Paint Brands & Painting Tips

Behr HD paints have always worked well for me. Check out the recent Consumer Reports - HD pretty much got top marks in most catagories.


As for my best painting tip here is one that I recently learned for getting crisp, perfect edge lines.


After you tape off the area you want to protect, do a light coat of the paint that is below the tape all along the edges. This seals the tape and any color that may bleed under the tape will be the same color of whatever is already under the tape. Let this initial coat dry. Then you paint the area that you wanted to paint like normal. Let everything dry completely before removing the tape. You should get razor sharp lines with almost no need for touch up. The extra initial coat of paint is well worth not having to go back with a touch up brush and fix all of the rough edges.


I use this technique everytime I paint trim or in areas where paint colors change for example between walls and ceiling assuming you don't have crown molding. It's a huge time saver in the long run. I only wish I learned it before I completed painting most of the new house already.


And one more thing - I only use the painters tape for "sensative surfaces". It's a few dollars more per roll, but it too is worth it - especially when working with flat paints that aren't entirely cured.

We have been very happy with the American Traditions line from lowes, but I think most acrylic paints are good to work with. As for tips.


Definitely put down a tinted primer, you are probably better off with two coats. I found that it doesn't cut down the number of coats, but since primer is half the price it saves you money. We used a very dark red in out theater and I only used one coat of primer but still needed 2 coats of paint to get it even. I should have done two coats of primer and 1 of paint.


If you need to tape (i.e. you are doing stripes) the method that Cathan mentions is very useful.


For most edges you do not need to tape. It can be very hard to tape a straight line and I found it always came out looking worse when I relied on tape. If you learn the proper technique and use a good angle brush (I like purdy) you can do a better job than any other way. Definitely stay away from the "edge" tools. Check out this video.


Believe me, once you learn to load the brush (dip and slap) and flow the paint into the corner you will get great edges. People are always shocked that I don't use tape.


Also check out my link below. If you like the color PM me and I will send you the name.



--stefan

I am an interior designer and have used practically every brand of paint there is. The absolute best paint out there is Benjamin Moore Matte Finish. The matte finish has the great look of flat while being as durable and scrubbable as high-gloss.


My next choice would be American Traditions from Lowes. This is a very high quality paint from Valspar.


I do not like these other popular brands for the following reasons...


Duron/Sherwin Williams - VERY poor coverage quality. It takes 3 to 5 coats depending on color to get consistant color. Also, their dark colors are not even available in the "Super Paint" or higher lines.


Behr - It takes WAY too many coats to get a consistant sheen, no matter which sheen you pick. i.e. flat, eggshell, semi-gloss etc. Also, on new freshly primered drywall Behr soaks in too much and ruins any chance of getting it right.


So even though Benjamin Moore Matte costs $40 a gallon, you use a lot less, thus it's cheaper than others.


As for tips... ALWAYS use a deeply colored primer for dark colors or you will end up using twice as much of the higher priced paint instead of one coat of low cost primer. Also, use good quality rollers for your type of wall surface. If it is plain old drywall choose a "Smooth Surface" roller. It will take more reloads than a "Semi-Smooth" roller but you will get a MUCH smoother finish without leaving tiny waves of paint all over the walls.


Hope this helps.

Brand of paint is like asking if you like Democrats or Republicans. Though I will agree that the American Traditions is a good paint. I've not had the negative results mentioned with the Behr paint but I haven't used Behr with a dark color either.


Just another tip. I bought, and absolutely love the Wagner Paint Mate Stick Roller. It was about $29 bucks at HD. I'm not sure how the pros feel about it but for painting large rooms I thought it was awesome. It is longer so you don't have to bend over as much and can reach up to the ceiling and to get more paint on the roller you just squeeze the lever and keep on rolling. You put a snap on lid that has a pick up tube on the top of your paint can and it just sucks the paint up into the "stick."


The only times I don't like it is it takes about 20-30min to clean-up when your done and secondly, since it is long it doesn't work well in small rooms or hallways. If I was just painting a bathroom or hallway I definately wouldn't use it. Anybody else use one of these?


I also second the recommendation of don't let your roller get too dry and always keep a wet edge.



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Originally Posted by Digital Man /forum/post/0


Thanks very much for all the useful information, keep it coming.


I have a question about primer. Since I am painting burgandy and dark blue, what kind of primer should I use? I read in another thread that red tinted primer didn't work well for reds, but that a gray primer worked well if you are painting reds.


I just ran out of the primer I bought, so I need to buy more. I am trying to decide if buy more of the white primer I have to finish the walls, or something else. I'm wondering if my best bet would be to buy a little more of my current primer to finish a first coat of primer, and then do a second coat with a gray primer? If that's the best way to go, what kind of gray primer should I get?


Thanks,

Guy

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Dark Gray Primer- either Fresh Start by Ben Moore or Zinsser brand. I have had terrific luck with them on reds and blues. Add me to the Benjamin Moore fan club