Builders Paint is Crummy

Walls with builders paint look shabby; trim with builders paint feels sticky and yucky.

An Earned Reputation

You’ve probably seen it: walls painted in dull grays or muted tans that seem to show every scuff, streak, and fingerprint. That’s “builders paint” — and while it may look fine on day one, it rarely holds up under real-world use.

Often found in new construction homes and renovation flips around Kansas City, builders paint is chosen for one reason: it’s cheap. And homeowners are usually the ones left to deal with the consequences.

You grab a sponge, give it a gentle wipe—and now there’s a clean spot that looks worse than the dirt ever did. That’s because builders paint isn't designed to be cleaned.

Why Builders Use It

In the world of new construction and remodeling, speed and cost are everything. When you're painting dozens of rooms across multiple houses, every dollar counts. That’s why builders and rehabbers turn to the least expensive paint available.

These products are low in solids (resins and pigments) and high in water. Less material in the can means a thinner, weaker coating on the wall. It dries quickly, looks decent from a distance, and costs very little. Perfect for closing day—but not for long-term living.

And since the homeowner rarely has a say in the brand or finish, most people don't realize they’ve inherited a problem until the paint starts failing.

Poor Coverage and Color Limitations

One of the first signs of builders paint? Poor coverage. It often takes multiple coats to hide previous colors or marks—and even then, you may still see through it. That’s why builders stick to light, neutral colors. Beige, gray, off-white: they’re not just trendy—they’re forgiving.

Attempting to repaint these walls with a deeper or richer color often reveals the limitations of the original finish. Without proper coverage, you'll end up doing more work—and using more paint—just to get consistent results.

Won’t Hide Imperfections

Builders paint lacks the body to conceal surface flaws. Drywall seams, nail pops, patchwork, or texture inconsistencies? All of it shows through.

In many cases, even after a fresh coat, you can still spot repairs underneath. And with flat finishes commonly used in these situations (because they’re easier to touch up), the paint absorbs light rather than reflecting it—making imperfections even more obvious.

Burnishing happens when friction polishes the paint, creating shiny, discolored spots on flat or matte surfaces. It’s especially common in high-touch areas like hallway corners, around door frames, or anywhere bags and jackets brush the wall.

Cleaning Makes It Worse

Maybe it’s a fingerprint near a light switch or a toddler’s smudge at knee level. You grab a sponge, give it a gentle wipe—and now there’s a clean spot that looks worse than the dirt ever did. That’s because builders paint isn't designed to be cleaned. It doesn’t resist moisture or abrasion.

Instead of removing the grime, you often remove part of the paint. The finish dulls or smears, and you're left with patchy walls that need repainting sooner than you’d like.

No Durability in High-Traffic Areas

Hallways, stairwells, kids’ rooms, mudrooms—these are the places where life happens. And it shows.

Low-grade paint scuffs easily and doesn’t stand up to the normal wear and tear of family life. Everyday contact—from backpacks and furniture to elbows and pet paws—leaves visible marks that flat paint can’t hide and cheap paint can’t endure.

What Is Burnishing—and Why Does It Matter?

Burnishing happens when friction polishes the paint, creating shiny, discolored spots on flat or matte surfaces. It’s especially common in high-touch areas like hallway corners, around door frames, or anywhere bags and jackets brush the wall.

Quality paints are formulated to resist burnishing. Builders paint, on the other hand, will develop these glossy marks with just a little contact. It’s a clear sign that the paint isn’t up to the task.

Spotting Builders Paint in Your Home

Not sure what kind of paint you have? Here are a few signs you’re dealing with builders-grade:

• Cleaning leaves streaks or dull spots
• Touch-ups stand out instead of blending in
• Repairs are still visible through the paint
• Lightly brushing the wall changes the sheen
• Scuffs and marks appear after everyday contact

If any of these sound familiar, you’re not imagining things. Builders paint simply isn’t designed for long-term performance.

What Can Be Done?

Unfortunately, there’s no way to "fix" low-quality paint. The only real solution is to repaint with a better product—one that provides real coverage, hides imperfections, resists burnishing, and stands up to cleaning.

At Crestwood Painting, we use premium paints designed for real life. That means:

• Better coverage, so fewer coats are needed
• Better hide, so patches and seams disappear
• Better cleanability, so you can wipe without worry
• Better durability, so the finish looks great for years

Depending on your needs, we can repaint the entire home or focus on high-traffic areas like stairwells and family hallways. We’ll give you honest recommendations based on your walls, your lifestyle, and your goals.

Builders Paint Can’t Keep Up—But We Can

Builders paint may be the industry standard, but it’s not your standard—and it’s not ours. Whether you're looking for a full repaint or just want to upgrade the areas that take the most abuse, Crestwood Painting is ready to help.

Let’s talk about repainting.