Painting

[diggitydot]

If there is zero texture on the wall, it will be OK. It just won't hold much paint and you'll be going back to the pan more frequently. If there is any texture whatsoever, I'd recommend at least a 1/2" nap cover. Rough texture? 3/4".

Texture on walls and ceilings tends to vary by location and year of last remodel. Midwest and and eastern homes have little texture due to the history of wallpapering in those areas. West coast tends to have textured walls and the type of texture depends on year of construction or last remodel.

[Deebs]

When I first started painting, i went to Home Depot and tried a few different roller covers with different sizes and types of naps. From that, I picked my favorite. The benefit of doing one room at a time is that by the time you're done, you'll know exactly what you like to use and what surfaces it will work best on.

[ides]

If there is zero texture on the wall, it will be OK. It just won't hold much paint and you'll be going back to the pan more frequently. If there is any texture whatsoever, I'd recommend at least a 1/2" nap cover. Rough texture? 3/4".

Texture on walls and ceilings tends to vary by location and year of last remodel. Midwest and and eastern homes have little texture due to the history of wallpapering in those areas. West coast tends to have textured walls and the type of texture depends on year of construction or last remodel.

It was built in 1929 and the walls are wood slat and plaster. I've seen smooth mostly in other houses but the plaster was redone/repaired/recoated about 5 yrs ago, so I don't know if the house originally had textured or smooth plaster walls. It's fairly bumpy. I'll pick up a half inch and 3/4 covers tomorrow and see what works better. I'm guessing 3/4 but we'll see.

I was planning on using non voc paint for the rest of my painting since the smell bugs me and gives me headaches. Is there a difference in quality between regular and non voc? Is one a better paint or are they pretty equal?

[diggitydot]

They're pretty equal, but all interior latex paints are already "low" VOC. Volatile organic compounds = solvents. Latex paints have very few solvents because they don't really need many. Oil based paints? Lots of solvents.

Primers tend to be a little smellier, depending on the product. What are you priming with?

[ides]

Painting

I'm using zinsser 123. It's quite thick. I've just done one coat. Its not completely even however I'm going to next use a tinted primer then the room color.

[diggitydot]

There is no reason to do two coats of primer unless there are crazy stains on the substrate that will bleed through. Even if you had completely bare drywall/plaster/drywall compound, one coat is plenty of primer.

Zinsser primers are kind of smelly, particularly the B•I•N primer. It's a white pigmented shellac so it cleans up with denatured alcohol. The 1-2-3 comes in an oil and a latex. I'm sure you have the latex because the oil-based one is becoming more and more difficult to find.

If you're not noticing any stains coming through the prime coat, stop using primer. Because it lacks the pigments and solids of a paint, it won't ever cover like paint over that dark color. You're better off using a paint that has lots of titanium dioxide (white pigment) because it WILL cover that crazy dark color.

Two coats of a good quality paint will cover over dark colors better than a coat of primer and a coat of paint. Only prime when you need to seal a substrate or block stains from bleeding through. To prime and then paint two coats of wall paint over that primer is a waste of time and money.

[ides]

Thanks. I'm using the latex. You can still see some darkness through the primer and its not particularly even. I'll go ahead and just do two coats of color. Is there any style of SW paint you recommend more over any one of them?

Here is a pic of the primed room.

[Sheherezade]

You are making me feel bad that we just painted two walls in my daughter's room black! (Well, dark, dark charcoal.) She's a modern design kid and her room is all black/white with sky lights and wood floors. It really does look good, I promise....

We also use Sherwin Williams here. It's pricey but somehow we have a contractor's account. That gives us a 40% discount -- so WORTH it. We do buy a lot of paint....

[diggitydot]

Thanks. I'm using the latex. You can still see some darkness through the primer and its not particularly even. I'll go ahead and just do two coats of color. Is there any style of SW paint you recommend more over any one of them?

Here is a pic of the primed room.

That's exact how primer is supposed to look. It's not paint so it doesn't cover like paint.

Most of the SW paints are of good quality so long as you avoid "builder-grade" products. They typically aren't going to sell them to you unless you ask for them specifically. Always ask for the contractor discount at a paint store, too. They give it out all. the. time. You nether need to be a contractor or have a charge account to get it.

Dark colors can look REALLY cool, but it takes the right kind of room and lighting. Small rooms that are already dark and have a traditional style? No bueno. Large, open, modern and/or minimalist? Dark colors look fucking awesome.

[ides]

I think there is a time and place for uber dark paint. Usually it involves a teenager.

[ides]

That's exact how primer is supposed to look. It's not paint so it doesn't cover like paint.

Most of the SW paints are of good quality so long as you avoid "builder-grade" products. They typically aren't going to sell them to you unless you ask for them specifically. Always ask for the contractor discount at a paint store, too. They give it out all. the. time. You nether need to be a contractor or have a charge account to get it.

Dark colors can look REALLY cool, but it takes the right kind of room and lighting. Small rooms that are already dark and have a traditional style? No bueno. Large, open, modern and/or minimalist? Dark colors look fucking awesome.

Thanks !

[Alacrity]

Just saw the walls after the primer.
It reveals a lot of the plaster imperfections.

Personally, I'd get a good plasterer to skim coat it.
Another option is drywall

But I digress

[SuzySunshine]

Our house was built in the 30's, it has that same texture. Personally I like it, I think it gives it character.

[diggitydot]

Texture helps hide imperfections. That's part of the reason why it's so common in newer homes.

[ides]

I like the texture but its harder to paint for sure. All those nooks and cranies. As well, the whole house is textured the same so I'd have to skim coat the whole house. No thanks. Got the first coat of blue on the walls today. I hope to do the second coat tomorrow but I'm not sure it will happen as O has a b-day party to attend. I'm using SW Duration Home in matte, Resolute Blue. I'll post a pic after the second coat dries.