Water based paint for wood in Ubon

[nisakiman]

Does anyone know where I can buy a good quality water-based wood paint in Ubon? I'm looking for a satin (semi-gloss) finish paint to use for re-painting the FIL's kitchen cupboard doors. In Europe, I nearly always use water based paint for MDF doors (after I've put an oil based primer on) because it gives a great finish when sprayed, but is also good when applied with a roller. It's also much easier to clean up afterwards, without all that pesky toxic thinners to dispose of.

I've been to Home Pro, Home Hub, Thai Watsadu and a couple of other stores in town, but all I've found so far is a matt finish acrylic for wood, which is basically intended for exterior weatherboarding, and doesn't really 'float' to give a good finish. I just want basic white (although in Greece, where I live, it's available in any colour you like). When I ask (via my wife) for what I want, I'm just greeted with blank looks, like it doesn't exist. But it has been common in Europe for years, so I would have expected it to be available here. Is there a shop here that actually specialises in paints, rather than just having a basic 'paint section'?

[Jay Sata]

I have not managed to find decent water based paint in Thailand.

In general I find the range of paints available here very limited and expensive.

I am not sure where you are from but in the UK we also have stains such as Sadolin that I have never been able to buy here.

Edited February 2, 2015 by Jay Sata

[Seligne2]

Tried a TOA paint shop?

[nisakiman]

Tried a TOA paint shop?

Just about every shop I've been to sells TOA paints, but not what I'm looking for!

@ JS

I'm originally from UK, but I live in Greece, and up until about 10 years ago there was a limited selection of paints, varnishes and stains. Now, however, I can get just about everything I want - all the Dutch and Belgian stains and varnishes (which tend to be the best), and the locally produced paints cover the whole range now and are very good quality. A large part of my business is designing and building (and fitting) kitchens, and many of my clients want painted MDF doors, which not only look clean and modern, but are much cheaper than hardwood fielded panel doors. I've found that water based paints give an excellent finish when sprayed, and are tough and hardwearing, and it has become my paint of choice when I'm doing those sort of jobs. I can't believe it is so difficult to find here!

[Seligne2]

Sorry! I thought this might be the ticket: http://www.toa.com.my/products_superpremium.html

[nisakiman]

Sorry! I thought this might be the ticket: http://www.toa.com.my/products_superpremium.html

Thanks for that link Seligne. The paint I've got is the TOA Supershield (the one on the left in the pic), which I bought at Thai Watsadu, but that was the only one they had in the range, and they only had it in matt! It appears to be designed as an exterior paint for timber houses, with the emphasis on exterior durability rather than finish. Having said that, if I could get it in a satin finish perhaps it would give a better finish. Never mind. Looks like the in-laws are going to have matt finish kitchen doors!

[samsensam]

now and then i see shops stocking dulux paint, dont recall any locations but the dulux thailand page is here:

http://www.dulux.co.th/th

[Jay Sata]

Sorry! I thought this might be the ticket: http://www.toa.com.my/products_superpremium.html

Thanks for that link Seligne. The paint I've got is the TOA Supershield (the one on the left in the pic), which I bought at Thai Watsadu, but that was the only one they had in the range, and they only had it in matt! It appears to be designed as an exterior paint for timber houses, with the emphasis on exterior durability rather than finish. Having said that, if I could get it in a satin finish perhaps it would give a better finish. Never mind. Looks like the in-laws are going to have matt finish kitchen doors!

You must have very demanding in laws?

[Michael Hare]

Over the years living in Ubon, I have found the shop that has the best knowledge of paints is Kit Charoen. They now have a shop immediately past Thai Watsadu on the Ring road. The paint brand I have found the best has been Captain.

