Interior Latex Paint Preferences

[oxydolfan1]

I'm gearing up for some painting projects soon.

I'm a little concerned because Benjamin Moore Aquaglo is hitting 37 bucks a can around here, and I'm not convinced an excellent-quality paint has to cost that much.

I've used Sears Best in the past; problem is it's not particularly mildew-resistant, and I'll definitely be painting a room downstairs where the subwall is cinderblock, and there's a tendency for mildew to infiltrate the far corners (grrrr...)

I'd be grateful for any suggestions or recommendations anyone can provide. From your photographs, your homes are beautiful and well-maintained, and I'm guessing they look that way because you've made wise choices! I'm not a big believer in CU's reviews, because I've used their recommended Behr paints and HATED them (it doesn't level well, dries unevenly, and takes coat after coat to adhere).

I've been looking curiously at the Kilz, Dutch Boy, and ColorPlace displays in WalMart. They cost substantially less than other brands; yet I've heard and read positive feedback.

Does anyone have any experience with these, or other brands, that they can share?

 

[toggleswitch]

For me it's:

Glidden
Benjamin Moore
Sears

Definitely forget the BEHR; it's watery.

 

[vinvac]

Paint

A few years back Consumer Reports rated Wal-Mart as on of the best. Diamond Vogel is very expensive paint but you can not match its quality.

I have used Wal-Mart paint with great success and it is generally much cheaper. I believe it has a mildew protectant in the paint.

 

[toggleswitch]

Je crois que oui..........

Isn't there a mildew/mold retardant that can be added to any brand paint?

 

[hoover1060]

Here its:

most of my place is painted Benjamin Moore.

I've had good luck with Behr too

 

[dalangdon]

We've been doing a LOT of painting recently (I'll have pictures, if we ever have a sunny day when I'm home) and "American Traditions" by Valppar is AMAZING! Really good coverage, and easy to work with.

We got ours at Lowes. I don't know where else it is sold.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

I'll pay a lot more for a can of paint if it means one less coat.

Ken

 

[58limited]

I have been using Sherwin-Williams paint and I like it. However, the better quality that I buy is about $32 - $35/gallon (goes on sale for $27.00). It covers with one coat and looks good.

Interestingly, Wal-mart's paint is made by Sherwin-Williams (not their best quality). I tried it in one room and it took two coats. It was about $10/gallon, but it is worth it to me to pay more for a paint that covers with one coat.

 

[oxydolfan1]

"American Tradition" is sold only at Lowe's, but Valspar markets different grades at different price points at other recognizable national hardware chains (of which we have few, here in the tri-state....)

Toggle, when you say "Glidden", are you referring to the Glidden Evermore sold at Home Depot, or other lines sold elsewhere?

58, when you speak of Wal-Mart's paint, do you specifically mean "ColorPlace", or are you saying Sherwin-Williams manufacturers the entire ColorPlace/Dutch Boy/Kilz triumvirate?

I ask, because I'm wondering if Martha Stewart's paint is, as well....

(conspiracy theory gears start turning, lol...)

 

[oxydolfan1]

To add to my complete confusion, my ex keeps yammering on about Restoration Hardware's paint, and how "you can't go wrong"....

Hmrrph. He really needs to learn not to utter phrases like that in my presence....

 

[pushtorelease]

I'm a painter by trade so here's my 2 cents.... bear in mind it's a Canadian perspective. Benjamin Moore is top of the line but Sherwin Williams Cashmere line is comparable. I did a house in Oregon last fall with it and was very, very impressed - covering burgundy walls with beige. Glidden is just fine too although not quite the quality. Behr and Ralph Lauren are just wasting your time and energy. If you have a mildew or mould problem, do a coat of Kilz first, it'll kill any spores that are lurking. As for Martha.....well, it's just not that good of a thing.

 

[maytagbear]

I've always had

best luck with Pratt and Lambert Accolade.

Anyway, my one unshakable opinion is: Go to an INDEPENDENT paint store. If there are any left in your locale.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[panthera]

first, solve the mildew problem then paint

My two cents, for what they're worth: Until you have the underlying reasons for mildew fixed, it is useless to try.
If the problem is really just that these corners are so cold water condenses - not a foundation problem - then I suggest treating them with something (reasonably safe) to kill the mold and spores. Paint with a good paint (I, too, have heard good stuff about the Wal-Mart although I am no fan of the company).
Finally, there are small, non-electric "de-humidifiers" which are cheap and last for months. You put them right in the corner which has the condensation problem and they get rid of the excess water.
Work great. I never would have thought how well.
Link attached - I don't know this firm, but the Ceresit brand here in Germany works. Just don't ever spill the water they collect - it leaves nasty stains.

http://www.damprid.dsiwebbuilder.com/index.asp?cat=40020#moisture

 

[58limited]

oxydolfan1

My understanding is that Sherwin-Williams makes the Colorplace paint sold at Wal-Mart; but not Kilz or Dutchboy, which are national brands.

