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.

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