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Help choosing paint brand

5K views 17 replies 8 participants last post by  ToolSeeker 
#1 ·
I'm ready to paint a new master bedroom and bathroom renovation, and need some guidance on paint brand/line. I've read quite a few posts on this site and am not going to go with Behr, but there are 4 contenders that I can't pick a clear winner from.

My project is a 400 sq ft master bedroom, small bathroom. New drywall throughout, primed, with some minor imperfections that I skimmed and cleaned up. The surface is OK - not great, but good and new drywall.

I'm planning to put flat on the ceilings in both rooms, eggshell in the bath and flat on the walls in the bedroom. Semi-gloss for the trim. A light tan in the bath and a light blue/green in the bedroom. Ceilings will be off-white.

I'm interested in quality/appearance and the forgiveness of the paint with an amateur painter like myself. Cost is not a primary concern.

My options are:

BM Ultraspec 500
BM Aura
BM Duration
SW Promar 200
SW SuperPaint

So many choices, but I can't really latch on to any definitive reason to choose one or the other. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Mark
 
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#6 ·
I personally don't like flat on walls- they become dirt sponges. That said- you need to make the walls look good because any sheen will telegraph imperfections.
I think the sweet spot is something like BM's regal matte- which is a very low sheen, but not flat.
agree with eggshell in baths and kitchens. You don't need something that says " bath paint" if you use an eggshell. It has the moisture hold out needed.
If your test areas don't have heavy drips or brush strokes you shold be OK. Sometimes you do make a spot that is more sealed, so it will show glossier through one coat, usually resolved with 2.
I recommend using sample boards rather than the wall for these reasons.
 
#13 ·
I am not loyal to any paint brand. I use Sherwin And Benny mostly now because of availability. But I have used Pratt and Lambert, PPG, Porter, Coranado, and the list goes on and on. Included on the list is Behr and Valspar I would not comment on them had I not used them. Are there worse paints than these-yes. What I don't like about them is compared to the others is they don't hide, or cover very well, the washability is not good, and the longevity of the sheen seems poor, and the paint seems watery, thin and hard to work with. Add to this the rip-off of paint and primer in one, and if you have a problem there is really no one to talk to about it. I under stand why home owners like it. Convenience but most I don't think have enough experience to look for most of these things or have anything to compare with. With the painters on this forum alone they probably apply hundreds of gallons of paint a year if not thousands so consider this and compare it to someone such as a home owner who may apply 5 gallon over 10 years. So yes there are reasons we don't recommend some paints.
You know brushjockey may favor Ben Moore And I may Favor Sherwin Williams and we may rib each other about it. But when almost every painter on here and let me say again ALMOST says there seems to be a problem with something maybe, just maybe they are right.
 
#4 ·
BM Aura Eggshell does a really nice job. Its not drippy and goes on like silk. Covers very well too. Buy good tools. They mean an awful lot, especially brushes and rollers. My favorite brush is a 2 inch tapered all paints Purdy and Wooster are bith pretty good. Dont buy offshore, buy American. I just bought a handypaint pail and it is an outstanding little USA made product Google www.handypaintpail.com the strap for your hand is relly good rubber, and adjustable, there is a lip to peel paint after you dip, and a magnet to keep the ferrule out of the paint. Best 12 bucks I spent lately, and made right here in the US of A. I really like Behr Premium paint too, and frankly, I cant see why the pros dont like it. Ive used a lot of different paints, and it covers very well, is not drippy, and looks great when done. I guess they have their reasons. Maybe because it isnt sold in a "Pro" store.

:thumbsup:
 
#2 ·
Well, there is a very big price difference and also a performance difference.
What do you need out of a paint besides the color on the wall?
Ease of application/ vs price?
What sheen you you want?
Dirt resistance, scrubbability?
Dark colors scuff easily, some paints are more resistant..
etc.
I think Ultra Spec low sheen is a great paint for the price, but for ultimate wear and durability, nothing beats Aura Matte or egg IMO.
 
#5 ·
What do you need out of a paint besides the color on the wall?
Ease of application/ vs price?
What sheen you you want?
Dirt resistance, scrubbability?
Dark colors scuff easily, some paints are more resistant..
etc.
My goal is to find a good quality paint that is forgiving to a rookie like me, goes on easily and lasts. Price isn't important. I was initially going to use eggshell in the bathroom and bedroom, and was told that I should use flat for the bedroom and eggshell for the bathroom.

I don't expect to be scrubbing in either location - it's a master bedroom and bath so there won't be any kids in there. Bathroom will be a sage and bedroom a light blue.

One other add on question - I painted some 2'x2' squares in a few areas with Behr just to test colors. Can I just paint over them when we pick the final paint, or should I lightly sand and prime the spots? I want to make sure they don't screw up the final finish.

Thanks all.

