@arkitek2ss: if you are going to paint surfaces in a family, create a new parameter, such as "Finish", and when you use the Paint Tool, select the Material with the extension "(param)" in it's name. For instance, if your paint material parameter is named "Finish", look for "Finish(param)" in the Material window that pops up when you pick the Paint tool. This way, you can change the paint material in the project via the family's "Finish" parameter. I would save "Material" for the family geometry. For instance, if its a Door, then the "Material" is unfinished wood or metal, and the "Finish" is red paint.
