Home Depot’s Behr newer interior/exterior paint - Paint & Primer All in One….
I don’t often see client’s using Behr brand paints, and it isn’t one I typically use, but this last week I have been working to personalize a new house that my parents purchased. My mom and our designer chose Benjamin Moore paint colors for the interior spaces of the house but my mom decided to use Behr’s newer Premium Plus Ultra Interior paint – color matched it - because she’d read that Consumer Reports March 2010 rated it tops.
Well, as a professional decorative painter, I’m here to tell you that I hated this paint and think it sucks. (Mom hated it too and plans on writing Behr a letter) I came home and googled it. What a scam… look at this, from Consumer Reports Online -
That little article is already telling me that people aren’t buying the hype. What was the problem?
- Well , lets start with major boogers in the paint. Do NOT waste our time, Mr. Behr, with having to pick paint boogers off the wall surface…
- Major lap lines. There were 2 of us rolling, wet on wet, so no excuse for seeing every and any roller mark. Awful!
- While I’m complaining, might as well mention the packaging – the label barely stuck to the can and got worse as you poured paint, leaving a big open gap for poured painted, dripping from the rim, to drip down behind.
Without even looking far I found this, Herman’s comment -
What do you do, Herman? Change brands! Buh – Bye Behr!
What do I do about it? Faux over it!
I have heard nothing but bad things about BEHR paint. My husband started working at a Decor store that sells paints, flooring, fireplaces and everything else that you can imagine. They sell a paint by the name of MFD. From what I have been told, once you use this paint, you will never go to anything else. Like BEHR, they also sell paint that has primmer in it so it saves that extra step. And it doesn not compare at all! I will be giving it a test try when I repaint my half bath and see if what I hear is really great. Not sure if MFD is sold in the States though but I will let you know how I feel about this paint once I use it.
Thanks Sandy, I’d love to hear about it once you use it. I’ve not heard of it…
What’s frustrating is, when DIY’ers take the time to actually research brands for guidance in what they will choose to use, you’d hope the they are getting “real” unbiased information – and Consumer Reports is a name folks think they can trust – I know in my married life we’ve gone on its word before, when looking to make purchases.
I’d go beyond single referrals like that – with the internet offering loads of current reviews from everyday homeowners, I’d peruse the ‘word on the streets’ aka internet – and see actual users think. This particular brand of paint is quite mixed – as many hated it’s as there are loved it’s – that right there would make me steer clear….
huh I had another finisher tell me it was agreat replacement for setcoat . I love setcoat never have any issues
I also like valspar Havent tried behr Ultra but you know i never liked behr anyway so I won’t be trying it
Kris, I love setcoat – most colors are awesome 1 coat coverage(black and leather red you cant beat) and it rolls out w/out issues… This Behr paint doesn’t begin to compare…
Did no-one notice the classic typo….LOLOLOL
“Behr hopes that its new direct-to-pro program will spur more contractors to use its pains”
I didn’t catch that at all…
I always say that Behr is a Bear to paint with!
Jenn
WOW — Thanks so much for the “heads up”. I’ve never liked Home Depot’s paint department setup, so although I’ve used Behr in the past it’s been quite a while. This new paint had caught my attention, however, and I was certainly going to keep it in mind for my next project!!! I can’t thank you enough for saving me a lot of grief! I’ve had good luck with Lowe’s Valspar. It’s half the price of Sherwin Williams and I really do like it!
I’ve never used Lowe’s Valsapar – its good to hear its been good to you…
I’d have to say more often than not I’m working over Benjamin Moore basecoats – that and Sherwin Williams…
4 cans latter ,32$ a can, week behind 1 8×8 room lil bath. im ready too shoot my self
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Love Benjamin Moore – hate Behr. 8 years ago I used Behr and had paint boogers and hadn’t used it since. Then yesterday in an apparent fit of insanity, I used it once again on my hallway and it did a TERRIBLE job of covering my nail holes that had been mudded and sanded well. (I cheaped out and gave in to a sale on the Behr Premium Plus Ultra Paint Plus Primer) NOT IMPRESSED – with the paint or myself. I should know not to compromise!! TWICE BITTEN by the Behr!
“fit of insanity”
I usually do not take the time to rate products but after using this paint (I use the term loosely) I felt a compelling duty to warn others. I used the exterior version of this paint and all I can say is that to call it garbage would be way too kind.
If you go ahead and purchase it anyway, plan on getting lots-and-lots of it because the paint (cough!) has no hiding ability at all; and get plenty of sand paper because it goes on like wet dirt so you will have to sand between every coat; and get plenty of paint stripper because you will have to make a decision whether to kill yourself by continuing with the work or get even with the paint by completely removing it.
