I just want to vent my frustrations (and opinion) on F&B paint. We have been completing a basement project for a client, and they insisted that we use F&B paint. This was the first time we used this paint. I thought ok, an expensive paint should be good right.....not a chance. I've been painting for the better part of 10 years. I've tried almost every paint out there, from cheap to expensive, and I have landed on Ben/moore Aura as my paint of choice (some call this an expensive paint).
Let me tell you about F&B, first of all the stuff comes out of the can like sour milk, no pouring, glopping. So one thinks that a thick paint should cover well. Not the case. We had to paint every surface 3 times to get a decent finish. Normally when you paint you get a good 90%+ coverage with the first coat. Not with F&B, we got 60% at best. Now let's talk about price, there is different pricing based on the finish, starting from aboiut $80 to $100 per gallon, and more if you want to use their primer. For the price this paint is not even close to being worth it.
The advantages that this paint has is....it's environmentally friendly. That's it. period. As for being a good quality paint, I don't think so. I'm sticking with my good old reliable Ben/Moore Aura.
P.S. if you do have a client that insists on using F&B paints, expect to add 25% more paint and 50% more time.
Good Luck
Valspar all the way,
I have tried many over the years, I will not paint with just any brand ever again, I know what I like and if the client demands me to use brands that I know will waist more time trying to cover then I will simply charge more with a great explanation first. I`d rather use products I know instead of trying new ones and testing on my clients. Valspar all the way, its coverage is great, its durability and rep is top, why play around when you already have the products to give great finishes.
Brad
Home Hardware 'Beuti-tone' paints for me. 20 yrs & counting with 0 problems- and the price is right.
I have used them all too, Lionel- started in the paint/decorating biz 30 yrs ago. Been through Sher-Will, Benji-Moore, Glidden, Sico, etc. but like everything else, I found their quality went down while the price went up.
Sounds like this F&B is just tinted water, I'll watch out for it. Brad, any of the big boys carrying Valspar? Maybe I'll give it a shot.
I've used F&B a few times and had totally the opposite experience that you had. I've used mid tones and dark colours and it has always gone on great. Like painting with butter at first but once you get a feel for it its a great product. Because it's pre-mixed in England and the shipped to Canada it does need to be stirred well, which I'm sure you did. Did you think about taking it back to the dealer and asking questions? It's too bad that you had this experience.
Hi Bill,
I pick it up at Lowe`s wherever I am working at the time, they are usually everywhere.
If I am required to use oil my other great choice would be Dulux from ICI. they cover really well and costing aprox the same give or take a dollar or two.
Brad
Tradesmen
I tried that paint once and no doubt about it it does suck. I find you need at least 2 coats of primer in order to get it to work right. I had this happen to me as the customer bought the paint what a mess
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