Frequently asked questions
Find practical guidance on choosing the right product, evaluating color, preparing the surface, applying specialty finishes, ordering, shipping, returns, custom work, and professional project support.
Compare Interior, Exterior, Super, Endura Flat, Metallic, and primer systems.
Product selection → 02Which sample should I order?Choose between a Chip, Brushout, Test Pot, or complete Fandeck.
Sample guidance → 03Do I need a primer?Learn when raw, stained, glossy, porous, or metal surfaces need additional preparation.
Surface preparation → 04Can I return or change an order?Review made-to-order restrictions, eligible returns, shipping, damage, and cancellations.
Order policies →Start with the surface
Color is only one part of the selection. The location, substrate, sheen, exposure, cleaning requirements, and desired appearance determine the correct product.
What is the difference between Interior, Exterior, and Super?
Interior is our architectural wall and ceiling paint for interior spaces. Exterior is formulated for outdoor exposure and moisture resistance. Super is a harder acrylic-enamel finish for cabinets, doors, trim, millwork, and casework where a thicker, more durable shell is desirable.
The same color can look different across these products and sheens, so sample the product you expect to use whenever possible.
Which paint should I use on cabinets, doors, or trim?
Use Super for conventional colors and Super Metallic when you want a metallic finish. These are intended for casework and high-touch architectural surfaces where a harder enamel-like finish is more appropriate than standard wall paint.
Clean, degrease, sand or degloss, and prime as needed before application.
What should I use on an exterior metal gate or raw metal?
Bare or raw metal generally needs a direct-to-metal system or an appropriate metal primer. Previously coated exterior metal may be compatible with Exterior or Exterior Metallic after cleaning, rust removal, sanding, and an adhesion test.
Tell us the metal type and whether the existing coating is sound before ordering; raw steel, galvanized metal, aluminum, and previously painted metal may require different preparation.
Do you have a durable dead-flat paint?
Yes. Endura Flat is intended for projects that need a very low-sheen appearance with greater durability than a conventional delicate flat finish. It is useful when the visual requirement is dead-flat but the surface still needs to perform in an architectural setting.
Can your paint be used on furniture?
Often, yes, provided the surface is properly prepared and the product matches the use. Super is usually the better choice for painted furniture and casework. Metallic can also be used, with Super Metallic preferred for harder-wearing pieces.
Furniture exposed to standing water, heavy abrasion, food contact, outdoor immersion, or unusual heat may require a different coating system.
Can I paint a faucet or plumbing fixture?
We do not recommend our architectural paints for faucets or frequently handled plumbing hardware. Constant water exposure, cleaners, abrasion, and contact at moving parts make these surfaces poor candidates for a conventional architectural coating.
Can I use paint on a fireplace?
Our coatings can be used on many decorative fireplace surrounds and mantels when the surface remains within the coating’s normal service temperature. They are not intended for the inside of a firebox, direct flame, or surfaces that become excessively hot.
Confirm the material, distance from the heat source, and actual surface temperature before proceeding.
Review samples prior to ordering
Our physical samples are painted rather than digitally printed. Use them to compare color, sheen, texture, and light response in the space where the finish will be installed.
What is the difference between a Chip, Brushout, and Test Pot?
- Chip: a 3 × 3-inch painted sample for comparing several standard colors.
- Brushout: an 8 × 11-inch painted sample for most final color decisions, presentations, and material boards.
- Test Pot: 8 fluid ounces of liquid paint for testing application, substrate, coverage, or a specialty finish.
Designers and frequent specifiers may prefer the complete hand-painted Fandeck.
Are your samples printed?
No. Physical samples are painted with the actual paint or specialty finish. Digital images are helpful for initial browsing, but screens cannot reproduce pigment, sheen, texture, pearlescence, or changing light reliably.
Do you provide complimentary samples?
Our samples are hand produced and are generally sold rather than distributed free of charge. Approved Trade accounts may receive preferred pricing on eligible sample products, and project-specific sample support can be discussed with our team.
Why are Chips unavailable for Lime or Suede?
Lime and Suede depend on application movement, thickness, and texture. A small conventional Chip cannot represent those finishes accurately, so larger Brushouts and liquid Test Pots are the more useful formats.
How should I evaluate a color sample?
