interior trim paint
 

I am painting all the trim and doors in my house. They are currently stained. My problem Is , I dont like the shine level in the oil based paint that most paint stores and painters say I need to use.Even in lo luster, the oil base is really shiney. Can i use a latex satin or eggshell finish on doors and woodwork. And how do I pick the right White for whole house trim?

I would get a good paint store enamel primer/underlay---alkyd or water-based. Then use whatever sheen of acrylic, not oil based trim paint you want. Mix in Floetrol and use a quality 2.5 or 3 inch sash brush (Wooster, Purdy).

Nothing against oil but it does chalk and yellow overtime. Most DIYers prefer water clean-up.

Remember it takes acrylics/latex vinyls 30 days for the paint film to cure to the desired sheen.

As for which white? Really depends on what paint, flooring colors, etc. you have. A bright white can look stark and make some tints look dull. A "too off white" can look dirty against crisp hues. I've used Atrium White a lot in homes with wood floors, stone countertops, and fairly diverse wall colors. I have it mixed to the Ben Moore or Pittsburgh formula.

You should drag home an off white color selector. Ben Moore stores (and I suspect others) will gladly loan you a white fan deck.

You realise that the higher sheens will also provide better scuff and dirt prevention, and wash easier..
Try BM satin finishes like Aura . I think that Muralo's satin is very low on the sheen scale if you can find it- excellent paint too.
A box store's eggshell will not be a very good trim paint, imo.
You want hard and cleanable.

I agree with sdsester & brushjockey.

Using the right primer is the most important thing here. Without proper adhesion, you've got nothing but a headache. You can then top-coat it with just about whatever sheen you want - and, as these guys have said, use latex.

In pretty much every house my wife & I have renovated, we've used satin finish on the interior walls, and semi-gloss on the trim (if painted).