What Paint to Use for Murals: A Complete Paint Guide

One of the most common questions I get asked as a muralist is:

“What paint do you actually use for murals?”

And honestly, this question matters far more than most people realize.

Choosing the right paint is not just about color. It’s about longevity, adhesion, weather resistance, vibrancy, washability, and how well your mural will hold up over time.

The products you choose directly impact whether your mural continues looking vibrant for years or begins fading, peeling, or deteriorating far too soon.

When selecting mural paint, I’m always considering:

• Durability

• UV resistance

• Surface adhesion

• Moisture resistance

• Color retention

• Cost effectiveness

• Long-term flexibility

Over the years, I’ve tested a variety of systems, but one brand has consistently remained at the core of my process:

Why I Primarily Use Rodda-Miller Paint

(I am not sponsored at the time of writing this on April 27th 2026. I just love this brand and want to be sure I am sharing what I actually use. But it would be so cool to be sponsored by this brand, as I do love their products.)

Before we get into specific paint lines, it’s important to explain why Miller Paint has become my primary choice.

For me, choosing paint is not just about the product itself, though quality absolutely matters. It’s also about consistency, trust, accessibility, and relationships.

First and foremost, the products perform.

Rodda-Miller Paint consistently offers:

• Strong coverage

• Reliable adhesion

• Excellent exterior durability

• Good UV resistance

• Broad color customization

• Washability

• Flexible product tiers for different budgets

• Professional contractor grade quality

This matters immensely when you are painting large-scale murals where material failure can mean expensive repairs, compromised client trust, and reduced project lifespan.

Their products provide a strong balance between professional performance and practical accessibility, which is essential for both public art and private commissions.

The customer service is exceptional.

One of the reasons I continue returning to Rodda-Miller Paint is that the people behind the counters are consistently knowledgeable, kind, and genuinely helpful.

As a muralist, I often have highly specific needs involving:

• Product compatibility

• Surface recommendations

• Custom color matching

• Sheen guidance

• Weather considerations

• Bulk ordering

Having a team that is warm, experienced, and willing to problem-solve makes a massive difference.

It’s not just transactional. It feels collaborative.

That level of support is invaluable, especially when working on complex or large-scale projects.

Supporting local matters to me.

Rodda-Miller Paint is a Pacific Northwest company, and as a Pacific Northwest muralist, supporting local businesses whenever possible is incredibly important to me.

Using a local brand means:

• Supporting regional jobs

• Building community relationships

• Reducing logistical complications

• Accessing products quickly

• Investing back into the local economy

As someone whose work is deeply rooted in community, using a trusted local paint supplier aligns naturally with both my business values and personal priorities.

I love knowing that the materials I’m using are backed by a company that understands the regional climate, values craftsmanship, and actively supports professionals in my area.

In short:

Rodda-Miller Paint gives me:

• Excellent products

• Reliable performance

• Incredible customer service

• Local accessibility

• Strong business alignment

That combination is why it has become such a foundational part of my mural practice.

That said, while Rodda-Miller is my preferred system, there are absolutely strong comparable products from brands like Behr and Sherwin Williams, and I’ll break those down throughout this guide as well.

Because ultimately, the best muralist is an informed one.

Why I Primarily Use Exterior Paint for Murals

One of the biggest professional recommendations I can give is this:

Whenever possible, use exterior paint.

Even for many indoor murals.

This may surprise some beginners, but exterior paint offers several major advantages.

Exterior paints are formulated to withstand:

• Moisture

• Temperature shifts

• UV exposure

• Wear and tear

• Environmental stress

That means they often provide:

• Better durability

• Stronger adhesion

• Increased flexibility

• Better washability

• Longer lifespan

For me, there’s also a practical business reason.

Most clients do not want to keep leftover paint after project completion. By primarily using exterior systems, I can responsibly store and reuse those materials for future outdoor projects.

This approach:

• Saves money

• Reduces waste

• Improves efficiency

• Keeps my inventory versatile

It’s a strategic choice that supports both quality and sustainability.

Why Primer Matters More Than Most People Think

Before paint ever touches a wall, proper prep determines long term success.

Primer is what creates:

• Adhesion

• Surface consistency

• Stain blocking

• Better paint performance

• Improved durability

Skipping primer can compromise even the best paint system. For murals, foundation matters.

I do have a few favorite primers, and I am going to share with you a little about them next.

First off is the Rodda-Miller All Purpose Stain Blocking Primer

This is one of my most used primers because of its versatility across both interior and exterior applications.

