Paints That Withstand Moisture

Waterproof Paint

• The only truly waterproof paint is marine paint. However, many marine paints contain toxic substances, so it is best to avoid using these indoors. The second most water repellent paint is exterior paint, since it is made to withstand the elements, including rain and snow. This paint is likely to contain volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, so you need to keep a window open to help ventilate the building if you use it indoors.

Oil vs. Latex Paint

• If you decide to use indoor paints, oil paints are more water resistant than latex paints. However, most people avoid using oil paints as they are more difficult to work with, having a longer drying time and requiring special cleaners to remove any spills or splashes. Oil paints also smell a lot worse than latex paints. For these reasons, most people use latex paints for indoor projects.

Matte vs. Gloss Paint

• Latex paints can have a number of finishes, including matte, satin, semi gloss and gloss. The more glossy a paint, the more water resistant it will be. That is why semi gloss and gloss paints are recommended for use in bathrooms, which need paints that are water resistant to help limit the growth of mold and mildew.

Considerations

• The exact type of paint that will work best for you will depend on a number of factors, including how much moisture or water the paint will have to withstand, what you are painting, and where you are painting it. For example, if you are painting something outside that will stay outside, you may want to use one of the more water-resistant paints even though they smell strongly and may be more difficult to work with.