 

[MikeS]

American Tradition Has Worked Well For Me

I repainted my condo with Valspar American Tradition in 2002 (based on its top ranking in Consumer Reports) and I'm glad I did. Even after four years, the color has not faded; cleanup is a breeze and the paint is durable. At around 20 dollars a gallon, I received good value for the money. When it's time to repaint, I'll probably use AT again.
I did try ColorPlace on a few doors, and was not happy with the result. I had to repaint with AT. Didn't test it on walls or trim, however.

 

[toggleswitch]

Toggle, when you say "Glidden", are you referring to the Glidden Evermore sold at Home Depot, or other lines sold elsewhere?

I was not aware that such brand was avaialble at the Homo. Nor am I aware of "Evermore". Not sure if this Evermore is the same or different or just a marketing gimmick. Sorry.

Please excuse this following text, if all are aware. Not meant to "talk down".

To get best coverage:

"W" in a yard sqare (meter square) sized space.
Pull it horizontally (left, right)
Pull it vertically (up,down)
Pull squares into each-other blending the paint.

This method gets much better and longer-lasting coverage that going only up and down.

Also a tip from a professional high-end painter to me:
Get Chinese brushes (that's HUMAN hair folks, and unbeatable for the purpose). And get Greek [or equivalent] rollers (I am NOT kidding) That is lamb's wool.

 

[sikiguya]

Who has tips for edges & corners?

I am terrible when it comes to edges and corners. Anyone have any good tips to help me?

Also, what is your opinion on painting the celing the same color as the walls in a small room (like a bathroom or laundry room)?

 

[toggleswitch]

Hi Heather!

I used the shield thingy that resembles an old-fashioned 1 inch (2.5 cm) ventian blind.

There is also a paint pad thingy [about the size of an index card (4 x 6 inches)] that has little roller wheels on it to follow the ceiling. The trick with me is to make sure I don't get paint on the wheels! OY VEY!

I prefer "flat" finish on ceilings. But in rooms that I prefer to add a semi-gloss to the ceiling (for washablilty, i.e. kitchen, bathroom laundry room, boiler room) I do use the same color on the ceiling.

Plesae note that the same exact color done in differnet finishes (flat, satin or egg-shell, semi-gloss, and gloss) will NOT NOT NOT be the same color in appearance when dry.

 

[toggleswitch]

of course there is always the blue "painter's tape" that can be used once one surface is dry to mask it from the next color....

Here is the above-described pain edging pad/brush/tool.

http://www.sherlink.com/sher-link/c...lcs_catalog_item_sku=5986054&onlyDetails=true

 

[hreodbeorht]

Painting edges and corners

I buy those cheap small foam rollers. They come in various shapes and sizes. Some of them come as discs with a sharp edge. With practice and just the right amount of pressure, you can roll right up to an edge without getting paint on the facing wall. The small rollers have the added benefit of giving the same texture as a big roller and no brush marks. They can be rinsed out and reused but I find it easier to throw them away, they're cheap enough to use a new one with each paint project. Just remember that painting takes practice, you find what works and what doesn't. After you've painted a few rooms you'll be painting faster with great results.

 

[whirlcool]

For the past 10 years or so we have used mainly Pratt & Lambert Accolade. Wen we moved into this house, we used Accolade on the living room walls, and Pratt & Lambert's Red Seal on the ceilings.
Accolade paint is very tough. It's more of a semi flat. It's not shiny at all, just gives the walls a bit of "luminescense". It is also scrubbale for cleaning.
In our bedroom we used Home Depots Glidden for the ceiling. It was ok, kind of drippy. We used Home Depot's "Everlast" on the walls. What a crappy drippy paint. But it looked good when done. It is not cleanable. It comes off when you wash it.
On one wall in the living room we used Lowe's American Tradition paint and it was easy to work with, not very drippy and looked great once applied.
In this part of the country there are only a few Pratt & Lambert paint dealers, always independents, but they offer great service so you pay a little more, but you end up painting a lot less! We are definitely sold on it.

 

[toggleswitch]

HI LOUIS

My understanding is that Sherwin-Williams makes the Colorplace paint sold at Wal-Mart; but not Kilz or Dutchboy,

Hmmm no one has raved about how wonderful Dutch Boy is.

Well I dont know about the paint (or the outfit of that boy on the can) but the OTHER is fabulous!

