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INTERIOR PAINTING - LATEX VS. OIL?
So off you go to buy some paint. Whatcha going to buy? Well the two
basic kinds to pick from are latex and oil-based. Oil is also called
alkyd, and latex is also called water-based. Which is best? Well, that
depends...
Latex, in the not-too-distant-past, was regarded as little more
than cheap whitewash. Not so today. The people who make the stuff have
figured out how to put all kinds of wonderful ingredients in a water-based
product to make it very good paint. Stuff such as acrylic - If you don't
think acrylic is tough, just try to break a sheet of acrylic plexiglass.
Generally speaking, the best latex paints are what is called 100% acrylic.
This stuff is not cheap! If cheap is what you want, then you must take
another route.
Oil based paint is still used often enough and it has some
advantages over latex - even the acrylics. Generally the biggest asset is
that a good quality oil paint is still a little more durable than a good
quality latex. But I say a little - not a lot! As mentioned above, the
acrylics are very durable, though good oil paints still maintain an edge
of durability over an expensive latex. And if you are on a limited budget,
and insist on using the cheapest paint you can get your hands on - use oil
paint. Cheap latex is still pretty awful paint. Not that cheap oil is ever
going to pass as good paint - but it is still better than cheap latex.
Other things to consider are odor and drying time. Oil smells bad
and takes forever to dry. Latex still has an odor, but much much less -
and it is dry in 3/4 hour. So, if you need 2 coats with oil you can't do
the second coat until the next day. Also if you paint your walls in one
color with oil, and you want to do the trim in another color, also in oil
- it creates drying time problems. Can't paint the trim till the walls are
dry - unless you are very very careful. Then, with two coats and two
colors your job could turn into a four day project easily. But not with
latex.
With latex, you just keep on painting because it dries so fast. You
should give it 4 or 5 hours between coats, but in a pinch you can cheat
and put the 2nd coat on sooner.
There are some exceptions of course! Many latex paints cannot be
applied over existing oil based finishes. Oil based paints can be applied
over either - no problem. Cheaper latex simply does not adhere properly to
a surface previously painted with oil. But acrylic does! Acrylic sticks to
almost anything. Lightly sanding glossy surfaces helps a lot too.
One more thing about odor: Oil paint is basically toxic. Not
healthy at all. Inhaling oil paint fumes will get you high. And they are
not good for infants or animals. Especially birds. Pet birds have been
known to die when exposed to oil fumes. Latex may bother someone with
severe allergies, but in general is tolerable to almost everyone.
SO...
Summary: Whatcha going to buy? I recommend acrylic latex. It's a
more expensive line of paint, but it's easier to use, very durable and
your budgie won't drop dead. In normal residential painting there really
is no need for the slight edge of durability that good oil paint offers.
And I never recommend buying cheap paint. Top of the line is the way to
go. It's going to give you a longer life between paint jobs and less
trouble all around. Whether you do it yourself or hire a contractor, I
recommend top of the line paint. There are always special circumstances
where my advice may vary. If in doubt, email me.
info@rollingtones.com
Please put “Free Advice” in the
subject line. |
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