Repainting your home is an exciting process. With so many colors and types of paint to choose from, you can create a new space entirely. And, while automotive paint offers a unique style, is it safe for residential interiors?
Automotive Paints and Volatile Organic Compounds
Automotive paints are largely solvent-based. Solvents are carriers for paint that allow the paint to spread on surfaces, and then evaporate, leaving behind an even film. Although solvent-based paints are highly tolerant of weather conditions, they’re also a source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This means that as the solvent-based paint is sprayed, it’s releasing toxic fumes into the air.
If you’ve ever been to an auto body paint shop, you’ll notice that the painters wear large face masks so they don’t breathe in fumes. The building itself will have a strong air filtration system to keep the space well-ventilated. That’s because if proper precautions aren’t taken, the risk for high concentrations of volatile organic compounds is much higher.
Volatile organic compounds pose serious health risks when someone is exposed to them for prolonged periods. While some VOCs have distinct, noticeable odors that will alert someone to their presence, other VOCs are entirely odorless.
In short, automotive paints can pose health risks when they aren’t applied by professionals, or when they’re applied to anything other than your car.
Automotive Paints versus Home Paints
Paints used for vehicles versus paints used for homes have different compositions, and they should not be used interchangeably.
Adhesiveness
For starters, car paints are more expensive than house paints because their pigments’ composition is meant to be applied to metallic surfaces and withstand exposure to sunlight. House paints, on the other hand, are made to be used on wood or drywall and won’t stick well to cars.
Likewise, paints used on cars take longer to fade, and have finishes that are brighter and reflect light. Of course, home paint and car paint are also applied differently, have different drying times, and don’t have the same durability.
Durability
While you can use paint meant for homes on your car after a primer is applied, you likely wouldn’t want to. Home paints will peel faster, take longer to dry, and won’t offer the same quality finish as car paint. Home paint applied to a car will also fade much faster and often, meaning you’ll have to reapply paint more frequently than if the vehicle had been painted with automotive paint.
Paints meant for the interior of your home provide finishes that are resistant to stains, heat, and water. Certain interior paints can even create textured finishes for a unique style and accent. Though, textured paint can be difficult to apply without the help of a professional.
Densities
Density is another big difference between paint for houses and automotive paint. While automotive paint is light and thin, house paint is thicker and creamier.
Automotive paint is meant to be lightweight so that it doesn’t impact the weight of the vehicle. Therefore, house paint could add extra weight to your car and cause it to slow down. This means your car will have to work harder to run at the right speeds and use more gas as a result.
So, is automotive paint safe for residential interiors?
Because automotive paint contains high amounts of VOCs and needs to be applied by experts, it may not be safe for residential interiors, or be the best choice. Though there is a recent trend of using automotive paint for old cabinets, automotive paint requires several layers to apply, you’ll have to follow all the necessary precautions, and it’s not advised to keep the cabinets in the main parts of your home once they’re painted.
Paints meant for interior spaces, however, contain fewer VOCs, and are created specifically for the inside spaces of your home.
Need help with your home renovations? From interior painting to wallpaper removal, My Color Magic Painting LLC can help make your project a success. Get in touch today for a free quote.
