Paint Additives I Actually Use (Interior & Exterior)

Today I want to talk about paint additives—products you can add directly into paint to improve performance for specific situations. Some are for interior, some are for exterior, and every one I’m talking about today is something I’ve personally used over the years.

 

These all came straight out of my trailer, and you never know when a customer might need one of these options.

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Insecticide Additives (One I Use All the Time)

One additive I use constantly is an insecticide additive.

If you’ve ever painted an exterior, you know the problem:

• Lights attract gnats

• Gnats attract spiders

• Spiders create webs

• A year later, the house looks dirty even though the paint is still new

 

That’s why I’m a big believer in adding an insecticide to exterior paint.

 

I’ve been using Bug Juice for over 20 years. It’s extremely effective and lasts 5 to 7 years in the paint. I know this because I’ve gone back to customers’ homes years later and it’s still working.

 

Sherwin-Williams sells the same product under the name M1. I’ve checked—the chemical makeup is exactly the same.

This additive is an absolute must, in my opinion. We use it on:

• Exterior siding

• Sheds

• Any area where insects are an issue

 

When I was painting four to five houses a week, we were adding this to about 70% of the homes we painted.

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Waterproofing Additive (Okon Paint Booster)

Another product I’ve used is Okon Paint Booster, which is a waterproofing agent you can add directly into paint.

This is especially useful for:

• Stucco

• Hairline cracks

• Areas where water intrusion is causing freeze/thaw damage

 

It helps prevent water from soaking into the surface without degrading the quality of the paint. You simply pour it into the paint and stir it in.

 

I’ve used this on stucco projects in the past, and it works very well.

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Fire Retardant Additive (Flame Guard)

There are also situations where customers want fire resistance.

 

I’ve used Flame Guard, a liquid fire-retardant paint additive that provides Class A fire resistance.

 

Examples where this makes sense:

• Near stove tops

• In commercial kitchens

• Areas near barbecues or open flames

 

If you didn’t know this existed—you can actually make your paint flame resistant by adding this product.

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Paint Scent Additive (Paint Scents / Paint Sensations)

For interior work, there’s also paint scent additives.

 

This doesn’t change the paint performance at all—it just adds a pleasant smell. One example is vanilla bean.

 

It typically lasts 3 to 6 months and is great for:

• Customers sensitive to paint odor

• When customer want a pleasant smell in the room

• Homes with bad odors from pets, fire damage, or mildew orders.

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Mildewcide Additive (M1 Mildewcide)

Another interior additive I’ve used is an advanced mildewcide, such as M1.

 

This is useful in:

• Bathrooms

• Laundry rooms

• Homes with poor ventilation

• Areas with recurring moisture issues

 

Some paints don’t contain enough mildewcide, so in problem areas, I’ll add it directly to the paint for extra protection.

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Why Additives Matter (For Pros)

Every additive I’ve mentioned here is something I’ve used at some point in my career.

 

As a professional painter:

• These were options in my bid packet

• Customers could choose them as upgrades

• They became easy upsells added directly to the price

 

You never know what a customer might need down the road, and having these options sets you apart as a professional—not just someone applying paint.