*HUGS*

http://www.dutchboy.com/

 

[toggleswitch]

See, Dutch Boy just FULL of good information....

http://www.dutchboy.com/painting/index.asp

 

[58limited]

sikiguya

I haven't done my bathrooms yet to try the look, but I painted the ceilings in the bedrooms and living room 2 shades lighter than the wall color - great effect. In a small room like a bathroom, painting the ceiling the wall color would probably look good too. When I do my bathrooms, I'll try the 2 shades lighter paint first. If I don't like it, I'll try the wall color.

 

[oxydolfan1]

Wow, so many replies!

Okay, few indies in my neighborhood, any more....and the few that are aren't knowledgeable, and don't keep their stock replenished (I've been waiting for California "2000" ceramic paint for my banisters for two months)....

I LOVED P & L Accolade for flat finishes....but I only use semigloss for everything anymore, and the Accolade enamels tend to yield uneven gloss levels. I definitely agree about the resiliency, though.

I've never heard of Diamond Vogel but will keep an eye out for it, if it's really a cut above....I'm restoring an old gas meter for use in a concept piece, and that just might fit the bill!

The praise for the American Tradition finishes backs up what I've heard from other sources. My niece works at Lowe's, so maybe I'll have her bring in a can so I can test.

I've NEVER used a Sherwin-Williams branded paint (for no particular reason) but I have a store nearby so I really should go in there and speak to the proprietor....

When I cut in the ceiling, trim, wainscoting, etc., I generally use masking tape, but I'm no longer retentive about perfect straight edges because 1) I eff it up when I hyperfocus and b)it ultimately doesn't come out any cleaner and sharper when I do.

I do use the Chinese brushes-much cheaper-AND Sears Weatherbeater corner brushes, which are worth the extra money. I've never heard of the Greek rollers....can you get them in Astoria?

Sorry this is so rushed, but I'm trying to pull dinner together...thanks a million, and keep 'em coming!

Like everything else, the market's changing, and we've come a long way from Pergament and Martin (It Ain't Just...Paint!)

lol, peace everyone!

 

[polkanut]

We have a Sherwin-Williams company store here in Wausau, and the staff is very helpful. They stock all the necessary supplies, and also primers as well as undercoats like KILZ.

 

[veg-o-matic]

I've found you "cant go wrong" with Ben Moore, Behr (painted most of my condo with it and it was great), and American Tradition (used it in a bathroom and the kitchen.) I will never use that Dutch Boy crap from WalMart again. Painted the other bathroom with it and it had a hard time covering WHITE! Ended up looking streaky and awful. And that plastic can with the pouring lip it comes in isn't as good as it seems

veg

 

[oxydolfan1]

Interesting, the positive feedback I'm seeing on Behr here.

I wonder, could they have improved it since I used it?

Bummer about the plastic cans....Kilz has 'em as well.

Perhaps revealing, no one seems to buy the Dutch Boy products at my local Walmart....but a fair amount of the Kilz and a lot of the ColorPlace seems to move.

Does Benjamin Moore manufacture paint for any premium private-label brands?

 

[Cybrvanr]

Here's my opinion on this: You can't go wrong with Benjamin Moore paint. The stuff is thick, and keeps a good finish for a long time! That's what I have used around my home, and have really enjoyed it's performance.

The house was originally painted with Lowe's paint, which ended up getting chalky in only 5 years time. I started painting with Behr paint, but the stuff was so watery and thin that I ended up going with the Benjamin Moore paint for the rest of the job, and ultimately re-coated the Behr stuff.

Behr paint makes good primer!!! I found out! The stuff really has a hard time covering a previous layer, but it goes on particularly smooth. I found it does a good job as a primer with B-M paint on top of it. The B-M paint is so thick that it's hard to get brush strokes out of it. You gotta use a good brush becasue a coarse brush will leave way too much of a texture.

I've also had good luck with the Sherwinn-Wiliamms paint and Glidden paints too, although the Home-Depot variety of Glidden seems to be thinner than the stuff you buy at the independant paint shops and hardware stores.

Speaking of human hair brushes, is there how can I make my OWN brushes out of my own hair. I've got lots of very fine, silky hair that make many women envious...I bet it would be excellent for painting with!

 

[peterh770]

Mind the blue tape!

My brother in law went to paint my niece's room in a stripe pattern. He got the stripes taped and painted, and when he removed the blue tape, the paint through to the drywall paper came off! He took the tape back to the store, and the girl there showed him that there are 3 different "strengths" of blue tape. He had picked the strongest, and now has alot more work to do.

I thought blue tape was blue tape! Who'da thunk?