FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Got a burning question? Looking for more info about one of our products, services, or a pending order? Check out our list of frequently asked questions below for some quick answers. If your question isn’t answered here, get in touch and we're always happy to help.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE FRENCHIC RANGES?
Al Fresco Inside/Outside Range
The Al Fresco Inside/Outside Range is a water based, durable, weatherproof, UV resistant chalk and mineral paint specifically developed to transform your garden or indoor furniture. It is incredibly versatile, eco-friendly, smooth, creamy and virtually odourless with a palette of 25 best-selling colours – plus exciting Limited Editions offered annually.
Requiring simple preparation, it is self-levelling (meaning little to no brush marks), self-priming and self-sealing with excellent coverage. The Al Fresco Range has no VOC content added to it and has gone through rigorous testing to be certified UKCA and EN71-3 compliant meaning it is safe to use on children’s toys.
With a very low, almost flat finish, suitable for wood, laminate, tiles, UPVC and composites, it is a great choice for your kitchen, bathroom, front door or just about any type of garden furniture.
The Lazy Range
The Lazy Range is an innovative, award-winning, eco-friendly, chalk and mineral paint with a unique wax infusion. Virtually odourless and requiring simple preparation, it is self-priming, self-levelling (therefore little to no brush marks) and self-sealing with excellent coverage. The Lazy Range has no VOC content added to it and has gone through rigorous testing to be certified safe for use on children’s toys. It’s also water resistant, so a great choice for kitchen cupboards or many other types of interior furniture.
Chalk Wall Paint Range
Award-winning, Frenchic Chalk Wall Paint is velvety, luxurious and practical! Water based and ultra-matte with excellent coverage, this revolutionary product is durable, breathable and totally scrubbable with no VOCs and virtually no odour. But it’s not just for walls! It is also great for ceilings and other interior surfaces like woodwork, ceramic wall tiles and wood or concrete floors!
Metallics
Our Metallic paints come in two formats:
Frenshimmer is a premixed and densely pigmented lustrous metallic paint with minimal VOC content, best used for highlighting detail, edging, handles, mouldings and more.
Frensheen is natural mineral powder that needs to be mixed into your choice of a Frenchic top coat to form a paint consistency; or with our wax to create a metallic wax. As with everything we do, Frensheen is so safe that it is REACH certified.
All our metallics are suitable for interior or exterior use on a wide range of hard surfaces including wood furniture, laminate, metal, concrete, glass and leather.
Original Artisan Range
The Artisan Range is a traditional style, eco-friendly, chalk and mineral paint. Rich, creamy and self-priming, the Original Artisan Range gives you superior coverage with no added VOC content or odour. Use as is, to turn any surface into a chalkboard; or seal with one of our buttery waxes, Finishing Coat or Tuff Top Coat for durability. As with all Frenchic paints and finishes, it is UKCA and EN71-3 certified, meaning it is safe to use in nurseries and on children’s toys.
IS FRENCHIC THE SAME AS OTHER CHALK PAINTS IN THE MARKET?
No, it’s not. The “mineral” in Frenchic Chalk and Mineral Paint refers to the pigments used which are harvested from the earth. Using natural rather than synthetic pigments allows for greater depth in colour and better durability to UV light and time. Once cured, a surface painted with Frenchic's Lazy and Al Fresco ranges is both water and stain-proof. No primer or top coat is required, making it more of a one-step paint.
DO YOU NEED TO SAND FURNITURE FIRST?
No, no sanding required, all you need to do is wash with Sugar Soap (sometimes even just regular dish soap with hot water will do). This will just remove any grease, that’s on the piece of furniture. If there is grease on the furniture, it won’t matter how many coats of paint you use, it will just go straight through and you will have a grease mark through the paint. By washing it first you get rid of the grease and then you can apply the paint, usually two coats is required. If it’s a dark piece of furniture and you are using pale colours, you might need three, possibly four at times. No preparation in terms of sanding or priming.