Mark
 
#8 ·
Matte will be your best bet to hide imperfections. I would suggest SW Duration for your bathroom because it has a moisture barrier. This will keep all of the steam and condensation from ruining your walls. If you have children, I would HIGHLY recommend Duration as well. If not, you could easily get away with using the entry level HGTV paint. PM200 is mostly for contract painters of new homes. Your cost benefits would be almost null without a contractors discount. From there, I would say Harmony would be the next step up, and is also a Low VOC. After that there is SuperPaint (Paint and Primer in one), Duration, then Emerald. You can save money by using Eminence, which is a bright white ceiling paint, in your rooms other than the bathroom, for the ceiling.
 
#9 ·
I have been using eggshell on the the main house walls for many years. I use BM Super white flat on the ceiling. I have also used Behr Premium and I like it a lot. I guess my problem is that I do not see how the paint companies can justify over 40 dollars for a gallon of paint, so I buy Behr Premium now.
 
#15 ·
Think we ventured from your original post somewhat? You already had the common sense to not use Behrly paint?

You did list a great list of paint products. But with quite a price spread. And you mentioned cost was not a major factor in your decision.

Only one recommendation from me given the criteria, Benjamin Moore Aura. I had clients with gruesome, slimey, dirty kids that swear by the colorfastness and washability of even the flat sheen.

Of course I left them with two nice coats. I would not have had to go back until they tired of the color.

Now then, I think UltraSpec, EcoSpec or whatever the first high tier of contractor grade paint is in the Ben Moore line, and ProMar in Sherwin Williams is wonderful paint I would use in a heartbeat. It may not have the washability or colorfast properties they higher end paints will though. Using them puts you in the retail price range of Behrly paint though. And both are way better paint. They go on better just to start.

If painting ceilings a color, as you should, or other non-traffic areas I wouldn't hesitate to put on Ben Moore's or Sherwin Williams contractor product.

And as suggested, you could use the great savings to buy nice brushes. 2" or 1" is not a brush I used often when in the trade. Too small to hold much paint. 2-1/2" or 3" angled Purdy or Wooster brush? For oil or latex? Every single day.

I probably differ from others in that I wrap roller covers in plastic and stick them someplace cold between uses (I would never leave a brush in water or in solvent like I see some do). Or for $3/retail or whatever I just bought a new one. I cannot see wasting gallons fresh water we are all running out of or solvents to clean the things cheap as they are.

Let us know what you decide. And, I might mention that Ben Moore and Sherwin Williams should both be about to launch spring sales. Irrelevant to me since I did not buy paint retail but I think the offer a fairly decent discount of 40 percent soon? That will put the cost of nice contractor grade paint and even Aura within the price range of Behrly paint?

DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK YOUR REAL PAINT STORE OR DEALER FOR DISCOUNTS!!!! They know what they are up against. They will go out of their way to help bring you into the fold if you will just ask.
 
#16 ·
Think we ventured from your original post somewhat? You already had the common sense to not use Behrly paint?

You did list a great list of paint products. But with quite a price spread. And you mentioned cost was not a major factor in your decision.

Only one recommendation from me given the criteria, Benjamin Moore Aura. I had clients with gruesome, slimey, dirty kids that swear by the colorfastness and washability of even the flat sheen.

Of course I left them with two nice coats. I would not have had to go back until they tired of the color.

Now then, I think UltraSpec, EcoSpec or whatever the first high tier of contractor grade paint is in the Ben Moore line, and ProMar in Sherwin Williams is wonderful paint I would use in a heartbeat. It may not have the washability or colorfast properties they higher end paints will though. Using them puts you in the retail price range of Behrly paint though. And both are way better paint. They go on better just to start.

If painting ceilings a color, as you should, or other non-traffic areas I wouldn't hesitate to put on Ben Moore's or Sherwin Williams contractor product.

And as suggested, you could use the great savings to buy nice brushes. 2" or 1" is not a brush I used often when in the trade. Too small to hold much paint. 2-1/2" or 3" angled Purdy or Wooster brush? For oil or latex? Every single day.

I probably differ from others in that I wrap roller covers in plastic and stick them someplace cold between uses (I would never leave a brush in water or in solvent like I see some do). Or for $3/retail or whatever I just bought a new one. I cannot see wasting gallons fresh water we are all running out of or solvents to clean the things cheap as they are.

Let us know what you decide. And, I might mention that Ben Moore and Sherwin Williams should both be about to launch spring sales. Irrelevant to me since I did not buy paint retail but I think the offer a fairly decent discount of 40 percent soon? That will put the cost of nice contractor grade paint and even Aura within the price range of Behrly paint?

DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK YOUR REAL PAINT STORE OR DEALER FOR DISCOUNTS!!!! They know what they are up against. They will go out of their way to help bring you into the fold if you will just ask.

:huh: other than white?
 
#18 ·
I have to admit I just painted a ceiling green for a lady and I really thought it would be awful but it really came out pretty good. I have done the put a little of your wall color in your ceiling paint to tone it down a little and blend it in. But I think this is the first total color change I have done.
 
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