Johnstone's Trade Reviews 

435
TrustScore 1.5 out of 5

1.4

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 50 reviews, most reviewers were let down by their experience overall. Consumers frequently complain that the paint is extremely thin and watery, requiring several extra coats to achieve proper coverage on interior walls and wooden surfaces. Buyers also mention that the finished areas lack basic durability, marking, scuffing, and peeling away easily within a very short time after application. Some reviewers were happy with the staff, noting that store employees provided genuinely helpful expert advice and extremely accurate color matching services. Customers additionally appreciated the friendly service, positive interactions, and good product knowledge available during their visits across various local branches.

What people talk about most

Product

Consumers find product quality to be very disappointing, highlighting that the paint is overly watery, runny,... See more

Quality

Customers consistently note negative experiences with quality, expressing deep disappointment over poor... See more

Value for money

Reviewers mention negative feedback about value for money, expressing deep disappointment with the poor... See more

Price

Reviewers highlight negative aspects of price, frequently calling the products a waste of money and far too... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

We bought Johnstones Vintage Denim wood and metal satinwood paint to go on some brand new wooden panelling. We undercoated and then rubbed down again to make sure we got the perfect finish. The we app... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I decided to buy your paint as it's the one our landlord used before but the recent formula change has completely ruined the quality. The coverage is noticeably worse now. The consistency feels... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Bought the satin interior wood and metal paint in sage green. Prepped wood panelling and proceeded to paint. Or should I say slid some paint around for a bit. It will not cover at all, just streaks an... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Shocking quality paint - Covaplus trade emulsion. Used it on two rooms in our house and another couple in our relatives place (different colours). Went on nice but marks incredibly easily - to... See more



Contact info

1.4

Bad

TrustScore 1.5 out of 5

435 reviews

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1-star

No recent history of asking for reviews

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Hasn’t replied to negative reviews

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1.4

All reviews

(435)

49 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

SUB STANDARD

INTERIOR, WOOD & METAL, QUICK DRY SATIN [BLACK].

ABSOLUTE RUBBISH.

1. TOOK 3 COATS , STILL NOT COVERED.
2. QUICK DRY 6 HOURS & STILL WET
3. VERY WATERY, TOOK A LOT OF MIXING, OIL ON TOP ON OPENNING TIN 1/4" DEEP.

DONT WASTE MONEY ON THIS BRAND. WISH I'D PAID EXTRA FOR DULUX

25 March 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

WORST PAINT EVER

Worst paint ever…DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY.
Application is awful, never known to have to paint a wall 3 times and still has patches.
Never again will I be buying Johnston paint

22 March 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolutely rubbish paint I have used

Absolutely rubbish paint I have used. I had my doubts when I got a tester. I’ve put 2 coats on of the Matt in midnight blue and it’s patchy as hell. I’m going to have to give I a third coat. Never again will I buy this shite, B&Q’s value paint is so much better and even dunelms paint

15 March 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Dreadful paint

Dreadful paint. In fact, it's like using milk! Used to be excellent many years ago, but not now. Don't waste your money on this rubbish.

12 March 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I bought a 5ltr tin of vinal silk and…

I bought a 5ltr tin of vinal silk and had it mixed in store I bought the big tin as I thought it's better to have paint over than not enough as I only had a chimney breast and the stairs wall so even a 2.5ltr should have done it but as its a dark colour I wanted to thicken it on and give it a second coat to make it stand out but after the first coat when I woke up the next day you would think that I had put water to the paint because it was nearly transparent so I gave it another coat but thickend it on hoping that would do it but yet again I had to give it a third coat and yet again it still never covered I had to go back and buy a further 2.5ltr tin as if I went elsewhere I wouldn't have got the same colour I have contacted the main Johnstones and told them that if they don't do anything about this I will be getting intouch with trading standards as this is wrong its supposed to be a Johnstones decorating trade centre and if I had paid a painter and decorators I wouldn't be paying them as its that bad so save your money and go elsewhere because it will be better paint and you will save yourself money ,I wouldn't have even give them 1 star but they won't let you not give them no stars

10 March 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Not worth buying

Shocking paint,sanded and primed woodwork then used their black eggshell paint.
Patchy and streaky,not worth buying at all.
Had to but another brand paint to cover.

25 February 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Johnstones Silicone Render! AVOID!!!!!

Spent thousands of pounds having this render on our front walls, because apparently it is the best and is for minimal maintenance! Well after 3 months and 3 washes this render is appalling! It stains, actually stains! Long story short, Johnstones have informed us this render, cannot be used by roads, trees, footpaths, any where it may get dirty! Render basically can not be used OUTSIDE!!!!! So the reason why we went for this was to stop the one thing we now have to do PAINT! THANK GOD FOR ZINSSER! NEVER USE JOHNSTONES ABSOLUTELY USELESS! AND THE RESPONSE DISGUSTING!!!!!! AVOID!!!!!!

25 February 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

awful paint.

awful paint.. like water, 2 coats on wall and still patchy and 3rd coat not much better, never buy as even painter said good paint will cover wall straight away , this paint 3 coats later and still not the best, will never buy again !

20 February 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Really waste of money

We prepped the wood by rubbing down and using an under coat we bought Johnson's interia wood and metal quick drying gloss to our disappointment we opened the paint stired it many times to which the paint was very thin almost milky now paintwork very patchy

9 February 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolutely dreadful paint

Absolutely dreadful paint! The emulsion needed at least 3 coats,for hardly any change to the base colour, before the patchiness was removed. The Silk Indoor non-drip paint for wood and metal was just as bad. It was like trying to paint with milk! I’ve never experienced such poor quality in 50 years of decorating.

4 February 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Don't waste your money!

Manhattan gray - avoid like the plague! Five coats to get it looking half decent on the wall. Did one wall and decided to start again with Dulux paint - honestly don't waste your money

24 January 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Hopeless

Used today.
If I could give a minus score I would.
Supposed to be non drip? Don't make me laugh, omfg!
After a stir i started to paint, within 5 strokes of brush it starts dripping. This lasted all through 6 doors and skirting.
Won't ever be using this again.
It's no wonder Johnstone have not replied to any negative feedback as they know themselves it's not non drip.
Don't waste your money on this paint as you'll be as disappointed as many others are.

29 November 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Shocking quality, dark patches, durability is a myth

Shocking paint quality. Supposedly cleanable (hahahahaha, good one!). Painter and decorator used this paint for our hall, stairs and landing. As others have said, it is not wipeable/cleanable without leaving large dark patches behind. Pathetic. I can see why the trade use it and rave about it, because customers will need walls to be repainted in no time, very lucrative. Valspar all the way baby!

16 November 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Shocking quality paint

Shocking quality paint - Covaplus trade emulsion.

Used it on two rooms in our house and another couple in our relatives place (different colours). Went on nice but marks incredibly easily - to the point that within two weeks of applying it we need to repaint. You can’t even wipe it with a dry cloth without it marking! Tried contacting their customer service who were bordering on rude in their response and told us to use their durable paint instead (no offer of compensation or apology either).

You do wonder how these companies continue to exist.

1 November 2025
Unprompted review

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