Well, they explain how they test. Realize, like Mercedes and BMW owners you are not going to change the BM and SW folks minds on their paint....it can do no wrong regardless of what kink of testing is peformed. Now, I am not saying the prodict isn't better mind you. In fact, testimonials here are very consistent for these paints. Still I think there is something of a 'status' symbol to them like most every other product out there I guess. Generally I find CR to bet pretty accurate. Many will argue. I admit I found the Dutch Boy rating in CR out of sync with my experience using a quart of the stuff on trim. On the other hand I (amatuer painter) painted the interior of my 2100 sq ft home entirely with Behr eggshell, semi-gloss and ceiling paints. I had no problem at all. It went on easy, looked smooth, came in a myriad of colors and was far less expensive the BM or SW. I can not attest to one coat coverage because I was going over some blue colors in the home and I lack a lot of painting experiece...well, not any more I guess. The best thing was that I never got any spritz on me as I was rolling. If you have a whole house to do, give a Behr gallon a try. You may save 40 percent on your bill. Perhaps there is some other independent testing you can google as well. If you read enough here I think you will find few posts truly knocking Behr. Many that do 'heard from a friend' or have not had any experience with the product. Of course I do not think you find any complaints on BM or SW so I guess if you have $$$$$ you can't go wrong there either. I often wonder, like oil, if there is not some big vat somewhere that pours the same or similar product into cans with different labels.

We have used Behr in our family room and bedrooms. It is indeed a good paint but it has one major flaw........the sheen, even on their flat finish, showing every imperfection on the drywall.

I've used Behr to paint the interiors of two houses now, and I quite like it. I've also used BM and liked it, too.

Maybe I just don't know enough about painting, but I'm fairly satisfied with Behr for most jobs.

I agree on the sheen issue. If you want Satin, get Eggshell, if you want eggshell get flat etc etc.

I agree on the sheen issue. If you want Satin, get Eggshell, if you want eggshell get flat etc etc.

Huh?

I've had questions about Consumer Reports ratings as well with regards to paint. One of those things we've heard is to always buy the most expensive paint you can afford, since it'll have more pigments and stuff in it. Yet, if that's true, why aren't the more expensive brands like Benj M. higher on these lists?

I'm curious if there are anybody doing ratings on paint. For example, I know Cooking Illustrated also does its own testing on kitchen euipment and food. And, a lot of times, they will disagree. For example, Davinci olive oil is rated highly by CI but not by CR. In this case, I'd turn to CI because they are going to know more about the food stuff since they focus only on that while CR rates everything under the sun.

When how clean a washing machine got clothes was not the number one criteria in ranking a washer CR lost all credibility with me.

I think they place a greater emphasis on price. Makes me wonder if they ever heard You get what you pay for? My personal favorite paint for durability and color is BM regal satin. I'm sure climate has a factor in how well paint adheres and lasts.

Saying that, I always have the painters try something new. Last year it was a BM paint that went on smooth and looks like glass. The owner of the paint franchise I use said he's never used it again, and was terrified I would ask for it again. (We experienced a very long dry time between coats.) He did say he'd use it in his own house as a first choice. :-P They'll be using EK paint in the living room based on all the rave reviews I've read on gardenweb over the years. I'm also having them try cabinet coat paint on the kitchen cupboards, again based on gardebweb reviews. Both are firsts for them. They'll be using BM Regal on the other indoor paint projects.

I can't wait to see the results.

From 20 years experience rating:

1) Behr (by far the best I have used. Don't let it sit for weeks or it thickens too much.
2) CIL kitchen and bath teflon paint (use for trim, doors, etc. Never discolors, dries fast. THE BEST TRIM PAINT by miles. Used with Zinser 123 primer for perfect trim.
2) BM (doesnt hold up well over time and discolors fast) Very over priced. NEVER use their oil-base again.
3) Para (thin paint but seems good. Wouldn't want to do whole house as it is just to thin and splatters easy.
4) Glidden. Ack! There ultra-white ceiling is THE worst paint I have ever used. It dries clumps into it and is just terrible.
5) (Worst by far) Color Your World. Exterior is decent tho...go figure.

