Best Paints

Coral Interior Paints: VOC and Odor by Product Line

2026-08-26T00:00:00+00:00

Low VOC (volatile organic compounds) and “low odor” as perceived by the person in the room are two different measurements: one is a physical-chemical value in g/L, the other comes from a sensory-perception study with real consumers. A paint can have a numerically low VOC value and still carry a noticeable smell right after application, depending on ventilation during drying.

Declared VOC by product

Product	Declared VOC (g/L)	Odor-perception study
Coral Super Lavável (washable acrylic, eggshell)	3.0 to 6.5	85.5% of consumers rated odor as weak/absent after 3 hours (Perception Institute, report #16-058835-03/04-08-16)
Coral Decora Matte Extra Fosco (matte acrylic)	12.6 to 17.5	81.1% of consumers rated odor as weak/absent after 3 hours (Perception Institute, report 19-076789-28-08-19)
Coral Proteção Sol & Chuva Fundo Impermeabilizante (waterproofing primer)	14.6	Not disclosed
Coral Proteção Sol & Chuva Pintura Impermeabilizante (waterproof exterior paint)	1.5 to 24.0	Not disclosed

VOC refers to materials that evaporate under normal temperature and pressure, present in small quantities in the solvents used in water-based paints. These compounds react with nitrogen oxides in the air and sunlight, forming compounds that can cause irritation and health risks.

Why low VOC does not guarantee zero odor

Odor in water-based paint usually comes from resin, coalescents and additives, not only from the solvent fraction measured as VOC. That is why Decora Matte, with a higher VOC range than Super Lavável (12.6-17.5 g/L versus 3.0-6.5 g/L), still scored a close odor-approval rate in its own perception study (81.1% versus 85.5%). The full formulation, not VOC alone, drives the sensory result. Both studies evaluated odor up to 3 hours after application, in a ventilated room, a condition that depends on the room actually being ventilated during drying.

How to paint an occupied home

Ensure real ventilation during drying, the condition used in both perception studies cited above.
Respect the between-coats drying interval: applying a second coat before the indicated time extends exposure to fresh-paint smell.
Avoid rainy days or relative humidity above 85%, conditions that also affect drying time.
Prioritize rooms by planned reoccupation time: paint the rooms that will stay closed longest first.

VOC technical summary

Product	VOC (g/L)	Solids by volume	Full cure
Coral Decora Matte Extra Fosco	12.6 to 17.5	29% to 39%	4 hours
Coral Super Lavável	3.0 to 6.5	43% to 51%	4 hours
Coral Proteção Sol & Chuva Fundo Impermeabilizante	14.6	32.31% to 36.31%	24 hours
Coral Proteção Sol & Chuva Pintura Impermeabilizante	1.5 to 24.0	41% to 47%	24 hours

FAQ

Does low-VOC paint guarantee an odor-free room?

Not necessarily. VOC is a physical-chemical measurement; perceived odor also depends on other formulation components and on ventilation conditions during drying.

Can I sleep in a room the same day it was painted?

Final drying time ranges from 4 hours (Decora Matte and Super Lavável) to 24 hours (Proteção Sol & Chuva line), while the “low odor” criterion evaluated in the perception studies is up to 3 hours with a ventilated room. Both are worth weighing before reoccupying the room.

What does VOC mean on a paint label?

VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds: materials that evaporate under normal temperature and pressure, present in small quantities in the solvents used in water-based paints.

Do all Coral lines disclose VOC?

The four lines covered in this comparison (Decora Matte, Super Lavável, Fundo Impermeabilizante and Pintura Impermeabilizante) all list a VOC value in g/L under technical information.

Which Coral line has the lowest VOC?

Super Lavável, with VOC of 3.0 to 6.5 g/L, the lowest among the four lines.

Why does the waterproofing line have higher VOC than the decorative lines?

The exterior-protection formulation (Fundo and Pintura Impermeabilizante) has a wider VOC range, linked to its barrier function and weather resistance, different from the interior decorative formulation.

Which Coral products had a published odor-perception study?

Two Perception Institute studies evaluated Decora Matte (report 19-076789-28-08-19) and Super Lavável (report #16-058835-03/04-08-16), both using a 3-hour, ventilated-room methodology.

Coral Proteção Sol & Chuva: Waterproof Paint for Exterior Walls

2026-08-26T00:00:00+00:00

Coral Proteção Sol & Chuva Pintura Impermeabilizante forms a flexible rubberized film that prevents and fights infiltration from outside in, cracks, algae and mold on exterior walls of houses, buildings and fences. More than 2,000 colors are available in the Coral color range.

Technical data

Classified under Brazil’s ABNT NBR 11702 standard (09/2019), type 4.5.16. Composition: modified acrylic resin, active and inert pigments, coalescents, thickeners, microbicides, other additives and water. Developed for protection and decoration of exterior surfaces.

Solids by volume 41% to 47%; solids by weight 48% to 58%; viscosity 85 to 120 KU; specific gravity 1.200 to 1.350 g/cm³; VOC 1.5 to 24.0 g/L; flash point above 100°C.

Application

Coverage up to 85 m² per 18 L container (75 m² for 16 L, 17 m² for 3.6 L, 15 m² for 3.2 L), 3 coats as reference, 10% dilution, applied with a low-nap roller, spray gun, brush or trim brush. Touch-dry in 30 minutes, between coats in 4 hours, full cure in 24 hours.

