7 Problems With Valspar Paint (Explained for Beginners)
Valspar caters more to the DIY crowd, with many of its paint products offered at reasonable price points.
With hundreds of color options for both exterior and interior paints, the brand has plenty to offer.
Some of the major problems with Valspar Paint include not providing enough coverage and drying too quickly. While the paint is generally affordable, it might be difficult to get a refund for defective products.
Here’s a closer look at the likely problems you may encounter with paints from this company.
Inconsistent Paint Shades
In some cases, the paint colors are a few shades different.
This might come down to human error probably due to too many shades. Or it might be that some shades are non-existent.
In any case, you might experience inconsistency with some colors.
Some customers had to repaint entire projects because they couldn’t find the exact shades of paint to do touch-up works.
This is especially the case with some mixed paints.
Thankfully, you can avoid this costly mistake if you steer clear of mixed paints from Valspar. The chance of getting an inconsistent shade is slimmer if you are not buying mixed paint.
The Paint Tend to Crack and Peel Off
Most Valspar paints look lovely and brilliant the first day they are applied.
But in several instances, users are surprised to find the paint cracked and peeled the next morning!
Some customers had to make repeated trips to swap their cans of paint. Still, the results were awful.
Unfortunately, this problem can happen with both the premium and regular offerings from the brand.
Valspar is Too Thin
Generally, Valspar paints are too thin. This is both a good and bad thing.
On one hand, the thin texture makes the paint very easy to apply using a roller.
That means it takes less effort to get the paint on your wall. Plus, you don’t have to buy or rent a sprayer to get the job done.
On the flip side, a thin texture means you will have to deal with drips. But that’s a small problem compared to not having enough coverage.
The paints generally don’t offer adequate coverage, at least, not on the first coat.
In many cases, you will need to apply a few layers to get the job done properly. And that’s regardless of whether the product description says it provides one-coat coverage!
The good thing is that there’s a workaround with this problem, especially if you have some experience with painting and colors.
For example, if you’re trying to get a perfect finish with red paint, you may want to apply a dark grey base coat first.
This will do a good job of blocking out any white color before applying one or two coats of red paint.
The Paint Dries a Bit Too Fast
Ordinarily, a fast drying time is a good thing when you are looking to buy good-quality paints.
But that’s not the case with Valspar paint.
Why’s that?
The brand’s paints dry up rather too quickly.
That’s not something you want if you really want pro-level finishing. That’s because paint streaks are likely to show up and mar your work.
Besides, you’ll have to deal with patches and apply the paint extra carefully.
Low Paint Quality
Compared to other similar paint brands, Valspar paints aren’t the best quality.
In other words, the paints generally don’t provide the type of coverage you’ll get with other brands’ products. Plus, it doesn’t go on very smoothly on surfaces.
Of course, you will find lots of colors options with Valspar. In fact, the shades might be a tad too many and even unnecessary.
But that’s beside the point.
Many shades with low quality do not make a good combination.
Not Resistant to Dirt
To its credit, Valspar paint is resistant to mildew.
But there’s a catch.
The paints are not resistant to dirt. Even a small scratch on the first couple of dried coats can leave a nasty-looking mark on your surface.
While the company does its best to provide plenty of options for the do-it-yourself crowd, it hasn’t formulated a dirt-resistant paint product, at least, for now.
Poor Customer Service
Contacting the company is not difficult. There’s a dedicated customer service line that’s available six days a week.
However, resolving customer issues can be a pain.
Many people who’ve had reasons to reach out to Valspar’s Customer Service weren’t very satisfied.
If anything, most customers think the customer service is anything but helpful.
But that’s not all.
Getting rebates or claiming guarantees can be a nightmare. Many customers end up frustrated and simply abandon the process.
No doubt, most Valspar paints come with solid guarantees. And the process of claiming the guarantee is pretty straightforward.
But here’s the thing.
It’s one thing to have a guarantee that looks great on paper (or should I say online), and it is another thing to honor it.
Many customers have to jump through a lot of hoops to get rebates. Still, it’s a hit-or-miss proposition.
General Pros and Cons of Valspar Paint
It is not all doom and gloom if you are looking to buy Valspar paint.
In fact, a good number of buyers have a great experience with the brand’s products.
But to keep things in the proper perspective here’s a quick rundown of the benefits and drawbacks of the paint brand.
Pros
- Wide range of colors and shades to choose from
- Low price compared to many other paint brands
- Paint is resistant to mildew
- Easy to apply with a roller
- Supply is readily available in places with Lowes
Cons
- The paint is too thin
- Paint dries rather too quickly
- Paint is not resistant to dirt
- Generally lower quality paint
- Harder to get a refund
What’s the General Review for Valspar Paint
Valspar Paint has a Trustpilot score of 3.2. This is an average score and says a lot about what customers think of the brand and its product.
Most professional painters tend to go for other paint products. That’s not surprising since Valspar mainly caters to handy individuals or DIYers.
Yet, the general opinion is almost split half in half.
About 53% of the reviews on Trustpilot rate Valspar paint excellent, while 40% think the brand’s paints are bad.
Final Thoughts
Some years ago, Valspar paints had odor issues. Thankfully, that has been corrected and the brand’s products smell just like other brands’ paints.
Overall, Valspar is a good choice if you’re looking for a paint brand with a wide collection of colors and shades to choose from.
Plus, the paints are offered at affordable price points. In fact, you’ll not be wrong to think of the products as budget options.
In many cases, the company’s products are excellent and come out well for both interior and exterior projects. The paints are also great for wood and concrete.
But that doesn’t rule out the possibility of a few hiccups.
Keep in mind that some of the problems highlighted here are not peculiar to Valspar. Many other paint brands have the same or even worse problems.
Thankfully, you’ve read this quick guide. You’re now in a better position to make a buying decision.