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Joined: 7/20/2007
Posts: 2710
 
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Preparing to paint the interior walls this next wk. and wife wants to go pick out the paint. I've read many post on here about different brands of paint pro's vs. con's. I've never been a believer that just because it cost more that makes it a better quality. I'm leaning towards Sherwin Williams Paint Store locally. But even then don't they have different quality of paint??? So just how does a person know (other than past experience) what is a top grade quality interior wall paint???? Cheap quality paint takes 3 coats @ $18.00 per gal. = $54.00 Hi top quality paint takes 1 coat @ $35.00 per gal. = $35.00 3 coats of cheap paint takes a day an a half or two, (per drying time between coats). 1 coat of Hi-Quality paint takes ½ a day or less. For me this is no Brain-er on using the Hi-Quality paint but which one?????
"Oldman"
Wishing ALL a good day and a better one tomorrow from the central town of Owosso, Mi.48867
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Joined: 6/4/2008
Posts: 309
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Oldman; at work I use sherwin-williams, but at home i use benjiman moore. I believe the benjamin moore is well worth the cost. Have fun painting!
Gregg M.
(Seabeck, WA)
18 years of fix'n
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Joined: 6/21/2007
Posts: 43
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Hiya Oldman...
You raise a good question.."How does a person know what is a top quality interior wall paint?" ... Not so long ago, most companies printed their compositional make-up on the side of the can in both a single and double line analysis. This data, without divulging the actual recipe, described specific types of resin, pigments, vehicle make-up and evaporative solvents used in a particular product. Not only was each component identified, but also the quantities of each were described as a percentage of the weight per gallon and the volume per gallon...This analysis allowed a fair comparison of products on a side-by-side basis - many assumptions about the performance and application of a product could be made based on this info. Unfortunately, no company shares this info any longer - and therefore equally unfortunate is the consumer's reliance on a particular company's marketing statements and claims about their products.
I am not a painter (God forbid - that's hard work), but I have probably applied more paint than many painters in the field today. I've tested scores of products from many manufacturers and rated them in their performance of issues such as hide, application, stain resistance, spread rate (mil thickness/volume solids), washability, burnish resistance, adhesion, flexibility, color retention....etc. ect. etc. ...
My conclusion (and opinion, for what they're worth) is this - all companies are capable of manufacturing decent, "good enough" products...and few make only absolute junk. In terms of the absolute best quality, I personally lean toward regional manufacturers for the best wall and house paints...and it makes sense - regional manufacturers cannot compete with the marketing and advertising budgets of the nationals, nor do they enjoy the same economies of scale when purchasing raw materials - therefore, their existence is justified only by manufacturing products whose performance exceeds that of their national counterparts (woe to the regional manufacturer who attempts to make products only as good as their national competitors, then try to compete on a price per gallon basis).
Having said all that, it still comes down to the fact that it's a matter of preference. Don't completely rely on what one person says about their experience with brand X or Y - factors such as application technique and surface preparation plays a very large role in the performance of a product, so if a person had a less-than-pleasant experience with a brand, there's a good chance the fault was his (or hers) and not necessarily the product (make that a very good chance).
When choosing a product, look for the manufacturer's best offering. As you mentioned, it's generally well worth the extra expense in both time and material savings...but also, don't chose a product simply on it's ability to hide. That may be one of the factors that determine high quality vs. poor quality, but to fully enjoy the functional differences of a premium quality product, always apply a second coat (even if the first coat covers).
Finally - and in similar comparison to regional vs. national manufactures - you might want to consult your local independent paint dealer (usually carries both a national and regional line of paint) for advise and specific product and surface prep recommendations. A dealer that can walk you through your specific paint project (prep, application, maintenance) will almost certainly guarantee a satisfactory result.
Best of luck on your project - I hope this was more informative than confusing.
Ric
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Joined: 4/12/2009
Posts: 216
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Ric - Nice, informative write up. I am also frustrated by the lack information on the cans. I have been resorting to just the coverage information, which is about all thats left. I use the lower number to figure coverage for first coat and the higher one for the second coat to estimate the amount of paint needed. Other than that, you can find "technical data sheets" at the major mfgs. website but they are so generic they can almost be applied to any can on the shelf. About the only number that I think is probably pretty accurate is VOC's and I can't see where that is applicable to coverage/durability. Oldman - You may want to re-evaluate some of your assumptions. Last summer when I was shopping for paint, top quality; Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, etc, were running closer to $50+ /gal. If you are considering HD's Behr Premium Plus Ultra at $35 a "top quality" brand, re-evaluate the single coat assumption. May want to do a search on this forum for that brand name. Was quite a thread on it last June/July.
Cheers
John Schaben
"I haven't failed, just discovered a lot of ways that don't work"
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Joined: 6/13/2007
Posts: 779
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Here is the post on the Behr Premium Plus paint
Behr is what I have used the past few times for interior work and am satisfied with it.
