In terms of interior paints that perform, a newcomer on the shelf is hard to top.

Clark + Kensington paint, sold exclusively at Ace Hardware Stores, has earned the highest scores of 65 products evaluated for overall finish, ability to hide, and other characteristics, according to Consumer Reports.

Photo courtesy of Valspar

A new brand called Clark + Kensington stood out in Consumer Reports' latest ranking of interior paints.

The influential non-profit organization recently issued its ratings of interior paints, based on demanding testing methods of a number of important appearance and performance measures.

Consumer Reports found the Clark + Kensington paint to be number one in satin and semi-gloss finishes, and "among the best for flat paints." The testing agency also noted that the paint formula also resisted stains and scrubbing and met the "toughest" VOC standards.

The paint runs about $33 a gallon and is self-priming, according to the organization.

Other Top Performers

Other high-ranking satin paints included Benjamin Moore Aura Satin, Kilz Casual Colors Satin and Glidden Premium Satin.

As for flat paints, Consumer Reports ranked Valspar Signature Matte at the top, followed by Behr Premium Plus Ultra Flat Enamel and Benjamin Moore Aura Matte.

In the semi-gloss category, Behr Premium Plus Ultra Semi-Gloss Enamel and Valspar Signature Semi-Gloss followed Clark + Kensington in the Consumer Reports ratings.

Tapes Put to the Test

Consumer Reports also put six painter's tapes to the test to see which ones left sharp lines, were easy to remove and didn't damage surfaces.

FrogTape Delicate Surface Tape—which runs $6 to $8—emerged as the winner among others tested.

Consumer Reports is the world’s largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually.

The full report on interior paints is available in the March 2013 issue of the Consumer Reports' Magazine and online to  subscribers at http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/paint0313.