The new low- and no-VOC paints are basically acrylic and/or vinyl formulations. However, these are very different from the oil- and latex-based paints currently on the market and require slightly different techniques and equipment.

For starters, the new quick-drying formulations wait for no man or woman, so you'd better have all your tools ready and drop cloths down when you start. Since they're also thicker than other paints, you shouldn't need to "go over" thin spots. Another tip I picked up in Internet chat rooms is that the color you pick is what you get; it is uncannily true to the paint chip.

Kristen Butler of Ace Paints and Unfinished Furniture in Mt. Lebanon says this is true for Aura by Benjamin Moore.

"The ColorLock technology in this paint causes it to adhere to the wall quickly. You don't want to go over any spots or you are liable to just pull the paint off the wall," she said.

She recommends "cutting in" with a brush around all corners first. By the time you get back to the starting point, it should be dry, and you can fill in the large spaces with a roller.

Saturate your roller fully and keep it saturated while painting. Don't skimp on a roller cover. Cheap covers will fall apart under the density of these paints. Spend $4 for a good one (Purdy is one professional-grade brand) or you will find your cheap cover disintegrating while you paint, leaving lint on the wall and ruining the finish.

I suggest getting a good 5-in-1 paint tool and scraping the excess off of the roller into a plastic container. I salvaged more than 8 ounces of paint from the roller for future touch-ups.

When using a brush for trim and corners, don't let it get gloppy. Ms. Butler says that may take getting used to, but the finished product is worth it.

Stick with these rules for all of these new products and your paint job will be quick, easy and beautiful.