Skip to main content

What is enamel paint (and when should you use it)?

A tough, hard shell for all your high-traffic surfaces

Painting exterior house white
TAKAZAWA / Shutterstock

Enamel paint is a versatile and durable option for various painting projects, known for its glossy finish and long-lasting protection. Whether you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast or just looking to refresh your space, understanding what enamel paint is and when to use it can significantly impact your project’s success. Let’s dive into the specifics of this type of paint, explore its pros and cons, and highlight the best painting applications for this robust paint type.

What is enamel paint?

white paint primer dripping into can
Blue Bird / Pexels

Enamel paint is a type of paint that dries to a hard, glossy finish, providing excellent durability and resistance to wear and tear. It’s often used for both interior and exterior surfaces that require a tough, resilient coating. Enamel paint can be an oil-based or water-based product, with oil-based varieties offering superior durability and water-based options being more environmentally friendly and easier to clean up.

Recommended Videos

Oil-based enamel paints are known for their excellent adhesion and resistance to moisture, making them ideal for surfaces exposed to the elements or heavy use. Water-based enamels, while not as robust as their oil-based counterparts, have improved significantly over the years and offer a more user-friendly alternative with less odor and faster drying times.

Pros and cons of enamel paint

teal front door of small white cottage
Isabelle / Adobe Stock

Pros

  1. Durability: Enamel paint is renowned for its toughness. It creates a hard, protective shell that resists chipping, scratching, and general wear and tear, making it ideal for high-traffic areas and surfaces exposed to the elements.
  2. Glossy finish: The high-gloss finish of enamel paint gives surfaces a sleek, polished look that can enhance the appearance of any project. This glossy finish also makes it easier to clean, as dirt and grime wipe away effortlessly.
  3. Versatility: People can use Enamel paint on a variety of surfaces, including wood, metal, and masonry, making it a go-to choice for many different applications.
  4. Moisture resistance: Especially with oil-based enamels, the paint provides excellent resistance to moisture, making it suitable for areas exposed to humidity and water.

Cons

  1. Odor and VOCs: Oil-based enamel paints have strong fumes and high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be harmful if inhaled. That’s why proper ventilation is essential when using these paints.
  2. Drying time: Oil-based enamels take longer to dry compared to water-based options, which can delay project completion.
  3. Cleanup: Cleaning up after using oil-based enamel paint requires solvents like turpentine or mineral spirits, which can be messy and more challenging than soap and water cleanup for water-based paints.
  4. Cost: Enamel paints, particularly high-quality ones, can be more expensive than other types of paint.

Where to use enamel paint

Window with trim on a teal wall
Artazum / Shutterstock

This type of paint is a fantastic choice for various applications, thanks to its durability and glossy finish. Below are some of the best places to use enamel paint, each benefiting from its robust characteristics.

Exterior doors

Exterior doors face constant exposure to the elements, from harsh sunlight to rain and snow. Enamel paint’s durability and moisture resistance make it perfect for these high-traffic areas. The glossy finish not only looks great but also adds an extra layer of protection against the weather.

Outdoor furniture

Outdoor furniture, such as patio tables, chairs, and benches, can take a beating from the weather. Enamel paint’s hard, resilient surface can protect against the sun’s UV rays, moisture, and daily wear and tear. This ensures your outdoor furniture looks fresh and new for longer.

Grills and outdoor kitchens

Outdoor cooking spaces are subject to high heat, frequent use, and the elements, making enamel paint a great choice. Its resistance to heat and moisture helps maintain the appearance and functionality of these cooking areas, ensuring they remain attractive and easy to clean.

Decks and porches

Decks and porches are another excellent application for enamel paint. These areas endure heavy foot traffic and exposure to various weather conditions. The durable, moisture-resistant properties of enamel paint help protect the wood from damage and extend the life of your outdoor spaces.

Window trim and window sashes

Window trim and sashes benefit from the moisture resistance and glossy finish of enamel paint. It helps protect against condensation and weather, keeping your windows looking sharp and maintained.

Metal surfaces

Railings, fences, gates, and other metal surfaces require a paint that can adhere well and resist rust. Enamel paint’s strong adhesion and durability make it an ideal choice for metal, providing a tough barrier against the elements.

Kitchen cabinets

Our cabinets endure constant use, spills, and grease. Enamel paint’s easy-to-clean, glossy finish makes it perfect for this high-traffic area. It can withstand the daily wear and tear while keeping your painted kitchen cabinets looking pristine.

Appliance touch-ups

For those small nicks and scratches on your appliances, enamel paint offers an excellent solution. Its durability and high-gloss finish blend well with the original surfaces, providing seamless touch-ups that extend the life of your appliances.

Tips for working with enamel paint

cleaning solution and cloth on coutnertop
Tetra Images / Alamy

Working with enamel paint requires some specific techniques to achieve the best results.

