The journal

Add a Touch of Regal Elegance With Mylands' Metallic Paints: Our Application Tips

11 May 2023 4 min read

Metallic paints can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any space, whether a bedroom, living room or a piece of furniture. Mylands' metallic paints are water-based and suitable for wood, metal and interior walls, and depending on how they're applied can achieve different effects, from translucent to opaque.

Metallic paints can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any space, whether a bedroom, living room or a piece of furniture. Mylands' metallic paints are water-based and suitable for wood, metal and interior walls, and depending on the application can achieve different scenic effects, from a translucent to an opaque look.

Our tips for the perfect finish

When applying Mylands metallic paints, a few tips help you get the best results. First, stir the paint well for at least five minutes with a stirring stick; avoid a screwdriver or similar, as it won't mix the gold or silver particles into the resin properly. It's also important to test the paint on a separate surface before you start, to check the colour matches the product specification.

Before painting, we recommend a Mylands undercoat: a cream or pale yellow undercoat for gold shades, and a light grey undercoat before silver. This ensures a smooth, flawless application and brings out the best in the metallic paint.

When applying, work fast and don't stop once you've begun; this maintains a consistent wet edge and even coverage. Keep the same direction throughout with your roller or brush to avoid patchy or uneven results.

On a large surface such as a wall or ceiling, use masking tape to protect edges for cutting in, then use a small roller for the edges before switching to a larger roller for the rest. If you cut in with a brush and finish with a roller, you may get what we call 'picture framing', where the edges look different from the middle; using a small roller on the edges and a larger one for the rest avoids this.

Bedroom ceiling rose picked out in FTT-001 Rich Gold with walls and ceiling in Long Acre No.102 — Left, a ceiling rose in FTT-001 Rich Gold with Long Acre No.102 walls; right, an FTT-004 Silver splashback with Stockwell Green No.203 cabinetry

Kitchen with an FTT-004 Silver splashback, Stockwell Green No.203 cabinetry and a Ludgate Circus No.89 ceiling — Left, a ceiling rose in FTT-001 Rich Gold with Long Acre No.102 walls; right, an FTT-004 Silver splashback with Stockwell Green No.203 cabinetry

Maintain the same direction with roller and/or brush; rolling in different directions can make the gold or silver deposit look patchy. Where possible, use the same tool across the whole surface, so if you start with a brush, finish with that same brush.

One of the biggest challenges with metallics is an even, consistent finish, so avoid overlapping, which can leave a patchy, unprofessional look, and be mindful of the brush or roller texture, since short, dense rollers give a smooth finish while thicker, fluffy rollers can leave a bumpy, textured one.

Finally, once you've finished, you may want an overcoat to protect the paint and preserve its lustre; Mylands QD Kitchen & Bathroom Varnish, available in matt, satin or gloss, is an excellent option, adding protection and durability, ideal for high-traffic areas or anywhere handled frequently.

Read more about each of our metallic paints below, and start your journey with a sample today. With proper preparation and application, these acrylic metallics create a stunning, long-lasting finish that adds glamour and sophistication to any room. Don't forget our application tips for the best results, and remember to share your creations with us on social media.

FTT-01™ - RICH GOLD

FTT-01™ - Rich Gold is the first paint in Mylands' Film, Television & Theatre collection, a luminous, warm and luxurious gold, perfect for accenting any room or piece of furniture, its rich, deep tone lending a sophisticated, regal feel.

Dining room with walls rolled in warm metallic FTT-001 Rich Gold catching the afternoon daylight — Left, walls rolled in FTT-001 Rich Gold; right, a plain canvas panel painted in FTT-002 Pale Gold

Large unframed canvas painted flat in FTT-002 Pale Gold leaning against a Bone BH.04 wall — Left, walls rolled in FTT-001 Rich Gold; right, a plain canvas panel painted in FTT-002 Pale Gold

FTT-02™ - PALE GOLD

For a slightly lighter gold, FTT-02™ - Pale Gold is a great option, ideal for creating a contrast with Mylands' other metallics or giving your space a different feel, its pale gold still warm and elegant but with a lighter, brighter touch.

FTT-03™ - PALE BRONZE

FTT-03™ - Pale Bronze is a copper-toned metallic offering a stand-out sparkle without overpowering, perfect for adding a sophisticated shine to any room or accessory, well suited as an accent or a statement piece on furniture.

Plain canvas panel painted in coppery FTT-003 Pale Bronze against an Egyptian Grey No.154 wall — Left, a plain canvas panel in coppery FTT-003 Pale Bronze; right, a dressing room with walls in FTT-004 Silver

Dressing room with walls painted in cool metallic FTT-004 Silver and cupboards in Empire Grey No.171 — Left, a plain canvas panel in coppery FTT-003 Pale Bronze; right, a dressing room with walls in FTT-004 Silver

FTT-04™ - SILVER

Finally, FTT-04™ - Silver is a stunning paint that brings a cool, contemporary feel, its light but metallic nature brightening any room, perfect for accent walls or a statement piece on furniture, adding sophistication and elegance and working well with a variety of colour schemes.