Best value and quality interior paint?

Question

Hi,  Wondering what you guys think is the best interior paint for value and coverage?  I'm getting tired of being told, "yeah, it covers great" and then finding after 2 coats it still looks like crap.

Roger S. · Answer

Thanks everyone, for their time and advice.

John Santero · Answer

Thanks- I forgot to mention that it is a exterior/interior grade of paint. Thanks for the info

Carol Venolia · Answer

My fave landlord paint is Benjamin Moore UltraSpec. I love the colors, the coverage, and the cost. I didn't arrive there via lots of experimentation; BenjMoore is the only brand available at the building supply store near my rural rental property. But I've been delighted with it.

I was even more delighted with it after using the house brand at TrueValue. I can't even remember the name; not a major brand. The coverage sucks.

So now I look for Benjamin Moore UltraSpec anywhere I have rentals!

David Handel · Answer

@John SanteroI agree completely on not using exterior products inside.  Mildewcides, fungicides, insect repellants, etc. are fine outside when there is plenty of ventilation (aka being outdoors), but inside is a horrible idea.  There are some products designed for interior/exterior use, which would be fine.

Another consideration for not using exterior paint inside is the characteristics of the products themselves.  Exterior surfaces don't have more or less abuse than interior surfaces, they just take a different type of abuse.  Exterior coatings are softer than interior coatings.  There might be 30 degree temperature swings over the course of a day.  Temperature fluctuations will cause the siding to expand and contract, requiring a more flexible, softer coating.  You don't have that issue inside.

Also, exterior paint (generally) costs more than interior paint.

Scott Schultz · Answer

@John Santero STOP USING EXT PAINT INSIDE!!!!  the hazards from off gassing of the paint could get you sued!!!! this has come up several times in classes I have taken as a Realtor. the "chemical off gassing" can make people sick for years after you paint. search the web about this, its really a bad practice.

David Handel · Answer

Full disclosure...  I work as a Store Manager for the world's largest coatings manufacturer.

@Lance Anderson The CR ratings are not all they are cracked up to be (in this case).  I have worked in the paint industry for about 15 years, and have done a little homework on the subject.

You will notice that 4 of the top 5 rated products are only available at big box/home improvement stores.  The only one that comes from a paint store will run probably $60-70 a gallon.  Where are a majority of the painters buying their paint nationwide?  Paint stores.  Look at the small specialty stores that have not died in the wake of the big box stores and you will still find paint stores.  They have to be doing something right, and have products they can stand behind.

Back to CR...  There are industry standard tests designed and performed by ASTM to insure consistency in performance.  CR sidesteps these standards and creates their own tests.  They tell manufacturers what the tests are to level the playing field (supposedly).  The leading manufacturers alter their formulas to specifically perform well on the CR tests so they get ranked near the top.  Those tests don't necessarily equate to "in the field" usage.  My company played this game a few years ago with one of our products and it came in 2nd place in CR.  The outcry from our customers was amazing!  They got so many complaints on how they performed in real life, that they switched it back the next year.  Since then we made a decision not to go for the CR rankings anymore.

My recommendation is PPG Pure Performance Eggshell.  http://www.ppgpaints.com/products/pure-performance...

It is 100% acrylic, making it more durable than a vinyl acrylic like the Promar 200, with good coverage.  It has 0 VOCs, which keep the odors down and is more environmentally friendly than many.  Pricing and availability will vary by the market you are in.

@Roger SandmannYou brought up "after 2 coats it still looks like crap", so I will comment on that.  I don't know what you are using or who is applying it.  That could be from a few different things.  It could be a poor surface condition, poor prep, low quality product, a bad painter, or a combination of them.  An awesome product in the hands of a horrible painter can still look bad at the end of the job, and a bad product in the hands of a good painter can look pretty good when they finish.

John Santero · Answer

I fooled around with paint and coverage for years. Cheap paint is just that -cheap. The color/primer combos are hit and miss- valspar 2000 is fair. I started using the exterior paint combo paint/primer for interior use. It covers great-thicker paint. Has anyone tried this and is there any repercussions other than intitally it takes longer for the paint fumes to clear?

Scott Schultz · Answer

since you dont have Menards in Texas, i would steer you to Sherwin Williams Promar 200, its the same as the Conco Product I have been using since 2009, great coverage, and reasonable price, around $15/gal, in our market, the high end stuff doesnt seem to do any better, I have used it and my painters have, and they love how it covers, flows and cuts.

Michael Boyer · Answer

I did find early on the cheap paint is expensive... Labor is your biggest input, so get the good stuff. Or you end up redoing it..

The cr rating above may be a good start. I also like the speciality paint store (where I go Ben Moore, for example) just for  consistent service and expertise (hit or miss at the big box there).

Then hard to beat the old school prep with tsp and  a good sponge mop (just damp) and rinse with clean water (damps sponge mop)...and primer for major color changes or spots  and stains..

The good paint in luster you can clean also makes turnarounds easy...clean the walls (as mentioned) and you may only have to touch up..

Finally, if you can go with one color/brand for the interiors of your rentals you will save time trying to match color or organize endless paints in your garage...best of luck

Lance Anderson · Answer

the March 2015 issue of consumer reports includes interior paint ratings.  These guys are good at what they do and I appriciate their work. I am looking at the article now but do not know how to include a pic. Top rated is Behr Marquee. Second is Valspar Reserve. Third Behr premium plus ultra. Four is Clark and Kensington enamel. Five Benjamin Moore aura.