Short answer: National Gloss Emulsion is a water-based acrylic with a glossy finish for interior and exterior masonry, concrete, wood and plastic. National lists it as the topcoat of its Eco System and describes it as UV and chalking resistant with low dirt pickup. The basic system is PVA Primer White, one coat of Matt Emulsion, then two coats of Gloss Emulsion. It covers about 8 to 10 m² per litre and needs 6 to 8 hours between coats at 30°C. It comes in white and limited colours.
Gloss Emulsion or gloss enamel?
| Gloss Emulsion | Synthetic Enamel Gloss I | |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Water-based acrylic | Solvent-based alkyd |
| Surfaces | Masonry, concrete, wood, plastic | Walls, steel, wood |
| Colours | White and limited colours | National shade card |
| Recoat at 30°C | 6 to 8 h | 18 h |
| Thinner | Water | G.P. Thinner |
| Sheet’s claims | UV and chalk resistant, low dirt pickup | Crack, abrasion and wash resistant |
Key facts
| Type | Water-based acrylic emulsion |
| Surfaces | Masonry, concrete, wood, plastic; interior and exterior |
| Finish and colours | Glossy; white and limited colours |
| Volume solids | 40 ± 2% |
| Specific gravity | 1.18 |
| Spreading rate | 8 to 10 m² per litre (theoretical) |
| Film per coat | 40 to 50 microns dry (100 to 125 wet) |
| Drying at 30°C | Touch dry 1 hour; recoat 6 to 8 hours |
| Application | Brush, roller or airless spray (2100 psi, tip 0.018 to 0.021 inch) |
| Thinning | 5 to 10% with water |
| Shelf life | 18 months, sealed |
Step 1: get the surface smooth
National’s data sheet notes that a smooth surface gives a better gloss: gloss highlights every bump and pore. Prepare walls as National’s surface preparation guide describes (clean, dry, sound; laitance and efflorescence removed), fill cracks with Joint Filler, and indoors smooth the wall with Stucco Filler before priming. On wood, sand smooth and remove dust.
Step 2: choose the system
| System | Coats | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Smooth gloss walls | PVA Primer White × 1, Matt Emulsion × 1, Gloss Emulsion × 2 | Data sheet |
| National Eco (textured exterior) | PVA Primer White, Acrylic Primer or Tex Primer × 1, Nutex × 1, Weather Resist × 2, Gloss Emulsion × 2 | Specifier |
| National Fibre | PVA Primer Sealer, PVA Primer White or White Glue × 1, Gloss Emulsion × 2 | Specifier |
What the numbers mean
Coverage = 400 ÷ 40 = 10 and 400 ÷ 50 = 8 m² per litre. A 45-micron coat needs about 113 microns wet. With an SG of 1.18, it is much lighter than National’s matt emulsions (about 1.50), so a litre weighs less, which matters on scaffolding.
How much to buy
| Area | Gloss Emulsion, 2 coats | Matt Emulsion base, 1 coat |
|---|---|---|
| 20 m² (feature wall or doors) | 4 to 5 L | 1.9 to 2.4 L |
| 50 m² | 10 to 12.5 L | 4.8 to 5.9 L |
| 100 m² | 20 to 25 L | 9.5 to 11.8 L |
Mistakes to avoid
- Recoating at 2 to 4 hours like a matt emulsion. Gloss needs 6 to 8 hours.
- Glossing a rough wall. The sheet ties gloss quality to surface smoothness.
- Expecting the full shade card. It comes in white and limited colours.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use it on plastic?
Yes, the data sheet lists plastic among its surfaces. Clean and lightly key the plastic first.
How does it compare with Eggshell?
Gloss is National’s shiniest emulsion; Eggshell Silky and Eggshell Matt are low sheen. See National emulsions compared.
Buy in Sharjah and Dubai
Al Tashteb Al Saree is an authorised National Paints retailer in Bu-Tina, Sharjah. Message us on WhatsApp for Gloss Emulsion and the full system.
Sources
- National Gloss Emulsion data sheet (PDF)
- National Paints systems specifier (PDF)
- National Paints surface preparation guide, Sec. A-2 (PDF)
All via AEC Online, retrieved 4 November 2026. Quantities are our own calculations. The main image is illustrative.
