What is a Low/Zero-VOC paint?

A low-VOC paint is a type of paint that contains low levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

VOCs are chemicals that easily evaporate into the air as paint dries. Traditional paints release a lot of them—that’s what causes the strong paint smell and can lead to headaches, dizziness, eye irritation, or long-term health issues.

What makes low-VOC paint different?

Fewer toxic fumes during and after painting
Better indoor air quality
Safer for homes, schools, hospitals, and enclosed spaces
More eco-friendly

How low is “low”?

It depends on regulations, but typically:

Low-VOC: under ~50 g/L (grams per liter)
Zero-VOC: under ~5 g/L (and may still have trace VOCs from pigments)

So, Why Low/Zero VOC paints can be a problem when wrapping walls?

Low-VOC paint can cause vinyl adhesive to fail because its chemistry and curing behavior are different from traditional paints. Low-VOC paints often dry fast but cure slowly.
Vinyl adhesives need a stable, fully cured surface to bond. If the paint is still outgassing or soft beneath the surface, the adhesive can’t properly “grab” and may lift, reason why Low/Zero VOC paints require longer curing times than regular VOC paints.
2. To replace solvents, low-VOC paints use more surfactants (soap-like additives that help pigments spread). These can rise to the surface as the paint cures, creating a microscopic slick layer that repels adhesive, similar to trying to stick tape to soap residue.
Additives designed to repel stains also repel glue

Many modern low-VOC paints include:

stain blockers
scrub-resistant additives
anti-blocking agents
Hydrophobic agents

Great for walls. Terrible for vinyl adhesion.