I am getting ready to repaint two barns and would like to find an excellent quality paint that holds up. Of course, we’re going to have to wait for a few nice days, but I want to purchase the paint so I have it.
The barn is 10 years old and we are going to scrape all the old paint off. I don’t know if I should go with oil or latex and what is the best that lasts.
I painted my barn with a solid opaque stain instead of paint.
I really wanted to avoid future flaking and peeling of paint, and the stain really soaks into the wood. It doesn’t actually look like stain, it looks like a painted barn!
Been about 7 years now and no issues at all - other than it’s dirty and needs powerwashed 
I forget the brand name name, but I bought it in 5 gal reddish/brown -colored steel buckets at Lowe’s and had a choice of colors. Not cheap, but worth it.
Now, I was applying over bare wood, not sure if it works as well over a previously painted surface?
Today’s latex is much different than in years past. High end latex paints now come with a lifetime guarantee. If they ever chip, peel, or fade, you can get more paint free. I’ve used Lowes, Home Depot, and Sherwin-Williams best latex paints. Recently I had a chance to test all of them, that were 5 to 7 years old under a pressure washer. Lowes and Home Depot were about the same, and I could get them off. Sherwin-Williams Duration held strong. Of course, it’s about twice the price of the others. I was never impressed with the coverage of Duration, but now they have a new one that does cover better called Emerald.
You asked for the best, so that doesn’t factor in cost. For best now, I use Duration as the first coat, and top with Emerald. Bring money.
The only oil base I use is primer on interior, because it doesn’t raise grain, and for exterior, to prime new (old style) window sash so glazing will stick to it.
I had an architect tell me recently that I was the best finish carpenter he’d ever seen when he was with a group looking at a house I restored. It was the paint job on top of the work that showed it off, and he didn’t even notice the quality of the paint job because it had no defects and completely showed off the work.
I second the solid color stain route - it has the opaque coverage of paint but gets absorbed into the wood rather than just laying on top, so you never get the flaking off of paint; the worst that happens is the color eventually fades a bit and then you can add another coat of stain, without having to scrape. A good cleaning with diluted bleach removed oxidation and then you’re good to go. Everything on our farm is done in solid stain and we use the Cabot brand; we use the latex.
I’m with Tom King, except I am not the best finish carpenter or even particularly competent (thank God for putty and caulk) 
However, I’m posting to tell you to watch Sherman Williams for sales. They just had a 40% off sale a couple weeks ago and I bought two gallons of the cabinet paint (which is normally ubber spendy). The great thing is you can buy their paint on sale and then bring it in later (for free) to have the tint added if you aren’t sure that day what color you want.
I would call them and ask when their next sale is.
If you go the solid stain route, which I did on my deck at my old house and still needed to reapply every 3rd year, why wouldn’t you use oil? Oil is going to soak in. I’m truly curious. TIA.
Well I went to Sherwin Williams and the guy at the store said our best option was to use oil base primer and then Emerald as a top coat. I brought money, LOTS of money, and the guy said the paint should last for many years. Now we just have to wait for nice weather!
I don’t have a barn, but I did a TON of research on painting my house because I decided I wanted to do the best job and have it last 20 years, not 10.
Yes, go with Sherwin Williams, or one of the other paint only brands. Do NOT do a Home Depot/Lowe’s brand. I did a LOT of research into Duration and Emerald. The ONLY reason it’s so much better is you don’t need to prime it first–it’s a primer/paint combo. Normally it’s $70 a gallon (Emerald is $90.) Now, there is NO way I am paying $70 for a primer. They WILL try to sell you on Duration or Emerald, but should admit what I just told you.
I had a professional painter do the house and he agreed. Prime the house with a really good oil primer if you can find one (it’s illegal in CA) which is MUCH cheaper than using your paint as a primer, and then paint with SuperPaint, which is the same paint at $50 a gallon. The one in between SuperPaint and Emerald is about $60 a gallon and is good if you have an issue with possible rain (it wasn’t for me.)
AND, they do have the 40% off sale about every three months. I think they had one about a month ago, so it’s coming up soon.
So, I would prime with oil primer and buy SuperPaint at 40% off and get it at $30 a gallon instead of $50. I have a small, two bedroom house and paid $650 for paint. If I hadn’t gotten it on sale, it would have been $1,000. Duration or Emerald would have doubled that.
I’m not a painter, but I spent MONTHS perusing the contracter boards, reading everything I could, and checking out ALL of the information.
And, if you’re going my route and would rather do it right once instead of having to do it again sooner, make sure you prep really well. I don’t know what your weather situation is there, but I would make sure you have a long dry run to pressure wash really well and dry really well before you prime and paint. My house looks REALLY good and I don’t expect to paint it again before I die.
Oh man. You added that as I was typing. Did you buy it already? I hope not.
Barn and Fence paint , 5 gallons , i think i paid 50-60 dollars , lowe,s … HOOF…
I repainted my barn and fences with “Kilz” Barn and Fence paint. Barn in red and fence in white. I am really, really pleased with the one coat coverage. The last time my barn was painted was 15-16 years ago so it was in need.
[QUOTE=Beentheredonethat;6696067]
Yes, go with Sherwin Williams, or one of the other paint only brands. Do NOT do a Home Depot/Lowe’s brand. [/QUOTE]
Not barn paint, but I use Porter Paints Fence Paint. I did so after a friend tried four different products on her black board fences and I got to see the results after almost 2 years. Hands down, no question, even after only 6 months PP was the best. Also the most expensive–by at least double. Fortunately (or not) when you buy paint for more than a mile and half of fence they give you a pretty good deal.
Paint is one of those products where you just need to bite the bullet and go with quality. We are Sherwin Williams devotees–goes on better, covers better, lasts better. It’s worth the investment, and they do have good sales. It’s always a good sign when the paint store is filled with contractors and pro painters (which you’re not going to encounter at one of the box stores).
I wanted barn red and I was on a budget (I am always on a budget), so I used:
I also had coupons for $5 off any Behr paint or stain, so I paid less than $3 a gallon. That was in 2004. Except for some wood shrinkage around the batons the barn still looks great 8+ years later. So if you want red on a wood sided barn, I wouldn’t hesitate to use this - it is the perfect barn red red.
My barns was very old and i don’t like to sit on that and my children play on that my Neighbors suggest to me Hemp Shield Product.
I use this product and painted my barns i did not believe my barns look like a new.
I will suggest this product also.
^^ Likely spammer, has been flagged to mods.
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