What's the Best Paint to Use for my Project?
7008412259 • May 2, 2025
What Paint is Best For Your Project? Don’t Fall for the “Lifetime” Paint Marketing Tricks: What Actually Works (From 25+ Years of Experience)
Mendez Painting has had the opportunity to work with Bill for almost 20 years—we first met back in 2008. The introduction came through a Sherwin-Williams rep at the time. From the very beginning, Bill was a strong advocate for Duration paint. Mendez Painting has never had an issue with Duration or Emerald, but in our experience, there’s no real advantage to using them—aside from paying more. They don’t necessarily offer more longevity or a better finish compared to other options.
Over the years, Mendez Painting completed several properties for Bill using Duration paint. About five years after the first job, Bill realized he wasn’t seeing any extended lifespan from using it. That’s when he and Mendez Painting agreed to switch to SuperPaint, 25 year paint by Sherwin Williams. Not only did it perform just as well, but it also helped save him money.
Funny story—in March of 2025, Mendez Painting worked on the exterior of Bill’s personal home. His house is 20 years old, and he had always been proud of the paint job it received when it was first built. He asked what paint was being used, and for a moment there was some confusion on our side—especially since he had always insisted on Duration. So the team at Mendez Painting and Bill took a look at the original records. Sure enough, the house had originally been painted with SuperPaint. That was a turning point for Bill—no more overpaying for a name.
Don’t let paint manufacturers mislead you with promises of “lifetime” paints.
Mendez Painting's Recommendation:
For exteriors, Mendez Painting recommends SuperPaint. After more than 25 years in the business, Mendez Painting has seen the evolution of paint technology—and also the evolution of marketing strategies designed to boost profits. The truth is, the surface you’re painting on makes the biggest difference—not just the paint itself. The paint is only as good as the surface it’s applied to.
Here’s some helpful info to guide your decisions:
Best Materials for Holding Paint:
- Hardie Board and Paintable PVC: These surfaces hold paint extremely well.
- Watch out for: Fading, which affects all paints (especially darker colors). Lighter colors and a satin finish will resist fading better. For example a lighter color and
- satin finish would be 2 pros against fading while a satin finish paired with a darker
- color will give you 1 pro and 1 con.
Second Best: Stucco / Brick
Stucco
- Stucco holds paint very well over long periods of time.
- Tip: Avoid satin finish on large stucco areas—it tends to highlight inconsistencies. Use
- flat paint for a cleaner, more uniform look.
- Note: Stucco is sensitive to texture changes. Any repairs will be visible.
- Recommendation: Use SuperPaint in a flat finish for exterior stucco.
Brick
- Painting brick is perfectly fine—brick is also one of the best surfaces for holding paint.
- Key tip: The only time you may run into issues is if there are existing problems like
- persistent water runoff or leaks. These are not paint-related issues—they’re pre-existing
- and should be addressed first, if possible, though at times it may not be architecturally
- possible to correct before painting.
Two Painting Systems for Brick:
1. Waterproof System – Recommended by Mendez Painting
- Loxon Primer + SuperPaint (Satin or Flat)
- This creates a sealed surface. Water or humidity stays on top and doesn’t penetrate.
- Recommendation: Use Satin for a longer-lasting, more protective finish.
2. Breathable System
. Loxon Primer + Loxon Finish
- This allows humidity to pass through the coating and brick, helping moisture escape.
- Recoating Recommendation: For brick, Mendez Painting recommends recoating every 6-7 years to maintain the finish and prevent moisture damage.
- Note: The Loxon Primer is only necessary for bare brick. If the brick has been previously painted, it does not require a primer.
Garage Doors:
- These take paint well and maintain their look for years.
- Main concern: Fading.
- Recommendation: Use a gloss or satin finish for durability and appearance. Use Superpaint
Wood Trim (around windows, upper roofs, etc.):
- High-maintenance surfaces.
- Require regular upkeep: pressure washing and touch-ups every 2–3 years to stay in good condition.
Metal Roofs:
- High-maintenance due to extreme summer heat and fading from sun exposure.
- Recommendation: Repaint every few years to maintain appearance and protection. Remember to not fall for the marketing trick of “lifetime” paint.
By understanding the materials being painted, you can make better-informed decisions—not just rely on marketing claims. Mendez Painting is here to help customers get the most out of their investment—honestly and professionally.
Mendez Painting recently completed a painting and woodwork renovation job for one of its longtime clients in the Milton area. After a leak in the home, the family took the opportunity to upgrade the house from a traditional look to a more modern style. Updating the Foyer with Modern Woodwork One of the updates included replacing three massive frames in the foyer area with one-piece trim. This helped create a cleaner and more modern look in the space while updating the existing woodwork. Adding Iron Doors & Creating a Focal Point Mendez Painting also added iron doors to the office and front door as part of the home's updated style. The entry wall was also dressed up to create a focal point and add to the modern look of the home. This Milton, GA project combined painting and woodwork renovation to update several important areas of the house while moving the overall style from traditional to more modern. Painting & Woodwork Renovation in Milton, GA Mendez Painting provides painting and woodwork renovation services throughout Milton and the North Metro Atlanta area. Projects like this can involve updating existing woodwork and making changes that help bring a different style to the home.
A good paint color is one that works with your home's existing elements. Personal taste is a good guide for interiors you'll live with, while colors that may appeal to more buyers can make sense when you're preparing to sell. At Mendez Painting, we help homeowners across North Metro Atlanta choose colors for interior and exterior projects. Here are the three approaches we use. 1. Choose a Color That Works With Your Home's Existing Elements Every home has fixed elements that stay in place, like the roof, brick, stone, flooring, cabinets, and countertops, and non-fixed elements that can change, like furniture and decor. A paint color tends to look better when it harmonizes with both. 2. Choose a Color Based on Your Personal Taste Choosing a color you love is perfectly acceptable, especially for interiors. You're the one living in the home and looking at the walls every day. 3. Choose a Color That Appeals to Buyers If you're selling, many Realtors recommend white for the interior, and sometimes the exterior, because they consider it a trending choice that may appeal to more buyers. What If White Doesn't Work With My Home? White doesn't look good with every home's existing elements. When it doesn't, a neutral color is another option. Two neutral options to consider: Agreeable Gray by Sherwin-Williams Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore The Right Color Fits Your Home and Your Goals Whether you're painting for yourself or for buyers, the right color is the one that works with your home and matches your goals. Mendez Painting serves homeowners throughout North Metro Atlanta with interior and exterior painting and can help you weigh your options. Frequently Asked Questions Should I paint my house white before selling? Many Realtors recommend white because they consider it a trending choice that may appeal to more buyers. However, white doesn't work with every home's existing elements, so a neutral may be a better fit. What are some neutral paint colors besides white? Agreeable Gray by Sherwin-Williams and Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore are two neutral options to consider. Should I choose paint colors based on trends or personal taste? If you're staying in the home, personal taste is a good guide, especially for interiors. If you're selling, colors that may appeal to more buyers are worth considering. What are fixed and non-fixed elements of a house? Fixed elements stay in place, like the roof, brick, stone, flooring, and countertops. Non-fixed elements can change, like furniture and decor. A paint color tends to look better when it works with both. Does Mendez Painting help with color selection? Yes. Mendez Painting helps homeowners throughout North Metro Atlanta consider their options when choosing interior and exterior paint colors.
Did you know that not all interior painting companies are the same? Read this article if you want a checklist for hiring a talented one for the job at hand!
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