Paint reviews, guides, and color
Independent paint and tool round-ups. Project step-by-steps. Color references and brand reviews. Every product pick lists a real con — no review without a real weakness.
Behr Premium Semi-Transparent Deck Stain: Honest Review (2026)
A field-tested Behr deck stain review: coverage, dry time, VOC, the 6-year claim, and where this semi-transparent stain holds up against Cabot and Sikkens.
Behr Premium Plus: Honest Review (2026)
Behr Premium Plus review: the sub-$45 paint-and-primer from Home Depot. Colors, sheens, the texture-paint question, and where it gives up to Marquee and Ultra.
Behr Premium Plus Exterior: Honest Review (2026)
Behr Premium Plus Exterior review: the $34-46/gallon 100% acrylic siding paint from Home Depot. Real data-sheet specs, the 35-90F application window, vinyl siding rules, and when to step up to Behr Ultra or Marquee.
Behr Ultra (Premium Plus Ultra): Honest Review (2026)
Behr Premium Plus Ultra review: the paint and primer now sold as Behr Ultra with Scuff Defense. Specs vs Premium Plus, VOC truth, and where Marquee wins.
Behr Premium Solid Color Waterproofing Stain: Honest Review (2026)
A field-tested Behr solid color stain review: colors and SC codes, gallons and cost per square foot, the 10-year deck and 25-year fence claims, the peeling problem, and where it holds up.
Benjamin Moore Aura Interior: Honest Review (2026)
A jobsite-tested Benjamin Moore Aura review. Where the $90 gallon earns its keep, where it doesn't, and what the can label won't tell you.
Benjamin Moore Aura Bath & Spa: Honest Review (2026)
Aura Bath & Spa review: a zero-VOC matte that shrugs off shower steam. Where the $100 bathroom paint earns it, and the matte-only catch buyers miss.
Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior: Honest Review (2026)
An aura exterior review from 22 years of repaints. Where this $95-gallon acrylic earns it, where it doesn't, and what bites you in two years.
Benjamin Moore ben Interior Paint: Honest Review (2026)
BM ben review: the entry-tier Benjamin Moore wall paint at about $47 a gallon, 35% solids, zero-VOC. Where it wins, and where Regal Select and Aura beat it.
Benjamin Moore Element Guard Exterior: Honest Review (2026)
An element guard review from 22 years of repaints. Where Benjamin Moore's rain-ready exterior earns its $65 a gallon, and what bites you in two years.
Benjamin Moore Fresh Start Primers: Honest Review (2026)
A chemist's fresh start primer review: where BM's acrylic 046 earns the premium, where shellac still beats it, and which of the four to actually buy.
Benjamin Moore Natura: Honest Review (2026)
A Benjamin Moore Natura review for 2026: the zero-VOC interior paint is discontinued. Real Eco Spec differences, how to rematch your Natura color, what leftover stock costs now.