If It’S In The Shade, Can Interior Paint Be Used Outside?

Paint expert Ray Brosnan suggests that while interior paint can be used on exterior surfaces for small, low-impact projects, it is generally not recommended. Exterior paints are specially formulated to withstand a wide range of weather conditions and may contain organic pigments for color, which can significantly fade if used outdoors. If you realize you have used indoor paint outdoors by mistake, you can still salvage the situation by applying one or two coats of outdoor paint as soon as the interior paint has dried.

When using interior paint outside, proper surface preparation is crucial to ensure the paint sticks and lasts. However, it is not always recommended due to the different formulas of interior paint and their resistance to various weather conditions such as rain, snow, wind, UV, mildew, and temperature extremes. Interior paint is formulated to withstand lower levels of wear and tear, temperature, and other factors, but it is not designed to withstand these extremes.

Exterior paint contains higher levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can cause issues like premature deterioration, poor adhesion, and unsightly results. While it is possible to use leftover interior paint for outdoor painting, it is not a prudent idea. The short answer is yes, but proper surface preparation is essential to ensure the paint sticks and lasts.

Can you use normal paint on outside walls?

Interior emulsion paints, such as vinyl soft sheen paint, can cause issues on external surfaces due to their thinness and need for multiple coats. They may also appear patchy and unprofessional, and take longer to dry in damp or cold conditions. Interior paints lack the same additives as external paints, which can lead to weather-related issues like flaking, running, and cracking. Exposure to the sun for extended periods can also cause serious problems.

External paints are designed to resist weather effects but are not suitable for internal use. They can become easily marked and scuffed, and they are less resistant to cleaning effects, such as spilling food. Additionally, external paints may not provide a completely even covering of the ceiling, wall, or floor, making them less suitable for regular use or footfall.

In conclusion, using interior paints on external surfaces can lead to various problems, including adhesion issues, weather resistance, and the appearance of uneven coverage.

Do you need special paint for outside walls?

Masonry paint is a paint specifically designed for exterior walls, offering protection against weathering. It can be applied to brick, stone, and render surfaces. To paint exterior walls, follow a step-by-step guide with the necessary tools, including Masonry paint, long-pile paint roller, paint tray, brush, sandpaper, dust sheets, masking tape, exterior filler, filling knife, and scraper. Proper preparation is crucial for achieving a high-quality finish or adhering paint properly to the surface.

What can I add to interior paint to make it exterior?

Exterior paint is designed for outdoor environments to handle extreme temperatures and be flexible enough to withstand significant temperature changes. Its binding resins allow coverage to expand and contract without peeling or chipping, while additives help resist staining, mildew, and fading. Interior paint can be transformed into a durable exterior paint by combining it with an Outdoor Additive by The Real Milk Paint Co. Outdoor paint also has a formulation that promotes better coverage on rougher surfaces, but it contains more VOCs than interior paints, making it suitable only in highly ventilated areas.

Outdoor paint comes in flat, gloss, or semi-gloss enamels, making it limited in color choices. Painting techniques and surfaces also differ, with some jobs requiring scraping away old paint before application.

What is the difference between exterior paint and interior paint?

Interior and exterior paints have distinct compositions, with exterior paints designed to withstand environmental conditions like UV rays and temperature fluctuations, while interior paints prioritize low VOC levels for indoor air quality and resistance to scuffs and stains. Exterior paints contain softer binding resins and additives for flexibility and UV resistance, while interior paints use rigid resins for durability and often feature lower VOCs for health safety.

Choosing the right type of paint is crucial, as using interior paint outdoors can lead to finishing issues like cracking and peeling, while using exterior paint indoors can pose health risks due to higher VOC content and inappropriate formulation for confined spaces. Understanding these differences is essential for maintaining the aesthetic and structural integrity of a painted surface and choosing the right product for the right place, whether you’re planning to refresh a single room or revamp the entire exterior of your home.

In conclusion, understanding the differences between interior and exterior paints is crucial for maintaining the aesthetic and structural integrity of a painted surface and choosing the right product for the right place.

Is there really a difference between interior and exterior paint?

Different paints have different properties due to their manufacturing purposes. Exterior paint is designed to handle mildew and fading, while interior paint is designed for cleaning and stain resistance. Understanding the difference between these two types requires understanding the chemistry behind each type. All paints are formulated from the same basic ingredients, including resins, additives, solvents, and pigments.

How to weatherproof indoor paint?

Waterproofing paint can be achieved by coating it with clear polyurethane or acrylic, which can be as effective as spraying a sealant but may add a glossy or shiny finish. This can also add an amber hue, but this isn’t necessarily harmful as it blocks UV sunlight and protects the finish. If you want to use an interior paint outdoors, you can mix in a waterproofing additive like Paint Proofer to repel water and resist mold and mildew, or choose a paint with a waterproofing agent already mixed in.

What’s the difference between interior paint and outdoor paint?

Exterior paint is a unique type of paint due to its unique compositions and the different environments it faces. Interior paints are designed to resist staining and abrasion, while exterior paints provide additional durability to withstand weather conditions. Exterior paint may appear identical to interior paint but often contains a higher level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to enhance its durability. Most interior paints contain few or no VOCs, making it essential to use exterior paint only for exterior projects.

If accidentally used inside a poorly ventilated room, the harmful gases will accumulate and pose health risks to occupants. These VOCs, as their name suggests, pose a short- and long-term health risk to individuals in close proximity. Therefore, experts recommend using exterior paint only for exterior projects.

Can you seal indoor paint for outdoor use?

Contractor Jay Sanders warns that while interior paint can be primed, painted, and sealed, it will still peel, chip, and crack when exposed to the elements. To reduce the need for exterior paint, it is recommended to use high-quality external paint and prepare thoroughly. While it may be tempting to use leftover paint from interior redecorating, it is not a recommended method as it is not designed to do the job and may require more repainting due to the differences in formulation between interior and exterior paints. Therefore, it is a DIY and decorating faux pas.

Will water-based paint hold up outside?

Water-based paints are ideal for exterior use due to their resistance to UV rays, allowing them to retain sheen levels and color over time. They also have flexibility, allowing the paint to move with the substrate as it expands and contracts in different weather conditions. Oil-based paints, on the other hand, do not perform well in exterior conditions due to their breakdown in UV light and lack of flexibility, making cracking more likely.

How can you tell if paint has gone bad?

To determine if paint is old, smell it for mold or unpleasant odors. If mold grows inside a can, it’s a health hazard. If the paint has an ammonia smell, it’s still good. Stir the paint well and strain it before use. Check the cans to identify the date of mixing and add at least one year to the date due to potential manufacturing delays. Higher-quality paints last longer and can be reused, while cheaper ones don’t. Latex paints typically last 5-10 years, while oil paints last 10+ years. If the paint lasts longer, you may need to buy new paint.

What happens if I use interior paint for outside?

Interior paint is not durable enough to withstand outdoor elements like wind, rain, and sunlight, leading to color fading, peeling, bubbling, and cracking. The best exterior paint for exteriors is oil-based and latex, which can cover various materials like stucco, brick, aluminum, wood, and rust on outdoor furniture or fences. These paints should not be used outside, as the hard work put into the paint job may be wasted in just a year.