What paint should you use in a bathroom?

Bathroom paint is different: it carries a mould inhibitor and wipes clean

A bathroom paint is a wall paint built for steam. Dulux says its Wash&Wear +PLUS Kitchen & Bathroom Low Sheen was developed to withstand humid or damp rooms. The film carries a mould inhibitor and water-repellent properties, so most marks wipe off with a wet cloth. Haymes says humidity can weaken the bond between paint and the surface, so a standard paint can look tired sooner in a bathroom.

Dulux, Haymes and Wattyl each sell a wet-area line. Here's what each one says about its own paint, in no particular order.

• Dulux Wash&Wear +PLUS Kitchen&Bathroom. Made in Low Sheen and Semi Gloss. Dulux lists a 10-year guarantee against mould growth for both, with conditions on the label.
• Haymes Kitchen & Bathroom Interior Low Sheen. Haymes lists a 10-year mould and mildew protection guarantee, and says it suits ceilings and walls in bathrooms.
• Wattyl I.D Advanced Ceiling Anti-mould. Wattyl describes it as a mould resistant ceiling paint with a flat finish.

The paint is one part of the job. Haymes says paint helps resist mould but doesn't remove the conditions that cause it. Ventilation and prep still matter.

Sheen for bathroom walls: low sheen or semi gloss

Bathroom walls want low sheen or semi gloss. Haymes says low sheen is durable enough for cleaning while keeping a soft look that suits most bathrooms. Taubmans says semi gloss offers great stain resistance and wipes clean easily, which makes it a go-to for kitchens and bathrooms.

Pick low sheen if you want the bathroom to sit with the rest of the house. Pick semi gloss for a kids' bathroom or a rental that gets scrubbed. Our guide to interior paint finishes covers sheen room by room.

Bathroom ceilings need a ceiling paint made for wet areas

A bathroom ceiling needs a paint rated for damp rooms. Haymes says its standard ceiling white isn't recommended for bathrooms. Steam rises, and Wattyl says that when warm, humid air hits a cooler ceiling it can condense as a fine moisture film. That's why the ceiling is usually the first place a bathroom starts to spot.

The makers don't agree on the sheen up there, so here's each one's call:

• Dulux makes Ceiling White +PLUS Kitchen&Bathroom, a flat ceiling paint with Mouldshield technology and a 10-year guarantee against mould growth. Its standard Ceiling White carries 5 years.
• Wattyl says the key in a bathroom is a flat ceiling paint designed for moisture-prone rooms, such as an anti-mould ceiling paint. It says satin may be more washable, but it can highlight ceiling flaws and reflect more light.
• Haymes says its standard Expressions Ceiling White isn't recommended for bathrooms, and recommends its Kitchen & Bathroom Interior Low Sheen on the ceiling instead.

Each maker backs its own sheen, so pick whichever one is made for wet areas. Wattyl says flat hides ceiling flaws, and Haymes says low sheen is durable enough for cleaning. Our guide to how to paint a ceiling covers the rolling technique.

Prep: clean off mould and soap scum, then let it dry

Bathroom prep comes down to a clean, dry, dull surface before any paint goes on. Wattyl says the biggest mistake people make is painting straight over mould. It can come back, and the paint may fail early. Haymes says the surface should be free from grease and soap residue. These steps come from the Dulux, Haymes and Wattyl directions.

1. Treat any mould. Dulux says to use Selleys Rapid Mould Killer, or scrub with a scouring pad and one part bleach to three parts water. Leave it on for 15 minutes, then wash off with clean water and wipe dry. Dulux says stubborn patches can take several goes.
2. Wash off soap scum. Wattyl says to remove soap scum and oils from bathroom walls before painting.
3. Scrape and sand. Haymes says to remove loose or flaking paint, sand smooth and clean away the dust. Dulux says to sand glossy surfaces to a dull finish.
4. Fill and prime. Dulux says to spot prime filled cracks and holes. Wattyl says stains left after cleaning may need a stain-blocking primer.
5. Let it dry. Wattyl says paint shouldn't go on a damp ceiling, and Dulux says the surface must be dry. Run the fan and open the window first.
6. Mask up. Wattyl says to tape around cornices, light fittings, exhaust fan covers and tiles, and to sheet the vanity, bath, toilet and floor.

