Ahead, find all you need to know about enamel paint before using it on your next painting project, with tips from Shayne Pancione from Pancione Painting Plus and Rachel Otto from Fleury Lumber.

What Is Enamel Paint?

Enamel paint dries to an ultra-hard, glossy finish and it is typically used on surfaces that require a tough, long-lasting coat. Traditionally solvent-based (using oil or urethane), enamel paint has recently become available as a water-based product.

“Waterborne enamel has become widely available and offers several advantages,” Pancione says. “It’s easier to work with, applies smoothly, and cleans up more easily.” However, solvent-based enamels dry to a harder, more durable finish.

Is Enamel Paint Safe?

Yes, enamel paint is safe to use, but there are some safety considerations to take when using solvent-based enamels.

Oil and urethane-based products produce strong fumes that can become dangerous in a poorly ventilated space. To avoid prolonged exposure, always wear a canister mask and work in a well-ventilated room. These fumes can be flammable, so make sure to work away from any open flame source.

Water-based enamels produce fewer fumes and are a safer choice in a home with pets or children. “The tech has come so far with the water-based products that you get all the benefits of an enamel with less VOCs and flammability,” Otto says.

How Long Does Enamel Paint Take to Dry?

Enamel paints will dry to the touch between two and six hours but can take between 24 and 72 hours to fully cure. Water-based enamels will dry faster than oil and urethane-based products. “The paint needs this time to fully cure to that ultra-hard finish,” Otto says. For example, if using enamel to paint a floor, you would need to wait the full cure time before replacing furniture or introducing foot traffic to achieve the full protection of the paint.

How Much Does Enamel Paint Cost?

A gallon of enamel paint can cost between $80 to $100, “but it depends on whether it’s oil or water-based, and what its specific purpose is,” Otto says. Benjamin Moore’s Cabinet Coat enamel is less expensive than their Direct to Metal (DTM) enamel. “It really comes down to how it’s formulated and produced.”

What Should You Use Enamel Paint For?

For residential applications, enamel paint is a great choice for cabinets, trim, floors, doors and furniture. “Enamels resist wear and tear, including harsh cleaning chemicals, making them the go-to choice for high-traffic areas like doors and cabinets that need frequent cleaning,” Pancione says. Enamel paint in a spray can is also often used to refinish outdoor grills and metal surfaces, as well as outdoor furniture.

What Should You Avoid Using Enamel Paint For?

Interior walls and ceilings are not good candidates for enamel paint. The glass-like finish of enamel paint highlights any surface imperfections, which can be difficult to avoid on large wall and ceiling surfaces. Otto recommends not using enamels on anything your children will use regularly. “It takes so long to cure,” she says. “While it may seem like a good idea on, say, a swing set, there are faster-drying products you can use instead.” The ultra-glossy finish of enamels can be slippery, so are also not a good choice for stairs.

Enamel Paint Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Highly durable
• Washable finish
• High gloss sheen
• Water and stain-resistant
• Long-lasting color

Cons:

• Long dry and re-coat time
• Expensive
• High VOC levels in solvent-based products

How to Paint With Enamel Paint

• Clean surface thoroughly
• Remove old coatings and loose paint
• Fill and sand any surface imperfections
• For metal surfaces, remove any rust and prime with a rust inhibitor
• Consider applying a primer to all surfaces
• Ensure the work area is well-ventilated (especially with solvent-based enamel)
• Apply enamel in two thin, even coats
• Make sure to follow re-coat and dry times
• Allow to fully dry and cure before use

FAQ

Which is thicker: Enamel or latex paint?

“Enamel is thicker [than latex paint], which means it’s prone to sagging or dripping on vertical surfaces if applied too heavily,” Pancione says. Stop frequently to check for drips while working.

Can you paint enamel over latex?

“You can [paint with enamel over latex], but you should always prime first,” Otto says, “especially if painting over a semi-gloss latex paint.” Scuff the surface of the old paint, then prime for best results with enamel.

About the Experts

• Rachel Otto is the paint department manager at Fleury Lumber in Easthampton, Massachusetts, specializing in Benjamin Moore products. She has 10 years of industry experience.
• Shayne Pancione is the owner of Pancione Painting Plus, a full-service residential and commercial painting company in Easthampton, Massachusetts. He has over 25 years of experience in the trade.

The post A Guide to Enamel Paint and Where to Use It appeared first on Family Handyman.

I spoke with two decor professionals to find out what the 2025 Colors of the Year can tell us about where home fashions are heading, how and when they can help you make a stylish home your own, and how to introduce these trends in a way that feels timeless.

What Are the Colors of the Year?

Every fall, many major paint brands announce their Colors of the Year. “They’re a way for interior professionals and paint companies to demonstrate leadership in the space,” Interior Designer Heather Mastrangeli says.

She believes that, to some degree, the Color of the Year announcements are a marketing tactic. However, that doesn’t mean they’re meaningless. Companies make their selections by looking at current consumer moods and desires, along with lifestyle and design trend forecasting. This means that, although the colors vary by brand, there can be meaningful emerging themes amongst the hues.

Mastrangeli explains that there’s a direct correlation between the fashion industry and the interior design industry. “Typically, fashion is a little ahead of interior design, and trends begin in Europe before making their way to the U.S.,” she says. “As we see 2025 Color of the Year announcements, we know that these shades are carefully selected based on a multitude of criteria and will make a splash in the interior design world.”

Should I Care About the Colors of the Year?

You don’t have to select a Color of the Year to create a timeless, stylish spaceand sometimes, these trending shades won’t fit with your personal preferences or the aesthetic you’re aiming for. However, if you need inspiration on the best interior paint colors for redesigning a room, Mastrangeli explains Colors of the Year can be a helpful starting point. “The risk [of making a design misstep] is mitigated slightly by turning to color trends,” she says.

They can help narrow down the overwhelming number of color options and provide inspiration and focus for an overall interior design style. If you like to be ahead of the curve with trends, you can’t go wrong with selecting a 2025 Color of the Year.

Will the Colors of the Year Age Well?

The colors of the year are chosen based on current and forecasted design trends rather than on how timeless the shades are. Certain shades may become dated more quickly than others. However, Interior Designer Megan Hersch says the trends tend to last multiple years and aren’t likely to shift to the opposite extreme quickly. “So the fear of your home looking outdated if you select a color from within the trend is not always warranted,” she says.

Mastrangeli says that it’s rarely the colors on their own that create issues with aging. “It’s the combination of the painted walls, the interior design, and the furnishings that can cause a space to look dated,” she says. Thinking about how all these elements come together can help you retain a timeless appeal when you’re painting your home to sell.

Looking at the emerging 2025 Colors of the Year, the trend is leaning towards earthy, warm, soothing and comforting shades, rather than contemporary cool tones. Mastrangeli says these shades have timeless staying power when combined with the right furnishings and finishes.

What The 2025 Colors of the Year Tell Us About Where Interior Design Is Headed

Hersch says that after several years of “hygge” home style, featuring warm woods and soft neutrals, people continue to look for a welcoming respite from the outside world. “The cooler grays of 10 years ago are giving way to colors with more sophistication and depth, which is where I believe the level of design will stay while people turn back toward more human connection and warmth,” she says.

Mastrangeli also believes the upheaval of the global pandemic has influenced the warm tone trends in the 2025 Colors of the Year selections. “When there’s a crisis, people crave comfort,” she says. “They want to be surrounded by warmth after making it through such a turbulent time.”

About the Experts

• Megan Hersch is an interior designer and co-founder and COO of online design service roomLift. She has almost 20 years of experience in the High-End Residential Interior Design Business; email interview, Sept. 13, 2024.
• Heather Mastrangeli, NCIDQ, IIDA, NKBA is a Registered Interior Designer and Owner of Innovatus Design, an award-winning interior design studio; email interview, Sept. 13, 2024.

The post What the Paint Colors of 2025 Tell Us About Where Interior Design Is Headed appeared first on Family Handyman.

Rumors by Behr

Back in the ’90s, maroon accent walls dominated interiorsand Rumors is the new and improved version of that color. It’s a deep ruby red that will add warmth and rich allure to a space, as Behr describes it.

How to Use It

“This color, in particular, feels luxurious and warm, which makes it a perfect color if you want to make a statement,” says Steele. “The best places to use it will be in the dining room, an office, or a library. When paired with gold or brass accents, the room will feel very sophisticated, even if decorated on a budget.”

The post 2025 Colors of the Year, and How to Use Them appeared first on Family Handyman.

Different types of paint sprayers cater to various project needs, providing versatility for a range of home improvement tasks. HVLP (high-volume, low-pressure) sprayers, for example, are great for detail work and achieving a fine finish on furniture and cabinets. Airless sprayers deliver high-pressure coverage, perfect for big jobs like painting an entire fence.

Once your project is complete, the sprayer and its accessories can be neatly stored in the durable storage case. It keeps everything organized and ready for the next use. This convenience ensures that the Wagner Flexio 3500 is always prepared to help you tackle your next painting project with professional results.

What is the Wagner Flexio 3500?

The Wagner Flexio 3500 is an HVLP (high volume low pressure) paint sprayer designed for DIYers. It is especially well-suited for small projects and detail work but is also capable of tackling medium-sized projects such as entire walls or treating a deck. It requires only electricity and ships with two nozzles that are capable of using most types of paints, stains and finishes.

Once your project is complete, the sprayer and its accessories can be neatly stored in the durable storage case, keeping everything organized and ready for the next use. This convenience ensures that the Wagner Flexio 3500 is always prepared to help you tackle your next painting project with professional results.

PAMELA BANDURANT/FAMILY HANDYMAN

$179 at Home Depot

Wagner Flexio 3500 Paint Sprayer

$179 at Home Depot

Wagner Flexio 3500 Product Features

The Flexio 3500 Electric Handheld HVLP Paint Sprayer makes your painting projects faster and more efficient. It sprays 10 times faster than a traditional brush, allowing you to cover an 8-by-10 wall in just five minutes. This makes it perfect for both interior and exterior projects, including walls, decks, fences, furniture, cabinets and more.

One of the standout features of the Flexio 3500 is its variable-speed X-Boost turbine, which provides the power needed to spray unthinned paints and stains. This versatility means you can tackle a wide range of painting jobs without the hassle of thinning the paint. The sprayer also has a compact and lightweight design, making it easy to handle and maneuver, and is 10% lighter than previous Flexio models, reducing hand fatigue during extended use.

The sprayer offers multiple adjustable settings to suit your specific project needs, providing flexibility and control over your painting. The iSpray nozzle is ideal for achieving a textured finish on broad surfaces like exterior siding, walls and ceilings, while the Detail Finish Nozzle is perfect for a smooth, fine finish on cabinets, furniture and trim. These interchangeable nozzles make the Flexio 3500 a versatile tool for both professional and DIY projects.

Cleaning and Material

Cleaning and maintaining the Flexio 3500 is a breeze thanks to the Lock-N-Go system that allows for quick disassembly. The included Bonus Cup Liner further simplifies cleanup, making it quick and easy. For added convenience, the durable storage case keeps the sprayer protected between projects. Plus, you can access Wagner+ by scanning the QR code on your product for instant digital access to product registration, how-to guides, manuals and more, ensuring you have all the resources you need at your fingertips.

Lastly, the sprayer is capable of spraying:

• Latex and oil-based paints
• Semi-transparent stain
• Solid stains
• Water-based lacquers
• Urethanes

How We Tested It

The first thing that stood out to me about this sprayer was the case that it came in. I often find that molded plastic cases are almost useless as it seems impossible to get the tools back into their designated slots. In this case (pun intended), the parts were easily stowed and the case could be buttoned up.

The next thing I noticed is what I would call built-in nozzles. Most of the hand-held sprayers that Ive used utilize a type of two-part metal nozzle wherein you pick the fluid tip size based on your material. You then insert a matching needle tip, which is prone to getting lost, even if just dropped onto carpeting or grass, not to mention floating around at the bottom of a tool box. These needless nozzles seemed like a bonus and definitely were.

I set out to paint the exterior of one of my wooden sheds, which was in serious need of painting. After power washing it, scraping off some old paint and waiting for it to dry, I filled the 1300-milliliter (approximately 1/3rd gallon) that works with the iSpray nozzle with an inexpensive, acrylic-based exterior paint and primer in one. I attached the iSpray nozzle, which is supposed to mimic the texture of a roller, and plugged in the sprayer. Since it was just an outside shed, I eschewed practice and fine-tuning in water or on cardboard and went straight for the shed.

