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Apartment Therapy Test Lab: Dutch Boy Refresh Paint

When the call went out for testers to sample Dutch Boy Refresh Paint--I was stoked. I've whined previously about my orange creamsicle bathroom and lately I'd been itching to paint my bland, white kitchen. I first received a fan deck to choose two colors (and it wasn't easy). Not only were there a ton of colors to choose from they all seemed to pop off the page. Initially, I couldn't decide--kelly green, pink, navy?! My final color picks and the before and after pictures below!
 
 

052109dutch-09.jpgMy favorite colors were the rich blues that Dutch Boy offers. I ended up going with two completely different but complimentary colors: Molokai Blue for the kitchen and North Coast for the bathroom. When the paint arrived, I was surprised to see plastic containers (but loved their compact size and removable lid--no flathead screwdriver needed!). I was also very happy to discover a pour spout on each paint bucket which meant an easier pour, thus less spills. I refuse to paint solo so I invited over a few friends to help with the project. The comment I kept hearing over and over was how easily the paint went onto the walls due to the it's excellent consistency. I was happy to learn that we only needed two coats of paint for a particularly even coat. The final test is taking the paint swatch and comparing it to the freshly painted wall--it was pretty much a perfect match. I honestly couldn't be more pleased with Dutch Boy's Refresh paint (and the colors I chose).

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(Images: Beth Z.)

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Test Lab - Product Reviews, DIY, painting, Dutch Boy, Molokai Blue, North Coast

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Comments (19)

Good color choice! I like your pictures too!

posted by xDaniel on May 21st 2009 at 12:22pm
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Let us know about the "refresh" feature! Maybe cook some bacon or onions?

posted by LilyC on May 21st 2009 at 12:30pm
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Love the results! Doesn't the white desk look more sophisticated against that color?! (I'm sick of the word "pop", but let's just say the contrast is striking, now!)

posted by SherryBinNH on May 21st 2009 at 12:34pm
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My biggest concern is the odor once it dries. Those Arm & Hammer trash bags have a big time scent, can you smell anything in the dried paint?

posted by The Maiden Metallurgist on May 21st 2009 at 12:46pm
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anyone else think the "can" looks like it should have kitty litter inside? this comment helps no one, i know, i just wanted to put it out there.

good review and good results. i've got a repaint-the-bathroom weekend in my future; maybe i'll consider trying this stuff.

any info on the VOC issue?

posted by jeffur on May 21st 2009 at 12:54pm
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jeffur, the Dutch Boy site says that the paint is zero-VOC and also contains a compound by Arm & Hammer that's supposed to absorb or counteract odors in the home. (!!!)

posted by Elizabeth B on May 21st 2009 at 12:59pm
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Totally off topic - but that homophobic ad at the bottom of the page is wretched. Do you really want to be making money off of hatred like that?

It makes me not want to read AT anymore...I much prefer to skim my blogs without getting periodic infusions of bigotry.

posted by Atalanta0jess on May 21st 2009 at 1:07pm
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@Lily C and The Maiden Metallurgist--I painted 2 days ago (and have kept the windows and fan going). New paint smell is faint right now. I'll be sure to cook this weekend and report back on odor absorbency!

@Sherry BinNH--I agree. Both colors make the white accents in both rooms "pop" for lack of a better word:)

posted by Beth1 on May 21st 2009 at 1:41pm
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so im wondering how effective this paint really is at absorbing odors. im just not seeing how thats possible....

posted by deeboyayay on May 21st 2009 at 1:42pm
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Atalanta0jess - what in the world are you talking about? I don't see any homophobic ads.

posted by rooty on May 21st 2009 at 1:49pm
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Wow, I'm impressed that you were able (psychologically) to paint your rooms based on a swatch. But those colors make me happy! And I'm glad to know that the swatches are true, since that is so often a problem. Thanks for the review. Oh yeah, I like your prints too.

posted by BlueLM on May 21st 2009 at 1:56pm
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what ad??

love the paint colors!

posted by kabradbury on May 21st 2009 at 2:08pm
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We used the Refresh paint in our new home. I loved that it was 0% VOC so that I could help with the painting since I'm pregnant. I didn't think it smelled of paint at all. I did keep the windows open though. Also really liked that it had a pour spout in the bucket, that was a very nice feature.

posted by sensistar on May 21st 2009 at 3:04pm
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How does the price compare?

posted by Lizzykewl on May 21st 2009 at 3:21pm
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We used this in our home, it actually does help with smells (dog, kids, cooking). Unfortunately, it's not zero VOC, though. Like many national brands, the paint is zero VOC, but the pigments they use to color it are not. It is considered low VOC, though, since the amounts are minimal. To get truly zero VOC, try Safecoat. Smell goes away after about a week. Nothing like the trash bags, more like any other low VOC paint.

posted by csott on May 21st 2009 at 4:25pm
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Thanks for posting this. I wasn't able to find many reviews online and I'm considering it over other brands because of the price and the zero VOCs. I'm still a little skeptical of the odor-absorption claim.

posted by insanity_pepper on May 21st 2009 at 4:35pm
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its consistency

posted by kelleyk on May 21st 2009 at 9:26pm
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WARNING. Do NOT buy Dutch Boy. Largely due to the good review here I purchased Dutch Boy to paint my ceiling. Even with 2 coats, it goes on patchy and streaky. It advertised to paint on violet and dry white - well it turned white all right - waaaaaay before it was close to drying, defeating the point of having violet (well, pink actually) on a spot to know where you painted. So it was a massive waste of time and of money (paint, supplies, and the babysitter for the kids while my mom and I worked together). I'm furious. Cheap A** Crap!

posted by BlueLM on July 16th 2009 at 6:46pm
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BlueLM,

I saw your post on a blog regarding your experience with Dutch Boy Ceiling Paint. We were sorry to hear that the paint did not perform to your expectations, and we would welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you in greater detail. Please contact our Product Support center, either by calling our toll-free hotline at 1-800-828-5669 or by submitting an inquiry through the Contact Us page located at www.dutchboy.com.

I'd love to help in any way ~ thanks!

posted by PaintrGrl on July 29th 2009 at 11:12am
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