Valsetin 2 — Frequently Asked Questions

Valsetin 2 is Valpaint’s new‑generation silk‑effect decorative system for interior walls. It delivers the same brushed‑silk look as classic Valsetin, but with an updated very low‑VOC binder and a clearly defined cycle: Primer 400 (tinted) + silk coats.

In simple terms:

• Valsetin — the original silk system, highly artistic and flexible.
• Valsetin 2 — the low‑VOC, system‑driven, specification‑ready upgrade.

Key Valsetin 2 differences:

• New binder with very low VOC and A+ indoor‑air performance.
• Mandatory tinted Primer 400 as part of the cycle.
• More structured system build for large, repeatable projects.

Technically it is a water‑based decorative coating, but visually it behaves like a liquid textile. Walls read as a silk fabric field rather than a simple painted surface, while remaining breathable and repaintable like a high‑performance decorative system.

Common applications include:

• Luxury apartments and penthouses.
• Hotel bedrooms, suites, corridors and lift lobbies.
• Retail flagships, boutiques, salons and showrooms.
• Marketing suites and gallery‑style residential spaces.

It often replaces textile wallcoverings, offering a similar language with easier maintenance and future repaint options.

The Valsetin 2 cycle is deliberately simple but strict:

• Primer 400, tinted towards the chosen colour — essential part of the system.
• Valsetin 2, 1–2 thin coats — applied by trowel / spatula in the chosen silk effect.

Primer 400:

• Stabilises colour and reduces banding.
• Masks joints and repairs on large walls.
• Improves adhesion and levelling of the silk film.

Suitable substrates include:

• New plaster and skimmed plasterboard (fully cured, dry and neutralised).
• Existing emulsion paints in good condition (cleaned, lightly abraded and primed).
• Cement–lime plasters and high‑quality fillers, once stable and primed.

The key requirement is a smooth, defect‑free surface; silk finishes accentuate imperfections under grazing light.

With Valsetin 2 the tinted primer is part of the design:

• Creates a colour “bed” that supports the thin silk coats.
• Helps avoid joint shadowing and lap marks on big walls.
• Keeps the final colour clean, deep and structured.

Typically:

• Roller — for applying tinted Primer 400.
• Stainless‑steel trowel / spatula — for spreading and modelling the silk coats.
• Soft brush / glove / cloth — for more flowered or textile variations.

Recommended tools are available from the ISF Tools & Accessories range.

On smooth, correctly primed walls at around 20 °C:

• Valsetin 2: approx. 7–9 m²/L per coat, depending on technique.
• Primer 400: approx. 8–10 m²/L per coat.
• Touch dry: ≈ 2–3 hours; recoat ≈ 4–6 hours.

As with all silk systems, preparation is critical:

• Remove flaky paint, dust, grease and contaminants.
• Fill and sand joints, cracks and repairs perfectly flat.
• Prime with Primer 400 as specified.

Any defects will show when the silk catches grazing light.

Valsetin 2 is formulated as a very low‑VOC silk system, with VOC values around the 6–7 g/L mark (Cat. A/i) and A+ indoor‑air classification after curing. Formaldehyde emission is extremely low, making it suitable for projects where indoor air quality is a key driver.

Yes. Once fully cured, Valsetin 2 forms a washable decorative film suitable for residential and many hospitality interiors. Clean with a soft cloth and mild neutral detergent; avoid abrasive pads and aggressive chemicals.

Valsetin 2 is a water‑based microfilm that allows a degree of vapour permeability, especially over mineral substrates and appropriate primers. For fully mineral, highly breathable systems, Meteore 10 is usually the starting point, but Valsetin 2 still sits comfortably in modern breathable build‑ups.

Valsetin 2 is intended for dry, ventilated interiors. It can be used in kitchens and bathrooms on walls away from direct water contact, but it is not itself a waterproof membrane.

For fully waterproof surfaces in showers, wet rooms or spa zones we shift to microcement‑style systems such as E‑VOLUTION PLUS or I‑BETON PLUS.

Yes, in selected compositions. In the Waterproof Artistic Walls framework, E‑VOLUTION PLUS provides the fully waterproof body on walls and in wet zones. Above that we can apply decorative systems — including Valsetin 2 — to achieve silk walls over a waterproof substrate where the specification requires it.

Visually the language is very similar: both deliver the characteristic “liquid silk” movement. The main differences are technical:

• Valsetin 2 has the updated low‑VOC chemistry.
• It requires a tinted Primer 400 base.
• It plugs more cleanly into modern specifications and documentation.

Main families:

• Brushed silk — linear, directional sheen, like stretched fabric.
• Flowered / clouded — softer, all‑over pattern reminiscent of luxury wallpaper.
• Textile / patterned — created with cloths or tools to mimic woven structures.

Valsetin 2 is particularly strong on large, calm surfaces where architecture and furniture do the talking and the wall reads as a quiet silk field.

Light is critical with any silk finish:

• Daylight shows direction and softness of strokes.
• Warm LEDs deepen tones and emphasise pearl content.
• Wall‑washers and spots can deliberately highlight or flatten texture.

Always approve samples under final project lighting.

Within the Italian Surface Finishes framework, typical pairings include:

• Valsetin 2 + Meteore 10 Intonaco — silk main walls with concrete or stone feature zones.
• Valsetin 2 + Sabulador Soft — fine silk + sand shimmer combinations.
• Valsetin 2 + Klondike Classic — silk fields with metallic accents in niches and details.

The London Studio shows these at scale so you can tune how much contrast or harmony you want between families.

In general:

• Choose Valsetin when artistic flexibility, heritage continuity or matching existing projects takes priority.
• Choose Valsetin 2 when low‑VOC performance, clear system documentation and repeatable results for large specifications are the focus.

Experienced decorators can follow the guide on small residential areas. For large walls, corridors or repeated schemes we strongly recommend training at the Valpaint London Academy, which covers:

• Stroke direction, rhythm and stopping points.
• Working with tinted Primer 400 to avoid banding.
• Quality control under project lighting.

Italian Surface Finishes, based in London, is the authorised Valpaint hub for Valsetin 2 in the UK. ISF handles tinting, samples, project support and connection to the Approved Applicator Network.

A typical route:

• Book a visit to the London Studio.
• Review Valsetin 2 boards next to Meteore, Klondike and Sabulador samples.
• Shortlist colours/effects and check them against drawings and lighting.
• Read the Technical Data Sheet and Application Guide.
• Submit a project enquiry via the product page.

Yes. Clean, lightly abrade, prime as required and then apply the new system. This makes Valsetin 2 a good alternative to textile wallcoverings in schemes that may evolve over time.

Typical high‑intent phrases include:

• low VOC silk wall paint UK
• Italian silk effect wall finish
• luxury satin wall paint for interiors
• Valsetin 2 silk paint
• silk effect paint for feature walls
• breathable silk wall coating
• Italian decorative paint silk finish

Within Italian Surface Finishes, Valsetin 2 is the system we usually propose when any of these ideas appear in a brief, especially alongside Waterproof Artistic Walls when silk language needs to sit near wet zones.