National Eggshell Emulsion (Matt) is one of National Paints’ main wall finishes in the UAE. Short answer: it is a water-based acrylic emulsion with a matt eggshell finish, washable, with antifungal and antibacterial additives, for interior and exterior walls. Two coats cover about 8 to 10 m² per litre each. This guide summarises National’s technical data sheet.
Key facts
| Type | Superfine, alkali-resistant acrylic copolymer emulsion, water-based |
| Finish | Matt eggshell |
| Colours | National Shade Card |
| Volume solids | 40 ± 2% |
| Spreading rate | 8 to 10 m² per litre (theoretical) |
| Film per coat | 40 to 50 microns dry |
| Drying at 30°C | Touch dry 1 hour; recoat after 2 to 4 hours |
| Thinning | 5 to 10% water |
| Application | Brush, roller or spray |
| Shelf life | 18 months, sealed |
Where it can go
National lists it as a decorative smooth finish for interior and exterior concrete, plaster, masonry, brickwork, gypsum, asbestos and wood. The data sheet highlights washability, hiding power and light and weather resistance, which suit living rooms, bedrooms, corridors and stairwells.
The full system
- Primer: one coat of National PVA Primer Sealer or PVA Primer White. National Acrylic Primer (W.B.) is an alternative in the Paint Systems Specifier.
- Filler: two coats of National Stucco Filler (interior).
- Finish: two coats of Eggshell Emulsion (Matt).
Each step is explained in our National Paints interior wall system guide.
How much to buy
| Wall area | Two coats at 8 to 10 m²/L | Packs |
|---|---|---|
| 10 m² (feature wall) | 2 to 2.5 L | Three 0.9 L cans |
| 60 m² (bedroom) | 12 to 15 L | One 18 L drum |
| 200 m² (apartment) | 40 to 50 L | Three 18 L drums |
Matt or Silky?
National also makes Eggshell Emulsion in a Silky finish, with higher volume solids (48%) and a spreading rate of 9.5 to 12 m²/L. See Matt Emulsion vs Eggshell Emulsion for the comparison, and our paint finish guide for sheen in general.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use it in a bathroom?
National’s specifier lists separate systems for bathrooms and kitchens. See National Paints systems for bathrooms and kitchens.
How long before I can recoat?
2 to 4 hours at 30°C. Humidity, airflow, film thickness and number of coats all change this.
Eggshell Matt against other National emulsions
| Eggshell Matt | Eggshell Silky | Matt | Super Matt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | Matt eggshell | Silky eggshell | Matt | Smooth matt |
| Where | Interior and exterior | Interior and exterior | Interior and exterior | Interior and exterior |
| Volume solids | 40% | 48% | 42% | 42% |
| m² per litre | 8 to 10 | 9.5 to 12 | 8.5 to 10.5 | 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 new plaster and concrete: they can reach pH 13. Use the primer from the system on the data sheet, such as PVA Primer Sealer or Acrylic Primer (W.B.).
- Fill and smooth interior walls with Stucco Filler; repair cracks with Joint Filler.
What the numbers mean
Coverage = volume solids × 10 ÷ dry film: 40 × 10 ÷ 40 = 10 and 40 × 10 ÷ 50 = 8 m² per litre, which is the sheet’s range. A slight sheen shows unevenness more than flat matt, so a well-filled wall matters.
| Job (2 coats) | Litres |
|---|---|
| Bedroom walls, about 45 m² | about 9 to 11.3 L |
| Two-bed flat, about 200 m² | about 40 to 50 L |
| Villa exterior, about 400 m² | about 80 to 100 L |
Mistakes to avoid
- Painting over unprimed new plaster.
- Over-thinning. The sheet allows 5 to 10% water.
- Recoating early. Wait 2 to 4 hours at 30°C.
- Mixing batches mid-wall. Box tins of the same shade together first.
Buy National Eggshell Emulsion in Sharjah and Dubai
Al Tashteb Al Saree is an authorised National Paints retailer. Shop Eggshell Emulsion Matt 18 L drum or 0.9 L can, or message us on WhatsApp with your shade and area.
Sources
- National Eggshell Emulsion (Matt) data sheet (PDF, via AEC Online)
- National Eggshell Emulsion (Silky) data sheet (PDF)
- 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.
