Greenlight or Greenwash part 2

I had two rooms to emulsion today. So I went for the 2.5" AS Eco-Ezee. My initial opinion of the brush when tried at the National Painting and Decorating show was positive, but how did it perform in the real world?
In a word - badly!
1. The bristles are too soft resulting in a floppy/wobbly feeling when applying. This 'give' slowed down cutting in as the connection between the hand and paint on the wall was less than affirmative, undermining confidence that the paint will go where you want it.
2. The angle of the bristles is too slight - in pointless a no man's land between a straight and angled brush.
To conclude the brush can be firmed up but cutting in reverse ie. having the point as the leading instead of trailing edge.
The brush does wash out well, but only because you wont put much paint on it before switching to something better.
Eco-Ezee 2.5" AS = Greenwash.

Greenlight or Greenwash? Part 1

Just back from the National Painting and Decorating Show, you couldn't help but notice the range of eco/green decorating products. Everyone seems to playing the environmentally-sound card, but who is for real and who is on the bandwagon?
Over the next few weeks I'll be testing a few eco decorating products to see whats what.

                                                   First up: The Envirosolutions Roller cleaner

A garden hose is connected to the pointy end, insert a roller into the other, turn on the tap, job done.

According to the manufacturer a roller can be cleaned with 8ltrs vs 40ltrs the old fashioned way.

I haven't used it yet but if it works as promised it will save time and water. On the downside its imported from Dulux Australia, so who knows how many ltrs you need to save to offset the carbon cost of importing it from the other side of the world.

Next in: Eco Ezee Brushes

'Sustainability without compromise' is the tag line. The bristles are 80% solid round tapered recycled synthetic fillaments with a 20% natural bristle blend. The use of natural bristles reduces the amount of plastic. Although natural bristles are out of favour for most paints now the brush performs well, I tested one in the afternoon which had been used for demos all day and was impressed how well it cut.

 The handle is bamboo, which is quick growing and lightweight. It feels nice in the hand and looks good too. The ferrule is recycled stainless steel. 

So far it ticks all the boxes - too good to be true perhaps? Well its made in China, then shipped to the USA before being imported to good old Blighty! 

Now that nice bamboo handle - in theory bamboo is sustainable but it needs to be replanted when harvested. It may be quick growing but some species dont flower for 120 years, so seeds can be hard to come by.

Since bamboo is marketed as a green material demand has soared putting pressure on plant populations.

That's all for now, if you have used these products or have an opinion you'd like to share, do comment!

This hall, stairs and landing undergoing a colour change from a salmon/orange colour to Charlston Grey from the Farrow and Ball range. This colour was popular with the Bloomsbury group. The ceiling was painted with Dulux Trade Flat Matt.
The existing decoration was in quite good condition, but there is always room for improvement!
The caulking between the top of the skirting and the wall was messy, so it was raked out and re-caulked to enable a finer line to be cut in.