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Exterior Paint Recommendation

tmowry | Posted in General Discussion on September 15, 2004 11:14am

Hello,

I have hired a painting conrtractor to paint the exterior of my house. I pan to use a flat paint for the siding and a satin/soft gloss for the trim. In the past I have always used Benjamin Moore paints because I thought it was the best. I painted part of the house a few years ago with B.M. and it seems okay. My contractor has recommended Pittsburg’s “Timeless” paint. He thinks it’s a far superior product and has been recommending it for about a year now. I did check with Consumer Reports and they have not rated the product but they did say that BM’s newer exterior paint was not doing that well after one year of testing. CR likes Pratt and Lambbert “Accolade”, Glidden “Endurance” and California “Fresh Coat” exterior paints best. I live in Maryland and it’s humid in summer. Mildew is an issue because I live near the bottom of a hill in an older neighborhood with large grown trees so there’s not a lot of air movement. Any comments or recommendations?

Thanks,

Tim Mowry

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  1. FastEddie1 | Sep 16, 2004 01:54am | #1

    Sherwin Williams 'Duration'

    Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

    1. MikeK | Sep 16, 2004 05:56am | #4

      Ed,

      I have always used Sherwin Williams paint in the past. I have to admit that I was disappointed at how the SW paints were rated by consumer reports.

      I'm painting my house and considered Duration, but they told me that some colors were not available in Duration. I using a Terra Cotta color for the main body color of my house. They told me this color was not available in Duration. Given the poor performance of SW Super Paint in the Consumer Reports testing I'm reluctant to use it.

      Since Pratt & Lambert was rated high in the CR simulated 9 year test and it is available in my area I'm really considering going with it. Any comments good or bad about Pratt & Lambert?Mike K

      Amateur Home Remodeler in Aurora, Illinois

      1. GreekRevivalGuy | Sep 16, 2004 08:08am | #6

        A paint expert friend of mine used to swear by Pratt & Lambert paints ... until the company was bought by Sherwin-Williams in 1996.  He said they changed the formulations, though they continue to market the paints under the "Pratt & Lambert" name.  Interesting, a search of the Pratt & Lambert website turned up no mention that they're part of Sherwin-Williams.

        That said, I just had my house painted with Sherwin-Williams SWP Exterior Gloss (oils).  My painting contrator only uses Sherwin-Williams ... and I prefer oil for my historic home.  But my paint expert friend -- a long-time latex-acrylic detractor -- has been saying for years now that the modern latex paints are so good, there is NO reason to use oils anymore.

        Anyway, I would expect that all the major paint brands offer high-quality ... if you buy their top-shelf products.

        Allen

        Edited 9/16/2004 1:09 am ET by Allen

        1. User avater
          BillHartmann | Sep 16, 2004 06:23pm | #10

          They (and I am not just talking about P&L, but a number of subisderary companies when they are in the same line) really hide there corporate identity.

          If you notice on the web site there is no Investers, About, History or the like.

          But if you look at the terms of use.

          http://www.prattandlambert.com/terms.asp

          "THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY TERMS OF USE"

          Likewise I did not see see a family brands list at SW. But I did see a pre-release of the merger. And I suspect that P&L is mentioned in the anual reports if I went though them.

          1. GreekRevivalGuy | Sep 17, 2004 06:37am | #13

            Thanks, Bill. You did a better job of sleuthing than I.  I figured it had to be in the "small print" there somewhere!  I was aware of the "demise" of Pratt & Lambert because Sherwin-Williams closed the operations here in Buffalo (where P&L was based, and originated in the 19th century), laying off a couple hundred workers.  Some of those that lost their jobs started a new company, making some quality paint ... I'm not sure if they made a "go" of it or not, however.  I bought some of their paint ... good stuff, but very pricey.  The local chain that sold the product recently went belly-up.

            Allen

      2. FastEddie1 | Sep 16, 2004 03:26pm | #7

        Consumer Reports also gives high marks to Black & Decker tools ...

        Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

        1. dIrishInMe | Sep 16, 2004 03:50pm | #8

          That's funny!  To me, I take CR, with a grain of salt - maybe even a whole saltshaker, just like anything I read.  Still it IS an information source.  I'd like to be a tool tester for them though.  Had some B&D tools when I was young - not a one of them has survived the test of time, most of them I think just burned out.  Typically tool testers use sharp bits/blades/etc, but most of us here know what happens when the blade is dull as hell, the store is 10 miles away, it's the end of the day, and it's just starting to look like rain, and you only have 4 more cuts to make...  It's called PUSH HARDER!!! Matt

  2. User avater
    NickNukeEm | Sep 16, 2004 02:55am | #2

    Ask your painter about a mildewcide additive.  I've used it in the past with good results; it comes in a small plastic envelope that you just dump into a gallon of paint.  The stuff is toxic, though, read the warnings on the label before opening the stuff. 

    FWIW, I use Sherwin Williams also.

    I never met a tool I didn't like!
  3. User avater
    goldhiller | Sep 16, 2004 03:19am | #3

    Sherwin Williams Duration.

    And there's already mildewcide in it.

    Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.
  4. dIrishInMe | Sep 16, 2004 06:36am | #5

    Additional Q: As a rule of thumb, is 100% acrylic the best exterior paint?
     

    Matt



    Edited 9/15/2004 11:37 pm ET by DIRISHINME

  5. unTreatedwood | Sep 16, 2004 06:10pm | #9

    I have been painting the interior and exterior of my 100 year old Dutch Colonial for the last 3-4 years, (as time permits!) and I am very disappointed with Ben Moore.  I've switched to Sherwin Will. and it seems to be far superior in all aspects.  I only post this because we live in similar climates, (Northern NJ). 

  6. ripmeister | Sep 16, 2004 06:47pm | #11

    I painted my detached garage about 5 years ago with SW Super paint and it still looks great.  The key to a good long lasting paint job is prep as any pro will tell you.  I pressure washed, scraped and sanded and washed again.  I primed with SWs best exterior oil base primer and followed with the latex topcoat.  Prep time-a couple of weeks.  Painting- a couple of days.  I saw my neighbors house painted by "pros".  They were in and out in a couple of days.  Whole house paint job mind you.  Its peeling.  Don't skimp on the paint.  Definitely don't skimp on the prep or hire a painter who does.

    1. Wylcoyote | Sep 16, 2004 07:01pm | #12

      A thought on the use of flat paint on exterior - I've found that if you can get a little of the gloss solvents into the flat - not enough to make the finish look glossy - but a little bit, the surface wears betters, washes better, stands up to rain better, doesn't mildew and the underlying siding seems to last longer.  I think Kelly Moore now markets this type of exterior latex with the term "eggshell" to describe the type of surface.....

      Wylie

      Success = Work+ Risk + Luck, in that order.  Muriel Seibert

  7. user-281261 | Sep 19, 2004 05:13pm | #14

    You can do all the research you want about the chemical composition of the paint. In the end paint failure is a symptom of a problem not the actual problem itself. A little elbow grease and some quality prep work will get you farther than any words on paper.

    -Do or do not there is no try.....Yoda

  8. RenaissanceRestorations | Sep 19, 2004 05:28pm | #15

    I've always used either semi-gloss or gloss on all the restoration project I've done in the past several years, gloss repels water and dirt much better. Proper prep work is also the 1st step. I've seen countless examples of the 'paint your house in a week' around here, only to see the paint jobs last a maximum of 2 years. Ironically, the homeowners reject my price (which comes with a minimum 5 year warranty) and go back to the 'paint your house in a week' crews.

    Renaissance Restorations
    Antique & Victorian Home Restoration Services
    http://www.renaissancerestorations.com

    1. tmowry | Sep 20, 2004 04:37pm | #16

      Hi,

      Thanks for the responses. Still haven't decided which brand to go with but I really appreciate the input. Painter doesn't show up for a few weeks so I still have a little time.

      Regards,

      Tim Mowry

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