Below, you’ll find a list of the pros and cons of latex and oil-based paint. It's pretty bad. Oil-based paint works well for exterior doors and metal railings because it creates a durable, strong finish that holds up against the elements. Just as important as this is, equally important you should not paint over latex using oil. Oil-based paint can hold onto wet surfaces (and dry surfaces, for that matter) much better than any other type of paint. A water-based acrylic primer is appropriate for exterior wood surfaces you plan to paint with acrylic paint. It dries more slowly than latex — usually taking 24 hours to cure — and cleans up with turpentine or paint thinner. Oil vs. Latex Paints. No type of paint will work on bare exterior wood. The short answer is that latex paint is best for cabinets. Even exterior oil paint takes forever to … These two questions are extremely important painting over exterior concrete epoxy paint, and wood floors, or wooden decks. If the paint doesn't come off, it's oil-based, and an oil-based primer is a must. I mean certainly, oil-based exterior paint is more durable in terms of wear and tear because it’s harder. Latex for general use around the house, both interior or exterior. If the paint comes off, it's latex and your good to go. Determining, definitively, whether a given paint was oil or latex has always been a bit of a problem, but an important one as you can paint oil over latex, but not latex over oil unless you use a special 'super adherent primer' first. Interior alkyd paints dry to a much harder film than exterior alkyd paints because you need good hardness to stand up well on a working surface like a floor, shelf, table top, window sill, mantle, etc. March 9, 2010 at 8:27 pm Leave a comment. With oil based paints, the primary difference between interior and exterior paints is how hard a film the paint dries to. I was working a screened-in porch this week that had 13 - 8x3 (severely neglected) wood frames for the sceening. But if you have latex on it right now and you want to go back to oil or back to solvent-based paint, you’re going to basically have to sand that to make sure there’s no loose paint left. Alkyd vs Latex Paint. For decades, the professional paint preparation protocol was to prime unpainted wood with oil-based primer and then topcoat it with at least two coats of latex paint. Some of the best latex paints now rival the finish and durability of oil-based paint. It’s easier to apply latex paint to a surface and it dries a lot faster. Oil vs. Latex Paint vs. Stain Effect of Sun Exposure Lumber Quality Application Weather Primer Application Topcoat Application Construction Details View all EXTERIORS articles. A quick look at the data sheet for one major manufacturer’s popular oil-based semi-gloss trim enamel reveals that it contains 380 grams/liter — more than twice the “green” limit. When comparing the durability between alkyd and latex paints, both have excellent adhesion properties. The water based paints are safe to use and they not toxic. This is one of the significant differences between Alkyd and latex paint. Also the oil based paints are considered toxic and they are hazardous. The best way to keep paints and stains on wood siding and trim has been debated since manufactured house paint was first introduced in the late 1800s. An oil-based paint goes on smoother than a water-based paint and covers the wood more thoroughly in a single coat than latex. Alkyd is oil-based paint and latex is water based. The average homeowner cannot tell if the existing coating on the trim of their homes, as well as the walls and ceilings in their kitchens/bathrooms is an oil or latex coating just by looking or touching it. If' it's oil, make sure to chooe a 100% ACRYLIC LATEX paint. Interior and exterior paint comes in many different formulations, but can be broken down into two basic categories: oil-based (or alkyd) and latex (or water-based, or acrylic) paint. Feature/Benefits: Naturally breathable and expands and contracts with house siding, making it very durable. Pros of Oil-Based Paint. Also called latex paint or acrylic paint. I used to recommend taking a bit of paint thinner on a clean contrasting colour cloth and wiping hard. If paint comes off, it's latex and another coat of the same is in order. This was a time when calling a product “enamel paint” was a powerful marketing move. March 9, 2010 at 3:57 am Leave a comment. Oil vs. Latex – Intercoat Adhesion Problems. Paint primer. Odor and risk difference. Enamel at that time was known as vitreous shell surface of porcelain and ceramic tiles which were impermeable, sanitary and very tough. Latex is cheaper than acrylic paint. paint is either solvent-thinned or water thinned. Choose a compatible paint depending on the base of the finish coat. 3. Another property of latex is that allows moisture to penetrate (Breaths) much more so than oil .The breath-ability of latex may help prevent paint from pealing when the moisture is drawn out through the siding by the difference in interior and exterior air conditions. TOM: Well, Either works. If it properly dries, consider yourself lucky. However, there are some circumstances where you still might want to opt for an oil-based paint on outdoor surfaces. As it’s water-based, it’s easy to apply, dries quickly, and it doesn’t make as much of a mess. painting to preserve, protect, and beautify exterior wood The case for 100% acrylic latex