Painting an exterior surface can be a challenging task that painting interior surfaces due to requirements imposed on the exterior paints that have to brave the elements while also retaining the original intent of aesthetics. You will depend on the paints to protect the surface from a wide range of weather conditions as well as damage, more so if you paint on natural wood or material that can be vulnerable to wear and tear.
The exterior paints not only have to the climate and the material of the surface but also need to be flexible enough to brave extreme weather without cracking or flaking. Sometimes you might even need more than just the paint to make sure it stays attached to your exterior surface as it dries. We provide you with reviews of the top ten best exterior paint brands that will fit your exterior painting needs.
List of The Best Exterior Paint Brands
#1. Giani Countertop Paint Kit
Product at a Glance:
- Low VOC
- Low odor
- Water-based acrylic paint
- Durable acrylic topcoat
- 5 versatile colors
This paint is perfect for a weekend application that will dry in a high gloss finish that simulates the look of granite. The kit will allow you to cover up to 35 square feet, which is the usual surface area for most kitchen countertops. It has a durable acrylic topcoat that will offer the surface protection against day to day use.
The paint kit offers you 5 versatile colors that will complement a variety of aesthetic looks. Also, the paint can be adjusted to allow it to accentuate mineral colors and better fit the surrounding décor.
Best For: Suited for DIY projects.
#2. Retique It It by by Renaissance Chalk Finish Paint
Product at a Glance:
- Water-based
- Low odour
- Low VOC
- Looks and feels like wood
The paint allows you to make virtually any hard surface stainable without the need to sand or strip anything off. Your surface becomes like bare wood since the paint has real wood in it. This paint is made of the highest quality ingredients with an eye on its impact on the environment.
It has zero VOC’s and zero emissions. Not only does it contain no dangerous chemicals, but it also offers you incredible coverage that will only require one to two coats. It also has an acrylic coating that gives you great hide and durability for your surface.
Best For: Perfect for wood surfaces.
#3. Rust-Oleum 285140 Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Paint
Product at a Glance:
- Water-based paint
- Low odor
- Soap and water clean up
Rust-Oleum is a chalked paint that gives you an ultra-matte finish. This is a finish that you can easily distress, to give your project a unique look with a vintage feel. It works on a variety of surfaces such as metal, wood, and canvas. Its low-odour, latex formula makes it easier to clean with water and soap.
The paint covers up to 150 sq ft. and the one-coat coverage allows you to complete your projects easily. It also dries in 30 minutes. The paint also has great adhesive properties and can be applied easily without much prep.
Best For: Ideal for DIY projects
#4. Modern Masters 275266 Satin Front Door Paint
Product at a Glance:
- Quick-dry formula
- Never-fade technology
- 24 different colors
- Two-coat application
The door paint offers you 24 carefully selected colors, using the Emotional Color Wheel as well as the latest in color trends. It also features never-fade technology, which makes sure that your door will always be vibrant. It requires a two-coat application while its quick-dry formula allows you to paint and use your door within the same day. You just need to had prime and paint your door and get a flawless, satiny finish of a pleasing shade of white as a result.
Best For: Perfect for your door.
#5. POR 15 45032 Rust Preventative Paint
Product at a Glance:
- Can be sprayed or painted
- Requires prep
- Rust-preventing coating
- Requires topcoat for surface exposed to sunlight
The paint is a high-performance rust-preventive coating that is designed to be applied on rusted metal. It offers you enhanced convenience and efficiency with 4 oz can that can each cover up to 12 sq. ft. You just need to buy as many bottles as you need.
The paint dries to a rock-hard and non-porous finish that will not peel or crack, which makes it ideal for preventing the recurrence of rust. The POR-15 is sensitive to UV light, which means you have to apply a topcoat if your surface is exposed to sunlight. The paint requires cleaning and prepping of the surface to maximize adhesion.
Best For: Ideal for rust prevention on metal surfaces.
#6. Rust-Oleum 238310 Door Paint
Product at a Glance:
- Weather and corrosion-resistant coating
- Oil-based formula
- Dries to the touch in 1-2 hours
- Covers up to 105 sq. ft.
- Resistance to abrasion, chipping and fading
- Satin finish
The 238310 is a quality door paint that gives you a satin finish. It is a one-coat paint that dries to the touch in 1 to 2 hours, which makes it easy to mount and start using your door in no time. The paint works on a variety of surfaces such as metal, fiber, wood, and canvas.
Also, it will offer you door beauty and lasting protection in a variety of colors. It also covers up to 150 sq ft. and the one-coat coverage allows you to complete your projects easily. The paint requires cleaning and prepping of the surface to maximize adhesion.
