FAQs

The following are representative of the questions we answer on a daily basis, from both homeowners and contractors. We would be pleased to assist you on any additional questions you might have.

General

What is in the paint that makes it so durable and sold at that price point?

All of the components of our paints are manufactured in Holland. The high quality of the binders, pigments and resins combine to provide a coating that is highly durable, eco friendly with stunning color depth. This quality is unmatched on the domestic market.

How do I purchase Christopher Peacock Paint?

Our paint is exclusively distributed on this site. If you live near Chicago or Greenwich, please visit our Christopher Peacock Cabinetry showrooms to view the collection, purchase sample pots, fan decks and color cards.

Are Christopher Peacock Paint coatings considered environmentally friendly? Are they green?

Christopher Peacock Paint is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council®. All Wall Emulsion paints and Acrylic Undercoats meet requirements for compliance with LEED® EQ credit 4.2: Low-emitting materials. The intent of this credit is to reduce the quantity of indoor air containments that are odorous, irritating and/or harmful to the comfort and well-being of installers and occupants. For information on U.S. Green Building Council please visit www.usgbc.org.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating System™ as a "national consensus-based, market-driven building rating system designed to accelerate the development and implementation of green building practices," according to the organization. LEED is comprised of six performance area: siting, water conservation, energy, materials, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design. A certain number of points must be earned in each category by obtaining credits. Different levels of certification can be achieved (LEED Certified, LEED Silver, LEED Gold, and LEED Platinum) depending upon the number of points earned. Manufacturers of LEED-qualified products including paints and coatings use this approval as a marketing tool for architects and builders interested in the LEED program. Selecting paints and coating that meet or exceed the volatile organic compound (VOC) and chemical component requirements of Green Seal requirements will earn one point in the LEED rating system.

What does the green windmill insignia mean?

The Green Windmill (Groene Windmolen) insignia is available for use by Dutch paint manufacturers for display on containers with low VOC, earth-friendly coatings containing low levels of aromatic compounds.

How have Christopher Peacock Paint and F. Schumacher & Co. partnered?

Christopher Peacock Paint has recently entered into a new paint partnership with Schumacher, pairing 8 of our distinctive colors with the classic wallcoverings of their Greenhouse Collection. The result is a complete palette for the home where one can move from room to room knowing that the color scheme has individuality but lives in harmony. To learn more about the partnership, colors, and the Greenhouse Collection, please visit our Schumacher partnership page.

Interior

What are the advantages of oil paint vs. acrylic paint for interior woodwork?

In the low lustre and high lustre finishes, which are commonly used on woodwork, oil enamels traditionally exhibited a richness, touch and leveling ability which is unmatched by waterborne paints.

I am accustomed to using satin enamel on walls, in order to achieve durability and washability. Must I do the same with your coatings?

No. If you are seeking a beautiful, durable finish which is easily maintained, Wall Emulsion Matte will more than exceed your hopes and expectations. Wall Emulsion Matte is as durable, scrubbable and chip-resistant as our Architrave & Trim paints. Our clientele can be assured of scrubbability and chip- resistance in a non-burnishing wall coating, whether they select Wall Emulsion Matte or Low Lustre. These remarkable scrubbable acrylic paints can be expected to yield ten to fifteen years of beauty and service in an active home.

Durability

How long will your Cupboard or Architrave & Trim paint application last?

A Cupboard or Architrave & Trim application, consisting of a full Christopher Peacock Paint Undercoat and two finish coats, applied to a sound substrate according to instructions, can normally be expected to look freshly-painted for eight to ten years. This finish will typically remain presentable and serviceable for at least an additional five years before requiring renewal with a single maintenance coat of Cupboard or Architrave & Trim.

Wall Emulsion Durability

I understand that your flat acrylic wall paint is not only beautiful but scrubbable. Realistically, how long could I expect a Wall Emulsion job to last in an active residential kitchen?

A properly applied matte or low lustre Wall Emulsion finish could easily yield 12 to 15 years service in a busy kitchen environment. Because Wall Emulsion contains no inexpensive chalky fillers and extenders, it is a beautiful, “tight” finish which repels stains and does not burnish.

Brushing

Why do you recommend the use of Omega brushes?

Due to their higher concentration of solids, our coatings have a different viscosity and brushing characteristic than domestic finishes. Therefore, our paints and varnishes benefit from a shorter-bristled, stiffer brush in order to spread them effectively. Only the Omega white bristle is bleached three times to create the resilience and spring necessary to apply a thin, even coat of heavily-pigmented finish. Some domestic brushes apply too much paint, creating a problem with drips, runs and sags.

How do I care for my brushes?

Once you invest in good brushes, you will certainly want to care for them properly. We suggest that by following the instructions below, you will substantially improve the quality of your painting results and maximize the serviceable life of your brushes. With good care you will enjoy your brushes for several years.

1. New brushes occasionally contain factory dust and a few loose hairs. Work the bristles gently against your hand until any dust particles and loose hairs have been removed. Then rinse the brush well in good quality mineral spirits and spin briefly using a centrifugal paint brush spinner.
2. Immediately after use, brushes used for alkyd finishes should be thoroughly cleaned with Mineral Spirits and a centrifugal paint brush spinner. With a good paint brush spinner, a brush may be cleaned thoroughly in less than two minutes. A good rule of thumb is if you are stopping for a coffee break, there is no need to clean your brush. However, if you are stopping for lunch, it is a necessity.
3. Brushes which have been used in the application of oil-based finishes should NEVER be used to apply water-based finishes.

Christopher Peacock Paint is proud to import brushes from the legendary Omega Brushworks of Bologna, Italy. This venerable firm produces a range of brushes made with the famous white, “pure Setola” bristles, noted for their resilience and durability. All Omega brushes are handmade and packed full, without a spacer in the ferrule. Hard, vulcanized rubber – impervious to solvents – is used to set the bristles in a stainless ferrule. All Omega brushes are mounted on balanced, pecan handles.