Short answer: National Flat/Matt Synthetic Enamel is an alkyd-based, general-purpose enamel with a smooth matt finish, for interior walls, ceilings, wood and metal. It covers about 13 to 17.5 m² per litre and needs 8 hours before the next coat at 30°C. On walls National’s system is PVA Primer Sealer, two coats of Stucco Filler, Synthetic Undercoat, then one coat of Flat/Matt. On steel it is Red Oxide Primer, undercoat and two coats.
When a matt enamel makes sense
Flat/Matt Enamel lets you use one solvent-based alkyd finish across walls, ceilings, doors and metalwork when a flat look is wanted. National’s specifier also lists it as an option in its bathroom, kitchen and door-frame systems. For walls alone, a water-based matt emulsion is the simpler choice:
| Flat/Matt Enamel | Matt Emulsion | Eco Enamel (flat) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Alkyd, solvent | PVA/acrylic, water | Alkyd, described as lead-free |
| Surfaces | Walls, ceilings, wood, metal | Walls and masonry, inside and out | Metal, wood, masonry |
| Recoat at 30°C | 8 h | 2 to 4 h | 8 h |
| Thinner | G.P. Thinner | Water | G.P. Thinner |
Key facts
| Decorative sheet | Protective sheet | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Alkyd synthetic enamel, single pack | |
| Finish and colours | Smooth matt; National shade card | |
| Volume solids | 53 ± 2% | |
| Specific gravity | 1.50 ± 0.05 | 1.55 ± 0.05 |
| Spreading rate | 13 to 17.5 m² per litre | |
| Film per coat | 30 to 40 µm dry (55 to 75 wet) | |
| Drying at 30°C | Touch 2 to 3 h; recoat 8 h; hard 24 h | Touch 6 h; recoat 8 h; hard 24 h |
| Application | Brush, roller or spray (airless 2200 psi, tip 0.015 to 0.020 inch; air 50 psi) | |
| Thinner, flash point | National G.P. Thinner; 38°C | |
| Shelf life | 18 months, sealed | |
Step 1: prepare the surface
- Walls and ceilings: clean, dry and sound; remove dust, grease, laitance and efflorescence, per National’s surface preparation guide.
- Steel: degrease; clean to St 2 or blast to Sa 2.5.
- Wood: dry, clean and smoothed with glass paper, then Wood Primer.
Step 2: the systems
| Coat | Concrete and walls | Steel | Doors and frames (specifier) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primer | PVA Primer Sealer × 1 | Red Oxide Primer × 1 | Wood Primer × 1 |
| Filler | Stucco Filler × 2 | Stucco Filler × 2 | |
| Undercoat | Synthetic Undercoat × 1 | Synthetic Undercoat × 1 | Synthetic Undercoat × 1 |
| Finish | Flat/Matt × 1 | Flat/Matt × 2 | Flat/Matt × 2 |
What the numbers mean
Coverage = 530 ÷ 30 ≈ 17.7 and 530 ÷ 40 ≈ 13.3 m² per litre, matching the sheet’s range. A 35-micron coat needs about 66 microns wet (35 ÷ 0.53).
How much to buy
| Area | 1 coat (walls) | 2 coats (steel, doors) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 m² | 1.1 to 1.5 L | 2.3 to 3.1 L |
| 50 m² | 2.9 to 3.8 L | 5.7 to 7.7 L |
| 100 m² | 5.7 to 7.7 L | 11.4 to 15.4 L |
Mistakes to avoid
- Skipping the undercoat. All of National’s systems for this enamel include Synthetic Undercoat.
- Painting walls without filler. The wall system uses two coats of Stucco Filler for a smooth base.
- Thinning with water. It is solvent-based; use G.P. Thinner.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use it outside?
The decorative data sheet lists interior uses; the protective sheet mentions resistance to moderate atmospheres but does not state exterior use. For exterior metal, Gloss II or the flat Eco Enamel are listed for outdoor work.
Is it washable?
The data sheets do not give a washability rating. If you need one, ask us for the product’s latest technical sheet.
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 shade.
Sources
- National Flat/Matt Synthetic Enamel, decorative data sheet (PDF)
- National Flat/Matt Synthetic Enamel, protective data sheet (PDF)
- National Paints surface preparation guide, Sec. A-2 (PDF)
- National Paints systems specifier (PDF)
All via AEC Online, retrieved 4 November 2026. Quantities are our own calculations. The main image is illustrative.
