What Does a Paint Warranty Cover?

Do you know what a paint warranty covers? When you are shopping for paint, you will likely notice a range of prices and manufacturer warranties. Some paints offer a 10-15 year warranty, and there are even “lifetime” warranties. It is important to know what those warranties mean and what they are going to cover. Generally, the warranty on a paint is much less important than a warranty from your painting contractor.

• A warranty from the paint manufacturer covers any defects in the paint product itself. In 10-12 years, you are going to have a hard time proving that the paint failed because of the product. It is more likely due to improper surface preparation, improper paint or primer application, or even failure of the layer of paint underneath the top coat. In the last few years at ESP Painting, we have only had 2 cases where the paint failure was proven to be due to a defective product.
• The lifespan of the warranty can be a good guide of the quality of the paint product. However, quality ranges widely from brand to brand. A “lifetime” warranty is for the lifetime of your ownership of the home. They are generally given to thicker paints that should be applied with a heavier coat. A thicker coat will last longer, but also requires more knowledge and attention to apply. The warranty will specify the conditions that must be met, but usually dictate that all instructions on the label must be followed in order to be covered.
• Your best bet for meeting the requirements of a warranty is to hire someone who has experience and knowledge. They will know how to correctly prepare surfaces and apply paint. A painting contractor who stands behind his or her work and offers a written warranty is likely someone who is confident in their skills in preparing the surface of the home and applying paint properly. When shopping around, you will likely find contractors who cover a certain number of years. You may even find one who offers a “tail light warranty”; when you see their tail lights leave, your warranty is over.

ESP Paintinggenerally offers a 3-year warranty that covers bubbles, cracks, and flaking. If you choose a good contractor and keep up your paint job as recommended, you can rest assured your home’s paint will last for as long as possible.