Oh, and while you are at it, sent a nasty note to both Consumer Reports and Behr.
your input helps others… I am a firm believer of that. I love Home Depot – but doesn’t mean I gotta love everything they sell…
Behr Ultra is the best paint I have used in 45 years! It is NOT a One Coat Paint! It has NEVER been marketed that way, if you think it is then you don’t read the back of the can like you SHOULD! Shame on you. This paint flows and levels perfectly, it has unbelievable stain resistance and you can scrub the hell out of it with NO rubbing off of the finish. I’ve used it bathrooms and the mildew resistance is impeccable! It has solved all of my issues with mildew in bathrooms. It’s price point is so low I save huge amounts of money instead of buying overpriced Ben Moore or Sherwin Williams. BM and SW are hurting big time!!! They are taking quality out of the can to make up for market share being stolen by BEHR! Behr NEVER takes quality out of the can because sales are through the roof year after year so they can maintain their high quality. If you don’t like Behr then you DON’T know how to paint. Your use to low quality watered down paint that you can brush and brush and roll and roll and roll forever because its so watered down! Behr Ultra you just roll it on and LEAVE it alone, quicker and saves you time!!! It lays down by itself, you are OVER ROLLING it if you get lap marks!! Because you don’t know how to paint with a high quality paint! Try rolling or brushing it on and LEAVING it alone! Its so easy to do, less rolling and brushing means less time which means less work. You need to be a horrible painter if you get lap marks with Ultra. Stop spreading the paint thin, over rolling, and lighten up on the roller! Your squeezing to much out of the roller and putting to much pressure on the surface causing LAP MARKS!
Behr Ultra is the highest quality paint you can buy at a ridiculously low price. PERIOD!
I must say I agree with you, Behr before Masco got their hands on them was a hi-quality customer oriented paint firm that provided a superior product at a fair price. Now they are more drivin by fancy paint label design rather than quality paint. Frankly, many we know of stopped using Behr because of the marketing driven approach to constanly change a products packaging seemed to only confuse its customers who got use to a single standard of excellence. Behr’s packaging design staff needs to learn what Campbells Soup and Coca Cola learned. When something has worked for you for years don’t screw with it!
The labels on the “Premium Plus” line of paint hasn’t changed in 7 years. The Ultra paint and it’s labels are a NEW line of paint that came out 2 years ago. SOOOOO the label is new 2 years ago and has not changed since it rolled out to the stores. Many have stopped using Behr because of label changes????? Strange, because there has been no labe changes and Behr has gone from a 3 million dollar a year company to a 2 BILLION dollar company in the last 10 years. No one has had more market share than Behr over the last 25 years. The products are strong, Rated #1 in Consumer Report 4 years in a row, and the prices are CHEAP compared to all the competition. Behr is alive and well, ready to steal more and more market share because of its quality, price, and services.
I wasn’t knocking all Behr paint, I was talking the new ‘do all Ultra’… To each his own, but that paint we used sucked, and it wasn’t in the applicating……
From the mouth of Behr:
“Certain colors may require more than one coat for complete hide.”
that infers that enough colors don’t need more than one coat for complete coverage….
Thank you, your making my point. Nowhere does it say that this is a one coat paint. Behr says “Certain colors may require more than one coat for complete hide.” because they understand that people are extremely lazy and the majority will only do one coat, so they don’t demand that they do 2 coats and they infer that one coat may be adequate.
While many many colors will cover beautifully in one coat, making the customer extremely happy, Behr has never said that this is a “one coat” paint. I always do 2 coats regardless of the color to achieve color uniformity and added durability. I’m not lazy.
If people don’t like Behr, its because they don’t know how to paint. PERIOD. Add to that, cheap brushes and rollers along with inexperience and thats when the problems start. When a customer says Behr sucks and I ask how much they bought to paint a 14X14 and they say ONE gallon??? That proves that they have spread the paint WAY to thin and the product never had a chance to succeed, blame it on the paint right?
Industry fact, no matter what paint you buy
“95% percent of all paint issues, falilures are due to improper preparation or application” Look in the mirror if you don’t like the paint you use and educate yourself to do a better job.
If you can’t get Ultra to perform your prep work and technique has to be horrible. Sorry.
I HATE working with Behr paint. I’d rather pluck my eyebrows out with hot fireplace tools. I wonder who paid off Consumers Report. Accusing folks of not knowing how to roll on paint????????????
Depending on what I was rolling over I think glue would have had less drag. Oh, wait, I forgot, it’s my fault, I don’t know how to roll paint. That is what causes the paint to park on the wall and me to use three gallons of product instead of one. Proper preparation? The whole point is primer and paint in one. Bill you look in the mirror and ask your self why you are so sanctimonious about this brand? Do you own stock? I agree with Patty I think it sucks major and I feel sorry for those foolish enough to purchase it. Oh, by the way Bill I’ve been painting for ten years, your right though its a really hard thing to do properly. (Pleases, give me a break.)
One last thing, Bill you wrote:
“If people don’t like Behr, its because they don’t know how to paint. PERIOD. Add to that, cheap brushes and rollers along with inexperience and thats when the problems start. When a customer says Behr sucks and I ask how much they bought to paint a 14X14 and they say ONE gallon??? That proves that they have spread the paint WAY to thin and the product never had a chance to succeed, blame it on the paint right?
Industry fact, no matter what paint you buy
“95% percent of all paint issues, falilures are due to improper preparation or application” Look in the mirror if you don’t like the paint you use and educate yourself to do a better job.
If you can’t get Ultra to perform your prep work and technique has to be horrible. Sorry.”
Is it good business to market to average home owners and do it yourselfer’s a paint that takes an education to apply? Just asking?