Tuning and Usage

As expected, some fine-tuning was required. I ended up with a few drips, but that was entirely user error and not a result of the settings, which I had adjusted based on the usagehaving set the X-boost power dial (I.e., the air power) to the middle of its range and the material flow control to the middle of its range. Also, I had the spray width set to wide, and after some technique adjustments, this worked out to be a great combination of power and volume for the paint.

I went through the first container of paint rather quickly due to my futzing around with the technique. As such, I was a little worried about how much paint I was going through. But by the time I was onto my second container of paint, I was getting great distance and coverage. I was able to get a single coat onto approximately 60 square feet with less than 1/3 of a gallon of paint. This amount is spot on if estimating that I can spray 150 to 200 square feet per gallon.

The coating was even at the start and end of the spray cycle, as well as at the edges of the spray pattern. I used the common overlap technique with horizontal paths and completed the edges with the spray width set to the narrow setting. The nozzle cleanup was quick and painless. I was really pleased with the results: The shed went from a sad and dreary backyard eyesore to looking like a proud member of the outdoor decor.

Pros

• Carrying case
• Multiple nozzles and containers
• Easy to clean
• Detail finish and spray at the same time
• Variable air power control
• Can use stains, enamels, paints and more

Cons

• Not great for large projects
• Pricier than most handheld HVLP sprayers

Why Trust Us

Ive been painting homes for nearly 40 years, and while much of the process remains the same, the paints and sprayers have improved greatly. Ive been using modern DIY and professional sprayers for a couple of years and have been impressed with their capabilities, especially at such reasonable prices.

When I learned that I would be reviewing a selection of paint sprayers, I was eager to find out firsthand how they would stack up. I reviewed the equipment from the vantage point of a non-professional, intent on offering DIYers an idea of what each sprayer could and could not do. My review offers potential consumers a realistic and practical guide to an array of sprayer options.

FAQ

Do you have to thin paint for Wagner Flexio 3500?

You dont have to thin paint for the Wagner Flexio 3500, but sometimes, it may be necessary. Wagner advises users that most paints do not need to be thinned and that optimal spray performance can be achieved by adjusting the airflow, spray width and material flow control. If thinning, its advised to delete the material in steps of 5-10%.

Can I use Wagner Flexio 3500 to paint a ceiling?

With some practice, spraying a ceiling can be done without too much mess. Youll want to be cautious of where you align the pickup tube when using the Flexio to paint a ceiling. Its ideal to spray with a horizontally held sprayer, but that isn’t possible when painting a ceiling. So, when painting a ceiling with the Flexio 3500, point the pickup tube toward the handle of the sprayer. The paint is then taken up in the tube when the sprayer is pointed upward. Wagner warns that the sprayer should not be used at greater than a 45-degree angle. If the angle is too steep, material could get into the turbine and damage it. Eye protection and a mask are always recommended when using a sprayer, but especially important when painting a ceiling.

Can I leave paint in my Wagner paint sprayer overnight?

Ideally, you wouldn’t leave paint in the sprayer overnight because the paint may dry on the nozzle and clog it. The system is somewhat closed to the elements, so it is ok to leave paint in the sprayer for short periods between use, such as overnight or for a break. Before using the sprayer, after it has sat, be sure to mix the paint in the container. Also, it will likely be necessary to remove paint from the hardened nozzle tip. Once its cleared, you should be good to go.

What Other Reviewers/Experts Had to Say

Five-star The Home Depot reviewer Brian1 claims, “I purchased the Flexio 3500 about six weeks ago when we were in the middle of remodeling our master bathroom. We had urethane-finished birch wood that we wanted painted. The sprayer delivered beyond our expectations. The finish was exceptional (factory-like finish). It was easy to use, and clean-up was a breeze.

“So far, Ive used it to paint doors and the whole exterior of my stucco house. It worked well. On stucco, it does cover in one go, but be ready to buy extra gallons of paint. I tried rolling, and the spray would cover way more in such a short time! It is super easy to clean thoroughly, ” says 5-star reviewer fonf64.

Eric on The Home Depot gives the Wagner Flexio 5 stars and says, I bought this item just in case/backup for doing my house. I ended up having to use this for the whole house. The house came out great. Saved me about $20,000 to do this my self. The one thing that I wish there was an easier way to have a faster fill method. I believe that is what took me the longest to do. But besides [that], it’s great with thick and thin paint. I recommend this product 100 percent.

Wagner Flexio 3500 vs Earlex HVLP Sprayer

Lately Ive been using an Earlex HVLP sprayer for my smaller projects. The Earlex HVLP sprayer is a good comparison for the Wagner Flexio 3500 as they are both handheld HVLP sprayers. The Earlex comes in at a lower price and is lighter so let’s take a look at the usage.

The Earlex is differs from the Wagner in that it uses nozzles that are matched to your material and desired finish. On the other hand, the Wagner just has two nozzlesone for fine spraying and one for wider, textured spraying. Another key difference is that the air cap, either fine or wide spray, must be selected on the Earlex. The Earlex does not come with a case and it’s important to keep all the nozzles together with the sprayer. I keep my nozzles and tools in a plastic bag but still don’t have a convenient way to ensure that the bag is with the sprayer. Its these factors along with the cleanup that makes the Wagner a clear winner for being easier to use.

Final Verdict

At first, I wasnt convinced the two-nozzle solution was going to be adequate. It proved to be more than adequate and Im sold. A lot of the experimentation and guesswork were taken away by knowing that the either nozzle could handle whatever material I was going to use. Plus, the cleanup was such a breeze that I dont dread pulling out the sprayer. This sprayer will be taking a front-and-center space in my collection of painting tools. I look forward to more projects with it.

Where to Buy the Wagner Flexio 3500

You can pick up the Wagner Flexio at The Home Depot or order it online for under $180.

$179 at Home Depot

Wagner Flexio 3500 Paint Sprayer

$179 at Home Depot

The post I Tried Out the Wagner Flexio 3500 Paint Sprayer and the Results Were Flawless appeared first on Family Handyman.

A quick way to boost your curb appeal is to give your front door a makeover. The best way to paint a door will always be to take it off its hinges. However, if you’re feeling time-pressed or nervous about getting the door on and off its hingesyou can still successfully paint your exterior door while its on the hinges. It has kinda turned into a hack seen across social media. Since you’ll be working against gravity, you must pay extra attention to drips.

Prevent drips by using a foam roller when applying the paint uniformly, painting in thin coats, and using a drop cloth beneath the door. I recommend repairing any flaws on your door before painting for the best results, such as filling in cracks and holes. Remember that high gloss paints reveal imperfections more than other paints, such as semi-gloss or satin.

Before starting the project, you want to know what your exterior door is made of. Most exterior doors are wood, fiberglass, steel, and wood clad in aluminum. It’s important to note that certain paints and primers may adhere better to different types of door materials. If you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to consult with the professionals at your local paint store. I used a satin exterior enamel paint/primer and was very pleased with the results. It dried smoothly and quickly, so I didn’t have to wait around for hours to apply the next coat.

You might not have to do this extra step, but I had to paint the exterior door frame to match the door’s new color. This meant getting out the ladder and spending a bit more time painting. Also, dont skimp on painter’s tape; mistakes will show, especially on door frames. When picking out a new front door color, consider what would complement the other exterior colors of the home. If youre unsure, plenty of inspirational ideas are online, and some paint stores offer consultations.

Remove door handle

Using a screwdriver, remove the door handle and lock from the door.

The post How To Paint a Front Door Without Removing It appeared first on Family Handyman.

Read on for pro tips about why and how to thin latex paint and what products to avoid from two paint industry pros Rachel Otto from Fleury Lumber and Shayne Pancione from Pancione Painting Plus.

What Is Latex Paint

Latex paint is a water-based paint used for interior and exterior applications. Available in various sheens from flat to high gloss, latex paint is a durable and versatile paint product easily applied with a brush, roller or air sprayer.

Latex paint can be used on a variety of surfaces, including interior drywall, wood and plaster, as well as exterior concrete, siding and stucco. The synthetic resins in latex paint create a flexible surface that resists cracking and withstands temperature changes.

Unlike oil-based paint, latex paint only needs soap and water to clean up.

What Is Paint Thinner?

Paint thinner is a petroleum-based solvent used to thin and clean oil-based paints. Products labeled as “paint thinner” are typically mineral spirits, a lower odor and less toxic (when compared to other paint-thinning solvents), such as liquid solvents. Other paint-thinning options include turpentine, acetone and naptha.

While most paint thinners are used with oil-based paints, “there are some formulated to be used with latex,” Otto says. “Read the label to see if it’s compatible.”

Why Thin Latex Paint?

There are a few reasons why you might choose to thin latex paint.

If using a sprayer, thinning latex paint can prevent a clogged spray nozzle. “Follow your sprayer’s operating instructions,” Otto says, “These will include thinning ratios.”

Thinning also improves the flow and leveling ability of paint, which can reduce brush strokes and provide a smoother finish.

Thinning can also change the look of paint for specialized projects. “If you’re trying to get a distressed look when painting furniture, you can thin it,” Otto says.

Finally, slightly thinning paint can extend its coverage area. “It may make the color a little different,” Otto says, “but adding water will make it go a little further.”

How to Thin Latex Paint

Different methods and products are used to thin latex paint depending on the application method, but there is one universal step. “Make sure it’s very well mixed before attempting to apply it,” Pancione says. “This applies to brush, roller or spray.”

Also, follow the paint’s technical data sheet or label for recommended thinning parameters. “If it says, ‘Do not thin,’ don’t thin it,” Otto says. “If you do, the paint can crack, peel or not adhere properly to the surface.”

For Spraying

Follow the sprayer and paint manufacturers’ instructions for thinning paint when spraying. Typically, this will be done with clean, room-temperature water, a stir stick, a bucket and a measuring cup.

First, stir the latex paint thoroughly. Use a measuring cup to measure paint and water ratios in a clean bucket. Use a stir stick to mix thoroughly.

For Brushing

“Some paints are thicker, which can make application difficult,” Otto says. In this case, add a couple of ounces of water to make brushing easier (if allowed by the manufacturer).

Mix and pour paint into a clean bucket. Add water an ounce at a time until the desired consistency has been reached.

Synthetic products, like Floetrol, can also be added to paint. “This is designed to make the paint flow smoother, level out better and avoid leaving brush strokes or roller marks,” Pancione says. It makes brushing in trim a breeze.”

For Rolling

Follow the same thinning instructions for brushing and rolling. Adding Floetrol when rolling can minimize lap lines.

However, Otto doesn’t recommend thinning with water when applying latex paint with a roller. “It doesn’t give the look the manufacturer intends and can leave streaks,” she says.

FAQs

Can you thin latex paint with water?

Yes, you can thin latex paint with water (if it is recommended by the manufacturer). Do not use solvent-based products to thin latex paint.

Is acetone a paint thinner?

Yes, acetone is a type of solvent-based paint thinner, but it is better used to clean up paint than to thin it.

“Acetone is more for removing paint,” Otto says. “It can cause paint to separate if added as a thinner.” Acetone should not be used to clean water-based paint.

Can paint thinner remove paint?

Yes, paint thinners can clean oil-based paint from paint tools and surfaces, but it is most effective when the paint is still wet. For dried oil-based paint, acetone is the only paint thinner that could effectively remove it, but typically, this is a job left to stronger stripping products.

“Just be careful and use paint thinner in a well-ventilated area and wear a mask and gloves,” Otto says. “The fumes can be hard on the lungs if breathed.” Solvent-based paint thinner is not effective at removing water-based paint.

Does paint thinner ruin paint?

It depends on the paint. Adding a solvent-based paint thinner to latex paint will ruin it. However, paint thinner will not damage oil-based paint if added in small amounts.

About the Experts

• Rachel Otto is the paint department manager at Fleury Lumber in Easthampton, Massachusetts, specializing in Benjamin Moore products. She has 10 years of industry experience.
• Shayne Pancione is the owner of Pancione Painting Plus, a full-service residential and commercial painting company in Easthampton, Massachusetts. He has over 25 years of experience in the trade.

The post How to Thin Latex Paint for Spraying, Brushing, and Rolling appeared first on Family Handyman.

“The first thing you want to do is inspect the stucco for any damage, or cracks,” Mardis says.

• Walk around your house and assess the stucco.
• Look for cracks, chips and flaking paint.
• Note any cracks you can fit a credit card into (about 1/8 inch or larger). You’ll fix these before painting.

The post How To Paint Stucco appeared first on Family Handyman.

via merchant

$188.75 at Amazon

Rust-Oleum’s RockSolid coating is about as durable as it gets, with a proprietary formula made to last. This best garage floor paint has a high-gloss finish that stands up to grease, dirt, drips and just about anything else you can throw (or spill) at itand looks good doing it. A blend of polyurea, urethane and epoxy, this garage floor paint comes premixed, which makes painting a garage floor easier than some other coating kits. It comes in six colors; black, tan, mocha, gray, dark gray and modern “griege”with decorative color chips that’ll give your floor a terrazzo feel.

