Has anyone ever used 'Falu Red' paint on wood for an indoor piece?

Cori Widen
by Cori Widen
We have a wooden cabinet that I'd love to paint with Falu red paint (it's that signature paint that they use in Scandinavian countries to paint traditional houses - the photo here is of my in-laws' house in Sweden - this paint exactly). I know that it's commonly used outdoors and I'm wondering if there is any reason that I shouldn't use it to paint an indoor cabinet and also, if anyone has any special advice in terms of technique. Thanks!
  11 answers
  • Thelma Travis Thelma Travis on Oct 18, 2016
    I would get some pain swatches and compare them to this pic.....also, if still now sure most building supplies stores now sell a small jar of any color.
  • Coi1083681 Coi1083681 on Oct 18, 2016
    if it is water base paint no prob.but don't forget it will look darker inside, on shade darker.i have painted with outdoor paint indoors it is more resistant. go for it.julie.
  • CK CK on Oct 18, 2016
    I see no reason why you couldn't use it indoors. However if you cannot get the "real deal" paint from Sweden, get a latex paint in a flat sheen color matched to this red, from any paint company of your choice. http://falurodfarg.com/eng/the-original/
  • William William on Oct 18, 2016
    I just checked the MSDS on it. I would not use it indoors. It contains Lanarkite which is a lead sulfate along with other minerals. ***** http://falurodfarg.com/eng/wp-content/uploads...
  • Deanna Nassar Deanna Nassar on Oct 18, 2016
    If not sure read label and ask sales person. BTW better to ask paint store rather than Wal-Mart.
  • Pamela J. Ludington-Rice Pamela J. Ludington-Rice on Oct 19, 2016
    Almost all outdoor paint can be used indoor with no problems. But indoor paint will not hold up used outdoors and exposed to weather conditions. I used an outdoor stain in a turquoise to stain a stripped cedar wardrobe...came out great. Course it has now been painted twice with no problems and I used regular wall paint on it both times. I usually go with a satin finish...not too flat and not too shiny, just right. Hope this helps. However since William check, I'm wondering if you could still use but seal with a polyurethane...even a satin poly?
  • 9530106 9530106 on Oct 19, 2016
    After reading the MDS, I would not use it indoors. I just don't think it would be worth the risk. As some have said, I would find a suitable substitute. :)
  • Cori Widen Cori Widen on Oct 20, 2016
    Thanks everyone for the advice! I think that we will just look for a good substitute.
  • Mary Mary on Oct 21, 2016
    Take a sample of the paint to your local paint store and they can match it with their computer and create it in a safe indoor paint.
  • Goedele@DalaMuses Goedele@DalaMuses on May 12, 2017

    Hi! I was wondering what you decided eventually? I live in a Falu Red house, but I have never seen Swedes use it indoors.

    • Cori Widen Cori Widen on May 14, 2017

      Hi there! In the end, I decided not to do it because of toxicity concerns. If you look above, some people looked it up for me and it looked like it wasn't such a good idea... where in Sweden are you? The house above is my in-laws house - they live outside of Alvesta :)

  • Goedele@DalaMuses Goedele@DalaMuses on May 14, 2017

    I'm in Ludvika, not far from Avesta :).