Short answer: National Eco Enamel is an alkyd enamel that National describes as lead-free and eco-friendly, with a tough, flexible film, good adhesion and good weather resistance. It comes in glossy, semi-gloss and flat for metal, wood and masonry, inside and out, including heavy equipment and vehicles. It is touch dry in 3 to 4 hours and recoats in 8 hours at 30°C. Gloss and semi-gloss cover about 13 to 17 m² per litre; flat covers about 14 to 18.
Which finish to choose
| Glossy | Semi-gloss | Flat | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volume solids | 51 ± 2% | 52 ± 2% | 55 ± 2% |
| Specific gravity | 1.07 | 1.35 | 1.55 |
| m² per litre | 13 to 17 | 13 to 17 | 14 to 18 |
| Wet film per coat | 60 to 80 µm | 60 to 80 µm | 55 to 75 µm |
| Typical use (our guidance) | Gates, grilles, machinery | Doors and trim | Walls, low-sheen metalwork |
Key facts (all finishes)
| Type | Lead-free alkyd enamel (as described by National), single pack |
| Surfaces | Metal, wood, masonry; heavy equipment, vehicles, repaints; interior and exterior |
| Colours | National shade card |
| Film per coat | 30 to 40 microns dry |
| Drying at 30°C | Touch dry 3 to 4 h; recoat 8 h; hard dry 24 h |
| Application | Brush, roller or spray (airless 2200 psi, tip 0.015 to 0.020 inch; air 50 psi) |
| Thinning | 5 to 15% with National G.P. Thinner |
| Shelf life | 18 months at 25°C, sealed |
Step 1: prepare the surface
- Steel: degrease; clean to St 2 or blast to Sa 2.5.
- Concrete and masonry: clean, dry and sound; remove laitance, efflorescence and dust. New concrete is strongly alkaline (up to pH 13), so prime with an alkali-resistant primer.
- Wood: dry and clean, sanded smooth, then primed.
Source: National Paints surface preparation guide (Sec. A-2).
Step 2: the systems
| Coat | Concrete | Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Primer | PVA Primer Sealer × 1 | Red Oxide Primer × 1 |
| Filler | Stucco Filler × 2 | |
| Undercoat | Synthetic Undercoat × 1 | Synthetic Undercoat × 1 |
| Finish | Eco Enamel × 1 | Eco Enamel × 2 |
What the numbers mean
Coverage = volume solids × 10 ÷ dry film. Glossy: 510 ÷ 30 = 17 and 510 ÷ 40 ≈ 12.8. Flat: 550 ÷ 30 ≈ 18.3 and 550 ÷ 40 ≈ 13.8 m² per litre. That is why the flat finish goes a little further. The flat is also much denser (SG 1.55 against 1.07), so a litre of flat weighs about 45% more.
How much to buy
| Area, 2 coats | Glossy or semi-gloss | Flat |
|---|---|---|
| 20 m² | 2.4 to 3.1 L | 2.2 to 2.9 L |
| 50 m² | 5.9 to 7.7 L | 5.6 to 7.1 L |
| 100 m² | 11.8 to 15.4 L | 11.1 to 14.3 L |
Frequently asked questions
Eco Enamel or Synthetic Enamel?
Eco Enamel offers three sheens in one product line and is described as lead-free. Gloss II dries faster (touch dry in 1 hour); Gloss I is the general-purpose gloss; Flat/Matt is the standard matt.
Is it water-based?
No. It is an alkyd thinned with National G.P. Thinner. For a water-based gloss on masonry, wood and plastic, see Gloss Emulsion.
Buy in Sharjah and Dubai
Al Tashteb Al Saree is an authorised National Paints retailer in Bu-Tina, Sharjah. Message us on WhatsApp with the finish and shade you need.
Sources
All via AEC Online, retrieved 4 November 2026. Quantities are our own calculations. The main image is illustrative.