DIYers of all skill levels will find it easy to use Rust-Oleum’s RockSolid coating. After cleaning the concrete, apply it in small sections using a paint roller. You’ll be able to walk on it eight hours later, and in 24, it’ll be safe to pull your car back into the garage. It’s a low-volatile organic compound (VOC) product, too, so you won’t be overcome with chemical fumes when painting your garage floor.

The post Painting Your Garage Floor? Reach for the 5 Best Garage Floor Paints appeared first on Family Handyman.

But ripping out wood paneling isn’t the only option for that dark heavy wall covering. Wood paneling can be painted. It’s a less messy, less costly option than removing it and dealing with whatever material you find underneath.

Yet nothing’s that simple, right? To erase the dated look of paneling, you’ll need to deal with the telltale grooves that give away what’s lurking underneath. We called on an expert to help.

How To Cover the Grooves in Paneling

We asked Jeff Shipwash, who fixes and flips houses through his Knoxville, Tennessee-based business, Shipwash Properties, how his team deals with wood paneling during renovations.

“We actually encounter many homes that still boast wood paneling within,” says Shipwash. “In the past, we would rip it out, or modify it to make it appear more modern.” But if you want to keep the paneling and make it appear more like drywall, he says, “Prep work is critical in order to make sure you get a great finish.”

Step 1: Fill the grooves with joint compound

Shipwash says his team usually starts by filling in the groves with a quality joint compound, aka drywall mud or joint mud. He recommends USG joint compound. You’ll also need a putty knife.

“This step is only necessary if you desire the finished product to look more like [drywall] and less like paneling,” Shipwash says. “In my opinion, you need to fill in the grooves with at least two coats of drywall mud.” Also, sand between coats.

If you hire a contractor for the job, Shipwash says the cost will vary by the project size. “The average we spend per day on a drywall crew is around $1,000,” he says. “This is for a crew of two or three experienced contractors. I have seen a few solo contractors that bill around $400 to $500 per day.”

Step 2: Sand the entire wall

Once your two coats are complete, sand down the entire wall with fine grit sandpaper, ideally in the 180- to 220-grit range.

“This will do two things,” says Shipwash. “First, it will level the joint mud level with the rest of the wall. Second, it will scuff the paneling to allow paint and primer to better adhere and avoid chipping.”

After sanding, clean the walls with a damp sponge or rag.

Step 3: Add primer and paint

Next, apply a high-quality bonding primer. An oil-based primer works best. But if you don’t want to deal with the odor and the clean-up, opt for a stain-blocking latex primer instead.

Two coats of primer is ideal. You might get by with one coat if you’re painting with a darker color. Once the walls are primed to your satisfaction, Shipwash says, “you’re ready to paint the paneling to any color you desire.”

Note that in this article on painting wood paneling, our pro recommends an oil-based primer and paint, applied with a paint sprayer for the smoothest finish. That method calls for a lot of ventilation, equipment and clean-up. Water-based paints and primers will work, but applying them with a brush or roller won’t achieve the seamless look of a paint sprayer.

Is it Time to Rethink That Paneling?

Filling in paneling grooves with joint compound may be doable, but it’s labor-intensive for a DIYer.

“If you’re hiring a contractor to give your walls more of a [drywall] look, I honestly recommend just having them replace the paneling entirely,” Shipwash says. “This will result in about the same amount of labor time and the finished product will be better.”

Plus, maybe you shouldn’t be so quick to get rid of those grooves. “As a flipper,” says Shipwash, “I have noticed the trend of paneling to be coming back in style.” He says that many homeowners like to leave a wall of paneling as an accent to complement the surrounding, non-paneled walls.

“If you enjoy the look of the paneling but hate the color, skip the mudding step and go straight to cleaning, priming and painting.” he says. Or just clean the wood paneling and usher in a retro trend!

The post How To Deal With the Grooves When Painting Wood Paneling appeared first on Family Handyman.

Here to help explain ways to avoid peeling paint and how to fix it when it happens are two industry pros, Rachel Otto from Fleury Lumber and Joseph Umana from Painting Belen.

About the Experts

Rachel Otto is a Benjamin Moore paint specialist at Fleury Lumber in Easthampton, Massachusetts.

Joseph Umana is the owner of Painting Belen, a residential painting company in Western Massachusetts. Joseph is a licensed Home Improvement Contractor in the State of Massachusetts with nine years experience in the painting industry.

What Causes Peeling Paint?

Peeling paint is rarely caused by bad paint. “It’s usually bad prep work,” Umana says, but there are some other reasons why your paint might be peeling.

Moisture issues

Moisture from rain and snow, poor attic ventilation, overflowing gutters or even misdirected sprinklers can cause peeling paint on your home’s exterior. Water infiltrates the wood, causing the fibers to swell and stretch the paint film until it cracks. After it cracks the water continues to seep through, saturating the wood and breaking the paint bond ultimately resulting in peeling paint.

Window sills, soffits and wood joints are particularly prone to this issue. Inside the home, the same thing can happen when water from plumbing leaks, leaky roofs or poor bathroom ventilation seeps into walls, ceilings and wood trim.

Bad paint conditions

Applying paint outside the manufacturer’s recommended application temperatures and conditions can lead to peeling paint.

“If it’s too cold, the liquids in the paint freeze before it has a chance to cure,” Otto says, “As it tries to dry, the paint will crack or peel.”

Painting in high temperatures or direct sun is just as bad. “You can get the same bubbling, cracking and peeling,” Otto says.

Painting wood that is not completely dry is also problematic. Otto explains that as moisture attempts to escape from wood during drying, it can push paint away from the surface, causing bubbling and peeling.

It’s also best to avoid painting outside if heavy rainfall is expected in the next 24 hours.

Not following dry times

It is especially important to follow manufacturer dry times before recoating to avoid peeling paint. Paint sometimes feels dry to the touch before it has hardened, but a second coat applied too soon can soften the first and create a weaker bond.

“If the paint can says to leave two hours between coats, wait the two hours,” Otto says.

Poor surface prep

Umana points to bad prep work as the main culprit for peeling paint. “You have to take the time to scrape, sand and clean really well,” he says, “You’ll regret it if you don’t.” Dirt, mildew and loose paint cause poor paint adhesion and must be removed before painting.

Make sure to use a primer as well, which is formulated to adhere to bare wood and other materials. Umana recommends using an oil primer for most exterior surfaces. “It forms a strong surface bond and is really durable,” he says.

Incompatible paint layers

Applying paint over another paint that is not compatible can cause layer separating and peeling. Putting oil or alkyd paint over latex paint is a common example of this phenomenon.

Oil paint is brittle when dry and cracks and peels when painted over flexible latex paint.

Time and exposure

All paint fails eventually. Exposure to the elements causes paint to dry out over time, crack and let in moisture that breaks the paint’s surface bond with the substrate.

How to Fix Peeling Paint

To prevent peeling paint from happening again, resolve any moisture issues, paint in good weather conditions, thoroughly prep and make sure paint layers are compatible. “Before painting over water damage, make sure the leak is fixed first,” Otto says. Follow these steps to fix peeling paint.

Scrape and sand peeling paint

Use a paint scraper to remove any loose paint. Wear a dust mask and use drop cloths to catch paint chips and dust. Be thorough and work methodically to remove all loose paint.

Use 100 grit sandpaper to smooth any scraped areas and remove any remaining loose paint. Sand down the edges of scraped areas to smooth the transition from paint to bare wood.

Caution: Houses constructed before 1978 may harbor lead-based paint. Scraping and sanding this paint can generate hazardous lead dust that can pose serious health risks. For more information visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) lead safety website.

Clean and let dry

Use a damp cloth to wipe away any accumulated dust. Let the area dry before proceeding. For exterior work, Umana uses a leaf blower to quickly remove dust from large areas.

Prime

Wear gloves and apply primer to any areas of bare wood before painting. “It may take longer, but it makes the paint last longer,” Umana says, “It’s worth it.” He also recommends against using self-priming products, especially on exterior bare wood. “The bond is not as good,” he says.

For interior peeling paint, Otto suggests using a bonding primer to improve adhesion with drywall surfaces.

Paint

After waiting the primer manufacturer’s recommended dry time, apply two coats of paint to the prepared surface. Wear gloves and allow proper dry times between coats.

FAQ’s

Is it OK to paint over peeling paint?

No.

Painting over peeling paint is a waste of time and money unless you scrape, sand and prime first.

Does peeling paint mean water damage/mold?

It can.

“Peeling paint can be an indicator of moisture issues and potentially, mold,” Otto says, “It is something to look for.”

The post How To Fix Peeling Paint appeared first on Family Handyman.

Exposure to lead paint during renovation and repainting projects carries serious health implications. As a homeowner and landlord in New England, I know firsthand the seriousness of lead paint exposure. I had it removed from several properties to keep my family and tenants safe. Here’s how to identify lead paint.

With the help of two industry experts, Bob Carroll from Indiana University and Shayne Pancione from Pancione Painting Plus, we’ll learn when lead paint was banned, the threat it poses, and what to do if you discover it in your home.

About the Experts

Bill Carroll, Ph.D. is an adjunct professor of chemistry at Indiana University. The former vice president of industry issues for Occidental Chemical Corporation, he’s the principal of Carroll Applied Science in Dallas, Texas.

Shayne Pancione is the owner of Pancione Painting Plus in Easthampton, Massachusetts. A certified lead-safe renovator, he has more than 30 years experience in the painting industry.

When Was Lead Paint Banned?

Benjamin Franklin wrote a letter to a friend in 1786 warning of the dangers of lead, but it would be more than 100 years before the first ban was enacted not in the United States, but in France, in 1909.

In 1951, Baltimore, Maryland became the first U.S. city to ban the use and sale of lead paint. New York City followed suit in 1960. However, it took more than a decade before Congress addressed it with national legislation, passing with the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act in 1971.

A complete ban on all consumer use of lead paint didn’t happen in the U.S. until 1978, when the Consumer Product Safety Commission prohibited its use in all consumer products, including paint, toys and furniture. However, this left millions of houses still coated with the toxic paint.

In 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule, mandating any projects that may disturb lead-based paint must be completed by lead-certified contractors, like Pancione.

Does All Paint Made Before 1978 Contain Lead?

No.

Lead paint was valued for its durability and faster dry times, but not all paint made before 1978 contained it.

Paint manufacturers began voluntarily removing lead pigments as early as the 1940s, as its dangers became more apparent. They began using non-lead pigments like zinc oxide instead and manufacturing new water-based, lead-free paints.

Lead also increased paint costs, so some lower priced paints never contained any.

Why Was Lead Paint Banned?

Lead is a naturally occurring element that’s toxic to humans when ingested or inhaled. “It is most dangerous to children because it can impact mental and physical development,” Carroll says. These include developmental delays, lower IQs and hyperactivity. Prolonged lead exposure can pose health threats to adults as well.

Despite the known dangers, it wasn’t until extensive research and public advocacy efforts in the 1960s and ’70s finally led to the total ban on lead paint. Research determined even low levels of lead exposure could lead to significant and irreversible health issues in children.

How Do You Know if You Have Lead Paint in Your House?

If your home was built before 1978, there’s a chance it contains lead paint, and the likelihood increases with the age of the house.

To know for sure, the home’s painted surfaces need to be tested for lead. You could hire a certified lead inspector or assessor with specialized equipment. You also could send paint chip samples to a laboratory that uses x-ray fluorescence. “This technique identifies specific chemical elements,” Carroll says.

If you’d prefer to test for lead yourself, get a home test kit sold at most home centers and hardware stores. “These tests are affordable and easy to use,” Pancione says. Test kits include a swab that changes color when it comes in contact with lead.

What Should You Do if You Have Lead Paint in Your House?

If you discover lead paint in your house, take these steps to mitigate the risk of exposure.

• Leave it alone: Do not disturb lead paint by scraping or sanding it. If it isn’t deteriorating, chipping or peeling, it’s best to leave it alone until you determine a plan to address it.
• Consider a professional risk assessment: A certified risk assessment determines the existence and extent of lead paint hazards in and around your home, and provides recommended actions to reduce exposure. This can include containment (encapsulate) or abatement (removal).
• Encapsulate: A specially formulated paint, encapsulate can seal lead paint in certain circumstances. It can’t be used on lead paint that’s chipping or peeling, or on movable surfaces like doors and windows.
• Hire an abatement company: If you decide complete lead paint abatement is best for your family, or a local agency suggests it, the EPA recommends hiring a professional abatement company. “The best and surest way to reduce the risk is to have it removed,” Carroll says.
• Take precautions with remodeling, repairing or painting projects: If you plan to do any projects that will disturb lead paint, hire a lead-safe certified home contractor to complete the work. “Certified renovators go through rigorous training to become certified and will take all necessary precautions,” Pancione says. The EPA also provides recommendations for DIYers to follow when completing home projects that mitigate lead paint exposure risk.

