Choosing paint
Which paint goes where, and when the pricey can is worth it.
What is the difference between latex and oil-based paint?
Latex (water-based acrylic) paint dries fast, cleans up with water, has low odor, stays flexible and resists yellowing. Oil-based (alkyd) paint dries slowly into a harder, smoother film but yellows over time, needs mineral spirits for cleanup, and has strong fumes. Today latex is the right choice for most walls and exteriors.
Full answerWhat paint should I use in a bathroom?
Use a quality acrylic paint labeled mildew-resistant or made for kitchens and baths, in satin or semi-gloss. Those sheens shed moisture and wipe clean. Just as important: run an exhaust fan during and 20 minutes after every shower, because no paint can outlast constant condensation.
Full answerWhat kind of paint is best for cabinets?
The best cabinet paints are hard-drying enamels: waterborne alkyd (hybrid) enamels, urethane-modified acrylic enamels, or professional sprayed finishes. They level out smoothly and resist chips and fingerprints far better than regular wall paint. Use satin or semi-gloss over a bonding primer.
Full answerWhat paint is best for trim and doors?
Use an interior enamel in semi-gloss or satin. Acrylic or waterborne alkyd enamels level smoothly, dry hard and clean easily. For trim that's currently oil-based, scuff and use a bonding primer first. Brush strokes lay flatter if you use a quality brush and don't overwork the paint.
Full answerWhat paint should I use on ceilings?
Use a flat ceiling paint. The flat finish hides roller marks and drywall seams under overhead light, and ceiling formulas are made to spatter less. Some ceiling paints go on tinted and dry white, which makes it easy to see missed spots.
Full answerWhat paint works on basement concrete or block walls?
Fix water problems first, then use a masonry primer and a paint made for concrete and block, such as a masonry waterproofing coating or an acrylic masonry paint. Regular wall paint on damp concrete will blister and peel. White powder (efflorescence) must be scrubbed off before painting.
Full answerWhat exterior paint holds up best in Northern New York winters?
A top-tier 100 percent acrylic exterior paint holds up best. It stays flexible through freeze and thaw cycles, resists moisture and fading, and some formulas can be applied down to 35 degrees. Pair it with good prep, primer on bare wood, and a satin or low-luster finish.
Full answerIs expensive paint worth the money?
Usually, yes. Premium paints have more pigment and binder, so they cover in fewer coats, touch up better, resist scrubbing and last longer outside. Paint is a small share of a professional job's cost, since labor is most of it, so cheap paint rarely saves money.
Full answerDoes paint-and-primer-in-one really work?
It works well for repainting clean, previously painted surfaces, because it's a thicker, higher-hiding paint. It is not a substitute for a dedicated primer on bare wood, new drywall, stains, glossy or oil-based surfaces, or masonry. You'll still usually need two coats.
Full answer