What is the best paint to use on garage interior?

When it comes to choosing the right paint for a garage interior, there are a few key factors to consider. The main goal is to find a paint that can withstand the various conditions inside a garage, including temperature fluctuations, moisture, and potential chemical fumes from stored paints or automotive fluids. The right garage paint should also be durable enough to handle incidental bumps from storage items or car doors without chipping or peeling.

What are the requirements for garage interior paint?

Here are some of the top requirements to look for when selecting a garage interior paint:

• Durability – Since garages tend to get a lot of wear and tear, you’ll want a paint with a durable and somewhat flexible finish that can resist nicks, dents and scratches.
• Washability – Look for a satin or semi-gloss paint that will allow you to occasionally wash the walls to remove dirt, grease and grime.
• Ease of application – Opt for quality latex paints that roll on easily without streaking or splattering.
• Resistance to extremes – Garage environments experience temperature swings from hot summer days to cold winter nights, so the paint should stand up to contraction and expansion.
• VOC compliance – Paints with low or no VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are better options for confined garage spaces.
• Mildew resistance – Mold and mildew can be an issue in humid garages, so choose a paint with fungicidal properties.

What are some good paint brands for garage interiors?

When researching garage paint options, these top-rated brands consistently rise to the top:

• Behr – Known for durable latex paints with primer included. The Behr Premium Plus line has high marks for one-coat hiding power, longevity, and value.
• Benjamin Moore – This brand offers garage-suitable paints like MoorGard, MoorGlo, and Ultra Spec 500 that resist moisture, mildew, and stains.
• Valspar – The Valspar 4000 line contains several acrylic paints made for high-traffic areas that resist fading, scuffs, and dirt.
• Sherwin-Williams – Products like ProMar 200 Zero VOC and Pro Industrial Pre-Catalyzed Epoxy are ideal options from this brand.
• PPG – The PPG Timeless interior paint + primer in semi-gloss is a winner for garage walls with its one-coat coverage and durability.

Within these top brands, look for paint lines specifically formulated for garages, basements, and high-humidity areas. The product descriptions will tout benefits like mildew resistance, high hiding power, and easy cleaning.

What paint sheen is best?

For garage walls and ceilings, a satin, eggshell, or semi-gloss sheen is ideal. Here is an overview of which sheens work best where:

• Satin – Provides a low-luster finish that works well on walls and ceilings. Resists moisture, stains and dirt.
• Eggshell – Slightly more gloss than satin while still offering good stain resistance. Another excellent wall choice.
• Semi-Gloss – The preferred sheen for garage doors, trim, and areas that need cleaning. The more washable, glossy surface deters dirt and grime.

Flat or matte paints are too difficult to clean and not durable enough for garage use. High-gloss paints accentuate imperfections in wall surfaces and are slippery when wet. For the best results, opt for a satin, eggshell or semi-gloss paint.

How much paint will I need?

To calculate how much paint you’ll need for the garage interior:

1. Measure the room’s perimeter in feet.
2. Measure wall height from floor to ceiling in feet.
3. Multiply the perimeter by height to get the wall square footage.
4. Add up the square footage of doors, windows or other unfinished areas.
5. Subtract unfinished square footage from total wall square footage.
6. Divide the final wall square footage by the paint coverage rate (usually around 400 sq ft per gallon).
7. Round up to the nearest whole gallon.

Buying one extra gallon is wise for touch-ups or recoating worn areas later. Also have applicator supplies like paint trays, rollers and brushes on hand.

How do I prepare the garage interior for painting?

Proper prep work ensures the paint adheres well and provides a uniform finish. Follow these key steps:

1. Clean surfaces thoroughly with a degreasing agent like TSP to remove dirt, grime, oil and grease.
2. Repair cracks, holes and damaged areas with spackle or patch compound.
3. Sand repaired patches flush when dry.
4. Remove any loose existing paint by sanding or scraping.
5. Clean up dust with tack cloths.
6. Apply painter’s tape around trim, windows and outlets.
7. Spot prime unpainted areas like patched cracks with a suitable primer.

Your garage interior walls are now ready for two finish coats of durable garage floor paint. Allow the recommended drying time between coats.

What application methods work best?

Using quality applicator tools helps achieve an even, consistent paint layer on garage walls and ceilings. Recommended tools include:

• Paint roller with 1/4 or 3/8 nap roller cover for smooth drywall
• Angled sash brush for cutting in corners and trim
• Paint tray with anti-slip ridges
• Paint pole and roller frame extension for tall ceilings and walls
• High-density foam or microfiber mini rollers for doors and trim

Pour paint into the tray and fully saturate the roller. Use the cutting-in brush first to paint trim and corners. Then quickly roll a 3×3 foot section at a time, maintaining a wet edge between sections to prevent lap marks and visible brush strokes.

How long does garage paint take to cure and dry?

Most quality garage paints take around 14-30 days to fully cure and harden. Here are typical garage paint drying timelines:

• Touch dry – 30 minutes to 2 hours
• Recoat ready – After 4-6 hours
• Light use ready – 1-2 days
• Normal cure – 14 days
• Full hardness cure – 30 days

Cooler temperatures or higher humidity can extend the curing timeline. Avoid parking cars, storing items or hanging objects on fresh paint until it fully cures.

Does garage paint need a primer?

Using a separate primer coat depends on the current wall condition:

• Bare drywall – Apply a drywall primer before garage paint for proper adhesion and coverage.
• Previously painted surface in good condition – Often no primer needed, but spot prime repaired areas.
• Heavily stained/damaged existing paint – Apply an odor-blocking primer like Kilz over whole surface before repainting.
• Dark colors – Prime first with a gray tinted primer to improve coverage.

Many quality garage paints now contain paint + primer in one formula, making priming an optional first step.

How can I make garage paint last longer?

Here are some handy tips for extending the life of your garage interior paint:

• Wipe up spills and liquids quickly to prevent stains
• Use a garage floor mat underneath vehicles to catch leaks
• Repair cracks in drywall as soon as they appear
• Avoid hanging or impacting items on fresh paint until fully cured
• Keep humidity low with exhaust fans or dehumidifiers
• Clean occasionally with mild soap and water
• Apply a maintenance coat when sheen dulls or paint wears thin

Conclusion

Choosing the right type of tough, protective garage paint will provide great results for years down the road. Look for durable latex paints from top brands designed to withstand garage conditions. Satin or semi-gloss sheens provide the ideal balance of stain resistance and easy cleanability. With proper surface prep and application, a quality garage paint will defend and freshen up your space while making it look great.