Choosing Quality Paint

For some strange reason most people don't put a whole lot of thought into choosing the paint that they use. If any time is spent thinking about paint, it is only about the coloring. Choosing quality paint deserves more time and effort than just picking out a particular color. To get the best quality paint for your next project, simply keep these guidelines in mind. Don't worry so much about color when choosing the paint you want since most stores can match or create just about any color you want.

• Type. When looking at paints you will need to remember that there are generally two types of paint that you can choose from, which are oil or latex based paints. Most people like to choose latex since it is easier to work with and clean up. That being said, oil based paints are better when you are working with unfinished wood.
• Finishes. Within each type of paint there are usually four finishes that you can choose from. These finishes are flat, satin, semigloss, and gloss. Flat paints are the kind that have absolutely no shine to them whatsoever and aren't exactly the easiest to keep clean after it has been applied. Satin finish has a very slight shine to it, and are fairly easy to clean. Semigloss has more shine than satin does, while gloss has the most shine to it. Both of these last two types of paint are exceptionally easy to clean after you have put it up, and is perfect for families with small children.
• Price. While quality paint isn't guaranteed to be expensive, it usually is. This is one area that you need to remember that you will get what you pay for. The reason for this that the really good paint costs more to make, and therefore is priced higher to sell. Generally speaking, this rule of thumb is good when trying to choose among a single type of paint, though it isn't as good when comparing different brands.
• Name. Despite what many people may like to think, name does carry a bit of weight when choosing paints. Not just the name of the brand, but the name of the line within the brand as well. Do a bit of research about the different lines and brands, and see which one has the best reputation among contractors and the sales associates at the local home improvement stores.
• Touch. A really good hands on method is to actually touch the paint and it has been completely shaken and mixed. Open the can, and touch the tip of your index finger in the paint. Rub the paint between your index finger and your thumb, and think about what it feels like. The smoother the paint feels, the better quality it is. Lower quality paint usually feels fairly gritty and almost like it has sand in it.

These general guidelines will help you choosing most types of paints. Keep in mind that you can always ask your local home improvement store clerk for some advice as well. They should know what the best-sellers are generally, as well as how the various brands and types perform. Furthermore, these clerks will typically know first hand what brands are complained about the most, and what the failings of each are.