What Color Are Your Rentals?

[Nazz Wang]

Hi BP Family,

I want to ask what your favorite wall paint color and finish (flat, satin, etc.) are for your rentals. Or if you have a bad color or brand that failed miserably, please do tell.

I have always painted my properties the same color, Vanilla Brandy in Eggshell. I would use the same color in high gloss in bathrooms and kitchens. But recently I have encountered a problem. I was patching up some paint in a rental in San Diego, where the weather is dry and sunny 355 days of the year. On all the walls, directly facing the sun or now, the newly painted color was noticeably lighter than the original paint. They were from the same paint can! I ended up having to repaint a few highly stained walls and was very surprised by this. I did take all the precautions, mixing the paint well, prepping the walls, waiting a few days for the paint to completely dry. I am not sure why this happened but can only assume the walls got darker with time. So I want to see what are your favorite paint brand, color and finish for your rentals that have been proven to last and maintain their original color.

I have heard from someone that they use off white colors like Swedish Coffee.  Maybe the darker colors don't work as well in the long term? Horror stories welcome too.

[Kimberly T.]

We use semi-gloss Swiss Coffee by Behr (at Home Depot).  Haven't had any issues with touching up spots a year or so later.  Semi-gloss is easier to clean, too.

I think paint color does tend to fade over time, or so I've heard.  Love me some off-white Swiss Coffee!