The post When Was Lead Paint Banned? appeared first on Family Handyman.

One of the final steps for our latest house renovation was painting the old solid wood floors in the upstairs bedroom loft. Made from nice pine boards, we wanted to preserve the texture and character even their century’s worth of dings. So we opted for a simple repaint.

When repainting painted wood floors, or anything else, it’s vital to choose a brand compatible with your existing paint. To figure out what sort of paint base we were dealing with, we wiped it with acetone. Although the “acetone test” is certainly not foolproof, water-based paints typically end up partly wiping off on the rag.

For us, no paint came off. So we assumed it was oil-based, especially considering the age of the house. We also consulted with our local paint store professionals for what type of paint they recommended.

If your painted wood floors are in need of a refresh, here’s how to do it with the least amount of hassle.

When should I call a pro?

You might need professional help if:

• You’re sensitive to paint or mineral spirit fumes.
• The floor already has several layers of paint that need to be removed to make a nice surface.
• There are damaged planks that need replacement.

About the Experts

Frank Arellano, a manager at Sherwin-Williams in Alamosa, Colorado, and several other experts there added their expertise to this project. These pros offer more than two decades of experience helping people choose the optimal paint for their home and commercial projects.

Note: We used Sherwin-Williams Porch & Floor Enamel, Interior/Exterior Latex, satin finish, color “Courtyard.”

Thoroughly clean the floor

• Sweep the floor free of loose dirt and debris.

• Mop at least twice to remove all dust and residue from spills, etc. Use plain water, changing it often to keep it clear, or add trisodium phosphate (TSP)if your floor is particularly dirty.
• Let the floor air dry completely.

The post Repainting Painted Wood Floors: A How-To Guide appeared first on Family Handyman.

When it comes to removing paint you have several options and none of them usually seem appealing. Theres the chemical option wherein you pull on industrial-grade rubber gloves, PPE and lay out a tapestry of protective tarps. You read instructions, gather chemical-worthy containers, set aside a few sacrificial brushes and rags and get to work. When youre done, egads, what do you do with all the leftover rags and chemical waste?

You might also be inclined to try brute force. After all, its a tried and true method. A little or a lot of sandpaper and elbow grease can get any job done but maybe not without a trip to the crackabone. Thats Cajun for chiropractor where I come from.

Methods to heat paint to remove it have been around for a while. Much of the equipment to do this is priced out of range for the casual and infrequent user. However, the Spengar Infrared Paint Stripper comes in at a consumer-friendly price and gets the job done.

What is the Spengar IR Paint Stripper?

This IR paint stripper uses standard 120v electricity to heat a ceramic plate that’s placed upon the surface containing the paint. Its handheld and heats a surface approximately 10 inches by 2.5 inches, which seems to be just enough to cover a standard piece of molding or even a 2×4. It heats the paint to a point where it can be scraped off the wood, but not go so far as being a fire or health hazard by setting the wood or paint on fire or releasing toxic lead fumes if the paint contains them.

The Spengar stripper runs between 200 and 400 hundred degrees, which is high enough to heat most paints. For example, acrylics take a lower temperature to heat whereas something with multiple layers of paint may need a longer heating time or repeated exposure to heat. Also, the wood’s porosity is another factor.

VIA MERCHANT

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$145 at Amazon

We Tried It

Spengar IR Paint Stripper

This infrared paint stripper removes paint without chemicals.

Shop on Walmart

$145 at Amazon

Spengar IR Paint Stripper Features

The infrared paint stripper is a corded, electric device that uses 400 watts of power to heat its ceramic heating surface. Place the stripper on the surface of the item on which you want to strip paint with the metal casing. The heating element should be held approximately one-half inch from the surface. The casing around the device enables you to rest the machine upon the surface to be stripped.

Hold the device without the risk of being burned with the foam-covered handle. Setting the device’s top side down prevents it from heating a surface while the stripper is not in use. It weighs in at under 2.5 pounds making it easy to hold over items you wish to strip. Plus, the handle folds for easy storage.

How We Tested It

I set out to test the Spengar IR paint stripper on a couple of different types of paint on various surfaces. To keep the testing consistent, I did not use any boiled linseed oil or spirits to expedite or assist in the paint removal. Additionally, the older the paint, the harder it is to remove since much of it may have soaked into the wood and the paint is usually more dried out.

The user manual stated that acrylic paint requires a shorter heating time so I started there. Heating the paint to a point where it can be easily scraped off should take 10-20 seconds indoors or 20-30 seconds outdoors according to Spengar. My first attempt on old, acrylic paint on a soft wood resulted in the paint not being heated enough. I ended up heating the surface for about 35-45 seconds and after it began smoking, I was able to easily scrape off some of the paint.

The idea behind using a heat source to remove paint is to get the paint to a point where it is bubbling and smoking simultaneously. Reaching this state was proving to be challenging with the older acrylic paint on soft wood but after moving to a semi-gloss enamel on harder wood I was able to witness the magic. Again, I heated the surface for longer than I expectedprobably 45 seconds until I began to see smoke. When I removed the paint stripper from the surface, I was pleased to see the formation of some bubbles. I took my 9-in-1 scraper to the paint and it took off at least the first layer. If I wasnt able to strip all the paint, a second pass with the stripper did the job and even removed a layer of primer under the paint.

Pros

• No fumes
• No clean up
• Easy prep
• No need for specialized protective equipment

Cons

• Only clears off small areas at a time
• May require several passes

FAQ

Do infrared paint removers work?

Yes! With infrared heat, paint comes off surfaces quickly and gently, allowing you to scrape with little effort.

Are infrared paint removers safe?

Lead vaporizes at around 750 degrees. Infrared strippers get to about 400 degrees, so they don’t vaporize the lead. This makes them safer than heat guns, which can get much hotter.

What Other Reviewers Had to Say

“I hate stripping wood! Promised the spouse Id take some trim in our kitchen down to the wood since they like the wood look,” writes Kantrell Cameron in her five-star review on Amazon. “Bought this IR stripper to hopefully make the process go faster and this thing is great.”

Verified purchaser D. Jones says, “We bought this to strip years of paint from windows in a 160+-year-old, 52-room building, once a Poor Home, now a Historical Museum, and if it died tomorrow, we’d buy another. Yes, it works that well.”

Joann also rates the stripper five stars and states, “We have an old house with various amounts of paint layers. After spending hours and hours of scraping, this is wonderful. It only takes minutes to strip areas that would have taken hours and it doesn’t produce dust or nasty fumes.”

Product Comparison

Most infrared paint strippers come in at a fairly steep price while the Spengar IR Paint Stripper comes in at a cost that is reasonable for the occasional user. This makes it appealing for users with one or a few items or projects that require paint removal. For the hobbyist or furniture restorer, its a great addition to your painting toolbox.

Final Verdict

Forget the mess, prep and clean up associated with smelly chemical paint strippers. With the Spengar IR Paint Stripper, you can now strip old paint in any location off of windows, doors and trim. This tool is a must-have for those interested in rejuvenating projects, all at an economical price.

VIA MERCHANT

Shop on Walmart

$145 at Amazon

We Tried It

Spengar IR Paint Stripper

This revolutionary new tool packages cutting-edge infrared technology for safe and efficient removal of paint at a price that DIYers and restorers can afford.

Shop on Walmart

$145 at Amazon

Find the Spengar Infrared Paint Stripper on Walmart and Amazon for $130-$140 and try out chemical-free paint removal.

The post I Tried the Spengar IR Paint Stripper and Love Removing Paint Without the Chemicals appeared first on Family Handyman.

As auto detailer Riky Flores puts it: “Paint correction is an art form, not a race.” It’s a process you can enjoy. But Robert Harper of Ziebart Corporation isn’t sure DIYers should try it. The tools and polishes can damage the vehicle’s clear coat if not applied properly, so Harper recommends deferring to the pros unless “the paint damage you are trying to correct is minor, and only in a small area of the paint.”

Harper has a point. A bad paint touch-up can hurt eyeballs, even with an exact color match. If you don’t match the sheen of the existing finish, take pains to blend the repair and keep any touch-up paint you apply away from other parts of the car, it can be a disaster. This is definitely a job for someone who pays attention to details.
And if youre curious about answers to unique paint questions like: What is paint made of? , Does paint expire?, Does storing paint cans upside down actually work?How to paint leather furniture?Can you use exterior paint inside? or Can you paint on metal with acrylic?then look no further because we got you covered!

What Is Paint Correction?

The process of removing surface imperfections and restoring the original shine of a car’s paint.

“Automotive paint correction can be as simple as hand-buffing the painted surface of your car or truck with a quality wax to remove minor oxidation,” Harper says. “It can also be a very in-depth process requiring know-how, various power tools, pads and polishes that can help remove scratches and chemical etching from the paint.”

You can easily make scratches, nicks and oxidation spots disappear by spraying the whole car with fresh paint. When doing color correction, however, the goal is restoring the finish without completely repainting. It combines scuffing, rubbing and polishing with applying touch-up color when necessary.

How Much Does Paint Correction Cost?

Costs vary widely depending on the region of the country, the experience of the shop, and the level of correction needed. Some shops will charge by the scratch or by the panel, but most charge by the hour.

“In my experience,” says Harper, “$100 to $125 per hour is a realistic expectation.”

How Long Does a Full Paint Correction Take?

If you take your car to the shop, expect to leave it there for about two days. But it depends on the condition of the paint. A finish with multiple nicks and scratches will take longer to restore.

On the other hand, if the paint is in good shape and just needs some buffing and polishing to make it shine, you might get your car back on the same day.

Is Paint Correction the Same as Buffing?

No. Buffing is part of paint correction, but not the whole job.

The goal, as Flores puts it, is to “turn a dull finish into a mirror-like shine.” That involves removing swirl marks, fading from oxidation, scratches and etching from acidic sources like bird droppings and tree sap.

To do a complete job, you need a selection of abrasives, polishes and tools, and possibly some touch-up paint. You can often find an exact match at a car parts store, but sometimes you have to order it from the car manufacturer.

How Do I Know If My Car Needs Paint Correction?

It’s a little like deciding when to get a haircut. Some people like to keep their hair meticulously groomed, while others don’t mind letting it grow.

In general, you should consider paint correction if you can answer yes to one or more of the following questions:

• Is the finish dull and faded?
• Are there multiple spots left behind by washed-off tree sap or bird droppings?
• Are small areas of paint peeling or lifting?
• Can you see swirl marks or scratches in the finish when the sun shines?

Can I Do Paint Correction Myself?

Yes. I have done my own paint, and you can too. Flores has a few pro tips for getting great results:

• Start by thoroughly cleaning the car with soap and water.
• If you need to apply paint, use masking tape and paper freely to protect glass, metal and rubber from overspray.
• Assess the paint’s condition and hardness to choose the right pad and compound. Begin with mild compounds and light pressure and work your way up to more aggressive compounds and heavier pressure.
• Maintain a light touch when using a polishing tool. Let the tool do the work.
• Divide the surface into manageable areas to avoid overheating the paint and ensure thorough polishing.
• Use multiple passes. Overlaying light passes is better than one heavy application for depth and clarity.
• Wipe off polish residue frequently to evaluate your work and avoid buildup.
• When you’re done, apply a high-quality wax or sealant to protect the paint from UV rays, oxidation and environmental contaminants.

“Take your time and work methodically and with focus,” Flores says. “Rushing leads to swirls and uneven results.”

About the Experts

Richard Lopez (Riky) Flores is the owner of On the Run Detailing in Bakersfield, California. He started as a lube specialist and opened his detailing service five years ago.

Robert Harper is the director of product development and tech support for Ziebart International Corporation, an auto detailing chain. He trains and consults with auto detailing technicians nationwide.

The post What Is Paint Correction and How Does It Work? appeared first on Family Handyman.

Moss Green Exterior

The exterior of this home designed by @amyhuberdesigns features moss green siding (Eclipse by Sherwin-Williams) and black trim (Black Fox by Sherwin-Williams).

The farmhouse style is often done in black and white, but the green gives the home a fresh, unique look that stands out among the rest. Wood tone accents in the columns and garage doors add beautiful natural contrast.