Treating cracks before painting

The treatment depends on the type of opening in the wall:

Hairline crack (shallow, discontinuous opening in the render, up to 0.2 mm wide): clean and brush the surface, removing dust and loose material with a damp cloth, and apply a wall primer before the finish coat.

Structural crack (continuous opening in the render, caused by structural movement, above 0.2 mm wide): open the crack in a V-groove, clean and brush the surface removing dust and loose material, apply a wall primer, fill the crack with a mix of 1 part Coral Proteção Sol & Chuva Pintura Impermeabilizante to 2-3 parts sand, apply one coat of the product over polyester mesh, and finish with a minimum of 3 coats of the product.

General surface preparation

Freshly applied texture with active water-repellent effect: 2 coats of wall primer before painting.
New render: wait 30 days to cure; if not possible, apply a wall primer instead.
Wall with mold: wash with water and bleach in equal parts, wait 6 hours, rinse thoroughly and let dry completely.
Wall with moisture: fix the moisture source before starting to paint.
Do not apply on rainy days, at temperatures below 10°C or above 40°C, or when relative humidity is above 85%.

Technical specification

Field	Specification
Line	Coral Proteção Sol & Chuva Pintura Impermeabilizante
Classification	ABNT NBR 11702 (09/2019), type 4.5.16
Declared function	Prevents and fights infiltration, cracks, algae and mold
VOC	1.5 to 24.0 g/L
Solids by volume	41% to 47%
Coats	3
Touch-dry	30 minutes
Full cure	24 hours
Coverage	Up to 85 m² per 18 L
Colors	More than 2,000 in the Coral color range

FAQ

Does a small crack need the same treatment as a large one?

No. Shallow, discontinuous cracks up to 0.2 mm take a wall primer directly. Structural cracks above 0.2 mm require V-groove opening, filling with a product-and-sand mix, and polyester mesh reinforcement.

Does waterproof paint fix infiltration without addressing the cause?

The waterproof film protects the surface against new water entry, but the moisture source (leak, clogged gutter, untreated structural crack) needs to be fixed for the protection to hold.

How many coats does a repaired crack need?

A minimum of 3 finish coats over the area already filled and mesh-reinforced, in addition to the primer coat(s) applied before filling.

Does this paint protect against algae and mold too?

Yes. The same film prevents and fights infiltration, cracks, algae and mold.

What is the sand ratio for filling a structural crack?

1 part Coral Proteção Sol & Chuva Pintura Impermeabilizante to 2-3 parts sand, applied over polyester mesh.

What is the coverage of an 18 L container?

Up to 85 m², which can vary depending on surface type and color.

Can I apply it over freshly textured walls?

If the texture still shows an active water-repellent effect, apply 2 coats of wall primer first.

How many colors are available for this line?

More than 2,000 colors in the Coral color range.

Coral Super Lavável: Washable, Stain-Resistant Interior Wall Paint

2026-08-26T00:00:00+00:00

Coral Super Lavável is a high-performance acrylic paint for interior walls. Built on Ultra Resist Technology, it is twice as resistant to cleaning, repels liquids and is low odor. The formulation was developed specifically to deliver cleaning performance against stains from chocolate, ketchup, coffee, soda, juice, pencil, marker, colored pencil and lipstick.

Characteristics

Twice as cleaning-resistant, compared to item 4.5.1 of the ABNT NBR 11702 standard (premium matte finish)
Repels liquids (the effect is lower on intense colors and needs more cure time; hot liquids also reduce the effect)
Easy to clean
Low odor within 3 hours after application, in a ventilated room

Classified under Brazil’s ABNT NBR 11702 standard, item 4.5.12, defined as washable paint. Eggshell finish, an intermediate sheen between matte and satin that helps disguise wall imperfections. Developed for interior use.

Technical data

Composition: modified acrylic resin, active and inert pigments, surfactants, coalescents, thickeners, microbicides, other additives and water. Solids by volume 43% to 51%; solids by weight 55% to 60%; viscosity 90 to 115 KU; specific gravity 1.240 to 1.410 g/cm³; VOC 3.0 to 6.5 g/L; flash point above 100°C.

A Perception Institute study (report #16-058835-03/04-08-16) found that 85.5% of consumers rated odor intensity as weak or absent.

Application

Coverage up to 110 m² per 18 L container (98 m² for 16 L, 22 m² for 3.6 L, 19.6 m² for 3.2 L, 5.5 m² for 900 ml, 4.9 m² for 800 ml). Dilution up to 20% (5 parts paint to 1 part water). 2 to 3 coats, touch-dry in 30 minutes, full cure in 4 hours. Available in ready-mix colors, including white (3.6 L and 18 L), and 2,049 tintometric-system colors.

Surface preparation

Same procedure recommended for other interior acrylic paints: sand and remove dust with a damp cloth on already-painted surfaces; apply a wall primer over plaster, concrete or cement block; on new render, wait 30 days and apply an acrylic sealer, or use a wall primer if waiting is not possible; fix small imperfections with filler before painting.

Technical specification

Field	Specification
Line	Coral Super Lavável
Classification	ABNT NBR 11702, item 4.5.12 (washable paint)
Finish	Eggshell
Solids by volume	43% to 51%
VOC	3.0 to 6.5 g/L
Dilution	Up to 20% (5 parts paint to 1 part water)
Coats	2 to 3
Touch-dry	30 minutes
Full cure	4 hours
Coverage	Up to 110 m² per 18 L
Packaging	Ready-mix, including white (3.6 L and 18 L); tintometric system (800 ml, 3.2 L, 16 L)