Picking Paint Problems - Picking Paint Professionally
Picking paint out can be overwhelming when considering all the options available. With practically infinite colors to choose from, figuring what paint finish to use let alone paint product can cause a temporary overload. Breaking the paint decision down to three main considerations will help ensure you get the final result right the first time!
- Color
- Finish
- Product
While Color may be the most obvious consideration right off that bat, the painting professionals will tell you that there are two other major considerations, Finish and Product, that are just as important in having a good final result. The paint Finish refers to the amount of sheen the paint will have once dried. There are a number of options available so keep reading for a breakdown of each below! Finally, the last major consideration is what paint Product to use. Paints may have come a long way since your grandfather's day but the age old adage of having the right paint (tool) for the job still very much applies. Understanding what is available is key to keeping your job on budget and can even save you time!
Picking Paint Color
While picking paint colors can be fun, it can also be very daunting when opening up a color wheel to find more colors available than what you can visually distinguish between. If you’ve got a rough idea of the color you’d like but still need to find the right shade, Pinterest is a great place to go to find inspiration. If you have no idea what color you’d like but know your home needs refreshing, try a Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams yearly recommended color palettes to get started.
Major paint distributors also have apps that can visually apply colors through camera displays. These can be great for ruling colors out though are less effective at displaying different paint finishes accurately. It should also be noted that shadows and color tones may vary more drastically throughout changing daylight hours. Still, there is an undeniable advantage to using these sorts of apps to get a good visual idea of what you're getting into.
Finally, the last bit of practical advice in testing different colors will be to purchase sample sized cans of the prospects. When applying the sample swatches, try applying near any trim to evaluate how the contrast will look. Lastly, these sample cans are often only in a flat finish, so keep that in mind when evaluating your options as you may looking to have a different paint finish. Keep reading for picking paint finish tips!
Picking Paint Finish
When painters talk about the paint finish, what they are really speaking about is the amount of sheen or luster that the paint shows once dried. On one end of the spectrum is a Glossy, reflective finish and on the other end a matte, Flat finish. The other options available, like Satin and Eggshell, fall descending on the luster scale and a good comparison would be to use actual satin or an eggshell to check the sheen, for a better understanding.
The reasons vary for using different paint finishes but generally speaking flats are used for ceilings, eggshell or satin for walls, and semi-gloss for baseboards and any trim. A flat finish will reflect less light thus surface imperfections are harder to see than at the other end of the spectrum. Semi-gloss finish is great for making surfaces pop as well as offer superior washability in high traffic areas. Eggshell and satin finishes fall in the in the middle of the luster spectrum and goes easy on the eyes. While paint generally follows these luster- surface trends, other combinations can be used to wonderful effect. Flat finish walls with a satin baseboard can make a room feel much softer on the eyes.
Picking Paint Product
When it comes to picking the right paint product, it's important to keep the condition of the existing surface in mind as well as future eventualities. While it may seem prudent to buy the cheapest can of paint, that might not always be the case in application. Having a paint and primer in one when covering up drywall or plaster can significantly reduce the amount of time required in a project despite the slightly greater cost. When it comes to ceilings and trim, using a paint a step up from base grade will have superior coverage, blocking out the previous surface color better. Though it may seem counter-intuitive, when it comes to paint, white paint from one brand to another will not match and this issue is exacerbated when trying to tell the difference between previous paint, drying paint or primed surfaces. Other considerations may hinge on what kind of traffic wear and tear to expect (kids and crayons!) where washability is a must.
Understanding what your painting project requires before making a trip to the local paint distribution store can help save you a lot of money and even time. Don't be over sold by the salespeople in the store. Last of all, try asking for a general contractors discount! While they may say no without a sign up, you might end up saving as much as $15 per gallon of paint!
Other things to consider:
- Brush roller nap brush type. The more nap on the roller the better. This allows the roller to pick up more paint with less dripping, and thus allows you to put more paint up on the wall in one go.
- Chisel tip brushes make cutting into corners easier. A 2.5" brush is plenty big enough for most rooms but try using a bigger brush when the project includes wide trim or overlap is not a concern.
- Surface prep - dust 'n' grease. Light plaster dust is alright to paint over but other dust should be swept away. Greasy spots need to be thoroughly cleaned or use a special primer. TSP is a great product for grease removal.
- Going over dark paint with a much lighter paint will require more paint coats.
- Changing the luster of a surface will require an extra coat of paint, especially when decreasing the amount of luster on a surface.
