FAQs
Most frequently asked questions
We’ve put all the questions together that we’re often asked – just click on one of the topics below to see all the advice.
What is the best paint for my bathroom?
GrafClean and GrafClean Eggshell are the hardest wearing of the Graphenstone paints and the ones best suited for Bathrooms. GrafClean has Class 1 vapour permeability – so is fully breathable.
What is the best paint for my kitchen?
GrafClean and GrafClean Eggshell are the hardest wearing of the Graphenstone paints and the ones best suited for kitchen walls. GrafClean has Class 1 vapour permeability – so is fully breathable.
Which is the best paint for exterior use?
GCS Exterior, is our silicate masonry paint and is our most versatile for use onto lime and cement renders.
Which is the best paint for woodwork?
GrafClean Eggshell is the best paint for woodwork. For the best adherence and longevity of product, use Four2Four primer onto bare or pre-painted (de-greased, clean, and well prepared) surface.
Can I paint my children’s bedroom with your paint?
Yes. GrafClean has been certified as ‘Toy Safe’, a strict European test to ensure that paints used on toys are safe for children. This standard aims to protect children from potential hazards associated with the ingestion or contact of harmful substances.
Graphenstone paints are made using natural minerals and sustainable ingredients. It is one of the most tested and certified paints available.
What primer should I use on Plasterboard?
Onto bare plasterboard, first use Naturcolor diluted by around 20%, as a primer/mist coat, followed by 2 coats of any Graphenstone paint. You may need to ‘spot prime’ any areas of filler first.
Do I need a primer for walls previously painted?
As with most paints, so long as the surface is clean, sound, free of contaminants and impurities, no primer should be required. If you are covering a strong colour, it may help to first paint with Naturcolor as an initial coat to help with coverage and opacity of the topcoats.
Some existing paints – e.g., shiny surfaces or oil-based surfaces, will require additional preparation such as Four2Four or Ambient Primer. It is always advisable to conduct a sample test PRIOR to ordering the paints.
Do I need a primer?
For best results when painting new surfaces, a primer may be required. This is to ensure adherence to the surface and to improve the lifespan of the products. Follow the simple quick reference guide below:
- Naturcolor – New interior gypsum, plasters and plasterboard as a mist coat. Blanking out strong colours.
- AMBIENT PRIMER L42 – Lime plaster, limewash, distempers, old exterior painted surfaces. Porous brickwork, exterior lime and cement renders.
- FOUR2FOUR – Interior and exterior wood, MDF and non-porous materials eg some metals, plastics, tiles.
- FILLER (textured) – Primarily for exterior. Use to mask changes in surface textures and to hide microcracks.
Why should I use Graphenstone masonry paint rather than standard Acrylic paints?
Most acrylic paints will form an impermeable layered coating over a surface. This can cause problems with the build-up of damp, especially in older and traditionally built buildings, where vapour permeability (breathability) is important.
Our GCS Exterior Silicate masonry paint is a Class 1 vapour open – so fully breathable – premium mineral paint for use on all renders.
Can I use your paints on exterior wood?
Our paints are not designed for use on exterior timber or woodwork.
Can I paint my shed using Graphenstone paints?
Our paints are not designed for use on exterior timber or woodwork.
Can I paint outside at any time of year? What is the minimum temperature application for your exterior masonry paint?
During the autumn and winter months the days shorten, temperatures start to fall and moisture in the air increases. This will influence and increase the time taken for paints to dry and cure. Our paints are designed to be used between 7-40 degrees C.
It is our advice to avoid decorating externally between October and the end of March using Graphenstone paints.
Water dilution – how much and why?
Graphenstone paints require diluting with clean water.
WHY?
Graphenstone paints require diluting with clean water.
WHY?
Our paints are delivered around the world. By reducing the quantity of water added to the base paints, it enables us to increase the amount of actual product delivered (not the additional water content) and reduce our global carbon footprint.
