Painting Terms Guide: Expert Tips for Homeowners

Painting Terms Guide: Expert Tips for Homeowners

Ever felt lost talking to your painter? You're not alone. We've inspected thousands of homes where poor communication led to disappointing results. Understanding paint terminology isn't just helpful—it's essential for getting the quality work you're paying for.

What's the Difference Between Water-Based and Oil-Based Paint?

Water-based paints use water as their carrier, dry quickly (usually 2-4 hours), and clean up with soap and water. Oil-based paints use solvents, take 6-8 hours to dry, but create harder, more durable finishes perfect for high-traffic areas like trim and doors.

After 20+ years in the business, we've learned a few things:

• **Cleanup matters.** Water-based = soap and water. Oil-based = mineral spirits

• **Durability differs.** Oil lasts longer on trim. Water-based better for walls

• **Odor varies.** Water-based paints won't force you out of your home

• **Cost comparison.** Water-based typically costs 20-30% less

Acrylic Latex Paint: The Modern Standard

Nine out of ten times, our certified technicians recommend this for interior walls. Why? It's washable, durable, and dries fast.

Recently painted a client's living room with Sherwin-Williams ProClassic. Result? Zero odor complaints and beautiful coverage. Top brands like BEHR Premium Plus offer 15-year warranties on their acrylic formulas.

Sound like marketing fluff? Consumer Reports rates acrylic latex as "Best Buy" for interior walls three years running.

Alkyd Paint: When You Need Perfection

Alkyd paint is oil-based paint's modern cousin. It self-levels beautifully—meaning brush marks disappear as it dries.

Our crew uses alkyd for:

• Kitchen cabinets (smooth, hard finish)

• Front doors (weather resistance)

• Trim work (crisp, clean lines)

What's the catch? Longer dry times and higher cost. But honestly? The results speak for themselves.

**⚠️ Pro Warning:** Don't let anyone tell you water-based paint works on everything. We've seen too many failed cabinet jobs where contractors cut corners.

What Most Contractors Won't Tell You

Here's the thing about primer: it's not optional. Period.

Last month we inspected a $5,000 paint job that was peeling after six months. The problem? Generic latex primer over knotty pine. The contractor blamed "defective paint." Wrong.

For problem surfaces, we only use shellac-based primers like Zinsser B-I-N. It costs more, but it works. Any painter who says otherwise is cutting corners with your money.

How Do You Prepare Surfaces for Painting?

Proper prep accounts for 80% of paint job success—that's not an estimate, it's backed by industry research from the Painting Contractors Association. Our licensed professionals know that skipping prep steps guarantees callbacks and unhappy customers.

Surface preparation means:

1. **Clean thoroughly** (degreasing agents for kitchens)

2. **Fill holes and cracks** (we use DAP products exclusively)

3. **Sand rough spots** (120-grit works for most surfaces)

4. **Prime everything** (no exceptions on our jobs)

Why Primer Matters More Than You Think

Primer isn't some "optional extra cost." It's insurance. Quality primers like Benjamin Moore Fresh Start cost $40 per gallon, but they save money by:

• Reducing topcoat needs (often just one coat versus two)

• Preventing bleed-through stains

• Creating uniform color (no patchy appearance)

• Extending paint life by 3-5 years

**Real scenario:** We painted over water damage without proper primer once (early in our career). The stains came back in three weeks. Lesson learned the expensive way.

Spackle vs. Wood Filler: What's the Difference?

Spackle is for drywall holes and small cracks. Wood filler handles deeper gouges in trim and doors.

Our go-to products:

• **Spackle:** DAP Fast 'N Final (dries in 30 minutes)

• **Wood filler:** Bondo Home Solutions (sandable, paintable)

Why these brands? They don't shrink, sand easily, and we've tested dozens over our 15+ years in business.

What Tools Do Professional Painters Actually Use?

Quality tools aren't expensive—they're investments. Our background-checked technicians carry brushes worth $30-50 each because cheap brushes leave streaks, shed bristles, and waste paint through poor coverage.

**Brush selection rules we follow:**

• Natural bristle for oil-based (hog hair holds paint better)

• Synthetic for water-based (won't soak up water and get floppy)

• Angled brushes for trim (cleaner cut lines)

• 2.5" width for most wall work

How Do You Choose the Right Roller?

Roller nap length determines finish quality. Get this wrong, and your walls look amateur.

