Hiding Ugly Paint

Q: How can I hide some really tragic paint in my new condo? The living room walls have alternating glossy and dull dark red vertical stripes. Will a good primer do the job, or do I need to sand first?

A: Yes, I expect that your spunky walls can be salvaged without resorting to a sander. The trick is choosing the right kind of paint. Start by looking for a 100% acrylic formulation of latex. Not all latex paints are of this type, so you'll need to be discerning. 100% acrylic needs no primer, even when applied over old oil-based paints. Next, you'll want to look for a paint that claims to have 'high hiding' capabilities. This kind of formulation is particularly thick and very opaque, with the ability to conceal even the most offensive aesthetic crimes.