When is One Coat of Paint Acceptable?

We’ve all heard paint manufacturers claim “one coat coverage” but is it really true?

As a rule of thumb, you should always expect to apply two coats of paint regardless of what the label says. Colors such as reds, bright yellows, and oranges may require three or more coats. However, there are situations where one coat of paint is perfectly acceptable.

If You’ve Answered No to These Questions One Coat Might Work

Are you changing color?
Are you changing sheen?
Is the surface heavily scuffed up?

When is One Coat Acceptable?

We mostly only quote for one coat on trim, doors, and ceilings. Those items rarely have a color change. Ceilings are usually done in flat and trim with semi-gloss, so no sheen change either.

Watch Out for Repairs

If you are doing a freshening up coat on the walls but have made some repairs make sure prime them first. After the primer has dried paint the repair spots with a coat of the finish paint then proceed to paint the walls.

One Coat Paint Job

Last week we did a job in Summerville SC that only required one coat. The customer originally painted themselves in 2009 but didn’t spackle first, made bad cut lines, and the sheen was very uneven. However, they loved the color!

Our Approach to the Job

The very first thing we did was upgrade them from the previously used Wal-Mart ColorPlace paint to Sherwin Williams Cashmere. The sheen currently on the walls was satin so we used low luster, the cashmere line’s version of satin.
We then spackled all the imperfections in the walls (there was a lot) and sanded them smooth with a dustless sander.
Next, we spot primed the spackle spots with a primer called Gardz made by Zinsser.
After the primer dried we painted those spots again, this time with the finish paint.
Applied one coat of paint to the walls and they looked like they great!

Call Paragon Painting

Call Paragon Painting, for all your interior and exterior painting needs. We are licensed, insured, and will always give you a detailed painting quote with a fair price. Paragon Painting is a family owned and operated interior and exterior residential painting contractor. We service the entire Charleston, SC area including:

Summerville, Mt Pleasant, Moncks Corner, Folly Beach, Ladson, North Charleston, Hanahan, James Island, Sullivans Island, and beyond. We are the exterior and interior house painting experts, call us at 843-695-9450