Paint

Painting is the No. 1 do-it-yourself home improvement project. Each year, millions of homeowners--equipped with little more than a paintbrush, a short-nap roller and a gallon of gumption--apply a new coat of finish to room interiors, house siding, fences and decks. However, a successful job is dependent upon using the right paint. All coatings are specifically formulated for particular types of surfaces. Apply the incorrect kind of paint and it'll quickly peel, crack or fade. No amount of surface prep or careful application can save a job that's finished with the wrong type of paint.

But picking the appropriate paint isn't always easy, even for experienced painters. That's because a typical home center or hardware store carries over 2000 gal. of interior and exterior paints, primers and stains. There are dozens of coatings made for each surface inside and outside your home. Finding the right product requires a little common sense--and some inside information.

Here, we'll take a close look at what you're likely to encounter when shopping for interior and exterior paints, primers and stains. And along the way, you'll learn how to select the most appropriate product for your next painting or staining project.

Exterior Paints

Exterior-grade house paints are durable, all-season coatings that are specially formulated to withstand exposure to the elements. The five traits common to all quality exterior paints include: excellent color retention, flexibility to withstand expansion and contraction, ability to block stains, resistance to mold and mildew, and additives that protect against the damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) light.

Exterior house paints fall into two basic categories: latex (water-based) and alkyd (oil-based). Most painters--pros and do-it-yourselfers alike--prefer latex because it has low odor, dries quickly and cleans up with soap and water. According to Ron Hudas, product manager for Sherwin-Williams Consumer Group, a whopping 83 percent of all the exterior paint sold today is latex.

Latex paint is also more crack resistant than alkyd and it chalks less. (Chalking is the formation over time of a dry, powdery film on the weathered surface of paint.) Plus, you can apply it to a surface that's slightly damp. One disadvantage of latex paint, according to Dennis Centofante, technical director of Ace Paint, is that it dries so quickly it's easy to leave behind visible lap marks. "To eliminate telltale lap marks," says Centofante, "always paint with a wet edge. In other words, don't allow one area to dry before spreading paint onto the adjacent area." Because of their high water content, latex coatings are also more susceptible to freeze damage than alkyds, so they shouldn't be stored outside during cold weather.

Latex might be the best choice for most home painting projects, but don't totally disregard alkyds. Oil-based paints are superior stain blockers and in most cases flow on very smoothly and evenly for easy, 1-coat coverage. They also boast exceptional adhesion (meaning they stick well) and can even be applied over moderately chalked surfaces. And, a still-wet coat of alkyd paint won't wash off the house if it suddenly starts to rain while you're painting.

When repainting a surface that's coated with multiple layers of old oil-based paint, it's best to continue using an alkyd. The reason is that latex paint shrinks quite a bit when it dries and it may pull the old paint off.

On the downside, alkyd paints have a very pungent odor and take a long time to dry, especially in humid weather. They also spatter and sag more than latex paints. Alkyd paints tend to oxidize over time and become brittle, which leads to cracking and chipping. The federal government and many state legislatures have limited the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in paints to meet stringent clean-air standards. That's good news for the environment, but not for alkyd paints: Lowering the VOC levels can adversely affect the performance of the paint. The real hassle of working with solvent-based alkyds is that you must clean up with paint thinner.

Exterior-grade paints come in a variety of sheens including flat, satin, semi-gloss and high gloss. Flat and satin paints are less reflective and typically are applied to house siding. Semi- and high-gloss paints usually are reserved for exterior trimwork.

Nearly all major paint manufacturers produce a line of good, better and best exterior-grade paints. Prices range from about $10 to over $50 per gallon. When shopping for paint, keep in mind that price is usually a good indicator of quality. The more expensive paints contain more solids, so they produce a thicker, longer-lasting coating.

You should expect to pay between $20 and $25 per gallon for an above-average paint. Don't be tempted by cheap bargain-priced paints. The thin paint film won't last long and you'll have to repaint much sooner. When shopping for latex exterior paint, look for one that's made with 100 percent acrylic-latex binders. This type is superior to paints containing vinyl binders or modified-acrylic binders.

Interior Paints

Interior paints are specifically formulated for painting house interiors and have characteristics that are important when painting indoors, such as low odor and spatter resistance. Other traits common to quality interior paints include stain resistance, good hiding ability, resistance to smudges and fingerprints, and "scrubbability," which is the industry term for how well the painted surface stands up to cleanings.

Interior paints come in both latex (water-based) and alkyd (oil-based) versions in a variety of different sheens from flat to high gloss. And, once again, latex is by far the best-selling type. Some industry experts claim that nearly 95 percent of all interior paint sold today is latex. That's not surprising when you realize that latex dries much faster than alkyd, doesn't smell nearly as bad and cleans up with water.

Generally, the degree of scrubbability and stain resistance is directly related to the paint's sheen. For example, flat paint is ideal for walls and ceilings because it hides minor surface imperfections, but it doesn't stand up to repeated washings as well as satin or semi-gloss paint. That's because glossier paints are less porous and dry to a harder, more durable surface. Satin, eggshell and low-luster paints are often used for hallways, stairways, children's rooms and other high-traffic areas. Semi- and high-gloss paints are commonly used on trimwork, such as baseboard moldings, and door and window casings.

Sheen alone isn't the only indicator for determining the scrubbability and stain resistance of paint. Price also plays a key role. For example, a $20 can of flat paint will outperform and last longer than a $10 can of semi-gloss. Paint manufacturers have been steadily improving the durability of flat paint over the past several years, and many of today's premium flat paints are very scrubbable and highly resistant to staining.

