Paint Guide 101:
Go green? What paint is right for you? What is a good quality painting? Here’s a quick guide to choosing the right paint like a pro!
Before you can choose a painting, you must ask yourself what I expect from this painting. If you are painting your house for the purpose of selling it, your painting will not be the same as someone who has three children, a messy pet, and no intention of moving. There are many questions a paint retailer can ask you when shopping for paint. They may use words that you are not familiar with, so we’ll provide you with a quick education on some terms and definitions.
Oil and Waterbourne Paints: Well without going to technical paints, oil-based paints dry harder and need mineral spirits to clean for the average homeowner, it’s a real nightmare. Waterbourne paints don’t dry as hard (which is a bonus in many cases), they clean up with water and are much easier to work with. Oil paints should be regulated to cover unwanted stains.
Let’s talk about Sheen – the easiest way for me to explain glitter is to simply substitute the word glitter for glitter or glitter. In most cases, the higher the gloss, the more durability / washability the paint has. The gloss scale is usually as follows: Flat, Matte, Low Gloss / Luster, Eggshell, Satin / Pearl, Semi Glossy, Glossy. Very low gloss paints tend to hide imperfections on the walls; whereas brighter paints tend to reveal imperfections. That is why most ceilings are painted flat. Since the ceiling surface is rarely touched, washability is not an issue and flat paint can help hide drywall seams. By contrast, doors, trim, and baseboards are handled regularly, so semi-gloss and gloss paints are the norm. And your walls? Well look at your walls now, are they subject to a lot of wear and tear? If you live alone or just don’t have children or pets, you can enjoy the smoothness of matte or matte paint. However, if you or your kids are “hands-on” when it comes to walls, a low gloss or eggshell probably makes more sense. The flat are often relegated to kitchens and bathrooms. That is also a judgment call.
Green paints: What’s the problem with “green paints”? Well, as a painter for over 15 years, I couldn’t wait to switch to “green paints”! Here is the quick summary. Non-environmentally friendly paints contain volatile organic compounds or VOCs that the paint emits when it dries. According to the EPA website, some health problems include the following: “Irritation of the eyes, nose and throat; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; damage to the liver, kidney and central nervous system. Some organic compounds can cause cancer in animals; some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans. ” Now you know why I couldn’t wait to make the switch! So even if you don’t like saving the planet, think of yourself and others who may be in the house of your painting. The great thing about these “green paints” is that there are so many to choose from, some are VOC free and some are low VOC. Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore have products at many different prices. I typically use their contractor grade products Pro Green by Sherwin Williams and Eco Spec by Benjamin Moore and the performance of these paints outperformed their non-eco-friendly predecessors.
Should you shell out the best? In my years of experience in interior painting, a mid-level paint works well. I always plan to make two coats. Even the best paints, despite their claims, do not cover in a single coat, unless the color is the same or very similar. I have heard of the claims for one coat coverage and I always ask the person who sells me the paint, “Do you guarantee one coat coverage?” The answer is always no. “So my advice is that if money is not an issue, go ahead and above the line, however if you are on a budget you can achieve great results with a mid-level paint and keep that extra money in your pocket.
What about the primers? For me primers are used in limited situations if you are painting over new drywall, use a drywall primer (or if you are priming over stains or patches). If you are covering an unwanted stain, use an oil primer. Surfaces that may have been stained before, such as panels, use an oil primer. In some cases, certain colors will require a gray primer to help reduce the number of coats. The reason for this is because the stains / colorants used give the paints their color actually dilute the paint, therefore the more colorants needed, the more transparent and thin the paint becomes. If you are only painting to change the color of your room and none of these circumstances affect you, you do not need a primer! You only need two coats of normal paint. Trust me.
A simple tip for exterior paints: If you are painting the exterior of your home, ALWAYS buy the top of the line paint! Your bedroom walls in 20 years will never be exposed to the conditions that the painted exterior surfaces of your home will have in three weeks. I recommend using a satin for durability. When it comes to exterior paint, you get what you pay for.
Ask questions Don’t be afraid to ask questions. What do professionals do when they are not sure what paint to use? They ask paint retailers and other painters. If you have a special problem area or specialized look that you want and you don’t know how to get it, ask a paint retailer. Be as specific as possible and give them as much information as possible. You may also want to do a specific search on the web.
Now you can enter any paint retailer with a sense of confidence! You may need to ask questions about your particular products, but you won’t wear that “deer in your headlights” look and nod at anything the seller says.