Martin's Painting & Decorating, Inc.

Interview with Paul Martin – Local Painter Tips – How many coats of paint?

BloomingtonHousePainter.com asks Will a fly by night painter versus a professional painter pick a different paint because it covers better or they can do fewer coats? Is there a general rule for that?

PM: Typically the painter in question will use a cheaper grade paint to make more money. And if that paint requires more coats, than he might be able to charge a customer for multiple coats if it’s possibly not necessary. On coats, or how many times or coats of coverage you need, we recommend if you’re changing colors or changing sheens from a flat to an eggshell, you should always do 2 coats.

BHP.com: Even when you’re changing sheens?

PM: For the first time. If you’re putting eggshell over flat, and you only do 1 coat that sheen will not be will not get the appropriate build of that sheen and so touchups won’t touch up right. If you have any repairs to the wall it may show more than they would otherwise. There are a lot of paints that guarantee to be 1 coat coverage and we have yet to find one that actually works.

BHP.com: A 1 coat coverage paint?

PM: Correct. Some work better than others at 1 coat but again if you’re changing sheen or you’re going from a flat to an eggshell or a flat to a satin or changing colors, we always recommend 2 coats.

BHP.com: If you’re painting white over red, how many coats should a buyer expect to see on the proposal?

PM: Minimum of 3 coats. Sometimes even more than that depending on the other variables, sheen and if it’s a smooth wall or a textured wall. Red over white is the same way. Typically takes at least 3 coats.

BHP.com: Red over white?

PM: Red over white. Yellows cover very poorly. Yellow usually take multiple coats or more than 2 coats

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