99.9% of DIYers have no problem what so ever applying Behr paint. It is designed for the DIY user specifically for ease of application, coverage, low voc, dry time, hiding, easy clean up, easy touch up…
Thats why when someone says it sucks I think it’s important to point out that this person has no idea how to paint, or they’re a contractor that feels threatened by Behr and Home Depot because of their blind loyalty to Ben Moore or Sherwin Williams. Plus, a contractor has no idea how to use a quality paint thats not full of water (cheap), and that they have to play around with for 20 minutes on the wall trying to make it look good. Funny that a housewife who paints once every 5 years can get great results with Behr but some “pro” painter can’t! Laughable:))))) Using Behr is as easy as spreading butter on toast, I’m sure some people are incapable of doing that too. So in their mind butter sucks, well look in the mirror it’s not the butter that sucks! Behr is the #1 Rated paint year after year after year, you can cry and say that Behr pays off Consumer Report, impossible. That’s an ignorant statement based on the fact that you have no idea how CR does it’s testing and that it’s the most respected consumer magazine with the highest integrity, they would not be around for decades if it was not on the up and up.
Behr paint is the best paint along with the best price and no one can touch it. Period……………………………………………………….
If I recall, when I wrote this post and researched that Consumer Report deal, it was CR themselves that claimed :
“We haven’t tested the Premium Plus Ultra products, but in our latest report on interior paints (ratings available to subscribers) Behr’s Premium Plus Enamel was the top-rated low-luster and flat finish and the number four semigloss.”
This is just an open post, Bill, about my particular experience with this particular brand, and others giving THEIR feedback based on their own experience – some good, some not. I am not here to discount your opinion – you are entitled to it, as is anyone else that prefers Behr and has nothing but great experiences with it. Obviously people are buying it. Maybe you could back off now, feeling that you need to cut others down that don’t agree with you… you aren’t going to change our mind – not even with all the barbs your slinging….
Lisa,
It is extremely foolish to think that just because there is primer in the paint that you don’t need to do “proper preparation” to the surface before painting. You are part of the 95% that has a paint problem and would rather blame the product instead of looking in the mirror and admitting that you don’t know how to paint. I don’t know if its laziness or inexperience or the inability to follow the recommendations of the paint company that makes you think it’s not necessary to prep properly before applying any product.
If it feels like glue rolling, you are using cheap rollers and your OVER ROLLING the product! Let me help you-
1. Choose a high quaility roller
2. Load the roller with paint
3. Roll with LIGHT pressure on the surface, one loaded roller will do a 4X4 section NOT a whole wall!!!! Stop rolling and rolling and rolling and rolling and rolling and rolling and roll a little more, and roll, oh there’s a lap mark, lets roll some more, rolling, and rolling. Your drying the paint the more you roll causing that sucking sound and your pulling the product BACK off the wall! Get the product on the surface and LEAVE IT ALONE!
You probably still lick the back of a self adhesive stamp and then complain that it doesn’t stick well.
I used samples of Behr Ultra, Benjamin Moore, Farrow & Ball, and True Value before painting my walls. FB an BM had the best colors, but the walls soaked up the paint- I needed FOUR coats of BM to equal just one coat of the Behr Ultra.
I loved the Behr Ultra paint -used it in a light grey color – and had no visible “lap lines” or any of the problems described above. It’s not a one coat paint, but the color is elegant and it gave great coverage. Honestly, I think BM is running more of a scam then Behr is. People constantly tout BM to be some sort of “artist quality” wall covering- the color selection is great, but it’s not true to color on the walls and the quality of the paint itself is severely lacking.
Behr sucked years ago (runny, drippy, just gross), but the new line is excellent.
Bill, what is it to you, about Behr? Why all the energy in putting folks down who do not like it? I know how to roll on paint. My first job was crewing with professional painters for peanuts so I could know the ins and the outs. I’m not a rookie. My finished work is beautiful here is some of it…do this kind of finish and then I’ll listen to you….okay Bill.
http://muralsplus.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=387364.0;attach=384;image
I’m an interior designer and have lots of experiences with different paints. I just recently started using Behr Ultra (in my bedroom) and it went on beautifully. It was so nice to not have to prime over new drywall. In fact, I’m just on my way to Home Depot to pick up some Behr Ultra for a few more rooms.
Hello! I recently painted my daughter’s room “Sweet Violet” in the Behr Ultra paint. I absolutely love the paint. I painted over flat beige builder’s paint (Sherwin Williams) and it actually did cover in one coat. There are no lap marks and no boogers in the paint. Thank you, Paint Gods!
Today I was searching Google images for rooms done by real people in this paint – I was surprised to see others did not have the same experience I did. I loved this paint so much, I want to use it again for my living room and need paint color ideas.
I’ve painted tons of times, and used a few different brands of paint (Valspar, Sherwin Williams, Regular Behr, Olympic, WalMart Colorplace and Kilz paints, and Benjamin Moore). I decided to try Behr Ultra because I didn’t want to prime the existing flat builder paint first.
I am NOT a pro painter, just a stay at home mom who likes to paint rooms. Here is my method for a perfectly painted room:
Buy the paint rollers by Shur-line with teflon in them. You can get them at home depot and they have white fuzz on bright green rolls. LOAD your roller! This paint did NOT drip or splatter like other brands have done to me. If you have to press hard to get the paint on the wall, you do not have enough paint on your roller. Re-load!
