I have just had part of the outside of my house painted and I used International Toplac yacht enamel, costs more but should last a heck of a lot longer than the dishwater you get in DIY stores.
Colin
Agreed, but only as long as the initial preparation was carried out to a suitable standard. It is also apparent that you appreciated & accepted the difference between a premium product and an economy version when you made your selection.
Unfortunately, this awareness is not shared by everybody, with many being guided to the DIY-sheds with inspiration drawn from the abundance of 'lifestyle' shows appearing on our TV screens over the last decade or so. These shows have under-mined many aspects of the reputable building trade and frequently given the impression that (in the case of Painting/Decorating), it is possible to achieve professional results between 'elevenses' and lunch, with nothing more than a 20 litre bargain-bucket of brilliant white slop, and a 250ml of quick-drying one-coat gloss.
In fairness to the DIY-sheds products, a reasonable finish can be achieved with much of it, but the downside is that in order to preserve that finish, it must be maintained at more frequent intervals - You pays your money and makes your choice.
What is undeniable though for any paintwork (boats, cars, houses etc), is that if the initial preparation isn't up to scratch, sooner or later it will become apparent in the finish.