FAQ

The Environmental Protection Agency states that, to qualify as Low VOC, latex paint must contain no more than 250 g/L and 380 g/L for oil paint.

The term No VOC or Zero VOC for the paint is actually a misnomer. The No VOC labeled paint will actually contain some (less than 5 g/L) VOCs. Adding pigment to the paint will likely add another 2-5 g/L to the total.

They provide even light reflection and give the surface a softer, more uniform look.

They don’t highlight surface imperfections like higher sheen paints, so they usually don’t require as much surface preparation (like patching, texturing or sanding) prior to painting.

They are much less likely to show “lap marks”, so they are generally easier to apply and touch up than higher sheen paints. (When one painted section dries before the next section is painted, the two sections won’t flow together into a uniform film, resulting in a “lap mark.”)

They don’t need to be sanded or de-glossed before repainting, unlike higher sheen paints.

Interior paint typically gets dirty in many situations: hand prints around switches and knobs; splashes in kitchens and bathrooms; marks on hallways and corridors; “soot” accumulating above electric lamps and other heat sources. Removing dirt before it accumulates not only improves appearance, it reduces chances of it getting permanently embedded in the paint film.

Check for dirt periodically and assume it will be present in and near cooking areas (airborne cooking oil) and at all places at hand height. Always initially clean the surface with a mild detergent using a sponge or a soft cloth. Resort to harsher cleaners only when necessary, recognizing that alkaline cleaners can dull the sheen or gloss of oil based paint. Abrasive cleaner will burnish nearly any paint and will dull the gloss of satin, semigloss and gloss products. Washed surfaces should be rinsed thoroughly because residual cleaner can interfere with adhesion of paint applied later.

Sheen refers to the light reflectivity of the painted or varnished surface. There are varying degrees of sheen, from no sheen to high gloss. Though some paint manufacturers may refer to their paint sheens by different names, generally, from lowest to highest, paint sheens correspond to these reflective degrees:

• Flat finish
• Eggshell finish
• Satin finish
• Semi gloss finish
• High gloss finish

They have better stain resistance, so they resist dirt pick up and stay cleaner longer.

They have better scuff and wear resistance, so they’re good for high traffic areas and on surfaces that are handled, washed or scrubbed frequently.

They have better moisture resistance, which makes them ideal for surfaces and areas that are frequently exposed to high humidity levels.

They tend to highlight any surface imperfections.

They are harder to touch up than lower sheen paints, because the higher sheen tends to highlight the slightly raised surface of the film where the touch up was done.

They usually need to be sanded, de-glossed or primed prior to repainting, to ensure good adhesion of the new paint.