  1. Preparation: Properly preparing the surface is crucial. Clean the painting surface thoroughly to remove any dirt, grease, or old paint. Sanding the surface can also help the paint adhere better.
  2. Priming: Use a primer compatible with enamel paint to create a smooth base and enhance the paint’s adhesion and durability.
  3. Application: Apply enamel paint in thin, even coats to avoid drips and achieve a smooth finish. Multiple thin coats are preferable to one thick coat. Use a high-quality brush or roller suitable for enamel paint.
  4. Ventilation: Ensure good ventilation when using oil-based enamel paint because of the strong fumes. Work in a well-ventilated area or use a respirator mask if necessary.
  5. Drying time: Allow ample drying time between coats to prevent smudging and achieve a hard, glossy finish. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended drying times.

Enamel paint is a highly durable and versatile option for a wide range of painting projects. Its glossy finish and robust properties make it ideal for high-traffic areas, surfaces exposed to the elements, and other applications requiring a tough, resilient coating. By understanding the pros and cons of enamel paint and knowing the best places to use it, you can ensure your painting projects are successful and last a long time.

Veronica Sparks
Veronica Sparks is a writer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin who loves writing about gardening, home décor, and DIY life. She’s…
Satin vs. semi-gloss paint: What’s the difference?
What is a paint sheen and how does it impact your design? Here's what you should know
Two women using paint samples on a wall

You may have heard of paint sheens or have come across some interior designers discussing gloss or matte paint finishes, but what do they mean? How do you know if satin vs. semi-gloss paint is what you need for your project? If you’re struggling to discern which paint finish is best for your situation, we’re here to help. Here’s everything you need to know to help you differentiate between satin and semi-gloss paint.
What is a paint sheen?

A paint sheen determines how much light your paint reflects on a surface. High-sheen or high-gloss paints appear shinier, while low-sheen/low-gloss paints appear flatter.

Read more
How to paint over wallpaper without making the room look worse
You don't have to remove the wallpaper. Instead, save the hassle and paint over it
Small blue paint can with paint brush set on top.

Outdated or damaged wallpaper can be an eyesore. A fresh coat of paint can revitalize out-of-style rooms, but first, you have to figure out what to do about the wallpaper. Home improvement experts often advise homeowners not to paint over wallpaper — if it isn’t done right or the wallpaper is in bad condition, the results can be disastrous.

Sometimes, though, it's much easier to paint over it than it is to deal with the time-consuming process of removing it. If this is the case for you, be sure to follow a few expert tips to ensure your paint job won't look like an amateur, rushed DIY project.
Why experts recommend removing wallpaper

Read more
Can you paint in high humidity? What you need to know
Make sure your paint job is still gorgeous when conditions aren't ideal
Red roller brush black paint on white wall

Are you planning a painting project but worried about the moisture in the air and how it will impact your paint job? If you're concerned about humidity levels while you paint, you've come to the right place. Since paint needs to dry properly to have a beautiful and smooth-looking result, humidity is certainly an issue. So, is painting in humid weather possible? While the answer to that question is yes, we'll discuss some of the concerns and tips for dealing with humidity and painting indoors or outdoors.
How does humidity affect your paint job?

Moisture in the air means there's moisture on the surface you're about to paint. A damp surface is not ideal for painting, and you may find that your overall result doesn't look as great as you'd hoped. Let's dig into the specifics of how high humidity negatively impacts your paint job.
Moisture could lead to mold growth
When you're dealing with high humidity, surfaces tend to dry slowly. When you're painting indoors, for example, you always want to wash your walls before slapping down a coat of paint, so high humidity could slow down the drying process. If your walls are damp when you start to paint, this could lead to mold growing between the wall and the paint. The mold will eventually grow through the new layer of paint, and you will need to clean the area and paint again.
Paint will struggle to dry
For most paint types to dry, the water in the paint needs to evaporate faster than the solvents. In high humidity, the water struggles to evaporate, making for a gunky, gel-like layer of paint. Eventually, when the humidity level falls, you'll find that this type of consistency will dry with a wavy texture since it has not been set properly. You likely won't be satisfied with the result.
Wood surfaces could swell
As you may know, moisture on wood causes it to swell. If you're painting wood when there's a lot of moisture in the air, the wood could start to swell a bit after you've put on a coat of paint. This swelling could cause cracks or chips in your coat of paint, which will eventually lead to the surface needing to be repainted.
Paint may not adhere to metal surfaces
Painting metal objects can already be difficult since paint doesn't adhere to them as easily as it does to wood or other materials. Humidity can worsen this effect, so if you're trying to paint something metal, it might be best to leave that for a drier day.
What is the ideal humidity level for painting?

Read more