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Painting your home should be exciting, not stressful. But walk into any paint store and you’re faced with a wall of cans, finishes, brands, and promises. Can you use the same paint on your bathroom ceiling as your boundary wall? What’s the difference between matt and low sheen? Why do some paints cost double the price? This guide breaks it all down – no jargon, no fluff – just practical answers and product advice from the Paint Expert team.
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Can I Use the Same Paint Indoors and Outdoors?
Yes, but only if the paint is formulated for both.
Products like Plascon Easy Living Sheen and Plascon Polvin are designed for versatile application across both interior and exterior walls. These paints are UV-resistant, durable, and able to withstand varying temperatures and weather conditions, making them perfect if you want to simplify your project or reduce leftover paint.
✅ Best Dual-Purpose Picks:
- Plascon Easy Living Sheen – Washable, stain-resistant, for walls in high-traffic areas inside and out.
- Plascon Polvin – A high-performance acrylic for general use, budget-friendly and tough – perfect for interior walls & ceilings, as well as exterior walls!
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What Happens if I Use Interior-only Paint Outside?
Short answer: it won’t last.
Interior-only paints aren’t built to resist UV rays, rain, or extreme temperature swings. Use them outside and you’ll see chalking, flaking, fading – or worse, mould and water damage. That budget-saving shortcut could mean a full repaint in under a year.
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Can I Mix Interior and Exterior Paints?
Technically, you can mix anything – but should you? Not really.
Mixing an interior matt paint with an exterior low sheen or gloss could result in unpredictable drying, peeling, or colour inconsistencies. Stick to one system. Want a low sheen look with outdoor durability? Just choose the right product upfront (e.g. Plascon Wall & All or Plascon Micatex).
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What’s the Right Sheen Level? And Why Does It Matter?
Sheen refers to how shiny or reflective your paint looks once dry. It’s not just about appearance though, it also affects washability and surface durability.
| Finish | Look | Best For | Top Picks |
| Matt | Flat, chalky, hides flaws | Ceilings, formal living rooms | Plascon Cashmere, Easy Living Matt |
| Low Sheen | Soft glow, easy to clean | Most interior walls, exteriors | Plascon Easy Living Sheen, Wall & All |
| Velvet/Silk | Smooth, rich feel, highly washable | Bedrooms, lounges, high traffic areas | Plascon Double Velvet |
| Satin | Slightly reflective, durable, wipes clean | Kitchens, bathrooms, trims, doors | Plascon Velvaglo |
| Gloss | High shine, reflective, durable, wipes clean | Doors, trims, furniture | Super Universal Water-Based Gloss Enamel |
Pro tip: Use matt to hide imperfections, and gloss when you need scrubbability and moisture resistance.
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Water-Based vs Solvent-Based Paints: What’s the Difference?
Paints fall into two main types: water-based and solvent-based, depending on the liquid that carries the pigment and binder: water for the former, and chemical solvents for the latter.
Water-based paints are low-odour, easy to clean up with water, and typically low or zero VOC (volatile organic compounds), which means they release fewer harmful fumes into the air—making them a healthier choice for you and the environment. Solvent-based paints, on the other hand, often have higher VOC levels, a stronger smell, and require turpentine or mineral spirits for cleanup.
Water-Based Paints (like Polvin, Wall & All, Easy Living, Double Velvet):
- Low odour
- Fast drying
- Easier cleanup (just water)
- Environmentally friendlier
- Suitable for most walls, ceilings, and general household use
Solvent-Based Paints (like Velvaglo solvent-based, older enamel ranges):
- More durable in tough conditions
- Excellent for high-wear areas like trims and metal
- Longer drying time
- Requires turpentine/mineral spirits for cleanup
Breathe Easier with Plascon Double Velvet Pure
If you’re looking for a premium interior paint that goes beyond aesthetics, Plascon Double Velvet Pure is worth highlighting. It not only delivers a luxurious velvet-sheen finish and superior stain resistance—it also actively improves indoor air quality. Powered by Air Purifying Technology, Double Velvet Pure helps reduce common airborne pollutants like formaldehyde, which can off-gas from furniture, carpets, and building materials. The paint literally captures and neutralises these harmful VOCs, making it an ideal choice for bedrooms, nurseries, and high-use living spaces where air quality matters. Stylish and smart.
