Latex paint is the most durable and long-lasting alternative for painting garage walls. No priming is required if the surface is in good condition. If the drywall is brand new and has never been painted before, however, you will need to apply a single coat of PVA (polyvinyl acetate) drywall primer.
Latex paint, also called acrylic latex, is water-based and easy to apply. It's beginner-friendly, dries quickly, and emits fewer fumes than other options. This type of paint is flexible, meaning it resists cracking over time, making it ideal for garages with temperature fluctuations.
With a choice between two of the most common finishes — flat and satin paint — which do you choose? Overall, a satin finish is the more practical choice for your garage because it is easier to clean and best for high-traffic areas.
If a lighter shade is preferred, a semi-gloss paint is a wise choice. Semi-gloss paint makes dirt less evident and is better for cleaning without showing any wear. If you have garage condensation issues, a more resilient exterior paint might be more ideal.
The best choice for painting your garage walls is a durable interior paint such as acrylic latex paint. This water-based paint is superior because it will dry quickly, is easy to clean, and has a long lifespan.
Do You Need To Prime Garage Walls Before Painting? Normal paints are not made for drywall, which is a porous material. Therefore, if your garage walls are unpainted, you will need good surface drywall or PVA primer (polyvinyl acetate). A PVA primer seals the pores in sheetrock and creates an even coat.
However, designers recommend using satin paint on garage walls, given that compared to flat paint, it is easier to clean, more durable, and reflects light better.
The sheen needed for garage walls is also important to note. Semi-gloss or satin finishes are the best choices as they'll provide a cleanable surface and just enough reflection to camouflage inevitable imperfections like dents, screwheads, and uneven texture.
Paint rollers have different nap lengths including: Mohair and shorter nap synthetics in a 4 to 5 millimetres nap length. This is a good choice for applying oil-based gloss and semi-gloss paints.
Top Picks from Sherwin Williams
Alabaster (SW 7008): A warm white paint that creates a clean, open feel. It's a popular choice for garages used primarily for storage space. Naval** (SW 6244): A bold choice, this deep navy blue can turn your garage into a stylish retreat or a unique storage area.
The amount of paint needed can vary based on the size of your garage and the type of paint, but typically, a 2-car garage could require around 5-6 gallons for two coats of paint.
For most attached garages with moderate climates, interior paint is the better choice. Though it is not as flexible as the exterior variant, it will not expose you to harmful VOCs.
Opt for a Soft Gloss Finish
Exterior paints come in a range of sheens from flat to high-gloss. Satin or softgloss will be the best finish options for painting garage doors. Flat or matte finishes cover imperfections well, but they are prone to scratching and scuffing.
In many instances, warm water and a sponge is all you need to make a wall paint-ready. Scrub the wall surface and be sure to clean corners and nooks well. But add a grease-cutting detergent to the water to remove scuffs and smears. Wipe clean with a damp towel afterward and allow it to dry completely before painting.
Of the two, satin is more durable and is slightly less likely to scuff or mark than eggshell and it's easier to clean when it does get marked. This makes it a better choice, especially for woodwork such as painting skirting boards, than eggshell for high traffic areas like hallways and living rooms.
Plywood, MDF, or OSB is the best material for building garage walls because it is both inexpensive and easy to work with.
Disadvantages of semi-gloss paint
With less sheen, semi-gloss paints are often more difficult to clean than their glossy counterparts and may be more prone to stains, as well as being less reflective.
Woven rollers
They come in several pile depths, so you can find the right tools for your decorating project. Woven rollers are ideal for applying water-based gloss paint.
To achieve a smooth finish without brush marks or roller lines and stipple, we recommend the “roll and back tip” technique. This method ensures an even coat without leaving behind visible brush or roller marks. First, load your roller with paint and apply it in a long even stroke along a section of trim or door.
Cost-Effectiveness: Plywood and OSB are often more affordable than other wall materials like fiber cement board or metal panels, making them a budget-friendly option for homeowners looking to upgrade their garage walls without breaking the bank.
The most effective and economical way of waterproofing a garage is with tanking slurry. Occasionally this product is referred to as cementitious tanking. Tanking slurry is a specially formulated mixture designed to stop water ingress. It either comes pre-mixed or as a powder to mixed on site with clean water.
If we're talking about your garage floor protection options, we may as well start with the best – a polyaspartic floor coating. This high-performance coating is comprised of professional-grade materials that are applied by trained pros using special equipment to deliver long-lasting flooring protection.
Avoid using exterior paint on the interior walls of your garage as they contain anti-mildew additives that can give you allergies in the garage. Always go for water-based latex paint, as it has a minimal odor and dries up fast.
The best garage paint colors are white, grey, beige, or blue, as these colors will enhance lighting, look cleaner, and open up your space. A pure white ceiling contrasted with a slightly darker color for the walls and floor will trick your eyes into thinking the room is much taller than it is.
Semi-Gloss: Semi-gloss finishes provide a slight shine and are highly durable, making them ideal for high-traffic areas like garage walls. Gloss: Gloss finishes offer a high sheen and maximum durability, but they can highlight imperfections in the wall surface.