When you’re repainting walls or furniture, selecting a color is only the first step to a successful project. After that, you have to choose the right paint finish for the job at hand. A good choice will save you time and money in the long run, because it’ll require fewer coats to get the desired look and will resist damage from everyday use. It’s important to understand how sheens work and the benefits of each, as well as other additives like mildewcides and fungicides.

Before you select a paint color, gather some chips from your local hardware store and take them home to observe in various lights, including natural and artificial light. It’s a good idea to tape the samples onto your wall or furniture, too, so you can see how the sheen affects the color.

There are many different types of interior paint, but most contain similar ingredients. The liquid that suspends and combines the other materials is called a carrier, and in latex or acrylic paint (the vast majority of paints on the market) it’s water; in oil-based paint, it’s mineral spirits or turpentine. The liquid that carries the pigment is what gives the paint its sheen and hides its imperfections. Pigments are finely ground particles that make up the color of the paint, and they come in two forms: prime pigments and extenders. Prime pigments provide whiteness or opacity, while extenders add bulk and stain resistance.

Binders are plastic-like polymers that hold the pigment together and form a tough, continuous film. The best binders for interior paint are vinyl acetate, aliphatic urethane and polyacrylic, and they come in water or oil-based formulations. Some binders include additives to improve performance, such as fungicides in bathroom paint or mildewcides in kitchen or bath paint.

The final ingredient in most paints is a colorant—tinted or not, organic or inorganic—that provides the actual paint color. This can be made from plant, mineral or animal-based products, and it can also be synthetically produced. Most paints also have additives that provide texture or extend the shelf life, such as silica sand or gypsum.

When you’re ready to begin your painting project, take the time to select a high-quality product that will give you a beautiful, long-lasting finish. Consider the amount of traffic specific areas of your home will receive, the maximum amount of moisture that those surfaces can withstand and the aesthetic you’re going for. Don’t skimp on quality, because it will cost you in the long run with expensive repair bills and repainting. And remember to prepare the surface with a product that removes old paint and preps it for new paint, such as our Soy Gel Paint Stripper. Then, apply a high-quality primer, such as our Real Wood Filler, before you begin the actual painting. A quality primer will also help you achieve a longer-lasting finish by preventing cracking, dripping and peeling. It will also help the final paint to dry more quickly, so you can start enjoying your newly painted room sooner.