Well, I'm only chiming in because no one more knowledgeable has yet...I've used most of the SW line and have been pretty pleased with it. I use the ProClassic on all my trim, although some people have said it's difficult to use on cabinets. I would probably look more into Cabinet Coat. I would stay away from any product that claims to be paint/primer in one...pretty much the consensus here. I used their Superpaint flat for my ceiling & am very pleased. No more dingy "ceiling white"!

My biggest surprise about your post however, is your experience at your local SW store. My experience has been nothing like that & from what I've picked up around here, yours is quite the exception. My SW guys are sooo helpful & friendly; I know when I go in to ask a question I'll get some real help. It's something I would let the "higher-ups" at SW know for sure--can probably get in touch from their website. I'm sure much of their business depends on a knowledgeable sales staff.

BTW, my local SW store is planning a 40% sale the first week(?) of April...I think their sales are national, so check your store to be sure.

HTH!

Good to know about the sale! I am very disappointed in the employees at the local paint stores here in CA, both SW and BM. Used to live in MA and the employees there were very good. I was spoiled with a local family owned store with long term, experienced employees.

The local BM here in CA had a 20-something kids working on the weekend. Cute, friendly kid, but he gave me better information on the local skiing spots!!! The older man at SW made me feel like I was bothering them by spending a few hundred dollars at the store!

I did a bit of research on Cabinet Coat and ended up at a local, Regal Paint in Annapolis. Much to my surprise they were a BM store.

However, this great fellow named Jim(bo) was able to take my cabinet paint and actually tint Cabinet Coat to almost an exact match. "Almost" is OK because I like the slight difference better than my Duron color I've been using.

They also carried STIX! I scored a double hit in one visit.

Thanks for the advice on the sale, because I'll definately need paint. I have 8 rooms of bare drywall to prime (well, first I need to put up and finish the drywall in some) and paint. I have an idea of my colors, so this is great news.

Then I have to talk about trim. But that's another couple zillion dollars. [LOL]

C.

I'm renovating/updating a home, and using SW paint exclusively.

I've used just the regular Drywall Primer; I always thought Kilz was for stain blocking. I've used Kilz where I needed it, but regular drywall primer is what I've used for both ceilings and walls.

I use the Pro Classic in semi-gloss for trim and doors. It has a nice, soft sheen, is easy to use, and appears to dry with no brush marks.

For a "heavy duty" primer for cabinets, I'd go with the Adhesion Primer. I'm using this on my trim, as recommended by a SW employee, because the previous owners painted latex over oil without proper preparation. So now I'm sanding, scraping and priming all my trim. :-/

For my ceilings, I primed with the regular drywall primer, then rolled on two coats of a basic flat in Pure White. The "ceiling paint" colors that SW has on the color cards is too blue-toned, but the Pure White is absolutely lovely.

Not only does Sherwin-Williams have sales, but if you sign up online for information on sales/promotions, you will often get coupons that you can print off and use even when there isn't a sale. I haven't paid full-price for any of the products yet. I just used a 30% off coupon that I got through e-mail, that also gave 15% off on painting supplies.

I'm renovating/updating a home, and using SW paint exclusively.

I've used just the regular Drywall Primer; I always thought Kilz was for stain blocking. I've used Kilz where I needed it, but regular drywall primer is what I've used for both ceilings and walls.

I use the Pro Classic in semi-gloss for trim and doors. It has a nice, soft sheen, is easy to use, and appears to dry with no brush marks.

For a "heavy duty" primer for cabinets, I'd go with the Adhesion Primer. I'm using this on my trim, as recommended by a SW employee, because the previous owners painted latex over oil without proper preparation. So now I'm sanding, scraping and priming all my trim. :-/

For my ceilings, I primed with the regular drywall primer, then rolled on two coats of a basic flat in Pure White. The "ceiling paint" colors that SW has on the color cards is too blue-toned, but the Pure White is absolutely lovely.

Not only does Sherwin-Williams have sales, but if you sign up online for information on sales/promotions, you will often get coupons that you can print off and use even when there isn't a sale. I haven't paid full-price for any of the products yet. I just used a 30% off coupon that I got through e-mail, that also gave 15% off on painting supplies.

I agree Kilz is for stain blocking. Kilz2, the latex version, is a pretty crappy general purpose stain blocking primer that blocks no stains either. I'm surprised any professional painter would call it the 'best to use'.

Funny.
I know more than a normal share of painters because my STBX is a general contractor.
Not one of them did not recommend Kilz on bare drywall.
Well, having 5 gals of it, and how well it does prime? I'm going to use it.

Ceilings. Gawd, I hate 'em. First I have to sand them, and at 5'2" they're not getting done in the time they should.

Pure White, though. Good to know!