We’ve all heard paint manufacturers claim “one coat coverage” but is it really true?
As a rule of thumb, you should always expect to apply two coats of paint regardless of what the label says. Colors such as reds, bright yellows, and oranges may require three or more coats. However, there are situations where one coat of paint is perfectly acceptable.
If You’ve Answered No to These Questions One Coat Might Work
- Are you changing color?
- Are you changing sheen?
- Is the surface heavily scuffed up?
When is One Coat Acceptable?
We mostly only quote for one coat on trim, doors, and ceilings. Those items rarely have a color change. Ceilings are usually done in flat and trim with semi-gloss, so no sheen change either.
Watch Out for Repairs
If you are doing a freshening up coat on the walls but have made some repairs make sure prime them first. After the primer has dried paint the repair spots with a coat of the finish paint then proceed to paint the walls.
One Coat Paint Job
Last week we did a job in Summerville SC that only required one coat. The customer originally painted themselves in 2009 but didn’t spackle first, made bad cut lines, and the sheen was very uneven. However, they loved the color!
Our Approach to the Job
- The very first thing we did was upgrade them from the previously used Wal-Mart ColorPlace paint to Sherwin Williams Cashmere. The sheen currently on the walls was satin so we used low luster, the cashmere line’s version of satin.
- We then spackled all the imperfections in the walls (there was a lot) and sanded them smooth with a dustless sander.
- Next, we spot primed the spackle spots with a primer called Gardz made by Zinsser.
- After the primer dried we painted those spots again, this time with the finish paint.
- Applied one coat of paint to the walls and they looked like they great!
Call Paragon Painting
CallParagon Painting, for all your interior and exterior painting needs. We are licensed, insured, and will always give you a detailed painting quote with a fair price.Paragon Paintingis a family owned and operatedinteriorandexteriorresidential painting contractor. We service the entireCharleston, SC area including:
Summerville,Mt Pleasant,Moncks Corner,Folly Beach,Ladson,North Charleston,Hanahan,James Island,Sullivans Island, and beyond. We are the exterior and interior house painting experts,call us at843-695-9450
FAQs
If the new color is “close” to the existing color, then generally only one coat is needed, even in the case of darker colors. Creating a substantial color change, or painting over white usually requires a second coat to prevent the underlying color from “peeking through”.
Will one coat of paint be enough? ›
In most cases, two coats of paint are ideal to ensure complete coverage. There is an exception, though— if you're adding a fresh coat of paint over the same color, you can get away with just a single coat.
What is considered one coat of paint? ›
One-coat paint is a term used by paint manufacturers for heavy, thick acrylic-latex interior and exterior paint that builds up high. One-coat paint contains up to 20-percent more paint solids than conventional paint. Ordinary acrylic-latex paint usually requires two or more coats of paint.
How many coats of paint is enough? ›
How many coats of paint do I need? Generally, you will want a minimum of two coats of paint – this is a good rule of thumb for any wall or ceiling you're painting. You'll rarely get a seamless finish from just one coat of paint, and even if you do, coverage isn't the only goal when it comes to painting a room.
Does one coat paint really work? ›
We've all heard paint manufacturers claim “one coat coverage” but is it really true? As a rule of thumb, you should always expect to apply two coats of paint regardless of what the label says. Colors such as reds, bright yellows, and oranges may require three or more coats.
Do you only need one coat of paint? ›
In most situations, a good rule of thumb is to use a primer plus two coats of paint. If you use this rule, you may do one more coat than needed but this won't hurt the final product. There are few situations where this rule of thumb will result in doing too few coats though which is why it is prevalent advice.
Is one coat of paint enough for a wall? ›
On a new wall, you'll want to follow the rule and apply two coats of paint after primer. Follow the same standard for drywall. If you're repainting a wall, you'll only need one coat if you're using the same color and it's a quality paint.
How do I know if I need a second coat of paint? ›
But how do you know when two (or more) coats are required? As with most painting questions, the answers is “It depends”. Factors such as the new color, existing color and sheen, grade of paint to be used, and application method all have a bearing on how many coats of paint are required to achieve the desired results.
Do professional painters do one coat? ›
So, back to the first answer: always use two coats. Using two coats of paint is our industry standard.
How much does one coat of paint cover? ›
In general, one gallon of paint will cover roughly 250-350 square feet of surface. Use the KILZ paint calculator to estimate the amount of paint needed for your next project.
Professional painters, like VanDerKolk Painting, recommend using at least two coats but sometimes suggest three depending on the color and thickness of the paint.
What happens if you paint a second coat too soon? ›
What happens if you apply a second coat of paint too soon? Applying the second coat of paint before letting it dry will result in peeling, clumping, and bubbling that can be time-consuming and expensive to repair. It can also result in an uneven colour, ruining its appearance.
Is one coat of paint enough exterior? ›
If you are changing the color of your home, you are going to need at least two coats of paint. When changing from a light color to a darker one, two coats are often enough. If you wish to cover a dark or bold color with a lighter one, however, this can sometimes require many coats.
Which paint is best for one coat? ›
The results for coverage after one coat of these paints were as follows, listing the best coverage to the least amount of coverage:
- Benjamin Moore Aura (best coverage after one coat)
- Behr Marquee.
- PPG Manor Hall.
- Sherwin Williams Emerald (least amount of coverage after one coat)
One coat lasts the same amount of time as two coats of paint does, and it doesn't negatively impact the look of your home. In fact, it may even make your home look better, as adding too much paint can cause ridges and lumpiness on the finish.
Can you paint a room with one coat? ›
With the right formula, tools, and technique, however, you can have smooth results in just one coat, even if you're painting a dark wall with light-colored paint. Our tough hiding test supports that promise. In that assessment, we apply one consistent coat to cardstock that has been painted black.
Does a house need two coats of paint? ›
If you are changing the color of your home, you are going to need at least two coats of paint. When changing from a light color to a darker one, two coats are often enough.
What is the minimum amount of paint needed for two coats? ›
This may vary depending on the quality and type of paint, but generally a gallon of interior paint will cover about 300 sq ft, given two coats. That's enough for a small room, maybe 5x8. An average 10x12 room is going to take at least 2 gallons if you aren't too liberal with it.
Does the second coat of paint use less paint? ›
Oftentimes, clients ask if they can save money on their projects by applying one coat of paint instead of two. The short answer is, “Yes, you can save a small amount of money in the short term, but it will cost more money in the long run.”
