Painting Tips
Latex vs Oil Based Paint: Which to Use
Quick answer: For almost all interior and exterior painting today, water-based paint (latex or acrylic) is the right choice. It has low odor, dries fast,…
Category
Painting Tips
Tips, guides, and advice for painting contractors on pricing, estimating, and growing your business.
Painting Tips
Do I Need Primer Before Painting?
Quick answer: Prime the surface when it is bare, porous, stained, glossy, freshly patched, or about to change color dramatically. You can skip primer when…
Painting Tips
How Many Coats of Paint Do I Need?
Quick answer: Two coats is the standard for almost every interior and exterior paint job. One coat is only enough for a like-for-like touch-up over…
Painting Tips
Best Paint for High Traffic Areas
Quick answer: The best paint for high traffic areas, hallways, stairwells, mudrooms, and entryways, is a highly scrubbable, scuff resistant paint in a satin finish,…
Painting Tips
Best Paint for a Bedroom
Quick answer: The best paint for a bedroom is a low VOC, low odor water based latex in a calm eggshell or matte finish. Because…
Painting Tips
Best Paint for a Ceiling
Quick answer: The best paint for a ceiling is a dedicated flat ceiling paint, the lowest sheen you can buy. Flat hides surface imperfections better…
Painting Tips
Best Paint for Trim and Doors: Hard Enamel for a Smooth Finish
Quick answer: The best paint for trim and doors is a hard wearing enamel in a semi-gloss sheen, because the key property you need is…
Painting Tips
Best Paint for a Kitchen: Scrubbable, Grease Resistant Picks
Quick answer: The best paint for a kitchen is a durable, scrubbable interior latex applied in satin or semi-gloss, since the key property you need…
Painting Tips
Best Paint for a Bathroom: Moisture and Mildew Resistant Picks
Quick answer: The best paint for a bathroom is a moisture resistant interior latex with a mildew resistant additive, applied in a satin or semi-gloss…
Painting Tips
Paint Sheen Guide: Flat, Eggshell, Satin, and Gloss
Quick answer: Flat and matte hide wall flaws but are the hardest to clean, so they suit low traffic ceilings and adult bedrooms. Eggshell and…