Interior paints are formulated differently than exterior paints, and they cannot withstand the elements from the outdoors. Contractor Jay Sanders of Castle Dream Basement Waterproofing, a home remodeling company in Baltimore, asserts that interior paint is generally not recommended for outdoor use due to its lack of durability. However, there are some instances where using interior paint on exterior surfaces may be feasible, such as repurposing leftover paint for small, low-impact outdoor projects.
Interior paints can be water-based, including latex and acrylic paints, or oil-based, such as alkyd paints. Both offer different adhesive properties and use, and both are available in different sheens. BEHR PREMIUM PLUS® Paint is a primer for properly prepared coated or uncoated surfaces, while BEHR DYNASTY Paint is used as a primer for uncoated, porous, or repaired interior surfaces, including woods that contain tannins.
Behr’s mid-level interior paint line, Premium Plus, is designed to provide good hide and durability at an affordable price point. Key features of Premium Plus paint include decent hide and coverage, excellent flow and leveling, and dries to a hard, durable finish. The paint provides all-weather protection, making it great for exterior use.
However, it is not recommended to use interior paint outside as it is not formulated to withstand exterior conditions like temperatures and UV rays. Exterior paints are created to handle extreme cold, heat, snow, rain, and UV rays, so they stand up against the test of time. Applying interior paint outside can result in cracks and peeling off walls, and they are toxic.
In conclusion, interior paint is not suitable for outdoor use due to its different formulation and lack of durability. While there are some instances where using interior paint on exterior surfaces may be feasible, it is generally not recommended due to its potential risks and environmental impact.
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Can I use normal gloss paint outside?
Gloss paint is a versatile and durable exterior paint suitable for high wear areas like interior doors, bannisters, and skirting boards. It can also be used on metal once primed, and is popular for matching woodwork in radiators. There are five types of gloss paint: Liquid Gloss, Once Gloss, Quick Dry Gloss, Satinwood, and Eggshell. Liquid Gloss requires an undercoat but provides a high gloss finish, making it ideal for professional decorators.
Once Gloss is a single-coat paint that doesn’t require an undercoat, while Quick Dry Gloss is self-undercoating and can be recoated in 6 hours. Satinwood is a semi-gloss, hard-wearing, durable gloss paint with a subtle sheen, while Eggshell is an on-trend, more matt finish suitable for interior, wood, walls, ceiling, and metalwork.
Will interior paint wash off in the rain?
Rainy weather can cause issues with outdoor painting, such as streaking, uneven coverage, and long-term durability issues. To avoid these issues, it is essential to maintain a balance between temperature and humidity. A comfortable temperature range between 18°C and 23°C is ideal, ensuring smooth paint flow, proper adhesion, and even drying. Low to moderate humidity is also crucial, as high humidity can prolong drying times and increase the likelihood of drips and streaks. A relative humidity level between 40 and 50 is ideal, allowing paint to set properly without delay or complication. A balanced weather is crucial for a successful painting project.
Can you use interior house paint outside?
Interior and exterior paints differ due to additives. Interior paints protect the interior from harsh weather conditions, while exterior paints contain weather-resistant chemicals and mildewcide to withstand heat, cold, snow, rainfall, and sun’s rays. Interior paint will eventually peel off walls and cause cracks. Concrete walls can expand and contract due to temperature fluctuations, so binder-based paint is better for concrete walls.
Low-cluster acrylics are used for patio and porch paints to resist UV damage, scuffing, fading, cracking, and concealing imperfections. Oil-based paints are better for exterior use due to their alkyd content, which resists dirt and temperature changes.
What happens if you use interior gloss outside?
Interior paints lack the same additives as external paints, which can cause issues like flaking, running, and cracking due to weather conditions like rain and frost. They are not suitable for internal use as they can become easily marked and scuffed, and they are less resistant to cleaning effects like spills. External paints also don’t provide a completely even covering of the ceiling, wall, or floor, and may emit harmful fumes that can cause unpleasant smells when used inside a building.
Despite their weather resistance, they are not designed for regular use or footfall, and they are less resistant to cleaning effects. Therefore, it’s essential to choose paints that are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Can you use interior semi-gloss paint outside?
When painting a garage door, it’s crucial to use paint specifically for exterior surfaces, such as oil-based and acrylic latex. Interior paint should not be used outside, as it can be expensive and may not provide long-lasting and durable results. If you have leftover paint from an interior painting project, it’s best to use it for an exterior project instead. VanDerKolk Painting, a professional painters specializing in residential, commercial, and industrial projects since 1991, guarantees thorough and efficient results from their trained team. Avoiding mishaps in both interior and exterior painting projects is essential for achieving long-lasting and durable results.
Can I use interior paint on an exterior door?
