Sherwin Williams Duration Paint Review

Yes, the matte finish is fairly close to the sheen of an eggshell finish, although the level of eggshell sheen varies between brands anyway, the matte finish of Duration is smooth and washable with two coats. It's definitely not too flat like the rep said, but one coat is flatter than two coats. I always apply two coats. I use the matte finish on most of my painting projects unless the customer wants a higher level of sheen on the walls, but my clients have been happy with the matte. In a bathroom, I'll often use the satin finish. If you're painting walls that need to be cleaned frequently, satin will be more washable, otherwise matte is fine.

The matte finish does look more glossy than the typical matte paint, but I would imagine this is to make it easier to clean. As far as the touch-up problem goes, paint color plays a role in how well, or not, the paint will touch up. If the paint color is a deep blue, red, or green, these colors are generally more difficult to touch up successfully, regardless of the paint being used. Light colors always touch up easier. Glossy paints are also a little harder to touch up than flat paint. It's difficult to say exactly why the paint didn't touch up well because there are so many variables that could have caused it, but I haven't had this issue.

Nope. The semi-gloss finish of Duration is washable, but it isn't trim paint. Emerald urethane, or Pro Classic, are trim paints that are much better choices for doors and trim.

The recoat time for Duration exterior paint is four hours when temps are 45 degrees and higher. With temps between 35 to 45 degrees, the recoat time is twenty-four to forty-eight hours. The recoat time for Duration interior paint is four hours.

Yes, you can use Duration on metal, but if it's bare metal, the surface should be primed first with oil primer sealer. If there's rust, it should be removed before priming. Factory painted metal like aluminum siding for example, can be painted with Duration exterior paint without a prime coat, but exposed bare metal spots have to be primed first.

Yes, but Duration isn't a good product for cabinets. For drywall it's great, but on cabinets, you need paint that will dry harder for added durability. Duration is too soft for this purpose. Emerald urethane (also from Sherwin Williams) is the paint you want to use on cabinets. The paint dries hard when fully cured, and it's meant for use on trim and cabinets. I use it on all of my cabinet painting projects. It costs more than Duration, but you'll have a much more durable finish on your cabinets.

I use an airless sprayer to spray Emerald urethane on cabinets, using the RAC-X FFLP tips from Graco. No thinning required. The paint levels nicely. I've never used an HVLP setup to spray Emerald, but you'll definitely have to thin the paint to make it work. My local SW store advised against clear coating Emerald. The paint itself is pretty washable after two coats.

The paint dries solid in the sheen and color you choose. It's paint, not a transparent coating.

One coat of Duration is okay, but only in the right conditions. The surface being painted should be in good condition. One coat only works if the new color isn't too far off from the existing color. White on white is no problem. If the colors are very different, two coats are needed for solid coverage. Bare wood spots, peeling paint, and surface stains should be primed separately with the appropriate primer. I personally apply two coats of Duration on my exterior projects. Duration is thick and durable with one coat, but two is always better. Another consideration to make is the paint finish you're using. The satin finish of Duration looks very dull with only one coat. This makes the surface less durable and harder to keep clean. Two coats of satin Duration is very glossy and resists dirt better. It's also easier to clean. Even the flat finish has a slight lustre with two coats, but not with one. In my opinion, two coats looks more solid and uniform, and your paint job will likely last longer.

It depends on your region, but Duration paint is very durable and lasts longer than other paints I've used in the past. Repainting every five to seven years is enough.

Yes, I have. I recently sprayed an aluminum-sided house with Duration. I definitely recommend it. It's my go-to paint for most of my exterior work. The paint bonds and covers well. You need to power-wash the siding really well first and don't apply the paint if it rains the next day.

Yes, but the surface needs to be sanded and primed first with a bonding primer.

Yes, Duration is a good paint for vinyl siding, but you need to make sure you choose a vinyl safe color. Dark colors absorb too much heat from the sun and can cause buckling of the siding and paint failure. When you visit the store ask about their vinyl safe colors.

Normally this shouldn't be an issue, but if the wall is sticky, my answer is definitely no. The surface needs to be totally dry before recoating. If it's sticky, it's possible humidity is slowing down the cure time, or too much paint was applied. You should contact your local Sherwin Williams store.

If the colors are similar, one coat of exterior Duration would be fine, but drastic color changes might require a second coat of paint for solid coverage, or you can have the paint store tint the primer similar to the paint color so it covers well. Keep in mind though that only one coat of paint often reduces the durability and intended sheen. One coat of paint in a satin finish won't be as shiny and smooth as two coats. Exterior Duration is very thick though and covers well in one coat, with or without primer, if the paint color is similar to existing color. I always apply two coats of paint for maximum durability. I've never had a call back.

Yes, one coat is fine, especially if the color is matched, but two coats is better for durability.

No. The paint might freeze before it had time to dry though if it was below freezing during application. I believe exterior Duration is good down to 35 degrees, or 40. Below those temps the paint can fail.

I don't recommend using flat paint on walls, especially if your living room walls are likely to get dirty from kids, or pets, touching them. Flat paint is very dull and hard to clean, even Duration flat. Flat paint is good though if the walls have lots of imperfections you want to hide and cleaning the walls isn't important. The smooth finish of Duration matte, or satin, is a lot easier to clean.

Yes, if the surface is dry with no rain expected, but a better paint for painting in moist conditions is Resilience, also a Sherwin Williams paint.

No. Interior paint should only be used indoors.

Yes. Floetrol by Flood works well for this. It helps level the paint finish. If you're spraying, it also reduces clogs and spray-tip wear.

Yes.

Two coats are more durable than one coat, especially with your cold winters, but Duration is a very durable paint that performs well even in one solid coat. Whether it covers in one coat though depends on the color you're painting over. Consider your paint finish too. If you use the satin finish, the paint will be less shiny in one coat. With two coats, the surface is smoother and easier to maintain with the garden hose etc.

You can, but the paint will fail. Interior paint should only be used indoors. Use a quality exterior paint.