Review it in the intended orientation and beside the actual flooring, wood, stone, metal, textiles, and adjoining paint. Check it in daylight and artificial light at different times of day.
For Test Pots, use the intended substrate, primer, tools, number of coats, and application method. Let the finish dry fully before deciding.
Why does the color on my screen look different from the paint?
Displays, photography, exposure, surrounding colors, gloss, substrate, and lighting all affect appearance. Screen color should be treated as a starting point, not a physical standard. Order a painted sample before purchasing a large quantity.
How is the General Collection organized?
The General Collection is arranged into coordinated hue families. Each family uses values numbered 1 through 8, with 1 representing the lightest value and 8 the darkest. The complete Paint Laboratory palette contains 512 colors across the General, Whites & Blacks, Vivid, and Metals collections.
Can you match another paint brand or a project material?
Yes. We can develop custom colors in most products from physical paint samples, fabric, wallcovering, tile, stone, wood, and other representative materials. A clean physical sample provides the strongest reference.
Photographs and digital images can be interpreted, but they are not exact color standards.
What does custom color matching cost and how long does it take?
Standard custom color development is $25 per color, with a typical turnaround of 2–4 business days after the reference is received. The standard minimum is one quart per custom color and product. Paint, samples, shipping, and extensive finish development are additional.
Can I order only a custom Brushout?
Custom colors require individual formulation and liquid paint, so we do not generally produce stand-alone custom Brushouts. The usual starting point and minimum size is one quart; an approval Brushout can then be produced from that paint when appropriate for the product and project.
Surface preparation is critical
Clean, dry, sound, and properly prepared surfaces produce better adhesion, coverage, and long-term durability.
Do I need a primer?
It depends on the substrate and existing condition. Primer is commonly needed on raw porous material, stained surfaces, repaired areas, bare metal, glossy finishes, difficult plastics or laminates, and surfaces with questionable adhesion.
A clean, sound, previously painted surface may not require a full prime coat, but sanding, deglossing, spot priming, or an adhesion test may still be necessary.
How should I prepare a previously painted surface?
Remove dirt, grease, wax, loose paint, rust, and failing material. Repair defects, sand glossy surfaces, remove dust, and allow the substrate to dry. Prime exposed, stained, incompatible, or difficult areas as needed.
Do not paint over an unknown or failing coating without first testing adhesion.
Can I brush, roll, or spray the paint?
Most architectural products can be brushed, rolled, or sprayed, but the recommended tool depends on the product and intended appearance. Specialty finishes may intentionally show directional application, while conventional architectural paint is intended as a uniform film.
Can Metallic Paint be sprayed or thinned?
Yes. Metallic can be sprayed and may be thinned with water or a compatible extender such as Floetrol, generally up to about 20% depending on the equipment and setup. Begin with the least thinning necessary and test the complete process before starting the project.
Thinning can affect coverage, build, and the number of coats required.
Why does my first coat look uneven or like the wrong color?
An early coat is not the finished color. The substrate can show through, and incomplete opacity can make a color appear warmer, cooler, lighter, pinker, or more irregular than intended. This is especially noticeable with metallic and saturated colors over white.
Allow the coat to dry, apply the product at the recommended coverage, and build full opacity before judging the final result. Stretching paint beyond its intended coverage or applying it too thin can prevent the color from developing correctly.
How long should paint dry before use or cleaning?
Dry-to-touch, recoat time, and full cure are different. A surface may feel dry while the film is still soft. Follow the product instructions for recoating, and handle newly painted cabinets, doors, trim, and furniture gently while the coating develops full hardness.
Avoid aggressive cleaning or abrasion during the early cure period.
How do I clean tools and finished surfaces?
Most Paint Laboratory coatings are water-based and clean from tools with soap and water before the paint dries. Once the finish has cured, use mild soap, water, and a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive pads, harsh solvents, and aggressive cleaners unless the product instructions specifically allow them.
Specific guidance by product
Use these product-specific notes as a starting point, then confirm the substrate, exposure, sheen, preparation, and application method for the actual project.
Interior
Architectural wall and ceiling paint for interior spaces.
Where should I use Interior Paint?
Interior is intended for interior walls, ceilings, and other conventional architectural surfaces where a standard wall-paint system is appropriate. For cabinets, doors, trim, and harder-wearing casework, Super is usually the better choice.
