Picking the right paint brand can make or break your project, that’s for sure.
You don’t want to spend your weekend painting only to have it start looking rough after a few months because you went with something cheap.
Australia’s weather is pretty brutal on paint.
Melbourne’s all over the place with hot summers and cold winters, while up north you’ve got the humidity and UV to deeal with.
Then there’s the coastal areas where salt air eats through everything.
Why the brand actually matters
Look, paint is paint to some extent, but there’s definitely differences between brands.
The cheap stuff from the discount stores might save you money upfront, but you’ll be repainting sooner than you’d like.
Quality paint protects your surfaces better and lasts longer.
Which is always good when you consider how much time and effort goes into painting in the first place.
Dulux – the safe choice
Dulux is probably the most popular brand in Australia, and there’s good reasons for that.
They’ve been around forever and generally deliver consistent quality. You can find their stuff at pretty much any hardware store.
Their Wash & Wear range is decent for areas that get a lot of traffic – kitchens, hallways, kids’ rooms.
The name says it all really – you can actually wash the walls without the paint coming off. Pretty handy when you’ve got little ones with sticky fingers.
For exterior work, their Weathershield range holds up well against UV and rain. Not the cheapest option but it’s reliable.
Taubmans – the old reliable
Taubmans has been making paint in Australia for over 110 years, so they must be doing something right.
They’re particularly good if you’re after eco-friendly options without compromising on quality.
Their Sunproof and All Weather ranges work well in coastal areas.
The salt air up on the Gold Coast and around Perth can be brutal on paint, but these formulations seem to handle it better than most.
Coverage is usually pretty good with Taubmans too, which saves you money on extra coats.
Haymes – the Aussie option
Haymes is Australian-owned and family-operated, which some people prefer. They’re big on sustainability and their Enviro range is genuinely eco-friendly.
Their colour range is quite good, and Liveable White has become really popular lately. Pulp White 1 is another one that sells well – both are sort of warm whites that work in most Australian homes.
The thing with Haymes is they’re not available everywhere, so you might need to hunt around a bit to find stockists.
Wattyl – built for Australian conditions
Wattyl’s been around for about 45 years and they really focus on weather resistance. Their Solagard range is designed specifically for harsh Australian conditions.
If you’re near the coast, their salt-resistant formulas are worth considering. Salt air destroys most paints pretty quickly, but these seem to last longer.
The downside is Wattyl can be a bit pricier than some alternatives, but if you’re in a harsh environment it might be worth it.
British Paints – the budget option
British Paints has been in Australia for over 80 years and they offer decent quality at reasonable prices.
Not the fanciest option, but if you’re on a tight budget they’re worth considering.
Their exterior paints handle the Australian climate reasonably well for the price point. Interior paints are fine for basic jobs.
Working out what you actually need
The thing is, different areas of your house need different types of paint.
Interior painting is different from exterior obviously, but even within the house some areas get more wear than others.
For interiors, look for low-VOC paints if you’re concerned about air quality. Dulux and Haymes both do decent low-VOC options. The smell is much less and they’re probably better for your health long-term.
Exterior work needs something that can handle weather. UV protection is important pretty much everywhere in Australia, and if you’re near the coast you need salt resistance too.
High-traffic areas like hallways, kitchens, and kids’ rooms need washable paints.
There’s no point using something that can’t be cleaned – you’ll just end up repainting more often.
Finishes make a difference
Matte finishes hide imperfections well but they’re harder to clean. Good for ceilings and bedrooms where you don’t need to wipe down the walls much.
Satin finishes are probably the most practical for most areas. Easy to wipe down but not too shiny. Works well for living areas and hallways.
Gloss finishes are tough and easy to clean but they show every imperfection.
Good for trim work and areas that need frequent cleaning, but not great for large wall areas unless the prep work is perfect.
Budget considerations
Quality paint costs more upfront but usually saves money in the long run. Cheap paint often needs more coats and doesn’t last as long.
That said, you don’t always need the most expensive option. British Paints is fine for rental properties or areas that don’t get much wear. Dulux and Taubmans are worth spending extra on for main living areas.
Bunnings usually has the best prices for most brands, but it’s worth checking local paint shops too. They sometimes have better prices on premium lines.
Colour choices – harder than it looks
Picking colours is where most people get stuck. The thing to remember is that colours look different in different light, and the size of the area affects how the colour appears too.
Whites are popular because they’re safe, but there’s actually heaps of different whites. Warm whites work better in rooms with limited natural light, while cool whites suit rooms with lots of windows.
Always test samples on the actual wall before committing. Paint a decent sized patch and look at it at different times of day. What looks good in the morning might look terrible in the afternoon sun.
Getting the job done properly
Even the best paint won’t look good if the prep work is poor. Clean the surfaces properly, fill any holes, and sand rough areas. Prime if you’re changing colours dramatically or painting over a different type of paint.
Use decent brushes and rollers. Cheap tools give poor results no matter how good your paint is. The extra cost is worth it for a better finish.
Apply thin coats rather than trying to get coverage in one thick coat. Multiple thin coats look better and last longer than one thick coat.
Where to buy
Bunnings stocks most of the major brands – Dulux, Wattyl, and British Paints are always available. Selection can vary between stores though.
Mitre 10 often has good deals on Haymes and Taubmans. Their staff usually know more about paint than the average Bunnings worker too.
Local paint shops are worth checking for specialty products and advice. They often stock professional lines that aren’t available in the big stores.
Online ordering works for some brands now, which is handy if you know exactly what you want. Delivery can be expensive for small orders though.
Common mistakes to avoid
Buying cheap paint to save money usually backfires. You’ll either need more coats or be repainting sooner.
Not testing colours properly is another big mistake. That perfect colour in the store might look awful in your house.
Skipping primer when you need it. If you’re changing colours dramatically or painting over oil-based paint with water-based, prime first.
Using interior paint outside or vice versa. They’re formulated differently for good reasons.
Not buying enough paint. Running out halfway through a wall is annoying and it’s hard to match colours exactly later.
What actually works
For most people, Dulux is a safe choice. Good quality, widely available, decent price. Their Wash & Wear range handles family life well.
If you’re environmentally conscious, Haymes Enviro range is genuinely eco-friendly without compromising quality.
For harsh coastal conditions, Wattyl Solagard is worth the extra cost.
British Paints works fine for budget jobs or rental properties where you just need something decent.
At the end of the day, any of these brands will do a reasonable job if you prep properly and apply them correctly.
The key is matching the paint to your specific needs and budget rather than just going with the cheapest or most expensive option.
