Does High Gloss Paint Hide Imperfections?

The right paint finish can enhance your space and create a stunning statement. High gloss paint is a beautiful choice for many home and business owners, and understanding the varying levels of sheen and how these paints interact with imperfections will help you make the best decision for your space.

Imperfections Are More Visible With High Gloss Paint

When you paint a surface with high gloss paint, imperfections are more noticeable due to the high reflectivity. High gloss will not hide flaws, but a professional paint job from Shoreline High Gloss can ensure your space receives the proper care it needs before paint application to minimize these blemishes.

What Is Sheen?

Sheen refers to the reflected light from various paint types. Sheen can significantly impact the way your walls, fixtures and rooms look. Paint with more enamel will have a higher sheen, making it easier to clean and more resistant to stains, scratches and scuffs. Low sheen paints can be easier on the eyes, but they can be harder to clean and have a softer surface.

Typically, you will find multiple sheen levels for any paint color. You can measure sheen by the way light reflects off dry paint surfaces at a particular angle, and understanding the different types of sheen is essential to choosing the ideal paint for your home or business.

Degrees of Sheen in Paint

Multiple degrees of sheen provide a different look for various features and areas of your home. Choosing the right one will be essential for reaching your design goals. The degrees of sheen include:

  • High gloss: This paint has the highest level of sheen and is excellent for rooms and items that face heavy traffic or that can quickly build a collection of fingerprints, grime or grease. High gloss paint colors are often more intense and cleaner than other paint types. Due to the paint’s highly reflective look, this paint will highlight surface imperfections, making it critical to request a professional service from Shoreline High Gloss for paint jobs.
  • Semi-gloss: Semi-gloss paint will not offer the same sheen as a high gloss, but the surface will reflect some light. The sheen of this paint makes it suitable for walls, woodwork and weatherboards.
  • Satin: The next lowest degree of sheen is satin paint. Compared to flat paints, satin paints add more warmth and depth to colors. These paints are not as stain resistant as high- or semi-gloss paints.
  • Low sheen: Low sheen paints offer good cleaning properties and some sheen to brighten areas such as hallways, playrooms and bedrooms. The sheen in these paints can highlight imperfections.
  • Flat: Flat paints have a rough texture and less sheen than other paints. These paint colors may look muddled and darker but can better hide imperfections.

Why Does High Gloss Paint’s Sheen Highlight Imperfections?

The higher amount of sheen of high gloss paints highlights the imperfections on the surface. The more light the surface has, the better you can see the color and any imperfections. However, these surfaces are the easiest to clean, so day-to-day blemishes like scuffs and fingerprints are much easier to remove.

More importantly, you will need to remove, clean or otherwise repair any blemishes on the surface before applying this paint because any existing imperfections will shine through. Due to its properties and the care it requires, high gloss is challenging to apply. Requesting a professional paint job from Shoreline High Gloss is the best way to ensure you get the stunning look you want.

When to Use High Gloss Paint

High gloss is excellent for any space or surface that you want to stand out. These paints are beautiful accents and can transform accent items and entire rooms with the proper care. Additionally, spaces that face a lot of traffic can benefit from high gloss paint. For instance, you may consider using high gloss in a hallway to brighten the space and create visual interest.

Plan to use high gloss in spaces you want to create a high-impact look. If you have a room with unique features, you can highlight them using this paint. Additionally, you can make an otherwise drab room look much more interesting by applying high gloss to the walls, ceiling or accent items. The enhanced sheen of these paints can also lighten a space, so areas with low light or lacking windows are another excellent opportunity for a beautiful high gloss coat. No matter where you decide to use high gloss paint, you can be sure to make a lasting impression.

Some of the best opportunities to use high gloss paint include:

  • Cabinets
  • Doors
  • Lamps
  • Frames
  • Accent items
  • Woodwork pieces
  • Entryways
  • Hallways
  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Ceilings
  • Dressers
  • Bookshelves
  • Nightstands
  • Coffee tables

Browse Shoreline High Gloss Services Today

At Shoreline High Gloss, we specialize in applying high gloss paint. We only use premium Dutch paints for our projects and rely on the best techniques to deliver breathtaking results. As a Fine Paints of Europe Master Certified Painter, you can feel confident that we’ll deliver results you’re sure to love. We bring unmatched expertise, knowledge and products to every project, and we’re ready to help you transform your space. Browse our high gloss painting services for Manhattan and Palm Beach today.

Picture of a desk sitting in the middle of an office painted with high gloss paint