vs. alkyd oil-based coating systems In order to fully protect wood for an extended period of time with minimal maintenance, a paint system, i.e., primer and finish, must offer the following features. Latex paint is easier to clean up with just soap and water. Being of the latex generation, (and living in NY, where the only oil-based products are alkyd primers), I have only been using oil-based products to prime metal, cover stains, or to ready oil trim work for latex. Latex Quality interior latex paint provides … If any colour comes off, it is oil based paint. Oil-based paint consists of a base of petroleum distillates, which come from crude oil, plus pigments, binders and other components, and does not dissolve in water. Painting with oil paint vs latex paint When doing interior painting or exterior painting keep in mind of the base rather its oil or latex paint. Oil-based stains traditionally been used for exterior elements, but they are messier and smellier than latex-based stains. The oil based paint will also take longer to dry than the water based latex paints do. Summary: 1.When you are looking at painting doors, trim and high traffic areas you need to use oil based paints. Latex-Based Exterior House Paint Pros of Latex-Based House Paint: Resistant to direct sunlight: Unlike oil-based paint that oxidizes in the sun, latex-based paint retains its color after years of exposure to direct sunlight. Many homeowners seem to be convinced that oil (also known as alkyd) paints are better than latex (also known as water-based or water borne) paints, to the point where they often insist that their contractor use an oil based paint. Latex vs. Oil Paint: Which Should I Use? The origin of enamel paint was in the 1800s when the paints were less reliable and whitewash paints were known to smudge off. Latex water-based paint is the clear rival in the market, so let’s compare water-based latex paint vs. enamel or oil-based paint. It is easier to apply than oil-based paint, and is usually the best paint for large jobs. Expert opinion: Latex paint is used for most exterior applications The nice thing about this paint is that it’s much easier to work with than oil-based paint. Oil-based enamel paint is known for its annoyingly strong odor. It’s also resistant to … Oil paint makes a case for itself with its reputation for easy application and a long-lasting finish that can be scrubbed and cleaned regularly, but latex paint is the best choice for most cabinets since it offers lower levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and is quicker to dry. Won’t trap moisture. It’s also significantly more toxic than water-based latex paint. Differences Exterior Painting: Oil Vs Latex Paint There are certain differences between oil and latex paint, as you might know some people prefer oil-based paint while others prefer latex-based paint, the truth is that they both work but some people have different preferences than others. Oil-based exterior paint. Latex paints have also improved dramatically in recent years. California has some of the strictest air quality laws in the country and has already banned used of oil … Like interior paints, exterior paints come in […] Whether you choose an oil- or water-based paint, you must prime the wood to promote adequate, long-term adhesion. Latex doesn't smell nearly as much, and as the article said, it dries a lot quicker. Plus, oil-based paints *stink*! One of the questions our experts at Franklin Painting often hear is: Which paint should I use – latex or oil? When staining any exterior wood element such as a fence, deck, siding, or garden bridge, you can choose between either an oil-based or latex-based stain. All you have to do is go to a paint store and watch what kind of paints people are buying to know how popular water-based, latex paints are. Not so good on bare metal and shiny surfaces. Latex paint is a great choice for walls and ceilings. Oil paint vs latex for exterior Advances in paint technology have resulted in lots of great latex paints that are durable enough for exterior use. Although you can find latex paints for both exterior and interior use, alkyd paints are generally sold only for exterior use, and many states, led by California, prohibit the use of these oil-based paints indoors.Oil-based paints off-gas significant levels of VOCs for several days after application, and off-gassing can continue for years. Acrylic adheres well to most surfaces, including oil paints and will give you smooth, long-lasting results. Easier to work with: Latex-based paint is … Oil-based paint dries to a smooth, hard surface that stands up well to the elements. Painting an oil-based paint over a latex, look out! All paint is made of the same basic ingredients: solvent, resin, additives, and pigments. Here’s when and why you should consider using oil based paint vs latex based paints: There are many advantages to using oil based paint vs latex paint, including but not limited to: • Oil-based dries much slower, and as a result it provides a smoother and sometimes glossier finish paint. Water-based exterior paint. Latex-Based Paint. Less likely than oil-based paint … As we said earlier, this is an advantage if your painting a small area like a bedroom or bathroom. Let’s explore this topic. I've seen people use everything from gasoline to turpentine to get oil paint out of clothing, or from a floor surface. 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