NOT ALL PAINT IS CREATED EQUAL!
In the ever-growing paint market, it’s important to focus on the quality of the paint you’re choosing. But how do you know which paint is the best? Surprisingly enough, you can’t just look to the brand names and rely on them to have quality paint - you have to look at the components that make up the paint!
Many people get caught up in the initial cost of a project requiring paint. It’s important to remember the long-term financial and performance benefits when you buy top quality (usually more expensive) paint - choose a high-quality paint initially, and reduce the headache of having to repaint and refresh the job later.
Let’s get into why it’s worth splurging on more expensive paint. Top-quality paints will be more expensive because they are made up of top quality ingredients. They are also comprised of more solids, which results in a thicker and longer-lasting coat! You’ll find that higher quality paint is easier to apply, not to mention produces less splatter when applying. When using higher quality paint, it requires fewer coats for the same coverage as a lower quality paint and it adheres to surfaces, hiding uneven coloration. This paint will last longer, resist fading, peeling, flaking, and mildew, and despite costing more per gallon, it is more economical in the long run since higher quality paint lasts longer.
The paint is only as good as your prep work, however. When painting any surface, you must first remove what’s loose, being careful that the area doesn’t have lead paint (structures painted before 1978). Exterior and interior surfaces need to be sanded or scraped, then properly cleaned for the material to adhere properly. A primer is recommended when adhesion issues may be present or when working with bare wood.
Repeat after me “there is no such thing as a primer and paint in one!”. They are two different animals and, when in doubt, just prime and save the future hassle. Exterior surfaces, whether they are concrete, hardi-wood, or wood, should be pressure washed using mild chemicals and painted within 3-5 days of the wash to prevent contamination. A clear example of why this is imperative can be found on the glass of your car. Do you ever not use your wipers for 3 days? Nasty huh? Well, that small amount of dirt and gunk can drastically alter the adhesion of the paint, and small particles can create small bubbles that eventually hold more water than they can handle. When these bubbles pop, they create an entry point more water and more dirt. This is where peeling starts and just like that, your paint job is ruined.
Although technology has come a long way with better materials, some of which are breathable to prevent moisture encapsulation, the application process is ultimately the main contributor to the life of your paint job. You can expect beach houses to have a paint job life of about 5-7 years. More inland located homes can expect a paint job life span of 7-10 years.
If you’re interested more in how to choose the right paint, give us a call to learn more.
