Take a walk down any home improvement stores paint isle, and you will be inundated with a display that has just about every possible color, and isles full of different types, brands, colors, and styles of paint. But how do you choose the correct paint to use for your home? The difference in how the paints are made plays a part in the types of applications that the paint is used in. While color doesn’t have anything to do with paint (other than being the reason you purchase it), what the paint is made up of does. There are 3 main types of paint on the market, oil, acrylic, and latex based paints. Each paint type has its advantages and drawbacks. Knowing the difference between them can help you make a better decision of what type of paint to purchase. Remember, the hardest part of painting should be picking out the color you want to use.
- Oil Paints. Oil paints are pretty self explanatory, and are oil based. Also known as Alkyd paints, oil based paints can actually be toxic, and has strong fumes (if not properly ventilated). Oil paints, in general, dry slower than other types of paints, but they happen to blend better. This gives oil paints an advantage if you’re painting a large area, or if painting multiple colors onto a wall. Oil base paints are also some of the most difficult to get out, in the event of a spill. If you choose to use oil based paints, make sure to open some windows, and turn on a fan to help circulate air. This type of paint usually comes in a gallon size can.
- Acrylic Paint. Acrylic paints are among the most popular type of paints on the market. Water based, they are also the easiest to clean. Unfortunately, this type of paint dries quickly, making large areas more difficult to paint. Acrylic paints and oil paints will not mix, and acrylic paint might not even adhere to a wall if it was previously painted with oil based paints. Acrylic paints also do not blend well. If you are working with a large section, or attempting to blend colors, make sure to keep a water squirt bottle at hand, and squirt the walls to help keep the paint wet for best results. If you are going to make a glaze with acrylic paints, then make sure to choose a water based glaze, as an oil glaze will not mix. This type of paint usually comes in a gallon size can.
- Latex Paint. Latex paint is water based, but differs from acrylic. Latex paint is also easy to clean. It is a very versatile paint, since it can be used both inside and outside of the home. There are two different types of latex paint, interior and exterior. Latex paint is usually purchased in larger quantities than the other types of paint (latex paint generally comes in 5 gallon buckets, versus 1 gallon pails for the other types), although can be found in 1 gallon sizes. This makes latex paint excellent for painting large areas. Latex paint can also be used to help with lead paint abatement. Latex paints will adequately cover and seal the lead based paint so that contamination isn’t possible. Latex paints do not blend well, and dries quickly. This could lead to imperfections in the paint job that could cause latex paint to peel. Humidity also plays a factor in latex paint. If the walls are too humid, the paint will ball up and not stick, or will go on uneven, and allow the paint under the coat of latex to show through. Latex paints do not do well with faux finishes or any type of glaze.
Using these tips you should have no problems finding the right exterior painters and will certainly save time, money, and headaches in the future. If you would like to receive a free quote, please contact us today!