Short answer: National Marbert is a decorative wall coating applied with a sponge roller, comb, gun or patterned roller. Prime with PVA Primer White or Tex Primer, apply Marbert, then finish with two coats of Nationalthane, Acrylic Rock or Gloss Emulsion. It covers about 2 to 3 m² per litre at 200 to 300 microns dry.
Key facts
| Volume solids | 60% |
| Specific gravity | 1.50 |
| Spreading rate | 2 to 3 m² per litre |
| Film per coat | 200 to 300 microns dry (330 to 500 wet) |
| Drying at 30°C | Touch dry 2 hours; recoat 4 to 6 hours |
| Application | Sponge roller, comb, gun or patterned roller |
| Thinning | 2 to 5% water |
Step 1: prepare the wall
- Clean, dry and sound, free of dust, grease, laitance and efflorescence, per National’s surface preparation guide.
- Repair cracks with Joint Filler. A decorative effect shows defects, so take the time here.
Step 2: the system
| Coat | Product |
|---|---|
| Primer | PVA Primer White or Tex Primer |
| Effect coat | Marbert |
| Topcoat × 2 | Nationalthane, Acrylic Rock or Gloss Emulsion |
Choosing the topcoat
- Gloss Emulsion: water-based gloss, often the simplest choice for interiors.
- Acrylic Rock or Nationalthane: the options National also lists over its exterior textures. Check each product’s sheet for where it is meant to go.
What the numbers mean
Coverage = 60 × 10 ÷ 200 = 3 m² per litre, and 60 × 10 ÷ 300 = 2. The sheet’s range is simply the difference between a 200 and a 300 micron build.
How much to buy
| Wall area | Marbert at 3 m²/L | Marbert at 2 m²/L |
|---|---|---|
| 15 m² (feature wall) | about 5 L | about 7.5 L |
| 45 m² (bedroom walls) | about 15 L | about 22.5 L |
| 100 m² | about 33 L | about 50 L |
Mistakes to avoid
- Skipping the topcoats. The listed system ends with two of them.
- Changing tools mid-wall. The tool sets the pattern; use the same one throughout.
- Over-thinning. The sheet allows 2 to 5% water.
Frequently asked questions
Which tool gives which look?
The sheet lists sponge roller, comb, gun or patterned roller but does not describe each pattern. Try your chosen tool on a sample board first.
Are there other decorative textures?
Yes. See National textures compared.
Buy in Sharjah and Dubai
Al Tashteb Al Saree is an authorised National Paints retailer in Bu-Tina, Sharjah. Message us on WhatsApp with your wall area and shade.
Sources
All via AEC Online, retrieved 4 November 2026. Quantities are our own calculations. The main image is illustrative.
