Q&A: Will one coat of paint cut it for interior projects?

We’re going to try to prep and paint two bedrooms in a long weekend. Any chance we can get away with only one coat of paint?

Our latest testing of interior paints reveals that some finishes deliver better one-coat coverage than others.

To determine one-coat ability, we paint a white, pastel, and medium of each paint on striped hiding charts with light-gray to jet-black bars (shown). To merit better one-coat distinction, even the white version of a paint must conceal at least the two lightest-color bars with a single coat. As you can see, the paint on the bottom offers more-complete coverage after a single coat than the one on the top.

But before we can recommend you use only one coat, we need to know the exact nature of your project because there are times when even the best one-coat paint won’t provide satisfactory coverage. For example, if you’re changing the bedroom walls from a darker color to a lighter one, say burgundy to beige, no fewer than two coats will keep the darker base from bleeding through.

That’s why you should use two coats of a top-rated paint for any decorative application—two coats are better than one. What’s more, to enhance hiding ability of a paint, manufacturers might skimp on some additives and end up diminishing other performance results of their paints. That is, a paint might cover well in one coat but might not resist scrubbing with a sponge or might start to fade a few months down the road.

If you’re intent on trying for a one-coat application, you won’t have to spend big bucks to do so: Five of the 14 paints that deliver better one-coat hiding cost $20 or less per gallon. One of those paints is the No. 1 paint in the low-luster category, which we consider to be the best paint for most applications.

Which paint is that? Check our Ratings of interior paints, available to subscribers.—Daniel DiClerico

Comments

[Shawn Marshall]

Bought Kilz Casual Colors paint at WalMart based on CR tests.

Painting over flat white latex.

Walmart did not have flat paint in stock so we bought eggshell; also no 5 gallon cans.

Maybe your testers should do a whole room with paint before they decide to like it. This paint is difficult to apply and when it dries it seems to pull back and leave dimpled areas uncovered. It is very thick and dries to a film too fast. The film sticks to the paint vessel and then comes loose in pieces. We use the pad applicators because we have had very good results with them on other jobs; no spatter, easy trimming. We would not buy the Kilz Casual Color paint again. Just writing in case your readers might want some feedback.

Still love your magazine.
Thanks,
Shawn Marshall
Hardy VA

[Shawn Marshall]

Bought Kilz Casual Colors paint at WalMart based on CR tests.

Painting over flat white latex.

Walmart did not have flat paint in stock so we bought eggshell; also no 5 gallon cans.

Maybe your testers should do a whole room with paint before they decide to like it. This paint is difficult to apply and when it dries it seems to pull back and leave dimpled areas uncovered. It is very thick and dries to a film too fast. The film sticks to the paint vessel and then comes loose in pieces. We use the pad applicators because we have had very good results with them on other jobs; no spatter, easy trimming. We would not buy the Kilz Casual Color paint again. Just writing in case your readers might want some feedback.

Still love your magazine.
Thanks,
Shawn Marshall
Hardy VA

[Tom]

I've painted all but one room in my house with Kilz. I bought it per the ratings in CR. I have been delighted with the outcome of the job. Ease of application and coverage were very good. One application was all it needed. Some folks might not have the success they want if the roller nap isn't suitable for that particular paint.

[Julie Tree]

I too, agree with the first post. I purchased Kilz Casual Colors paint at WalMart based on positive reviews and the "good/better/best" comparison at the store. I had been a long time user of Kilz primer, and was excited about their new product line.

I was painting over an off-white semi gloss latex and chose Kilz Bright White in a semi gloss.

I also found the paint to be extremely thick and thought it dried quickly in the paint tray. It was difficult to apply using a roller and and gave uneven coverage - definately not one coat coverage - even over a very light colored paint. I stopped after completing one wall, and went back to my usual brand to finish the project.

I will never buy the Kilz Casual Color paint again and will probably stay away from the entire line of Kilz products in the future.

[Nicki]

I bought Kilz in an eggshell - repaiting my son's room from baby pastel yellow to a nice medium shade of blue. No complaints. I only had to paint one coat. I think it's pretty comprable to Glidden or to Behr paint. It does dry faster. I didn't bother rolling becuase it was a small room and I had a lot of cutting in that needed to be done. Worked EXCELLENT with a paint brush and the container is easy to carry around and is pretty mess free as far as painting goes.