HOW MUCH PAINT DO YOU NEED FOR YOUR PROJECTS?
Frenchic Paint has an excellent coverage which goes a very long way. A 750ml tin of Frenchic's Lazy and Al Fresco ranges, cover approximately 7.5m² (80.75 sq ft) per coat. Bear in mind that most surfaces need between 2 to 3 coats for full coverage. Our wall paint has the best coverage of all. Each 2.5L tin will give you 35 m² per tin. To calculate size: multiply the length and width together. For eg, a surface that is 2m x 5 = 10m².
CAN YOU MIX COLOURS?
Yes you can mix colours, across all three paint ranges. It’s a good idea to use a measure though, so that you can recreate it. When mixing colours across ranges, remember that mixing Original with either the Lazy of Al Fresco ranges will mean that the wax/topcoat quality of the paint has been diluted and would need to be topped off.
WHAT IS FRENCHIC'S INDOOR/OUTDOOR AL FRESCO RANGE'S DURABILITY IN OUR UAE SUMMERS?
Brilliant! Frenchic has been thoroughly tested at extreme temperatures both hot and cold, including rain and snow. It is washable with up to 6 years performance before the first maintenance. Plain/bare metal or steel will need a base of Finishing Coat or Tuff Top Coat to prevent rusting and UPVC and plastic a quick sand to key.
WHAT IS THE SHELF LIFE OF FRENCHIC PAINT?
Unopened cans of paint can last for around three to five years, so long as it’s stored properly. Once your paint has been opened, shelf life can vary depending on factors like temperature and air exposure. If the paint is exposed to too much air, it can potentially dry out. Sealing your paint tightly will keep your paint fresh for as long as possible. Seal your paint can tightly using a rubber mallet (not a hammer, which can leave dents in the can) so air doesn’t seep in and shorten the paint’s shelf life. Room temperature is ideal and you should avoid extreme hot or cold temperatures which can ruin your paint.
SOME OF THE COLOURS CAN BE THICKER THAN THE REST. IS THERE A WAY TO THIN IT?
When you encounter a colour thicker than the rest; it can be thinned using water and stirring well (this also applies to when your paint appears clumpy). Water is also brilliant if spraying the paint with a spray machine;. It it is best to pour the paint into another container and then add water so as to not contaminate the entire tin of paint with the water. We also recommend lightly spritzing your brush, instead of adding water to the paint, especially when you just want a bit more of a fluid movement rather than to thin down a paint.
WHAT IS THE PROPER WAY TO CLOSE MY PAINT CAN LID?
We recommend sealing the lid of your can using a rubber mallet. Avoid using a hammer, which can leave dents in the can and allow air to seep in which will shorten the paint’s shelf life. Our clients have also found success in covering the can with cling wrap before sealing it shut; and stepping onto the lid lightly to pop the seal back into place.
HOW DO YOU STORE LEFTOVER PAINT?
Leftover paint can be kept and reused for quite a long time if stored properly. First, seal the lid of your can using a rubber mallet. (Avoid using a hammer, which can leave dents in the can and allow air to seep in and shorten the paint’s shelf life.) It’s best to store leftover paint in a cool, dark location free from moisture or extreme temperatures. Moisture can cause your paint container to rust and extreme heat or cold can ruin your paint.
WHICH PAYMENT METHODS DO YOU ACCEPT?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Unfortunately, we cannot accept checks or money orders. For purchases made in our boutique office, we also accept cash payments.
WHERE DO YOU DELIVER TO?
Currently, we deliver across most of the UAE in one working day (Remote areas have a weekly delivery, please double check with us if you qualify as a remote area). Our courier partner works 6 days a week (with Sunday and public holidays off). Orders placed before 2pm on a weekday are delivered within 1 to 2 working days. Orders placed on Satuday and Sunday will be delivered on Tuesday/Wednesday.
