Paint & Stain
A coat of paint or stain can give a surface a whole new look and protect from bumps, scrapes, and the elements. The result of your DIY job relies heavily on the quality of the paint & stain used. Superior Paint & Decorating is proud to carry Benjamin Moore paint & stain products.
When to Use Primer Before Paint & Stain
Many paints today are a 2-in-1 paint and primer combo, but there are times when primer needs to be a solo act to shine its brightest. When should you use a primer?
- When you’re switching from dark color to a lighter one, this is especially true if the change is exceptionally drastic, such as from black to white. Primer neutralizes the color of the surface you’re painting, so you get the most authentic color from your paint.
- A primer is also a good idea when changing from a high-sheen finish to a lower sheen.
- If your walls have any spots that have been patched or repaired - primer will smooth the surface to provide the best adhesion for the paint.
- If you are covering stains, such as those from water or smoke damage, primer is essential to keep the stains from showing through the finished paint job.
As a Benjamin Moore dealer, we carry various interior and exterior primers from Benjamin Moore to fit all your DIY primer needs:
- Fresh Start® Premium Interior & Exterior Primers: A quick- drying formula with excellent coverage and hide
- Sure Seal® Interior & Exterior Latex Primers: A low odor, low VOC primer and sealer that dries fast and offers exceptional adhesion.
- Aqua Lock® Primer & Sealer: An acrylic, water-based primer & sealer that adheres to interior and exterior surfaces and provides a mold-resistant coating.
- Stix® Waterborne Bonding Primer: The perfect primer for all hard-to-coat surfaces; Stix® Waterborne Bonding Primer cures in low temperatures and delivers a tough film.
Interior Paint Sheens
Interior paint is one of the most versatile interior design tools It’s available in various sheens to suit any area of your home. Choosing the right sheen can be tricky, so we have a quick guide to help you out:
- Flat & Matte: Flat and matte finishes are great for covering imperfections because they reflect very little light. The downside to flat and matte sheens is that they are more difficult to clean than other finishes, so it should be used in low-traffic areas of your home.
- Eggshell & Satin: These finishes get their name from their slight shine, like satin fabric or an eggshell. Eggshell and satin sheens are more durable than flat and matte paint sheens. You can use these finishes in kids’ rooms, hallways, and other busy spaces.
- Semi-Gloss & High-Gloss: These finishes offer a glamorous, shiny finish but make scuffs and other imperfections very noticeable. We recommend reserving glossier finishes for woodwork and trim.
- AURA® Interior Paint features exclusive Color Lock® technology to ensure long-lasting color with zero rub-off. All sheen options are a 2-in-1 paint and primer combination and offer a mildew-resistant finish.
- Regal Select Interior Paint is available in five sheens, four of which are zero VOC and feature stain release technology for easy cleaning.
- ben® Interior Paint is a user-friendly formula that is zero VOC and low odor.

Protecting outdoor surfaces from the elements is a tough job, and exterior stain is up for it. Exterior stain is easy to apply and maintain but may need to be reapplied annually. You can choose from various opacities for your exterior stain, including translucent, semi-transparent, semi-solid, and solid. The type of exterior stain you use will depend on the result you’re looking for. Translucent and semi-transparent stains allow the wood grain to show, while solid opacities have more pigment to conceal imperfections in the wood. The Arborcoat® line of exterior stain is an excellent solution for all types of wood furniture, decking, and siding.

Benjamin Moore Paint & Stain in Lexington, KY
Superior Paint & Decorating has been your local Benjamin Moore dealer since 1985 and we’re loving every minute of it. Our in-house Benjamin Moore paint experts have the knowledge and experience necessary to help you choose the perfect paint & stain for your DIY jobs. We’re also your premier resource for all of your wallpaper and decor needs. We are happy to serve the greater Lexington, KY, area. Contact us today to get started on your next home paint & stain project.