Johnstone's Trade Reviews 

bought manhattan grey soft sheen, on first look paint seemed thick and would cover well, after first coat it was like it had evaporated , worst coverage ever, warning to all never buy this paint reviewed oct 24

Made mistake again sept 25 bought white ceiling paint same problems just very bad covering paint, have definitely realised never to buy again no matter how cheap it is.

If only I'd read the reviews before buying the paint. Been doing my own DIY decorating for years, so found plenty of ways to get the best finish. I always do lots of prep too. None of that worked for Johnstone's paint. Terrible finish. Will never buy again.

Terrible paint. Our builder subcontracted the paint job of our refurb to ‘painters’ using Johnstone. It is awful, cannot wipe clean and it marks at every touch. We only have it done 3 months and already look old, tired and dirty. Very disappointing and unfortunately the entire house is painted with it. Usually use colourtrend or farrow and ball…should have stuck with what I know!

Johnstone’s is the worst paint I’ve ever used! Their ‘high opacity’ white ceiling paint should be rebranded as ‘high transparency’ and ‘streaky’ - I can still see the original (white) paint after applying 2 coats of this terrible paint - using milk would have delivered better results. AVOID!!!!

Johnstones Ivy Sky Matt Emulsion

Really bad paint, I used a sage green, my brush and roller are good quality but tiny bubbles appeared as I was rolling on the paint so I played around with the pressure I was using and how much I was loading and spreading the paint etc, the bubbles didn't disappear as it was drying so I quickly had to run a dry roller across the wall I had painted to get rid of them. This paint is no good, just pay an extra 10 or 20 euro and you'll be much better off and you'll get a beautiful finish.

Peter was really helpful, helped me pick colours with me for my bathroom and checked if there was any in stock. Thank you :)

I should have read the reviews! I got a 5lt copy of a F&B paint and it is awful. I could never clean it (unlike F&B) and the slightest rub or knock and it comes off leaving a dark line. It also feels weird in the wall, not like any other paint I have used (Dulux or Crown included). I've taken it to a recycle place as a lesson learnt. Back to my usual expensive but worth every £ paint for a redec as I need it to last longer than 4 days. Please read the reviews. I do not recommend the matt paint at all.

I was hoping this would cover some stains and I could use as a base before adding a further coat in a slightly different colour. It neither covered the marks, went on the wall really patchy ( wall had been washed with sugar soap) and when I tried to add the next coat colour it went on really uneven. I am so disappointed. This stainaway paint was not cheap and was absolutely useless. I do not recommend!

Avoid Johnstone’s Feature Wall Paint
Midnight Sapphire Blue.
It marks so easily even with the slightest touch.
The surface is chalky dry almost like blackboard paint.
Customer Services explained about the pigment in the paint and a list of details not found on the container or website spec.
They did however resolve my complaint and I am now satisfied.
So customer services were very good.

I bought the trade Matt emulsion in brilliant white which states it is suitable for newly plastered walls. Although my walls are not newly plastered I had two walls that had been stripped of paper and two painted in duck egg blue. My initial impression on opening the tin was, doesn’t look brilliant white, but unfortunately I trusted Johnstones more than my eyes. The paint is like water, coverage very poor and the finish, apart from being patchy, is off white/cream. As a female pensioner I have neither the energy or inclination to apply a 2nd, 3rd and possibly 4th coat according to some reviews of this rubbish.
This was always my go to paint retailer so therefore I didn’t look at the reviews , my mistake. DO NOT BUY

If there was a minus 10 I would give it that ! Firstly colour was Manhattan grey which bore no resemblance to the colour was very dark and bluish more than grey !
However the whole of the area of the room was patchy and looked terrible really wished I had read reviews before using but had bought johnstones paint before with no problems NEVER AGAIN Waste of money !

Probably similar to all water-based paints these days.
You need at least x3 coats to get over a watery finish; by which time you'll be fed-up coz you know it's not going to look great!

Really good service by Peter myton :)

Tried their so called Shaded Grey on coat Shed and Fence. It was supposed to be a dark grey according to the label when it turns out to be a light grey. And as for one coat, forget it, it's not just water based but more like just water. Getting it to cover opaquely is three coats and a dark grey is unachievable.

Just buy a Ronseal product it does what is says on the tin.

Now here is the rub; truth is most of these negative reviews are correct, it's not very good and will definitely need two coats - maybe three depending on the colour you are trying to cover over - but if you go to B & Q they are charging £42 per tin. The B & M store has every colour of Johnstone paint you would ever need at £12.99 for the same sized tin. You would probably need two coats of the B & Q paint anyhow. So, swings and roundabouts. For me Johnstone wins hands down.

Day Two

My opinion has changed. After a second coat this paint finish looks great, as good as any other brand three times the price. My original star review was three but I am upping it to five. This paint is perfectly good after a second coat. Hope this helps you make up your mind.

Applied Johnstone's vinyl matt emulsion with a good quality roller and used a good quality brush to cut in. Even after 2 coats every roller stroke showed up once dry and the edging just didn't seem to cover adequately. I am by no means a novice when it comes to decorating and found this paint finish to be shocking. I always use a quality brand paint, the Johnstones paint is by no means cheap, but will never use this brand again. Like other reviewers, I have now got to buy more paint which will obviously be a different make.

Dreadful paint never buy again ,runny and certainly doesn't cover .

Used a roller with Johnstone's matt emulsion and every roller stroke shows up now it's dry, I have been using quality rollers to paint walls with other makes of matt paint over the years and always get a perfect finish, but this is awful and the slightest touch shows terrible scuff marks. Used to use Johnstone's many years ago and was ok, what's happened. Now have to buy more paint to re do, obviously will be a different make.

I had my entire house decorated with Johnstones paint. It was the first time I had treated myself to a painter and decorator to do the job for me. He did a great job, it's a shame the paint wasn't fit for purpose. Marks have appeared in places I have no explanation for, and I so wish I had read the reviews before I lined their pockets with my hard earned cash and wasted a load of money on a painter and decorator. These marks can only have been caused by slightly brushing up against the wall, or catching something slightly on it. When I first contacted them their rapid response gave me false hope as I thought they might actually give a damn but as the emails were exchanged, it was clear they were just going to make excuses about why certain paint shouldn't be used in in high traffic areas, which I can understand. However, this was not relevant in my case as it was still marking in very low traffic areas, for example, on the wall behind a desk and does not wipe off, as they suggest it should. They kindly recommended what paint I should use, my response to which was along the lines if they think I am buying any more Johnstones paint, then they are deluded. Save your money guys for a product that is fit for purpose!