Can I Mix Interior and Exterior Paint? Know Everything Before You Mix That Can!
Imagine two half empty cans staring at you in the garage, one can is labeled as “interior paint” and the other says “exterior semi gloss.” A thought comes up in your mind and you wonder, “Can I mix interior and exterior paint and save some time going to the store? Well, a short answer? Don’t do it!
Want to know why? Keep reading! This blog holds detailed discussion about its chemistry, the fumes and the reasons behind peeling walls. Dive deep into these cans and explore the truths with Faith Based Coating– here we transform floors with purpose and precision.
Can You Mix Exterior Paint With Interior Paint?
Can exterior paint be mixed with interior paint? A very common question asked by homeowners. A lot of you are curious to know so lets settle it once and for all:
Interior paints:
- Have no harsh smells, love cozy interiors and are made for bedrooms and living rooms.
- Contains low VOCs (volatile organic compounds), making it safe to sleep at the same night.
- Mildew resistance? Not really! It deals with bathroom steam quite well, but it’s NOT made to stop black mold on a shady north wall outside.
Exterior paint:
- UV blockers – Acts like sunscreen, to protect the color and stop it from fading.
- Unlike interior paints, exterior paints are mildew killer. We can say they are poisonous to algae and black mold.
- Are made with flex agents. These are tiny rubbery bits that allow the paint to stretch during summers and shrink back in winters.
Mix them together, and the paint literally fights itself. Resulting in cracking, yellowing, or peeling. So, the bottom line is, don’t stir them together because who wants their paint to peel off faster than a cheap sticker.
Why You Shouldn’t Mix Them
- Different chemical properties: Exterior paints are made to handle the seasonal changes. They have more flexible binder and additives such as mildewcide for weather resistance. On the other hand, interior paints are sensitive, they are designed to deal with scrubbing and washing.
- Poor adhesion and durability: When mixed, the different chemical properties react against each other, causing the paint to blister, peel, or fade much faster as compared to when you use the right type of paint.
- Health and safety concerns: Exterior paint when used inside can cause harm to indoor air quality. This is because it contains higher levels of VOCs, raising concerns regarding health and safety.
- Incompatibility issues: With different chemical properties, the paint reacts in varied ways, compromising the overall quality and consistency of the paint.
You’re wrong if you think that by mixing interior and exterior paint together you will be able to save some money, rather you’ll spend triple fixing it. Why take so much stress? Book our interior & exterior painting crew instead and let the professionals handle it!
How to Make Interior Paint into Exterior Paint
Some traditional methods say to mix coconut oil with exterior hardener. But wait, will it be durable enough to last long? No, there is zero warranty and you will still watch the paint chalk in one season.
Well, you can’t really make interior paint into exterior paint but you can turn leftover interior into porch-ceiling white. Let’s see how:
- Add 1 cup exterior-grade clear sealer per gallon
- Use only on covered ceilings
- Still not UV-proof, you will have to recoat yearly
Want an outdoor color that acts like a shield? Allow us to spray your siding with commercial-grade exterior coatings that protects from algae and prevents fading for 10+ years.
Can You Mix Acrylic and Latex Paint
Yes, only if they are both interior or both exterior. Here’s a quick cheat sheet for you:
- Mixing acrylic with acrylic latex is usually safe
- Latex and latex is safe too
- Avoid mixing interior acrylic with exterior latex, this will cause peeling.
- Avoid dumping oil based paints with anything water-based- this one will be a huge disaster.
Do you also want walls that stay stunning as well as durable enough to survive tornados and art attacks? Contact us right away and book a consultation. Let the walls in the living room speak for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can you mix interior and exterior paint?
Due to different chemical properties, you cannot mix interior and exterior paint together.
Q2. Can exterior paint be used inside a garage?
Yes, but keep the space open for 48 hours to ensure proper ventilation. Still the space might smell like a gas station.
Q3. Can I use exterior paint indoors?
It’s okay to use exterior paint in areas like garage, sheds, or workshops that are not considered living spaces and are well ventilated.
Q4. Is it okay to paint the interior with exterior paint?
Painting interior with exterior paint can cause health problems as well as provide poor adhesion and durability. Exterior paints are made from chemicals that are not meant for interior air quality.
Q5. Can I use interior paint outdoors?
No, interior paints are not UV blockers. If used outdoors, it will fade in 3 weeks.
