Frequently asked questions
We're here to help, so here's some of common questions we get asked.
If your particular query is not included, please get in touch with the Little Knights team on 01604 781009, email us or fill in our contact form.
Interior Paints
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Interior Paints : Preparation & Priming
No. Our paints are uniquely formulated to eliminate the need for a separate primer, which reduces cost, simplifies your project, and speeds up the process.
Yes, it's essential to seal knots before painting.Wood knots contain resins and oils that will bleed through the paint over time, causing discolouration. Applying a quality knotting solution prior to painting ensures these stains don't ruin your finish.
Little Knights paint does adhere to PVA surfaces, however we'd always recommend testing a small area first. Please be aware PVA is not VOC-free and therefore if you suffer with asthma or allergies we wouldn't recommend being present for the application. The good news is once Little Knights is painted on your walls it will seal in the nasty smell (and VOCs) associated with PVA.
No, simply sand the surface to provide a key and wipe clean with a damp cloth. Let the surface dry before applying new gloss. NOTE: We recommend testing a small area first.
Preparation differs depending on what surface you are painting. Please refer to our Preparation, coverage, & application page for more details.
Interior Paints : Application
Yes, but you must first apply a mist coat. We recommend a ratio of 60:40 paint to water for an undercoat of this kind. Read more in our blog: Tips for painting on a freshly plastered wall
There are many variations of vinyl paint, so we cannot say for certain. We suggest testing a small area first.
Our Matte and Eggshell finishes are both completely breathable and fine to use on these surfaces. Please read ..... for more information.
In "normal" conditions our paint is touch dry in 1-2 hours, and recoatable in 4-6 hours. This does of course differ depending on application and temperature of the air, however these are to give you a rough idea.
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Remove as much paint as possible from decorating tools before cleaning in warm soapy water, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Do not empty surplus paint into drains and watercourses - most local authorities will have special facilities for the disposal of waste coatings and paint, contact them for details.
Interior Paints : Specific Surfaces
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No, Little Knights paint isn't suitable for floorboards. While it is very durable, floorboards require a paint specifically formulated to withstand the high foot traffic, scuffs, and abrasions of a floor.
Interior Paints : General & Technical
Yes! Our paint will remove any potential health hazard caused by bacteria growth and seal in the bad smells. Find our more..
You can easily figure out how much paint you need with our paint calculator. It's available on every paint colour page—simply input your room's measurements to get an estimate.
Exterior Paints
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Exterior Paints : Preparation & Priming
Yes
Our exterior paint lasts up to 10 years (may vary depending on surface and conditions).
Yes.
Yes
Unfortunately not as decking paint is a very different product.
Surfaces need to be dry and clean before painting. Failure to do this may affect the integrity of the paint finish.
Health & Environment
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Health & Environment : Paint safety
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are the chemicals in conventional paints that are often identified as "that new paint smell". VOCs, such as formaldehyde, can also be found in furniture, cleaning products, air fresheners and carpets. Research suggests VOCs can irritate the lungs, particularly in children. Read more in our blog: Why low VOC paint is still not safe enough
University study involving 400 children shows that even low VOC paint can cause allergies or asthma.Click here to keep reading...
There are numerous sources that warn of the potential harmful effects of paint fumes. The British Lung Foundation, for example, warns that studies show that inhaling the VOCs found in paint fumes can exacerbate asthma and allergies. And because the solvents are absorbed into the lungs, then the blood stream, they can also lead to headaches and dizziness.Continue reading...
According to the UK’s Health Protection Agency, the forerunner of today’s Public Health England, formaldehyde is a colourless, corrosive, flammable gas with a pungent, suffocating odour. It can be produced naturally and is also produced industrially on a larger scale. Find out more on the health problems caused by formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde is used in a wide range of products found around the home and has been proven to cause respiratory problems, irritation to eyes and skin, and in extreme cases has been shown to cause cancer. But despite these serious shortcomings, formaldehyde continues to be widely used because it cannot be easily replaced. Without the use of formaldehyde the performance of many consumer and industrial products would be negatively impacted. But where is formaldehyde found? Click here to read our full article.
Sore and raw eyes, nose and/or throat are just some of the symptoms your baby may be displaying. Please click here to read our full article.
Health & Environment : Safety and Ingredients
We are independently verified as 100% VOC-free. Is this unusual? Yes! So much so that one of our fellow paint manufacturers (backed up by the British Coatings Federation, of which we are not part) objection to our claim of being a “100% VOC-free paint” and made a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority. Read the full article here.
No.
No.
At Little Knights, none of our ingredients are tested on animals at any stage of the process. Neither is the finished product, making it 100% cruelty-free. It’s as simple as that. Our paint is also 100% vegan-friendly. None of our paint contains any animal-based ingredients at all. We use only plant-based materials to create a VOC-free, antibacterial, healthy paint that’s completely safe for children and pets. Oh, and it looks fantastic too. Find out more.
