I have a house about 8 years old and I painted the inside using Valspar Signature eggshell paint. The color is coffee. The walls go from 8 feet to 12 feet. I have applied up to 2 coats. The color is great and the coverage is nice but the sheen is terrible. I used Purdy 3/8” nap rollers. I apply paint generously and have tried multiple techniques from the “W”, fanning and cross rolling. I have received different suggestions from Lowe’s employees from needing to re-prime all the walls and start over to sand the walls to get the paint off and prime and repaint to just add another coat. The walls are in great shape, no damage, no patch work.
I painted the master bedroom with Valspar flat in a darker red color and it did fine. One representative said I needed to repaint everything using flat.
My biggest frustration is with the ceiling. I painted the ceiling with Valspar Premium flat ceiling white. From an angle, which is all the time since the ceiling is vaulted, it looks like brushed suede. I was told to apply a 2nd coat and I did. Still looked like suede. I was told to go a different direction and I got the same results. I called the 888 number on the Valspar can and the representative said to use flat white wall paint and since it has multiple coats it doesn’t need primed. I went ahead and purchased the primer the sales representative recommended and primed the ceiling. I also primed the walls since they told me to. The primer came off the walls back onto the roller and made a horrible mess and the walls looked very rough. I called Lowe’s back and they said I used the wrong primer and the walls will need sanded. I haven’t painted the ceiling again. I’ve already been told there are too many coats of paint on it. The representative in the store also told me not to use the flat wall paint as it has more sheen which will cause more of the suede appearance problem.
I’m at a complete loss of what to do. I’m particular and careful when I paint and even had compliments from contractors saying they couldn’t have done any better when it comes to cutting in lines and trim. I’ve never been afraid to paint until now. I cannot make the walls and ceiling look smooth with a consistent sheen.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I’m tired of spending days and dollars to only get the same bad result.
5 Responses
Seems a bit unusual. Perhaps your expectations are unrealistic. Quality flat paint should provide the finish you are looking for if: ceiling is clean, painting technique includes feathering new paint into previously applied and wet paint. Existing paint was in tact and stable.
Thanks Rick, I thought the same as well. I've painted ceilings and walls before using flat Valspar and I was pleased with the finished product. The kitchen is rarely cooked in and the ceiling and walls are in great shape. I called Valspar and the technician said he had seen this before and used flat white wall paint from Valspar. When I told the salesman in Lowe's what he said, he replied that was not a good solution. He said even the Valspar flat wall paint has a sheen, which it does, and would magnify the problem, that was after I already bought 2 gallons of Valspar flat white wall paint, but haven't tried it yet. He didn’t want me to paint anymore trying to correct the issue because the salesman contacted Valspar and they are coming to my house to see what they can do to correct the problem.
One thing that is frustrating is receiving conflicting resolutions all from technicians/specialists from the same company and each solution requires purchasing a different kind of product.
My expectations are not unrealistic. I see walls that are painted that look great with an even sheen. I have painted walls that show that. Same goes for ceilings.
It is clear there is a problem with Valspar, from reading the posts, a lot of other people have experienced the same problem. Plus 2-3 Lowe’s employees said they have experienced the same problem as well.
Had a very similar problem with Valspar eggshell and Lowes. I've since switched to Behr with primer…but the damage was done. My walls have a very spotty and inconsistent sheen that just won't show smooth at an angle. I may have to apply more coats of Behr, but at this point I'm painted out. Valspar will never be on my purchase list again.
1. Stay away from Valspar.
2. Stay away from Lowe's paint department.
If you have a Sherwin Williams in your area that would be my choice. I've always had good luck with SW paint and customer service.
Employee paint skills are often lacking in Lowe's and S&W. Find an owner store or just purchase more expensive paint if you want quality more than just coverage. Also do your own research. Paints vary and sales people seem to push only the purchase. If you are able talk to a high end painter who knows quality-ask one of them. I have very successfully painted many houses using knowledge from a Beverly Hills master.