Quality Paint: Which Brand?

[Jeffrey]

I did some searches and really couldn't find an answer. Which brand of paint do you recommend? My dad has always used Porter Paints, but he is down in Kentucky. I'm in northeastern Ohio where Sherwin-Williams has quite a following. What about Behr, American Tradition, or Olympic?

Thanks for the advice,

Jeff

[CThomp]

For interior paints I've heard Behr is probably the best.

For me...I don't really ever notice a difference.

For exterior paints its different. I'll be using Flex-Bon.

[David]

Consumer Reports says Valspar's American Tradition has the best interior paint and exterior paint. LMK if you need the full details.

[CThomp]

I want details. :)

I have to figure out my exterior paint issues.

[David]

where's that sneering emoticon....

OK. I called and got the info from a friend. Here are more details than you cared to know.

INTERIOR
2005 testing ---
Valspar Signature (part of Am Trad) was #1 Semi-Gloss. It's the most durable brand overall. Behr is also very good (not sure, but I think it came in #2).

2006 testing ---
Sometime last year NASCO made a bid to Valspar to make their resin. Valspar already owns a subsidiary resin company, so they declined. NASCO did, however, sign a huge contract with Behr/Killz. Consumer Reports outsources its testing...to NASCO. Wouldn't you know it, results started changing, though the paint formulas didn't.

So, 2006 testing gives the nod to Behr, though it's probably the same paint that was tested in 2005 when the nod went to Valspar.

EXTERIOR
Valspar's self-priming Dura max is probably the best, but it's not yet been rated. It's a new product. Behr has since come out with a good exterior paint, as well. So neither have been lab tested.

FYI, Valspar (Behr might, too) has a LIFETIME warranty. If it doesn't last a lifetime, they'll refund your purchase cost.


I'll probably offend someone here, but Sherwin-Williams is crap. Only use it if it's freeContractors like S-W because they can get it cheap. Please don't even think about PPG's Monarch....

[TnAndy]

Behr I've used exclusive in rental properties and it holds up well.

[Vector]

I'll probably offend someone here, but Sherwin-Williams is crap. Only use it if it's freeContractors like S-W because they can get it cheap.

Won't offend me. S-W is easily the worst paint I've ever made the mistake of buying.

I've never had any issues with Behr.

Glidden is better than S-W, but not a lot (though I've had good luck with their Alkyd paint).

[woodall83]

We use Duron here but I'm in the northeast.

[CThomp]

I'll see where the price's take me with it. Flex-bon is kind of a Florida exclusive I think. They've been known for making paints for Florida for quite a while. I'll look into the Valspar though. I used to work at West Marine and sailors loved their products.

[RShaneM]

If most of you look at the paint you use and read the back label to find out where or who makes, you will find out that there are only about 4 big paint manufactors that make all the paint. Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, Pratt and Lambert, and Ferrall-Calhoun are the four biggest paint manufactors and make the majority of the paint we all buy. Paint that is carried at the big home improvement stores is made by one of these guys. 9 times out of 10 when someone tells you that a paint stinks and to use a certain other paint, they are usualy made by the same company. Kind of like paint brushes. I prefer Purdy over Sherwin-Williams brushes. Guess who owns Purdy? Sherwin. I personally use Sherwin-Williams. I like there paint, it covers well, is workable, durable, and they have a variety to chose from. My main reason is there customer service and knowledge of paint. Most of the time there associates know what they are talking about and are polite when talking. Well enough for my 2 cents. Good luck and remember its a personal preference usually.

[David]

Welcome to the board Shane. Do you know who makes Behr paints? How about Valspar paints?

[Vector]

Just because two paints are made by the same company, even in the same factory, does not mean that the two paints are of equal quality.

[David]

I really would like to know who he thinks makes the Behr and Valspar paints. I know Valspar makes paints that go into WalMart stores, and they are NOT created equal!!

[MCC]

Valspar, Behr And Benjamin Moore

[chris40004]

i had heard that before - but even though it is the same company there are a lot of differences in quality

[David]

Even though Valspar and others make paints sold at WalMart (etc), what goes into the paint is quite different. To the best of my knowledge, Valspar paints are made by Valspar, not someone else.

[creative-eye]

I'm with RShaneM on the service issue. Within reason, I'll use the paint from the supplier that gives me the best service and knowledge. BenjiMoore is great paint, but it happens my local guy is not up to it. When you get a big order and you can see the tint is not quite what you ordered, you find out quickly who's good!

Second point is that I don't think quality runs uniformly across a line. I have found most SW to be hard to work with, but their Waterborne is a great product! Everybody has their strengths and weaknesses, I guess.

Finally, I think it's important to watch how the market changes as low-VOC and non-toxic pigments get to be a bigger and bigger deal due to regulation and customer preference. (I have customers now asking for paint with low off-gassing and natural pigments.) I don't know for sure, but I'll bet the formulas are changing fast nowadays, and probably not every paint mfr will come through the transition with the same rank they started with.

[David]

I just wanted to bust the myth of manufacturing plants. Valspar itself owns 4 paint manufacturing plants in the US alone. They are in IL, CA, PA, and TX.

[MHIC]

I exclusively use Benjamin Moore. Not a single problem in years.

[grandier]

Consumer Reports says Valspar's American Tradition has the best interior paint and exterior paint. LMK if you need the full details.

i second the motion. my dad, who owns a small hardware store, has always recommended Valspar's for costumers who ask for quality exterior paints. :D i personally use this too.

[JPolito830]

Im also an advocate of Benjamin Moore...I actually highly recommend that brand as well.

[john7447]

I like Benjamin Moore
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[AustinRealEstate]

i was intrigued by the discussion and went to several other forums. Seems like everyone has a (different) favorite. Go figure.

Joe