Brush up on paints and enamels

IAVE the D-i-yer's enthusiasm is Lfdampened as he enters the paint department and is greeted by literally dozens of different cans. Except for price and color, they all look the same to him. But a salesperson who can help Dave find the product best suited to his application will create a grateful, certain-to-be-regular customer.

Interior paints come in flat (no shine), satin, semi-gloss and gloss

Story at a Glance

Selling interior paints and enamels requires product knowledge ... flat vs. gloss, latex vs. oil-base, and why that's important.

(high shine), as well as various formulations (latex, oil-base, alkyd- or synthetic base, etc.).

Enamels provide a tough, washable finish for hard-wear areas or for rooms, such as kitchens and baths, which require high resistance to moisture, dirt and grease. High-gloss, eggshell and even flat enamels are available.

Flat paints usually have an alkyd base that thins with turpentine or mineral spirits or a latex base that thins with water. Latex paints are usually vinyl- or acrylic-based or a combination of the two.

Alkyd flat paints should hide better with a single coat than will comparable latex flat paints, but brushes and other tools must be washed with turpentine or a similar solvent. Latex flats spread easily, especially on porous surfaces and seldom require a primer.

Flat wall paints are typically applied to ceilings and walls, except in kitchens and baths. The frequent washings required in kitchens and baths necessitate a semi-gloss or gloss paint.

For windows, doors, trim and other woodwork, recommend satin, semigloss or gloss enamels. These surfaces get more wear, fingerprints and soil than walls. Glossier enamels are in higher demand since they wash more readily. Semigloss latex paints make good finishes for wood trim areas.

FYI: VOC

Many paints and finishes include solvents that contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which contribute to air pollution. In light of increasing government regulaLicil, paint manufacturers are reworking paint formulations to make them less hazardous to the environment.

Dealers should familiarize themselves with the differences between the old and the reformulated products. Request and read manufacturer literature and product labels. Some "environmentally safe" products may, for example, require additional applications or take longer to dry. Pass the information on to youi customers.

Enamels and gloss paints tend to show brush and roller marks readily, so users will have to apply them more carefully, especially on hot, dry days. They must also prepare interior surfaces for good results. Cracks and holes must be repaired, and patched areas spot-primed. Surfaces must be free from grease, dirt, mildew and chalking, washed well, thoroughly rinsed and allowed to dry before repainting. If surfaces are badly soiled, a trisodium phosphate type (TSP) cleaner may be needed.

If the customer will be repainting glossy surfaces, sufficient cleaning materials must be used to dull surfaces. A liquid cleaning/dulling solvent may be used or the surface can even be lightly sanded.

High-gloss surfaces typically do not provide good adhesion for new coats ofpaint.

Latex paints can be thinned with water and are easily applied. Compared to oil-based paints, the advantages oflatex paints include less odor, no flammability, rapid drying, easy touch-up, water cleanup, easy application (even on damp surfaces), better gloss and less fading on exterior surfaces, no yellowing on interior surfaces, and increased flexibility and less brittleness (making them less likely to crack and peel).

Weaknesses, especially with lower quality latex paints, are poorer adhesion to badly weathered or chalking surfaces and less effective hiding qualities.

Oil-base paints consist of a pigment in a mixture of resins and thinners. When the thinners evaporate, the resins form a hard coating while the pigment forms the color. Their advantages over latex paints include better penetration of the surface, better adhesion, wearability, better flow and leveling, and drying to a smoother finish with fewer brush or roller marks.

Drawbacks are odor, cleanup with solvents or thinners, and longer drying times. They cannot be applied to moist surfaces.