Use Shur-line edger pads – they are red with little wheels on them to go along the ceiling, baseboards and trim. When you are loading your edger, just kind of gently, barely put it in the paint and then wipe the paint off a bit on the paint tray.
Keep baby wipes handy while you are painting! I am too impatient to tape baseboards. If you drip some paint on your baseboard or get it accidentally on the ceiling, a quick swipe with a baby wipe will save the day!
I also cover my paint trays with a garbage bag, and tie it. That way, when I am done painting, I just untie it, turn the bag inside out and throw the mess in the garbage.
Better luck painting next time!
thats great that your experience was positive – its not fun being disappointed with your product. And, really, painting has NOTHING to do with ‘luck’.
FYI
Behr Ultra is Rated #1 AGAIN in the March 2011 issue of Consumer Reports.
That is unbelievably difficult to do over and over again. When you’ve been on top for so long, there is a big target on your back. The competition has one thing on their mind and thats to knock you off the top of the hill. Hats off to Behr for keeping their products high quality and low priced, even when costs of raw materials to produce such a high quality paint sky rocket year after year.
Unlike BMoore and Sherwin Williams who continue to take the quality out of the can to save costs and then spend that money going after DIYers because the Contractor business is dying. Their quality goes DOWN and the prices keep going UP. You are getting scammed if you pay all that money for SW and BM. Big Time.
I’ve been using Behr paints for 20 + years, and have gotten great results most of the time; when I didn’t, I could attribute it to something I did to cause a problem. I use the best brushes, rollers, tools (I’m a fanatic about my tools!) necessary to get good results. Well, I just painted a room with the Behr Premium Plus Ultra, and I am extremely unhappy with the results. It is very thick, and doesn’t level out like Behr Premium Plus, but I’m having a problem I’ve never experienced; little white round grains in the paint! The color is “Beluga”, so almost black; also, the walls in this room were painted with a slight texture, which I’ve sanded down to a tolerable level, and used flat finish to hide as much as possible. I didn’t notice these granules after the first coat, (my eyes aren’t what they used to be) but I didn’t sand the first coat either. The next day, after the second coat was applied, and had dried for a few hours, I saw and felt these tiny and pretty rough little dots, which are about 1 every 1/2″ to 1″ everywhere. If you pick at them, you find they are white and quite round. I then tested the paint with a brush and the same thing! I also didn’t get complete coverage everywhere, but that is surely due to an uneven surface. I’m taking the rest of the paint back to HD to talk to them about it. Does anyone have any thoughts on this problem? Thx.
Bucky, can’t help you with the granules- we only found obvious globs in the paint that we had to continuously pick off the wall as we went along. I would send off an email to Behr and ask them what the deal is -
Call 1-800-854-0133 Ext 2 and their Tech Service will help you figure out what went wrong. They have an excellent department and will be able to resolve any issues you’ve had.
Sounds like because you sanded a textured surface and then painted over it, you are getting residule surface material working its way back into the the paint. The water in the paint is drawing out the texture in the wall.
Like the old story goes, “95% of all paint issues are caused by poor preparation or application.”
But of course, everyone likes to blame the paint.
Globs?????? That’s funny, how can you put something on a wall that has globs in it? I would notice something is wrong with the first stroke of a brush… Weird
ya bill, GLOBS are what i call them. we were rolling – 2 different people, out of same can of shit paint – what can i tell ya – you had a good experience, we didnt.
Nice language coming from a “lady”. Do you kiss your Mother with that mouth. Explains a lot. Have a good day.
Well, I JUST finished painting a room with Behr premium plus ultra…. and I second the opinion that it SUCKS. I had painted this room several years ago with “regular” Behr premium plus and couldn’t have been happier with the results. The paint was easy to apply, covered great and gave me a long lasting beautiful finish. This previous experience is the primary reason why I purchased the premium plus ultra. I thought “all the great qualities of Behr paint but even better”. WRONG! This paint wanted to stick to everything but the walls. It refuses to roll out properly, leaves lap marks and paint boogers plus I had the added “benefit” of poor adhesion. The paint continuously wanted to pull up with the masking tape.
Now you can say that it is all my fault…. (As I am sure that Bill will from the comfort of his cubicle at Behr headquarters) I am not a professional, but I do know which end of the brush to hold. So when I am painting the same room, with the same tools, using the same skills (however limited you deem them to be) and get horribly different results I KNOW where the problem lies. This is MY experience with this paint and I will never buy the ULTRA again.
Actually you bring up a good point Scott – we repainted all our mains and our 2-story great room years ago with Behr – was the Premium Plus (just checked the cans) and we too had NO issues…
Berh paint & primer together vs Aura from Benjamin Moore, WOW! No comparison Behr SUCKS.
With Aura, the color was really saturated, full, intense. The flat is so rich looking It went on beautifully. even thought I was warned about not touching up a spot until it dried. I hit a wall with the edge of my little giant, left am inch scuff mark…. IT WIPED RIGHT OFF WITH A DAMP CLOTH! It is self leveling. this flat has the coolest looking MATTE finish. Cutting Edge Stencils recommends using it with their production stencils, I’m doing a Chinoiserie style panel in clients make up room and this washable flat paint is working out great.
