Using exterior paint on the interior drywall??

[TimberMan]

I have a ton of Ben Moore Regal Select exterior paint left of from painting my Barn....probably enough to paint the drywall that is getting installed this week. Are there any reasons why I should avoid using this exterior paint inside my barn on the drywall and trim?

Thanks

 

[PCustoms]

Other then the fact that bright red is a poor interior color IMHO (and you'll hate painting over it), no.

 

[TimberMan]

Other then the fact that bright red is a poor interior color IMHO (and you'll hate painting over it), no.

Haha! It is actually the white trim that we have left. Massively over calculated what was needed for the exposed rafters of the lean-to!

 

[AldeanFan]

I painted the inside of my garage and car trailer with white exterior paint.
Only concern was there was a bit more smell with the exterior paint than I get from the interior paint I use in the house.

 

[Whitworth]

Exterior paints, especially the white, are formulated to chalk-off, exposing fresh surface. Not a big deal but if you were to rub up against it some white powder will transfer to you.
And, depending on the region of the country there may be mold and mildewcide toxins in the paint.

 

[yatg]

I have a ton of Ben Moore Regal Select exterior paint left of from painting my Barn....probably enough to paint the drywall that is getting installed this week. Are there any reasons why I should avoid using this exterior paint inside my barn on the drywall and trim?

Thanks

Remember when?

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Exterior paints, especially the white, are formulated to chalk-off, exposing fresh surface. Not a big deal but if you were to rub up against it some white powder will transfer to you.
And, depending on the region of the country there may be mold and mildewcide toxins in the paint.

^^^^^^^^^^^^
THIS is the reason some would not. But I'd use it if I already had it and the color was acceptable for my intended use,

 

[wolfhawk73]

I disagree about it getting chalky unless it's a flat. Poorer quality paints will definitely chalk up in a hurry, but Ben Moore is good stuff, and it would take years of exposure to the elements to do that. It should hold up really well indoors.

 

[Stelzer]

Only real issues for using exterior paint inside is that exterior paint is substantially softer than interior formulations due to having to flex with expansion & contraction on exterior surfaces during sun/shade cycles. That and exterior paint will off-gas for quite a while, so provide plenty of ventilation & airflow for 3-4 weeks after application until fully cured.

 

[BobnCO]

It should be fine, I assume your talking Latex. I know Sherwin Williams WATER BASED exterior Super Paint does not smell noticeably more than interior. I like it; very washable.

If your talking oil based or some specialty coating it will smell for longer. SW SP is not desiged to “chalk off” but I remember when older paint did that.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Unless I am mistaken, the "mildewcides" that were added to paint in years past are no longer. The "mildew" preventive is generally IN the paint now.
Unless you're using paint that's over 20 years, old this is a non-issue today.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, it probably will be satisfactory

 

[The Cobbler]

I've used exterior on interior with no discernable issues . Exterior is perhaps slower drying to compensate for wind & sun that you don't get on interior .
I've actually used interior on exterior and it's held up for several years too.

 

[CraigStu]

You could avoid some of the possible pitfalls mentioned if you use it as a primer and cover it w/ standard interior paint.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

IMHO Just like tools buy the best paint you can afford, your labor might as well buy the best tools and materials.

 

[KnurledNut]

The biggest reason not to use exterior paint indoors is for health/air quality. Interior paint is low to zero VOC.

 

[toolmiser]

Only real issues for using exterior paint inside is that exterior paint is substantially softer than interior formulations due to having to flex with expansion & contraction on exterior surfaces during sun/shade cycles. That and exterior paint will off-gas for quite a while, so provide plenty of ventilation & airflow for 3-4 weeks after application until fully cured.

I needed some paint for a garage sheetrock a few years ago, and the "paint person" at Menards actually recommended exterior due to the fact that it would do better under extreme temps. I know the paint person at Menards isn't necessarily an expert, but it made sense to me and it has held up well.

 

[dave*99]

My bathrooms are painted with SW exterior paint. It handles the condensation from the shower better than interior paint.