The Best Satinwood Paints For Interior Wood & Metal

Transform your interior wood and metal with our handpicked selection of satinwood paints that ensure a non-yellowing, long-lasting finish.
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Written & Tested By: Edward Bailey | Updated:
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Best Satinwood Paint
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If you’re disappointed with gloss paint yellowing over time, we highly recommend switching to satinwood paint. Available in water and oil-based formulations, they offer excellent coverage and fast-drying mid-sheen finishes that resist yellowing on interior wood and metal.

To assist you in selecting a satinwood paint, our handpicked selection lists top-performing paints, chosen based on our first-hand experience painting wood and metal surfaces. Our testing and up-to-date research further ensure the quality of our recommendations.

Our Top Picks At A Glance:

Dulux Quick Dry Non Yellowing Satinwood Paint
Best Overall: Dulux Quick Dry
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Best Value: Johnstone’s Interior Wood & Metal
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Dulux Once White Satinwood Paint
Best One Coat: Dulux Once White Satinwood Paint
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Crown Quick Dry Satin Paint
Best All-Rounder: Crown Quick Dry Satin Paint
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Ronseal 2-in-1 Satinwood Paint
Best Non-Yellowing: Ronseal 2-in-1 Satinwood Paint
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Leyland Oil Based Satinwood Paint
Best Value Runner-Up: Leyland Oil Based Satinwood Paint
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How The DIY Works Team Tests & Rates Satinwood Paints

Whilst decorating our house during a recent renovation as well as various touch-ups in other properties we own (Airbnb’s and rentals), we’ve been able to test out a range of satinwood paints. To test the paints, we mostly used them to paint skirting boards, architraves and door frames but we also used them on some metal surfaces such as radiator pipes.

During our testing, we really liked the Dulux Once satinwood paint because it ticked all the boxes and it worked great upon skirting. To give you an idea of how easy it was to use on skirting, below is a video we posted on our YouTube channel that shows us testing it.

However, to keep up our commitment to reviewing and testing the latest satinwood paints (for this article), we are continually testing the latest offerings from top brands in the UK. This means that when we notice a brand has released a new and improved paint, we will attempt to buy it and put it to the test (where applicable).

best non yellowing satinwood paint

Edward Bailey/DIY Works
best water based satinwood

Edward Bailey/DIY Works

As well as our testing and experience using multiple satinwood paints, we also based our recommendations on the latest research and several factors. Some of the factors that we took into consideration included the paint’s coverage, ease of application, finish, non-yellowing capabilities, time to dry, colours available and value for money.

The Best Satinwood Paints

At DIY Works, our content is 100% independent and we would never recommend a product that we wouldn't use ourselves (read our editorial standards and how we test products).

1. Best Overall: Dulux Quick Dry

(How We Review →)

Dulux’s Quick Dry Satinwood paint is a premium option but it’s one of the best on the market. The fast-drying formula is touch dry in one hour and it provides long-lasting protection that stays white.

It’s a self-undercoating paint that produces a low odour and is easy to apply to both wood and metal surfaces. For the best results, it’s recommended that you apply at least two coats with a brush and wait at least 6 hours between the coats.

Pros
  • 16 m2 coverage per litre
    •
  • Non-drip and easy to apply
    •
  • Desirable mid-sheen satin finish
    •
  • Oil based non-yellowing formulation
    •
  • Touch dry in just one hour
Cons
  • Most expensive per litre within our roundup

Although expensive, it’s the ultimate non-yellowing satinwood paint that won’t disappoint. The Dulux Quick Dry range is highly rated across and this satinwood paint leads the way as one of the best that the brand offers.

2. Best Value: Johnstone’s Interior Wood & Metal

(How We Review →)

Just as popular as Dulux’s satinwood paint is Johnstone’s Quick Dry alternative. In terms of its “plus points”, it’s an affordable water-based paint that’s available in a choice of ten colour options.

For the best results, the brand recommends liberally applying the paint with a brush or roller. However, before applying the second coat, it’s advised that you allow 3 to 4 hours for the first coat to fully dry.

Pros
  • 12 m2 coverage per litre
    •
  • Touch dry within 1 to 2 hours
    •
  • Self undercoating
    •
  • Non-yellowing water based formula
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  • Suitable for most interior wood or metals
    •
  • Low odour output for more enjoyable painting
    •
  • Available in 0.75, 1.25 and 2.5 litre tins
Cons
  • From our testing, it required two coats for the best finish

To conclude, Johnstone’s Quick Dry is by far the best satinwood paint for the money that’s available in a great selection of colours. It’s a versatile paint that leaves a great finish on a range of surfaces and it won’t disappoint.

