Valspar Reserve Eggshell 2022 Review
The front label of a Valspar Reserve Eggshell paint can make a claim to be one coat coverage guaranteed! What will Valspar do if the Reserve product does not cover in one coat?
Here are some quick facts about Valspar Reserve Eggshell before we get started.
- It is 100% Acrylic
- It has scuff-resistant technology
- Paint & Primer in One
Paint and primer in one, for an eggshell paint, is very unusual. That is something I will have to test! A self-priming eggshell paint increases its value!
Valspar Reserve Eggshell Coverage
Giving a guarantee of one coat coverage is like predicting a win in the Super Bowl before the first pre-season game. Guaranteed one coat coverage is such a big claim that Valspar might also claim that you will shed 15 lbs. in 30 days when you apply our one coat paint!
Coverage results: Valspar Reserve Eggshell covers 100% in 2 coats.
It did cover in one coat over a gray wall but not over white as the picture shows. It may be hard to see here, but one could easily see that Valspar Reserve required a second coat with the naked eye.
I keep thinking of the adage: under-promise and over-deliver.
Valspar Reserve coverage scores a 10.
Valspar Reserve Eggshell Washability
As recently as a few years ago, premium flat paints did not have today’s washability. So, paint manufacturers cheated and added some sheen to assist in washability. They called it a matte finish. This slight sheen dramatically increased the washability of the paint.
However, these matte finish paints were all premium-grade paints. Mid-grade to premium eggshell paints have better than or equal washability to any matte paint. The compromise is just a little more sheen, which can show imperfections.
Valspar Reserve Eggshell paint is a premium-grade paint with excellent washability. I’ve tested both mid-grade eggshell paints, such as Promar 200 and Speedhide Eggshell, and PPG Manor Hall, and they have all had equally good washability.
My only complaint about the washability is how hard I had to scrub to get the crayon off. It eventually came off, but it would have been easier to paint over it.
Valspar Reserve Eggshell washability scores 9 out of 10.
Durability
I was very impressed that I didn’t damage the paint when I was scrubbing so hard. Removing the crayon was difficult. I was very impressed with the durability.
Durability of Valspar Reserve Eggshell scores 10 out of 10.
Workability Means Better Productivity
The workability of paint is divided into three categories.
First, how easy does it apply with a brush? In short, about the same as most mid-grade paints.
Secondly, what is the working time? Some paints give one to two minutes of working time, which is excellent for catching drips.
The Reserve has an average active time between 30 and 40 seconds.
Thirdly, how far does a one-inch dip of the brush go?Answer: about 3 feet which is excellent! The fewer trips to the bucket or roller pan, the more productive a painter can be.
Overall Workability scores 8 out of 10.
Does Valspar Reserve Eggshell Touch-up?
Whether you have to go back and spackle or fix a scuff mark, Valspar Reserve Eggshell touches up very well. Most low sheen paints do not touch up. As additional coats of paint are applied, each coat offers a higher sheen level which can be easily noticeable in certain angles.
I applied a 3rd coat of paint on a wall under a recessed light. A light shining directly down a wall is a test for any eggshell paint, and it passed! Having a third coat touch-up and disappear is an impressive feat.
Self Priming
In addition, I spackled a few spots on the wall and found Valspar Reserve is self-priming. It blended in perfectly after two finished coats of paint over the spackled areas. This is also an impressive accomplishment.
Touch-up scores 10 out of 10.
Self Priming scores 10 out 0f 10.
What Is The Feel And Smoothness?
Paints are rated by viewing them at an 85-degree angle and gaging their reflectivity. For example, a wool sweater would have no reflectivity giving it a zero. However, a mirror would have 100% reflectivity giving it a grade of 100. Eggshell paint is typically between .20 – .30, Valspar Reserve is .15 -.25. In other words, Valspar Reserve Eggshell has less of a sheen than other eggshells paints.
The actual feel of the paint is slightly sandy feel like that of shark skin.
The feel is not the most critical factor, but it is noticeably more rough than other eggshell paints.
Valspar Reserve Eggshell smoothness scores 7 out of 10.
Recommendations for Valspar Reserve Eggshell
- Bedrooms
- Hallways
- Bathrooms
- Kitchen
- Active room where washability is important
- When coverage is important
Overall score of Valspar Reserve Eggshell is 9 out of 10.
Additional Pro’s Review by David Klappenberger include:
