Frequently Asked Questions
National Lumber has paint experts in our paint stores to answer your questions. Or you can submit your question using National Lumber's Contact Form.
Below are some frequently asked questions with our answers.
Can you color match?
Yes, all our paint stores have state of the art color matching technology. To match a color, please provide a sample of the color you want matched. It should be clean, solid, and approximately the size of a quarter.
Also, our paint experts are able to assist with your color selection from the color selection area in the paint store. It is always recommended to purchase a sample and try it on your wall to make sure you are completely satisfied before purchasing a gallon.
Colors cannot be matched into aerosols and it is important to keep in mind the sheen (matte, egg shell, satin, semi-gloss) of the color you are matching. For specific paint questions, ask any of our paint experts at any store.
How much paint to I need?
One gallon of paint covers 400 square feet. Typically, one gallon is enough for an average sized room. You can provide the height, width, and length measurements of your space to our paint experts and they will help you estimate the square feet of your space.
However, there are many variables that determine if you will need more or less paint such as:
- How many doors and windows are in the room?
- Are the ceilings are especially high?
- Deep colors require extra coats.
Explain your project to any of our paint experts for individual advice.
Do I need a primer?
In general, if you skip priming, you risk having peeling paint later, especially in humid conditions. People often blame the quality of the paint product, when the fact is that primer was needed.
Primer is an undercoat containing resins designed to seal the surface to help paint adhere properly. This is particularly important with porous surfaces. If painting drywall for the first time, you should apply primer first. There are many circumstances where a coat of primer is a wise idea; such as drastic color changes or surfaces that have never been painted before like bare wood or new drywall.
When repainting a surface where the previous product brand is not known, primer will stick to the old paint much better than new paint will.
National Lumber sells California Paints and you can click here to read about primers.