**Our standard selections:**

• Smooth walls: 1/4" nap (prevents orange peel texture)

• Light texture: 3/8" nap (fills small imperfections)

• Heavy texture: 1/2" nap (reaches into deeper grooves)

We only use Purdy or Wooster rollers. Why pay $15 for a roller cover? Because cheap ones leave fuzz in your paint and create uneven coverage.

**Pro tip:** Wet your roller slightly before loading. Dry rollers absorb too much paint initially.

What Paint Sheen Should You Choose?

Paint sheen affects both appearance and functionality. Our certified color consultants explain this to every client because choosing wrong means repainting sooner.

**Sheen guide we use:**

• **Flat/Matte:** Hiding imperfections, low-traffic areas

• **Eggshell:** Slight washability, living rooms, bedrooms

• **Satin:** Moderate durability, hallways, kids' rooms

• **Semi-gloss:** High washability, bathrooms, kitchens

• **Gloss:** Maximum durability, trim, doors

Want specifics? Flat paint reflects 5% of light. Semi-gloss reflects 35-70%. That's the difference between hiding wall flaws and highlighting them.

Understanding Undertones: Why Colors Look Different

Ever painted a "white" room that looked pink? Blame undertones.

We use Benjamin Moore's color fan decks (not paint store strips) because they show true undertones. Popular "whites" like Swiss Coffee have yellow undertones. Decorator's White leans gray.

**Color matching reality:** Those paint store scanners aren't perfect. We've seen them miss undertones completely, especially on aged paint samples.

Case Study: When Everything Goes Wrong

Last month, we fixed a kitchen cabinet disaster. Some contractor (not us) painted oak cabinets with wall paint. No primer. No degreasing. Just slapped paint over 20-year-old polyurethane.

Result? Paint peeling off in sheets within two months.

**Our solution:**

1. Strip failed paint with Citristrip (safer than sanders)

2. Clean with TSP substitute (removes all grease/residue)

3. Prime with Zinsser Cover Stain (blocks wood tannins)

4. Two coats Advance Alkyd paint (furniture-quality finish)

**Cost:** Original job was $2,200. Our fix cost $4,800. Always cheaper to do it right the first time.

**Warranty:** We guarantee our cabinet work for five years. Most contractors offer 30 days (if anything).

What About Specialty Coatings?

Not all paints are created equal. Bathrooms, kitchens, and exteriors need specialized formulations that regular paint can't handle.

Bathroom Paint: More Than Marketing

Regular paint in bathrooms develops mildew within months. We've seen it countless times.

**Our bathroom specifications:**

• Sherwin-Williams Duration Home (mildew-resistant formula)

• Semi-gloss or satin finish (easier cleaning)

• Bathroom fan requirement (moisture control)

• Primer with mildicide (prevents growth behind paint)

According to EPA guidelines, bathrooms need paint that can handle 90%+ humidity without failing.

Exterior Paint: Weather Your Investment

Cheap exterior paint fails fast. We've repainted houses after just three years because owners chose "contractor grade" paint to save $200.

**100% acrylic latex is non-negotiable for exteriors.** Here's why:

• Expands/contracts without cracking

• Resists UV degradation

• Maintains color 5+ years

• Self-cleaning properties (dirt washes off)

Research from Sherwin-Williams shows quality exterior paint lasts 12-15 years versus 5-7 for budget options.

How Do You Recognize Quality Work?

Quality isn't subjective—it's measurable. Our certified technicians follow specific standards because reputation matters more than shortcuts.

**Professional standards we meet:**

• Two coats over primer (minimum coverage)

• Cut lines within 1/8" tolerance

• No brush marks or roller stipple

• Complete cleanup (plastic removal, touch-ups)

• Walk-through inspection with homeowner

**Red flags we see from other contractors:**

• Skipping primer ("paint and primer in one" isn't real primer)

• Single coat coverage (always looks patchy)

• Overspray on fixtures (lazy masking)

• Paint drips left unfixed

What Should Final Cleanup Include?

Complete projects aren't finished until cleanup is done. Our process includes:

1. **Remove all masking** (same day, before paint cures)

2. **Clean fixtures** (remove any overspray)

3. **Touch up walls** (nail holes, scuff marks)

4. **Vacuum work areas** (remove dust, debris)

5. **Final walk-through** (customer approval required)

We're not done until you're completely satisfied. That's not just good service—it's how we've stayed in business for over two decades.

**Guarantee:** All work carries our signature two-year warranty covering peeling, fading, or application defects. Licensed, bonded, and insured for your protection.