3. Best One Coat: Dulux Once White Satinwood Paint

(How We Review →)

Another satinwood paint by Dulux is the “Once” formula and as the name suggests, it only requires a single coat. For the best satin finish on wood or metal surfaces, Dulux recommends that you apply a thick even coat. We did exactly that when testing it on skirting boards and the finish it left behind was excellent.

Compared to the Quick Dry formula above, it takes up to 16 hours to dry and provides less coverage. However, it’s much cheaper and only requires a single application of the paint.

Pros
  • 12 m2 coverage per litre
    •
  • Single brush application
    •
  • No undercoat needed
    •
  • Non-yellowing and long lasting finish
Cons
  • Requires 16 hours to fully dry

If you require a high-quality satinwood paint that’s easy to apply and only requires a single coat, the Dulux Once is the best option. It’s relatively affordable and is produced by the reputable Dulux brand for complete peace of mind.

4. Best All-Rounder: Crown Quick Dry Satin Paint

(How We Review →)

The Crown Quick Dry is a highly rated alternative to the Dulux and Johnstone’s paints and it provides a durable mid-sheen finish. The water-based formulation is fast drying and specifically designed for interior wood or metal.

Pros
  • Fast drying and touch dry in 1 hour
    •
  • Hard wearing and wipeable
    •
  • 12 m2 coverage per litre
    •
  • Designed for interior wood and metal
    •
  • Stays white water based formulation
    •
  • Easy to apply by brush or roller
    •
  • Available in a 2.5 or 5 litre tin
Cons
  • Requires two coats for the best finish

Overall, the Crown Quick Dry is an excellent all-round satinwood paint that ticks all the boxes and won’t disappoint. When used as a topcoat, it leaves a hard-wearing finish that’s wipeable and easy to maintain for many years to come.

5. Best Non-Yellowing: Ronseal 2-in-1 Satinwood Paint

(How We Review →)

For tackling bare or worn interior wood, the Ronseal 2-in-1 is an excellent option. According to the brand, it’s the easiest satinwood paint to use as it primes and paints and only requires two coats.

Whether you are painting your skirting boards, doors or windows, this satinwood comes with a stay white 10-year guarantee for complete peace of mind.

Pros
  • Stay white guarantee of 10 years
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  • Touch dry within 30 minutes
    •
  • Water based formula
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  • Non-drip brush application
    •
  • Low VOC
Cons
  • Only covers up to 6.5m2 per litre
    •
  • Requires two coats for the best non-yellowing finish

Overall, the Ronseal 2-in-1 is an easy paint to work with that’s fast drying and guaranteed to stay white for up to 10 years. The only main drawback is the poor coverage per litre, which may be an issue for those painting large surfaces.

6. Best Value Runner-Up: Leyland Oil Based Satinwood Paint

(How We Review →)

One of the cheapest satinwood paints that’s actually worth buying is by the Leyland brand. It’s a self-undercoating formula that’s suitable for interior wood or metal and leaves a high-quality satin finish.

In terms of the application, the paint can be applied by brush or roller and recoated within 16 to 24 hours.

Pros
  • Hard wearing and knock-resisting satin finish
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  • Self-undercoating formula
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  • Easy to use on wood or metal
    •
  • 20 m2 coverage per litre
    •
  • Touch dry in 4 hours
    •
  • Application by brush or roller
    •
  • Available as a 2.5 or 5 litre tin
Cons
  • Whilst testing out the formula upon skirting board, we found that it had a strong smell

To conclude, the Leyland Satinwood Paint is a high-quality yet affordable option that leaves an excellent soft sheen finish. It’s the cheapest satinwood paint per litre and it provides excellent coverage at 20 square metres.

Conclusion

Satinwood paint has become increasingly more popular over the last few years and for good reason too. It’s easy to apply to most interior wood or metal surfaces and it leaves a durable mid-sheen finish.

All of our recommendations include a range of water and oil-based satinwood paints that provide a long-lasting non-yellowing finish. Both Dulux and Johnstone’s paints are the most popular but there are many alternatives that offer better coverage or unique features such as a wipeable finish.

If you require further information regarding any of our satinwood paint recommendations, feel free to get in touch and we will try to provide our assistance where possible.

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