Our paints are up to 70% solid content, where most other brands, typically contain between 25-40% solid. A little clean water added, will not affect the performance of the paints, and will help you with application.
ONTO MINERAL SURFACES
- 1st coat 10-20% (100 – 200ml of clean water) per litre of paint
- 2nd coat 5-15% (50 – 150ml of clean water) per litre of paint
ONTO WOODWORK
GrafClean Eggshell can be applied with a dilution of 5-10% maximum, to ease application and for finish.
NB: The above quantities are intended as a guide and can depend on substrates and conditions.
Some primers differ so do please refer to the TDS (technical data sheets), or the QR code visible on all paint pots.Useful Tips & Advice
Have a look at the link to our online tips page.
What is the best product/s to use in a damp mould area?
Graphenstone paints, being breathable, will allow passage of water vapour through them. The Lime based paints with a PH of +/- 13, will naturally resist mould and mildew growth.
Surfaces need to be dry, clean, sound, and free from any contaminant – mould spores need to be killed completely prior to any paint being applied.
What are your coverage rates?
Graphenstone paints will generally cover between 10-16m2 per coat, per litre of paint applied.
Some paints and primers do differ so please refer to the TDS (technical data sheets), or the QR code visible on all paint pots.
Can your paints be sprayed?
Being a heavier mineral, our paints spray superbly. You will need to test on site – there will be different pressures, tip sizes, dilution rates to consider – to find the perfect balance for your system.
Click here for a link to our spray guide.
Contact the office for more information if needed.
Which primer do I need for:
For best results when painting new surfaces, a primer may be required. This is to ensure adherence to the surface and to improve the lifespan of the products. Follow the simple quick reference guide below:
- Naturcolor – New interior gypsum, plasters and plasterboard as a mist coat. Blanking out strong colours.
- AMBIENT PRIMER L42– Lime plaster, limewash, distempers, old exterior painted surfaces. Porous brickwork, exterior lime and cement renders.
- FOUR2FOUR – Interior and exterior wood, MDF and non-porous materials eg some metals, plastics, tiles.
- FILLER (textured) – Primarily for exterior. Use to mask changes in surface textures and to hide microcracks.
How many coats of paint do I need?
Our paints have a very high solid content usually only requiring 2 coats onto a painted or primed surface. Some challenging colours – strong reds, greens, yellows – may sometimes require extra coats to achieve a full depth of colour.
Can I use Naturcolor throughout house / instead of the more expensive products?
Natucolor is an economical, mineral based matt emulsion. A low cost, breathable paint, with Class 2 durability and a wipeable finish – similar to a contractor matt. Suggested areas of use are as a mist coat onto new plasters, or as a ceiling paint, where durability is not required.
Colour range is limited to Whites and 6 standard colours – please contact the office for availability.
Painting on to Radiators?
Graphenstone paints are not designed for use onto radiators.
Painting on to walls where wallpaper has been removed?
Where a covering like a wallpaper/lining paper has been removed, you need to make sure all adhesive residue has also been removed to avoid a crazing/cracking of the paints on redecoration. Some old starches could react with the natural mineral bases, so please make sure your surface is fully clean and free from anything that could affect redecoration.
Painting furniture/ upcycling?
Using Four2Four primer as a bridging coat will enable you to paint onto a variety of surfaces. If painting onto furniture, your number one enemy could be wax which is designed to repel water! You need to make sure you remove this before applying a water based paint…
If painting onto a varnish – either remove if possible, or sand the surface well to achieve a better key for the paint to stick to.
Use GrafClean Eggshell as your furniture paint. You may need to further protect horizontal surfaces with a protective coating dependent on the level of use. We have found that Polyvine varnishes do work well if needed!
Our paints are not designed for use on exterior or garden furniture.
Can you advise how much paint I need?
The coverage rates of Graphenstone paints can differ slightly so as a very general rule of thumb, allow 10-16m2 per litre of paint for a smooth surface in good condition. Substrates can differ in texture and absorbency, so sometimes more paint or an additional primer might be needed. A rough surface can dramatically increase the total surface area, a porous surface can absorb paint more quickly. In both cases allow for more paint!