The post 8 Refreshing Green Exterior Paint Colors appeared first on Family Handyman.

According to the National Floor Safety Institute, walkway surfaces are responsible for 50% of slip-and-fall accidents. Luckily, there’s a way to make your walkways less trecherous.

Nick O’Keefe, owner of Oak City Coatings, says adding sand to paint can increase traction, preventing tumbles on slick decking, driveways or porches and making your home safer for seniors. “You can also add sand to wall paint to give different faux finishes and textures,” he says.

We asked experts about when to use cost-effective, DIY-able sand texture for traction or aesthetics, how best to apply it, and what alternatives exist.

(Related: if youre curious about answers to unique paint questions like: What is paint made of? , Does paint expire?, Does storing paint cans upside down actually work?How to paint leather furniture?Can you use exterior paint inside? or Can you paint on metal with acrylic? then look no further because we got you covered!)

How To Add Sand To Paint

To achieve an effective texture for walls or traction for floors, follow these tips.

Select suitable sand

Don’t grab a bucket of sand from the beach. “Using sand from the outdoors adds dirt and contaminants to your paint,” says Nick Slavik, owner of Nick Slavik Painting and Restoration Co. “And the size of the granules are generally too large.”

Overly large grains won’t adhere as well to a wall or floor and can look unsightly. On flooring, they can also be uncomfortable underfoot.

Slavik says some companies make silica sand additives for paint. “They are a uniform granule size and clean,” he says.

Fine sand marketed for use on walls can add subtle aesthetic texture, but you need a coarser grain additive marketed for use on floors for traction. Slavik says manufacturers will recommend the amount to add depending on the use.

Pick appropriate paint

When adding sand for traction, Slavik recommends using specific floor paints for added durability in high-traffic areas. Choose a mold-resistant exterior paint formula for wooden decking or another outdoor surfaces.

Note: O’Keefe says adding sand doesn’t work well with semi-transparent stains. “These penetrating stains work their way into the wood, leaving the texture on top,” he says.

For textured walls, Slavic says “use a high-quality, premium wall paint for good coverage and usability.” Water-based acrylic paints work well for blending and adhesion.

Properly prep the surface

Prepare walls or floors for painting by removing peeling coatings, repairing surface imperfections, cleaning and adding a coat of primer. This provides an even finish and maximum adhesion so it lasts a long time.

Mix in the sand

Thorough mixing is key. “Otherwise, you can run into an uneven texture application due to the sand clumping together,” O’Keefe says.

Paige NeJame, owner of CertaPro Painters, South Shore and Boston, says improper mixing can also lead to sand coming loose after application.

How much sand you add depends on the desired finish and the sand type. “The manufacturer of silica sand additives will have recommendations,” Slavik says. In general guide, add about one part sand to every four parts of paint. Too much sand creates problems with paint adhesion.

“Have the paint store add the silica additive and shake it using their industrial paint shaker,” Slavik says. Once home, stir with a paint stirrer or drill attachment. “While using, stir every few minutes to keep the sand from settling,” Slavik says. Test the mixture before applying it across the entire surface.

Mixing can be messy. Place a plastic sheet, dropcloth or old newspapers under the paint can to protect the surrounding surfaces and furniture from spillages.

Apply the paint

Slavik says it’s important to use premium brushes or rollers and to keep a “wet edge” when working on walls or flooring. “This is where you [brush or] roll only sections that you can do while the paint is still wet,” he says. “This gives you a professional, even finish with minimal lap marks or shine differences.”

Apply a second coat of plain paint

Add a topcoat once the first coat is fully dry. Using a sand-free coat of paint on walls or floors seals in the sand, extends the life of the paint job and provides a more even finish.

When adding sand, finishing with a coat of clear floor sealant provides the same advantages as an extra coat of paint. It also offers extra moisture- and stain-resistant properties for high traffic surfaces. Be sure to select a sealer suitable for use with the paint and surface material.

The texture on flooring eventually wears away underfoot, meaning reapplication is typically required every two to three years.

Does It Work To Sprinkle Sand on Wet Paint?

Yes, you can sprinkle sand onto wet paint for traction.

O’Keefe recommends the “broadcast method” for an even textured result on floors. He says this involves “applying a coat of paint in smaller sections and, while wet, broadcasting the sand onto the wet area.” The preferred method of most floor installers, O’Keefe says this works well with heavy or coarse textures and lets you lay as much texture as you like.

You can sprinkle the sand by hand from a bucket. However, most professionals rely on specialist aggregate sprayers for even distribution. These products are available for rent from some home improvement retailers.

Other Materials To Add To Paint for Sand Texture

Sand is not the only thing you can add to paint for traction or texture. Consider the following options.

Perlite

“Perlite particles are light and don’t settle as quickly as sand does, making them easier to mix and apply evenly,” NeJame says. This makes them a convenient choice for texture on walls.

While perlite’s less-abrasive texture is more comfy under bare feet than sand, Nejame says it might not offer as much traction. If you’re considering it as a non-slip flooring option, test a sample before buying in bulk and covering a large floor.

Joint compounds

Adding joint compound, made from a mix of gypsum and limestone, creates a thick textural paint that can mimic a decorative, marble-like Venetian plaster finish. It doesn’t have anti-skid properties, so don’t add it to paint for traction purposes.

Other ground materials

“Other ingredients you can add to paint are textures like ground walnut shells or aluminum oxide,” O’Keefe says. Both of these coarse products can be used for texture or traction.

For texture on walls, you could also try partially soluble coffee grounds or insoluble cornmeal. Just keep in mind these can tint light paint colors. Never select soluble additives, which will completely dissolve in the paint.

Other Ways To Gain Traction on Surfaces

If you don’t fancy the messy job of mixing sand or other additives into paint, there are other options for creating non-slip surfaces.

• Non-slip paint formulas: “It’s really best to buy paint that comes pre-mixed with an anti-skid additive,” NeJame says. It’s convenient and provides an even and durable finish when you want traction.
• Anti-slip deck strips or textured tape: “The narrow non-slip strips are often made of fiberglass and come in colors that blend with the deck’s paint,” NeJame says. Alternatively, you can apply tape (often to stair treads). “This is low cost and more suitable for commercial applications where aesthetics aren’t the primary goal,” NeJame says. “We’ve installed these with glow-in-the-dark properties for extra safety.
• Textured rubberized coatings: NeJame says these adhere to the surface, providing a non-slip effect.
• Area rugs: O’Keefe recommends these. They’re commonly applied to indoor surfaces, but outdoor rugs for decks or porches are available.

About the Experts

• Paige NeJame is the owner of CertaPro Painters. They provide interior and exterior painting and carpentry services in the Boston suburbs and along the South Shore of Massachusetts.
• Nick O’Keefe owns Oak City Coatings, a paint company in Raleigh, North Carolina. They service interior and exterior painting for residential and commercial projects.
• Nick Slavik is the owner of Nick Slavik Painting and Restoration Co, a premier painting contractor in New Prague, Minnesota.

The post When Should You Add Sand To Paint? appeared first on Family Handyman.

Spray-painting calls for skill, to be sure. But it’s an easy skill to acquire with practice, and you can do a great job even if your technique isn’t perfect.

You’ll hear the same thing from every painter, professional or not: The quality of the final results depend more on the time and attention you’re willing to put into preparation than on the actual application of the paint.

I was a professional spray painter for many years. Although I’ve moved on to writing, I still occasionally break out the equipment to help friends with their interior painting projects. Here are some of the things I do while planning a job, executing it and cleaning up.

Get Enough Paint

After you’ve decided which paint to use, check the label for the coverage. Most products cover about 400 square feet per gallon. That figure may be lower if you opt for an all-in-one paint and primer or some other high-solids product.

Next, take the time to accurately measure the wall and ceiling space you have to cover, subtracting the space occupied by doors, windows and cabinets. Finally, plan for two coats one is never enough and add five to 10 percent more paint to account for overspray.

Pro tip: If you buy paint in one-gallon cans, mix it in a five-gallon bucket to ensure color and sheen uniformity.

Clear the Room

Don’t assume your prized sofa will be safe if you simply cover it with a drop cloth. If overspray doesn’t get it, an accidental spill might.

Besides protecting your furniture, moving it out of the room gives you more space to work and prevents the scenario where you’re trying to reach a corner obstructed by a heavy object.

Use Canvas Drop Cloths

After all the furniture is gone, cover the floor and any items you couldn’t remove (like built-in cabinets) to protect them from overspray.

Definitely go with canvas drop cloths. They’re heavier than plastic or paper, and the edges won’t lift if you get too close with the sprayer. Most importantly, they absorb overspray rather than letting it form a slippery film on the surface.

Get a Masking Machine

A masking machine (aka a hand-masker) is a simple, inexpensive hand-held device with one roller for masking paper and another for masking tape. It automatically sticks the tape to the paper and to the wall as you draw the machine in a straight line.

This tool cuts in half the amount of time you spend masking off doors, windows and other obstructions.

Use the Right Sprayer

You’ll need an airless sprayer for painting interior walls. When I worked professionally, the only ones available came with a pump that extracted paint from a can. A high-pressure hose connected it to the spray gun.

These are still the best to use for large jobs. But if you’re only painting one room, consider a handheld airless sprayer. They’re really easy to use, especially cordless models, and they do just as good a job. The one drawback: The attached canister only holds a quart, so you must refill it frequently.

Pro tip: If you’re spraying interior woodwork with a clear finish, like varnish, consider renting an air sprayer (aka HVLP sprayer) and a compressor if you don’t have one already. An air sprayer creates a finer spray pattern than an airless one. The pattern is easier to control and leaves a more uniform, splotch-free finish.

Work Safely

Unless your idea of a good time is washing dried paint off your body, cover every square inch of yourself, including your head and hands. And don’t forget to wear goggles and a respirator.

Test Before You Spray

Keep a large piece of cardboard or scrap plywood handy to test the spray pattern before you start painting the walls. This way you’ll determine how far you need to overlap each stroke to prevent streaking.

You’ll also learn quickly if the paint needs to be thinned. If it does, the sprayer will spit it out in globs. Better to have that happen on a test surface than the wall.

Use the Right Spray Painting Technique

Spray in a vertical or horizontal pattern, overlapping each stroke by half with the next one.

Despite your best efforts, some streaks may remain. Don’t try to correct these by loading on more paint or you’ll get drips. If you can see streaks after you’re done, you need another coat. On large surfaces, avoid streaking by spraying in a crisscross pattern, first horizontally and then vertically, or vice versa. If it still doesn’t look good to you, then here’s how you can safely remove spray paint.

Pro tip: If you do get drips, wait for the paint to dry, then scrape off the drips with a razor. Don’t try to wipe them off while the paint is wet.

Clean Up To Prevent Clogs

It’s extremely important to clean your spray equipment after every use to prevent clogging.

Spray excess paint into a bucket, then run the appropriate thinner through the machine until the spray is clear. Finally, disassemble the sprayer and clean the parts separately.

Pro tip: An airless sprayer will apply oil- and water-based paints. But oil-based paints are high in VOCs, and painters seldom use them for interior painting. In some states, it’s illegal. You’ll probably clean up with water.

The post Pro Tips for Interior Painting with a Sprayer appeared first on Family Handyman.

Black and White

One of the most popular color schemes on brick houses is black and white. It’s a timeless combination that looks good on almost any style of exterior.

Before the paint job, this home from @tatianahndz featured dated pink brick that had to go. The crisp white color gives the home new life and disguises some of the busy brick patterns.

The post 8 Exterior Brick Paint Color Ideas To Transform Your Home appeared first on Family Handyman.

We spoke to industry experts Chris Burke, a professional faux finish painter, and Frank Campanelli, owner of a full-service painting company. They offered tips, tricks and product recommendations to help DIYers achieve great results.

What Surfaces Can Be Painted To Look Like Wood?

Drywall, plaster, metal, concrete, medium density fiberboard (MDF) and plastic can all be painted to look like wood. Different materials may require different kinds of surface prep.

Use the Best Paint

Water-based acrylic paints are the go-to option for pros and DIYers alike. Fusion Mineral Paint, a 100% industrial-grade acrylic resin paint, is a favorite among DIYers, especially on furniture. It comes in various colors, features a durable matte finish and comes with a built-in topcoat.

Pros like Burke and Campanelli thin their paint with additives to create a glaze. “You put an agent in the paint that slows down the drying time, so you can work with it longer,” Campanelli says. “It makes the paint thinner, but still adds color.” Burke likes the Golden Artist Colors’ Open line for the same reasons.

