Painting DIY PSA

[gamecockcat]

I'm in the process of repainting most of the inside of my house (I'm retired, what else am I gonna do?). Having done DIY painting of my various homes over the years, I quickly learned to avoid Glidden paint products. The walls of our home are being painted with Behr Marquis and it's a solid choice. Runs about $60-$70/gallon (while Sherwin Williams runs $85+/gallon and, having used both, I can't really tell a difference).

After I'd gotten a couple of rooms finished, the window sills, baseboards, closet doors, etc looked like they needed freshening up. Plain white, semi-gloss interior paint. Because a gallon was about 20% cheaper, I opted for the Glidden Diamond, their most expensive option at Home Depot. Big mistake. I've ended up having to put two, sometimes 3, coats of paint on woodwork in every room. I physically can't put more paint on my brush when I'm painting but, when the first coat dried, it looked like I'd put on a primer coat of Kilz. Very inconsistent coverage to the point that I couldn't just leave it - it had to be painted again. In some instances, the second coat was better but still not a real good paint job. So, a third coat was needed in those spots.

Never again. I asked one of the Home Depot folks back in the paint area and he said Glidden is their best selling brand. I have no idea why. It's the worst brand I've ever tried and I'll never, ever buy it again. You don't end up saving any money as you have to use 2-3x the amount of Glidden paint for the same coverage. And the frustration avoided is priceless.

Just me doing my part for this board.

 

[rick64]

It's well worth it to buy premium paint. Better coverage and requires fewer coats. Also easier to clean.

 

[TriangleUKCat]

Sounds like OP is spending retirement watching paint dry.

 

[Glenn's take]

I was almost fired from a job once because a new supervisor came in and asked me to paint the car stereo display because it looked like crap and I was her number 2. I explained that I was really, really bad at that type of thing a few times but she made me do it anyway. I literally did try and it was as bad as I said it thought be. I had to explain that I am really just that bad at that type of thing. Her boss agreed so I didn't get fired and we worked together peacefully after that.

 

[gamecockcat]

It's well worth it to buy premium paint. Better coverage and requires fewer coats. Also easier to clean.

Yep. Same with brushes. If you buy cheap brushes, they don't hold paint well, they are very streaky when applying and will wear out very quickly. Buying better brushes, keeping them clean and well maintained is >>> saving a few bucks on crappy brushes.

 

[FusterCluck]

All I know about painting is that my FIL always said Sherwin-Williams is always worth the premium price. It'll save you work and you're going to be looking at that paint for years and after a few months, you won't even remember the price difference.

And I know from experience that it's worth the cost/trouble to use Killz oil-based primer on everything. It's like adding a layer of sealant. We had a roof leak over the master bath and didn't know it for over a year b/c it never made it thru the primer on the ceiling whre I'd painted it a few years earlier. Oh, and that a good primer coat makes everything else easier.

 

[the nail at the foul line]

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

 

[BigBlueDave]

All I know about painting is that my FIL always said Sherwin-Williams is always worth the premium price.

Truth. I've never sprung for sw interior. SW exterior just holds up.

The prep work. Scrape, sand, prime and two coats. I have some that still looks good after 25 years.


We had a wood clapboard house growing up. Shiplap as far as the eye could see. My dad would sloppily paint one side per year. He would barely scrape off the old loose paint. He'd buy whatever paint was cheapest. It was a never ending job for him. Similar to painting the Golden Gate Bridge. As soon as he was done with the last side, the first side was peeling.

 

[bnewt]

my dad painted as a 2nd job. Unfortunately, he made me go with him and work. I always got to do the washing, scraping, sanding......all the "fun" jobs. Dad always used Porter Paint with good luck. Of course this was 45 years ago. Prep work is the key to a good paint job.

 

[d2atTech]

I'm in the process of repainting most of the inside of my house (I'm retired, what else am I gonna do?). Having done DIY painting of my various homes over the years, I quickly learned to avoid Glidden paint products. The walls of our home are being painted with Behr Marquis and it's a solid choice. Runs about $60-$70/gallon (while Sherwin Williams runs $85+/gallon and, having used both, I can't really tell a difference).

After I'd gotten a couple of rooms finished, the window sills, baseboards, closet doors, etc looked like they needed freshening up. Plain white, semi-gloss interior paint. Because a gallon was about 20% cheaper, I opted for the Glidden Diamond, their most expensive option at Home Depot. Big mistake. I've ended up having to put two, sometimes 3, coats of paint on woodwork in every room. I physically can't put more paint on my brush when I'm painting but, when the first coat dried, it looked like I'd put on a primer coat of Kilz. Very inconsistent coverage to the point that I couldn't just leave it - it had to be painted again. In some instances, the second coat was better but still not a real good paint job. So, a third coat was needed in those spots.

Never again. I asked one of the Home Depot folks back in the paint area and he said Glidden is their best selling brand. I have no idea why. It's the worst brand I've ever tried and I'll never, ever buy it again. You don't end up saving any money as you have to use 2-3x the amount of Glidden paint for the same coverage. And the frustration avoided is priceless.

Just me doing my part for this board.

here are some lessons learned in having done this about 30mo ago:

1) sherwin williams paint is worth every dollar
2) don't let your kids choose their own colors -- you will have a mix of paints and wall colors that don't match.
3) if your kid chooses UK blue, let them have it, but it will make their room look really dark
4) if your mother-in-law helps even a little bit, it will presented as she painted the house. arguing about it in front of everyone, even if you have the truth, the facts, and god on your side, won't result in a win.

 

[Hank Camacho]

All I know about painting is that my FIL always said Sherwin-Williams is always worth the premium price. It'll save you work and you're going to be looking at that paint for years and after a few months, you won't even remember the price difference.

And I know from experience that it's worth the cost/trouble to use Killz oil-based primer on everything. It's like adding a layer of sealant. We had a roof leak over the master bath and didn't know it for over a year b/c it never made it thru the primer on the ceiling whre I'd painted it a few years earlier. Oh, and that a good primer coat makes everything else easier.

This is correct. My dad and brother run a contracting business. They use Sherwin Williams 90% of the time.

 

[ukalumni00]

Have done more painting than I care and Sherwin Williams is always my go-to. Hate the high prices, but have never had any issues.

The prep work sucks but spraying is the way to go if you can do it but does require more paint.

 

[bnewt]

Have done more painting than I care and Sherwin Williams is always my go-to. Hate the high prices, but have never had any issues.

The prep work sucks but spraying is the way to go if you can do it but does require more paint.

no idea about spraying..........only brush & roller