Painting experts! I have questions

[minkydog]

I'm about to need to start painting our walls. Haven't done it in a number of years and I'm not at all good at decorating to begin with. I see there are different finishes: flat, eggshell, and satin. Which one do I pick? I understand you want more shine on the baseboards than the walls, but I'm just flummoxed about all these choices.

Also, about the baseboards. I think I"m going to paint rather than stain. I have a sort of pecan stain on all the trimwork. Do I just buy satin white paint or do I need to tone down that white a little bit?

 

[RitaZ.]

I'd choose eggshell finish for the walls. You get the benefits of flat paint (hiding wall imperfections) with a smooth finish.

For the baseboards, you'll probably have to lightly sand them to get primer to adhere. Then, you can paint them. I use semi-gloss from Benjamin Moore to paint doors and baseboards.

 

[golfgal]

We use eggshell for the walls because you can clean it and it isn't too shiny. In bathrooms we use semi-gloss though. Flat paint looks, well, flat and it is hard to clean.

 

[phred52]

I say head over to Home Depot or Lowes. The paint department people are very helpful.

We like semi-gloss on all walls. And flat on our ceilings. Thats not what most people do, but it works great for us. Each time we buy paint, the helpful staff makes SURE we really do mean to paint our walls with semi-gloss. Last month, my 2 DD's went together to buy paint for the living room and kitchen. Both said the clerk nearly had a fit when they insisted on semi-gloss. They had quite a time convincing her they knew what they were doing. We've also been known to check out home improvement books from the library. There are many interesting chapters on painting out there....

 

[RadioNate]

We use eggshell for the walls because you can clean it and it isn't too shiny. In bathrooms we use semi-gloss though. Flat paint looks, well, flat and it is hard to clean.

This. We do eggshell on the walls. Cleanable yet not shiny. Semi-gloss in bathrooms.

I prefer a gloss on trim but semi-gloss too.

 

[minkydog]

Thanks for the suggestions. I did ask someone at Home Depot, but they just kinda hedged with "You can put anything you want on the walls. What ever suits you." Yeah. Thanks for nuthin', Bud. Lowe's had their Valspar paint on sale right now. I think I may have to run over there and see what I can find out.

 

[cassiez76]

i've used satin for a bedroom, but my den is a high gloss red accent wall and the other walls are semi-gloss.

i like shiny!

i also like to be able to scrub and flat just doesn't really let you do that.

home depot or lowes usually has great helpers!

we've also had to prime everything cause we're not sure what type of paint the previous owner used, but whatever they used, sucks up the paint we've tried. it also sucks up the primer. major pain!

at HD or lowes they also sell the paint lid opener. that's an awesome little tool!

 

[mrsv98]

My excellent, I mean humble opinion...lol...is eggshell on the walls, nice finish, not too shiny and you can wipe it off. For the baseboards, if you are going to paint over the stain, make sure you lightly sand the stain first, then use a nice high gloss paint for the top coat. The glossy paint will look nice and will stand up to the abuse borders take.

Good luck!

 

[SandrA9810]

I see there are different finishes:
flat - very very basic, hard to mess up but there's also no shine to it, so it absorbs the light
eggshell - a mix between the two. Looks like of like a matte finish on a picture, little bit of a shine, but flat enough to hold off on showing the blemishes. It's also easier on the cleaning.
satin - It's a high gloss, almost like putting a clear finish on wood. It allows it to shine and makes it easy to wash. But just like a picture any little knick will show on the wall, and you'll also see more of the brush strokes.
Which one do I pick? Most people go with in between. Easy to clean, fewer blemishes

Also, about the baseboards. I think I"m going to paint rather than stain. I have a sort of pecan stain on all the trimwork. Do I just buy satin white paint or do I need to tone down that white a little bit?

Before painting anything, you always want to prime the walls. Kilz is a popular primer. You can use it for the walls and for the woodwork. So make sure you put a good coating on it before applying the paint. And make sure to use the one most relevant to the color your going to use.

 

[HelenePA]

I have semi gloss everywhere.. I did do flat in one bedroom by mistake what a disaster! Every where the kids touched it.. you can see it.. I had to repaint that very quickly!! Valspar is my favorite paint! Goes on very nicely! I used it in my kitchen.

 

[minkydog]

Before painting anything, you always want to prime the walls. Kilz is a popular primer. You can use it for the walls and for the woodwork. So make sure you put a good coating on it before applying the paint. And make sure to use the one most relevant to the color your going to use.

So I need to lightly sand the woodwork AND prime it with Kilz?

 

[mrsv98]

So I need to lightly sand the woodwork AND prime it with Kilz?

lightly sand anything that has stain, prime the walls with Kilz and you should be good to go

 

[hambirg]

Be sure to wash everything down with TSP. I would lightly sand the baseboards too, since they are stained.

I like semi-gloss. It's easy to clean and the shine hides a lot. However. . flat is all the rage. Don't go with flat. It's a disaster. It's does not stay clean and is hideous to wash. Eggshell(satin) is a nice medium. . .but it is for things like bedrooms. For anything that you want good wear. . kitchen. . bathroom etc. . go with the semi-gloss.

I like gloss for trim. . it's shiny. Oil based is actually the best for high gloss. . .but oil is a pain. Pick what works best for you.