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Which paint to go with....

7K views 21 replies 11 participants last post by  workhorse 
#1 ·
Hello, I have painted only a few times so I still consider my self an amateur.... My question is regarding which paint to go with. In the past I have used a mid grade Duron paint with relatively good results, but the price has gone up considerably. I have also used Behr with descent results, but only painted small areas. I think I have narrowed down my choices to the following.... Vespar American Tradition sold at Lowes and Sherwin Williams Classic 99 ( SW's mid grade). There is a 3 dollar difference in price on these two paints, would the mid grade Classic 99 from SW be about the same in quality, ease of use and coverage as the $23 American Tradition paint sold at Lowes...does anyone have experience with either of these two. Thanks for your replies...
 
#3 ·
I have experience with all the paints you mentioned.

Stick with classic 99. Not only is it good paint, but you get so much more knowledge and support from a paint store. Once you establish loyalty to any paint store, they will open a cash or credit account for you and lower the prices.
 
#6 ·
Not to knock Lowes or Home Depot but I'd rather get advise on a product from a store that sells only that type of product and not from someone who sells toilets, refrigerators and plants.

I paint quite a bit (40-50 gallons a week) and though I don't use SW I use ICI/Duron (who was just bought by SW). I could get my paint cheaper if I was to go Home Depot ($7 less for 5 gal of flat and $22 less for Semi Gloss) but would rather have quality.
 
#9 ·
Dutch Boy is ok, it's about middle of the road. There are better paints out there. It all depends on what you are painting. If it is exterior pair stay away from it and get you a better paint. Something that you only want to paint every so many years you want to use higher quality. You can ask 10 different people and get 10 different answers on what the best paint is. My opinion is Sherwin Williams or Duron, most of those guys know what they are talking about.
Now if it is interior and it is something you paint often (yearly or every other year) I would go with Dutch Boy. It also depends on what is there now (semi gloss, gloss, pink paint), if it is hard to cover go with a better paint if not stick with the middle of the road stuff.
Hope this helps.
 
G
#13 ·
paint debate

i suggest buying from someone you think you can trust (rare). Sherwin Williams does own Duron now. I always did like Durons Exterior Weathershield. I could cover a herd of black cattle in two minutes with a sprayer full of white paint, and youd think you were living in a white cloud. But that was then, and today may be different.
The sherwins promar 400 interior is a reasonable paint to get the job done inexpensively. I dont care for their Masterhide.
And I actually had good luck with Home Depots Bear exterior brand.
If you ever hear of Lowes Enterprise paint, RUN and run fast away.
 
G
#14 ·
I think everyone here agrees Lowes paints stink. But I will say this being a home flipper: Home Depot carries lots of detail tiny parts you will need that Lowes can't supply, but Lowes has the upper hand on larger items for cheaper. I have researched this extensively for my flip homes down to the penny. On the tiny stuff go to HD, big stuff go to Lowes.
 
G
#15 ·
I think everyone here agrees Lowes paints stink. But I will say this being a home flipper: Home Depot carries lots of detail tiny parts you will need that Lowes can't supply, but Lowes has the upper hand on larger items for cheaper. I have researched this extensively for my flip homes down to the penny. On the tiny stuff go to HD, big stuff go to Lowes. Trust me on this one, its a six month study....
 
#16 ·
From an amateur DIY, buy the paint that you think is the best, regardless of the cost. The time and prep far outweigh the cost of paint.

I have used SW and I have had great luck with it. Consumer reports ranks them very low, and they rank the Behr paints very high. I have since tried Behr and it seems ok.
 
#17 ·
From an amateur DIY, buy the paint that you think is the best, regardless of the cost. The time and prep far outweigh the cost of paint.

I have used SW and I have had great luck with it. Consumer reports ranks them very low, and they rank the Behr paints very high. I have since tried Behr and it seems ok.
Do you have a link to the consumer reports page on this?

I've heard it before and now I'm curious. Painters don't like Behr but consumers do. I don't get it. Today, I painted with behr, bubblgum pink semi over rasberry red satin. Sanded the walls and two coats and it was done. It's not the most painter friendly paint, but it got the job done. This was a bathroom I painted for them a couple months ago.

I've casually tried to get specs on behr paint, including a phone call and couldn't get the info. My feeling is that the customer could have gotten paint at S/W that matches or exceeds the behr ingredients. 28/gal for the behr would have gotten better paint at S/W.
 
#19 ·
FWIW - I'm sure that every paint is 'decent' in it's own relative sense.

One of the issues to look at is also 'coverage'. The point about a quality paint.....also reflects ..... how many coats it takes to cover an area. Higher quality paints, as a whole, will cover in 1-2 coats very well (dependant on color hue, coloring change, surface, etc...)
The same surface painted with an 'inexpensive' brand paint (99.9 percent of the time) = takes 3-4 + ....coats for a comparable even coverage....

That is at least twice the amount of time and more, besides more 'run-off' of the inexpensive paint.

This is not only what you will most often find in 'consumer opinions'...but is a fact that we have clearly observed, .... and other companies that do professional painting will tell you the same.

We have actually done comparisons of two paints: Behr vs. Sherwin W. and the results were 'night and day' on coverage. (Home Owner had purchased her own Behr paints for interior. We mentioned that our contract had stipulated that the job was to be done with S.W.)
So, ..... We used each paint, but in different rooms/areas.....

Results: Took twice as long ($Labor$) with the non Sherwin Brand.
Now, I am not pushing S.W. brand, but am all for the higher quality brands similar to it (including Ben Moore, etc...)

The difference in time was so obvious that she OFFERED (we didn't ask)....to pay us for the wasted time we had to take using the 'other' brand to get an even coat.....

I am not stating Law on this.....just something to think about, make your own decisions and decide as you wish..... (But, this has been our experience)...
 
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