Are you tired of peeling, discoloring, and cracking walls on the outside surfaces around your home? If so, we handpicked an exciting collection of waterproof paints that will create a barrier between the damaging elements of nature and the surface you’re coloring.
Waterproof paints can either be oil-based or latex enamel. The glossier your paint is, the better it is at resisting water, and the easier it is to clean. They’re available in a wide range of colors and for almost all kinds of surfaces. Some manufacturers have also formulated paints that require no backing or priming and are good to go after just a single coat. These paints are also great for creating a fungi-free, safer environment.
There are multiple kinds of waterproof paints out there, with varying degrees of water resistance and adhesion on the surface. To help you decide, we compared the highest-rated waterproof paints of 2025 here. Check out the detailed buying guide below for must-have information for choosing the right one for your needs.
This semi-gloss waterproof paint tops our list with its versatility of use and quick-drying nature. It comes in five different colors so you can paint your pool a gorgeous color, while the long-lasting formula offers excellent protection and durability. You get the perfect finish with just two coats of this waterproof paint. It dries quickly and is capable of withstanding continuous submersion in both salt and fresh water.
| You can use this swimming pool paint on most types of prepared surfaces. This includes marcite, bare concrete, gunite, pools, plaster, and other surfaces made from masonry. You can also mix two or more colors to make a new one with the same properties. The consistency is easy and quick to work with. Easily hand paint your pool to perfection with this best overall waterproof paint. |
A great value option, this waterproof paint is made for slidings, shakes, fences, shingles, plywood, and laminates. With a fusion of oil and latex adhesives, this red paint is formulated to last you years after years as it’s livestock-safe and highly durable. It will resist cracks, peels, and fading even after years of sun and water exposure. It also leaves the surface easy to clean, so you can make your fence or siding sparkle with just water and soap.
| You can apply this waterproof paint easily and smoothly with any simple nylon or polyester brush or an airless sprayer. The quick-drying formula will dry up in just two to four hours, but you should wait six to eight hours for the second coat. It offers excellent protection against all elements of nature. |
Sold in 16 attractive shades, this waterproof paint is ideal for painting surfaces in marine environments. It can be used onshore and offshore on boats, ATVs, hunting blinds, and more, protecting against harsh circumstances. The paint is available in a wide range of colors like progue green, duck boat drab, and dead grass green.
| This vinyl-type coating is ideal for wood, steel, aluminum, fiberglass, and metal. You can even skip priming to save costs since the high-quality formulation gives excellent adhesion itself. You can also wash the painted surface without worrying about damage, peeling, or cracking. This waterproof paint also resists gasoline, oil, and discoloration from harbor gases, making it the ideal choice for marine application. |
Ideal for metal, fiberglass, and wooden surfaces, this oil-based formula comes prepared to resist all damaging elements of nature. The excellent adhesion ensures that you get the perfect final touch finish and leveling with just a single coat. It will dry to touch in less than two hours and the whole can will easily cover up to 100 square feet.
| This waterproof paint resists extreme weather conditions and abrasion with its new UV protective formula. It won’t peel away, crack or fade in color after years of application. You can also mix up two of the nine available colors to make a new one. It offers smooth finishing for superior gloss retention. You can use this paint for the underside of your boat to keep it safe from barnacles and algae. |
Perfect for DIY projects and refinishing furniture, this acrylic satin paint comes with superior color retention and a smooth, scratch-resistant finish for both interior and exterior applications. It’s so easy to apply that you won’t even have to prime or sand the surface before painting. This option comes in 10 colors to help you upgrade the look of your home.
| This versatile waterproof paint adheres to many otherwise considered difficult surfaces, including galvanized metal and aluminum, concrete, glass, pipes, drywall, cabinets, plastic, crafts, copper, lacquer, oil enamel, and factory finishes. It has a water-based formula that offers additional safety and convenience for the paint to outperform other oil-based paints. |
Water and dampness in walls, floors, and other kinds of surfaces not only look unpleasant but can be dangerously damaging for the whole structure. This is why equipment and surfaces that are most exposed to sun and water need to be protected with a good-quality layer of water-resistant paint. You need to carefully consider a lot of factors before you buy a can, however.
They’re available in a wide variety of colors, resistance levels, types, and sizes which can be hard to choose from. To make it a little easier, we designed this buying guide that covers everything you must know before making your final purchasing decision.
