Introducing the water-base primer that performs like an oil



   Finaly, there's primer that gives you all the performance of an oil-primer in an advance water-base formula- new Zinsser Smart Prime.

    Featuring advance water-base tecnology exclusive from Zinsser, Smart Prime effectivelly blocks all stains-even common water stains- with fast dry, low odor formula that offers superior flow and leveling. It penetrates deeply for better sealed surfaces and offers legendary Zinsser adhesion to stick to all surfaces without sanding.

   LEED compliant Smart Prime won't raise the wood grain like water-base primers can- and offers exterior flexibility, so it's great for any painting project. To paint smart, prime mart with the new Smart Prime. For more information visit www.zinsser.com.



Frogtape Brand Painter's Tape

   FrogTape is the only painter's tape treated with patented PaintBlock Technology. PaintBlock is a super-absorbent polymer that reacts with latex paint and instantly gels to form a micro-barrier that seals the edges of the tape, preventing paint bleed.

   Selecting the right grade and level of adhesion before you start taping is important. For cured painted walls, wood trim, glass and metal, a medium adhesion tape, such as FrogTape Multi-Surface, would be ideal. But for delicate surfaces such as fresh paint (24 hours old), wallpaper or faux finishes, this requires a tape with lower adhesion to prevent surface damage. FrogTape also comes in a Delicate Surface technology to accommodate these types of situations.

  You do not have to use any special techniques or tricks to apply FrogTape. As with any paint project though, it is important to prep properly by making sure the surface is clean, dust-free and dry before applying the tape. For accurate placement, adhere FrogTape in short sections to avoid stretching the tape and make sure it's flush to the edge you will be painting. As soon as paint comes in contact with the edges of FrogTape, PaintBlock reacts with the water in the latex paint and instantly gels to form a micro-barrier. This resulting gel barrier seals the edges of the tape, preventing bleed-through. The result: very sharp paint lines and less time spent on touch-ups!.

   FrogTape's Media Relations Manager, Kristin Bixler, says the brand participated in four home and garden shows this spring to educate consumers on FrogTape and why is is different from other painter's tape. The most frequently asked questions people had were:

(1) Can be used with oil-based paint?

(2) How soon should you remove the tape after painting?

(3) How do you get good results on texture walls?.

   Answering those questions in order, Bixler says, "Yes, you can use oil-based paint with FrogTape. After applying FrogTape to your surface, just run a damp cloth over the tape's edges first to activate the PaintBlock Technology.

   "It is recommended that you remove FrogTape immediately, while the paint is still wet. The tape should be removed slowly and at a 180 degree angle. If you let the paint dry before removing the tape, it increases the possibility of tearing the fresh paint. If painting more than one coat, make sure to remove and reapply FrogTape in between coats of paint.

   "Getting sharp paint lines on textured walls isn't impossible, it just requires a couple extra steps." Visit www.frogtape.com to see detailed steps-by-step instructions to obtain optimal results on textured surfaces.

   FrogTape's unique green color helps identify the product on the shelves. Each roll also comes in a handy, reusable plastic canister that can also be recycled. "The canister keeps the tape fresh and free of dirt and debris. It also prevents the edges from getting damaged."

Zinsser Brands (Rust-Oleum Corporation)

   For nearly Rust-Oleum (www.rustoleum.com) has been the leader in rust prevention. But stopping rust is just the start. Our premium Zinsser primer brands, Bull Eye 1-2-3, Cover Stain and B-I-N, have long been the professionals' choice for the residential, commercial and remediation projects. Innovation and formulation leadership also have led to the development of a long list of primers, cleaners, specialty coatings,, wallcovering sundries and wood care products that exceed customers expectations for quality and performance. Innovative "next-generation" primers like Zinsser Smart Prime are now part of a comprehensive line of ultimate, premium, workhorse, specialty and convenience primers, and Zinsser brands like DIF, Shieldz, JOMAX and Perma-White are recognized category leaders by both professionals and do-it-youselfers.

   Today, Zinsser is just one of more than 60 premium brands in the Rust-Oleum portfolio. These nationally recognized brands- Rust-Oleum, Stop Rust, Universal, EP OXYSHIELD, Rust-Oleum Transformations, Varathane, Wolman Care and more- have set industry standards for quality and are evidence of the company's ongoing commitment to innovation.

Corona Brushes Inc.

   Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2011, Corona Brushes Inc. (www.coronabrushes.com), is a third-generation family company. Based in Tampa, Fla., the company manufactures a complete line of quality paint brushes, rollers and accessories. Corona focuses on products that are lightweight, provide the finest finish and the fastest coverage in the least time.

   Each Corona paint brush and roller is carefully formulated so that the materials mesh together well to provide the proper amount of paint pickup and the easiest release. Equally important is the processing of the brush bristle tips, natural and synthetic. The tips of the natural hair and pig bristles are carefully processed to ensure the smoothest possible finish.