Should I sample Interior in the actual sheen I plan to use?
Yes. Color can shift with sheen, substrate, lighting, and surrounding materials. Interior Paint samples are offered exclusively in our Eggshell sheen. For other products or sheens, a quart or larger must be ordered. For larger projects, we recommend a full scale mock-up using the actual product, sheen, substrate, and application method being specified.
Exterior
Weather-resistant architectural paint for properly prepared exterior surfaces.
Where should I use Exterior Paint?
Exterior is formulated for outdoor architectural surfaces exposed to weather and moisture. The substrate must still be clean, dry, sound, and properly prepared before coating.
Can Exterior Paint go directly over metal?
Not automatically. Raw steel, galvanized metal, aluminum, and previously coated metal can require different preparation and primer systems. Bare metal generally needs an appropriate direct-to-metal primer or coating system before the finish coat.
Super
A harder acrylic-enamel finish for casework and higher-touch architectural surfaces.
What is Super best used for?
Super is the preferred conventional-color finish for cabinets, doors, trim, millwork, casework, and painted furniture where a harder enamel-like shell is more appropriate than standard wall paint.
How should I prepare cabinets or trim for Super?
Clean and degrease thoroughly, sand or degloss glossy surfaces, remove dust, repair defects, and prime raw, stained, difficult, or questionable surfaces as needed. Test adhesion before committing to the full project.
Endura Flat
A durable dead-flat architectural finish for projects where appearance and performance both matter.
How is Endura Flat different from a conventional flat paint?
Endura Flat is intended to provide a very low-sheen, dead-flat appearance with greater durability than a more delicate conventional flat finish. It is useful when the visual requirement is extremely matte but the surface still needs to perform in an architectural setting.
Should I use Endura Flat on cabinets or doors?
For cabinets, doors, trim, and other surfaces that need a harder enamel-like shell, Super is generally the more appropriate choice. Endura Flat is selected primarily when the dead-flat appearance is the priority.
Primer
Primer is selected around the substrate and the problem it needs to solve.
When do I need primer?
Primer is commonly needed on raw porous material, stained surfaces, repaired areas, bare metal, glossy finishes, difficult plastics or laminates, and surfaces with questionable adhesion. A clean, sound, previously painted surface may only need sanding, deglossing, or spot priming.
Which primer should I use?
The correct primer depends on the surface. Staining or porous architectural substrates may need a stain-blocking primer, while qualifying raw metal applications require a direct-to-metal primer or coating system. Send us the substrate and existing condition when you are unsure.
Can primer make up for poor surface preparation?
No. Primer does not replace cleaning, rust removal, sanding, deglossing, repair, or removal of loose and failing material. The underlying surface still needs to be clean, dry, sound, and compatible with the coating system.
Metallic
Pearlescent architectural finishes whose final appearance is strongly affected by coat count and application direction.
How many coats of Metallic Paint are required?
Metallic requires at least two coats to develop its pearlescent effect, and two to four coats is common depending on the color, substrate, tool, and application. Sheerer colors or strong color changes may require additional coats.
Use a uniform base color, maintain a consistent application method, and judge the result only after full coverage is reached.
Why does Metallic Paint show roller marks or directional variation?
Pearlescent particles reflect light according to their orientation. Roller pressure, overlap, drying edges, coat thickness, and final stroke direction can therefore remain visible.
Work consistently, maintain a wet edge, avoid repeatedly touching partially dried areas, and use the same final direction across the surface. Spraying generally produces the most uniform appearance; hand application can be used intentionally for more movement.
Can Metallic Paint be used on cabinets?
Yes. Choose Super Metallic for cabinets, doors, trim, and casework where a harder acrylic-enamel shell is desired. Clean, degrease, sand or degloss, prime when needed, and test adhesion before application.
Which Metallic base should I choose?
- Interior: interior walls, ceilings, accents, and lower-wear architectural surfaces.
- Exterior: outdoor architectural applications and weather exposure.
- Super: cabinets, doors, trim, millwork, kitchens, and baths.
- Direct-to-Metal: qualifying raw metal applications after appropriate preparation.
Lime
A dead-flat, varied finish whose appearance depends on application thickness, movement, and thorough mixing.
How does Lime Paint create variation?
Lime is an interior, water-based acrylic finish incorporating real lime to produce a varied traditional surface. Application thickness affects the result: thicker areas appear lighter and thinner areas appear darker.
Follow the recommended application process and test the technique on the intended substrate before committing to a full room.
How long should I keep Lime Paint before using it?
We recommend using Lime Paint within three months of purchase. Because the lime component settles substantially in storage, the product must be agitated extremely thoroughly before use. Paint older than three months is not recommended for application.
After storage, mix until the material is completely uniform from the bottom of the container through the top before beginning the project.
Should Lime Paint be sealed?
Leaving Lime unsealed preserves the fullest tonal movement and dead-flat appearance. A compatible paste wax can add protection while retaining more of the character. Polyurethane or other film-forming sealers can reduce the bloom and change color, sheen, and texture.
Always test the sealer over a completed sample first.
Why is a small Chip not offered for Lime?
Lime depends on application movement, thickness, and tonal variation. A small conventional Chip cannot represent the finish accurately, so a larger Brushout or liquid Test Pot is more useful for evaluating the actual result.
Suede
A soft, dead-flat brushed finish whose directional texture is created during application.
How is Suede Paint applied?
Suede is normally built in two directional coats. The material can be placed with a roller and then back-brushed in a controlled crosshatch pattern. The brush movement creates the characteristic soft, varied, dead-flat surface.
Use a Brushout or Test Pot to practice the technique before beginning a large wall.
Why can Suede look different from a conventional flat paint?
Suede is designed to show subtle directional movement rather than a perfectly uniform sprayed-wall appearance. Brush direction, pressure, overlap, lighting, and viewing angle all influence the final texture.
Why is a small Chip not offered for Suede?
The finish depends on directional application and texture, which a small conventional Chip cannot represent accurately. Use a Brushout for visual review or a Test Pot when you need to practice application.
Patina
A reactive metal finish that develops real oxidation and natural variation.
How does the Patina system work?
Patina uses a genuine metal-containing base coat, a reactive JAX Patina solution, and a clear sealer. The activator chemically changes the metal at the surface, producing real oxidation rather than a printed or faux color effect.
Application, moisture, timing, activator amount, temperature, and sealing all influence the result. Produce a complete mockup before starting the project.
Will every Patina application look exactly the same?
No. Patina is intentionally reactive and varied. The approved mockup should define the acceptable range of color and movement rather than a single perfectly uniform appearance. Large or phased projects should use consistent materials, application notes, and approval standards.
Why is the Patina sealer important?
The sealer helps isolate and protect the developed reactive surface. Because sealing can deepen color and change the final appearance, complete the full base, activator, and sealer process on a mockup before approving the finish.
Calculating coverage
Coverage is measured per coat. Substrate texture, porosity, color change, application method, waste, and specialty-finish technique all affect the final quantity.
How much area does a gallon cover?
Coverage varies by product, but many architectural coatings cover roughly 400–500 square feet per gallon per coat under favorable conditions. Metallic is typically estimated in that range, but two or more coats are required to develop the finish.
Rough, porous, ornate, absorbent, or heavily textured surfaces reduce practical coverage.
How do I calculate how much paint to order?
Calculate the paintable area, multiply it by the expected number of coats, divide by the product’s estimated coverage per gallon, and add material for waste and future touch-ups. Deduct doors and windows only when they represent a meaningful area.
For specialty finishes, mockups and application technique may be more useful than a theoretical calculation alone.
Why should I order the full project quantity together?
Ordering the full quantity at once simplifies batch control and reduces the risk created by project changes, aging surfaces, different tools, or separate application crews. For large projects, box compatible containers together before application.
Can I reorder the same color later?
Yes. Provide the original order number, product, sheen, color, client, or project name whenever possible. All colors are retained with a formula and physical painted standard so later production can be checked against the approved result.
Existing paint can change through age, wear, exposure, and cleaning, so a new batch may still appear different beside an older installed surface.
How should I store leftover paint?
Keep the lid and rim clean, seal the container tightly, and store it upright in a cool, dry, temperature-controlled location. Protect water-based paint from freezing and excessive heat. Label the container with the room, surface, product, sheen, color, and order information.
Made-to-order products
Review the selected color, product, sheen, size, quantity, and delivery method before checkout. Contact us immediately when an order needs to be changed.