How to paint a bathroom wall: cut in, roll wet, two coats

Paint a bathroom wall by cutting in the edges with a brush, rolling up to that edge while it's still wet, then repeating with a second coat. Dulux gives exactly that order in its directions for Wash&Wear +PLUS Kitchen&Bathroom.

1. Stir the paint well. Dulux says to use a flat paddle.
2. Cut in. Brush around the tiles, the ceiling line, the vanity and the fan cover.
3. Roll into the wet edge. Dulux says to roll up to the brushed border while it's still wet. Wattyl says pressing too hard on the roller can leave roller lines.
4. Wait for the first coat to dry completely. Dulux lists Wash&Wear +PLUS Kitchen&Bathroom as touch dry in 30 minutes, with a recoat time of 2 hours. Haymes says about two hours for its Kitchen & Bathroom paint, depending on temperature and humidity.
5. Apply the second coat. Dulux and Haymes both say two coats for their bathroom paints.
6. Keep the steam off. Haymes says to avoid exposing the new paint to steam for at least 72 hours, so it can cure.

To work out how much to buy, Haymes says its Kitchen & Bathroom paint covers up to 16 square metres per litre, depending on the surface. Our guide to how long paint takes to dry explains touch dry versus cured.

Ventilation decides how long bathroom paint lasts

Anti-mould paint still needs a room that dries out. Wattyl says it can't fix a bathroom with no ventilation and chronic condensation. Haymes lists overlooking ventilation as a common bathroom painting mistake. Check the airflow before you buy paint, and keep checking after.

• Run the fan during and after the shower. Wattyl says to keep it running after the shower to clear the humidity.
• Open the window too. Wattyl says to open windows where you can, but not to count on a window alone.
• Leave the door ajar. Wattyl suggests leaving the door slightly open after use, where it's practical.
• Clean the fan cover. Wattyl says dust build-up can reduce fan performance, so clean the cover and check the airflow.
• Look at a weak fan. If the fan is weak, noisy or poorly ducted, Wattyl suggests improving it before you repaint again and again.

Paint has limits even in a well aired room. Wattyl says anti-mould paint can't stop mould on silicone, grout or unpainted surfaces. Haymes says to keep the room ventilated during and after painting.

Waterproofing and the exhaust fan wiring aren't painting jobs

Paint goes on the walls and ceiling. What sits behind the tiles, and the wiring to the fan, belong to licensed trades. Stop the DIY at those two lines.

Waterproofing. For waterproofing, the QBCC says a critical first step is always using appropriately licensed contractors. The QBCC also says DIY renovations and drilling can puncture the membranes hidden behind tiles, so don't drill into a shower wall to hang a shelf. It names a persistent musty smell or mould in a bathroom or the next room as a common sign of a waterproofing problem. Wattyl says a patch that worsens after rain may be a leak, and that any active leak gets fixed before painting.

The exhaust fan. Cleaning the fan cover is fine. Putting in a new fan or moving one isn't. Queensland's Electrical Safety Office says DIY electrical work is unlicensed electrical work, which is illegal, and that hard-wired appliances must be connected by a licensed electrician.

If paint keeps failing in the same spot, find the cause before the next coat. A leak or failed shower waterproofing goes to a QBCC licensed contractor. A new or upgraded exhaust fan goes to a licensed electrician. We paint once those are sorted.

Having a bathroom painted on the Sunshine Coast

If you'd rather hand the bathroom over, our interior house painters can take it on. Rental owners can see how we plan wet areas in our guide to repainting a holiday let between bookings.

We work from Caloundra to Noosa, including interior painting in Caloundra. Check the locations page for the full list of suburbs. We're QBCC licensed (licence 1281728) and we've painted Sunshine Coast homes since 1985. Call 0403 571 616 or use the instant estimate for a guide price.