Author Topic: Mustachian paint?  (Read 5151 times)

secondcor521

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Mustachian paint?
« on: September 13, 2014, 08:42:32 PM »
Hi everyone,

I'm getting started on painting the inside of my house.  It's an average size house and from googling it seems I may need about 15 gallons to paint it.  I stopped by the Lowe's nearby and they recommended the Valspar midgrade stuff at about $30 per gallon.

I'm sure it's great paint, but that multiplies out to $450 in paint.  Which is fine, but I'm wondering if there's a way to get the same quality paint for less.

The only trick I know is buying through someone who has a professional painter's license, and then it's 50% off.  I have an avenue there I might explore.

But is there any other brand or outlet or annual paint sale that people can suggest?  I think I'd be more comfortable paying like $15 per gallon.

I'm looking for a mid-grade paint.  I want something that will cover in one coat, and is of decent quality.  I don't want to pay for Valspar's advertising budget, or pay for some perceived value of "designer colors".

Thanks in advance!

Amy

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Re: Mustachian paint?
« Reply #1 on: September 13, 2014, 09:57:00 PM »
WalMart paint (ColorPlace?) was closer to $15 a gallon when I did it a few years ago. It was very highly rated in CR, maybe even above Valspar at the time.
They also sell Kilz brand paint that is quite inexpensive and high rated. I would check Consumer Reports - your library probably has a subscription that you can access online through the research link of their website. Buying paint in 5-gallon buckets is cheaper.

Contractor savings could work, but usually those stores already charge more than that percentage higher anyway, for paint that is no better than the ones we are discussing.

In our area, there is a government agency that recycles paint and sells in by the 5-gallon bucket at super low prices. Here is one in your area: http://www.greensheenpaint.com/index.php Unfortunately the website doesn't list prices.

Not even the best paint really covers in one coat unless it is the same color as what is under it. Even so, 15 gallons seems high to me for an average size house, unless each room is a different color.



horsepoor

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Re: Mustachian paint?
« Reply #2 on: September 13, 2014, 10:10:53 PM »
I find that their Olympic paint is just fine.  I don't remember how much gallons are, but pretty sure it's cheaper than Valspar.  I just bought a quart of satin and it was $12.xx.

You can go to mycheapcoupons.com and buy several of the $10 off of $50 coupons and then dice your paint purchase up to get maximum discounts.

But if you've got a source for half price paint, I say go for it.  Just don't buy cheap paint.  It's false economy, but it sounds like you know that.

Greg

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Re: Mustachian paint?
« Reply #3 on: September 14, 2014, 10:55:05 AM »
Try a quart and compare it to a paint store brand like Sherwin Williams.  I've found that the more expensive paint store brand often works better, better coverage, fewer coats (often one) and can be had in zero-VOC formulas.  Often when I've used the stuff from Home Depot or Lowe's I've been dissappointed or frustrated.

Maybe this is more important when I'm working for others and have a quote to match, but I find it applies at home too, more and more.

chasesfish

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Re: Mustachian paint?
« Reply #4 on: September 14, 2014, 11:45:17 AM »
I'm a sherwin williams guy.  Better paint and keep the codes so out can always match it.  Sign up for paint perks, it's immediately 10% off everything then you can always get coupons off their website and signing up by mail.


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chasesfish

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Re: Mustachian paint?
« Reply #5 on: September 14, 2014, 11:48:08 AM »
The other money saving tip, if you're painting over raw wood, glossy surfaces, or doing a dark to light color, use primer first.  Much cheaper for the base coating.  Also, the invention of 4" rollers is amazing for DIY painting


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Argyle

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Re: Mustachian paint?
« Reply #6 on: September 14, 2014, 11:58:16 AM »
Also note that if you're going to buy at Lowe's, using their credit card (which you pay off right away, of course) gets you a 5% discount.

anotherAlias

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Re: Mustachian paint?
« Reply #7 on: September 14, 2014, 12:29:30 PM »
First, in all the painting I've done with a various qualities of paint, I've never gotten good coverage with just one coat.  I would definitely factor in two coats when calculating the amount of paint.

I've tried Valspar paint and was unimpressed.  It didn't cover any better than the mid grade Ulta paint at Menards (my go to brand) which is usually $17 or so.  If you are flexible with your colors, you can usually pick up mismatched paints for a discount. If you're willing to paint multiple rooms the same color, 5 gallon buckets are usually cheaper than individual gallons.  Also, if you have a Habitat Restore near you, they have pretty inexpensive paint.

Spork

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Re: Mustachian paint?
« Reply #8 on: September 14, 2014, 12:48:29 PM »

The professional painters swear by Sherwin Williams.

When I did my house, we used Home Depot's brand.  One of the rooms required a color/texture we could only get in their "paint + primer" line of paint.  I will say: I don't recommend that stuff at all.  Even over primer (because I was priming the other rooms anyway and it was fresh new drywall) ... it really had crappy coverage.  I had to use 4 coats where other rooms took 2 coats.

Greg

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Re: Mustachian paint?
« Reply #9 on: September 14, 2014, 01:01:22 PM »
The Sherwin Williams paint I used on a friend's apt most recently was nearly $50/gallon.  But, one coat.  Again, quality pays.

Spork

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Re: Mustachian paint?
« Reply #10 on: September 14, 2014, 01:06:18 PM »
One more Home Depot vs Sherwin Williams tidbit:

We actually picked a SW color for our interior walls and had HD match it.  It's sort of a khaki color.  In daylight: it's a khaki color.  As natural light fades, it is sort of a mix of a tan khaki and a very light green.  I really don't mind the color... but it was a bit of a surprise.

A friend has the same color in SW brand paint.  His color is more consistent across various lighting spectrums.