How do you know what paint product, roller, brush is the best? Well, that’s a super loaded question that we are going to get into later. First, let’s start with the paint product itself. Let’s ask the first question which is what makes a paint product great. When I think about paint qualities that are important to me as a contractor it is Does it cover well? Does it blend well with minimal flashing or picture framing? Lastly, does it touch up well? As a contractor these are the qualities, we look for in a paint product. A homeowner might want something that’s washable or might be more concerned about durability. These are things that I look at too, but in my world aren’t the most important. Then again there are products that do all 5 of these things. So next question is where should you shop for the best product….? I’ll start here by saying EVERY paint company makes good and bad products. You don’t have to buy a name brand product to get a good product. Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, PPG, Behr, Etc all make good products. Most of these companies will try to steer you towards a product that’s expensive and has all the 5 qualities listed above. However, in my experience these products usually don’t apply very well, and it takes a lot of tricks of the trade that your average amateur painter won’t know how to do. So that’s what makes it so tough when picking a product. If you have a professional painter, you know or can call I would always ask for their advice over someone selling it. They apply the products every day so they will know which products to avoid, and which ones do well. Your average behind the counter salesperson usually has the knowledge of what each product is supposed to do, but in the end they don’t have a lot of experience on how they apply. As far as applicators go this can make a big difference in the way your paint can apply. Using inexpensive Brushes or rollers can affect the way your product will look in the end result. Again, there are many brands, and they all make good and bad applicators. For a brush I prefer a stiff action on it which allows me to drag and apply as much paint on as I can. Softer brushes tend to leave you going back to your cut cup more often. For rollers we use two kinds. A 1/2 Polyester or a 3/8 Soft Woven. The Poly works better for lower end products and lower sheen products like flat and eggshell. While the soft woven works better with higher end products and higher sheens like satin and semi-gloss. Whether you use Purdy, Corona or Wooster(my person favorite) you can find the right applicator for the job. In closing, Ill leave you with some of my favorite Paint products below. As well as some of the products to avoid. Thank you to everyone who took the time to read this and I hope this helps everyone when trying to decide on what to buy. Sherwin Williams- Buy-Cashmere Lo Lustre by far their best product. Great coverage, buttery smooth finish. Avoid-Proclassic any sheen-by far the worst. It dries super hard and smooth, but unless you want to baby sit this product it will run no matter how its applied for up to an hour after application. Benjamin Moore/Spectrum- Buy-Superhide Eggshell-This product really hits all the main points. Covers well, has a good finish and touch up is really good. Avoid-Ultrahide Eggshell-This is considered an upgrade to the Superhide. Covers ok, but it drags everywhere when its applied and leaves you going to the pan or bucket a lot more often. PPG- Buy-Prominence Any Sheen, Applies really well whether you brush, roll or spray. Smooth and durable hard finish. Avoid-Speedhide Any Sheen-Again this product just dragged when brushed and rolled. Finish product in darker colors also flashed everywhere.