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What If My Walls Have Damp or Cracks?
You’ll need more than just a paint. For damp-prone areas or hairline cracks, use specialist products first:
- Plascon Dampseal for rising damp.
- Plascon Micatex for flexible, textured protection on exterior walls with minor cracking.
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What’s the Best Paint for Ceilings, Kitchens or Bathrooms?
Moisture and steam are the enemies in these rooms. Avoid regular wall paints and choose washable, mould-resistant finishes.
- Ceilings: Polvin or Easy Living Matt
- Kitchens & Bathrooms: Plascon Kitchens & Bathrooms, Plascon Velvaglo water-based Enamel
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How Do I Know If I Need a Primer?
If you want your paint job to last and look great, the answer is often yes.
A primer is a base coat that prepares a surface before applying your topcoat. Think of it like double-sided tape – it helps the paint adhere properly and stops it from soaking into the wall or peeling off later.
Use a primer when:
- You’re painting bare or porous surfaces like raw plaster, new drywall, raw wood, or face-brick.
- You’re covering stains (like nicotine, watermarks, or grease) or going from a dark to a light colour.
- You’re switching sheens (for example, from a glossy finish to a matt or low-sheen topcoat).
- You’re planning to apply water-based paint over an old solvent-based finish. Without a primer in between, the new paint might not adhere properly and could peel or blister.
- You’ve repaired or patched holes, cracks, or filler spots.
- You’re painting over chalky or unstable old paint, especially outdoors.
- You’re spot priming areas where old paint has peeled or flaked off. If you’ve scraped or sanded down peeling sections, you must prime those bare patches before repainting, or your new coat could lift too.
Best Primer Options from Plascon:
- Plascon Plaster Primer – Seals new plaster and porous surfaces.
- Plascon Multi-Surface Primer – Grips to tricky surfaces like tiles, galvanised metal, and varnished wood.
Primer vs Undercoat: What’s the Difference?
They sound similar, but they’re not interchangeable.
- A primer is used on raw or unpainted surfaces to seal and prepare them for paint. It helps the paint grip and prevents uneven absorption.
- An undercoat is typically used on already painted surfaces, especially when you’re changing colours or moving between different paint finishes. Undercoats help create a smooth, uniform base and improve colour opacity.
In short:
- Use a primer for new, bare, glossy, solvent-based, or repaired surfaces.
- Use an undercoat when repainting, especially over a bold colour or gloss.
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How Many Coats Do I Need?
Two coats is the standard, especially for colour changes.
Using two coats of paint is about getting the colour to pop, as well as about durability, coverage, and a professional-looking finish. The first coat soaks into the surface and evens things out, while the second coat builds opacity, evens out roller marks, and ensures the true colour shows up as intended. Skipping that second coat often results in patchiness, visible brush strokes, and early wear.
But even more important is how you apply those coats. High-quality tools, like Hamilton’s Brushware rollers and brushes, help spread paint evenly, reduce splatter, and allow for smoother, more consistent coverage. Cheap tools may leave streaks, shed bristles, or create drag marks, costing you more time and paint in the long run. If you’re going to the effort of painting, give your project the finish it deserves.
Bonus: Download Your Free Paint Product Cheat Sheet
Choosing Paint by Surface & Room Type
We’ve created a one-page guide that shows which paint to use where. It’s perfect for printing, saving to your phone, or taking to the store.
👉 Download the Paint Product Cheat Sheet PDF
Final Word:
Whether you’re freshening up a bathroom or tackling a full exterior repaint, knowing your products makes all the difference. Choosing the right paint from the start will save you time, frustration, and money in the long run.
Pop into your nearest Paint Expert store for free advice, colour matching, and product support – or download our cheat sheet and tackle your next project with confidence.
