Everything You Need to Know About Paint

The biggest questions I get asked as a stager and designer are about paint.

What is the best brand? Is it possible to paint concrete? How do I prep for painting?

You get the idea. So I turned to one of the experts I’ve trusted for a decade, Justin Evans at Evans Natural Finishes for some answers.

We all understand paint is your biggest return on investment if you are putting your home on the market this spring. But even if you are not selling, paint is the best bang for your buck and keeps you on-trend. You can change the entire feel of a room for the cost of a couple of cans of paint and if you do it, free labor!

CD: What’s the best paint for the walls?

Evans: Contractor Grade Sherwin-Williams Promar 200 Zero VOC Latex. Other quality, high-end interior choices from Sherwin-Williams are the Emerald, Duration, and Cashmere lines. They are all beautiful.

CD: What is the best paint for the trim?

Evans: Sherwin Williams Pro-Classic Enamel in either waterborne or alkyd, depending on the surface. Contractor grade Promar 200 Alkyd Enamel is a great choice as well.

CD: What is the best paint for doors?

Evans: Sherwin-Williams All-Surface Enamel for oil base, Exterior Super Paint or Exterior Duration for Latex.

CD: What should you know about painting wood cabinets?

Evans: The right prep work is of the utmost importance when transitioning from a stained wood surface to a painted surface. Cleaning and degreasing — especially for kitchen cabinets — is a must. All surfaces must be scuff sanded or chemically de-glossed, then cleaned again to remove any dust. This process ensures the adhesion of the primer. Primer is then applied to the stained surface, either an oil-based transition primer or lacquer sander-sealed. Once cured, the primer is to be sanded smooth and cleaned of all dust. At this point, the finish coat of choice can be applied at a minimum of two coats.

CD: What is the best paint for exterior surfaces?

Evans: Sherwin Williams Super Paint Exterior Acrylic paint. There are many other high-end paints available from Sherwin-Williams as well. Duration and Emerald are both great depending on the budget. The main factor to look at is 100 percent acrylic paint that will accept the color formulation that the customer wants.

CD: What colors are you using for clients selling their homes?

Evans: For traditional homes, we are using a creamy white like Dover White ( SW6385) or Alabaster ( SW7008). For more contemporary homes we are using Decorator’s White (CC-20) by Benjamin Moore. If you are wanting the whitest white, it’s High Reflective White ( SW7757). A warmer color is Pure White ( SW7005) and a cooler one is Extra White ( SW 7006). Always pull color from the hard surfaces ― floors and countertops.

CD: What if white won’t work?

Evans: There are some fail-safe go-to colors like Agreeable Gray ( SW7029). It’s a warm gray that works in many homes, especially with older hard surfaces. Accessible Beige ( SW7036) is a warm beige that suits most warm-toned homes.

CD: What is the best color for the ceilings?

Evans: White or light tint the ceiling paint to be 50 percent less than the wall paint in the same color. This achieves an even look to the room and allows the walls and ceilings to look equal.

CD: What does a consumer need to know if they are in DIY mode?

Evans: Avoid the big box stores. The knowledge of products and methodologies is much better in the stand-alone stores. Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin-Moore, and Kelly-Moore are all good choices.

Proper prep is the most time-consuming part of the process if you are doing this yourself. However, it’s the most important part of your job. Proper prep and cleaning will make your finished product beautiful, hassle-free, and the paint job will last a lot longer.

Equipment is key. Invest in a few good tools. A quality brush will last years, even with regular use. If a brush is cleaned and stored properly, it will be ready for your next DIY project when you need it. A good extendable paint pole, a quality roller frame, quality roller covers, and a few good drop cloths will serve you well for DIY projects for years to come, saving money and headaches from the poor quality of disposable painting tools.

CD: Is low VOC or no VOC worth the price?

Evans: Typically, low or no VOC paint is offered at the same or near the same price of paint that is neither. It’s getting more and more common for paint to be low or no VOC in interior products.

CD: Can you paint or stain concrete?

Evans: Absolutely. Painted and stained concrete can add great uplift to an old boring concrete slab. It will add color and protection to the surface, and products like concrete paint or epoxy can conceal old stained concrete.

CD: What about staining fences?

Evans: Staining a fence will take a yard from a 5 to a 10 for a relatively small investment. Not only does it look beautiful, but it also preserves and keeps the wood in better condition in the long run, protecting the initial investment of your fence. Even fences that have grayed over time or had the original stain fade can be treated and restored to an almost new wood look and re-stained. Use a penetrating oil stain from a company like Baker’s Gray Away Stain. They are much better quality and typically last longer between treatments than the water-based versions on the market. They are typically more cost-effective as well.

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So there you have it, everything you need to know about paint, just in time for spring. Grab your brush and get moving!