Myrna wrote:
HI - I'm about to paint two bathrooms and before I buy paint I need
some help. I had wall paper for a long time. After removing the paper
in one of the baths, we found that mildew (orange - is this mildew?)
was growing on the ceiling. In this room the ceiling is shiny which I
think is not the right thing. Not sure if removal of the paper had
anything to do with this.

In the other bath, I had water damage on the ceiling. This ceiling is
done in flat. It took a long time (over 10 years) for the damage to
occur and then the paint became crazed.

Our bath was like that and I knew the condo above us had had a water
leak because I did the painting when the place was sold about 5 years
ago. I scraped, spackled and sanded, put on primer and two coats of
paint - also had a few rusty nail heads that I ground down and primed.
About six months ago and it looks fine. Gotta be sure your bad spot is
not a continuing leak.

I've read that bathrooms should not be done in flat paint but I'm not
sure what is recommended. I don't like when the walls look shiny. I've
picked a Home Depot Behr paint color. We've had good luck with this
brand in other rooms. I know Benjamin Moore is supposed to be a better
paint and we've used that a lot over the years. But the cost has gotten
out of sight.

So I am looking for guidance on ceiling paint as well as wall paint in
bathrooms that do not have ventilation fans. I don't plan to install
this either.


I've done my own painting for many years, have tried inexpensive paints
a couple of times, and always go back to Ben Moore. Other good brands,
such as Sher-Williams, Pratt-Lambert, would be just fine. Good paint is
expensive for a good reason. If a paint job lasts about 10 years, the
difference in price is of little consequence. If you paint every year
or two, use the cheap stuff because the surfaces will soon be so loaded
with paint that what you slap on will not matter.

I've removed paper that had some mildew under it. Repaired and
repainted a bath such as what you describe a few months ago. I have
found paper that had a good deal of mildew under it and could always
trace it to intrusion along the seams. Wash well with a bit of bleach,
rinse, dry, and all is well. When I papered the bath, I put a very fine
line of silicone caulk along bottom of paper and the side that ends next
to shower so it doesn't start peeling from condensation. Also put a
timer on the exhaust fan so it can be left on to dry out the room after
each shower.

Semi-gloss is usually recommended for bath and kitchen because it is
easier to clean. I dislike the prep work, but am a fanatic about doing
it right because I want the paint job to hold up. I use only alkyd semi
for bath and kitchen; a tad more work to clean up but it lasts and
lasts. The longest I've let a decorating job go - 20 years - was a
kitchen that had no exhaust fan. Got greasy and smoky, and I cleaned
about every year with Fantastic. The paint was Ben Moore and probably
good for another 20 years but I moved. Latex on doors and trim is a
b---- to repaint because you can't sand out dings and globbies - the
paint just peels and rolls. Alkyd takes wear and tear a whole lot
better and is more impervious to moisture.