It sometimes helps to allow a little over – it is common to allow for 10% over to be on the safe side.
Are your paints hardwearing?
Thanks to the graphene, we can manufacture a natural mineral based paint system with Class 1 durability.
Our paints have been tested to EN 13300 and ISO 11998, a system of wet scrubbing tests.
Once fully cured, our premium paints achieved Class 1. Naturcolor, our economical matt, achieved Class 2.
How long do your paints take to cure?
As with all paints, the cure time is not just the drying times; even latex/acrylic paints can take several days and weeks to fully cure.
Graphenstone paints cure naturally. Allow 2-4 hours between coats and 24 hours for full drying.
If using outside or in an area where moisture is present (including kitchens, bathrooms, showers) please protect from rain, condensation, and water for 4-5 days from fully dry, to allow the paints to initially cure. Please note, some stronger colours may need longer to cure due to increased amounts of pigmentation used.
Full cure of our paints is achieved in around 30 days, after which they are durable to Class 1! Avoid rubbing or cleaning during this time.
Which is the most CO2 absorbing paint?
Ambient Pro+ absorbs CO2 as it cures (the majority in the first 30 days).
Do all your paints absorb CO2?
Lime, as it cures, will absorb CO2 as part of the Lime Cycle.
Only our purest lime-based paint, Ambient Pro+, absorb CO2 as it cures (the majority in the first 30 days).
Are your paints MIT free?
Graphenstone paints avoid adding MIT or BIT chemical preservatives in our formulations. Instead, we opt for a natural lime additive to serve as a preservative. However, it’s important to note that some of our raw materials may contain trace (less than 0.05%) amounts of BIT chemical preservatives.
Is your paint vegan?
At Graphenstone, we are committed to delivering high-quality, environmentally friendly paints and understand the growing demand for vegan products. We are currently looking to obtain our vegan accreditation to further assure our customers of our commitment to providing environmentally responsible and ethically produced paints.
Are Graphenstone paints VOC free?
VOCs include both man-made and naturally occurring chemical compounds and are present in the surrounding air, so in theory, nothing can be 100% free. Graphenstone paints have less than 0.1%/L or less than 1g/L and are recognised by the BCF as Trace VOC paints.
Are Graphenstone paints non-toxic?
Yes. Graphenstone paints have been awarded Cradle to Cradle Gold, Silver and Bronze certifications for their paints. Each certification level represents increasingly rigorous achievement across five critical performance categories: material health, material recycling, renewable energy, carbon management, water stewardship, and social fairness. The material health category uncovers every single chemical component and tests to 100ppm (100 parts per million) to ensure products are made using materials that are as safe as possible for humans and the environment.
Are Graphenstone paints eco-friendly?
Yes. Our paints are made from natural minerals and sustainable materials and ingredients. Lime, as it cures absorbs CO2 from the air, therefore helping to capture carbon as part of the natural “lime cycle”.
The manufacturing process is powered by renewable energy. The factory reuses the wastewater from production, and the containers they are supplied in are 100% recycled plastic which is also 100% recyclable.
Graphenstone do not add microplastics to any of their unique mineral formulations.
Do Graphenstone paints have a strong odour?
None of the paints has a strong odour at all. The pure Lime paints do have a natural odour; however, this is the non-toxic smell of a natural product.
Why is lime-based paint so special?
There are many advantages to using Lime paints. They are made using natural and sustainable minerals. Lime, as it cures, absorbs CO2 from the air, therefore helping to capture carbon as part of the natural Lime Cycle. Having a naturally high pH of around 12 – 13, it will naturally resist mould and mildew.
How do I recycle my used pots?
Our pots are made using 100% recycled plastic and are recyclable. Once dry and clean, most paint tubs can be disposed of in general waste – however, please consult your local authority guidelines before disposing of any paint waste or old paint tubs.
