Planning

By Sherwin Williams
A fresh coat of paint is the most inexpensive way to "remodel" a room. Thanks to our high quality coatings and applicators, even first-time painters can achieve professional-quality results.
We're here to help you through this process with easy-to-follow tips and online project planning tools that answer common questions on how to paint.
And, with more than 3,000 neighborhood Sherwin-Williams stores across the nation, it's easy to get the paints you want and the friendly expert advice you appreciate.

Choosing the Right Paint
The type of paint you'll use depends on how the room to be painted will be used and the type of finish you want. Interior paint is specifically formulated to provide:
· Scrubbability and stain resistance
· Good hiding ability
· Good coverage
· Spatter resistance
· Easy touch-up
Latex or Oil?Interior house paints are either latex- or oil/alkyd-based. Today, most oil-based paints are made with synthetic resins (alkyds), which perform better than paints based on natural oils. Each has different characteristics and uses. Your neighborhood Sherwin-Williams paint expert can provide advice about which paint is right for your project.
Latex - Get the longest-lasting finish with the best gloss retention. Sherwin-Williams latex paints are easy to work with, dry quickly and are extremely durable. Latex paints clean up easily with soap and water.
Oil / Alkyd - Good adhesion, excellent durability and stain resistance make Sherwin-Williams oil/alkyd-based paints excellent choices for trim in high-traffic rooms, such as kitchens and bathrooms. Clean paint tools with mineral spirits.

Matching Paint to Surfaces


Choosing the right paint for the surface will help ensure that you achieve a quality paint job that will last.
Ceilings - Use specially formulated flat ceiling paint (such as Classic 99® or StylePerfect®). The flat finish hides irregularities and lap marks. Ceiling paint rolls on with minimal spatter and won't yellow over time.
Woodwork - Use either latex or oil/alkyd paint. Always prime bare wood. Easy-to-clean semi-gloss finishes are first choice, but when wear-and-tear is modest, flat or satin finishes are fine selections.
Walls - Because it's easy to work with, latex paint is an excellent choice for do-it-yourself projects. Latex paints can be applied over properly primed drywall, wood or masonry.
Metal - Use either latex or oil/alkyd paint on properly primed iron or steel. You can apply latex directly on aluminum and galvanized metal. However, these metals need to be properly primed if you're using oil/alkyd-based paint.
Masonry - For cement, concrete block and brick surfaces, acrylic latex wall paint designed for masonry surfaces is an excellent choice.
Floors - Use high-gloss acrylic floor enamels to stand up to abrasion, traffic and heavy scrubbing.


Selecting a Finish


From flat to gloss, both latex and oil/alkyd paints offer a full range of finishes. The sheen you choose is based on the final look and wearability you want to achieve.
Flat - Its matte appearance softens a room and helps hide surface blemishes, making walls look smooth. This finish, which cleans easily with a damp sponge, is ideal for:
· Adult bedrooms
· Dining rooms
· Formal living rooms
· Ceilings
Satin - With its slight gloss, this finish offers the benefits of a flat finish with added cleanability. It works best for high-traffic areas such as:
· Halls
· Woodwork
· Children's bedrooms
· Family rooms
Semi-Gloss - This lustrous, durable finish is perfect for areas that get cleaned frequently, such as:
· Kitchens
· Bathrooms
· Utility area
· Closet doors
· Trim
Gloss - This extremely hard and shiny finish provides a rich, smooth luster and is excellent for:
· Wood trim
· Cabinets
· Doors
· Furniture