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Which paint do I actually need?
Most people walk in with no idea where to start — that's normal. Answer a few questions and we'll tell you the paint line, the sheen, and why, in plain English.
What are you painting?
Inside and outside are different chemistries. Start here and everything after it narrows down fast.
The one rule to remember
Sheen is a trade-off, not an upgrade. The glossier the finish, the tougher and more washable it is — and the more it reflects light across the wall, which pronounces every patch, seam, and bit of texture. A flat finish hides all of that but cleans up gently. Pick the lowest sheen you can live with for how the surface will actually be used.
Answers
What South Florida customers ask us most
The questions we field every day at the counter in Delray Beach and Lake Worth Beach.
What sheen should I use on interior walls?
Eggshell is the default for most South Florida living areas — a slight glow, easy to wipe down, and forgiving on normal walls. Go down to matte or flat if the walls are patched or textured, and up to pearl in halls, kids' rooms, and bathrooms where you'll actually be scrubbing.
Does a higher sheen really show imperfections more?
Yes, and it's the number one regret we hear. Sheen is reflected light, and reflected light rakes across a wall and reveals every patch, seam, and roller lap. Flat scatters light and hides them. If the wall isn't in great shape, either keep the sheen low or budget for skim-coating and sanding before you go glossy.
What's the best paint for a Florida bathroom?
A mildew-resistant interior paint in pearl, or Aura Bath & Spa if you want a matte look in a room that steams daily. Ventilation still matters more than any paint — run the fan during and 20 minutes after a shower.
What paint holds up best in the Florida sun?
For exteriors, Element Guard and Aura Exterior. Both resist fading, mildew, and algae far longer than a standard exterior paint. Colors built from translucent pigments — yellows, oranges, reds, and pinks — fade fastest here, so those are the colors most worth spending on.
Can I paint outside during the rainy season?
Yes, with the right product and timing. Element Guard can go on a damp surface and is rain-ready in roughly an hour, which fits the summer pattern of a hard afternoon storm. Standard exterior paints need a longer dry window and are risky in July and August.
How much paint do I need?
A gallon covers roughly 350–400 square feet per coat on a smooth surface, less on stucco or knockdown texture. Plan on two coats for almost everything, and more if you're going from a dark color to a light one. Our coverage calculator does the math for you.
Do I need primer?
Prime bare drywall, bare wood, patched areas, stains, glossy surfaces, and any drastic color change. A self-priming paint is genuinely self-priming over a sound, similar-colored existing coat — not over the situations above.
Is expensive paint actually worth it?
On a repaint, the labor is the expensive part; the paint is a small slice of the total. Better paint typically means fewer coats, better color retention, and more years before you do it again — so the cheapest gallon is often the most expensive decision. The exception is rentals and turnovers, where a value line makes real sense.
What's the difference between flat, matte, eggshell, satin, pearl, and semi-gloss?
They're steps on one scale from no shine to a lot of shine. As you climb, washability and durability go up and forgiveness goes down. Flat and matte hide walls, eggshell and satin are the everyday middle, pearl handles moisture, and semi-gloss and gloss belong on trim, doors, cabinets, and shutters.
What paint should I use on kitchen cabinets?
A waterborne alkyd like ADVANCE in satin or semi-gloss. It levels out brush marks and cures hard enough to take daily handling. Success is 80% prep: degrease, scuff-sand, and prime with a bonding primer.
How long should I wait between coats?
Follow the label, but in our humidity plan on the longer end of the recommended window. Recoating too early is the most common cause of soft, tacky, or peeling finishes here.
Can I get a color matched from another brand?
Yes. Bring in a chip, a sample, or the color name and code and we'll match it on our tinting equipment while you wait.