7 min read
The paint on the tin is not the finish on the wall
Homeowners often start with a brand question. It is the wrong first question. The finish you live with is the result of the substrate condition, the primer, the number of coats, the film build, and the weather during application. Two identical tins on two identical walls, applied differently, will fail on different timelines.
So the first question is: what is on the wall now, and what is it doing?
Match the system to the substrate
Bare cement plaster, previously painted plaster with sound coating, previously painted plaster with failing coating, face brick, and rendered surfaces all need different primers and different top-coats. A single 'exterior paint' answer for every wall is a marketing answer, not a specification.
A serious quote will name the primer, the top-coat and the number of coats. It will also note where the substrate needs remedial work before any paint is opened.
What to ask any contractor
Ask: what is the substrate doing? What primer are you using and why? How many coats? What is the recoat time? What preparation is included in the price? What happens if it rains inside the recoat window?
If you get vague answers, the finish will be vague too.