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COPYRIGHT 2006 Consumers Union of the United States, Inc.
Choosing a color for your painting project can be fun, but it's not the most critical step. What really matters is finding a paint that covers previous coats well, stands up to stains and scrubbing, and lasts without fading.
Fading performance remains an issue. More than half of the 66 flat, low-luster, and semigloss paints we tested scored poorly in this area. A fade-resistant paint--essential for a sunny room--can save you time and money, since the longer the color lasts, the less often you'll have to repaint.
Another way to save time and money is to use a paint that can cover in one coat. While one-coat hiding power is not typical, several paints did a good job overall with the first coat (footnoted in Ratings).
Among our other noteworthy findings:
Cleaning is fundamental. Most paints performed well on stain- and scrubbing-resistance tests. But some flat paints proved more likely to absorb stains, which makes cleaning more difficult. For rooms where humidity levels can be high (kitchens, bathrooms), always use paints that scored well for mildew resistance.
These stars don't shine. While "celebrity" paints from Ralph Lauren and Martha Stewart were very good, they don't stand out in our Ratings. Our advice: Consider Ralph and Martha for your clothing and housewares, and shop among our better performers for paint.
High-quality paint is easy to find. Some paint brands, such as Valspar (Lowe's), Behr (Home Depot), and Kilz (Wal-Mart), are sold by only a single retailer. But the good news is that no one outlet has a monopoly on high-scoring paints, as our test results indicate.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Most paints have at least one weakness--a test result noticeably lower than their other scores. Weigh those factors to select a paint that delivers the best performance in the attributes that matter to you.
Go with low-luster for most jobs. We think low-luster paints work best for most situations, and they're ideal where durability is a concern because they resist wear better. For spots where you want a different finish, use semigloss for trim and shelves and flat for low-traffic areas.
Be smart with color. View paint chips or samples under the same lighting conditions as in the room where they'll be used. For large areas, err on the side of too light rather than too dark. And don't sweat it if you can't get a dead-on match for drapes or carpet. A paint in the same color family with the same undertone will work fine.
Pick the cream of the crop. Buy paints at or near the top of a manufacturer's line. Our past tests indicate that paints below the top of the line don't perform well. The top values include nine CR Best Buys that cost $14 to $25 a gallon.
For Ratings and CR Quick Recommendations, see next page.
doing it right
THESE TIPS WILL HELP YOU CREATE A MASTERPIECE
According to the Paint Quality Institute, you'll get the best results by doing top-notch prep work.
Surface prep. Fix wall gouges with drywall compound or spackle; patch gaps with acrylic or siliconized acrylic caulk. To remove dirt and grease, scrub with detergent and warm water. Eliminate mildew with a solution of 3 parts water to 1 part bleach. Dull glossy areas with No. 220 sandpaper.
Tape choice. Use low-tack painter's tape on windows and hardware. It's less likely than conventional masking tape to remove paint or leave an adhesive residue when you pull it off.
Prime time. You don't have to prime a painted surface if the existing paint is in good condition. But do prime any surface you've repaired. Use stain-blocking primer to cover stains, and acrylic latex wall primer for other areas.
Application. Latex or water-based paints call for brushes with synthetic bristles and rollers with synthetic covers. On walls and ceilings, start by cutting in a 2-inch strip with a brush at corners and edges and around doors and windows, then switch to a roller. Make 3-foot "W" or "M" patterns with the roller, then fill in the gaps with the roller.
CR Quick: Recommendations
The top-rated paints scored highly in...
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