The deep base will provide more hiding power than the extra white. When using white, it's always best to maximize the hiding power so that two coats will cover any color below.

Thanks, brushworks. You answered a question that I always wondered about! :-)

You're welcome.

I get this question almost daily: A deep base paint comes with absolutely no pigment in it. If the resin is dried, it will be absolutely clear. Deep bases are used to make very dark colors, where any white pigment would have to be overcome, i.e. you will never be able to make a black paint from a white base, no matter how much tint is put in!

"Extra White" is another term for what other companies call a "One Base"or "White Tint Base" It contains only the pure white pigment, usually titanium dioxide in quality paints. It is a very pure white from which pure pastel colors can be made. A paint that merely says "White" on the label, has already had some raw umber or lamp black put into to increase its covering ability. A "White" paint cannot be made into a pastel color, because it has already been dulled. "White" Paint usually looks fine against most stronger colors, but will look terrible next to a clear, pastel color or next to pure white.

White paint can be made from a deep base by adding about a dozen ounces of white tint. However, tint pigments are NOT paint. They are white pigment floating in usually a glycol base, and too much can corrupt the paint. A factory made white paint will have the white pigment and more of the RESIN that constitutes real paint. A factory made white paint will out perform a store made white paint, precisely because it has more pigment and resin. It covers and performs better in general.