There are plenty of performance interior paints and coatings for walls, trim, and furniture that are purportedly durable against scuffs and cracks, and that boast waterproof, water-resistant, or water-repellent properties. While these qualities render them suitable for spaces and surfaces that come into contact with water and cleaning agents—such as a kitchen, bath, or tabletop—they aren’t necessarily durable for painting the exterior, or any exterior component, of your home.

We spoke with experts from two leading paint brands to find out if you can actually use interior paint outdoors, how you can remedy using the wrong paint, and if there are any exceptions.

The Short Answer

Simply put, don't use interior paint outside. Exterior paints are specially formulated to withstand a wide range of weather conditions and climates.

“Quality exterior paint goes through a rigorous testing protocol against many different exposures,”Mike Mundwiller, senior manager of end user product experience for Benjamin Moore, says.

This includes testing against way more than just a rain shower: Think high-wind hurricane conditions, extreme temperatures, snow and ice exposure, intense UV rays and humidity, temperature fluctuations, and more.

Krystal Mindeck, director of product marketing at HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, also discourages the use of interior paint outside for these reasons.

“Interior paint formulations prioritize everyday durability against chips and wear-and-tear but only within weather-controlled environments whereas exterior formulations have additives and resins to withstand outdoor conditions.”

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Exceptions to the Rule

There are no exceptions, including when it comes to painting outdoor furniture pieces like a deck chair or wooden planter. Even if you use outdoor furniture covers or remove and store these items indoors before extreme weather hits, just minimal exposure to weather conditions and temperature changes can still have adverse effects on the paint coating. This same rule applies to primers.

You can, however, find some paints that are specially formulated for both interior and exterior use. These are usually door paints and trim paints and many major brands—such as Behr, HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, Glidden, and Valspar—offer them. But be sure when you’re looking at trim paints that they specify exterior use since many paint brands often only offer door and trim paint for interior use.

When You’ve Already Painted

If you’ve accidentally used interior paint outdoors, expect to see cracking, fading, blistering, and eventually peeling. Mindeck suggests scraping or sanding the paint off the surface before starting over with proper exterior primer and paint. You can also use a paint stripper to speed up the process.

However, if you’re short on time, energy, or money, Mundwiller says you might be able to skip the removal process.

“If the interior paint hasn’t been on the surface for a long time and both the interior paint and substrate are sound and clean, it could be a situation of simply repainting with a quality exterior coating," Mundwiller says.

On the Flip Side

Something important to note is that just because a paint is formulated for outdoor use, it doesn’t mean it’s suitable or safe for indoor use as well. Except for the aforementioned paints that are formulated for both interior and exterior applications, exterior-only primers and paints should never be used indoors as those same additives and resins that make paint resistant to a huge range of weather and climate conditions are often chemicals with high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

If you were considering coating (indoor) furniture and cabinetry with exterior paint in order to withstand wear-and-tear and potential contact with moisture, don’t do it: Once again, there are specially formulated paints for cabinets, furniture, and even crafts from many of the leading brands. What’s more, some of these products are all-in-one, meaning that they have a “built-in” primer so you skip the additional supplies.