivalent valspar one.

Interesting stuff, thanks everyone.

We have a trade place nearby which mixes dulux but it isn't open at weekends. I'll go there tomorrow for the living room stuff but I will have a look at Valspar when we next redecorate!

I wanted Dulux Timeless colour in a Valspar base. B&Q lady found it on a massive list of Dulux, Laura Ashley , many other brands etc colours in the Valspar mix computer. It's just the colour I expected.