In this day and age, anyone can claim to be an expert about a subject and post something online, and many people often believe what they see or read. Over time, many myths and misconceptions about house painting have been spread around and are now deemed by many to be true. So we want to spend some time reviewing some of these common myths and putting the correct information out into the world. Myth 1: Dark paint colors always make a space look smaller One of the most widely spread misconceptions is that using dark paint colors will make a space look and feel much smaller than it is. Darker wall colors will naturally absorb more light entering a room, while lighter colors will reflect the light. If your space already receives a lot of light, then the paint color won’t make much of a difference, and if the space doesn’t get much light, often times leaning into the darker atmosphere will be more effective than trying to fight it. You can also balance out darker walls with various design elements such as mirrors, lighting, furniture, flooring, and other architectural features. Myth 2: Primer is an option This myth possibly originated from professional painters who mentioned very rare circumstances where primer wasn’t needed. Often times people think that if they have a smooth surface with no peeling or cracked paint that they don’t need to use primer. However, in most cases, it is essential to use primer before painting. It helps paint adhere to the wall, makes the finished surface look smooth and polished, and gives you high-quality long lasting results. Myth 3: When using primer, no other prep work is needed Over the years, we’ve heard the myth that a good primer will cover everything and that you don’t need to clean or sand the surface first. This can’t be farther from the truth! It is extremely important to prepare your walls before painting by sanding off any peeling or chipped paint and thoroughly cleaning all the dirt, grease, and grime from the surface. The primer is the layer that seals the surface material, locks the paint to the surface, and increases the paint’s durability. It will not adhere to the wall surface properly if there is a layer of dirt or anything else in the way! Myth 4: Adding essential oils to paint will make it smell better Adding essential oils to paint may seem like a good idea, but in reality, it’s not. Most paint formulations today have little to no odor and lower fumes, so masking their odor is almost unnecessary. Adding anything extra to the paint can also void the manufacturer’s warranty. In many cases, oils and fragrances are alcohol-based and will not mix properly with the paint. Myth 5: All paint brands and types are equal This is definitely a myth. Not every paint brand produces long-lasting results. Different types of paints are better for different types of surfaces. Always do your research or discuss with a professional painter to ensure you’re choosing the right type of paint for your project that will produce high quality and long lasting results. The team at Grand Junction Painters can point you in the right direction of several high quality brands that we use regularly. Myth 6: High gloss paint is the most durable Most people assume that glossy paint is more durable than matte or satin finishes because they hear it’s easier to clean and resistant to peeling. However, a paint finish determines the appearance of the paint, not its durability. Glossy paint has a higher shine but isn’t more durable than matte or satin. Myth 7: It doesn’t matter what brushes you use to paint Choosing the right paint brush or roller for your project is a science and must be a priority when preparing to paint. If you want the paint to be applied well, you need to use a high-quality brush. Keep in mind that different types of paint and different surfaces require different types of brushes. Getting help from an expert is also a good idea when it comes to choosing the right brushes for your projects. Myth 8: You must always use two coats of paint The number of paint coats you apply depends on the circumstances of the project. You can save yourself some time and money by just applying one coat in certain situations. Some factors to consider are how well the area is prepped, the quality of the paint, the paint color you’re painting over and if it’s lighter or darker than the new paint color. Consult with a professional painter to determine what they think is the appropriate number of coats for your particular project. Myth 9: Doing it yourself is cheaper than hiring a painter If you have a lot of experience and quality supplies for painting, maybe it will be cheaper than hiring a professional, but that’s not usually the case. Hiring a professional who is an expert in their field will not only save you time during the process, but will also lengthen the amount of time before your space needs to be painted again. A professional painter has better equipment, is usually able to get discounts on the paint, and will do the job much faster than if you tried to do it yourself. How much is your time worth? You won’t have to move furniture, stand on ladders, make repairs or prep the area to be painted, nor will you have to do any of the clean up work after the painting is completed. The team at Grand Junction Painters is ready to help with all of your interior and exterior painting projects, no matter how big or small. Call us to day for a free consultation!