A Pro’s Take on SuperPaint and When To Upgrade
Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint is the perfect exterior paint for lowering material costs. There is no better option for those looking for a price-point product. It is also the best paint for vinyl siding.
SuperPaint is also used in commercial settings. When you need a lot of paint, every dollar you save adds up. Residential painters who want to lower expenses will also recommend it.
This staple has been around for a long time. In many ways, it is the most popular exterior paint by Sherwin-Williams. While its name is familiar and sales are strong, it is not the best choice for quality exterior repaints.
Colors and Performance
SuperPaint has been reformulated numerous times over the past few years. As an exterior paint contractor, these changes have not proven beneficial. We stopped using SuperPaint many years ago.
After several reformulations, the performance started to suffer. After SW launched new exterior paints and SuperPaints, performance dropped too low for our use case. SuperPaint claims to contain around 43% solids. However, with gloss finishes, the consistency is watery. This is especially true with shades of white that contain an extra-white base and require little colorant.
Coverage
SuperPaint does not cover well in light colors. If you are painting trim or a bright color, be prepared for two to three coats of paint for proper hide.
Brush Work
Now, the best use for this paint is low-cost production-style painting. Detailed brushwork is not a strong suit. Its thin consistency is easy to brush but hard to control. Spatters and paint spills are common when brushing SuperPaint.
Spraying
Spraying is the best way to apply this product. However, it has tremendous overspray due to it being thin.
Finish and Sheen
All finishesare available. This includes flat, satin, gloss, and high gloss. Flashingis an issue in satin finishes. Therefore, we recommend applying two generous coats of paint for a uniform shine.
Colors
There are no limits to colors. It is tintable in extra white, deep, and ultra-deep bases. All light and dark colors are available to choose from.
SuperWhite
Super White is a stock exterior color. Sherwin-Williams offers this color in SuperPaint and other exterior coatings for extra hide.
Prepackaged Black
Stock tricorn black is available prepackaged. It covers and retains its color the best. It is our go-to color for shutters and front doors.
Long-term Durability and Protection Comparison
Superpaint will only last 4 to 6 years on a properly prepared exterior surface. Its durability isn’t as strong as that of comparable outdoor paints, like Benjamin Moore Element.
To gain more protection, SW Latitude is a worthy upgrade.
The Rising Cost
SuperPaint exterior will save upfront costs and is not the worst performer on the market. But, like other low-performing paints, it will increase home maintenance costs over time. If you are selling or renting, this may not be a concern. Upgrading your paint is a must for those who want to control future maintenance costs.
The rising cost of paint is making homeowners and contractors make tough decisions. And prices are expected to continue to rise. In fact, our paint prices have not seen a significant decrease in over 10 years. Since SuperPaint has been around for so long, it has seen a 400% increase over the past 25 years.
For many years, it was Sherwin-Williams’s highest-grade exterior paint. But like many products, it has changed. The first significant change was a price increase. The contractor price in the earlier 2000s was around $16.00 each gallon.
Home Exterior Surfaces
This exterior paint is a medium-grade paint for siding. However, the trim, doors, and windows need better paint. SuperPaint leaves a sticky finish after it dries. So, using it to paint doors and windows is less than ideal.
Using it on brick, stucco, and other concrete surfaces can be brilliant. These surfaces don’t need strong protection. However, it should not be applied to surfaces that require added protection. Wood and Masonite siding would need a paint upgrade.
Adhesion and Stain Resistance
The best thing about SuperPaint is how well it sticks to different surfaces. It has a unique ability to stick to thin vinyl and PVC without damage or warping. Unpainted wood surfaces still need a proper primer.
The not-so-good news is that its resistance to stains is poor. Bright white colors show stains from dirt and rainwater. Gutters also stain from roof water runoff. So, black streaks and dirt stains are part of what it means to use SuperPaint.
Expansion and Contraction
For the first 3 to 5 years, SuperPaint excels in elasticity. Being able to expand and contract helps with expansion joints in siding and trim. In many ways, SuperPaint stretches almost as well as caulk. After 5 years, the paint will crack around the expansion joints.
It Does Not Retain its Shine
Painting exteriors in a satin finish adds protection. SuperPaint starts to dull faster than any other SW exterior paint. So, a shiny finish that is in the sun will degrade faster. Rapid paint sheen loss causes issues for future touch-ups and repairs.
After 3 years, touch-up paint simply will not match. So, if the outside has to be painted for any reason, the entire area must be completely repainted.
Mold and Mildew Resistance
Organic growth is prone to accumulate faster. It’s because it is a softer paint that primarily consists of vinyl polymers. Higher-grade Sherwin-Williams paints contain added acrylic.
All house exterior paints contain zinc oxide. The issue is that the additive is only a protective agent and does not prevent mold, mildew, or algae. It also holds moisture longer than other comparable offerings.
Do You Recommend it?
We are a local painting contractor here in Raleigh, NC. We have painted houses year after year for the past two decades. So, we have a lot of experience. Needless to say, we also have our opinions based on our professional expertise.
We only use SuperPaint for new construction and commercial exterior painting. We don’t recommend Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint if you’re considering repainting your home. It’s no longer a premium exterior paint.
If your local painter mentions it or wants to use it for your home, ask to upgrade. A large percentage of any painting service is labor. Paying for less durable paint is a true disservice. We will go as far as to say, the painter who is recommending it should also be put to question.
You are reading this article for information. As these are not claims, they are realities based on our experience.
If you live in Raleigh or nearby, contact us. We offer expert service and have extensive experience with other products and applications. We back all our services with a warranty when using premium paints.
