National Acrylic Rock is a textured wall system, and its top coat is what gives it colour and protection. Short answer: National Acrylic Rock Top Coat is a quick-drying, acrylic-based topcoat in gloss or matt, applied in two coats over National Nutex spray texture. It is thinned and cleaned with National Acrylic Thinner. National’s specifier also lists it in systems for bathrooms and kitchens. This guide summarises National Paints’ technical data sheet.
Key facts
| Gloss | Matt | |
|---|---|---|
| Volume solids | 33 ± 2% | 46 ± 2% |
| Spreading rate | 8 to 11 m²/L | 11.5 to 15 m²/L |
| Dry film per coat | 30 to 40 microns | 30 to 40 microns |
| Wet film per coat | 90 to 120 microns | 65 to 85 microns |
| Drying at 30°C | Touch dry 30 minutes; recoat 3 to 4 hours; hard dry 24 hours |
| Thinning | 5 to 15% National Acrylic Thinner |
| Application | Roller or spray (airless 2,100 psi, 0.018 to 0.020 inch tip) |
| Colours | National Shade Card |
| Flash point | 32°C |
| Shelf life | 18 months, sealed |
The Acrylic Rock system
- Primer, 1 coat: National PVA Primer White for Masonry, National Tex Primer or National Acrylic Primer (W.B.).
- Texture, 1 coat: National Nutex spray texture.
- Topcoat, 2 coats: National Acrylic Rock Top Coat.
The data sheet also lists it as a topcoat on steel and wooden surfaces. For other textured options, see National Tex textured coatings.
Bathrooms and kitchens
National’s Paint Systems Specifier lists Acrylic Rock Top Coat in two wet-area systems: over Nutex texture, and as a solvent-based acrylic finish over primer, Stucco Filler and a Matt Emulsion undercoat. See National Paints systems for bathrooms and kitchens.
How much to buy
For 20 m² of wall, two coats need about 3.6 to 5 L of gloss or 2.7 to 3.5 L of matt, by our calculation from the theoretical spreading rates. Textured surfaces have more surface area than flat ones, so allow extra.
Frequently asked questions
Can I thin it with water?
No. National specifies National Acrylic Thinner for thinning and cleaning. See which National thinner to use.
Which colours are available?
Colours follow the National Shade Card. We stock 800 White and 10B15 Ivory in 0.9 L cans, and can order others.
Gloss or matt?
Both build the same 30 to 40 microns dry per coat, but matt carries far more solids (46% against 33%), so it covers more wall per litre: 11.5 to 15 m² against 8 to 11. Choose gloss for the sheen, matt for a flat look and fewer litres.
Which texture goes under it?
| Texture coat | m² per litre | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Nutex | 1.3 to 2.6 | Spray gun or roller |
| Texo Compound | 1 to 2 | Spray gun |
| Super Finetex (its sheet lists Acrylic Rock as an optional topcoat) | 1 to 2 | Roller |
Step 1: prepare the wall
- National’s surface preparation guide calls for high-pressure water washing (2200 psi minimum) on exteriors, then a dry, sound surface.
- Remove laitance and efflorescence. Repair cracks with Joint Filler.
What the numbers mean
Gloss: 33 × 10 ÷ 30 = 11 and ÷ 40 ≈ 8.3 m² per litre. Matt: 46 × 10 ÷ 30 ≈ 15.3 and ÷ 40 = 11.5. Both match the sheet. On a textured wall the real surface is larger than the flat area, so plan near the lower figures.
| Wall area (2 coats) | Gloss | Matt |
|---|---|---|
| 150 m² (boundary wall, both faces) | about 27 to 37.5 L | about 20 to 26 L |
| 400 m² (villa exterior) | about 73 to 100 L | about 53 to 70 L |
Mistakes to avoid
- Thinning with water or G.P. Thinner. The sheet lists National Acrylic Thinner.
- Topcoating the texture too soon. Nutex and Texo need at least 24 hours.
- One coat only. The listed system is two.
Buy Acrylic Rock Top Coat in Sharjah and Dubai
Al Tashteb Al Saree is an authorised National Paints retailer. Shop 800 White 0.9 L or 10B15 Ivory 0.9 L, plus Acrylic Thinner 3.6 L, or message us on WhatsApp.
Sources
- National Acrylic Rock Top Coat data sheet (PDF, via AEC Online)
- National Paints: Paint Systems Specifier (PDF)
- National Paints surface preparation guide, Sec. A-2 (PDF)
Retrieved 3 November 2026. Quantities are our own calculations. The main image is illustrative.