Do you Colour Match?
We offer both the NCS colour range and RAL as well as being able to offer a bespoke colour matching service in GrafClean and GrafClean Eggshell.
Samples in any colour not shown on our own Colour Card and bespoke Colours and colour matches can be ordered. Please contact the office for pricing.
We advise ordering samples for testing on site PRIOR to ordering the paint!
How white are your whites?
All our un-tinted white paints are all pretty white. We would not say a ‘Brilliant White’ as this can sometimes be a little blue and cold – more a soft, natural white.
Which of your white paints is the whitest?
Ambient Pro+ is the purest lime, so will be the ‘purest’ white. Next will come GrafClean for walls, with GrafClean Eggshell for high traffic areas and wood.
Can all your colour paints be tinted?
Yes. All our paints apart from our standard Whites, are tinted to order.
We test every colour before it leaves the UK factory however, there can be slight variables between batches and individual product ranges.
We sometimes use a different set of pigments for the Lime bases and the exterior paints; however, all colours are well within tolerance.
I want to paint my walls and woodwork in the same colour.
You can use GrafClean for walls and GrafClean Eggshell for the woodwork. Bear in mind that even though they will be the same base colour, the low sheen of the Eggshell can make the colour appear slightly lighter due to light reflectance.
If you wanted an even more durable finish for the walls, you could paint all surfaces in GrafClean Eggshell.
Can I use any of your colours outside?
We only use metal oxide pigments for exterior application so we have a more limited range of colours available.
Metal oxide pigments are the most stable and are highly resistant to the effects of UV on colour fade and chalking.
Are your whites all the same?
The different based paints – Limes, GrafClean, GCS – are all slightly different base materials so there is a slight variation as to ‘how white’ they are. For the purest white, choose the Ambient Pro+.
Which paint is the most matt?
All our paints are matt – even GrafClean Eggshell, our ‘shiniest’ paint is not that shiny! They range from 1% – ultra matt, up to 25% – an eggshell type finish.
- Limes – 1% sheen
- GCS– 2% sheen
- GrafClean – 4% sheen
- GrafClean Eggshell – 15% in colours (flat eggshell) to 25% in whites
Do you tint to any other colours than is shown on your colour card?
As well as our House Colour card, we have 16 colours from the Ashmolean Collection and several Interior Designer colour collaborations: Tim Gosling, Michelle Ogundehin, Kate Watson-Smythe and Howes& Landino.
Graphenstone also uses a colour range called NCS (Natural Colour System), with over 1000 colours for interior use and over 150 for exterior use.
The Limes are, being a very white base, limited to fewer colour options however, GrafClean is our most diverse, with over 900 NCS colours to choose from, as well as RAL and bespoke and colour match options available if needed.
For the full NCS range, please contact either your nearest local stockist or get in touch with the office.
Can I return coloured paint?
All our colours are mixed to order so I am afraid, once tinted these cannot be returned. For white paints, please consult our Terms & Conditions, for details on returns.
Burnishing
Some darker or more highly pigmented colours in all paint brands can mark more easily than lighter colours and more pastel shades. The darker the colour, the more this marking can be noticed – especially in a matt or low sheen paint. This often shows up as a light/chalky mark appearing on the surface of the paint where it has been rubbed and is generally due to the way pigment and light react. This is often referred to as ‘Burnishing’.
Colours with higher amounts of pigment can take a little longer to cure than pastel shades – the amount of pigment can slow this process down – so do allow extra time for your paint to fully harden and cure.
Some burnishing marks can be removed with a mild cleaning solution and a cloth, however, it may pay to use a paint with a higher sheen level in the highest traffic areas to minimise this problem or use a further protective coating, such as a varnish, over the top.
Graphenstone paints cure naturally!
Allow up to 30 days for your paint to properly harden and cure – sometimes this might be longer for darker shades. In the highest traffic areas, consider using GrafClean Eggshell as an alternative. Its slightly higher sheen level (around 10-15%) may prove more resistant to the effects of burnishing.
