Serious question, how many coats of paint does a wall really need?

I was painting my kitchen in our Denver house and read the fine print on a can of Behr Marquee, which claimed one-coat coverage. After three coats to get rid of the old dark green, I looked it up and found a study showing most paints need two coats for proper durability, even if they look fine after one. Has anyone else had a paint can promise fall flat like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

taraanderson11d ago

That "one-coat coverage" promise is pure fantasy in my experience. I had the same thing happen covering a navy blue wall, and it took three coats to stop the old color from showing through. I just plan for two coats as a rule now, no matter what the can says.

gibson.sarah3d ago

Ugh, tell me about it. It's like they test that one-coat stuff on plain white walls only. Dark colors or old stains? Forget it.

stella_lane11d ago

Paint cans are just the start. It's the same with "five minute crafts" that take half a day and "quick start" guides that need a PhD to understand.