It provides:

• Strong adhesion

• Reliable stain blocking

• Broad surface compatibility

• Excellent base consistency

Comparable options:

Behr: Multi Surface Primer & Sealer

Sherwin Williams: Multi-Purpose Latex Primer

Next is the Rodda-Miller PH Surfacer Primer

Ideal for smoother surfaces or more refined projects, this primer helps create an even, consistent base.

Strengths:

• Smooths porous walls

• Improves detail potential

• Great for drywall

• Helps refine final mural quality

Comparable options:

Behr: Drywall Plus Primer

Sherwin Williams: PrepRite ProBlock Primer

The Core Paints I Use for Murals

Now that we’ve covered primers and why surface preparation matters, let’s talk about the paint itself.

This is where many beginners get overwhelmed, because there are countless paint options on the market, and not all paint is created equally.

The reality is that every wall, environment, and project has different needs.

The paint you choose should be based on factors like:

• Budget

• Surface

• Client goals

• Longevity expectations

• Specialty color needs

Learning how to match the right paint to the right project is one of the most important skills you can develop, because the quality of your materials directly impacts both the final appearance and the long-term success of your mural.

Rodda-Miller Super Color Exterior

This is one of my favorite practical, everyday mural paints.

It offers an excellent balance between affordability and durability, making it ideal for large walls, community murals, and budget-conscious projects.

Why I use it:

• Strong affordability

• 1-2 Coat Coverage for Yellows & Reds

• Reliable durability

• Good coverage

• Broad color range

• Excellent for large-scale use

Comparable options:

Behr: Premium Plus Exterior

Sherwin Williams: A 100 Exterior Acrylic Latex

Rodda-Miller Acrinamel Exterior

This paint provides stronger enamel style durability, which makes it especially useful for higher traffic environments or surfaces exposed to wear.

Why I use it:

• Stronger finish

• Increased washability

• Smooth application

• Better wear resistance

• Excellent for detail work

Comparable options:

Behr: Urethane Alkyd Enamel

Sherwin Williams: Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel

Rodda-Miller StratusXT Exterior

For projects requiring stronger weather resistance and longevity, this is an excellent option.

Why I use it:

• Superior weather performance

• Excellent UV resistance

• Strong fade resistance

• Long term durability

Comparable options:

Behr: Ultra Exterior

Sherwin Williams: Duration Exterior

Rodda-Miller Evolution Exterior

This is one of my premium systems for higher end murals.

Why I use it:

• Exceptional coverage

• Superior finish

• Strong color retention

• Excellent durability

• Professional level performance

Comparable options:

Behr: Marquee Exterior

Sherwin Williams: Emerald Exterior Acrylic Latex

Rodda-Miller Acri Lite

For budget conscious projects, underpainting, or large base layers, this can be a useful option.

Why I use it:

• Cost effective

• Practical for base coats

• Good for large coverage

• Solid entry level performance

Comparable options:

Behr: Pro e600 Exterior

Sherwin Williams: Property Solution Exterior

Specialty Paints for Bright, Neon, and Highly Saturated Colors

One limitation of many standard exterior systems is achieving extremely bright or neon tones.

This is where Chroma Acrylic Mural Paint becomes an invaluable tool.

Chroma Acrylic Mural Paint

When I need:

• Neon colors

• Highly saturated florals

• Bold branding hues

• Specialty artistic accents

  
  

This is often my preferred system.

Why I use it:

• Strong pigment load

• Vibrant specialty hues

• Excellent saturation

• Artist grade quality

• Great for highlights and accents

Because it is more expensive, I typically use it strategically for:

• Accent colors

• Highlights

• Detail work

Rather than full wall applications.

Choosing the Right Paint for Your Goals

Your best paint system depends on your priorities.

Budget Friendly:

• Rodda-Miller Super Color

• Behr Premium Plus

• Sherwin Williams A 100

Mid Tier:

• Rodda-Miller Acrinamel

• Behr Ultra

• Sherwin Williams Duration

Premium:

• Rodda-Miller Evolution

• Rodda-Miller StratusXT

• Behr Marquee

• Sherwin Williams Emerald

Specialty:

• Chroma Acrylic Mural Paint

Building Your Professional Paint System

As a muralist, your paint system should support:

• Longevity

• Budget

• Surface compatibility

• Inventory efficiency

• Client expectations

• Specialty color needs

The more you understand your materials, the stronger your murals become.

 Great design matters, but the right paint protects a great design for years to come.