Paint Guide — All Paint Types

VOLCANO PAINTS GUIDE

The Complete Paint Guide

Every paint type explained — interior paint, exterior paint, PVA, enamel, primer, roof paint, wood paint, metal paint and texture paint. Find the right paint for any surface or project.

PAINT KNOWLEDGE

Which paint do you need?

Choosing the right paint makes all the difference between a job that lasts years and one that peels within months. This guide covers every major paint type — what it is, what it's used for, and which surfaces it works best on.

Interior Paint — Volcano Paints Zimbabwe
Interior Paint

Interior Paint

Walls, ceilings & indoor surfaces

Interior paint is specially formulated for indoor walls and ceilings. It's designed with low-odour formulas, excellent colour retention and smooth finishes. The best interior paint provides a durable, washable surface that stands up to everyday life inside your home or office.

Common Uses

  • Living rooms & bedrooms
  • Ceilings & feature walls
  • Kitchens & bathrooms
  • Offices & commercial interiors

Available Finishes

  • Matt — hides imperfections, ideal for ceilings
  • Eggshell — subtle sheen, most popular for walls
  • Satin — low sheen, highly washable
  • Semi-Gloss — wipeable, ideal for kitchens

Pro Tip

Always use a primer on bare or new plaster walls before applying interior paint — it dramatically improves coverage and durability.

Exterior Paint — Volcano Paints Zimbabwe
Exterior Paint

Exterior Paint

Outdoor walls, facades & structures

Exterior paint is engineered to withstand harsh outdoor conditions — blazing sun, heavy rain, wind, humidity and temperature swings. It contains UV-stabilised pigments and flexible binders that resist fading, cracking and peeling. Never use interior paint outdoors; it will fail rapidly.

Common Uses

  • House & building facades
  • Brick, concrete & plaster walls
  • Exterior boundary walls
  • Commercial buildings

Available Finishes

  • Matt/Low-Sheen — hides surface imperfections
  • Satin — durable mid-sheen for most exteriors
  • Gloss — high-impact statement facades

Pro Tip

Apply exterior paint in moderate temperatures (15–30°C) and avoid painting in direct midday sun or before rain. Two coats always outperform one.

PVA Paint — Volcano Paints Zimbabwe
PVA Paint

PVA Paint

The most popular interior wall paint

PVA (Polyvinyl Acetate) paint is a water-based interior paint and one of the most widely used wall paints in Zimbabwe. It's affordable, fast drying and delivers a smooth matt finish on walls and ceilings. PVA paint is ideal for new plaster and existing interior surfaces.

Common Uses

  • New plaster walls & ceilings
  • Repainting interior rooms
  • Smooth concrete surfaces
  • Office interiors

Available Finishes

  • Matt PVA — most common, hides texture variations
  • Silk PVA — slight sheen, slightly more washable

Pro Tip

For best results on new plaster, dilute the first PVA coat with 10% water to let it penetrate the surface, then apply the second coat full-strength.

Enamel Paint — Volcano Paints Zimbabwe
Enamel Paint

Enamel Paint

Hard gloss finish for doors, trims & metal

Enamel paint dries to an extremely hard, smooth surface that's highly resistant to scratches, moisture and wear. It's the paint of choice for doors, window frames, skirting boards, wooden trims, metal gates and any surface that takes regular physical contact.

Common Uses

  • Doors & door frames
  • Window trims & skirting boards
  • Metal gates & railings
  • Kitchen cupboards & cabinetry

Available Finishes

  • Full Gloss — maximum shine, most durable
  • Semi-Gloss — balanced sheen, very popular
  • Satin Enamel — subtle sheen, elegant finish

Pro Tip

Lightly sand the surface before applying enamel paint for the best adhesion. Always apply a primer on bare wood or metal first.

Primer & Undercoat — Volcano Paints Zimbabwe
Primer & Undercoat

Primer & Undercoat

The essential first coat for every paint job

Primer is the foundation of any quality paint job. It seals porous surfaces, improves adhesion, blocks stains and ensures even colour coverage. Without primer, paint can peel, absorb unevenly or require far more coats. Using primer saves you time and paint in the long run.

Common Uses

  • New walls & fresh plaster
  • Bare wood & bare metal
  • Surfaces being repainted
  • Stain-blocking on problem areas

Available Finishes

  • Bonding Primer — for difficult or glossy surfaces
  • Drywall Primer — for plasterboard
  • Wood Primer — for bare timber
  • Metal Primer — rust-inhibiting base coat

Pro Tip

Always match your primer to your topcoat type — water-based topcoat needs a water-based primer; oil-based topcoat (like enamel) needs an oil-based undercoat.

Roof Paint — Volcano Paints Zimbabwe
Roof Paint

Roof Paint

Waterproof protection for every roof type

Roof paint is a specialist waterproof coating designed to protect corrugated iron, tile, cement and asbestos roofs from water penetration, rust and UV degradation. A good roof paint reflects heat, stops leaks, prevents rust and dramatically extends the life of your roof.

Common Uses

  • Corrugated iron & IBR roofing
  • Tile & slate roofs
  • Cement & flat roofs
  • Carports & outbuilding roofs

Available Finishes

  • Waterproof Roof Coating — primary choice for most roofs
  • Heat-Reflective Roof Paint — reduces building temperature
  • Roof Primer + Topcoat — for maximum rust protection

Pro Tip

Clean the roof thoroughly and treat any rust spots before applying roof paint. Apply a rust-inhibiting roof primer on iron roofs for maximum protection before the topcoat.

