The best wall paint depends on the wall: an interior acrylic PVA or a premium washable acrylic for inside walls, a weather-resistant exterior acrylic outside, and a dedicated white ceiling paint for ceilings. Rhinoluxe makes Classic Acrylic PVA for everyday interior and exterior walls, UltraLux as the premium washable, UV-stable option, and Classic Ceiling White for ceilings. This guide explains which wall paint to use where, how much you need, and how to get a professional finish.
What type of paint is best on walls?
For most interior and exterior walls the best paint is a good-quality acrylic (PVA) wall paint, stepping up to a premium washable acrylic in high-traffic and wet areas. Acrylic wall paint breathes, covers well and holds its colour, which is why it is the standard for plastered brick walls in South African homes. Classic Acrylic PVA is the dependable everyday choice for lounges, bedrooms and general walls, while UltraLux steps up to a tougher, washable, UV-stable film for passages, kitchens and exterior walls that take more wear and weather.
Which wall paint should you use?
Match the paint to the wall: entry-level PVA for general interior walls, premium washable acrylic for high-traffic and wet rooms, a weather-resistant acrylic outside, and ceiling paint on ceilings. Use this table:
| Surface / room | Best paint | Why |
|---|---|---|
| General interior walls (bedrooms, lounge) | Classic Acrylic PVA | Entry-level, matt or low sheen, good coverage |
| High-traffic / washable interior (passages, kids' rooms) | UltraLux | Premium, washable, long lasting |
| Bathrooms & kitchens (splash zones) | UltraLux or High Sheen Enamel | Washable, moisture-resistant |
| Ceilings | Classic Ceiling White | White matt, hides roller marks, high coverage |
| Exterior walls (decorative) | UltraLux or Premium Roof & Wall | UV stable, weather resistant |
| Exterior walls (coastal / waterproof) | Shield | Waterproofing + decorative |
Interior wall paint: PVA or premium?
Use entry-level acrylic PVA for general interior walls, and a premium washable acrylic where walls get touched, cleaned or knocked. Classic Acrylic PVA gives a clean matt or low-sheen finish at the best price for bedrooms, lounges and ceilings-adjacent walls. UltraLux is the upgrade: a washable, hard-wearing, UV-stable acrylic that wipes clean and keeps its colour for years, which pays off in passages, children's rooms, kitchens and any wall that sees daily life. The full comparison is in our interior paint guide.
What paint should you use in a bathroom or kitchen?
Bathrooms and kitchens need a washable, moisture-resistant paint: a premium acrylic like UltraLux on the walls, or a water-based High Sheen Enamel on high-splash surfaces. These rooms get steam, splashes and frequent wiping, so an ordinary matt PVA marks and can grow mould in the wettest spots. UltraLux gives a washable, durable wall finish, and High Sheen Enamel adds an even tougher, wipeable coat around basins, splashbacks and trim. For the wet zone in and around a shower, a cementitious waterproofer rather than paint is the durable answer. See the bathroom & kitchen paint guide.
What paint is best for a ceiling?
Ceilings take a dedicated white ceiling paint, which is a high-coverage matt that hides roller marks and resists spatter. A flat white ceiling paint like Classic Ceiling White is formulated to go on evenly overhead and dry to a uniform, streak-free matt, unlike a sheen wall paint that shows every lap mark on a ceiling. Keep wall paint on the walls and ceiling paint on the ceiling. Our full guide covers the best ceiling paint for a streak-free finish.
Matt, low sheen or satin: which finish?
Choose the finish by the room: matt for ceilings and low-traffic walls, low sheen or satin for walls you need to wipe, and an enamel sheen for the highest-wear surfaces. Matt hides wall imperfections and gives a soft, modern look but is less scrubbable. A low sheen or satin wipes clean more easily and suits kitchens, passages and children's rooms. UltraLux comes in matt or low sheen so you can match the finish to the room. The full breakdown is in the guide to choosing the right finish for every room.
Exterior wall paint
Exterior walls need a UV-stable, weather-resistant paint, and coastal walls benefit from a waterproofing coat. For decorative exterior walls, UltraLux or Premium Roof & Wall gives a long-lasting, colour-fast finish that copes with sun and rain. In coastal areas or where damp pushes through, Shield adds waterproofing to the decorative coat. See the guide to protecting exterior walls from sun and moisture.
How much paint do you need?
As a rough guide, 1 litre of wall paint covers about 6 to 8 square metres (m²) per coat, so a 20 litre (L) tin covers roughly 120 to 160 m² per coat. Coverage depends on the surface — rough or unpainted plaster drinks more paint than a smooth, previously painted wall. Measure the wall area (length × height), subtract large openings, and plan for two coats. New or strongly coloured walls may need a primer or an extra coat. For a worked example on ceilings, see ceiling paint coverage explained.
How do you paint a wall for a professional finish?
Prepare and prime the wall, cut in the edges with a brush, then roll the wall in sections with a wet edge, applying two thin, even coats. Start by cleaning, filling and priming, then "cut in" a neat band with a brush along the ceiling line, corners and skirtings. Roll the main wall in overlapping strokes — a common approach is a large "W" or "M" pattern that you then fill in — while the cut-in is still wet, so the two blend without a visible join. Keep the roller evenly loaded, do not press too hard, and finish each wall before it starts to dry. Let the first coat dry to the recoat time on the tin, then apply the second. Working wall by wall, rather than patch by patch, is what gives an even, professional finish.
How many coats of wall paint do you need?
Two coats is standard for wall paint, over a primed or previously painted surface. One coat rarely covers evenly, especially over a colour change, a repair or fresh plaster. Prime bare or patchy walls first, then apply two even coats, letting each dry to the recoat time on the tin. A strong colour change or a dark-over-light job may need a third coat. Thin, even coats give a more uniform finish than one heavy coat.
How do you prepare walls for painting?
Prepare by cleaning the wall, filling cracks and holes, sanding smooth, and priming bare or patchy areas before painting. Wash off dust, grease and any loose or flaking paint; fill cracks and nail holes and sand them flush; and prime new plaster or bare patches so the topcoat goes on evenly. New plaster in particular needs an alkali-resistant plaster primer first. Good preparation is what separates a finish that lasts from one that peels or flashes. See our plaster primer guide.
Wall paint colours
Wall paint comes in the full colour range, from bright whites and warm neutrals to deep feature-wall shades. Whites and soft neutrals keep rooms feeling light and are the safe choice for resale; a single deep feature wall adds depth without committing a whole room. Test a sample patch and view it in both daylight and evening light before committing, because colour shifts with the light. Our colour guides cover colours for small rooms and how colour affects mood.
Sizes and cost
Rhinoluxe wall paints come in 5 litre (L) and 20 L, with 20 L the most economical for a full room or house. Compare paints on covered area over two coats rather than the tin price — a higher-coverage premium paint can work out similar per square metre while lasting longer. For current pricing, see each product page or the full price list.
Where to buy wall paint in South Africa
Shop Classic Acrylic PVA, UltraLux and Classic Ceiling White with national delivery, or visit our paint shops in Table View, Cape Town and Edenvale, Johannesburg. For trade pricing and colour advice, call +27 84 985 6141.
