Painting a bathroom

[Baz]

Eggshell or Semi-gloss?

Anti-microbial necessary?

Primer or no primer?

One or two coats?

I plan to sand down existing paint first as prep but after that am still formulating plans.

Was going to go with BEHR MARQUEE, but nothing set in stone yet.

Thanks!

[john70t]

Primer is necessary for the sanded spots but let it cure for a few days at least.
(I got impatient and had cracking/peeling and will have to re-do.)

I would go with semi-gloss unless it's a large bathroom with a fan next to the shower.
Semi will show all the flaws however..
You'll know it needs a second coat. Stir/shake and blend cans.
Sanding that will require a few weeks at least to months.

[908/930]

If properly cleaned and sanded or scuffed with coarse scotch bright (brown) you do not req a primer. Are you fixing any of the drywall?

Benjamen Moore has Aura Bath and Spa that in a Matt finish, pricy but really nice paint. I find the Matt gives a nicer colour on walls.

[PorscheGAL]

Originally Posted by 908/930

If properly cleaned and sanded or scuffed with coarse scotch bright (brown) you do not req a primer. Are you fixing any of the drywall?

Benjamen Moore has Aura Bath and Spa that in a Matt finish, pricy but really nice paint. I find the Matt gives a nicer colour on walls.

I love the Aura line from BM. With a son, paint needs to be capable of being wiped down. Easy to wipe clean without removing the paint.

[stevej37]

If I paint..I always use Behr paint....good stuff.

[dad911]

Sherwin-williams cashmere finish.

In the trade, regret every time I buy paint from home depot.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

In Florida I’d probably recommend a semi-gloss with primer. Anti-microbial wouldn’t hurt either. The climate there (like here) is warm and can get humid so it’s easy to grow not-so-nice stuff, particularly at inside corners. You want things easy to clean and durable.

I’ve seen issues with unprimed painted surfaces developing bubbles under the paint and causing delamination - the substrate absorbs moisture and then it gets trapped under a moisture-impermeable film of paint. I’d suggest drying the substrate (cement board? mold-resistant gyp?) well before priming and painting (run the AC for a day or two).

I personally like Dunn-Edwards and Benjamin Moore but pretty much all manufacturers make pretty good stuff these days. Hard to go wrong with proper prep.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by Baz

Eggshell or Semi-gloss?

Unless your bathroom is not well ventilated and/or high humidity is common (no A/C), you could probably do satin. That is right in the middle of eggshell and semi-gloss.

[Mike80911]

Why do you want to sand it down first? Is it peeling anywhere? Not really necessary to sand it just make sure it is clean. Most paints today including Benjamin Moore do not cover in one coat BM used to but I think they changed the formula now it does not. I find home depot paint to be like water and will not use it. Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams are good but buy the better grades it will save you money and time in the end

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by stevej37

If I paint..I always use Behr paint....good stuff.

I don't like Behr (at all) for outside....Sherwin-Williams Duration, and I also use SW (eggshell) for inside.

Pricey....but holds up and my labor is free...but not cheap

[stevej37]

^^^ I have never used Behr for outside. Valspar is for that.

[look 171]

I can't offer any suggestions because our paint is crap compared to your worst paint from states outside of CA. Our painter use only Dunn Edwards or Sherwin Williams at one time. Now we discovered Behr was rated no 1 by consumer report and it turned out to be a pretty good paint well, by our standard anyway. What's more important is the primer. Since there's a change in formula a few years ago (Socal), the primers offered in any paint store by all brands sucked. Within a few months, the paint can be peeled off the wall taking the primer with it. Now, they are much better.

I always use semi gloss. Its wouldn't be that glossy after a few months of hot steamy showers

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by PorscheGAL

I love the Aura line from BM. With a son, paint needs to be capable of being wiped down. Easy to wipe clean without removing the paint.

At that price you SHOULD love it!

ok, ok, I use it too - at least on the S. side of the house

[Por_sha911]

Outside of the box suggestion:
Good quality wallpaper installed by a pro. Not much more expensive than paint, easily cleaned, no issues with moisture if put up correctly.

[KFC911]

Most of the pros I've known here seem to use Sherwin-Williams (Duration outside), something (Pro200?) interior. Costs a small fortune (mebbe near $60/gal for Duration), but there is a significant discount of you have a "pro" account. Get one....I've had one for decades...savings are bigly .

How much are y'all paying per gal? No matter the cost...it's trivial compared to prep & MY labor .

[Zeke]

Dunn Edwards is only available in 10 western states.

Good paint all around.

[URY914]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

Outside of the box suggestion:
Good quality wallpaper installed by a pro. Not much more expensive than paint, easily cleaned, no issues with moisture if put up correctly.

Sorry but never ever put paper in a bathroom or an outside wall. Unless of course you want a science project growing behind it.

[Por_sha911]

I've had heavy vinyl splash proof wallpaper in the bathroom for years. No problem but ymmv.

Outside walls really? I guess if the home is un-insulated and has bad siding maybe.

I am not an expert but have read up on this and nothing says the above are a problem except where the cheap plain wallpaper is in an area where water will be splashed on it or, if you steam up the bathroom so badly that there is moisture dripping from the walls (which is why God invented bathroom exhaust fans).

[Baz]

Thanks for all the input!


So far sounds like I should stay away from Home Depot paint.

We have a SW store here so will probably hit them up for their take.

Semi-gloss or satin over primer after sanding is done. I do have to sand due to some peeling and other cosmetic issues. This is where the primer comes in as a good idea.

Again I really appreciate the time everyone took to post their thoughts. Will keep you posted.

[john70t]

Sherwin-Williams is quite pricey and not much discount on the 5gal.
I did have a bad experience with SW interior not drying for literally months and then peeling off walls.
It was a wtf moment. Probably a bad batch. Not worth it.
The cabinet paint was nice.

I like the Glidden ceiling paint better than SW and Valspar.
Their interior flat pastels were an absolute joy to apply. Thick and one coat. Flowed on the trim brush perfect. Beautiful colors and good price.
I haven't used any of the glosses.

AFAIK, early Behr off-whites were originally garbage.
The last time I used the paint-primer it was not too bad actually.
They must have reformulated.

(Personal opinion from memory with limited experience.)