I have never tried but am very curious about Pratt & L, Sherwin-Williams.

Was very interested in jeff147's ranking of paints. Jeff, excuse my ignorance, but what does CIL stand for? Is Zinser 123 a CIL paint?

Zinnser 123 is a primer made by Zinnser. It is a very good quality general purpose primer for most applications. I have never heard of CIL, Para or Color Your World.

CIL also known as ICI (I think) and Colour Your World are Canadian Brands... although I think that CIL is known in the States as ICI, which is what my house was painted with... love it.

Colour Your World is a paint store in Canada much like Benjamin Moore, except that I never used their paint so I can't comment on the difference between the two.

I have heard from Pros (and can somewhat agree based on CRs testing methods) that CR's recommendations rely heavily on 'ease of use'. Therefore, a more do-it-yourself friendly paint will be rated higher than one that, while a better looking paint when finished properly, is not as easy for the DIY person to handle...

Nevertheless, CR seems to be the only one out there is at least trying to test paints. I wish there were more testing be done by other groups. I always hear from Pros that Behr (for example) is so bad, however I've never had an issue with their paint. Just used their Ultra Plus Premium to paint the entire exterior of my house and found it to be the best exterior paint I've used to date...

I've used Behr often and always very pleased. However, they did somehow change the sheens in the past 3-4 years so that 'eggshell' is far too glossy now instead of that lovely finish it used to be. So I've switched to Valspar/American Traditions.

When I had my house painted 5 years ago, the 10 year warranty was good only if I agreed to use SW paint--of course I did, & paid for it; but the SW store had no record of the purchase when I went for some touch-up paint (they always keep a record of the address the paint was for, with the colors). Probably the the painters used another brand (I suspect Porter) & pocketed the difference. Now the paint is starting to peel in spots, but the company is out of business, no more warranty!

Maybe SOME pros feel behr is no good because they can not charge you $40 a gallon and then go to the paint store and excercize their large discount!

Try a gallon of each and make your own decision.

I say - listen to the pros! They paint for a living. It is from pros on GW that I learn everything about painting. Their techniques are up-to-date unlike in some books you may buy. They may not agree about everything but that leaves you, the DIY painter, more knowledgeable. It also gives you more options. I've noticed that brushworks posts very rarely now. I wonder why but I miss his extremely helpful responses. Paintguy and others are also very helpful. Whatever paint you use - if it works for you - great! It doesn't mean, though, that all painting contractors are making extra money off you just because they prefer BM or SW. All it means is that it works best for them.

Maybe SOME pros feel behr is no good because they can not charge you $40 a gallon and then go to the paint store and excercize their large discount!

I do not know ANY professional painters( me being one) who would use this tactic to try and get over on a customer. We do not use Behr because just about ANYTHING else is better.

I am a professional painter and there is NOTHING wrong with use Behr's premium.

I LOVE Behr paint. Have lived in both old and new houses and have painted both plaster and drywall walls with it and it always looks perfect. Covers well and has a great finish that self-levels with no brush or roller marks.

Realize this is a very old post however will add my two cents ... ☺. Love Behr's (& CIL/Canadian brand of paint) colour swatches far more than Benjamin Moore as they appear more accurate on the card. That said; every time I have used BM I have ended up tweaking the colour formula as to me their 'colour chips' do not read the same once applied to a sample board or wall. (Shall add, I am very good at detecting undertones.) Also as far as durability goes I can walk throughout my home and pick out what is Benjamin Moore as find it has NOT held up as well as CIL paint and that's the truth! In summary, I feel BM is over rated in more than one aspect and a $8.00 charge for their sample pots (at least here is Canada) is ridiculous.

P.S.: I am not a rep or spokesperson for either Behr or CIL paints.