How to Be a Gloss Enamel Paint Pro

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What kind of gloss finish should you choose? There are three types available: high gloss, semi-gloss and eggshell. These are all durable, high coverage paints. They differ in the amount of shine in the finish. The higher the shine, the more scrubbable and durable the paint is. High gloss is great for cabinets, doors and trim work because it takes a lot of wear and tear and scrubbing. This finish isn't good on walls as it can be too glaring for a large area. Semi gloss has a medium sheen and eggshell has a lighter one. Both of these work better on walls and a semi gloss can be used on trim work for a less glaring finish.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1

Use semi and high gloss paints on high traffic areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. They reflect the most light of all paint finishes and they are the easiest to clean. A gloss finish is also great on furniture but know that it will give a very modern feel to the piece. You can use this paint with brushes, rollers or sprayers.

Step2

Use less paint with gloss finishes. They provide the best coverage of all paint. They will cover most surfaces with far less paint. Usually one coat is sufficient unless you're covering a very dark color with a lighter one.
The higher the gloss the more coverage you can expect.

Step3

Thin with water if needed. Rarely do you need to thin any of the gloss paints but if you do, add water slowly and sparingly. Don't exceed one quart water to five gallons of paint. If you over thin this type of paint, it will not cover as well and it won't produce a good finish.

Step4

Know how gloss paints work. It's the resin content, which are solids in the paint, that make this paint stronger than other types. This is also what give the paint it's shine.

Step5

Understand the difference between alkyd and enamel paints. Alkyd dries faster, is available in interior and exterior types and is an oil-modified polyester resin. Enamel paint is a gloss finish paint that once was used only to describe oil based paints but now includes any high covering latex paints as well.

Step6

Clean up all acrylic gloss finishes with warm soapy water. If you use an alkyd gloss paint, you can clean up with mineral spirits which you can buy anywhere you buy your paint.

Tips & Warnings

Look at examples of these paint finishes before you purchase your paint. Some stores have pictures of home interiors and exteriors to show the different finishes. Tiny paint samples on paper don't always give a good indication of what it will look like on a large surface.