Don't make me pull this thread over
'Cause if I do I'll turn right around and we'll head right back home
All opinions are valued here, even if they differ from the "conventional wisdom" we are accustomed to
As for paint, and CR, Behr, etc...
Many DIYers have different criteria, and there is paint designed and marketed to them
Things like cost, the wet paint in the can looking like the chip and drying fast
Making the paint perform that way, it doesn't make the paint perform or look better, in fact, it doesn't perform or look good at all
But it address' novice DIY consumer one project concerns
Things like maintaining a wet edge, smooth lay out, even sheen, and easy touch-up rarely enter a one-time, or even part time DIYers criteria
Never mind better adhesion, better coverage, better workability, better resistance to abrasion, and better fade resistance
Those things make a better paint
I enjoy and support the CU and their magazine CR
They are full of interesting information
When they say that certain air filters spew more ozone then clean up the air I listen
When they say the new 28volt cordless drills melt their internals driving lag bolts I take note
They certainly do use the Scientific Method (note caps) for repeatable quantifiable tests and test results
However:
When I am buying a new computer I check the ratings from PC World, not CR
When buying a vehicle, I may see what CR says, but will defer to Car & Driver or Autoweek
When CR does not recommend any hammer drills (none!) because of the noise they make, I basically agree with them
For most Homeowners a hammer drill is not the right tool
But if you are building decks....you are going to need one
My point in regards to CRs paint testing is:
CR does not use professional painters, or professional painting criteria to evaluate paint
They certainly use a Scientific Method of evaluation, but look at the little boxes with the points they use to rate the products
There's maybe one or two testing areas out of seven (going from memory here) that mean anything to a professional painter
....and many other areas that are very important to me that aren't even touched
I find the CR test results interesting
But the reality of the situation is that the paints I find better to work with from a professional standpoint, the DIYer will also find better to work with and nicer looking
I can't even begin to tell you how many DIYer problems show up on these forums that are solved by better tools and better paints
I'm not a pro painter spoiled by over-charging my customers for the good stuff
Trust me, if I could save a few bucks on paint I would
If it was all the same, why wouldn't I?
The fact is, using the cheap paints cost me time and money
The effort to make them look good can
double my price for labor only over labor + me supplying the premium paint
.
It can take 3 - 5 coats of Behr to achieve a passable quality paint job
I realized at one point, to make money like on my other paint jobs, that I had to
triple my bids that spec'd Behr..and double the amount of paint req'd!
There's no saving money that way
Now, I've had DIYers tell me, "But my labor's free"
Well, no...it's not
The best way can describe it to someone who doesn't value their time is:
If you had the choice to spend all of Saturday, and all of Sunday painting your bathroom, or spend 4 hours on Saturday painting your bathroom and having it look better (yes, we can tell the difference) which would you choose?
If someone's had good luck with Behr, and they want to use it again... God Bless them, carry on and whatnot
However, I can't possibly recommend it
so therefore I know paint and it's quality.....
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