One of the main considerations when choosing the right waterproof paint for your outdoor surfaces is the type. Let’s take a look at the commonly available options:
This kind of paint has the lowest moisture repelling qualities. It’s mostly used in low-moisture bathrooms on the ceilings and walls. It has a slight gloss as well.
Semi-gloss paint gives an excellent glow and smooth finish to the surface it’s applied to. This type is great at repelling moisture but isn’t as shiny as a high-gloss paint finish is. It’s ideally applied to walls and sometimes used for ceilings as well.
High-gloss paint is the glossiest kind. It’s fully waterproof and easy to wash. It doesn’t quite look appealing on large surfaces that reflect light, however. And since this type of waterproof paint makes walls super shiny, it will likely make all the small bumps visible.
A few advantages of using waterproof paints include:
In addition to preventing the spread of moisture, waterproof paints are also highly versatile in use. They can be used for a wide range of surfaces including brick, masonry, wood, cement, plastic, and metal. You can apply them directly to almost all kinds of interior as well as exterior surfaces, such as floors, walls, ceilings, roofs, basements, and much more.
Another great advantage of a waterproof paint membrane is that they’re formulated to be breathable so there’s no buildup of water pressure and dampness in the substrate. Such membranes allow water vapors to permeate and encourage stability.
Waterproof paints prevent humidity and steam from penetrating the walls and damaging them. And it also keeps the dampness from walls from reaching the surface.
Another way to look at the versatility of waterproof paints is the range of chemistries it represents within its name. This includes epoxy, liquid rubber, nano, acrylic, and polyurethane paint.
The kind of waterproof coating that’s best for you depends on the surface type, the kind of moisture you’re dealing with, whether it’s precautionary or responsive, and some other factors.
Garages and basements are usually most prone to dampness and the best kind of waterproofing is done for them with epoxy paint. It offers good adhesion to porous substrates and is very resistant to water.
For the ceiling, dampness and condensation are the common issues. You need to get a breathable, mold-proof kind. These areas will benefit from nano paint that offers a clear waterproof coat. For skirting and interior walls, acrylic waterproof paint works the best at keeping away moisture and dampness from resurfacing. Acrylic also works great against humidity.
If you’re waterproofing exterior walls, you can go for thermal shielding and pliolite options that protect against all elements of nature, mainly water. It prevents water from seeping into the walls with its nanotechnology-based formulation.
Wooden surfaces like window frames and sills, fences, skirting, siding, and exterior walls or surfaces are highly prone to water damage and moisture retention. Wood sealants and glosses under a final waterproof paint work great for them.
Make sure to select the right waterproofing paint for the surface you’re painting. You can go for a concrete waterproofing coating that is cement-like and has excellent adherence to concrete and masonry surfaces. Or you can opt for a silicate-based concrete sealer that is a sealer for unpainted or unsealed walls. Other than these, the most common kind is the waterproofing acrylic paint that is highly resistant and compatible with all surfaces. Also, always choose a breathable formulation.
If you’re painting a wall, check for any faults in the wall. You need to eliminate any faults that can cause structural dampness. This could be condensation, cracks in bricks, or a burst pipe.
You can use a plaster waterproofing additive to enhance the aesthetics. It also protects against moisture ingress and prevents reoccurrence
Use a good-quality filter to repair and fill up any patch holes or cracks. Allow them to dry completely, grind them, and sand away the uneven areas. Remove all the dust to ensure good and long-lasting adhesion between the substrate and the waterproofing paint. Use a nylon or polyester brush or roller for the application of the paint. If there is a need for a second coat, allow the first one to dry before you apply the second one. Create a thick layer to ensure an impenetrable barrier against further infiltration.
Acrylic paints form the best kind of waterproof membrane for exterior finishing. They are known to resist all sorts of water and moisture damage and will last the longest.
Yes, you’ll need a high gloss tile paint as tiles are quite challenging to paint over. You will also likely require a primer and double coating to make the paint last.
Typically, you can touch a waterproof painted wall within two to four hours of application, but for recoating, it’s better to wait for six to eight hours.
At Art Life Today, our passion for arts and crafts is at the heart of everything we do. We understand that the right tools and materials can make all the difference in your creative projects, so we take our responsibility as reviewers seriously. Our goal is to help you discover the best products that will inspire your creativity and bring your artistic visions to life.