Interior paint can be used outside for various reasons, such as cost-effectiveness, leftover paint, or temporary covering. However, it should not be used outside due to its different formula from exterior paint, which does not resist external weather conditions like snow, dirt, rain, and sunlight. Interior paint can be used on front doors, but it must be prepared, especially if the door is metal. If the door is protected with a glass door, the paint can be used on the exterior, but it may crack, fade, and chip.
If using interior paint for the exterior, one or two coats of exterior-grade clear coat sealer can be applied, but the adhering time may vary and the sealer cannot prevent fading. Additionally, warranty cannot be claimed if interior paint is used for exterior surfaces.
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.
Is there a big difference between interior and exterior paint?
Interior and exterior paints share the same components, including pigment, resin, solvents, and additives. Oil paint manufacturers use mineral spirits as a solvent, while latex paint manufacturers use water. The main difference lies in the binding resins used in interior paint. Exterior paint is softer, better able to resist fading, peeling, and chipping, while interior paint is more rigid, reducing smearing and scuffing. Interior paints offer a variety of finishes, from matte to high gloss, and can enhance natural light, making spaces appear larger and more welcoming.
They are more delicate but have their own volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Indoor paint typically has lower VOC concentrations, and some paints, like Real Milk Paint, have no VOCs. Water-soluble interior paints offer a more comprehensive selection of finishes than exterior paints.
What happens if I accidentally use interior paint outside?
Interior paint used on an exterior surface can cause aesthetic flaws due to its inability to withstand exterior elements, leading to cracking, blistering, bubbles, and peeling. It is not recommended to use interior paint on an exterior surface as it may not last long. Repairing this damage requires sanding the paint off the substrate, sealing with an outdoor primer, and repainting the entire area with the appropriate outdoor wall paint.
This can be time-consuming and costly. If an accident occurs and indoor paint is used outdoors due to a wrong label, applying 1 or 2 coats of outdoor paint immediately after drying can save the paint.
What would happen if I used interior paint outside?
Interior paint used on an exterior surface can cause aesthetic flaws due to its inability to withstand exterior elements, leading to cracking, blistering, bubbles, and peeling. It is not recommended to use interior paint on an exterior surface as it may not last long. Repairing this damage requires sanding the paint off the substrate, sealing with an outdoor primer, and repainting the entire area with the appropriate outdoor wall paint.
This can be time-consuming and costly. If an accident occurs and indoor paint is used outdoors due to a wrong label, applying 1 or 2 coats of outdoor paint immediately after drying can save the paint.
What happens if you accidentally use interior paint outside?
Interior paint used on an exterior surface can cause aesthetic flaws due to its inability to withstand exterior elements, leading to cracking, blistering, bubbles, and peeling. It is not recommended to use interior paint on an exterior surface as it may not last long. Repairing this damage requires sanding the paint off the substrate, sealing with an outdoor primer, and repainting the entire area with the appropriate outdoor wall paint.
This can be time-consuming and costly. If an accident occurs and indoor paint is used outdoors due to a wrong label, applying 1 or 2 coats of outdoor paint immediately after drying can save the paint.
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I painted my interior of a new constructed house 13 years ago and the Behr with primer had just come out and I used that everywhere and with two colors. and a cream trim. All these years later, it still cleans well and looks amazing. I also painted the exterior using a dark color on Hardie plank and it too looks great after all these years. I’ve not used any since, but getting ready to build another home with all wood painted walls. I’m going to try to do some research on what to use on those. I actually hate sheet rock walls because the just damage too easily and this is our last home we will build so that’s why I am opting for wood, tongue and grove hung vertically instead. I also do the same wood on all my ceilings and pickle those white before hanging them. Oh and I did do all my own painting and the exterior is 3 stories. Oh this was not my first experience painting though, I’ve been painting for 35 years. I’ve also used SW… Valspar (which I didn’t like) Behr and BM.
I used Valspar for my two home renovations and loved its results. I switched to Sherwin Williams about 15 years ago and won’t use anything in my house now, which my Parents had built in 1976. Goes on great. Covers great and lasts a long time. Getting ready to repaint after 15 years and a kitchen stove fire smoked up the walls and ceiling!
That is so interesting, especially about the amount of paint needed. Would never have thought of that, the extra cost for just a bit more paint. That is so indicative of today’s mentality of cleverly masking the fact that they are really tricking you into spending more money. Thank you for these great articles!
Awesome article – love perusal your various topics and projects. Non pro painter, but I did a living room renovation, and part of it was painting 15′ ceilings. I went with the Behr Dynasty and have to say I came away very impressed. Granted I work slow/methodical, and I like to enjoy my personal projects. I think it was $80/gallon back when I did the work, but the finish was absolutely uniform after one solid thick coat.