How to Select and Buy Interior and Exterior Paint

Painting 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 have to ask yourself what I expect from this painting. If you are painting your home for the purpose of selling it, your paint will not be the same as someone who has three children, a messy pet, and no intention of moving. There are many questions that a paint retailer may ask you when he purchases paint. They may use words you’re not familiar with, so we’ll give you a quick education on some terms and definitions.

Oil and water-based paints: Well, without getting into technical details, oil-based paints are more drying and need mineral spirits to clean them up. For the average homeowner, it’s a real nightmare. Water-based paints don’t dry as hard (which is an advantage in many cases), they clean up with water, and are much easier to work with. Oil paints need to be regulated to cover unwanted stains.

Let’s talk gloss: The easiest way for me to explain gloss is to simply substitute the word gloss for shine or luster. In most cases, the higher the gloss, the more durable/washable the paint is. The gloss scale is usually as follows: Matte, Matte, Low Gloss/Shine, Eggshell, Satin/Pearl, Semi-Gloss, Gloss. Paints with a very low gloss tend to hide imperfections in the walls; while brighter paints tend to reveal blemishes. That is why most ceilings are painted flat. Since the ceiling surface is rarely touched, washing it off is not a concern and flat paint can help hide drywall seams. By contrast, doors, trim and baseboards are regularly handled, so semi-gloss and gloss paints are the norm. What about your walls? Well look at your walls now, are they subject to a lot of wear and tear? If you live alone or simply don’t have children or pets, you may enjoy the smoothness of flat or matte paint. However, if you or your kids are “hands on” when it comes to your walls, low gloss or eggshell probably makes the most sense. Satins are often relegated to kitchens and bathrooms. That is also a judgment.

Green paints: What’s the big deal with “green paints”? Well, as a painter for over 15 years, I couldn’t wait to switch to “green paints”! Here’s the quick rundown. Paints that are not environmentally friendly contain volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, these are emitted by the paint as it dries. According to the EPA website, some health problems include: “Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; damage to the liver, kidneys, 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’re not interested in saving the planet, think about yourself and others who may be in the house of your painting. The best thing about these “green paints” is that there are so many to choose from, some are no-VOC and some are low-VOC. Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore have products at many different price points. I normally use their Sherwin Williams Pro Green and Benjamin Moore’s Eco Spec contractor grade products and the performance of these paints outperformed their non-ecological predecessors.

Should I pay for the best? In my years of interior painting experience, a medium level paint works well. I always plan to do two layers. Even the best paints, despite their claims, will not cover in one coat unless the color is the same or very close. I’ve heard of one coat coverage claims and always ask the person who sells me paint, “Do you guarantee one coat coverage?” The answer is always no.” So my advice to you is if money is not an issue go ahead and be top of the line, however if you are on a budget you can achieve great results with a paint of middle level and keep that extra money in your pocket.

What about the prints? 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 stain or patch). If you are covering an unwanted stain, use an oil base. Surfaces that may have been stained before, such as paneling, 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 that the dyes/colorants used give paints their color, they actually dilute the paint, therefore the more colorants needed, the more transparent and thinner the paint becomes. If you only paint to change the color of your room and none of these circumstances are relevant to you, you don’t need a primer! Two coats of regular paint is all you need. Trust me.

Simple tip for exterior paints: If you are painting the exterior of your house, 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 house will be in three weeks. I recommend using a satin for durability. When it comes to exterior painting, you get what you pay for.

Ask questions Don’t be afraid to ask questions. What do the pros do when they’re not sure which paint to use? They ask paint retailers and other painters. If you have a special problem area or specialty look you want and 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 web search.

Now you can walk into any paint store with a feeling of confidence! You may need to ask questions about their particular products, but you won’t wear that “deer in the headlights” look and nod your head to anything the salesperson says.