Garage Wallboard Paint???

[Aeroman]

Hello All, I am in the midst of painting my garage drywall. I was going to simply go with primering the wallboard (drywall) and then paint it high gloss white. I have thought about texturing a bit to hide some of the imperfections on the walls and ceiling. What have you all done? I can live with not-so-perfect wall finish but I figured I could ask to optimize the finish. Thanks.

Juan

 

[NHCharger]

High gloss paint will show all the imperfections. I just went with an eggshell and didn't worry about my imperfect tape/mud job.

 

[Itzkwik]

If its a working garage, don't go with the textured surface. It will be a pain to keep clean. If its just a parking garage, probably won't have too much of a problem.

 

[dps]

I agree with the above. You probably have to decide between appearance or efficiency. Gloss paint on smooth wall stays cleaner, is easier to clean with dust mop or even occasional hosing down depending on how well it's caulked, electrical boxes, etc.

A texture and/or lower luster paint will look more pleasing at first, but worse as it collects dirt. However, a light texture with a satin paint might be a nice compromise and you could keep it pretty clean with an occasional blast from an air nozzle, shop vac, or leaf blower.

 

[PAToyota]

I went with a gloss exterior paint on my interior walls. As DPS says, the gloss is a lot easier to clean than flat or semi-gloss and the exterior holds up to being wiped down with a sponge and soapy water.

 

[kbs2244]

Go with the high gloss for light refection and ease of wipeing dirt off. You are going to end up building shelves and haveing all kinds of stuff leaning on the walls, so don't get carried away with looks.

 

[Aeroman]

Great point guys, thanks for the tips!!!!

 

[safetyfast]

I wonder how white barn paint would work. You can get it pretty cheap at the co-op, comes in 5 gallon buckets and is self priming.

 

[Abodyracer]

I wonder how white barn paint would work. You can get it pretty cheap at the co-op, comes in 5 gallon buckets and is self priming.

I'd stay away from this. Its called barn paint for a reason, its not as good quality wise. I've also been taught (buy people in the paint industry) to stay away from any paint that says self priming.

Personally I'd use Cabinet and Trim Paint. Its a high gloss paint that has a high enamel content. As the name implies its designed to be used on Cabinets and Trim that get lots of abuse and with it being high gloss its wipes clean easily.

 

[ChucksCrib]

And don't be afraid of the low lustre paints. Flats eggshell satins...have come a long way in their cleanabilty characteristics. SW Duration satin is what I have painted on my shop walls. Muralo paints have come up with a ceramic paint which is supposed to clean well. I however haven't tried it yet.

 

[kbs2244]

Something to be careful about with exterior paints is that many meant for the large areas are designed to "chalk". This means the will wash off a real thin outside coating in the rain to keep a "fresher" look. You may not want that inside.
The trim paint is designed to NOT chalk. People don't want green or blue or whatever streaks from their trim down onto their white walls.
Personaly, I went with a high gloss latex "kitchen" white. It reflects well and cleans well.

 

[Poltax]

I used primer then white gloss. It cleans up easier and really brightens up the darker areas.

 

[russlaferrera]

What about stucco? 40 gal. of compound, put it on thin. It will give it an English look. Will hide most imperfections. Cheap and easy to do. Different.