Find out how well you know the buying habits of professional and DIY painters.

When homeowners need to repaint a room, they have the option of doing it themselves or hiring contractors to do it for them. That choice also determines what type of paint ends up on the wall.

That's because homeowners and professionals have distinct priorities when it comes to selecting paint: a do-it-yourself (DIY) homeowner might pick up a paint that's easy to apply without making mistakes, while a pro might go for one that provides more coverage per square foot.

Are you familiar with the nuances of each market? Try these questions out to see if you're up to speed on the latest interior architectural coating purchasing trends for pros and DIYers.

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Q&A

Q: What is the number one driver for paints in the pro market?

A: Coverage - Exactly. Color uniformity and washability matter more to DIYers and end users, and price is always a factor — but for pro painters, coverage is king. Being able to evenly cover more square footage with one can of paint helps efficiency by minimizing prep, cleanup and overall time on the job.

Q: For DIYers, ease is everything. What is the most accurate predictor of ease of application in a coating?

A: Paint transfer - The viscosity of the paint, the way paint splatters when applied, and the smoothness of the coating, these attributes are factors in ease of application, but the most reliable predictor is the paint transfer: the amount of paint that is transferred from the roller to the wall. For DIYers — who typically want great-looking results with less hassle — that's an important feature.

Q: Color uniformity is always top of mind for DIYers. Which of these attributes is NOT important to them?

A: Washability, the sound of paint application, paint adhesion during tape pull - Washability, or the ability to wash stains without damaging the paint, is at the top of the list. DIYers, oddly enough, also like the satisfying tacky noise they hear while applying paint, and they want clean lines with no tearing when they pull tape from a painted wall.

Q: There's a new trend in interior coatings called buy-it-yourself. What does it mean?

A: Homeowners choose the paint color, brand and type, then hire pros to do the work. Buy-it-yourself, also called do-it-for-me, is a new trend in interior coatings where homeowners do their own research on the color, brand and type of paint they want to use, then hire contractors to do the job. It gives homeowners more control over the long-term results.

Q: True or false: A paint-and-primer-in-one performs just as well as a separate paint and primer used together

A: TRUE - Despite the misconception that a paint-and-primer-in-one won't perform as well as a paint with a dedicated primer, the right dispersion can help it meet performance requirements. For instance, Acronal^® EDGE 4750 is designed to meet those needs in interior premium-grade paints.

Q: Where do pros or contractors prefer to shop for paint?

A: Paint stores - When shopping for paint, pros rely on paint stores for one big reason: service. These stores build better relationships with the contractors by getting to know them, offering training and lines of credit, and providing trustworthy knowledge and expertise.

Q: Did you learn something new about DIY and pro painter buying habits?

A: Yes? Great! To help you meet new market demands, BASF has a line of interior architectural coatings that cater to current trends.

Acronal^® EDGE 4750, an acrylic latex for paint-and-primer-in-one with exceptional washability.
Acronal^® PLUS 4670, an acrylic latex with very low VOC capabilities and outstanding adhesion.

Last UpdateJune 19, 2019

Q&A: How do pros and DIYers buy paint?