How quickly will my order ship?
Most orders leave within 1–3 business days, and many stocked or straightforward orders ship sooner. Custom-tinted paint, custom colors, specialty production, and larger orders may require additional time.
Orders placed over weekends or holidays begin processing on the next business day. Contact us before ordering when the delivery date is critical.
How long does delivery take?
Standard ground shipments generally arrive in about 1–6 business days after leaving our facility. Small envelope shipments typically arrive in 2–7 days. Transit estimates can change because of weather, carrier conditions, destination, and order volume.
Do you offer expedited shipping?
Yes. Express services are available at checkout or by contacting the store. Next Day Air orders should be placed by 12:00 p.m. Pacific for same-day processing; confirm availability before relying on an urgent deadline.
Do you ship nationwide or internationally?
We ship throughout the United States. Canada and other international destinations are available on a limited basis; some products cannot ship to every location. International recipients are responsible for applicable duties, taxes, tariffs, and customs requirements.
Contact us with the destination and product list for an international quote.
Can I change or cancel my order?
Contact us immediately. An order can usually be changed or cancelled only before the paint has been tinted, customized, or placed into production. Once production begins, made-to-order items cannot generally be changed or cancelled.
What can be returned?
Unopened, undamaged, non-tinted products may be returned within 45 days of purchase. Tinted, custom-mixed, and other made-to-order products are not returnable because they were produced specifically for the order.
Contact us before sending anything back so eligibility and return instructions can be confirmed.
What should I do if my order arrives damaged or incorrect?
Contact us within 48 hours and include photographs of the product, exterior packaging, interior packing material, shipping label, and visible damage. Keep the packaging until the claim is resolved.
We will review the shipment and arrange an appropriate replacement, refund, or other resolution.
What if my tracking says delivered but I cannot find the package?
Check the delivery location, household members, building staff, nearby entrances, and neighbors, then contact the carrier. Also notify us promptly so the shipment details and available carrier claim options can be reviewed.
Additional support
Professional accounts, custom development, consultations, and technical guidance connect the paint selection to the complete project.
Who qualifies for the Trade Program?
This program is intended for active interior designers, decorators, architects, specifiers, builders, contractors, professional painters, decorative applicators, fabricators, and qualified commercial project teams.
We may request a website, portfolio, license, credential, resale document, or other business information before approval. Learn about the Trade Program.
How does preferred Trade pricing work?
Approved accounts receive preferred pricing on eligible products and services. Pricing can vary by product, service, and project order rather than applying as one published rate to everything. Account instructions are provided after approval.
Can a Trade account be tax exempt?
Applicable resale or tax-exempt documentation can be reviewed and added where permitted. Complete and current documentation must be received before a tax-exempt purchase is processed.
Do you offer color consultations?
Yes. Digital consultations are available at $200 per hour. In-person consultations are available in Seattle and the surrounding area at $240 per hour. Consultations can address color, product, sheen, specialty finishes, lighting, and coordination with existing materials.
Do I need a paid consultation for a basic product question?
No. Basic product selection, application, coverage, and troubleshooting questions can usually be handled by phone or email. Paid consultation is intended for more involved color and finish decisions, multiple rooms or elevations, material coordination, and project planning.
Are your paints and packaging eco-friendly?
We offer exclusively low VOC paint products formulated for maximum durability, high coverage, and long service life. By producing coatings that require less material for coverage and reduce the need for frequent repainting, we aim to minimize material use and environmental impact over the life of the finish.
Our paints are water based, and we continue to improve our formulations and material choices wherever practical. We also prioritize plant derived and lower impact packaging materials whenever possible and are produd to participate in PaintCare.
Our focus is to reduce our industrys impact with high-quality products and responsible material guidance.
Where are you located, and can you help projects outside Seattle?
Our retail store and production operation are located at 2405 10th Ave. East, Seattle, WA 98102. We ship paint and samples nationwide, provide remote project guidance, and offer digital consultation regardless of location.
The store is open Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Pacific. Call (206) 557-4737 or email Info@ThePaintLaboratory.com.
Send the surface, product, and project details
For the fastest useful answer, include photographs, the substrate, whether it is raw or previously coated, interior or exterior use, approximate area, desired finish, and project deadline.