Okay for some soul searching, why do I dislike Behr as much as Bill likes it? When I go to buy the paint the store is kinda crungy…the guy behind the counter acts like he is the Supreme Allied Commander of interior/color selection. I have stood waiting in line and see some of the most HIDEOUS color combinations recommended to the average DYI’er, then they recommend paint kits for $19, then the paint it self, smelly, watery, UFO’s in it…(Me too, don’t mix the bottom hard with a stick.) Load it on a roller and its all splatter, like not much in binders, Aura is like a yogurt, really creamy, no smell. But I would forgo all that except Behr dried after two coats seems to have shadows, faded or un- level areas, and the paint and primer does not go far at all coverage wise.
Bill why would you post a comment about “Do you use that mouth.” What is that? Shame the person for expressing her view that this paint is SHIT? I, too, believe with my heart and soul that is is the SHITTIEST PAINT IN THE UNIVERSE! I think Behr is a greedy, self serving company, making profits on folks who do not know any better! So Bill, shame on you for pulling your shame crap on this forum. I do believe you work for Behr and you and they suck…Yes, I do talk to my Mom with this mouth!!!!! Patty I think you are great just the way you are!
Ps no REAL Designer would EVER chose Behr over Farrow & Ball. EVER. just saying……
I really appreciate the reviews. Kept us from choosing the premium plus ultra. We are painting cabinets.
I wouldn’t normally comment, but as an outside observer Bill sounds *way* too committed to the Behr brand. Everyone could use a little “YMMV” here.
Reminds me of one of my favorite XKCD cartoons: http://xkcd.com/386/
Lisa,
Very lady like, your poor Mother.
Bill, My mother is non of your business. Please go dry up some where, (maybe your cube at Behr?)
Shame is a cowards game when he can not make a point.
My point is your gross, your poor Mother.
This blog is about painting and paint products. Lets try and not turn it into Craigslist Rants and Raves, okay?
BM’s, Aura is a great product for a primer and paint combo, very washable and the finish has depth, richer then other paints I’ve used. Goes on beautifully. Very happy it is available…. do pay more, worth it, its that great of a paint. Behr is difficult to even out, drys blotchy, looks chalky no depth. I don’t like it and would tell anyone not to use it. Cheep paint. You get what you pay for.
Behr Premium Plus Ultra is the best paint I have ever used. It is thick, rolls on beautifully, covers great, and leaves no roller marks, brush strokes or “boogers” as some may suggest. It saves time and money, and I will recommend it to everyone. Covers better than Benjamin Moore, at less cost. It also makes invisible touchup’s, and cleans without marking. Not to mention has low VOC without paying a premium for it. I will be using Behr for every project.
Patty, you’re right, there is no luck involved! I suppose I should have said better EXPERIENCE painting, next time!
The problem with Behr Paint started years ago when Masco bought them. Prior to that Behr paint used higher quality ingredients and carriers in its paint. Behr is more concerned with marketing strategy and fancy labels with foil than the actual product inside the can. I will nevr use their paint again.
I used to work at the Behr Paint hotline helping people that were having problems with the paint. What I learned (not what I was taught) was if the paint is giving you problems use a different brand. I have been reading this thread for sometime. I have been debating trying the newer Behr Paints, but I doubt they will work any better. Behr never felt their product was the problem, always the customer using the paint.
I agree with you that Benjamin Moore is a good paint and from the pics posted above it looks like you did a great job.
Thank you for your candor Stefano it is what I have expected from Behr ever since I stopped working for them after 9 years. People are correct in assuming the problem with Behr started after Masco took over. Its never the paint its always the customer. Oh still shilling for Behr hey Bill?
Behr Premium Plus Ultra.
As a Home Depot paint associate, it would be easy for me to be biased about the Ultra product, but based off of what I have read here, I can’t help but wonder if Bill is somewhat correct. Now, I know that it’s purely opinion, but Utlra is certainly not a bad product. Day in and day out I have DIY’ers, Contractors and housewives all tell me that they like the paint. It is somewhat rare that we get bad reviews on it. Hell, my parents used it and absolutely loved it (Sherwin Williams Lovers). I can tell you in talking to the Behr rep, that it is still a new paint and that Behr is working torward making it a much better product. I’m not going to knock any other brand simply because everybody has their own likes and dislikes, but I can tell you, that Behr Premium Plus Ultra is a very popular paint and with good reason. I’ve used it and I recommend it.
Chris
Home Depot 6561
Chris, I have to ditto everything you said. I also work in the paint department at Home Depot and can say it is VERY RARE when a customer says they don’t like Behr Ultra. At that point I ask why and most of the time I can say it was do to there lack of preparation of the surface and/or using poor quality brushes & roller covers, and over rolling! We have converted several die hard Sherwin Williams customers over to Behr Ultra and they are very pleased with the product and price. I personally try out our products, so I can give my honest view and will tell customers of the pros and cons. It doesn’t matter what brand of paint one uses, two coats always looks better than one. Behr does not claim Ultra will cover in one coat although many colors will not require a second coat. There is a misconception that Behr Ultra is a paint that has a primer mixed in. Ultra uses more binders in their paint for better coverage. Although one CAN use Ultra over raw drywall, our department recommends using a primer sealer first so the drywall does not soak up the paint. Another factor is cure time. Most consumers believe that once paint has dried it’s cured, that is not the case. Actual cure time is about a week and for those paints that use a lot of tint, it can be even longer. Many colors can be recoated the same day but with those colors that have 12-14 ounces of tint, you should wait at least 24 hours before recoating. With one color that I used I could see overlap lines but once the paint had cured, they completely disappeared. I have personally used Ultra and have had fantastic results and the Premium Plus is also excellent. Final comment, if you have a problem with any type of the Behr paint, call the manufacturer.