What are the ’Sd’ (breathability) values of various products?
Our paints are highly breathable and are ‘Class 1’ with the following ’Sd’ values for water vapour permeability:
- Ambient Pro+ <0.05
- GCS Interior <0.04
- GCS Exterior <0.06
- GrafClean <0.1
- Naturcolor <0.08
- Ambient Primer L42 <0.06
How does our paint Purify the Air?
Lime will absorb Carbon Dioxide as it cures, helping to clean the air of harmful gases.
Our most air Purifying paint is Ambient Pro+, which thanks to its unique lime and mineral composition, will also help to continually eliminate pollutants and contaminants including Nitrogen Oxides, Sulphur Oxides, Carbon Monoxides and VOCs as well as CO2.
It does this by oxidation and thanks to a natural chemical reaction with light.
How can I contact Graphenstone?
It is easy, click here to contact us.
How long before I receive my order?
We aim to deliver on a next day service with all our paints delivered by Courier. Orders need to be placed BY 11am, to allow for the order to be processed, mixed, and packed to be with you on the following working day.
Some postcodes eg, N. Ireland, Highlands and Islands, and some larger orders and pallet deliveries may take longer.
Which Couriers do you Use?
We use APC for Small boxed items, Palletways for larger orders and occasionally DHL.
How will I know when delivery will be? (Boxed items)
If when placing your order you supply an email address or mobile number, on the day of delivery you should receive a notification of your consignment number and a 2 hour window for delivery.
The delivery slot is a guide only as many factors can cause delays.
If you are NOT going to be home for delivery please notify the office on placing the order of details so this can be relayed to the courier.
How will I know when delivery will be? (Palletised items)
All orders placed before 11:00am are sent on a next working day service. On the day of delivery someone must be available to sign for the goods. If a specific date is required please notify the office on placing your order.
Why are our tubs plastic?
Lime paints have a higher pH than standard paints and as a result can, over time, start to corrode some metals. Plastic by contrast is unaffected.
Our sample pots are metal. However, we produce these in smaller batches by hand, in our UK warehouse, thereby ensuring they are not on the shelves for too long to be affected.
How long do your paints take to dry?
Graphenstone paints are touch dry in around an hour and fully dry in 24 hours.
Difference between Limes/GrafClean/GCS
Limes – our purest lime. If you want the healthiest, most sustainable paint with Carbon capture. Ultra-flat matt and for use in rooms with the least traffic. Colour range limited to 14 pastel shades.
GrafClean – a mixed mineral. For the greatest colour choice and most washable of our paints. Perfect for busy homes.
GCS – best suited for use on natural plasters – perfect for Heritage and older, listed properties. More limited colour range with some stronger colours not available.
Will your paints cure mould?
Our Lime paints are naturally resistant to mould and mildew having a higher pH than standard coatings, however, you will also need to make sure your room is well ventilated and has sufficient extraction.
If you have an existing issue with mould, you will need to kill and clean what is there prior to applying the paints.
How long do your paints last?
Our environmental declaration is based on a 10-year life cycle, however site specifics and how well you look after your coatings will be the two factors that influence and affect the lifespan.
Regular cleaning, removal of contaminants and dirt, will mean a painted surface will remain in better condition for longer.
After 5 years, and depending on the area, a full inspection would be advisable and at this point – if signs of wear are apparent – remedial works should be undertaken. The key to any longevity will be looking after the decorated surface and undertake remedial works as soon as signs of wear appear.
I am getting a patchy finish
Our mineral paints are slightly different to the more commonly supplied plastic/acrylic paints. As such, you sometimes need to adjust the way you paint to get the best out of the product.
Make sure you dilute the paint. They have a high amount of solid in the base. Adding a small amount of water will not affect the paints, but will enable you to get a more even finish and make application easier.