When choosing colors, begin by determining which wood species you would like to emulate. Burke recommends finding examples online, then identifying the colors that exist in that piece to determine yours. The lightest tone will be your base coat, with any darker tones layered on top.

“A lot of times I’ll use Van Dyke Brown or Raw Umber or Burnt Umber and mix that in the glaze for the topcoat,” Burke says. “I’ll put these over a lighter base.”

How To Create a Wood Look With Paint

“Whether you’re doing oak or walnut or mahogany, it’s usually a four-layer process,” Burke says, “Then a clear topcoat.” Make sure to let each paint layer dry thoroughly before adding the next to avoid mixing colors.

• Prep: Start with a clean, smooth and properly primed surface.
• Base coat: Apply your lightest paint or glaze color to the entire surface with a brush. Like the primer, keep brush strokes in the same pattern and direction as you want the final look.
• Flogging coat: Flogging is a brush technique that creates a speckled texture in the coating, mimicking wood pores in real wood surfaces. “You put your glaze coating on with a regular brush, then slap it lightly with the sides of a three-inch or two-inch brush to make little tic marks in the background,” Burke says. If using paint, apply a thin layer so you don’t block out the base coat entirely.
• Add wood grain detail: This is the most technical and artistic step. Both pros recommend practicing these techniques before attempting on your final piece. What type of detail you add depends on the wood species you’re imitating, so study it to recreate its grain details. Generally, darker glaze or paint creates the lines and textures of real wood grain. Fine lines and patterns, knots and speckles can be painted with small artist brushes. These can then be dry-brushed to blend them into the surface. The goal here is subtlety and depth for a natural look. For wood with a pronounced heart grain, like oak, go with a product like Old Masters Wood Graining Tool. To use, apply a coat of paint or glaze to your surface, then drag and rock the wood grain tool across the fresh coating to imprint a grained texture into the paint. “Work in small sections at a time so that the coating is still wet enough to manipulate,” Burke says. You can also use sponges to blend or remove paint to create a realistic look.
• Toner layer: This is a final coating applied to the entire surface and adds a final subtle layer of color depth. If using paint, thin it down so it’s watery but still has pigment. The goal: Washing the surface with a little color, not covering up what has already been applied.
• Apply a topcoat: Burke and Campanelli recommend a separate clear topcoat, typically in a matte finish. This protects the surface but does not distract from the work. A water-based polycrylic can be applied in several thin coats with a brush.

About the Experts

Chris Burke, a professional faux finish painter, has owned and operated Mr. Faux, a residential and commercial faux finish business in Sterling, Virginia, for more than 30 years.

Frank Campanelli has owned Franklin Painting in Farmington, Connecticut since 1986. It’s a full-service interior and exterior painting company that offers faux finishes and paint customization.

The post Is There a Way To Paint Something So It Looks Like Wood? appeared first on Family Handyman.

Older rolled steel and galvanized roofs will require more frequent repainting, as well as rust management, to keep them looking good. If your metal roof is due for some attention, Daniel Haer, owner of DJ’s Painting in Bridgeton, New Jersey, calls repainting it yourself “a good project for homeowners.”

Learn why and how to do it right so your metal roof looks great and withstands the test of time.

Can You Paint a Metal Roof?

Yes. Any type of metal roof can be painted, including outbuilding and house roofs.

How often you need to paint it depends on its age and finish. According to Haer, most buildings today come with a rolled steel metal roof with a Kynar 500 finish, a high-performance weather-resistant coating. Finishes come in various colors for customization, so it’s becoming more popular in residential projects.

These newer roofs shouldn’t need repainting for decades, but color and protection will fade with exposure to ultraviolet rays and weather. At that point, paint renews that protective layer and keeps it looking good longer.

Older metal house roofs without a Kynar 500 or similar finish will need to be repainted every 10 years or so. Whether you paint your roof yourself or hire a pro depends on several factors.

If your roof came with a factory finish and it’s sound, without rust or bare spots, it’s a great candidate for a DIY paint job. Again, if under warranty, consult the manufacturer for recommended products and procedures.

“If you’ve got any rust already started, or you can see any exposed metal that doesn’t have a factory finish, call a pro,” Haer says, “They can properly remove and encapsulate the rust to prevent paint failure.”

If the pitch and height of the roof are low and within your comfort zone, it’s also a good candidate to paint it yourself. “As long as it’s an easily walkable roof, I’d say go for it,” Haer says, “But if the roof has a really steep pitch, that could be dangerous.”

If you feel uncertain or uncomfortable about being on your roof, best to hire a pro with the proper safety equipment and experience.

Painting metal roofs on sheds, garages and other outbuildings is definitely a DIY project due to the safer height and typically low pitch. Silver-colored galvanized metal roofs are good for sheds or outbuildings, and can be painted using the same steps as a rolled steel roof.

How To Paint a Metal Roof

Follow these steps to paint your metal roof the right way.

Consider the weather

For best results, prime and paint on days within your paint manufacturer’s guidelines for temperature and humidity. Look ahead and plan your project for a stretch of clear weather without precipitation. On a sunny day, try to start early to avoid painting on a really hot surface, which can affect paint performance.

Take safety precautions

Before climbing onto your roof, consider several safety protocols, tools and practices. These include:

• Enlist a helper, if possible, to hold the ladder in place and pass up tools.
• Identify any power lines near your home and avoid them when setting up ladders.
• Secure and stabilize the extension ladder properly against your house before climbing up. It should extend three feet beyond the eave.
• Wear sturdy, rubber-soled shoes.
• Wear a roof safety harness connected to a secure point, like a chimney, to prevent falls.
• Don’t work on the roof when it’s wet.

Prepare and clean

Use a pressure washer on a low setting to wash your roof, removing chalky residue, dirt or mold.

For stubborn organic growth, like algae or mold, Haer recommends spraying it with bleach, then rinsing with a low-pressure spray. Protect nearby bushes and landscaping with plastic. Wear eye protection, a face mask and gloves. Also, avoid walking on a wet roof to prevent falls. Allow the surfaces to dry thoroughly before proceeding.

For galvanized roofs, clean with a 1:1 vinegar and water mix to remove the protective coating, then rinse.

Apply primer

For this step, Haer recommends an alkyd oil-based bonding primer. Benjamin Moore’s SuperSpec HP Alkyd Metal Primer is a great product with excellent adhesion. Apply primer with a paint sprayer or extended roller and brush, starting at the peak and working down toward your ladder. Follow the manufacturer’s dry time before painting.

For galvanized metal roofs, use an acrylic metal primer, like Benjamin Moore’s UltraSpec HP Acrylic Metal Primer.

Apply paint

For rolled steel roofs, Haer suggests a high-quality exterior acrylic paint like Sherwin-Williams’ Superpaint or Benjamin Moore’s Regal. You can also use a direct-to-metal (DTM) paint like Benjamin Moore’s UltraSpec, but make sure to use an alkyd bonding primer underneath.

“We learned the hard way that if you put DTM paint directly on a roof surface, a lot of times it doesn’t bond properly,” Haer says, “So always start with an alkyd oil-based primer.”

Apply paint the same way as the primer, in the same order. Follow the paint manufacturer’s recommendation for dry and re-coat times.

For galvanized roofs, try Valspar’s Metal Building Siding and Roof Finish, an acrylic paint meant for metal roofs on outbuildings, barns and sheds.

About the Expert

Daniel Haer is the owner of DJ’s Painting in Bridgeton, New Jersey, a full-service company that provides commercial, industrial and residential painting services. In the 2000s, his company began painting the roofs of national chain locations in all 50 states for clients like McDonald’s, Walmart, The Home Depot and Walgreens.

The post The Right Way To Paint a Metal Roof appeared first on Family Handyman.

Garden Media Group’s 2024 Garden Trends report named Cyber Lime its Color of the Year. Overall, the report highlighted eco-optimism, which encompasses sustainability, climate change solutions, the future of horticulture and colors that echo nature.

Garden Media Group calls its mission instilling a passion for nature and love of gardening to all generations to improve environmental health and support human well-being. It describes Cyber Lime as vivid, punchy and powerful as it exemplifies the intersection of nature and technology during this moment in history.

We asked Garden Media Group president Katie Dubow and Happy Place Interiors owner and home stylist Melanie Zaelich why Cyber Lime was chosen, and how you can successfully incorporate it into your home.

Why Is the Color of the Year Significant?

Every year, design experts announce the new trends. Zaelich turns to the Color of the Year for guidance because it typically represents our current cultural state and our hopes for the future. “It’s a visual representation of where we are and where we want to go,” she says.

The Garden Media Group has picked Colors of the Year for 22 years. Besides being fun, Dubow says it helps her team stay innovative and inspires creativity throughout the industry.

Incorporating an annual trendy color into marketing campaigns, packaging and product design can effectively capture consumer attention while conveying a strong sense of modernity and in-the-moment relevance, she says.

“The annual announcement of the color has become a cherished tradition,” she says, “both within the design world and our garden world, infusing excitement and anticipation into the creative process, eagerly awaited by professionals and enthusiasts alike.”

It also gets DIYers excited about new projects to tackle.

Why Cyber Lime for 2024?

Zaelich turns to her color psychology and design background to assess why this color, and why now.

“I believe Cyber Lime was selected because it is bright, fresh and lively,” she says. “Green is the color of nature, of life and wellness. After the past few years, and all the current issues our world is facing, this bold color adds a splash of fun and vibrancy we all need. It’s truly the most optimistic color.”

Dubow says designers, inspired by the environment, are increasingly using colors that echo nature in a movement called greenterior. “More than color, greenterior mixes sustainability and environmental awareness with harmony in nature,” she says.

She also notes how Cyber Lime relates to technology. “As we veer more into a tech-forward world, this hyper-bright green signifies the powerful connection between nature and technology,” Dubow says. “The body and mind are stimulated and energized by this zesty, near-neon color.”

What Colors Go Best With Cyber Lime?

Despite its vivid appearance, Dubow says Cyber Lime can be used with many colors. Garden Media Group’s top pairings include:

• Black: The sharp contrast between Cyber Lime and black creates a sleek and high-impact look that conveys modernity and sophistication.
• Electric blue: Create a vibrant and energetic color scheme perfect for futuristic projects.
• Purple: This creates a visually striking contrast with Cyber Lime.
• Fuchsia: Combined with a bright green, fuchsia creates a bold, attention-grabbing color palette.
• White and tan: Cyber Lime also matches well with these neutrals.

However, Zaelich says the colors coordinated with Cyber Lime offer similar vibrancy and intensity. “It needs to be a crisp, clean, bright color,” she says. “Be careful putting Cyber Lime next to a color that is muted, earthy or dusty because they will clash.”

She recommends Cyber Lime with a rich navy blue, black, or charcoal gray. For a more colorful look, try it with fuchsia, vibrant teal or bright orange.

Ideas for Using Cyber Lime in Home Decor

According to Zaelich, Cyber Lime is an excellent color for decorating. “The vibe you want to create will dictate how much of this great color is enough and how committed you want to be with this color,” she says.

Though this color is bold, it has been around in various forms for decades. Here are a few tips for adding a punch of Cyber Lime to your home.

Decorative accents

Bring in a fresh pop of Cyber Lime without a permanent commitment.

Zaelich recommends adding the color to your living room, kitchen or home office with fun geometric artwork, table lamps, throw pillows and other non-permanent accents. Even a Cyber Lime accent chair would look powerful in a modern room or home office.

Plants

Neon lime houseplants are trending because they make the dramatic statement people are looking for, Dubow says.

“With their bright, eye-catching color, they shine equally in a corner of a room as on social media,” she says. “Most are also relatively easy to care for, making them a good choice for beginner plant parents.”

Examples include philodendron lemon meringue, golden violin and lemon lime; neon pothos; dracaena limelight; and limelight coleus.

Paint

This is a fantastic color to use for an accent wall or in a nook for a lively playroom, gym or entertainment zone.

Fixed features

If you really want to make a statement, Zaelich suggests using this color as a modern, stunning front door for a navy blue, charcoal or black house. In a mid-modern home, Cyber Lime would work well for a vertical backsplash tile in the kitchen.

The post Energize Your Home With Garden Media’s Color of the Year: Cyber Lime appeared first on Family Handyman.

Use a Pressure Washer

For overspray on a concrete garage floor or driveway, Sutter says to try a pressure washer. Depending on the type of paint and the time it’s been on the concrete, this method can work with or without harsh solvents.

“Water-based spray paints are easier to remove because they can often be dissolved or softened with water,” Sutter says, “making the cleanup process less demanding.”

Check the paint label. If your paint overspray is water-based, try using just water, or a soap and water mixture. If it just happened, you’re likely to dislodge it. “Oil-based paints, on the other hand, may require stronger solvents for removal,” Sutter says.

