Interior Paint Color Tips
When picking out paint, color is not your only option. You also have to decide if you want oil or latex, eggshell or matte, and figure out exactly does “low-VOC” means.
Here, we go over the most popular choices for paint formulas and finishes available today.
Paint Formulas
Not all paints are made the same way. Certain formulas are better for some applications than others. Here’s a quick rundown of the most common commercially-available paint formulas.
Oil: Oil paint is also referred to as solvent-based or alkyd paint. It dries slowly and needs paint thinner to be cleaned. While oil paint has a lengthy drying period, this time helps the paint level out and remove brush or roller stipples from the surface. The oils then condense into a tough enamel shell.
Latex: The most DIY-friendly option is latex, often known as acrylic or water-based paint. The majority of paint marketed today is latex, and as more states restrict the sale of paints containing solvents, it is frequently the only alternative offered in gallons.
Low-VOC: Paint solvents contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that off-gas and create a health hazard. Recently, paint manufacturers have lowered or eliminated solvents to develop healthier, thicker, and more quickly drying formulas. Adding conditioners such as Floetrol or Okon can extend working time without introducing VOCs.
Metal: These paints have been designed to stick to metal and prevent rust. Nonferrous metal, like aluminum, can be painted using acrylic metal paints without issue, but ferrous metal, like cast iron radiators, needs to be painted with oil-based metal paint.
All About Finishes
Different paints have different looks when they dry. As you apply the paint, what you see may not look the same after it dries. Here’s a short guide to paint finishes in order of overall glossiness.
Matte or Flat Finish: Paint looks glossy at first and loses luster due to the addition of titanium dioxide, a chalky material. Flat finishes have the most of this additive, resulting in a very low reflectivity. This allows the paint to mask flaws in irregular surfaces. The drawback is that it scuffs easily. Matte or flat finishes work best on ceilings, where less reflection is preferred. When used on a wall, a matte finish can increase the richness of a deep color.
Eggshell Finish: This finish can vary depending on the manufacturer. Like an actual eggshell, its appearance is a little more reflecting than a matte finish, but not glossy. This is an excellent finish to use for walls that are in good condition. One particular advantage is that eggshell finishes are easier to clean than flat finishes.
Satin Finish: Satin finishes, which are a little bit shinier than eggshell, work nicely as accents on intricate molding profiles or well-prepped window and door casings. They will withstand stains, scuffs, and fingerprints. Because it is easy to clean, satin also works well in bathrooms and kitchens, although it is typically too glossy for other interior spaces.
Semigloss Finish: This finish can appear shiny without looking damp and is perfect for trim work. It’s particularly good for railings, banisters, and other surfaces you need to have good smudge resistance.
High-Gloss Finish: The brightest finish available, this type of paint dries to a hard, glass-like sheen. While the most brilliant oil-based glosses can be too shiny for intricately carved molding or ceiling decorations, they work great for paneled interior doors or fine furniture. These glosses can reflect light almost as well as mirrors.
About Primer
Many people new to painting wonder what the purpose of primer is. Why isn’t the paint by itself enough?
Using primer can significantly enhance the outcome of your paint job and make the overall project easier. Primer helps ensure a consistent paint finish. It blocks water, grease, smoke stains, and other surface irregularities from bleeding through the topcoat. Primer also improves the adhesion of the topcoat to your painting surface. This allows your paint to look better and last longer.
Select the paint primer that’s best for the task at hand. For interior painting, use a primer specifically designed for indoor use. Many indoor surface challenges respond well to latex primers as they can cover surface blemishes, stains, stray crayon marks, and the like.
You will typically need two coats of primer for most interior painting projects. Apply primer liberally and make sure it dries completely before applying your final coat of interior paint. To cover up dark colors, you will likely need to apply more than two coats of primer or add some tint to a white primer.
Paint-and-Primer-In-One
Despite how it sounds, paint-and-primer-in-one formulations aren’t simply a mix of paint and primer. They are specifically designed for specific surfaces such as:
Non-glossy painted surfaces
Patched or spackled surfaces
Interior walls that are in decent condition
Cabinets, doors, windows, and trim
New, uncoated drywall
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Planning for a new painting project soon? Call Pro Paint & Finish for professional, stress-free painting services. We’ll help get your house looking its best quickly and professionally! (574) 596-3072
