Choosing paint can be just as confusing as choosing wine. We like to think that we know about all the subtleties – the bouquet, the color, the finish – but in reality, most of us pick wine based on the coolness factor of the name or previous experience with the wine at a restaurant or a friend’s house. When we look at paint, not only do you have color to consider, you also have brand, type, quality, and finish to decide on.
BRAND AND TYPE
Benjamin Moore paint is one of the best brands of quality paint on the market. Within Benjamin Moore paints, there are a variety of types, depending on your project. I will be focusing on interior paints and their varying qualities.
QUALITY
The Aura line includes paints with primer included, mildew-resistant, and limited lifetime warranties. It tends to be one coat and uses Color Lock technology to keep the colors true.
The Eco Spec line is the “greenest” interior premium paint with zero VOCs and zero emissions. It is certified allergy and asthma friendly, and is green seal certified. It generally needs a primer before painting.
DAP 18787 Spackling Paste, 32 oz, White
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The Regal Select line is a great price for a great all-purpose paint and primer together. It covers well, handles wipe-down, and works for moderate traffic areas and ceilings.
The Ben line is very reasonably priced and covers well. It is paint and primer together, is made for lower traffic areas, and comes in thousands of colors.
The Advance line is perfect for doors, trim, and cabinetry. It has a self-leveling property that helps to fill in the imperfections you might find, creating a smooth finish.
FINISH
Finish is an important aspect of painting. It helps to create the overall look of the room, but it also helps address durability in certain areas of the home.
Matte finish is good for low traffic areas or ceilings. It does not stand up well to scrubbing, but it does a nice job of hiding imperfections because it doesn’t reflect as much as the other finishes do.
Eggshell is one step glossier than matte finish. One of the most notable differences is that eggshell is easy to clean with a wet cloth. It creates a nice semi-gloss look while offering durability.
Satin finish gives walls a nice sheen, creating a rich look. It is stronger than eggshell and can handle a bit more cleaning. It is a great choice for bedrooms, hallways, and family rooms.
Semi-Gloss is much shinier than satin. It is a great choice for “wet” rooms like bathrooms and kitchens. It is strong enough to hold up to scrubbing. It dries hard, but it does reflect and will show imperfections in the walls.
Gloss finish is best reserved for wooden surfaces like doors, trim, and cabinets. It is extremely durable and can be scrubbed without any worries. It reflects imperfections and is not usually used for walls.
MY PROJECT
The bedroom I painted was a neutral grey and pretty easy to cover. I chose to use Aura satin finish for the walls and Advance semi-gloss for the trim.
PREP
- Mask trim and take off outlet plates.
- Put down a drop cloth or newspaper to catch drips.
PAINT
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- Pour paint into a paint pan and roll the roller through the paint until it is nicely coated. *Don’t take so much that it drips.
- Gently roll the paint on the wall. Do not use a lot of pressure or you will end up with drips. Let the roller do the work.
Farm Home Ranch Super Woven Smooth Surface Paint Roller 9 in.
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- Roll the entire room/wall, replenishing the paint on the roller when needed.
CUT IN
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- Using an angled brush (I like a 2” brush), “cut in” the edges between the wall and the trim that the roller cannot reach.
- Fill the brush with paint, wiping both sides on the rim so it doesn’t drip.
- Work from top to bottom, fanning the paint from the trim edge into the wall.
REMOVE TAPE
- Make sure to remove painters tape when the paint is tacky, to prevent the tape from peeling paint with it.
Frog Tape Pro Painter's Tape, 1.88 in. X 60 yd.
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TRIM
- Let the walls cure overnight and then tape around the trim.Paint trim with a brush, using long strokes and watching for drips.
- Remove tape when the trim is still tacky, pulling it at an angle so as not to scrape the trim with the tape.
HYDE Black & Silver 02200 Putty Knife, 1-5/16 in W HCS Blade
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With Aura paint, I could have easily done a single coat on the walls and been fine. There were a few spots where I didn’t roll completely and ended up with some speckles of grey showing through. But overall, one coat would work.
Two coats were spectacular. The coverage was amazing and the finish was beautiful. For a 12×12 room, I used a little under a gallon of paint, and that was being generous with my roller.
So now that you are equipped with a little more insider knowledge on the ins and outs of paint, brighten up that bedroom, freshen up those cabinets, or lighten up that bathroom. Not only do you know the lingo, you can be confident in your choice of paint when you start that next project. Now, if we could only figure out how to pair wine with dinner…