The post 8 Best Ways To Remove Spray Paint appeared first on Family Handyman.

In these situations, Tim Conn, president and co-founder of commercial cleaning solutions company Image One USA, advises three strategies: spraying a sealant, applying a waterproofing top coat, or mixing a waterproofing additive with your paint.

Wood tends to swell and contract with changing humidity. That does a number on paint finishes that aren’t supposed to be outdoors.

“Without proper waterproofing, your painted wood can be susceptible to damage from water and moisture, resulting in cracks, warping and discoloration,” Conn says. Even worse, paint that isn’t waterproofed can fade and actually flake off.

This can be a real problem when you’re painting signs for outdoors. You’ve probably seen at least one nearly illegible wooden sign whose message has been lost to the elements. That won’t happen if you properly waterproof the paint.

Does Painted Wood Need Waterproofing?

Yes and no.

If you painted with an exterior latex or oil-based formulation, then no. Exterior paints are made to withstand outdoor conditions. They’re flexible, resist cracking when wood swells and contracts, and repel moisture. Most also control the growth of mold and mildew. If you need to re-coat wood with exterior paint, another coat of the same type is all you need.

Interior paint formulations aren’t as robust. So if you choose an interior enamel or wall paint for its color or some other reason, you’ll need to waterproof it. The same goes for chalk, clay and milk paint.

What’s the Best Moisture Damage Protection on Wood?

The best waterproofing sealant maintains the original appearance of the paint as much as possible, while protecting it from the weather. Conn recommends three options that perform these tasks to varying degrees of efficacy.

Spraying a sealant

“Sealants are a popular choice for waterproofing painted wood because they provide a protective barrier without altering the appearance of the paint,” says Conn. “They create a waterproof layer on top of the paint while still allowing it to breathe.”

However, sealants typically contain silicone, which repels new paint as effectively as it does water. Silicone can be difficult to remove if you choose to repaint your wood.

Applying a waterproof top coat

You can waterproof most types of paint by coating them with clear polyurethane or acrylic. This method can be as effective as spraying a sealant, but may change the paint’s appearance by adding a glossy or shiny finish.

In some cases, a waterproofing top coat may also add an amber hue, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Even a small amount of pigmentation blocks UV sunlight and protects the finish.

Using waterproof paint

If you’re dead set on using an interior paint outdoors, you can mix in a waterproofing additive like Paint Prooferto help it repel water and resist mold and mildew. You can also choose a paint with a waterproofing agent already mixed in.

But Conn says these paints “may not be as durable as other waterproofing methods and may require more frequent touch-ups.”

How To Waterproof Painted Wood

If you need to waterproof painted wood, you have two options: sealing and top-coating. Conn recommends keeping the following tips in mind:

1. Clean and prepare the surface:Before applying any waterproofing product, make sure the painted wood is clean and free of dust and debris. Sand any rough spots or imperfections to ensure a smooth surface.
2. Test the product first: It’s always a good idea to apply it on a small, inconspicuous area of the painted wood first. This will help you determine if the product alters the appearance of the paint or causes any issues.
3. Follow instructions: Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions for proper application. This may include using specific tools or techniques, and allowing enough drying time between coats.
4. Apply more than one coat: Depending on the product, you may need multiple coats for maximum waterproofing protection. Be sure to allow each coat to dry fully before applying the next one.

Waterproofed Painted Wood Maintenance

Waterproofing finishes can deteriorate rapidly in harsh outdoor conditions, especially if the wood faces direct sun. Conn recommends regularly checking for any signs of damage or wear, and touching up as needed to ensure continued protection.

The post Your Guide To Painted Wood Waterproofing appeared first on Family Handyman.

When I worked at a refinishing business several years ago, my job entailed stripping, sanding and staining furniture to get it ready for spray painting. The person who did the spraying was a bit of a character. Co-workers jokingly attributed his unusually quirky personality to the amount of fumes he inhaled over more than 20 years on the job.

I always thought of him whenever I worked in my own spray booth, and the memory prompted me to always wear a respirator with fresh cartridges.

Thankfully, I can still count to 10 and back, so it appears my brain emerged from four years of daily spraying relatively unscathed. I tell this cautionary tale to remind anyone planning to spray paint that paint fumes are no joke. You need to protect yourself from them, even if you’re just using aerosol cans.

There’s one more thing you need to remember spray paint fumes can be highly flammable.

Is Spray Paint Toxic for Humans?

Yes. Check out this warning from a typical spray paint can label: “Repeated or prolonged exposure to these chemicals without the use of a proper respirator can cause permanent brain damage, as well as damage to your lungs.”

But solvent-based spray paints aren’t the only products that present a health hazard. You’ll find similar warnings even on water-based spray paints and many insecticides.

The danger doesn’t come directly from the paints themselves, but from the solvents and chemicals that make the paints sprayable. Many products are loaded with volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This is what the Ohio Department of Health has to say about the dangers of these chemicals:

“Exposure to very high levels of VOCs may cause damage to the liver, kidney or central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). High levels may also cause vision and memory problems.”

Is It Ever Safe To Spray Paint Without a Mask?

No. In some situations, however, you’re less likely to be exposed to harmful VOCs than others.

If you’re outdoors spraying water-based paint with an airless sprayer, the danger of inhaling toxic fumes is far less than if you’re working indoors. That’s partly because of fewer VOCs, and partly because air currents carry the fumes away. You probably don’t need a respirator, but you should still wear an N95 mask to avoid inhaling paint particles.

When working indoors, always wear a respirator, even when spraying water-based paints. Water-based paint mixtures may not include toxic VOCs, but they often contain additives to control mold, improve flow or hasten drying. These additives can be harmful.

Even when spraying an additive-free latex paint indoors, it’s best to play it safe and keep your mouth and nose covered.

Respirators for Paint

The right respirator is basically a type of gas mask. It fits tightly around your nose and mouth and contains two removable cartridges that absorb airborne VOCs rather than simply blocking them. The 3M 6001 organic vapor cartridge protects against fumes from paint products and thinners.

Don’t rely on dust masks when working indoors, not even N95 masks. They may block microscopic particles possibly even viruses. But they have no effect on VOCs.

Is It Safe To Spray Paint Indoors?

Yes, if you keep two things in mind. First, toxic fumes may affect others in the building. Second, ingredients in many paint mixtures are flammable.

You can protect others by confining your activity to one room, keeping the doors closed and positioning an exhaust fan in one window to blow air outside. Don’t forget to close HVAC registers to prevent fumes from circulating through the ducts.

Flammable paint products usually come with a warning on the label. If you’re using a flammable product, it’s even more important to provide active ventilation to prevent gas buildup. Of course, never use a lighter or heat source anywhere near where you’re spraying a flammable paint product.

What Is a Spray Booth?

A closed room with a fan that provides a controlled environment for spray painting. It can be large enough to spray cabinets, furniture or even cars, or closet-sized for small woodworking projects. Some hobbyists even set up portable or benchtop spray booths in their workshops or on their workbenches.

Besides an exhaust fan, a spray booth needs bright lighting and a well-sealed door to isolate it from the rest of the workshop. A spray hood doesn’t have a door, but comes with a powerful fan that sucks fumes out of the room and exhausts them outside. If you’ve oversprayed, then here are a few tips to remove spray paint.

Tips for Safe Spray Painting

Here’s a summary of ways you can work safely while spray-painting:

• Wear a mask: Always wear a respirator indoors and a dust mask outdoors.
• Provide ventilation: If you don’t have a fan, keep windows open to create a cross current, or move your work outdoors.
• Avoid open heat sources:This includes electric heaters with exposed elements and gas heaters. Store aerosol cans away from heat.
• Don’t use damaged spray cans:Damaged cans can leak toxic fumes even when you aren’t actually spraying.
• Never point an airless sprayer at yourself or anyone else:Airless sprayers develop enough pressure to force paint through the skin.

The post How To Spray Paint Safely appeared first on Family Handyman.

Set Up for Spraying

Spraying paint or finish provides a smooth look while saving time. But it also creates a fine mist of solvent and finish that’s dangerous to breathe and drifts and settles on everything in sight.

To avoid problems, work outdoors if possible. If you spray indoors, cover everything with plastic sheeting or drop cloths and wear a respirator fitted with organic vapor filters, especially if youre spraying lacquer. Also, put an exhaust fan in the window. Read the label on the can for additional safety precautions.

The post 9 Tips for Spraying Varnish on Wood appeared first on Family Handyman.

How To Prep Wood for Painting

A coat of paint won’t fill or hide cracks, chips and other surface defects in the wood, and it won’t smooth an existing rough surface. You have to fill and smooth the woodwork first.

Wash the woodwork with a TSP solution (or TSP substitute) to remove grease and grime. Mix according to the directions on the package and scrub with a sponge or rag. Be sure to rinse well with clear water to remove residues.

Scrape loose and cracked paint off the wood

Next, examine the surface for loose and cracked paint that needs scraping. Many scraper types are available, but a 2-in. stiff putty knife works well for small areas.

When you’re done scraping, you’re left with a rougher surface and a few more scratches and gouges than when you started. Don’t worry you’ll fix these areas next.

Mix wood filler

For dents and chips deeper than about 1/8-in., we like to use a two-part polyester resin. One example is Minwax wood filler. It sticks well, doesn’t shrink and sands easily. It’s also the best material for rebuilding chipped corners. Auto body fillers also work well.

Scoop out a golf ball-sized amount onto a scrap piece of wood or cardboard. Add the correct amount of hardener (follow the directions) and mix thoroughly but quickly. The resin only has a five- to 10-minute working time.

Keep in mind stiff putty knives work better for scraping; flexible putty knives work better for filling.

The post 6 Tips for Painting Interior Woodwork appeared first on Family Handyman.

Whenever I paint my home or rental properties, I always start with a paint calculator to avoid the costly mistake of buying too much paint. Here I’ll give you tips to measure your home accurately, step-by-step instructions on how to use a paint calculator, and my recommendations.

Benefit of Using a Paint Calculator

• Saves time;
• Saves money;
• Environmentally friendly;
• DIY-friendly.

How To Measure Your Home’s Exterior

No matter which paint calculator you use, start by measuring your home’s exterior. You’ll need a tape measure, calculator, paper and pencil.

To begin, draw one side of your house as a group of triangles, rectangles and squares. If you have a gable roof, one side of your house will be a square and a triangle to account for the peak. Measure the length and height of each shape, then round up to the nearest foot. Calculate the area of each shape and add them for the side’s total area.

Pro tip: To calculate the square footage of squares and rectangles, multiply length by height. For triangles, multiply length by height, then divide by two.

Next, measure all windows and doors on this side of the house and determine their total square footage, then subtract that from the total area measurements of the side. This will give you the square footage of the area that will require paint.

Repeat this process for all sides of your house to get the total. If you use a paint calculator that only requires linear measurements, you now have these numbers as well.

How To Use an Exterior Paint Calculator

1. Open the paint calculator website. I couldn’t find any reliable paint calculator apps geared toward homeowners. Any useful ones I found were for professionals and required a subscription.
2. Fill out all fields pertaining to your home with the measurements you gathered.
3. Hit ‘calculate’ and wait for the number of gallons to generate.

Exterior Paint Calculator Mistakes To Avoid

• Most paint calculators feature settings for ‘interior’ and ‘exterior,’ so make sure to select ‘exterior’ before entering your information.
• Don’t forget to subtract windows and doors, and any unpainted surfaces like chimneys or stone faades.
• If you plan to paint any outbuildings, like a shed or garage, make sure to include them in your calculator entries as well.
• Most exterior paint calculators will generate their estimate based on one coat of coverage. If you plan to do two coats, double the number before heading to the paint store.

Great Paint Calculators

Look for a paint calculator lets you to customize your estimate and has fields for a variety of information and measurements. Avoid ones that refer to general measurements like “small” or “large” to describe your house, or rely on interior square footage only.

Sherwin-Williams offers a great paint calculator that gathers detailed information, including the texture of your siding, which impacts the amount of paint needed for adequate coverage. It also lets you add a side at a time, great for homes with additions or bump out sections. It takes into account sides with peaks, and you can subtract windows, doors and trim for each side as well.

Valspar offers a thorough exterior paint calculator. It gathers information about each side of your house, and even offers a separate field for peak height. It also has an in-depth trim calculator that accounts for trim length and width.

Dutch Boy’s exterior paint calculator is best suited for a quick estimate. It doesn’t ask for a lot of details, but does account for siding texture and the number of windows and doors. If you’re looking for a ballpark number, this one will do fine.

The post Exterior Paint Calculator Options and Use appeared first on Family Handyman.

