Paint designed for uneven surfaces may be sold under a range of names including elastomeric paint, high-build paint, crack-free paint or renovation paint (which is basically a filler and undercoat in one). These paints are much thicker than ordinary paints which gives them much better coverage.
Flat Finishes
The flat sheen is good at hiding surface imperfections, such as dents, nail holes, patches and other surface flaws in new construction. It is also a good choice for ceiling painting. Flat finishes often require fewer coats than semi-gloss and gloss paints.
But matte finishes make flaws disappear because they reduce light reflection. Paint drywall dark hues. Dark colors act like matte paints. They too reduce the reflection of light and so they hide flaws.
Lighter Colors Enlarge but Reveal
Light colors like white, off-white, and beige are commonplace in modern homes. These lighter shades reflect light, making rooms look and feel larger than they are. The major drawback of these shades, however, is that they also reveal imperfections.
Popcorn. Quite possibly the most well-known type of drywall texture, popcorn walls and ceilings became popular in the 1960s as an easy way to hide any imperfections, which made it attractive to builders. Popcorn is making a comeback.
Breeze through prep work, skip the primer and start enjoying your painted walls faster with Glidden Performance Edge 3 IN 1. This groundbreaking formula is the one and only paint that can actually fill minor surface imperfections, like small nail holes and hairline cracks, and then prime and paint in a single coat!*
A paint that has high coverage and a thick texture, such as our Claypaint or Lifestyle emulsions, will even out any hairline cracks and slightly bumpy surfaces. Both products can go over a multitude of wall substrates. However, on lime plaster we'd only recommend using Claypaint due to its high level of breathability.
KILZ PREMIUM primer blocks most medium to heavy stains caused by water, tannin, ink, pencil, felt marker and grease. Its thicker high hiding formula hides surface imperfections and prepares the surface better for painting.
Sheen: Eggshell paint has a lower sheen than satin paint—so low it has almost no reflectivity. The lower-gloss finish of eggshell paint makes it better at hiding imperfections like uneven brushstrokes on the surface of your walls.
White does a pretty good job at hiding surface wear. This is due to the bright color that minimizes the appearance of blemishes on a sunny day. Light gray has the same effect for hiding small dings.
You can't really go wrong with eggshell finish on your walls. Sometimes called satin finish, eggshell has slightly more luster than a flat finish, but you won't be left with shiny walls. It also resists stains better than flat and can be wiped with a wet rag.
Satin may absorb more light and hide imperfections in the wall's surface. Semi-gloss reflects more light, which may create the illusion of space. Semi-gloss paint can also be more durable.
When to Use Eggshell Paint. Eggshell is commonly used in living rooms and dining rooms, as it is durable and does not pick up dirt easily. If your walls have bumps or imperfections, an extra coat of eggshell can disguise them more easily than satin or high-gloss finishes.
It is shinier than satin, pearl, and eggshell, yet flatter than high gloss. Unlike satin, semi-gloss is rarely ever used on walls. Because of its higher light reflectivity, it shows every imperfection, highlights brushstrokes, and can appear slightly darker than the same color in a different finish.
Dark Walls Hide Imperfections
What is this? The light reflects differently on dark walls, so painting them dark hides almost all of the cracks, bumps and dents in the plaster.
Gray paint can be an updated take on the neutral wall color. It can also be great for accent pieces like a sofa or chairs, because it isn't too bold and it hides imperfections well.
Conclusion. The bottom line is, white cars are by far the easiest to keep clean. Black cars are the hardest, as they show grime more easily and don't hide imperfections well at all. Red—or any other bright color that requires frequent cleaning—isn't ideal, but it can still work if you have some time and patience.
'For a light and airy ambiance, it's best to use a light color; if you want your space to feel warm and cozy, then a dark color will be the best choice for you,' she explains.
In many such situations, the builder, seller, or low-cost painter used a low-grade flat paint for three reasons: the first is that it is inexpensive; the second is that it is easy to touch up; the third is that it hides imperfections in the drywall walls.
Eggshell paint's sheen tends to show more cracks, divots and other imperfections in the wall. Matte paint, with its flat finish, tends to hide these blemishes due to its low light reflectance.
You should be using flat paint on walls and areas that have a lot of bumps, scratches, or holes. Since it can conceal these blemishes easily, it'll be the one paint finish you'll want to be using. It's best for low-traffic rooms that have a ton of light like offices and more formal rooms, like dining rooms.
Ceiling paint has a higher viscosity than any other paint type used in walls, which simply means it's thicker and doesn't drip. This is why experts use ceiling paint to hide cracks and imperfections. This is usually a good choice for home improvement.