Distemper paints are appropriate for both the exterior as well as interior walls. It is also known as cement paint and can be directly applied without using a primer. Distemper is a kind of whitewash that appears early in the life cycle. It is easily marked as decorative paint and cannot be wet. It has been used for painting walls and other sorts of house décor since antiquity. Because it is not waterproof, it is often used on interior surfaces.