Oil Vs. Latex Paint

Oil Vs. Latex Paint

When you’re planning a painting project, there are many variables to consider.  What colour palette will you select?  How will you prepare your household?  And when will the work be completed?  

 

Then there are the materials themselves.  You’ll need brushes, rollers, trays, tape, and drop cloths.  And, in all the excitement, don’t forget about the paint!  

 

Selecting the right kind of paint is crucial for the outcome of your project.  But how do you know which paint is the right choice?  You may have heard descriptors associated with paint, such as acrylic, water-based, latex, oil-based, and more.  But now that you’ve got to make a decisive purchase, you’re not sure exactly what’s what.

 

Below, we’ll give you the lowdown on how to choose the best type of paint for your project and put that pop of colour right where it’s needed in no time.  

 

The Components of Paint

All paints are composed of pigment, a binder, and a vehicle.  While the pigment constitutes the paint’s colour, the binder is what determines its performance—including adhesion, washability, sheen, and fade resistance.  The vehicle is the solvent that allows the paint to be moved from the can to a surface.  

 

The binder in oil paint is composed of various oil derivatives, and the vehicle is a chemical paint thinner.  

 

In latex paint, the binder is made from acrylic material (which is why latex paint is sometimes referred to as acrylic paint), and the vehicle is water (hence the moniker water-based paint).  

 

Latex Paint

Latex paint is more standard for home painting projects than oil paint.  It offers excellent long-term flexibility, doesn’t yellow with age, and can easily be painted on top of a latex coat.  In addition, latex paint has a low odour (less toxic fumes than oil paint), is non-combustible, dries quickly, and can be cleaned up with just water.  

 

Overall, latex paint is a great choice for most projects.  That being said, it isn’t ideal for painting metal or woodwork and can only be brushed for a relatively short period of time before setting (known as open-time).  

 

Oil Paint

Oil paint is less standard for home painting projects than latex paint, but it does offer certain advantages.  Moisture-resistant and durable, it’s a great choice for woodwork and metal surfaces.  In addition, oil paint provides greater flow and levelling due to its longer open time and has a superior finish to latex paint.  

 

That being said, oil paint takes a long time to dry, yellows with age, and requires solvent cleanup.  Probably the biggest strike against it is its strong, toxic odour.  If you do opt to use oil paint for your project, be sure to take proper precautions and ensure adequate ventilation.  

 

Pinnacle Painting Winnipeg

No matter what type of paint you choose, Pinnacle Painting is ready to answer your questions and support you along the way.  If you’re seeking a knowledgeable Winnipeg painter with years of experience and an outstanding reputation for customer service, look no further than Pinnacle.  Call us today to get a jumpstart on your next painting project!