You have found the perfect colour – maybe on a paint chart, in a magazine or on a friend's wall – but the premium brand price for every room in the house adds up fast. Colour matching into a quality trade emulsion is one of the easiest ways to keep the look while keeping the cost down. At Dawes, our go-to paint for this is Johnstone's Trade Covaplus Vinyl Matt.
What is paint colour matching?
Paint colour matching means mixing a paint to recreate a specific colour. Johnstone's tinting system holds over 15,500 colour formulas, and we can mix Covaplus to any of them while you wait. If you bring in a colour reference from another brand, a sample card or even a physical item, we can mix the closest match we can achieve in Covaplus.
A quick, honest note: a colour match is a very close match, not a copy. Different brands use different pigments and bases, and a colour can look slightly different from one paint to another – especially deep, rich shades. That is why we always recommend painting a test patch and checking it in your room's own light before buying in bulk.
Why Covaplus is the best value paint for colour matching
- Trade quality at a sensible price. Covaplus is a premium vinyl matt that professional decorators use every day.
- Huge colour range. Over 15,500 shades through the Johnstone's tinting system.
- Great coverage. 12–14 m² per litre, so a little goes a long way.
- Quick drying. Touch dry in 1–2 hours and recoatable after 2–4 hours – most rooms can be done in a day.
- Very low VOC and low odour. Max 3 g/L – suitable for occupied homes.
- Excellent colour retention. Resists fading so your colour stays true.
Johnstone's Covaplus Vinyl Matt technical specifications
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Finish | Matt |
| Coverage | 12–14 m² per litre (depending on porosity) |
| Volume solids | 27% |
| Touch dry | 1–2 hours |
| Recoatable | After 2–4 hours |
| VOC | Max 3 g/L (EU limit 30 g/L) |
| Thinning | Clean water – up to 10% for sealing absorbent surfaces |
| Application | Brush, roller or spray |
| Substrates | Plaster, plasterboard, wood, metal, concrete, render, brick and blockwork (internal) |
| Colours | Over 15,500 via Johnstone's tinting system |
| Sizes | 350 ml tester, 1 L, 2.5 L, 5 L, 10 L |
| Minimum application temperature | 10°C |
How much paint do I need?
Measure the height and width of each wall, multiply to get the area in square metres and add them up. Subtract large windows and doors. Divide by 12 (a safe coverage figure) and multiply by the number of coats – usually two. For example, a typical bedroom with 35 m² of wall needs about 35 ÷ 12 × 2 ≈ 6 litres, so a 5 L tin plus a little extra, or two 2.5 L tins plus a 1 L.
Tips for a perfect colour-matched finish
- Buy a 350 ml tester first and paint a large patch – at least A4 size – on two walls.
- Order all the paint you need in one go, so it is mixed in one batch.
- Seal new plaster with a mist coat (Covaplus thinned with up to 10% water) before your full coats.
- Stir the tin thoroughly before and during use.
- For busy hallways and kitchens, ask us about Johnstone's Acrylic Durable Matt in the same colour – it is far more scrubbable.
Frequently asked questions
Can you match colours from other paint brands?
We can mix a close match to most colour references in Covaplus. It will not be identical to the original brand's paint – pigments and bases differ – so always try a tester first. If you need the exact original colour, buy the original brand.
How long does colour matching take?
Usually just a few minutes in store. Online orders are mixed and dispatched for UK delivery.
Is Covaplus washable?
It can be gently wiped, but it is not designed for scrubbing. For high-traffic areas, Johnstone's Acrylic Durable Matt is the better choice.
Do I need a primer under Covaplus?
On sound, previously painted walls, no. On new plaster, apply a thinned mist coat first.
Buy Johnstone's Covaplus Vinyl Matt from Dawes
Dawes is your local decorating centre in West London. We mix Johnstone's Covaplus Vinyl Matt to order in our store at 158–160 Goldhawk Road, W12 8HJ, or you can order online for delivery anywhere in the UK. Delivery is free on orders over £50, and if you need it fast, our Priority service delivers the next working day when you order by 1pm. Trade accounts are available.
Not sure which product is right for your job? Call us on 020 8748 6711, email sales@dawespaints.co.uk or pop into the shop – we are open Monday to Friday 7am–5pm and Saturday 8am–4pm.
See the full Johnstone's Trade range.