Question 1

How many coats of paint do I need?

Accepted Answer

Two coats is standard for most interior and exterior painting. The first coat seals the surface and evens out colour, the second coat provides full coverage and durability. You might get away with one coat if you're repainting the same colour over a well-prepped surface with premium paint, but two coats always looks better and lasts longer. Drastic colour changes (white to dark red, dark blue to white) often need tinted primer plus two topcoats.

Question 2

What's the difference between flat and eggshell paint?

Accepted Answer

Flat (matte) paint has no sheen, hides wall imperfections, and creates a smooth, velvety look — but it's hard to clean and scuffs easily. Eggshell has a slight sheen (like an eggshell), is more washable, and resists scuffs better while still hiding minor flaws. Use flat for low-traffic areas like adult bedrooms and ceilings. Use eggshell or satin for living rooms, hallways, and kids' rooms where you need to wipe down walls. Semi-gloss goes on trim, doors, and kitchens/bathrooms because it's very durable and easy to scrub.

Question 3

Do I really need primer?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in most cases. Primer is essential on new drywall (seals the porous surface and prevents topcoat from soaking in unevenly), bare wood (blocks tannin bleed and improves adhesion), and stained areas (blocks water stains, smoke, crayon, or dark colours from bleeding through). Skipping primer on these surfaces leads to uneven colour, bleed-through, and poor durability. If you're repainting a clean, well-prepped wall in a similar colour, you might skip primer — but adding primer is cheap insurance for a better finish.

Question 4

When can I paint exterior in Ontario?

Accepted Answer

Paint when daytime temperatures are consistently 10-30°C and no rain is forecast for at least 24-48 hours after application. In southern Ontario, that's roughly May through October. Avoid painting in direct hot sun (paint dries too fast and can crack) or in high humidity (paint won't cure properly). Early morning or late afternoon in mild weather is ideal. Cold temperatures (under 10°C) prevent proper curing, and painting in fall when nights drop below 5°C can ruin the finish.

Question 5

How long does exterior paint last in Ontario?

Accepted Answer

Good-quality acrylic latex paint lasts 7-12 years on siding, depending on sun exposure, colour (dark colours fade faster), and surface prep. South and west-facing walls take the most UV and weather damage and may need repainting sooner. Wood siding needs repainting more often than vinyl or fiber cement. Oil-based alkyd on trim can last 10-15 years. Signs it's time to repaint: chalking (powdery residue on your hand when you touch the paint), fading, peeling, or bare wood showing.

Question 6

Should I spray or roll interior paint?

Accepted Answer

Rolling is standard for occupied homes: it's controllable, creates good texture, and doesn't require extensive masking. Spraying is faster for large new-construction projects or empty rooms, but overspray gets everywhere — you have to mask windows, floors, fixtures, and anything you don't want painted. Many pros spray and back-roll (roll over the sprayed paint immediately) to push paint into the surface and create even texture. For most homeowners, rolling is the practical choice unless you're painting an empty house.

Question 7

What causes paint to peel?

Accepted Answer

Peeling happens when paint loses adhesion to the surface. Common causes: moisture (leaking roof, plumbing leak, high humidity) pushing paint off from behind; painting over dirty, greasy, or glossy surfaces without cleaning or sanding; skipping primer on bare wood or drywall; painting in cold or wet weather so paint never cures properly; using low-quality paint that doesn't flex with temperature changes. Fix the underlying moisture or surface problem first, then scrape, sand, prime, and repaint.

Question 8

What's the difference between zero-VOC and low-VOC paint?

Accepted Answer

VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are solvents that evaporate as paint dries, creating the "paint smell" and contributing to indoor air pollution. Low-VOC paints have under 50 grams per liter of VOCs, while zero-VOC paints have under 5 g/L. Zero-VOC doesn't mean zero smell — you'll still smell some odour from pigments and resins — but it significantly reduces offgassing and is better for indoor air quality, especially in bedrooms and kids' rooms. Performance is now comparable to traditional paints, so zero-VOC is worth choosing for interiors.

Question 9

What are drywall finish levels and why do they affect my paint job?

Accepted Answer

The Gypsum Association defines six finish levels (GA-214 standard), and your painter needs to know which level you have before choosing paint sheen. Level 0 is unfinished (temporary construction). Level 1 is fire taping — tape embedded in compound, no smoothing — used above ceilings and in plenums. Level 2 is for garages and warehouses: tape plus one thin coat of compound over joints and fasteners. Level 3 is for heavy-texture finishes: two coats on joints, one on fasteners, suitable for heavy spray or knockdown texture. Level 4 is standard residential: two coats on joints, three on fasteners, sanded smooth — suitable for flat paint, light textures, and wallcovering. Level 5 is the highest quality: a skim coat of compound over the entire surface. Here is the critical part most homeowners miss: semi-gloss and gloss paint will show every joint, fastener, and tool mark on Level 4 walls. Gloss paint on Level 4 drywall looks terrible in raking light — you see shadows along every seam. If you want gloss or semi-gloss (kitchens, bathrooms, trim), specify Level 5 finish from your drywall contractor. It costs 30-50% more in finishing labour but saves you from repainting after you see the shadows.

Question 10

Why do I see lines in my walls where the drywall joints are after painting?

Accepted Answer

That is called joint photographing, and it happens because the taped joint area has different porosity and texture than the paper face of the drywall board. Paint dries differently over joint compound vs paper, creating a visible shadow — especially in low-angle light (morning sun through windows, recessed lights). Causes: (1) skipping primer — bare drywall paper absorbs paint differently than compound, so the joint area shows through, (2) using flat paint over poorly finished joints — flat paint hides texture but shows porosity differences, (3) insufficient coats of joint compound — the tape edge creates a ridge that casts a shadow in raking light, (4) applying paint too thin or in inconsistent thickness over joints. Fixes: use a PVA drywall primer on new drywall (seals porosity differences), apply paint in consistent thickness, and if joints are already showing through paint, apply a skim coat (Level 5 finish) over the affected areas, re-prime, and repaint. In rooms with lots of natural side-light (large windows), photographing is almost inevitable at Level 4 finish.

Painting

Project Overview

What is painting?

When you need painting

The Process

Colour Selection and Planning

Surface Prep

Priming

Protect and Tape

Cut In Edges

Roll Main Surfaces

Second Coat and Touch-Up

Investment Guide

What Affects the Price

Milestone-Verified Payment Architecture

Common Painting Mistakes That Show Up Later

Verified Painting Pros

Frank Brown

David Kim

Trusted by Ontario Homeowners

Related Services

Cleaning

Framing

Additions

Handyman

Common Questions

Ready to start your painting project?