Paint Answers
Straight answers to painting questions
How to paint it, what to paint it with, which sheen, which color, and who to hire. Written for real houses in a real North Country climate.
Picking colors? Try the Color Studio.
How to paint
Step-by-step technique for rooms, trim, cabinets and exteriors.
- How do I paint a room the right way?
- How do you cut in paint along ceilings and trim without tape?
- How many coats of paint do I need?
- How long should paint dry between coats?
- How do I paint a light color over a dark wall?
- How do I paint kitchen cabinets so the finish lasts?
Prep and primer
The work before the paint that decides how long it lasts.
Choosing paint
Which paint goes where, and when the pricey can is worth it.
- What is the difference between latex and oil-based paint?
- What paint should I use in a bathroom?
- What kind of paint is best for cabinets?
- What paint is best for trim and doors?
- What paint should I use on ceilings?
- What paint works on basement concrete or block walls?
Sheen: flat to gloss
Flat, matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss and gloss explained.
Stain and decks
Stain vs paint, opacity levels, and timing on new wood.
Color and palettes
Picking colors that go together, whites, LRV and exterior schemes.
Hiring a painter
How to choose a painter, compare quotes and stay safe.
North Country climate
Timing and products for Northern New York weather.