What brand of exterior paint to use?

[Lineman North Florida]

Getting ready to paint my house and was wondering what brand's of exterior paint some of you have used and had good luck with, also bad experiences ie. what brands to shy away from. All info appreciated.

 

[CurlyDave]

Even more important than the brand is to try to pick a "stock" color, one that is pre-mixed in that color from the factory.

Many is the time that I have need an extra gallon or so, and when I went back to the paint store, or the paint department at a big box store, the custom mix would be different from the batch of custom mix I bought just days ago.

Similarly, pick a brand that will still be around in a few years. 20 years ago, I built a house and standardized on "Dutch Boy Navajo White" for the interior. I also used the same color on rentals I had. About 10 years later Home Depot stopped carrying Dutch Boy and all my plans for perpetual color matching and one-coat repaints went up in smoke. I think they have started carrying it again, but find a store and a color that has been around since dirt was invented.

If it is at all damp where you live, and I don't see how it is possible not to be damp & humid in FL, get a double shot of mildewicide added into the paint when you buy it. This is a lot more important then brand in keeping your house looking good longer.

A lot of paint brands are local or regional, so you might have to just ask neighbors.

I have always thought that painting contractors would try to steer me to an adequate paint, but not the longest-lived one available. They want future business.

 

[herd]

I have used, over the years, many different paint brands, from low dollar to top dollar. In '07, I thought I'd try Valspar and I fell in love with it. Been using it ever since, inside and outside. I love the semi-gloss finishes, wears well and looks super.

Not the most expensive but far, far from the least, and a good product for the money.

 

[schmism]

Many is the time that I have need an extra gallon or so, and when I went back to the paint store, or the paint department at a big box store, the custom mix would be different from the batch of custom mix I bought just days ago.

perhaps 10 years ago when it was done by hand.

but today. if you buy the same paint and the paint guy picks up the same base the computer always puts the same amount of color in each time = the same "custom" mix.

used to be oil base was the premir exterior paint. but the environmentalist have caused modern day oil paint to be just a fraction of what it used to be 20 years ago.

On the other hand, latex base has grown by leaps and bounds in the same 20 years so that it performs nearly the same outdoors as oil base.

I cant remember the last gallon of paint i bought that wasnt beihr paint.

 

[Skyco]

I really like the Behr exterior paint that is both a primer and a paint.
It has covered really well on two storage buildings I've built and I only had to paint the new wood once since it serves both functions. I hate painting so only doing it once is a huge plus to me.

 

[DIRTROAD]

I use Valspar from Lowes. It works good for me. I am not a fan of Behr though. I think for the money Valspar is a good buy. Just my $.02

 

[TUG HILL ADDICT]

Used to go with Benjamin Moore....dropped it for Behr----OUTSTANDING

 

[cowboy357]

I really like the Behr exterior paint that is both a primer and a paint.
It has covered really well on two storage buildings I've built and I only had to paint the new wood once since it serves both functions. I hate painting so only doing it once is a huge plus to me.

Ditto on the Behr . Best paint I,ve ever used . I,ve been painting both garages , the house , 2 out buildings & getting ready to spray My 40x60 metal building with it .

1 coat seems to be plenty , but since we are going over a light color with a much darker color We used 2 coats . So far We have only used 6 gallons of the 15 I,ve bought . & 2 gallons of the 5 gallons I bought of even a darker paint for trim. It really covers nice. Total cost for 4 , 5 gallon jugs , 350 bucks & its all custom mixed , They said it will never be a problem matching it if needed . Bob

 

[ToadHill]

With aluminum siding on one house and vinel on the other it's been a long time since I had to paint, but the last few times I did I had the best luck with Sears Weatherbeater, it lasted twice as long as other paints I'd used.

 

[westbrooklawn]

Sherwin Williams "Super Paint" is hard to beat... coverage, application, hide, and durability are excellent. It comes in both interior and exterior products. Color matching down the line is never a problem... they have been around forever and will continue to be. Go in and meet your local manager, tell them you want to use their paints but need to get contractor pricing to make them competitive with the box stores. They will usually open an account for you and give you contractor discounts to get your business.