Want a little sheen on your walls without going to gloss? Short answer: National Eggshell Emulsion (Silky Finish) is an acrylic copolymer emulsion that National describes as having excellent washability and good hiding power. It covers about 9.5 to 12 m² per litre, is touch dry in 1 hour and can be recoated in 2 to 4 hours at 30°C. National’s system is one primer, two coats of Stucco Filler and two coats of Eggshell Silky.
Key facts
| Type | Acrylic copolymer emulsion, alkali resistant |
| Surfaces | Interior and exterior concrete, plaster, masonry, brickwork, gypsum and wood (the sheet also lists asbestos) |
| Finish | Silky (eggshell) |
| Colours | National shade card |
| Volume solids | 48 ± 2% |
| Spreading rate | 9.5 to 12 m² per litre (theoretical) |
| Film per coat | 40 to 50 microns dry (80 to 100 wet) |
| Drying at 30°C | Touch dry 1 hour; recoat after 2 to 4 hours |
| Application | Brush, roller or spray |
| Thinning | 5 to 10% with water, depending on method |
| Shelf life | 18 months, sealed |
The system
- Primer, one coat: National PVA Primer Sealer or PVA Primer White.
- Stucco Filler (interior), two coats, sanded smooth.
- Eggshell Emulsion Silky, two coats.
How much to buy
| Wall area | Litres for two coats |
|---|---|
| 50 m² | about 8.3 to 10.5 L |
| 100 m² | about 16.7 to 21 L |
| 250 m² | about 42 to 53 L |
Frequently asked questions
Silky or matt eggshell?
Both are National eggshell emulsions; the difference is the finish. See our Eggshell Matt guide and Matt Emulsion vs Eggshell.
Can I use it outside?
National lists exterior surfaces and says it has excellent light and weather resistance. For harder-wearing exterior finishes, also look at Acrylic Rock Top Coat.
Silky against other National emulsions
| Eggshell Silky | Eggshell Matt | Gloss | Super Matt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | Silky eggshell | Matt eggshell | Glossy | Smooth matt |
| Volume solids | 48% | 40% | 40% | 42% |
| m² per litre | 9.5 to 12 | 8 to 10 | 8 to 10 | 8.5 to 10.5 |
Step 1: prepare the wall
- National’s surface preparation guide asks for a clean, dry, sound surface, with laitance and efflorescence removed. Wash exteriors with high-pressure water (2200 psi minimum) and let them dry.
- Prime with PVA Primer Sealer, as the system lists, then apply two coats of Stucco Filler on interior walls.
- Sand the filler smooth. A silky sheen shows ridges more than matt does.
What the numbers mean
Coverage = volume solids × 10 ÷ dry film: 48 × 10 ÷ 40 = 12 and 48 × 10 ÷ 50 ≈ 9.6 m² per litre, matching the sheet. Wet film = 40 ÷ 0.48 ≈ 83 microns, within its 80 to 100.
| Job (2 coats) | Litres |
|---|---|
| Bedroom walls, about 45 m² | about 7.5 to 9.5 L |
| Two-bed flat, about 200 m² | about 33 to 42 L |
| Villa exterior, about 400 m² | about 67 to 84 L |
Mistakes to avoid
- Skipping the filler on interior walls. The listed system has two coats.
- Over-thinning. Keep to 5 to 10% water.
- Touching up a small patch. Sheen differences show; repaint wall to corner.
Buy National Eggshell in Sharjah and Dubai
Shop National Eggshell Emulsion Matt 18 L and 0.9 L, or message us on WhatsApp for the Silky finish in your shade.
Sources
- National Eggshell Emulsion Silky data sheet (PDF, via AEC Online)
- National Paints surface preparation guide, Sec. A-2 (PDF)
Retrieved 3 November 2026. Quantities are our own calculations. The main image is illustrative.