Linda
Home Depot 3877
Still the Behr Shill a Bill?
So much effort to back up something that does not perform? I’m wondering why? It sucks, pure and simple. Truth is just that. More spent to promote it then spent in making it great.
Oh, and the Martha Stewart “faux” kits for $16.99 love to see how that works out.
Bill,
Do you work for Behr? I am not a professional painter. However, I painted three buildings (house, in-law unit and barn) with Behr Premium Plus paint in 2007. The building were properly prepped and primed. Additionally, I sprayed and back rolled two coats (some places three coats). In 3 1/2 years the paint had failed so badly that Behr is replacing the paint. However, I am still out the labor. Is this new Behr Premium Plus Ultra (paint is free) worth the labor I will have hire?
Rod
P.S. Bill.
I will be repainting on wood siding.
Ugh, that is the LAST thing we want – call backs on product failure….
sorry to hear that…
I have been reading those “consumer reports” for some time. My boss is an addict and has them all over our office. I think that they are so fake. I honestly do think they take money from manufacturers. When I first read that paint article I almost ran out to HD to buy some Behr. Then i did some research and remembered the last time I used Behr. The paint never levels out no matter what.
Saying that Behr is better than Sherwin Williams, et al is like saying that WalMart products are better than Macy’s. For the Do it yourselfer that doesn’t really know what to look for in paint characteristics, Behr is fabulous!
My point is that “consumer reports” is just that… Consumers. Those guys just put some lab coats and make “consumrers” think they are scientists. They are not, yet people get fooled year after year.
Bottom line: my background is in Architecture/Engineering, and all my paints for my house have been coming from S.W. And I have been painting myself.
I firmly believe that for the quality of Behr, they should sell it for 5 bucks/gal.
Amen. I have been saying Consumers Reports claiming Behr is wonderful was weird. Something not right, it’s such awful paint.
I’m remodeling a home and have painted a couple of rooms using Miller Paint. It’s a paint made in Portland, Oregon and it has been great. I have a lot more painting to do and I have been tempted to give the Behr a try just because I am so damn curious about just how good or how bad this stuff actually is. You read such wildly varying experiences with this stuff all over the net that it has almost become a dare for me. As in,” I dare ya to use this stuff.” It really has become a curiosity for me. But you know what happened to the curious cat. Maybe I’ll take the $30 dare and try it on a wall or two just to satisfy my curiosity. If it sucks as bad as some people say then I’ll just paint over it.
I know what you mean, I often take the bait, just to see for myself. Do it somewhere that doesnt matter – like in a closet, or on a garage wall – you ‘can’ paint over it if it sucks, but one word of caution, from my mom’s house – that first coat of it left lap marks that STILL remained even when her painter came back and painted over it with BM….
and again, I’ll add in here that when we moved into this house back in 2000 I did alot of my own interior painting and used Behr with no problems – not to be cheap, I just used it because I was one stop shopping – at the big HD – the colors were right there, I found one and that was that. BUT that paint I used was not this Ultra Premium one….
LISTEN EVERYBODY!!!! I am a third generation of my familys painting company. Grandpa, Dad, now I own and run the company. We have used every paint under the sun. Name it, We’ve tried it . Loyal to the manufactures who gave decent pricing and good customer service. The paint business has changed in the past ten years. Less quality ingredients and more fillers. Raw ingredient cost, higher shipping and fuel cost…. etc,etc. I switched to Home Depot. Better paints, better cost. We have made the worst paints look good. Behr Ultra is very good. I personallly apply a good 1200 gallons average per year. Our niche is multiple colors in high end residential. Great coverage and durable. Let the paint completlely dry (4 hours give or take), before looking for lap marks of uneven coverage. Always use high quality brushes and roller covers. HD has Glidden, and the new Kilz 300 line. These paints are good as well. I like SW, BM, P&L but dislike the fact that I have to pay alot more money to get the same quality products as those at Home Depot. I find the there is no more prestige in going to these stores when my profit margins have increased by using Home Depot. I have steady work year round. The guys who use SW, BM, have to increase their bid or use cheaper quality from these stores to compete. The game has changed in recent years. People shop on price first. Over the border crews are doing most of the work for minimum wages. I am usually midpriced in bid because I save money by using HD Paints and I dont have to worry about getting hit with 2-3 price hikes by SW and BM, per year. I will challenge anybody to come to my jobsite and show me negatives about HD paints. In fact I will pay you wages for the day to help my crew and I apply the paints and show us these problems stated in this article. HD will win this battle whether we are using interior or exterior paints, especially the Behr Ultra.
You wrote:”Let the paint completely dry (4 hours give or take), before looking for lap marks of uneven coverage.”
