How to Paint Like a Pro

How to Paint Like a Pro

(ARA) - You're standing in the aisle at your local paint dealer or hardware store trying to decide which brand of paint to buy for your living room remodel. Naturally, you want to save money, so you gravitate towards the less costly product.

What could possibly be the difference between the cheaper paint and the more expensive brand? Paint is paint right? Wrong. Before you cut corners with your paint, as well as painting tools, you might want to think twice. Trying to save a few dollars in this area could prove to be a costly mistake.

Painting is one of the least expensive and most popular ways to change the look of almost any room in your home. For less then $200 and a few hours, you can easily transform a kitchen, bathroom or bedroom from drab to dramatic. So why scrimp on what you're going to be looking at for years to come?

Economy paints and painting tools may have an attractive price, but higher-quality paints and products are formulated and manufactured to produce the best results. Even though superior paints may cost a few more dollars, the benefits they provide over budget paints can be numerous. For starters, compared with ordinary paints, top quality finishes are much easier to work with and offer superior long-term performances.

Not All Paints Are Created Equal

Before you begin your project, how can you determine if paint is premium, other than by its price? All paints, oil based and latex, are made of four main components: water, binder, pigment and additives. When purchasing paint, it's important to look at these key ingredients to determine if you are getting your money's worth.

As far as top quality paints are concerned; less is more when it comes to liquid. A can of quality paint should contain a high volume of solids (pigment and binder), approximately 35 to 45 percent, and less liquid than ordinary paint. Economy paints are usually made up of only 25 percent solids. Paints with less water and a higher solid content are more durable and resist stains and dirt much better than those that contain fewer solids. And, even if they do get spotted or stained, walls can be washed off without damaging the finish. That means you'll have to repaint less frequently, which will ultimately save you money.

One of the more popular brands of these quality paints is Pratt & Lambert's new RedSeal Porcelain. A superior acrylic latex paint, it's infused with hard, ceramic molecules bonded together by a tough acrylic resin. The combination results in exceptional coverage and a barrier that most stains simply can't penetrate. Since stains lie on the surface, there's no scrubbing or burnishing of the surface. Stain removal is as easy as wiping stains off with a mild household cleaner or soap and water.

Is That Deal, Really A Deal?

If you're still hesitant to spend a few extra dollars on a higher-quality paint, consider the following: A superior paint may cost $25, or more, per gallon while an economy brand is priced under $20. However, by using a better quality paint, you'll need far less to complete a job. For example, you may have to use as many as three gallons of an economy paint to achieve the same results you would receive using just one or two gallons of high quality paint. The cheaper paint actually could end-up costing you more!

In addition to cost, by using economy paint, you'll spend an average of two additional hours on your painting project. Since you have to apply more coats of the cheaper paint, it will take more time. And if you're using a contractor, that means you'll have to pay him for the additional time.

For more information on RedSeal Porcelain, or to locate a Pratt & Lambert retailer, log onto www.prattandlambert.com, or call (800) BUY-PRAT (800) 289-7728.

Courtesy of ARAcontent