[nisakiman]

Sorry! I thought this might be the ticket: http://www.toa.com.my/products_superpremium.html

Thanks for that link Seligne. The paint I've got is the TOA Supershield (the one on the left in the pic), which I bought at Thai Watsadu, but that was the only one they had in the range, and they only had it in matt! It appears to be designed as an exterior paint for timber houses, with the emphasis on exterior durability rather than finish. Having said that, if I could get it in a satin finish perhaps it would give a better finish. Never mind. Looks like the in-laws are going to have matt finish kitchen doors!

You must have very demanding in laws?

Heh! No, not at all - it's me who is the demanding one! The in-laws are just happy I'm painting the doors for them, but because I do this sort of thing for a living, I set my standards high - my future jobs depend on the quality of my work.

@samsensam

I've seen Dulux in at least one of the shops here, but a very small range, and of course, not the paint I want.

It surprises me that there isn't an actual PAINT shop, selling only paint, given that Ubon is quite a large city. I live on a Greek island which has a much smaller population than Ubon, yet there is a shop there that sells predominantly paint and all the peripheral goods like compressors and spray guns, rollers and trays, brushes etc etc. And they stock every type of paint, stain, varnish, filler, sandpaper etc that a tradesman might possibly need. And several different brands of each. They even sell wood waxes and Teak and Danish oils. The works. Where do professional painters and decorators in Ubon buy their stuff?

[Jay Sata]

Where do professional painters and decorators in Ubon buy their stuff?

Does Thailand have professional painters?

Never seen any evidence!

[nisakiman]

Over the years living in Ubon, I have found the shop that has the best knowledge of paints is Kit Charoen. They now have a shop immediately past Thai Watsadu on the Ring road. The paint brand I have found the best has been Captain.

Ah! Thanks for that. I'll try them tomorrow and see what they've got. I've done a first coat with the matt, but if I could get a good satin for the second coat I would be most pleased!

@ JS

Does Thailand have professional painters?

[Anthony5]

Over the years living in Ubon, I have found the shop that has the best knowledge of paints is Kit Charoen. They now have a shop immediately past Thai Watsadu on the Ring road. The paint brand I have found the best has been Captain.

Ah! Thanks for that. I'll try them tomorrow and see what they've got. I've done a first coat with the matt, but if I could get a good satin for the second coat I would be most pleased!

@ JS

Does Thailand have professional painters?

I understand that for doors or kitchens they usually use an oil based paint, because a water based one will wash off over time.

So if you want to go with a water based, at least you should use something like Dulux easy care, which can be washed 3000 times. Those claims are made by Dulux, not by me.

[NeverSure]

Urethane modified acrylic satin is tough as nails and is soap and water cleanup in the brand I use. Double check the cleanup instructions online if you have to.

Acrylic flows out really nice, covers well, resists mildew and looks great when applied. Sherwin Williams brand doesn't even leave brush marks if you use a good brush. I know you said spray, but paint that's brushed on will be tougher because the mechanical action will force it to adhere better. Spray just lays it on there.

Either way, the paint you are seeing may be water cleanup and it's worth checking out.

Cheers.

Edit: PS If it's water cleanup it won't have a horrible smell either.

Edited February 2, 2015 by NeverSure

[nisakiman]

Urethane modified acrylic satin is tough as nails and is soap and water cleanup in the brand I use. Double check the cleanup instructions online if you have to.

Acrylic flows out really nice, covers well, resists mildew and looks great when applied. Sherwin Williams brand doesn't even leave brush marks if you use a good brush. I know you said spray, but paint that's brushed on will be tougher because the mechanical action will force it to adhere better. Spray just lays it on there.

Either way, the paint you are seeing may be water cleanup and it's worth checking out.

Cheers.

Edit: PS If it's water cleanup it won't have a horrible smell either.

Yes, you're right about how tough water based paints are these days - as the technology has advanced, the performance gap between water based and oil based has narrowed to almost nothing.

Is the brand you mention available in Thailand, or is it one that you use in your home country?

[Beachbunny]

http://sadolinthailand.com/index-en.html website has english.

02-623-1350