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Glam Journal

Can you paint a bathroom with exterior paint?

Author

Ava White

Updated on April 07, 2026

Can you paint a bathroom with exterior paint?

BM. Yes, there is. Exterior paint contains certain fungicides and UV protective additives that are not approved for interior use. They can be added to any paint, even flat ceiling paints and texture paints, to make them more “bathroom friendly” and mildew resistant.

Can you use normal house paint in a bathroom?

You can apply virtually any paint to bathroom walls and woodwork. Anti-mould paints inhibit the build-up of fungi. You can make any paint anti-fungal by adding specialist products. Any bathroom or toilet area has a higher incidence of moisture and should be treated in the same way.

How do you prepare a bathroom for painting?

When painting a bathroom or kitchen, wash the walls with a solution of approximately three teaspoons of laundry detergent to one gallon of water. Scrape any cracked or flaking paint with a paint scraper. For other small imperfections on the wall such as plaster bumps, smooth them away with sandpaper.

Does it matter if you use exterior paint inside?

You can use exterior paints indoors, but interior paints usually produce less chemical emissions. Like interior paint, exterior paints are available in an enormous array of colors. While either paint can be applied indoors, each has been formulated to perform best in its environment.

Can you mix exterior paint with interior paint?

You have a half-gallon of the same color paint, but it’s exterior paint, so you ask yourself: Can I mix interior and exterior house paint? The answer is yes; you could mix interior and exterior paints. However, the exterior paint has a much higher amount of VOCs in its mixture, which could harm you when used indoors.

Should I prime my bathroom before painting?

Bob Vila recommends using a primer in bathrooms because of the moisture that emanates from showers. When the bathroom paint primer is not used first, the paint can end up peeling. Look for moisture-resistant primers that are made for bathrooms. Primer and paint are applied in pretty much the same way.

Why would you not use an exterior paint indoors?

When exterior paints are used within enclosed indoor spaces, the chemical fumes — including volatile organic compounds, strong mildewcides and other potential health hazards — can linger in the air indefinitely.

What’s the best way to paint a bathroom?

Paint a square area about 2 by 2 feet, using angled strokes that roughly make a “W” on the wall, then fill in the blank areas of the W with a series of roughly parallel passes of the roller. Move to an adjacent area, making sure that you work from the wet edge of the preceding section.

Is it better to paint the living room or the bathroom?

Painting a living room or bedroom is a familiar project for most do-it-yourself homeowners. With a minimum of effort, you can get a fantastic payoff. But painting the bathroom is a bit different than painting other areas of the home. Bathrooms are small, full of water from various sources, and they receive lots of heavy use.

What’s the best way to paint the outside of a house?

Fill in any cracks, caulk seams and use putty to fill in any holes or pits. If you’ve got a lot of bubbling or peeling paint, it’s a good idea to sandblast or power wash to start with a smooth surface. After washing away the chipped paint, make sure your house has the chance to fully dry before you begin painting.

Is it OK to use high gloss paint in a bathroom?

However, good surface preparation is required because high-gloss paint will highlight any imperfections. Bathroom Paint: If you want to avoid high-gloss finishes, you might want to consider getting bathroom paint. Because it is designed for bathrooms, it is very moisture-resistant and anti-mildew.