Expert Advice: Paint Prep

We posed our most perplexing paint questions to Heidi Baker and Eden Jarrin of Be Jane. These savvy DIYers dish out projects, products, news, and more advice at their Web site, www.bejane.com.

Dear Janes,
I am getting ready to paint most of my house and one of my friends was telling me about an additive that I should add to my paint. I just can't remember what it was she was talking about. Can you tell me what it is?
Pam M.

Dear Pam,
We can tell you about several beneficial additives for your paint:

1. Insulation. Insulation powders (Insuladd, www.insuladd.com, is one we like) can be added to most interior or exterior paints or primers. This additive helps keep your rooms cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Keep in mind these additives can reduce the sheen of a paint, so it's best to add them to your primer or your first coat of color.
2. Mildew Resistance. Mildew can be one of the most stubborn problems for painted areas, specifically around a bathtub or shower. You can add a mildew-inhibiting additive (such as ADD-2TM; www.zinsser.com) that will help alleviate this problem.
3. Fireproofing. One simple step to prevent a fire from spreading from room to room is to add an antiflame-spread paint additive to your paint. If a fire starts in one room, the additive will help prevent the flames from spreading to another. Be sure to check before you buy, however, as many of these additives work only with flat paint. Visit www.hytechsales.com for various fireproof paints and paint additives.