Why in the world would I want to “look for lap marks or uneven coverage?”
Just painted my bedroom in Aura on pass.one coat, total coverage. Washable, color depth is exceptional.(new technology suspends the pigments evenly in the paint.)
You want to use cheap paint who’s binders will separate and leave your walls looking like a chalk board in 6 months go for it. Guess it would be good for business you’ll be back sooner.
Personally I want my paint job to last. Yes Behr is cheaper, but amortizes the cost over a year the difference between crap and quality, add the cost of the labor, do you really want to save pennies on cheap paint? Or look for paint that gives you uneven coverage? (Your words not mine.)
I also had a terrible experience with Behr paint. Bought the semi-gloss for a contractor to paint trim in my rental property. it was so thin you needed three coats to cover. My contractor told me to go to Sherwin Williams. After that, it was one coat and done. I would have had to pay the guys labor to paint all the trim three times if I had stuck with the Behr paint. Had two different contractors. Both told me that Behr used to be good but no longer has consistent quality. Will never buy it again.
I’ve helped my dad do a major renovation on a rental house and I also paint on and off as well. I’ve applied Kelly-Moore, Dunn-Edwards, Benjamin Moore, Glidden and Behr. I prefer Ben Moore or Kelly-Moore myself but Behr does have a good tech support department and their regular Premium Plus line is a decent paint, I’ve had mixed results with Premium Plus Ultra – coverage can be OK to poor with certain colors – Behr does have fade issues. On the other hand, I used Ben Moore’s Ben/Eco Spec WB/Aura in a few rooms and I can see the difference, Aura does have “pop” but even Ben covered nicely in 2 coats. I’ve primed with either Glidden Gripper or Zinsser 1-2-3 before painting, it does make a difference since there’s no way a paint/primer can be a good sealer.
Personally, if I get paint at Home Depot my first choice is Glidden. The new formulation is much nicer to work with than their older Evermore lines, I can’t seem to find their Spred/Endurance lines locally.
thanks for your comments, I’m sure your info will be helpful to readers
I have been a licensed general building contractor and professional painter for over 40 years. I do very high quality work. I always use the best Purdy paint brushes and roller covers.
I used Behr Premium Plus Ultra flat and satin for the first time, over the last three days. I painted ceilings, walls, and trim, using several colors. This Behr paint is overly thick, yet when rolled seems to cover reasonably well on the first coat. Because of its thickness and drag it is very hard to brush and cut in accurately like it should. Using it to paint trim can be a nightmare. No doubt about it, the paint is very hard to brush appropriately. I hated using it and hated the results when using a brush for detail work.
After putting a second coat of satin on wood plank tongue and groove wainscoting, and brushing it out very well, with a medium stiff Purdy brush, I went back and found runs and sags that never should have been there.
A good painter paints by feel as well as painting by sight, and Behr has the worst feel I have ever experienced. I love to paint, to do intricate brush work, and cutting in perfect edges and lines, yet the last three days have been miserable. The Behr paint is extremely hard to apply properly with a brush, and I’m sure it must be thinned considerably when brushing to eliminate the drag. When rolling it must be put on fairly heavy with a loaded roller, and because of that the coverage is poor.
One more comment. I have always noticed that the best, most durable water-based paints are easiest to clean up, even when somewhat dry, not sticking badly to skin, to brush bristles, brush handles, and other things the paint comes into contact with. A little soap and warm water cleans up the best paints very easily. When somewhat dry and thick it will even peel off in a flexible sheet. Poor quality paints are just the opposite, hard and not so flexible, soluble, or softenable. They wear poorly. When barely dry they stick like crazy and are terrible to clean up. Brushes take a lot of extra work, even if cleaned hourly. Behr paint is terrible on brushes and brush handles. As far as cleanup, It reminds me of Glidden paint I used 30 years ago, which was the worst I ever used, and have never touched Glidden since.
Yes, I’ve been spoiled with the lost and forgotten brands of marvelous oil-based paints of yesteryear, and the great water-based paints before they went to low VOC. I love painting, but if I had to paint with nothing but Behr, I would give painting up altogether. Painting with Behr is not really painting at all, it may be a counterfeit form of applying paint that some call painting, but in reality Behr paint has absolutely nothing to do with the art of painting.
No matter how well Behr paint holds up, I can’t stand applying the stuff. It is a serious waste of time and effort, and is not suitable for the quality of work that I do.
Amen, if you don’t understand after that post then you like making yourself crazy, have at it and use Behr.
Wonderful, honest, and beautifully written post! Thanks for taking the time! Well done!
I never would have thought that this post, a couple years ago, would still get feedback – to me, thats because the subject hits home with the reader, enough so that they choose to take the time to share their experience, be it same or different.
As much as this generation of internet, blogging, facebooking, tweeting, web siting etc bothers me (I have 2 teenagers so you can imagine why) this is one way I do appreciate it – that you can search for information on what you are looking for or curious about, and often you can find pertinent information.
Behr Ultra Premium Plus in Satin SUCKS! I can attest to this. I have used Behr Premium in Satin on my kitchen this past year and it worked beautifully. It was ONE coat of a very light blue, over a very dark blue. This is why I purchased Behr this time thinking the Ultra would be even better. I painted ONE wall in a 10 X 10 bedroom. It took the WHOLE gallon to do orange over a tan color. Ridiculous. I am headed to Sherwin Williams to have them color match it for me so I can get this room done. Right now, my husband is using SW on a hutch downstairs and is putting on ONE coat of white over dark brown and it is completely covered! Behr is the SHITS!!!
i painted my interior with the bear w / primer. a month later i noticed a hazy film on my windows, mirrors, decanters and glass on my paintings. it is hard to wash off and it reappears in less than a month. my mom used the same paint recently and she is getting a film also. has anyone else had this happen?
opps behr paint not bear paint
Nothing but Para love it! Premium or Ultra line, by the way General paints has had the same type of paint for over 15 years. Not a new concept buy good paint and stay away from the idiot box stores! They tend to do better colour matches at real paint stores and have rollers and brushes worth buying!!
Very shocked to hear these reviews. I love Behr paint and have not had any problems with it. It is all that I’ve used in my entire two story home. Interesting that so many don’t like it. I don’t know what the differences could be.
First off I have worked for home depot for 5 years. Next I have worked in paint for that same amount of time.
So what I’m I try to get at. When somone comes in saying they are a “pro painter” I laugh. Pro painters never went to school so they charge the same amount what mechanics charge who got an education. Next these pro painters use the same technique that people used 40 years ago. Next they can’t read labels. With the paint primer in one it dosnt say anywere that u can just do one coat of paint. The first coat acts like a primer then your second is ur paint finish coat.
Go buy cheap paint and behr and paint any surface with 2 coats. Then throw water or even coffee and wipe the surface down. See what great paint does and cheap paint does.
Use proper 6mm or 10mm rollers when painting wall. Stop using semigloss on walls. Flats give you a better durable paint then semigloss does. When u wash semigloss it turns milky on ur walls.
Don’t be argent about the work u do just like any technology out there new stuff comes around and u can’t just use the same stuff u learned using old stuff. Ask questions. The people at home depot are working with reps so they are educated on how to use the product.
Ever actually try a different paint? Just to make a comparison? BE HONEST. No, because you like many don’t think about what goes into a paint. Like cooking the quality of ingredients DOES matter in the final out come. Know that chalk feel the walls have usually with in 6 months? That is the binders separating leaving the main component of Behr which is FILLER. It’s cheap paint. Then level of denial and unconsciousness about this paint is unbelievable. Why so reluctant to learn about other paint. Who knows you may end up with a better result. Do you all like Bears? I don’t get it. Oh, BTW when you see a oily print on the wall that is again because the filler is so absorbent any thing that touches it ends up staying there. Like your kids palm print.
I found this site while looking for product reviews for the Behr Premium Plus Ultra paint, which I am considering using on the exterior of my house. I usually find sites where regular people post their views on products to be extremely helpful, but in the end, this site was not helpful at all. Most of the viewpoints seem far too rabid and extreme on both sides of the issue, more like what you expect to see on a political website.
In fact, the most vehement posters (and there are many here), seem to be far too invested in this either being the very best or the very worst paint in the universe. I highly doubt it is either, but I am quite certain it can’t be both. I am sorry I wasted so much of my time reading all these posts, many of which seem to represent people with personal agendas, rather than factual reviews of the product in question.
We are talking about paint. What are you talking about?
I am talking about paint, as you would have seen had you actually read my comment.
I read it, just did not get it. Who made you supreme allied commander of the Behr paint sucks blog? You were crying about how you could not believe what was posted…so we are liars right?
Look it’s simple, even for you, if you paint for a living, for decades, and you come across a product that is difficult to work with, does not look as good as other products when it’s applied, you post that it sucks… Okay…
Painting is not something I do once every five years. It’s a passion. I strive to be and use the best. Behr is not it. So you can say how you don’t believe it could be that bad. Okay put your money where your mouth is and struggle applying it. Then look at a nasty paint, cause that is what you’ll end up with, go head. Ignore all the posts that say so on this board. You know best you paint every day right?
Better still call a GOOD painting company and tell them you insist they use Behr see what they say…GO ahead I dare you! You want to argue about the post’s not about the product. How many ways can someone say it SUCKS?
If you don’t believe it use it. Pay back is a bitch and that will be your pay back..you will work much harder, spend more money then if you invest in a better paint. Sorry honey, but but been there and done that. That is why I posted to save you some HARD WORK, not to have you say I lie.
Wow, you appear to be seriously unbalanced. Your totally over the top reaction just proves my point about the extreme views expressed on this topic in this forum. It’s just PAINT, get a grip.
I didn’t call anyone a liar, I just said I was amazed at the very extreme views both pro and con posted here about this paint, and that obviously two totally opposite and extreme views can’t both be true, it is impossible. I never said I found one side’s arguments more convincing.
At the time I first went looking for info, I had not tried this paint, so I had zero opinion one way or the other, which is why I went looking for reviews in the first place. I did find lots of reviews on various other websites that were actually helpful. Many of the reviews here are difficult to take at face value because they are too extreme and contain too many personal attacks on posters with differing opinions.
Obviously people are entitled to have an opinion (good or bad) on this paint, but getting so worked up and posting such vitriolic comments and personal attacks over house paint is bizarre.