Should I Use Exterior Paint In The Garage?

 H2: Is it safe to use exterior paint in your garage?

The United States Environment Protection Agency states that you should never use exterior paint anywhere inside a home, even in your garage.  This is because indoor paint contains less harmful chemicals than exterior paint so that you don’t breathe in as many harmful gases.  Also, exterior paint usually contains products such as biocides to prevent the growth of mould on it.  As these ingredients can be toxic if breathed in, it should not be used indoors.

 

Paint that is designed for outdoor use has to be able to withstand extremes of temperature, wind, rain, and snow, UV light, be resistant to chips and scratches, and still be able to repel mould and mildew.  Therefore, it contains a lot of additional chemicals to help it do its job, and these chemicals emit gases while the paint is drying, which is called outgassing.

 

Generally, outgassing occurs during the first 48 hours after the paint has been used on the wall, but it can continue to produce a small amount of gas for many years afterwards.  Therefore, exterior paint should never be used in an enclosed space as the gases that it produces can be extremely harmful when breathed in.

 

H2: Types of interior paint

Although both interior and exterior paints are made up of pigment, solvents, additives, and resin, they do still have some big differences.

 

One of the main differences is the type of resin that they contain.  The resin acts as a binding agent for the pigment and is what makes the paint stick to the wall.  Most resins are acrylic, epoxy, and alkyd (oil-based).  Oil-based and acrylic resins are used most frequently in indoor paints, while epoxy is usually only used in sealants and flooring.

 

H2: Acrylic resin (acrylic or latex paint)

This a water-based paint and is used frequently in both interior and exterior paint as it doesn’t give out many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the drying process.

 

Paint that contains acrylic resin dries much faster than paint that is oil-based - often taking only 20 minutes to dry - and is also much easier to clean.

 

Paint that contains epoxy usually provides a tough coat wherever it is used, which makes it suitable for painting onto any type of surface.  It is resistant to corrosion, easy to clean, and breathable.

 

It is possible to mix an acrylic paint with an epoxy base to produce latex paint which is long-lasting and an excellent type of paint to use in garages.

 

H2: Alkyd resin (oil-based paint)

Paint that contains an alkyd resin are oil-based paints and are suitable to be used both indoors and outdoors.  They are a much tougher type of paint and are often used on surfaces that are more exposed and receive more use - such as window sills or doors.

 

However, oil-based paint produces more VOCs than paint that is water-based.  They are often more difficult to remove or clean up and so you would generally need to use a paint thinner or turpentine as well.

 

H2: Which is the best paint to use in a garage?

The most suitable paint to use in a garage is latex paint as it has a fast drying time and doesn’t produce much odour.  You can also thin with water rather than paint thinner as it is a water-based paint.

 

You can use an oil-based paint inside, however, it will take much longer to dry and produces a strong smell.  Also, you would have to use paint thinner rather than water to thin it.

 

 

There are a few things that you should always remember when painting in a garage.

 

H3: Walls

l You can thin latex paint with water, rather than needing to use paint thinner.  It also dries much quicker as it is water-based.

l Oil-based paint produces a strong smell, takes much longer to dry, and requires paint thinner.

 

H3: Floors

l Generally already sealed with an epoxy coating.

l You must use a paint that is suitable to paint over cement with.

 

H3: Ceilings

l You can use the same paint as you use on the walls.

l Always ensure you have sufficient ventilation in the garage when you are painting.

l Allow enough time for the paint to dry properly before applying the next coat.

 

There are a few really good brands of paint that are recommended for use in garages - Sherwin Williams Promar 200 Zero VOC Eggshell (latex-based) and Sherwin Williams Pro Classic Acrylic Satin or Semi-Gloss.

 

H2: How to paint a garage

The best way to paint a garage is to follow these steps -

 

l Gather your tools and paint.

l Open all of the windows and doors to allow as much fresh air in as possible.

l Clean all dust and dirt off the walls and leave plenty of time for them to dry.

l Lay drop cloths on the floor near where you are painting.  If you are painting the ceiling then it’s a good area to cover the entire floor.

l Place some tape over all light switches and power outlets so that you don’t get paint on them.  You should also put some around the windows and the edge of the ceiling if you’re not painting it.

l Use a paintbrush to apply primer to the first six inches in from all of the edges, corners, and trims and make sure you don’t use too much paint.  Once you’ve done this then you can paint the rest of the wall with a roller.

l Leave sufficient time for the primer to dry and then use the same method to apply the paint.  It’s advisable to begin at the top of the wall and work your way down, using horizontal strokes so that you don’t get too many drips.

l Allow plenty of time for the paint to dry between coats.  You should only need to apply two coats of paint though.

l Wipe up any drips while the paint is still wet.  You can use a spatula or something similar to remove them if the paint has already dried.

l Remove all of the tape from the edges and light switches etc.  You should now have finished painting your garage and are able to admire your handy work.