Waterproofing paint is a flexible, high-binder acrylic or rubberised coating that seals a surface against rain, damp and condensation, unlike ordinary paint, which only colours and protects a dry wall. The best product depends on the surface: Shield for exterior walls, Fiber Coat for flat roofs, SealFlex for rubberised roof sealing, Damp Proof for interior damp walls, and Megaflex for showers, under-tile and below-ground. This guide matches the right product to each job and links the full how-to for every step.
What waterproofing paint is
Waterproofing paint is a coating engineered to stop liquid water passing through a surface while still letting some water vapour escape. It differs from ordinary wall paint in three measurable ways: a higher binder fraction (more polymer per litre), flexible (elastomeric) polymers that bridge hairline cracks up to about 2 millimetres (mm), and water-repellent additives that shed driving rain. It is applied thicker than ordinary paint, in two coats, to build a continuous membrane.
Which paint is best for waterproofing?
The best waterproofing paint is the one matched to your surface and its water load, not a single product. Use this table as the starting point:
| Surface / problem | Best Rhinoluxe product |
|---|---|
| Exterior plaster walls, parapets | Shield (10-year flexible membrane) |
| Flat / low-pitch concrete roofs | Fiber Coat (fibre-reinforced) |
| Rubberised roof, box gutters, valleys | SealFlex / SealFlex Fibre (overcoat with Premium Roof & Wall) |
| Concrete roof tiles | Roof Tile Primer then Premium Roof & Wall |
| Interior damp / rising-damp walls | Damp Proof |
| Showers, under-tile floors, balconies, basements, foundations | Megaflex cementitious (tank before tiling) |
| Bathroom and kitchen walls | washable UltraLux or High Sheen Enamel |
Does waterproofing paint work?
Yes, waterproofing paint works when it is applied in two coats at the correct thickness over a clean, primed surface. The cured film blocks liquid water and flexes over hairline cracks that split ordinary paint. It seals surfaces but does not cure rising damp from below, bridge structural cracks over about 2 mm, or replace a drainage fix on a roof that ponds water. Most failures trace back to one cause: the surface was dirty, chalky or damp when the coating went on.
Waterproofing paint for roofs, walls, showers and concrete
- Roofs. Flat and low-pitch concrete roofs take Fiber Coat or a rubberised coating; tiled and metal roofs take Premium Roof & Wall over Roof Tile Primer. See the guide to rubber roof paint.
- Walls. Exposed plaster walls take Shield; the top-range washable UltraLux suits premium exterior walls.
- Showers, bathrooms and kitchens. Tank the wet areas — behind shower tiles and under-tile floors — with Megaflex cementitious waterproofing; finish the walls with washable UltraLux or High Sheen Enamel, and the ceiling with Ceiling White.
- Interior damp walls. Rising damp and condensation faces take Damp Proof.
- Concrete and below ground. Retaining walls, basements and water features take Megaflex cementitious waterproofing, which resists water pushing from behind.
How long does waterproofing paint take to cure?
Waterproofing paint is touch-dry in about 1 to 2 hours, ready to recoat in 4 to 6 hours, and fully cured in about 7 days at 23 degrees Celsius (°C). Cold or damp weather lengthens every stage. Do not expose a fresh coating to rain until it has dried between coats, and let the film reach full cure before heavy water contact.
What paint prevents water leaks?
A flexible waterproofing membrane prevents surface leaks by sealing cracks and porous areas, but no paint fixes a structural leak. Shield on walls and Fiber Coat on roofs stop water entering through hairline cracks and porous plaster. A leak caused by ponding water, a failed damp-proof course or a broken drainage detail needs that fault corrected first.
How much you need (coverage)
Coverage depends on the product and surface porosity. As a working rule, budget 1 litre per 3 to 5 square metres (m²) per coat on plaster, and always apply two coats. Rubberised roof coatings build thicker and cover less — about 6 to 8 m² per litre for non-fibre and 3 to 4 m² per litre for fibre grades per coat. Rough or porous surfaces pull more, so prime first.
Prep decides whether it lasts
No waterproof coating bonds to a dirty, chalky or damp surface. Clean off dirt, algae and loose paint, treat mould, repair cracks over about 2 mm with a flexible filler, and prime bare or powdery surfaces. Skipping prep is the most common cause of waterproofing failure and callbacks. The full method is in the guide to preparing exterior walls for waterproofing.
Sizes and price
Rhinoluxe waterproofing coatings come in 5 litre (L) and 20 L, with the 20 L the economical size for a full wall or roof. Prices sit on the product pages and the full price list. Compare on covered area over two coats, not price per pail.
Related guides
- Waterproof paint vs regular paint — when you need which
- Rubber roof paint (liquid rubber) in South Africa
- Epoxy floor paint in South Africa
- How long does waterproof paint last?
- How to prepare exterior walls for waterproofing
Where to buy
Shop the full Waterproofing range with national delivery, or visit our paint shops in Table View, Cape Town and Edenvale, Johannesburg. For trade pricing on 20 L bulk orders, call +27 84 985 6141.
