[Briandl]

I've been using BEHR for a while, mostly because the person I paint for buys it. I can't say if it's bad or good because I have nothing to compare it to, but from what I've read a lot of people think BEHR isn't any good.

If that's true, what is recommended then? Some choices in different price ranges would be nice.

TIA!

 

[poppameth]

Sherwin Williams, Ben Moore, Pratt & Lambert, and may more. Pretty much any real paint store will have a selection of paints anywhere from a budget contractor grade to an expensive premium grade. All of which are most likely better than Behr. I sell P&L and I would recommend the Pro Hide Gold line if you want a good paint for a good price. SW would have Promar 200 as the equivalent. Ben Moore isn't going to be your friend when it comes to price.

 

[DangerMouse]

I can get good results with just about any paint unless it's 'spoiled' (old) or it's been frozen.
I'm using Dutch Boy right now, and while it takes two coats to get a nice finish, I'm satisfied with it for the price.
The guys here that do it for a living want fast coverage and good quality, therefore they use Sherman Williams or Ben Moore or other high end paints.

DM

 

[Faron79]

I'm at a busy ACE store.

Check out the ACE-Royal and Royal-Finest (Scotchguard added) lines. Very good paint in its price-range of the Mid-$20's/gal. The Royal-Finest
hits $30+/gal.
We go thru A LOT of it here. Lotsa fans of it!

Ralph-Lauren is a very good line too. Mid-upper $30's/gal.
Our high-end line is C2. Mid-upper $40's/gal. here!

Faron

 

[Briandl]

Unfortunately we don't have ACE around here.

I always felt like the BEHR was okay, but I don't have anything to compare it to and I've read a lot about it not being so great.

 

[Bubbagump]

I am by no means a professional painter... but having done a fair amount, if for no other reason, go with a SW level paint due to application. Behr and Valspar is like dealing with yogurt and decent paint (I have used both SW Super Paint and Duration) goes on so much smoother. The time saved and much lower frustration level makes it worth it to me. Also, if you are going for bold colors (especially reds) my girlfriend went out and got Behr in a red. I took up the task after she put down two coats and it looked streaky and awful. Another 2 coats later it finally was acceptable. In the new house, 2 coats of Duration in a red covered without an issue.

I still don't understand how Behr does so well on the CR ratings though. The only thing I can figure is that they don't take into account long term wear as a room I did in my place with Duration looks immaculate 3 years later where as the previous owner did Behr in many parts of the house before selling me the house (again roughly 3 years ago) and it simply looks worn for lack of a better description. It just doesn't hold up.

 

[Gymschu]

^^^^Good post BubbaGump. I have painted for over 30 years. I used BEHR once. Never again. Customer insisted on using it to paint doors. Semi-gloss. Applied 2 coats and the finish was something like 150 grit sandpaper. I had insisted on using my old standby SW's SuperPaint. Customer let me have it. I gave them their money back for the labor. I told them I would never, ever use crap paint like that again for any reason. Biggest hassle I have ever had as a painter. I don't have too many problems when I use good paint.

 

[Bubbagump]

That reminds me.... I had a similar experience with trim and doors. Luckily I caught it quickly. Even with a ton of Flotrol (this time was Lowes Valspar), the semigloss had terrible brush marks. Some cussing and sanding later I reapplied with SW Pro Clasic and the difference was not subtle. The SW leveled so much better it was extremely obvious the difference inquality.

 

[dukes32]

I actually just bought my first gallon of Behr to repaint some doors in my house. I have previously used Grand Distinction from Pittsburgh Premium which I really like. This can of Behr is just garbage...Eggshell Interior. I have only one coat down, and will actually be going tomorrow to get a can of Grand Distinction from my local Menards. I bough the Behr only because Home Deopt is closer it was closer. Yes I know there are higher quality paints at other stores, but this is for an owner occupied duplex, not my dream home.