What is the worst that will happen?

[thyme4change]

I have several gallons of leftover interior paint. I have an exterior door that is in bad shape. What happens if I use interior paint on an exterior surface?

[hoops902]

I mean your house won't implode once the paint hits the outside air or anything.  Interior paint isn't meant to stand up to the temperature or moisture ranges that exterior paint is, so it's going to crack and peel/flake pretty quickly.  The speed at which this happens will be directly related to the range of these things your area has.

[thyme4change]

Sept 13, 2019 16:13:57 GMT -5 hoops902 said:

I mean your house won't implode once the paint hits the outside air or anything.  Interior paint isn't meant to stand up to the temperature or moisture ranges that exterior paint is, so it's going to crack and peel/flake pretty quickly.  The speed at which this happens will be directly related to the range of these things your area has.

We only have two weathers - hot and fucking hot. 😃

[Tiny]

What hoops902 said.   if you put the interior paint on the door  with the intent of "doing it right" later... you've made even more work for your future self.  I come from a family of "there's always time/money/effort to do it the right way later".  I got tired of having to fix things later, so I wouldn't use interior paint on something that will be "exposed to the elements" be it dampness, sun, wind, or freezing/high temps.   Unless I needed it to look great for a few months - because it would then become an SEP (someone Else's Problem) and no longer be MY problem. 

If you don't have a use for the paint... why see if you can "sell" or donate the paint locally - via a facebook community or nextdoor community or thru some way that people who want to get rid of stuff get it to people who want their stuff. 

FYI: if the paint cans are full (ie you didn't open it) the paint will be usable for a couple of years.   If the cans are partially used - find someone who can use it sooner than later.  

[alabamagal]

Sept 13, 2019 16:23:03 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Sept 13, 2019 16:13:57 GMT -5 hoops902 said:

I mean your house won't implode once the paint hits the outside air or anything.  Interior paint isn't meant to stand up to the temperature or moisture ranges that exterior paint is, so it's going to crack and peel/flake pretty quickly.  The speed at which this happens will be directly related to the range of these things your area has.

We only have two weathers - hot and fucking hot. 😃

You are in FL or AZ, right? Does the exterior of the door see direct sunlight? If not in sunlight, you really should be in pretty good shape.

Just don’t mention to your neighbors, you don’t want to be THAT house that used interior paint on the exterior😜

[NoNamePerson]

Just be sure it isn't BLP Paint - it will Blister a Lap and Peel!!

Is interior latex? What is on door now? Just curious? Might be more concerned in what kind of primer to use on door before painting it

I'm completely challenged when it comes to this stuff so I'll shut up. 

[billisonboard]

Sept 13, 2019 15:56:05 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

I have several gallons of leftover interior paint. I have an exterior door that is in bad shape. What happens if I use interior paint on an exterior surface?

[NoNamePerson]

Sept 13, 2019 16:56:21 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Sept 13, 2019 15:56:05 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

I have several gallons of leftover interior paint. I have an exterior door that is in bad shape. What happens if I use interior paint on an exterior surface?

Such pretty colors but will they match the rest of the exterior of the house??

[thyme4change]

The door is currently white, and the paint is white - but I didn't paint it, and I'm going to go to hazardous waste to drop off the paint tomorrow. I want this crap out of my carport.

[tskeeter]

Sept 13, 2019 15:56:05 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

I have several gallons of leftover interior paint. I have an exterior door that is in bad shape. What happens if I use interior paint on an exterior surface?

If the paint is several years old, it may not cure and dry properly.  The worst thing that could happen would be for the paint to remain sticky, quickly collecting dust and dirt from the air.  And then causing problems with the next coat of paint you apply.

The last couple of weeks I did some siding repairs at my Dad’s house.  I took the dozens of cans of paint he had jammed under a work bench to hazardous waste disposal.  And bought fresh paint to paint the new siding.

[thyme4change]

This is fairly fresh paint. We did the inside of the house a few months ago. My contractor's painters weren't great, so I was hanging out waiting for them to fix the little touch-ups. I decided to do it myself. So I have touched up everything, and filled mason jars with each color in case there are more. Now I want the cans gone.

[dannylion]

According to my late father (who was in the paint business for decades), the kind of paint one should use on an exterior door should contain a high percentage of varnish to prevent the exposure to the elements from turning the paint chalky and dull.  Builders generally don't use the best kind of paint for exterior doors because it is more expensive and the high percentage of varnish means it needs more than 1 coat to cover properly, which means more work and more expense.  Interior paint (especially if it's meant for drywall) isn't going to have the right properties to hold up to outdoor conditions.  

A door isn't going to require a large amount of paint, but it is likely something that you will see every day.  This might be one of those projects for which it is worth getting the good stuff.  

[thyme4change]

I've decided to use the interior paint on my ceiling. I will just clean the door and let it be less than perfect for awhile. It is between my bathroom and the pool. Swim season is coming to an end, so, no biggie.