When painting a kitchen or bathroom, look for Kitchen and Bath paint. This specialty coating probably will contain a mildewcide and is formulated for painting high-moisture rooms.

Interior paints, in general, cost slightly less than exterior-grade paints. Prices typically range from about $6 to $40 per gallon. Again, price is a good indicator of quality--you should expect to spend about $20 per gallon for an above-average paint. Note that you often can save a few dollars by purchasing the paint in 5-gal. pails.

Primers

Do-it-yourself painters often overlook the importance of applying a primer, but in many instances priming the surface before you paint is the most important step of all.

The job of a primer is to seal the surface so that the topcoat finish goes on smoothly, sticks well and dries evenly. Primers also hide stains, seal porous areas and create a uniform sheen across the surface. A coat of primer is recommended whenever you're painting raw, unfinished surfaces or previously painted areas that have been sanded or patched. Always apply a primer coat when painting over unsightly water, rust and grease stains. Primers are also useful for sealing up resinous knots and foul odors caused by fire and tobacco smoke. Generally, a primer isn't needed when you're painting over a previously painted surface that's in sound condition.

There are three basic types of primers: water-based latex, oil-based alkyd, and white-pigmented shellac, which is alcohol-based. Latex stain-blocking primers are the most versatile type, and most can be used both indoors and outside on a wide variety of materials. They clean up with soap and water.

Alkyd primers are excellent stain blockers that can be used indoors and out. They're often applied to raw cedar and redwood to block tannin from bleeding through the topcoat. Alkyd primers also are good for covering graffiti, water stains and smoke damage. With alkyd, you must use paint thinner to clean up your painting tools.

White-pigmented shellac is renowned for being able to block out the toughest stains and seal in the most offensive odors. It's primarily an interior-grade sealer, but it can be used for selective exterior spot priming. White-pigmented shellac is the best choice for eliminating tough stains, such as mildew, water discolorations, sappy knots, pet urine and greasy food spatter. Clean up with denatured alcohol or use a solution that's one part household ammonia and three parts warm water.

When preparing to paint over unsightly stains, select a primer based on the type of stain. According to Tim O'Reilly, of the William Zinsser Co., you should use latex primer to cover up oily stains such as cooking spatter, tar, lipstick and asphalt, and choose an alkyd primer to conceal water-soluble stains such as tannic acid and water spots. White-pigmented shellac is effective on both types of stains.

Primers cost slightly less than paints. Prices range from about $12 to $25 per gallon, with shellac-based primers being the most expensive.

Exterior Stains

Penetrating stains are used to protect wood from sun and water damage without hiding its natural texture. Pigmented stains are similar to thin paints and come in various colors. Clear stains offer protection without changing the wood's color.

There are basically two types of exterior stains: semi-transparent and solid-color. Semi-transparent stains alter the color of the wood, but let its natural texture and grain show through. They're available in wood-tone colors and several shades of gray, although more color options are beginning to surface. Solid-color stains, which are also called opaque stains, contain more pigment than the semi-transparent products. These heavy-body stains hide the color and grain of the wood, but not its texture. Solid-color stains are more like paints and come in a full range of colors.

Exterior stains are available in both latex- and oil-based formulations. And almost without exception, latex stains outperform oil-based stains. They last longer, fade less, and are more flexible and crack resistant. Plus, latex stains clean up with soap and water. For optimum performance, look for stain that contains 100 percent acrylic resins.

Prices for exterior stains range from about $12 to $25 per gallon, but keep in mind that you get what you pay for. Low-priced stains will quickly fade or flake off. Plan to spend at least $20 per gallon.

SOURCE LIST

Ace Paint

21901 Central Ave.

Matteson, IL 60443

www.acehardware.com

Behr Paints

3400 W. Segerstrom Ave.

Santa Ana, CA 92704

800-854-0133 www.behrpaint.com

Benjamin Moore & Co.

51 Chestnut Ridge Rd.

Montvale, NJ 07645

800-344-0400

www.benjaminmoore.com

Cabot Wood Care

100 Hale St.

Newburyport, MA 01950

800-877-8246

www.cabotstain.com

Dutch Boy Paints

101 Prospect Ave. N.W.

Mail Stop No. 1

Attn. Consumer Affairs

Cleveland, OH 44115

800-828-5669

www.dutchboy.com

The Flood Co.

P.O. Box 2535

Hudson, OH 44236

800-321-3444

www.floodco.com

Martin Senour Paints

101 Prospect Ave. N.W.

Attn. Consumer Affairs

Cleveland, OH 44115

800-677-5270

www.martinsenour.com

Minwax

10 Mountainview Rd

Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458

800-523-9299

www.minwax.com

National Paints and Coatings Association

202-332-3194

www.paintinfo.org

Olympic Paints and Stains

1 PPG Place

Pittsburgh, PA 15272

800-235-5020

www.olympic.com

Pratt & Lambert Paints

101 Prospect Ave. N.W.

Attn. Consumer Affairs

Cleveland, OH 44115

800-289-7728

www.prattandlambert.com

The Rohm & Haas

Paint Quality Institute

P.O. Box 904

Spring House, PA 19477

www.paintquality.com

Sears Paints

3333 Beverly Rd.

Dept. 630-D3-211-B

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

www.sears.com/paint

Sherwin-Williams Paints

101 Prospect Ave. N.W.

Attn. Consumer Affairs

Cleveland, OH 44115

800-474-3794

www.sherwinwilliams.com

Valspar Corp.

1191 Wheeling Rd.

Wheeling, IL 60090

800-845-9061

www.valspar.com

Zinsser Co.

173 Belmont Dr.

Somerset, NJ 08875

www.zinsser.com