Picking the best paint.(interior paints)(Buyers Guide)

We can't help you decide whether Trendy Taupe or Autumn Haze is the right shade of gray. But while you're puzzling over the extraordinary names given ordinary paint colors, it may help to know which brand covers better and is more durable. There we can help. Our tests of some 149 individual paints show that such practical differences matter. We tested flat and low-luster latex paints from major national and regional makers. The lineup included white, a pastel base used to make light colors, and a medium base used for darker, midtone colors. (We didn't test oil paint, which is an insignificant part of the market.) We looked at hardware-store and home-center brands as well as the Martha Stewart and Ralph Lauren designer labels. All represent the manufacturers' premium lines, which generally deliver superior performance.

USE AND ABUSE

Our tests are designed to tell you how well a paint will work in your house. Here's how you can use the information in the Ratings.

Toughness. This tells you how well the new paint should last. It's especially important if you're repainting a heavily used area like a family room, the kitchen, or a child's bedroom. To us, toughness covers these attributes:

* Dirt and stains don't dig in; they can be removed without much scrubbing.

* Ideally, scrubbing gets rid of the dirt without removing the paint in the process. The paint shouldn't take on a shiny, burnished look or seem to change color if you need to rub it hard.

* Once the paint has dried completely, it shouldn't allow objects to stick. Anyone who has had a vase virtually glue itself to a painted windowsill understands the problem. (Paint professionals call this tendency to stick "blocking.")