As a company we are incredibly environmentally conscious and proactive in the community to protect and preserve the environment. For example in 2018 our owner, Mark Gardner, purchased 14 acres of beautiful countryside and woodland which might otherwise have been used for development. This level of care is reflected in our paints too, for example our paint formulation does not pollute waterways - instead breaks down into it's harmless constituent parts in water. This is in direct contrast to many water-based paints and emulsions, which contain harmful chemicals that can remain in the water system even after treatment in a sewage plant. We also use environmentally sustainable packaging throughout, from the glue to the handles.
No, Little Knight paint is not 100% natural, but with good reason. While “nature paints” and "eco paints” sound wholesome they are, by their very nature, more susceptible to the growth of mould and bacteria. Mould growth is an entirely “natural and organic” process, but perhaps one you don’t want taking place on your walls. Wherever possible we use natural ingredients in Little Knights paint, but we also want to make the best and safest product we can. We use only high-quality ingredients and include modern technology as appropriate. We sell our product with honesty and integrity, with no false promises. Find out more in our article: The problem with "eco" and “natural” paints.
Health & Environment : Specific Applications and Uses
Absolutely. Little Knights is a durable, non-toxic water-based paint that conforms fully Toy Safe legislation, meaning that licking and nibbling of the paint will do no harm. Find out more.
Absolutely. Little Knights is a durable, non-toxic water-based paint that conforms fully Toy Safe legislation, meaning that licking and nibbling of the paint will do no harm. Find out more about our 100% VOC-free and antibacterial paint for pets.
Choosing the right paint for your baby's cot could be the difference between giving them a healthy childhood and with health problems, such as breathing problems and skin rashes. This is because conventional water-based paints – even those marketed as 'eco-friendly' - typically contain compounds called PGEs (propylene glycol and glycol ethers) which scientists have shown cause substantially higher rates of asthma, stuffy noses and eczema in children who are regularly exposed to them. Little Knights paints, on the other hand, have been specifically developed to be free of all harmful chemicals and are designed to be kind to young babies who will be sleeping in the cot for months and often gnawing and chewing at the surface, especially if they are teething. Read more on our baby safe cot paint.
Yes. Little Knits paint has the Toy Safe accreditation (BS EN 71 – 3:1995 - Safety of Toys), meaning that little ones licking, sucking and nibbling of the paint will come to no harm.
Health & Environment : Health and Environmental Concerns
Yes. Little Knights is 100% VOC-free, allergen-free and odour-free. It releases NO toxic emissions into the air, and is free from carcinogens, petrochemicals and hazardous fumes of any kind. Read more in our article: The link between paint fumes and childhood asthma that every parent needs to know
Commercial paints often contain volatile organic compounds (VOC) which can cause irritation to eyes and skin as well as headaches in a new-born. Little Knights paint is completely safe for pregnant mums and children of any age from birth onwards as well as pets and vulnerable adults. For more information read our article: Can you paint while pregnant?
Although Little Knights paint releases absolutely no harmful emissions while being applied, we do still recommend that children not be present for up to 4 hours after the paint has been applied as the room may feel damp.
A breathable paint such as Little Knights will help prevent damp in the home and is imperative in preserving and maintaining old buildings that use various lime mortar and washes. Find out more in our article: Why breathable paint is essential for a healthy, happy home.
Yes, Little Knights is completely breathable. But how does this help? Older houses were designed to be naturally ventilated and damp that found its way inside would evaporate in warmer weather. If you seal your walls with a modern non-permeable paint, though, any water that does find its way in is trapped under that waterproof layer, and will soon make its presence known in the shape of damp patches, flaking or even mould. Non-breathable paints literally prevent the walls ‘breathing’ or giving and releasing moisture, and that’s relevant even in new-build modern homes. Find out more in our article: Why breathable paint is essential for a healthy, happy home.
Website Orders
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Website Orders : Products
Yes, we offer 100ml samples for all of our colours. All samples come in Matte Interior Walls and Ceiling paint finish, however if you do specifically want a sample of one of the other finishes, please note this in the 'Order Note' box in the cart drawer.
Website Orders : Delivery
Delivery cost varies depending on location and service chosen. Please see our Delivery page for more details.
Standard delivery to UK mainland takes roughly 2-3 working days. There are faster options available - please see our Delivery page for more details.
Outside UK mainland delivery time will vary depending on location.
If you haven't received your order please fill in this form and then contact us so we can look into it for you.
Website Orders : Returns
If you have any queries, or would like to get in touch, call us on (+44) 1604 781009, email info@little-knights.co.uk or fill in our contact form.
We are sorry, but we can’t take returns if you don’t like the colour. Monitors, screens and devices vary in how they display colour, so we urge all customers to take care when choosing their paint and to purchase a sample tin before placing an order for the full quantity.
If you are unhappy with your order, please contact us so we can help and discuss.
To start a return, please refer to our Returns page for full details and forms.