   In the case of synthetics, Corona uses the finest DuPont solid, round, tapered filaments, which are finely ground and split at the tip to produce the fine spread of paint Corona is known for. Equally important is the the treatment of roller materials, both natural and wool and synthetics fabrics, to ensure no-streak, even application.

   Corona is proud to be long-standing member of PDRA and enjoys the support thousands of independent dealers in the United States, Canada and other countries.

FrogTape from Shurtect Brands,LLC

  ShurTech Brands, LLC (www.shurtech.com), market do-it-yourself tapes, office and housewares products under Duck, Painter's Mate Green, FrogTape (www.frogtape.com), Caremail, Easy Liner and Shurtape brands. The company is a subsidiary of Shurtape Technologies, LLC, Hickory, N.C., an industry-leading producer of pressure sensitive masking, duct, packaging and specialty tape products, with facilities in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico, Peru, United Arab Emirates and China. Shurtape services numerous markets, including industrial, packaging, HVAC, professional paint, auto, marine, aerospace, arts and entertainment, and retail. Shurtape also manufactures and markets the Shurtape and Kip Brands.

  The FrogTape brand, marketed by ShurTech Brands, LLC, offers premium-quality, innovative painting tapes that feature PaintBlock Technology, a super absorbent polymer that seals the edges of the tape to keep paint out and lines sharp.

8 paint tips to get you started

Here's everything you need to know before you hit the paint aisle.

1.PICK YOUR PAINT TYPE
Latex:Water-based latex is DIY-friendly because it cleans up easily with soap and water. Most paint today is  vinyl-acrylic or 100-percent-acrylic latex. More and more it's the only option sold by the gallon. Latex paint dries quickly, usually in 2 hours, and "cures" in a matter of weeks. Oil:Also known as solvent-based or alkyd paint, it dries slowly and must be cleaned up with minerals spirits. But that slow drying time helps oil paint level out, reducing visible brush strokes and roller marks. Oil paint also hardens well to create a durable finish.

2.GET THE GOOD STUFF

High-quality paints and primers don't sacrifice costlier resin for cheap pigment, so they won't shrink back to reveal bare spots as they dry. The most efficient option, however, is to use an all-in-one paint and primer, which seals your surface like a primer and provides a finish coat in one pass-making the job easier.

3.CHOOSE A ROLLER COVER
Match the fiber to the paint type: Get synthetic covers for latex paint, and natural-fiber ones made of mohair of lamb's wool for oil paint. Then match the nap to the surface texture. Smooth:1/8 to 1/4-inch nap cover for very smooth surfaces (plaster, laminate, metal). Semismooth:3/8 to 1/2-inch nap cover for lightly texture walls (drywall, wood). Rough: 3/4-inch nap cover for texture walls(stucco,brick).

4.THE SHINE FACTOR
Choose the right sheen for your surface. Flat, low-luster paints create an even coat that hides flaws. Glossier paints form a smoother, more wear-resistant finish-but they also highlight imperfections. Here's a guide to which sheen works best where:
Flat:Good for ceilings and high-traffic living areas.
Matte:Good for bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms.
Satin/Eggshell:Good for foyers,high-traffic areas.
Semigloss:Good for baths, kitchens, trim.
Gloss:Good for trim, doors, cabinets.

5.POURING SPOUT
An inexpensive plastic snap-on spout makes pouring paint into a roller pan or cut bucket much easier and keeps the lid rim from clogging with paint.

6.PAINT CALCULATOR
Divide the square footage of your wall surfaces by the coverage per gallon listed on the can.Example:A 20-by-23-foot room with a 8-foot ceiling is 688 square feet;688/350 square square feet of coverage per can=2 gallons(make it 4 gallons for two coats).

7.LOW VOC
Paint ingredients contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that off gas, creating that familiar paint smell-and a potential hazard to your health. New formulations aim to reduce or remove these compounds without sacrificing good color and even coverage.

8.GET THE RIGHT BRUSH
Look for brushes with bristles that are tapered,split, and set in multiple lengths to form a slim tip. A mix of nylon and polyester holds and releases latex paint well. For oil-based paints, use natural bristles.

Benjamin Moore

   Benjamin Moore & Co., a Berkshire Hathaway company, was founded in 1883, Its premium-quality residential, commercial and industrial maintenance coatings are sold through an extensive network of more than 4,000 retailers throughout North America, primarily comprised of paint and decorating stores, hardware stores and lumberyards. This independent selling channel is an industry exclusive that helps ensure the integrity of the brand's products and that they are being color-mixed and sold by trained professionals who are service-minded with expertise in the category.

   Benjamin Moore has been a longstanding steward of the environment with relentless  commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices plus the ongoing development of the most eco-responsible formulations possible.Its portfolio of Green Promise products continues to grow and includes Aura, uber performance low-VOC paint; Natura, the true zero-VOC interior paint, remaining zero in any color, any sheen; and EcoSpec zero-VOC paint for commercial interiors. It ranks as one of the top 35 GREEN Companies in the U.S., according to GreenBiz.com from and Eco-Insights survey conducted by Earthsense with more than 30,0000 respondents.