Speaking personally, my experience is that the paint is second-fiddle to the labor, especially the prep work. Anytime I've had to have a house painted, it was with Sherwin-Williams, and I can't complain about the quality of the paint. Or, FTM, the job. But we were careful to hire people who would do the necessary cleaning/scraping/repair/priming, etc. Really, the expense of the paint is almost trivial. Make sure whoever is doing the job knows what they're doing and don't cheap out on the labor. Even the best paint applied haphazardly will not last long. If you're talking the same contractor and it's just the difference in the price of the paint, I'd go with the lower bid. It won't make that much difference in the end.

Thx Steve! I totally agree, the prep job is very important.

I forgot to mention those prices are based on 5300 square feet. I think I got a good deal but I do want to make sure that the price doesn't come with the sacrifice of quality.

Big Tex

Very Interesting News for EVERYONE.

I just got a call from the Benjamin Moore store that sells the paint to the painter. Apparently BM just came out with a new version of Moorgard and Moorlife that has a LIFETIME warranty like Duration. The best part is the price does NOT change. Just like Duration the product is thicker and uses some new technology. I hate to be the guinea pig but a life time warranty for exterior paint sounds appealing.

The only catch is the warranty is available only on the Exterior paint line. Apparently they didn't upgrade the interior paints. That will probably come later.

The new model number is N105 and N103. The additional (N) in the part number is the important part. That specifies that the base is the new concentrated mix that comes with the lifetime warranty. If anyone else familiar with this?

Thx

Big Tex

More Info:

http://benjaminmoore.com/wrapper_pg3.asp?L=prod&K=xprods&N=prodext&groupid=8&productid=255#article

Here is a link that might be useful: New Lifetime Warranty for Benjamin Moore!!!!

I have used BM exterior paints over the last 30 years, and on my current house I used BM Moorewood. I was not pleased with the Moorewood life (about 6 years). It was put over an oil-based primer on cedar clapboard. I've started re-staining (solid body -> paint) with Behr (Home Depot) and like the way it handles/looks. I'm using the 10 year formulation, not the top of the line, as it was rated very highly by Consumer Reports. I'm putting on two coats this time.

I think BM is over rated, but I have no experience or knowledge of the newest forumlations... it may be a lot of marketing.

Michael, Paintman...

Are you out there? Do you have any thoughts?

Thx Jerry. I agree BM has done a great job of selling their paint. The fact they have some new technology has thrown me for a loop. Some people love BM some not.

To make matters worse there are several new brands on the market that claim to have new wonderful technology. The challenge is their not very accessible.

Thx Big Tex

Hi Big Tex -

I have painted professionally for over 20 years. I have used S-W and BM. I swear by Benjamin Moore, I have had less success with S-W. You will always save in labor costs with BM - it's just easier to use. I agree with Steve - spend your money on the prep. Most paint failures are caused by the condition of the surface. Go with an oil base primer on wood - it penetrates the wood instead of sitting on top of it.

SW Superpaint is a great product. I've painted almost all of the rooms in my house with it and have had great results. At the end of the day there probably isn't a dime's worth of difference between SW's or BM's top of the line paints.

Thx Loodean and Cheez...

We decided against Duration, just too expensive. I'm still trying to figure out what the difference is between the Old BM formula and the New One. The new formula includes a lifetime warranty; I wonder if that's marketing or a significant change to the formula to warrant such claims.

Michael????

Thx for all the advice folks...

Big Tex

Tex,

The difference is in the formulation of 100% acrylic resin and an alkyd (linseed oil) resin. It's actually a mix of acrylic latex and alkyd oil.

I believe it's a worthwhile paint. I've used it to paint over cedar boards and it sealed nicely.

I would use it over brick.

As long as the brick is in good condition and clean, no primer is required. If it's in fair condition and aged, I would seal it with masonry sealer, not primer.

Talk to your painter about the prep. That's the most critical part of any paint project.

Michael

Michael,

Thx for chiming in. I appreciate the paint formula 101. Is the new formula (100% Acrylic) a better product or was it created to fend off future VOC litigation? Someone in the paint store said I should go for the old stuff (25 year warranty) because itÂs made with better materials. This is all so confusing.

I must admit I'm also confused about priming brick. I thought it was a necessity to prime brick due to its acidity and desire to absorb moisture. I paid the painter to include primer in my bid. The brick is new and is in good shape. You mention masonry sealer, how is that different from primer and should I insist on using sealer in place of primer? The painter was planning on using Primer from Sherwin Williams.

Lastly, what cleans better BM Matte and BM Aquavelvet?

Thx for the advice!!!

Big Tex