Hit 50 gallons of paint wasted before I figured out my mixing method was trash

I've been doing DIY painting for about 2 years and kept throwing away half-full cans that had dried out or separated badly. Last month I realized I was mixing by stirring instead of using a drill attachment to really blend the pigment back in. Now I'm debating if I should've just bought better quality paint from the start or if the mixing technique was the real fix. What do you all think - is it worth spending more on premium paint or does proper mixing save cheaper stuff?

2 comments

2 Comments

alice1212d ago

Wait, you lost 50 gallons before you figured that out? That's rough buddy, I feel your pain. I used to think my paint was haunted because it kept turning into cottage cheese in the can. Turns out I was just lazy and used a chopstick instead of an actual mixer. I'd say proper mixing does way more for cheap paint than you'd think, but premium paint is still easier to work with cause it covers better on the first coat. For big wall jobs I'd prob still grab the good stuff, but for touch ups and small projects a drill mixer can save almost any can.

noah8802d ago

@alice121 nailed it honestly, that chopstick vs drill mixer comparison hit way too close to home. I wasted probably 30 gallons myself before a buddy at the hardware store yelled at me to get a paddle mixer. Your mileage may vary but I've found the mixing trick saves cheap paint way more than premium paint and for big walls I still grab mid-grade stuff.