Wood Paint & Wood Stain — Volcano Paints Zimbabwe
Wood Paint & Wood Stain

Wood Paint & Wood Stain

Protect and beautify all timber surfaces

Wood paint and wood stain are designed to protect timber from moisture, rot, UV rays and insect damage while enhancing its natural beauty. Wood stain penetrates the grain for a natural look; opaque wood paint provides full colour coverage on timber surfaces.

Common Uses

  • Exterior decking & garden furniture
  • Interior wooden floors & doors
  • Fences, pergolas & garden structures
  • Timber window frames

Available Finishes

  • Clear/Natural Wood Stain — shows the grain
  • Tinted Wood Stain — colour with visible grain
  • Opaque Wood Paint — full colour, grain hidden
  • Varnish — high-gloss protective top layer

Pro Tip

For outdoor wood, reapply wood stain or wood paint every 2–3 years for maximum protection. Always ensure the surface is clean and dry before application.

Metal Paint & Anti-Rust Coating — Volcano Paints Zimbabwe
Metal Paint & Anti-Rust Coating

Metal Paint & Anti-Rust Coating

Stop rust and protect all metal surfaces

Metal paint and anti-rust coatings are specifically formulated to bond to steel, iron, aluminium and other metal surfaces while providing a tough barrier against corrosion. Industrial-grade anti-rust coatings protect metal structures for years in outdoor and industrial environments.

Common Uses

  • Security gates & railings
  • Steel fences & burglar bars
  • Machinery & industrial equipment
  • Water tanks, pipes & structures

Available Finishes

  • Direct-to-Metal Enamel — smooth gloss finish on metal
  • Zinc-Rich Primer — heavy-duty rust protection
  • Hammered Metal Paint — decorative textured finish
  • Heat-Resistant Coating — for engines & boilers

Pro Tip

Remove all rust by sanding or wire-brushing before painting metal. Apply a zinc-based rust-inhibiting primer first, then finish with metal enamel or topcoat for maximum protection.

Texture Paint — Volcano Paints Zimbabwe
Texture Paint

Texture Paint

Decorative wall finishes with depth & character

Texture paint adds three-dimensional depth and character to walls with decorative finishes like fine sand, rough stone, bark and trowelled plaster effects. It's one of the best ways to create a designer feature wall or hide surface cracks and imperfections on interior and exterior walls.

Common Uses

  • Interior feature walls
  • Exterior building facades
  • Boundary & garden walls
  • Commercial reception areas

Available Finishes

  • Sand Texture — fine granular natural look
  • Stone Effect — coarse natural stone appearance
  • Rough Cast / Bark — heavy rustic texture
  • Trowel Texture — smooth Venetian-style finish

Pro Tip

Texture paint requires a primer coat first and a thicker application than regular paint. Use a textured roller or trowel to apply different effects — experiment on a small area first.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Paint FAQ

Everything you need to know about choosing and using paint

What is the difference between interior and exterior paint?

Interior paint is designed for indoor walls with low odour, smooth finishes and washability. Exterior paint is engineered to resist UV rays, rain, temperature changes and humidity. Never use interior paint outdoors — it will fade and peel quickly.

Do I need primer before painting my walls?

Yes, for new walls, bare surfaces or problem areas, primer is essential. It seals porous surfaces, blocks stains and ensures much better, longer-lasting paint coverage. Skipping primer leads to uneven results and paint peeling over time.

What paint should I use for doors and window frames?

Enamel paint — gloss or semi-gloss — is the best choice for doors, window frames and wooden trims. It dries to a hard, durable surface that's easy to wipe clean and resists chips, moisture and everyday wear.

What is the best paint for a bathroom or kitchen?

For bathrooms and kitchens, use a satin or semi-gloss interior paint rated for moisture resistance. These finishes are highly washable and resist humidity and steam better than matt paints.

How much paint do I need to paint a room?

As a rule, one litre of paint covers 10–12 square metres per coat. For a standard 4x4m room with 2.5m ceilings, you'll need approximately 5–7 litres for two coats including ceiling. Our Volcano Paints team can calculate the exact quantity you need.

What paint is best for exterior walls in Zimbabwe?

In Zimbabwe's climate, use a UV-stable weatherproof exterior paint with anti-fungal protection. Look for a formulation that is crack-bridging, waterproof and rated for high UV environments. Volcano Paints' exterior range is formulated specifically for African conditions.

Can I mix paint colours to create custom shades?

Yes! Volcano Paints offers advanced custom colour mixing and colour matching. Bring in a fabric swatch, photo or object, and our team will recreate the exact shade in any paint type. We can mix thousands of colours on demand.

How do I paint a metal roof to stop rust and leaks?

Start by cleaning the roof and treating any rust with a rust converter. Apply a zinc-based roof primer to bare metal areas, then finish with a quality waterproof roof paint. This stops existing rust, prevents new corrosion and creates a waterproof barrier against leaks.
Volcano Paints Store

Ready to start your project?

Visit Volcano Paints in Kwekwe or call us — our team will help you choose the perfect paint for any surface, any project, any budget.

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