Best For: Ideal for a wide variety of exterior surfaces.
#7. KILZ L573611 Interior/Exterior Enamel Porch and Patio Latex Floor Paint
Product at a Glance:
- Durable
- Easy to clean
- Resistant to fading, cracking, scuffing, and peeling
- Dries to touch in 1 hour.
- Covers 200-300 square feet
This acrylic paint allows you to protect your porch, patio, and deck from variable weather conditions. It is not only durable but also easy to clean. It gives you a low-lustre enamel surface that is appropriate for primed or painted surfaces, including masonry and wood. The paint dries to touch in 1 hour and can be recoated in 4 to 6 hours. Also, a single gallon of the paint covers up to 200 to 300 sq. ft. for rough surfaces and 300 to 400 sq. ft. for smooth surfaces.
Best For: Perfect for protecting your surface against mildew.
#8. Rust-Oleum 7779504 Protective Enamel Paint
Product at a Glance:
- Dries to the touch in 2-4 hours
- Oil-based formula
- Resistant to chipping, abrasion, and fading
- Weather and corrosion-resistant
- Glossy finish
- Covers up to 90 sq. ft.
- Durable
The Rust-Oleum 7779504 is a top-rated rust-preventive paint on the market, which provides your surfaces with beauty and lasting protection in a wide variety of colors and finishes. It is a quality door paint that gives you a glossy finish.
It is a one-coat paint that dries to the touch in 2 to 4 hours, which makes it easy to paint and use the surface. It also covers up to 90 sq. ft. and the one-coat coverage allows you to complete your projects easily. The paint requires cleaning and prepping of the surface to maximize adhesion.
Best For: Perfect for exterior metal surfaces.
#9. KILZ Oil-Based Primer/Sealer
Product at a Glance:
- Dries to touch within 30 minutes
- Oil-based primer
- 300-400 sq. ft.
- Recoat after an hour
This is a top-quality primer that helps paint stick to your surfaces. It makes you paint colors truer and allows you to use less paint. The oil-based primer that works on a variety of surfaces to cover the existing stains and odors. The primer dries to touch within 30 minutes and can be recoated after an hour. A single quart on the primer can cover up to 300 to 400 sq. ft.
Best For: A versatile primer that works on a wide variety of surfaces.
#10. Giani Marble Countertop Paint Kit
Product at a Glance:
- Three-step application
- Covers 35 sq. ft. of surface
- Water-based
- Low VOC
- Low odor
This water-based safe topcoat will protect your surface against a wide variety of stains. The pain is designed to simulate the large deposits of the classic stones of the Carrara highlands. It resembles the large white limestone with thin veins and grey plumes of quartz being the distinctive qualities that make the paint a unique for your surface.
It is this simple pattern that makes it appealing for any surface, and it can brighten a traditional, contemporary, or classic space with a polished marble look. It covers up to 35 sq. ft. of surface and has low VOC and odors.
Best For: Perfect for concrete and wood surfaces.
How to choose The Best Exterior Paint Brands
Getting the best exterior paint can be a challenging task, and many factors determine whether or not a certain paint brand will meet your needs. If you are not careful, you might buy paint that is not suited for your climate, or even intended for use outdoors. You should be sure of wan you need before making a purchase. The following factors are some that you should take into account.
Volume
It is important to know the amount of paint that you will need. You might get away with using a single coat of exterior paint is your current coat is still in fairly good condition, and you are not painting a vastly different color. In such a condition a single gallon of paint might suffice for about 400 square feet of exterior walls.
Finish
The paint’s finish determines how it will look once it dries and settled, and has the ability to change the look of a surface significantly. For instance, glossy paint is very shiny and can even be uncomfortable to look at unlike matte or flat paints that can be dull. Some paints strike a balance between the two, which makes them reflective but not so much so. You should go with the option that suits your needs.
Primer
Priming allows you to prepare a surface to increase the chances you will get the desired result, and it basically has you applying a second layer to the surface, with the exception of primers that can be mixed with the paint. If you have a rough surface, then a primer will work for you.
Paint Formula
The paint formula is the main determinant of where and when the paint should be applied, which makes it the most important consideration. There are many distinct types of paints with the water-based paints being the most common and easy to clean and oil-based paints, giving you more resistance to the elements. Your choice should be determined by your unique needs.
Conclusion
If you intend to paint an exterior surface, then the most important factor to consider about the paint is if it is appropriate to your surface. Our comprehensive review and buying guide should guide you through the quality brands and their unique offerings. You just have to select your color scheme and prepare for painting.