“Textured rollers can create visually interesting patterns and textures, adding depth and character to a surface,” Paige NeJame, owner of CertaPro Painters, South Shore and Boston, says. “They can mimic the look of materials like fabric and stone.”

NeJame explains that textured rollers can also help conceal imperfections on drywall or plaster surfaces and even help dampen sound.

We asked the experts for their tips for painting with a textured roller to achieve the look you want.

Choose the Right Roller

Textured rollers feature naps (fiber strands) with different lengths, structures and materials to help create particular looks, such as the popular bumpy orange peel effect.

“Textured rollers also come in different patterns, such as swirls, bricks and stucco,” Nick Lopez, Founder of LIME Painting, says.

Both Lopez and NeJame recommend textured rollers from popular brands Purdy and Wooster. However, there are many styles to choose from, and Lopez suggested trying out different patterns and styles to find the one that best creates your desired finish.

Wool

Textured paint roller covers with naps made from lambswool or other knit fabrics, such as polyester, hold paint well, apply evenly, fill crevices on rough walls and can produce a stippled, orange-peel texture. Lopez says some textured rollers can also create a natural wood grain or stone effect.

A nap length of at least three-quarters inch usually works best. However, a shorter nap can be better when using a paint mix containing a lot of additives (such as sand), otherwise, it’s tricky to roll out evenly.

Patterned rollers

“Patterned rollers can create more intricate patterns on the surface,” Lopez says.

Most people use a plain foam roller to quickly and evenly apply thin paint smoothly. However, try a foam decorative art roller with an embossed design to create an interesting feature wall.

Looped material

Looped plastic naps, like the one on the Wooster specialist roller, produce a decorative stucco effect when using thick, textured paints containing lots of compound additives, such as sand, joint compound or limestone. These rollers work best on rougher surfaces.

Choose the Right Paint

“Homeowners can get the textured finish they are looking for more easily if they use a paint specifically designed to leave behind texture,” NeJame says.

The best textured paint depends on the finish you’re looking to create and the porosity of the surface. There are lots to choose from, including grainy, clay, stone-like or chalky limewash paint formulations. You can also mix additives into standard paint. “We’ll mix drywall joint compound with a paint coating to create a heavier texture on walls and tint the substrate (the surface material being painted),” NeJame says. “The tint can minimize the need for additional coats of paint.” Her company also sometimes adds perlite to the coating to achieve a sandy texture.

Of course, you can also use standard paint with a textured roller. “If you are using a rough, knobble-textured roller, an oil-based paint will often work best because it can better penetrate the small crevices and create an even coverage,” Lopez says.

“However, if your textured roller is more subtle and smooth, you may find a water-based paint will do the job better,” he says. Lopez and NeJame agree that water-based paints are more versatile. They are easier to work with, clean up more easily, emit fewer fumes and dry quicker.

“However, drying quickly is not necessarily a benefit if you want to get the textured paint ‘just so’,” NeJame says.

Test the Texture

NeJame and Lopez recommend testing your textured roller and paint combo on a scrap of drywall or a large piece of cardboard. You want to ensure you can achieve the expected finish, and it can help you perfect your rolling technique.

“Adjust the roller pressure or switch to a different roller until you achieve the desired texture,” Lopez says.

Prep the Wall

While textured rollers and paints can help mask surface imperfections, the right paint prep work is still important for an even, long-lasting finish.

“Ensure the surface is clean, dry and free of debris before applying the textured roller,” Lopez says. NeJame recommends rolling on a primed or, at least, already painted surface.

Load the Roller Conservatively

“Textured rollers tend to absorb more paint than regular rollers, so you should be careful not to overload them,” Lopez says. “Apply a thin layer of paint first and build it up gradually to achieve the desired effect,” he says. NeJame says sometimes you may need to thin the paint for more even application.

Use Light Strokes

Don’t think pushing the roller hard against the surface will help create a more defined look. “Light and gentle strokes should be used when rolling,” Lopez says. “Allow the textured roller to do its job and let it create the desired texture.”

Try Reversing the Roller Direction

Lopez says that reversing the roller’s direction can add subtle variation, depending on the look you want to achieve. “This prevents a monotonous texture appearance on your wall,” he says.

Work Methodically

“Textured rollers can create an uneven surface if you cover a large area at once,” Lopez says. Depending on the roller, paint and surface type, you might need to work on small sections at a time and blend the edges with a soft-bristled brush to avoid visible seams. If you want a particularly rough texture, try using the roller dry on thick, partially dry paint.

Rollers can make painting large walls quicker and easier, but Lopez says you need more time when working with a textured roller. “You may need to apply several coats to get the desired effect,” he says. This is especially true if you want a very bumpy finish.

The post 8 Tips for Painting With a Textured Roller appeared first on Family Handyman.

I’m a retired furniture finisher/refinisher, and I used to paint over stained wood all the time, but with an important caveat. If the wood already had a finish that was wearing thin or starting to crack or peel, I stripped or sanded it off before painting.

If I was planning to apply a new clear finish, I always sanded off all the stain down to the bare wood in preparation for restaining. If I was going to paint, I didn’t bother getting all the stain, because the paint covers the blotchiness.

Can You Paint Over Stained Wood Without Sanding?

You generally don’t need to sand new wood that has been stained before painting, but it depends on the results you’re after. If you want a super-smooth painted finish, scuff-sand, which is lightly sanding (scuffing), the surface by hand (not with a machine), to smooth out bumps using 150- or 220-grit sandpaper.

This method works well, especially if you’re going to spray the paint. Scuff-sanding knocks down the wood grain that has been raised by application of a stain, especially a water-based stain, and smooths things out.

Sanding is more important if you’re painting old finished wood. If the finish is in good shape, an orbital sander and 150-grit sandpaper dulls and etches it and helps the paint adhere better. If you don’t like sanding, you can also use liquid sandpaper or a similar deglossing agent to dull the finish and improve paint adhesion.

If old varnish or lacquer isn’t in good shape, sanding with 120-grit sandpaper gets rid of the flaking and peeling finish, and because you’re going to paint, it doesn’t matter whether some of the stain comes off or not.

Can You Paint Over Stained Wood Without Priming?

It’s always advisable to apply a coat of primer to stained (or unstained) wood before painting. Primer helps seal knots and pores in the wood to provide more uniform paint coverage, which is something stain doesn’t do by itself.

Sometimes you may be tempted to skip the primer, particularly if you’re working with a close-grained hardwood like maple or oak, but that’s not a good idea. And there’s one particular instance in which you shouldn’t:

Suppose you have just completed a woodworking project. The wood is sanded and freshly stained, but you’re unhappy with the color, so you decide to paint. In this case, you might encounter bleed-through if you paint right away, especially if you cover an oil-based stain with latex paint. Bleed-through happens when some of the pigmentation migrates through the paint and discolors it.

There’s a simple way to handle bleed-through. Let the stain dry until it isn’t tacky, then apply a coat of stain-blocking primer. If you’ve already painted, and the stain is bleeding through, you can apply the primer directly over the dried paint. When the primer dries, apply a fresh coat of paint.

Best Paint To Cover Stained Wood

You can cover stained wood with pretty much any type of paint, including:

• Latex and acrylic latex.
• All-in-one paint and primer.
• Alkyd (oil-based) paint.
• Milk paint.
• Interior and exterior enamel.
• Lacquer and shellac.
• Spray paint from a can.

It bears repeating that the stain has to be dry. Some stains form a thin film on the surface of the wood, and these may contain varnish that needs to cure for a day or two after the stain is dry to the touch.

How to Apply Paint Over Stained Wood

If you want to paint old furniture or cabinetry with an existing stain and finish, it’s important to remove any furniture wax or polish first. Some polishes contain silicone, which will make the paint bead and separate (which is a condition called fish eye!). You can tell if wax is present because you can scrape it off with your fingernail or a coin. To test for silicone, spray water on the surface, and if it forms beads, the test is positive. Check out these tips to lighten stained wood.

Clean the wood

The amount of cleaning depends on the condition of the wood. New wood needs very little cleaning or none at all, while exterior wood may need a thorough cleaning with soap and water to remove mold. If there’s wax on the surface, remove it with fine steel wool and mineral spirits. Silicone is difficult to remove, but you should be able to get most of it by scrubbing with an abrasive cleaner such as Ajax or Barkeeper’s Friend.

Sand or degloss

Scuff sand by hand to smooth new wood or use a sander to remove flaking finish from old wood. If an old finish is in good shape, you can degloss it with liquid sandpaper in lieu of actually sanding.

Make repairs

Fill holes, tighten joints and make other necessary repairs.

Apply primer

Apply a coat of primer. If you think bleed-through may be a problem, use a shellac-based stain-blocking primer. Otherwise, any top-quality, high-solids primer will work. Give the primer about an hour to dry, then scuff lightly by hand with 220-grit sandpaper.

Paint

Apply one coat of paint by brushing or spraying. Let it dry for an hour or two (depending on the paint check drying time on the container), then scuff with 220-grit sandpaper and apply a second coat. A third coat is optional.

The post Can You Paint Over Stained Wood? appeared first on Family Handyman.

Why Does Paint Dry Darker?

All paints contain evaporating chemical or water-based thinning solvents to help produce an even finish and speedier drying times. Water is the most common solvent, but other thinning chemicals include turpentine, alcohol, acetone, xylene and toluene.

“In most cases, a paint will dry darker than a wet paint shade since the solvent (in the case of a latex paint, it’s water) evaporates as it dries,” Dennis Fiorilli, Director of Product Excellence at Sherwin-Williams, says.

“The paint’s actual color never changes throughout the application and drying process,” Tim Bosveld, VP of Product Management at Dunn-Edwards, says. It is just that the highly reflective surface of the solvent-containing wet paint makes the paint seem lighter.

This illusion subsides when the paint is dry and not so reflective. At that point, you will see the true color like the swatch you chose.

So, if you are looking at the paint wet in the can, remember it dries darker. If the paint looks lighter or darker on your wall than the swatch, it is likely an illusion created by lighting or paint sheen.

Can I Prevent Paint From Drying Darker or Lighter?

Thankfully, paint swatches reflect the dry paint appearance rather than the wet one. However, there are factors that can cause your dry paint to differ from the swatch shade once on the wall. To help prevent this, consider the following painting tips.

Mix thoroughly

Always mix your paint thoroughly before use to ensure true, consistent color. The solid pigments can separate from the liquid binders over time. As well as affecting color, this can make the paint more lumpy and difficult to apply.

Store paint correctly

If you plan on keeping a partial can of paint for touching up your walls, don’t forget to seal and store it properly. If you don’t properly fit the lid, evaporation could result in more concentrated pigment that might result in a darker paint finish.

Use a primer

Adding more coats of paint won’t magically make your paint appear darker, although it can stop an old darker shade from bleeding through. However, Bosveld recommends using a paint primer, especially when transitioning from dark to light colors. “Primer can help ensure the true color of the paint shines through,” he says. Primer also helps provide a uniform surface and promotes better paint adhesion.

Regularly repaint

Paint fades over time, and this can happen faster if your wall soaks up lots of bright sunlight. If you notice your bold shade gradually becoming lighter over the years, it could be time for a fresh coat.

Should I Choose a Paint Color Darker or Lighter Than What I Want?

“Many conditions affect the appearance of colors from wall texture to lighting conditions,” Bosveld says. “The only way to be completely satisfied with color selection is to test it using samples and live with it for a while,” he says.

However, below are some considerations that can influence whether a paint shade will look lighter or darker when it’s on your walls.

Paint sheen

“Different sheens can appear to be darker or lighter because of the reflectance of light on the paint film,” Fiorilli says. “Flat paints tend to appear darker because they absorb light. A semi-gloss finish appears light because it reflects more light,” he says.

Available light

“Lighting conditions change from morning, noon, to night and can significantly impact how a paint color appears,” Bosveld says. “If you’re testing a paint sample, it’s a good idea to sit with it for a few days so you can see it in every light.”

In a south-facing room that receives a lot of natural light, the color might look lighter than it does on the swatch, and it could appear darker once it is on the walls of a north-facing room with small windows.

However, it’s not just about the natural light your room receives. The brightness and tone of your artificial lighting can also affect whether paint appears lighter or darker than the swatch. So make sure you consider the color once the lights are on.

Surrounding decor

A color can look totally different on your walls than in the staging of a home magazine. Much depends on the surrounding colors of your decorative accents, furniture, floors and soft furnishings. If you’re using a bold shade in a room of light contrasting colors, it will look darker than in a space full of other complementary tones.

The post Do Paints Dry Darker or Lighter? appeared first on Family Handyman.