The first time I decided to dabble in a DIY painting project, I was more clueless than I’d like to admit. Like many, I assumed paint was just paint. However, choosing the right kind of paint, especially when it comes to exterior paint, can make all the difference. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your interior paint serve double duty as exterior paint, you’re not alone. Let’s delve into the fascinating world of paints and discover how!
The Basic Differences Between Interior and Exterior Paints
Ingredients and their purposes
While both interior and exterior paints have similar base ingredients—like pigments, solvents, and resins—the key difference lies in the proportions and additional additives each contains.
Interior Paint:
- Binders: These are typically formulated to be more elastic. This ensures the paint remains resilient against the typical scuffs, scrapes, and cleaning associated with indoor spaces.
- Additives: Interior paints often have additives that improve flow, leveling, and coverage, making for a smoother application.
- Finish Variety: Interior paints come in various finishes, from matte to high-gloss, allowing homeowners to select based on the desired look and ease of cleaning.
Exterior Paint:
- Binders: In exterior paints, binders are designed to adapt to the contracting and expanding of surfaces due to outdoor temperature variations.
- Additives: Exterior paints are loaded with fungicides, UV protectors, and other additives that fend off mold, mildew, and sun damage.
- Pigment: The pigments used in exterior paints are less prone to fading, ensuring the color remains vibrant despite constant sun exposure.
Durability against external factors
It’s no surprise that exterior paints have to be tough. They face an onslaught of environmental factors that interior paints don’t have to worry about.
Interior Paint:
Primarily, it defends against human activity. This includes things like fingers touching walls, furniture rubbing against them, or the occasional splash of water. Because of this, they’re formulated to be easy to clean and resist staining.
Exterior Paint:
The challenges here are manyfold. From blistering sun to freezing temperatures, rain, snow, and even insects, exterior paint must endure it all. Consequently, its formulation ensures it doesn’t peel, crack, blister, or chalk for many years.
UV resistance, mildew resistance, etc.
Protection against the sun and organic growth is crucial for any exterior paint.
Interior Paint:
While UV resistance isn’t a primary concern for paints meant for indoor use, some premium interior paints might offer a certain degree of UV protection for spaces with ample sunlight. Mildew resistance is also less of a concern unless we’re talking about spaces like bathrooms or basements where moisture is prevalent.
Exterior Paint:
This is where these paints truly shine. UV rays can be incredibly damaging, causing paint to fade, chalk, or degrade. Hence, exterior paints come fortified with chemicals that reflect or absorb UV radiation, ensuring longevity. Furthermore, given the constant exposure to the elements, these paints also contain fungicides and mildewcides to prevent organic growth, which could mar the paint’s appearance and compromise its integrity.
Why One Might Consider Converting Interior Paint for Exterior Use
Ever had a can of beautiful sage green interior paint and wished you could use it as exterior paint? Reasons abound:
- Cost-effectiveness: Exterior paint can be pricey, and if you have some leftover interior paint, why not make the most of it?
- Leftover interior paint: Instead of letting it gather dust, repurpose it!
- Specific color preferences: Sometimes, that perfect shade is just not available in exterior paint options.
The Challenges and Risks Involved
It’s not all rainbows and sunshine when converting your interior paint for exterior use:
- Potential for a shorter lifespan: Your repurposed paint might not last as long as regular exterior paint.
- Weather-related concerns: Without the innate qualities of exterior paint, your DIY mix might falter under severe weather conditions.
- UV degradation: This is a biggie. The harmful rays of the sun can break down the paint, leading to fading or chalking.
Steps to Convert Interior Paint to Exterior Paint
Ready to get your hands dirty (or painted)? Here’s your roadmap:
Materials Needed: You’d need your interior paint, UV-resistant additives, mildewcides, protective sealer, and the spirit of DIY.
Step 1:
Test the Interior Paint – Start by seeing how well it clings to an exterior surface.
Step 2:
Enhance UV Protection – This is where the UV-resistant additives come in. They’ll give your paint the exterior paint shield it needs against the sun.
Step 3:
Incorporate Mildewcides – A critical step to ensure your paint remains mold and mildew-free.
Step 4:
Add a Protective Sealer – Think of this as a protective coat for your exterior paint DIY project.
Step 5:
Test a Small Area First – Before you go all out, test a patch. Let it face the world and see how it holds up.
Caring for Your Newly Painted Exterior Surface
Now that you’ve ventured into the realm of makeshift exterior paint, here’s how you can ensure it stands the test of time:
- Regular maintenance and check-ups: Even the best exterior paint needs some love. Regularly check for chipping or fading.
- Cleaning tips for longevity: A gentle clean now and then can enhance the life of your paint.
- When to consider a touch-up or repaint: If you see signs of wear, don’t hesitate. Dive in with your paintbrush.
Some Common Answering Questions
Can all types of interior paint be converted for exterior use?
Not every type of interior paint can be successfully converted for exterior use. Interior paints are specifically designed for the conditions and demands of indoor spaces. While there might be some overlap in the basic ingredients, the formulations are distinct.
Some factors to consider:
- Type of Resin/Binder: Water-based (latex) interior paints might have a bit more flexibility for potential exterior use than oil-based paints, but even then, they won’t match up to the resilience of genuine exterior paints.
- Finish: Flat or matte finishes might fare slightly better outdoors than high-gloss ones, but again, without the protective qualities of exterior paint, they’re at a disadvantage.
To be on the safer side, it’s generally recommended not to use interior paint for exterior projects, especially for large areas or surfaces directly exposed to harsh weather conditions.
How long can I expect the converted paint to last?
If you decide to venture into converting interior paint for exterior use, adjust your expectations regarding longevity.
- Shorter Lifespan: Converted paint usually has a shorter lifespan compared to genuine exterior paint. Depending on the weather conditions and the paint’s quality, you might see signs of wear in as little as one year, while regular exterior paint can last 5-7 years or even longer in some cases.
- Visible Wear and Tear: Converted interior paint is more susceptible to fading, chalking, peeling, and other forms of damage from UV rays, moisture, and temperature fluctuations.
Are there any specific brands or additives you recommend?
If you’re determined to make the conversion, there are some products that might help extend the life of your paint job:
- UV Resistant Additives: Products like “UV Boost” can be mixed into the paint to enhance its resistance against UV rays.
- Mildewcides and Fungicides: These can be added to prevent mold and mildew growth. Brands like “Zinsser” offer additives that can be mixed into the paint.
- Protective Sealers: After painting, consider applying a protective sealer. Sealers can offer added protection against moisture and other external factors. Look for brands known for exterior durabilities, such as “Behr” or “Sherwin-Williams”.
Conclusion
While converting interior paint to exterior paint can be a fun experiment, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons. From my personal journey, I’d say it’s worth a shot for small projects. However, for larger endeavors, investing in genuine exterior paint might be the safer bet. But hey, where’s the fun without a little risk?
I’d love to hear about your painting adventures! Tried converting your interior paint to exterior paint? How did it go? Share your stories, tips, or even blunders in the comments below. And if you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to share it with fellow DIY enthusiasts!
