What's the best interior paint you've used?

[Gidney N Cloyd]

I bought a gallon of (a major brand) for a couple walls and the coverage was so bad on the first coat I just gave up after most of the first wall. Also a lot of splatter and dripping. I was just painting white over off-white so I didn't think it would be such a challenge. I'll chalk up the cost of the one gallon to experience but I have to buy something decent to finish the job.
What do you guys like?

[Sanity Claws]

1. Benjamin Moore

Good color and coverage. It lasts.

Behr sells well because of its price and association with Home Depot. It is not good.

[dr.strangelove]

2. I usually use Sherman Williams

but one of the Home Depot interior Behr paints has worked for me too. Benjamin Moore is good too. Just try one of those and see how it goes.

[Brother Buzz]

3. Oil based Pratt & Lambert for casework and trim

That's what the architects always specked for my work and the painters liked it.

I suspect your roller nap choice may be at fault for all the splatter and dripping you experienced.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. Benjamin Moore.

It's expensive but it covers well. I've also had good luck with Sherwin Williams exterior paint.

[GoCubsGo]

5. Sherwin-Williams.

I have used Behr, as well, but have been much happier with the S-W.

[Callmecrazy]

6. Blue...

Any shade of blue.

[Efilroft Sul]

7. Valspar Signature and its Allen + Roth line.

I painted my living room walls and ceilings four different colors this spring and they are gorgeous. I hope to extend the color scheme into my dining room this fall. Preferably starting next week.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

11. I used Valspar in a couple rooms earlier this month and it applied wonderfully. No complaints.

I think that's why the Behr ticked me off so bad-- neither brand was priced in the Benjamin Moore range so I expected both to perform about the same.

[easychoice]

12. I painted one of my bathrooms with killz primer and Valspar 17 years ago.

It looks new.
Valspar with a good 2 coat primer base is amazing.
I only use Valspar now.It costs 20% more and protects lots longer/better.

[Efilroft Sul]

17. I agree.

This is one of those cases where getting the best is worth the price. It made painting (almost) enjoyable!

[Old Crow]

8. Behr

I have to disagree with an earlier poster. I've used Behr in a couple rooms and found it to be excellent.

Also, I decided to take advantage of my Consumer Reports membership and look up their ratings of interior paints for the OP'er. Top of their list? Behr Premium Plus Ultra Satin Enamel (Home Depot). Their explanation of their rating: "The top-rated Behr is self-priming and was superb at hiding and resisting scrubbing. It was also one of the few satins that was very good at resisting stains. It left a smooth finish, and there was little change in gloss after cleaning. It was better than most at resisting fading, mildew, and sticking."

[QED]

9. I used the self-priming Behr too

but still had to do two coats. It turned out wonderful so I'm not complaining. But, had I known I needed two coats, I would have used Kilz first as a primer then one coat of the expensive paint.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

10. Well, I'll admit now that the bad paint I had was indeed Behr.

I was very disappointed with their deck stain a few years ago, too. Like the paint yesterday, the coverage was extremely poor and it splattered and dripped all over the place.

[Old Crow]

14. I guess the old YMMV thing applies.

A few years back, a contractor I hired told me he disliked Behr's also. Yet I like it--and I don't understand how it's getting top ratings from Consumer Reports for coverage, durability, and what-not if it's bad. A bit of an aside: I always use the Kilz primer, no matter what a paint's self-priming claims are.

Free tip I thought I'd pass along: Whichever paint you wind up using, put a label under the room's main switch plate indentifying the brand and color. If you have to do touch-ups a few years down the road, it makes life a lot easier to know you can find the paint info underneath the switchplate.

[MrMickeysMom]

20. Good idea!

[IDemo]

13. The finger-paint from the first grade

Had a somewhat chalky taste, but quite satisfying.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

15. But how well did it coat your interior?

[IDemo]

19. Too much contrast with the hotdog and creamed corn of a grade school lunch

[edgineered]

16. Benjamin Moore

Our hired painting contractors wanted the BM paints. On the occasions when our preferred contractors were unavailable the outside contractors were always pleased with using it. My employer painted (renovated) about 50 to 60 of their independent living units each year.

[kwassa]

18. Watercolor.

[MissB]

21. I like Divine paint.

"Goes on like yogurt, looks like chiffon."

It seriously is thick, but has a beautiful finish. Miller Paint used to carry it but I think the brand was sold off to maybe Rodda.