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The big box stores employees at the paint counter seem as ignorant as a novice about the vagaries of application most likely because they themselves are novices
by korethr 5y ago
The big box stores employees at the paint counter seem as ignorant as a novice about the vagaries of application most likely because they themselves are novices. They may know quite a bit about colors and matching and how to work the mixing machines, but they probably don't have much more experience painting than the average homeowner. That knowledge comes more from doing, whether its a handful of projects as a homeowner, or regularly as a professional.
IMO, the stores could do better about offering basic information about this, about when one would need a primer, or just a topcoat, what kinds of paint bases are appropriate for what applications, what kinds of application methods are appropriate, etc. Instead, the response of the big box stores seems to be to skip the question entirely with combined products, e.g. "paint and primer in one".
- clairity 5y agoyes, there's no experience or incentive for better knowledge in big box stores unfortunately. i've moved on to buying from a local paint specialty store, which is owned by a family that i believe is/was in the construction/painting business. they cater mainly to contractors but also sell to the wider public. oh, and yeah, paint and primer in one does neither job very well.
- korethr 5y agoAs someone who's painted professionally, I can confirm the truth of this.
- renox 5y agoYep, been there too: paint is really something where you want to avoid the big shop and goes to speciality stores instead (paint peeling from the wall? Color changing after a year? Done and done --> switched to a dedicated paint store == no more issues, the paint itself is more expensive sure but the result is stable)
- loonster 5y agoPaint peeling could also be a humidity issue. I had paint peeling on my ceiling due to water problem in the basement.