Get matched with top painters in Boyce, LA

While often used interchangeably, flat and matte paints are not the same. Flat paint has no gloss and is completely shine-free, while matte has up to 10% resin, giving it a slightly velvety appearance. That small amount of gloss in matte paint gives it a more elegant, modern appearance than flat paint, though flat paint is ideal for hiding imperfections in even the most dented, scratched, and repeatedly repaired surfaces.

Yes, it is advisable to prime a driveway before painting. Primer serves as a preparatory step, promoting better paint adhesion to the surface, enhancing durability, and ensuring a smoother, more even finish. Priming is essential for concrete driveways as they are porous and absorb paint unevenly without proper priming. Skipping this step may result in a less durable and less aesthetically pleasing paint job, requiring more frequent repainting.

After painting, air out the painted area for at least 48 to 72 hours by opening windows and using fans, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The process helps disperse volatile organic compounds (VOCs) the paint emits, reducing their concentration indoors. However, in some cases, especially with oil-based paints, airing out for extended periods may be necessary. Monitor air quality and continue ventilation until paint fumes dissipate significantly.

Matching new paint with an old, faded color can be tricky. First, you’ll need to determine whether the paint on your house is latex-based or oil-based. Lightly scrub an inconspicuous area of your home with rubbing alcohol—if the alcohol scrubs away the paint, it’s latex-based. If not, the paint is oil-based. 

Once you have that settled, bring a paint chip or photo of the color to a paint professional and have them mix you a matching paint in the same base (latex or oil). Then paint another inconspicuous part of your house to see if it’s a match.