Apply enough paint to the surface and roll the paints out well. The heavier solid needs to be rolled out across the surface. This helps with both the finish and the opacity.
The lime paints get more solid over the first few days. As lime starts to cure, it will become more opaque or solid. Allow the advised 2-4 hours between the coats. This will help the paint layers to start to initially cure. Full opacity will often be seen after 2-3 days.
The paints smell!
Graphenstone paints have been tested to some of the most rigorous certifications in the industry. They have some of the lowest VOC emissions – Trace VOC/ less than 0.1%/kg – and have all the materials analysed to 100 ppm (parts per million) to ensure there is nothing toxic or harmful in the paint bases.
The natural lime paints do have a slight odour. This is though the natural smell.
Calcium Hydroxide and Calcium Carbonate – the main components in our paints – are natural materials and it is not impossible for natural chemical reactions to take place if substrates are entirely free from a previous material – eg wallpaper paste (it is starch).
A surface not fully dry or cured before you paint – EG gypsum plasters which can take a while to cure and release a rotten egg smell (hydrogen sulphate).
My paint is not sticking
If a paint is not sticking to a surface, there is usually a reason why. There is often something already on the surface that is stopping it from sticking – eg wax, or the surface is not compatible and needs a primer – eg plastic.
So long as a surface is prepared correctly, in some cases using the correct primer system, most paints will stick to most surfaces. Sand down anything that is shiny, make sure areas like kitchen walls are clean and free from grease and kitchen detergent residues.
Surfaces with a coating that is designed to be water repellent – wax, silicon – will need to be removed prior to painting.
Difficult surfaces like plastic or tiles may need a bit of extra preparation using the right primer. It will help to sand a difficult surface slightly if possible. This will open up the surface and improve the bond – there is more area for the paint to bond with.
Apply 1-2 coats of our Four2Four prior to painting. It may take a few days for the paint to properly contract, cure and bond, so on difficult plastics, you might need to leave the primer for up to a week to make sure the bond is sound. Once cured, apply Graphenstone paints over the top.
I have bits in my paint!
Our paints undergo numerous quality checks from the factory to your door. Paints are filtered in the factory as tubs are filled, and then checked at least 3 times before they reach your door – we perform quality checks as soon as the paint arrives in our UK warehouses and then every 3-6 months. All colour paints then undergo a final check on tinting.
Sometimes, in transport, the body of the paint can collect around the inner rim and underside of the recycled plastic lids. This can dry and end up in your paints if you are not careful.
When you open the plastic tubs, try not to ‘snap’ back the lids. If there is any dried material on the underside of the lid from the transport/courier process, this could end up in your paint.
When you use the paints, make sure you keep the rims, edges and side of the tub clean – try not to allow the paint to dry – don’t just put the lids back on with drying paint collecting on the sides. This will just build up and could end up in your fresh paint!
My paint got wet and has water streaks in it
Graphenstone paints are made using natural minerals and resins, having had the harmful chemical additives often used in paints, removed. Our paints cure naturally!
The first 4-5 days after drying are crucial – during this time the paints are starting to cure. The minerals are going through the natural processes of starting to harden on your walls. If the paint is still a little delicate, rain or excess moisture can affect the surface and you can notice streaks in the paint itself.
OUTSIDE: If decorating externally, you need to keep an eye on the weather and protect from rain for 4-5 days after drying. Check gutters for leaky joints and blockages and cover any exposed areas well. Stronger colours with more pigment in the base can take a little longer.
INSIDE: This can also happen when painting in bathrooms, or in areas where there can be a lot of moisture in the air (which can transfer onto the walls). Wait 4-5 days before introducing a lot of steam/moisture into the room from baths or showers. This will end up on and running down your walls!
If you do get caught out, don’t just try and paint over the marks, they can show through. Wait for the surface to fully dry and apply a single coat of diluted L42 over the whole area. Allow to cure for 24 hours and then re-apply 2 coats of your chosen Graphenstone paint.
7/2025.