HOW MUCH DOES DELIVERY COST?
Delivery fees are as follows:
Serviceable areas: aed21
Non-Serviceable areas: aed30
WHEN CAN I EXPECT TO RECEIVE MY ORDER?
Our goal is to get you painting as quickly as possible! Most weekday orders are delivered via our courier partner with a standard transit time of 1 to 2 business days.
Orders placed on a weekend are delivered 1 to 2 working days after the weekend.
Deliveries to Remote areas are once a week.
Once your order is ready, you’ll receive an email with tracking info so you can check on your delivery status.
Please note, the day your order is packed doesn’t count toward transit time.
WHAT IS YOUR RETURN POLICY?
Our paint is made for YOU: We’re here to help you paint a home you’ll love. We work hard to make sure that always happens, but if you’re unhappy with your experience, let us know and we’ll do our best to make it right!
Unopened paint & supplies can be returned or exchanged within 10 days of delivery. Returns of opened items or items without original packaging (boxes, inserts, clips, etc) cannot be accepted. Returns are subject to an Aed21 restocking fee.
Items that are damaged can be exchanged for the same or similar product. Damaged items need to be returned within seven calendar days from the date it was received. In the event that what you have ordered does not have a suitable replacement, you will have the option to choose between store credit to purchase other products from our store, or a cash refund. Store Credit is valid for one year, after which it expires. To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it, be in the original packaging, and you need to have the receipt or proof of purchase.
To start a return or exchange, please email us at mubyastruc@whenshabbymeetschic.com. Subject should be Exchange [Order Number]. Please provide an explanation of the damage, along with photographs of the damaged item prior to opening it, or taking it out of the box (when relevant). Please list your contact number on the email. A member of our team will contact you shortly.
WHAT ARE VOCs; AND WHAT MAKES FRENCHIC PAINT DIFFERENT?
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), are carbon-containing compounds, emitted as gasses, that can pollute the air in your home and the environment. VOCs are commonly present in a wide array of household products, including paints made with carbon-based solvents.VOCs contribute to ozone pollution which is bad for the environment. VOCs also contribute to air pollution indoors. Frenchic is different from many other brands of paint available in that it has no added VOCs (as opposed to low VOCs), which means no carbon-based solvents (VOCs) have been intentionally added to our products, although trace amounts of VOC may be present as residual components of other ingredients used in the factory Frenchic is made in.
IS FRENCHIC SAFE TO USE ON CHILDREN'S FURNITURE AND TOYS?
Absolutely. Frenchic Furniture Paint has gone through rigorous testing to be certified UKCA and EN71-3 compliant meaning it is safe to use on children’s toys. Even pregnant women can use it without fear; as can new mums whose little ones insist on biting down on their recently painted toys/furniture.
ARE YOUR PRODUCTS REALLY CRUELTY-FREE?
Yes. We take extreme care to never stock a product or item that has been tested on animals or contains animals parts. Our paint and finishes are entirely cruelty-free. All of our brushes are synthetic fibre. Our paints are certified EN71:3 and EU-approved as environmentally friendly. This means no VOC, no solvents, no odour and extremely safe to use around children and animals. We care about our Earth; and we care about the humans and animals that inhabit it.
HOW DO I JOIN THE FRENCHIC FAMILY OF RETAILERS?
As long as you have a physical location to sell from, and a passion for paint, we'd love to have you onboard. Please see our Become A Stockist section to apply.
CAN WM BOUTIQUE DO OUR PAINT JOBS FOR US?
We have a team of contractors and artists-in-residence who can paint and customise your homes for you. All our contractors/artisans are third party and work independently from WM. We do not benefit or make any profits from recommending them or any interactions with them. Click here to find a link to our In-house artisans and Contractors, to contact them directly.
Got a question we haven't answered? Send us an email to muby.astruc@ruby-and-sons.com or call/whatsapp on +971506328176