A question I hear frequently from muralists is whether standard house paint can be used on polytab mural cloth. The good news is that the answer is absolutely yes. In fact, for many years I’ve relied on quality interior/exterior paints like Behr Premium Plus for the majority of my mural projects.
One of the biggest advantages of using house paint on polytab is its affordability and accessibility. Compared to artist-grade paints, house paint is often less expensive, available in larger quantities, and can be tinted to virtually any color. It’s also designed to be durable, making it a practical choice for murals of all sizes. Personally, Behr has been my go-to paint on roughly 90% of the murals I’ve created.
For the best results, I recommend applying a light coat of primer before painting. Products such as Kilz 2, Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3, or acrylic gesso all work well. Priming helps seal the surface of the polytab, reducing the amount of paint that passes through the fabric while creating a more consistent painting surface. This allows your colors to remain vibrant and helps improve overall coverage.
Fortunately, polytab takes primer very well. A thin, even application is typically enough to prepare the material without adding unnecessary weight or stiffness. Once primed, house paints like Behr adhere exceptionally well and provide excellent coverage for mural work.
If you’re searching for an economical and reliable mural-making process, combining lightly primed polytab with quality acrylic-latex house paint is a proven method that countless muralists continue to use with great success.