[Mike]

I painted 3 rooms with Kilz Casual Colors Interior Semi-Gloss and I couldn't be happier with the results. I was impressed at how easy it went on with a roller and how thoroughly it covered with just one coat. The colors turned out to be very rich and full. I used brushes for cutting and 3/8" nap for the rollers. I had my family help and they were all very impressed with the paint. I used it based on your magazine and just want to say thank you for making my selection easy.
Mike
St. Louis, MO

[Wallace McAfee]

I have always followed Consumer Report recommendations with great results; but, the Kilz Casual Colors Eggshell Enamel created a huge problem. It sagged badly where the roller went over the edges previously cut with a brush, especially the cut area next to the ceiling. Also, I found it to have a sticky consistency and it did not spread well. Now, I plan to sand the sags and reapply as thin as possible and hope the second application does not cause a different look or sheen in those problem spots. I intend to go back to Lowe's Valspar which gave excellent results when I used it some years back. Has anyone else had this problem and how did they resolve it?

[aprilb]

I painted over orange with Kilz causal colors in overcast blue. Only one coat was needed and only needed one gallon with a medium size room. It looks great! Great coverage, even color, and beautiful color!

[Shawn Hill]

I've never had much luck following Consumer Reports recommendations. When they rate something highly or a "best buy" I usually find that it couldn't be further than the truth and likewise when they pan specific products I've had great success.

Alas, I gave CR the benefit of the doubt one last time on Kilz Casual Colors that we purchased from WalMart to use on new drywall. Big Mistake ... HUGE! This was the WORST paint I've ever used! I generally prefer a "heavier" or "thicker" paint and this did qualify for that description. As others have mentioned here that the paint tended to dry too quickly ... how about dried clumps in the can. Since WalMart mixed and shook the can, the clumps or skins were dispersed throughout the whole gallon. I spent half of my painting time scraping these clumps off the wall and re-rolling areas. Big disappointment and extremely frustrating.

I've tried contacting Kilz (and MasterChem) with no results so far. Now I will never be using Kilz paints again and I'll be spreading the word to avoid this stuff at all costs. This was worse than using used paint that has sat around for a couple years in poorly sealed can.

[RRS]

We bought KCC based on CR reviews. Since we wanted the brightest white, we went with the Ultra Bright White Base 1 in Eggshell, Satin and Semi-Gloss and did not have it tinted. The paint was temperamental as it seemed to sag in the cut-in areas and did not spread smoothly with a brush on trim. We used quality brushes and are experienced painters. Some of the walls we painted were new, primed drywall and some were older walls which had been painted white several years ago, but we painted every wall and ceiling and most of the trim in the house with Ultra Bright White Base 1 and found that one coat was not enough. In fact, two coats were not enough in some areas. I called Masterchem and spoke to a rep who told me that adding tint to the Base does more than add color... it affects hide and drying time as well. Because we like the Ultra White color, we are going to do a second and third coat as needed throughout the house using the Base 1, but it is coating us more than we thought it would when we started out. Also, if you use this paint, ventilation is definitely needed!

[kellogg's painting NY]

Hi, I am a painting contractor, owner of Kellogg's Painting Company. We specialize in custom house painting, NY interior-exterior painters. I have used a lot of differant brands of paint, we generally stick with one paint company. It doese depend on the color that you are re-painting on the wall as to if you can do one coat or not. Generally going over lighter colors with darker colors is a two coater, some colors such as reds, purples, blues, and even yellows should have a tinted primer applied first, especially going over white or lighter colors. Believe it or not the lighter color will bleed through a darker color.

[John S in Connecticut]

I picked up a gallon of Kilz Casual Colors for our new living room. We were painting over flat, white interior paint. Kilz was very disappointing! It did not live up to the one-coat promise, was extremely thick & sticky, and I noticed dried clumps of paint in my brand new gallon! As a previous poster said, I spent a lot of time pulling clumps off my roller and off the wall. I'd rather spend a few more dollars and buy a quality paint like Behr. Never again with Kilz!!