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>Click to learn more about me The Wood Wizard
SE Wisconsin
Member since 2000
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Joined: 4/12/2009
Posts: 216
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Hi Wizard - that's right, that was a discussion on exterior paint wasn't it. I always figure on two coats no matter where it is... If it gets paint, it gets primer.
Cheers
John Schaben
"I haven't failed, just discovered a lot of ways that don't work"
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Joined: 7/20/2007
Posts: 2710
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Salesperson at Home Depot stated the Behr paint is guaranteed with a "Money Back" offer. Well do they cover the labor cost also. Time is money, and my time is limited so I want to make the best of it. I need to rent scaffolding and that would add to the over all cost if it needs to be repainted due to poor coverage. I'm leaning toward the Benjamin Moore paint as I've had good success in the past with it. Guess I'm going to be in "Sticker Shock" when I price today's paint cost. Sure glad this isn't a yearly maintenance project.
"Oldman"
Wishing ALL a good day and a better one tomorrow from the central town of Owosso, Mi.48867
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Joined: 11/24/2007
Posts: 890
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Barry- When I lived up there, I got to using Val-Spar from Central Michigan Lumber with pretty good results. I've also had good luck with the Behr Ultra Premium. I'm not sure which formula you or the others use, but I normally go for egg shell finish indoors. Except kitchens and baths, they get satin. I have noticed that many flat finishes require extra coats for some reason. Probably less pigments.
Bob from coastal Georgia. 31323
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Joined: 6/13/2007
Posts: 1118
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Here's my 2 cents worth. I buy paint where I can get decent service as long as the paint is also decent. The local lumber yard sold Val-Spar and I used it a lot. He actually made me up a 3/4 formula mix for the house when I couldn't get Wifey to decide on 2 close but not-quite-right colors. He got out of the paint business and I started getting it at Sherwin-Williams because the girl who runs the store used to own a flower shop that my wife worked at. She, too, will fix me up with whatever I want as long as I'm being somewhat reasonable. Good service and someone who will go to bat for you means a lot to me.
Mike SE Kansas. Land of Ah's.
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Joined: 6/14/2007
Posts: 1395
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I'm a Sherwin-Williams man myself. It would take a lot of problems to steer me away from it. We may be fortunate here, but I've never been sold a $50 can of paint at S-W. After my wife picks the color (of course), I go into S-W, tell them interior, the color and the sheen, pay the bill and I'm ready to paint. Or I give my wife a note about what we want and she goes and gets it. Semi gloss for bathroom or kitchen, satin for everything else. Stuff lasts forever. Benjamin Moore is also a good choice, but no stores near me. The only paint products I buy at Lowes and HD are primer and Minwax products. Behr is considered good because of its low price. Lowes keeps changing their brand name, so who knows. Here's a trick I've learned that gives you two coats in a short time. Put on the first coat. Take a 1/2 hour break. Put on another coat in the same direction you did the first coat. Then let it completely dry. That second coat takes 1/2 the paint and gives you 1 2-coat result in one day.
Ray, Monroeville Pa
If you don't have a license plate on your butt, don't walk in the middle of the road.
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Joined: 7/20/2007
Posts: 2710
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Thanks ALL for the excellent advise in selecting a paint plus the tips on applying the paint. This project will be started this coming Tue. Maybe I can talk Bob B from N. to stop by and help. Harold is laid off, so maybe Bob could pick him up on his way down. He did say his brother and him were going to surprise their sister for her B-day and she is only about an hour and 15 from here. Come on down Bob. (Don't forget Harold "Jbily") heheeeeeee LOL
"Oldman"
Wishing ALL a good day and a better one tomorrow from the central town of Owosso, Mi.48867
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Joined: 7/20/2007
Posts: 2710
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Went to Sherwin Williams Paint Store locally. Sticker Shock is putting it mildly. It's $50 a gal. I did buy the best grade of paint they had "Duration". 5gal. plus 2qt's for trim came to around $270. Hope I can get started with the painting tomorrow. I'll post my opinion of the paint for application and coverage when we are done. Didn't realize I would need to Refinance the mortgage just to buy paint. LOL
"Oldman"
Wishing ALL a good day and a better one tomorrow from the central town of Owosso, Mi.48867
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Joined: 6/4/2008
Posts: 309
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Oldman; just pay my way over there, plus a per diem and i could paint for you. + clean up the chimney soot that you are being blamed for. Have good Day
Gregg M.
(Seabeck, WA)
18 years of fix'n
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Joined: 7/20/2007
Posts: 2710
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Greg: Thanks for the offer. If I could afford it I would do exactly that. Due to health physical restrictions with Rotator-Cuff and Arthritis I can't handle the repetitive motion of washing/painting the wall. I can handle the Fireplace Mantel and the rest of the trim. Working with my arms overhead is near impossible anymore. Step-Son was suppose to be here this morn. It's after noon and no sight of him yet. NORMAL....
"Oldman"
Wishing ALL a good day and a better one tomorrow from the central town of Owosso, Mi.48867
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