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 is proud to maintain an ongoing working relationship with Northview High School, completing multiple school painting projects across the campus over the years. In addition to on-site work, several Northview staff members—from the front office team to school administration—have also trusted Mendez Painting for their residential painting needs, highlighting our commitment to quality and reliability. Project Overview This stadium painting project focused on the Northview High School stadium, specifically the highly visible side facing the main roadway. Because stadiums are major focal points for schools and surrounding communities, proper preparation and execution are essential for long-term durability and visual impact. Our team began by professionally pressure washing the exterior stadium wall to remove dirt, buildup, and surface contaminants. This critical preparation step ensures proper paint adhesion and is a key component of any successful school or stadium painting project. Stadium Painting & Finish Work Once preparation was complete, Mendez Painting sprayed and back-rolled the stadium wall using Northview High School’s official blue color. This application method delivers a smooth, even finish while improving resistance to weather exposure—an important factor in large-scale stadium painting and exterior school painting projects. The existing stadium signage consisted of raised lettering mounted to the wall rather than painted directly onto the surface. To improve durability and simplify future maintenance, our team carefully traced the layout of the existing lettering, removed the raised letters, and hand-painted the new lettering directly onto the wall. The finished hand-painted signage accurately recreated: “Northview High School” “Home of the Titans” Why Stadium Painting Matters for Schools Professional school and stadium painting provides long-term benefits beyond aesthetics. A freshly painted stadium exterior helps protect masonry and concrete surfaces from moisture, UV exposure, and surface deterioration, extending the lifespan of the structure and reducing maintenance costs over time. From a branding and community standpoint, well-maintained stadiums promote school pride and create a positive first impression for students, parents, visiting teams, and spectators. Because this portion of the stadium faces a main roadway, the updated paint and lettering significantly enhance visibility and curb appeal. By replacing raised lettering with professionally painted signage, the school also benefits from a streamlined appearance, reduced risk of damage from mounted elements, and easier updates in the future—making this approach ideal for long-term school painting maintenance. The Final Result This completed Northview High School stadium painting project delivers a bold, clean, and professional appearance that reflects the school’s identity while improving durability and visibility. From surface preparation to detailed hand-painted lettering, the project showcases Mendez Painting’s expertise in school painting and stadium painting services. Mendez Painting is proud to continue serving schools throughout Georgia with high-quality, dependable painting solutions and looks forward to supporting future campus improvement projects.
Breathing new life into your home’s interior doesn’t always require a full renovation. Here are some interior painting services that will enhance your space.
Exterior Wood Repair & Painting in Cumming, GA: November 2025 Rental Home Refresh In November 2025, Mendez Painting had the opportunity to assist another repeat customer—this time with the exterior of a rental property in Cumming, GA. As with many rental homes, keeping the exterior in good condition is essential for protecting the property and making a strong impression on future tenants. During our initial inspection, we walked the homeowner through everything we found and answered some important questions along the way. Identifying Rotted Wood & Prioritizing Repairs One of the first questions homeowners often ask is, “How do I know if my siding or trim needs to be replaced?” For this project, our team identified obvious signs of deterioration, including rotted and softened wood in key areas. At the same time, we noted that some sections still had plenty of life left in them. We believe in full transparency, so we pointed out exactly what needed replacement and what could stay, helping the customer make informed decisions without unnecessary costs. Another common concern is, “Can you repair wood damage without replacing everything?” In many cases, yes. Just like with this home in Cumming, we focused only on the areas that required immediate attention, ensuring the property remained structurally sound while staying within the homeowner’s budget. Siding & Trim Replacement Done Right Once priorities were set, Mendez Painting moved forward with replacing the essential siding and trim sections. Proper wood replacement is critical for preventing moisture issues and stopping damage from spreading. Our team made sure every new section was installed securely and prepared correctly to ensure long-term durability. A Fresh Exterior Paint Job for Better Curb Appeal After the repairs were completed, we turned our attention to the next big question homeowners often ask: “Why is painting after wood repairs so important?” Fresh exterior paint acts as a protective seal, shielding the new materials from moisture and sun exposure. It also creates a smooth, uniform appearance—something especially important for rental properties where curb appeal plays a major role in attracting new tenants. With a full exterior paint job, the home took on a clean, revived look. The improvements not only enhanced the property’s appearance but also set it up for future renters. Preparing the Home for Future Tenants During the project, the homeowner asked, “Do exterior repairs really help increase rental appeal?” Absolutely. A well-maintained exterior signals that the property is cared for, which attracts higher-quality tenants and helps prevent costly damage later on. In this case, the refreshed siding, trim, and paint gave the rental home a polished, well-kept appearance ready to welcome its next occupants. Supporting Cumming Homeowners & Property Managers This November project shows how Mendez Painting continues to support local homeowners and property managers with dependable exterior repairs and painting services in Cumming, GA. Whether you need rotted wood replaced, your siding inspected, or your exterior refreshed with new paint, our team is here to help protect and improve your property. If your home needs exterior repairs or painting, contact Mendez Painting today to schedule your next project.
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